The Buddhist Manuscripts at Gilgit
By Nalinaksha Dutt
Summary
The Buddhist Manuscripts at Gilgit include a third birch-bark manuscript written in Cursive Gupta characters (6th century CE), with well-preserved glaze and ink. Titled *Sarvatathagatadhishthan-sarvalokanabuddha-chintamshasandarshanamahayanasutra*, it describes Buddha’s Buddha-land and is venerated by Tathagatas. The Sanskrit title aligns with Tibetan and Chinese versions, though translations differ in scope. The Chinese version (7th century, Taishe edition) is shorter, possibly representing an earlier form, while the Tibetan translation (9th century) is literal and comprehensive. Comparisons reveal textual variations, including omitted passages in Chinese and Tibetan versions. The manuscript’s script and content suggest a 6th-century origin, with later additions likely inserted. Scholars like Kuk and Nanjio note the work’s significance, with the original likely predating the 6th century.
Conclusion
The Gilgit manuscripts present a critical window into the evolution of Mahayana Buddhist texts, revealing how the *Sarvatathagata-cintamani* evolved across linguistic and cultural traditions. The intact physical state of the birch-bark manuscripts offers rare material evidence of preservation techniques in early Central Asia, while the comparative analysis of Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese versions illuminates the dynamic interplay between textual fidelity and adaptive translation. The discrepancies between the Chinese and Tibetan renderings—particularly the omission of supplementary narratives in the Chinese version—suggest a deliberate curation process, potentially reflecting early editorial priorities. This trilingual corpus not only enriches our understanding of Buddhist exegesis but also underscores the role of Gilgit as a nexus of inter-cultural exchange, where Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese traditions converged to shape doctrinal transmission. The findings reinforce the importance of material and textual scholarship in reconstructing the fluid boundaries of ancient Buddhist thought.