An Oirat translation of the “Sutra of eight luminous of heaven and earth”: text structure revisited

The article discusses an Oirat manuscript containing translation of the “Sutra of Eight Luminous of Heaven and Earth” made by Jaya-pandita Nam-mkha ’ rgya-mtsho (1599-1662), one who created “Clear Script” writing system known also as todo bichig. This sutra in Chinese and Tibetan canon is considered as apocryphal, or non-authentic word of Buddha. However, it became very widely known among Mongolian peoples, because of its ritual functioning mainly. The Jaya-pandita’s translation refers to the version of the sutra which is designated by Mongolian researchers as version B. This version was included in Gzungs-’dus collection of small non-canonical Buddhist texts. The analysis of the Oirat translation shows the text includes fifteen sections, each of them sub-dividing into smaller units. The Oirat text preserves main features of the canonical sutra-title in three languages (Sanskrit / Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian / Oirat), homage expression, initial situation, question by one of disciples, Buddha’s response, expression of joy by listeners. These elements are interleaved with rendering of supernatural beings names which pursues the ritual goal of pacifying them and neutralizing their negative influence. Comparing with Tibetan version of the sutra from Gzungs-’dus collection shows that Jaya-pandita used another Tibetan text which differed in classifications of lokapalas, keeping wealthyaksas, nagas and sa-bdag land protectors. Also this original version contained big section with thirty dharani formulas rendered for various goals (neutralizing deceases, calamities and so on). Identification of some names is complicated because translating them Jaya-pandita used literal translation and in some cases combining with phonetic calques of Tibetan words which hardly can be restored without access to Tibetan original text.