Texts from the Mongolian Ganjur dedicated to the bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara

The article examines texts from the Mongolian Kanjur, reflecting the cult of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, personifying boundless compassion. We can judge these texts by the publication of the first part of the Buddhist canonical code in Mongolian in the series “Shata pitaka”, presented in the scientific archive of the KalmSC RAS. These texts are included in the sections “Tantra” (Mongol. dandr a) and “Collection of Sutras” (Mongol. eldeb). The first of these sections presents a number of texts from the category of dharanis (Mongol. tarni), which are presented in two versions, the content of which, with the exception of minor differences, is identical. They are included in different volumes of the Kanjur. Dharanis, as a rule, include sacred syllables of mantras, among which the leading role is given to the mantra of Avalokiteshvara “Om ma ni padme hum”. They contain words about their purpose, their ability to protect the one who pronounces them from many dangers, their ability to eliminate karmic obstacles, to bestow special abilities, etc. At the same time, the dharani texts contain descriptions of various manifestations of the Bodhisattva, they describe events in which he acts as one of the main characters. From the texts of the sutras reflecting the cult of Avalokiteshvara (the Mahayana Sutra called “Seven Teachings Asked by the Holy Hongshim Bodhisattva” and the Mahayana Sutra called “The Holy Hongshim Bodhisattva”), we learn about those provisions of the Buddha’s teaching that bodhisattvas who have awakened the thought of achieving enlightenment should study. They may contain prescriptions regarding the veneration of stupas, as well as exhortations to the veneration of bodhisattvas.