Proceedings of the Ninth Seminar of the Iats, 2000. Volume 10: The Many Canons of Tibetan Buddhism

Description

Subject of The Many Canons of Tibetan Buddhismare both the mainstream Tibetan canons of translated Buddhist classics (known as the Bka’ ‘gyur & Bstan ‘gyur), and the alternative canons of literature of the Nyingma sectarian Culture (known as the Rnying ma rgyud ‘bum). The first section discusses the formation and transmission of Tibetan canonicaltexts, but also includes important works of reference, such as a Bka’ gdams pa handbook and several unique catalogues. It also features a first report on Tibetan textual transmission in Mongolia. The second section not only presents interpretative analysis of one of the most important alternative canons in Tibet, the Rnying ma rgyud ‘bum, but also discusses essential issues of legitimacy, authority and lineage during the grayperiod of the tenth to twelfth centuries which laid the foundation for the formation of all ensuing Tibetan canons. The volume thus develops fresh perspectives on the nature, plurality and contents of canons in Tibetan Buddhism.