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Oriental Studies in Japan

By R. Kimura

Vol. 1 · No. 1March - 1925pp. 185–186English

Summary

The text discusses two main topics: the dating of Manik Ganguli’s *Mangal* and academic provisions for Indian studies in Japanese universities. Regarding *Mangal*, the author disputes Dr. Dines Chandra Sen’s claim that the text was written in 1547 A.D., as the original date provided by Ganguli is unclear. The author reinterprets the date as corresponding to the Saka era, yielding 1560 A.D. (1491 Saka + 647). The second section details the academic infrastructure for Indian studies in Japan, particularly in universities like Tokyo Imperial, Kyoto Imperial, Otani, Ryukoku, and others. Key figures include Dr. J. Takakusu (Sanskrit at Tokyo), Dr. M. Anesaki (Indian religions), and Prof. T. Suzuki (Mahayana Buddhism at Otani). Other institutions like Sukeo, Singan-su, and Maysingi also offer Sanskrit, Pali, Hindu philosophy, and Buddhism. The text notes the growing academic interest in Indian subjects, including recent provisions in Korean and Pa-Xo-oka universities. Overall, it highlights Japan’s institutional support for the study of Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, and related disciplines.

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Conclusion

This study establishes the precise dating of Manik Ganguli’s *Mangal Mangal* to 1560 CE through a critical analysis of its Saka era references, resolving discrepancies in prior scholarship. By deciphering the text’s chronological markers, it corrects earlier assumptions and provides a definitive timeline for this significant work on Bengali Dharma legends. The findings underscore the importance of re-examining textual details to refine historical understanding. Additionally, the document highlights Japan’s robust academic infrastructure for Indian studies, detailing institutional provisions for Sanskrit, Pali, Buddhist, and Hindu philosophical research across major universities. This dual focus—on textual chronology and academic infrastructure—contributes to a nuanced intersection of historical accuracy and cross-cultural scholarly collaboration.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “Minik Ram Gangult is બાહ of the writers on the legends of Dharma (Dharma-mariigala) in Bengal.”
  • “The total of these 1.૯. 1491 Saka era 15 the date of the composition of the book.”
  • “Information as to the provision that has been made in the various Universities of Japan for the study of Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, Sanskrit, Pili, Tibetan, etc., may be interesting to Indian scholars.”

Works cited in this article

  1. History of Bengali Language and Literature

Discussed in this article

People

  • J. Takakusu 3
  • Nanjio 3
  • Dines Chandra Sen
  • Manik Ganguli
  • M. Anesaki
  • T. Kimura
  • Nagayee
  • B. Machumata
  • U. Theramata
  • H. Izumi
  • C. Akanana
  • T. Suzuki
  • G. Harda
  • Rykoko University

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In this issue

Vol. 1 · No. 1
1–4IntroductionSten Konow4–17The Date of Zoroaster and the RgvedaArthur Berriedale Keith18–30The Northern BuddhismHariprasad G. Shastri31–36Bharavi and DandinSushil Kumar De36–42Some Aspects of the Economic Life in Ancient India ( AS DEPICTED IN THE RGVEDA )Prafulla Chandra Basu42–50The Aryan Rule of IndiaW. F. Gunawardhana50–58Message from Barhut Jataka LabelsB. M. Barua59–68The Vicitra NatakIndubhusan Banerjee69–79Bengal School of ArtSatish Chandra Mitra79–85Rama Raya, Regent of Vijayanagar (1542–1565)H. Heras86–87Seniya BimbisaraHem Chandra Raychaudhuri88–91Sumerians in IndiaLaurence Austine Waddell91–94Some observations on Pusyamitra and his EmpireRamesh Chandra Majumdar94–99Politics and Political History in the MahabharataNarayan Chandra Banerji100–102Etymologies of Kubha lagh, eagh-, gevaya, and Laghulo.Muhammad Shahidullah103–111The Bhasa ProblemK. Rama Pisharoti111–116Some Wall‑Paintings from KelaniyaStella Kramrisch116–119Pāvapuri and its Temple PrasastiPuranchand Nahar119–125Mandukya Upanishad and the Gaudapada KarikasVidhushekhara Bhattacharya126–129Lakshmana Sena’s Flight from NadiaC. V. Vaidya130–136Rasātala or the Under‑WorldNandu Lal Dey137–166The Kosalas in Ancient IndiaBimala Charan Law167–171MISCELLANY - Oriental Studies in Russia172–176Progress of Historical Research in the Madras PresidencyC. S. Srinivasachari176–179Recent Discoveries in Sind and the PunjabS. K. Chatterjee179–184The All-India Oriental Conference (Third Session)Sushil Kumar De185The Date of Manik Ganguli's Dharma MangalMuhammad Shahidullah185–186Oriental Studies in JapanR. KimuraCurrent article187–191ReviewsRamesh Chandra Majumdar, B. M. Barua, Kaccayana, D. M. Bhattacharya192–196Select Contents of Oriental Journals197–198BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

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