Mani Kambum and Deeds of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara as Patron Deity of Tibet: Introducing One Oirat Translation (Volume 1, Chapter 34)

Abstract

Introduction. The paper describes the deeds of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, a most revered deity of the Buddhist pantheon that personifies great compassion. Goals. The article attempts analyses of texts dedicated to the cult of Avalokiteśvara to describe his deeds as the patron of Tibet. Materials. The study investigates apocryphal texts and a number of Tibetan historical writings. The deeds of Avalokiteśvara (his incarnations) as the progenitor of the Tibetan people, patron of the Land of Snows, and the guardian of the Teaching are most fully represented in the collection of Terma-type texts titled ‘Mani Kambum’ which includes narratives of different genres relating to different historical periods. Section (cycle) One compiled of 36 sutras describes the deeds of Avalokiteśvara and the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo (7th c. CE). Tibetan historical texts often contain a short version of the legend according to which the Tibetan descend from the Lord of Monkeys and the Demoness of Rocks, with a few references to the latter. An extended text of the legend constitutes Chapter 34 of Volume 1 of Oirat-language Mani Kambum (in Clear Script). Results. The article transliterates and translates (with comments) Chapter 34. The introduced translation is based on the Oirat-language manuscript from the Library of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies (St. Petersburg University, call no. Calm D 22).