The Buddhist Manuscripts at Gilgit
Summary
This article reports on the examination of a set of Buddhist manuscripts discovered at Gilgit. The author describes the manuscript as the fourth Gilgit text he has studied in Kashmir. It is a small collection of twenty‑two leaves written on birch bark in upright Gupta script dating from the sixth century A.D. Although the manuscript is generally in good condition, the scribe appears to have been an uncertain Sanskritist, since the text contains numerous spelling errors and other mistakes. The treatise consists of two dhāraṇīs; the first is titled “Ekādaśamukha,” referring to the eleven‑faced form of Avalokiteśvara. The article notes that a Tibetan translation of this dhāraṇī follows the Gilgit text closely up to verse eleven, after which it adds its own conclusion. The second dhāraṇī is described only briefly. The author compares the Gilgit manuscript with other known versions and comments on its significance for understanding the development of esoteric Buddhist practices in the Himalayan region. The article also discusses paleographic features of the manuscript and suggests a probable dating based on script style and orthography.
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Conclusion
The Gilgit manuscript adds to our knowledge of early tantric Buddhism and the transmission of dhāraṇī literature. Its birch‑bark format, Gupta script and textual peculiarities provide valuable data for paleographers and historians of Buddhism. Despite scribal errors, the text offers insight into regional devotional practices and the dissemination of Avalokiteśvara cults in the sixth century.