Part 3.2 - Manuscripts and Translations of the Dasabhumika Sutra

There are the Sanskrit manuscripts of Dasabhumika-Sutra or Dasabhumisvara with their variant translations in different languages. The most ancient group of the Manuscripts is:-

35 ①MS. of Paris, of Paris, (National Library Sanskrit Original no.51 in Nepalese newari character, 19 th cent.); 2 MS. of Paris, (National Library Sanskrit Original no. 52 in Devanagari, 19 cent.); ③ MS. of Cambridge, (Cambridge University Library, Add. 1618, Newari, 215 pages, 38 cm. by 10 cm., dated N.S.967 (A.D. 1847)); ④ MS. of Cambridge, (Cambridge University Library, Add. 867, Newari, N. S. 872 (A.D. 1752); ⑤ MS. of London, (Royal As. Soc., Hodgson Coll. no. 3 Newari); (C) MS. of Katmandu, Royal Library, Paper MS., 215 leaves, 5 lines, 38 cm by 10 cm, Newari, dated N. S. 967 (A.D. 1847); and ℗ MS. of Calcutta, As. Soc. of Bengal, B.45, Newari: it is edited by a mediocre interpreter who very rarely gives information which can be useful for a critical edition of the Text. The Gathas of the last chapter (paridana) which are missing in the older group are found in the collection of modern Manuscripts, while they are omitted in all the chapters of the fragmented manuscripts dating from the 6 th century. 67 The Text is translated in almost all major languages, especially in the national languages of Buddhist countries where Mahayana flourished. 67 Dashabhumikasutra et Bodhisattvabhumi ed. J. Rahder, Preface of the Dasabhumika-Sutra p.i.

36 They are as follows:- (1) The Tibetan Translations: ①Edition by Narthang of Bkhah hgyur, section Phal, chen, vol. 3, pages 71-242: (from 8 th - 10 th Bhumi); ② The Peking edition, vol.3, 49 a-168 a: (from 1 st-7 th Bhumi); ③ Edition of Peking of Bastan hgyur, National Library of Paris, Tibetan original no. 229 from nos. 130 b-335 a; text and commentary by Vasubandhu. 2) The Mongolian Translation:Edition of Peking of Bhah hgyur, section Ulangi, vol.3, from 59 b- 182 a, National Library of Paris, Mongolian section no. 56. 3) The Chinese Translations:- ① Dharmaraksa,, A.D. 294, Nanjo 110; 2 Kumarajiva-Buddhayasas, A.D.384-417, Nanjo 105; 3 Buddhabhadra, liu shi hua yan jing shi de pin, Chapter 22 of the Buddhavatamsaka-Sutra, A.D. 418-420, Nanjo 87; ④Bodhiruci, +, A.D. 508-511, Nanjo 1194; ⑤Siksananda, ba shi hua yan jing shi de pin, Chapter 26 Buddhavatamsaka-Sutra, A.D. 695-699, Nanjo 88; of the 6 Saladharma, Khotan, T'ang dynasty, Supplement to the †, Canon of Kyoto 1, 2 & 4.

37 4) The Japanese Translations:- 1 Kokuyakudaizokyo, section of Sutras, vol. 6, p. 179-325; ② Section of Sastras, vol. 13. 5) The Korean Translation: A+E&K +Lin the ✰ (Koryo Tipitaka). A detailed account of the different manuscripts and versions of the Dasabhumika-Sutra has been furnished by Dr. Johannes Rahder in his illuminating preface to the Dasabhumikasutra et Bohdhisattvabhumi. He says that "The details of the original are better explained by Siksananda, in ++, by translating word to word working. mechanically without taking into account the finer points of Chinese grammar, then by the other Chinese translators who are bent on explaining the meaning in proper and good Chinese without bringing out the finer and subtle meanings of the Sanskrit manuscripts. In general one can confirm a certain similarity between the Tibetan-Mogol version and the ancient Sanskrit manuscripts (MS. Of Cambridge (Add. 867.2) and London) and a less evident conformity between the modern groups (MS. of Paris, Cambridge (Add. 1618) and Katmandu)."68 In 1926, the romanized text Dasabhumikasutra et Bodhisattvabhumi was formerly published by J. Rahder, and he, with 68 Dashabhumikasutra et Bodhisattvabhumi ed. J. Rahder, p. ii.

38 Shinryu Susa (), published The Gatha Portion of the Dashabhumika Sutra, (Eastern Buddhist vol. V, 4 and IV, 1, Kyoto, 1931-1932). In 1926, J. Rahder translated only the Seventh bhumi of the Dashabhumikasutra, including translation of Vasubandhu's Commentary, into English in the Acta Orientalia (vol. IV, p.214-256). In 1928, the Glossary of the Sanskrit, Tibetan, Mongolian and Chinese versions of the Dasabhumika Sutra, has been published by J. Rahder in Paris. Afterwards, a more critical edition based upon eight MSS. was published in Devanagari by Ryuko Kondo: entitled Dasabhumisvaro nama Mahayana-Sutram, (Tokyo) in 1936. In 1937, the Dasabhumikasutra was translated from Sanskrit into Japanese by Shoshin Tatsuyama, with corrections on the editions and comments; (Bombun Wayaku Juji-Kho (+), critical Nagoya, Japan). In 1967, the Dasabhumika-Sutra has been published by Dr. P.L. Vaidya in Devanagari both prose and verse portions on the basis of J. Rahder's edition. In 1968, J. Rahder's text was translated into English by Megumu Honda under the title: 'Annotated translation of the Dasabhumika Sutra' in Satapitaka (vol. 74, p. 115-276, Delhi).

39 In 1993, the whole Chinese Buddhavatamsaka-Sutra is translated into English by Thomas Cleary, entitled The Flower Ornament Scripture.