A Critical Edition of the Tibetan Translation of the Mahaparinirvana-mahasutra

By (author) Hiromi Habata

Book cover: A Critical Edition of the Tibetan Translation of the Mahaparinirvana-mahasutra

Extent: 492 pages

Publisher: Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag

Subjects: Buddhist Studies

Series: Contributions to Tibetan Studies

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(December 2013)

ISBN: 9783895009914

6.69 x 9.45 inches

Price: $132.00

In stock

The Mahāparinirvāṇa-mahāsūtra, the great sūtra on the parinirvāna of the Buddha, narrates the legends of the last time of the Buddha’s life in a particular way, which differs from other versions from the Mahāparinirvāna literature, for example, the version of the Theravādins or of the Sarvāstivādins. In the history of Buddhist thought, the sūtra is known as one of the earliest sources for the Tathāgatagarbha theory. In the Buddhist practice, the sūtra played an important role for the development of vegetarianism. The Chinese translation of the sūtra has exerted a great influence on Eastern Buddhism. The Sanskrit text of the sūtra is transmitted only in fragments. Therefore, the Tibetan translation from Sanskrit is of great importance to understand the sūtra. The critical edition is based on nine versions of the Tibetan Kanjur. The introduction provides an overview of the Tibetan sources, text critical analysis, and orthographical variations.<br/>


The Mahaparinirvana-mahasutra, the great sutra on the parinirvana of the Buddha, narrates the legends of the last time of the Buddha’s life in a particular way, which differs from other versions from the Mahaparinirvana literature, for example, the version of the Theravadins or of the Sarvastivadins. In the history of Buddhist thought, the sutra is known as one of the earliest sources for the Tathagatagarbha theory. In the Buddhist practice, the sutra played an important role for the development of vegetarianism. The Chinese translation of the sutra has exerted a great influence on Eastern Buddhism. The Sanskrit text of the satra is transmitted only in fragments. Therefore, the Tibetan translation from Sanskrit is of great importance to understand the satra. The critical edition is based on nine versions of the Tibetan Kanjur. The introduction provides an overview of the Tibetan sources, text critical analysis, and orthographical variations.

  • By (author) Hiromi Habata