Spreading the message of the Lotus Sutra

A facsimile edition of the ancient Gilgit Lotus Sutra manuscript was launched by National Archives of India recently. Sangita Gairola, secretary of Ministry of Culture, released a copy of the edition, which will give a chance to people to go through the only body of Buddhist manuscripts discovered in India.

“Much work on our cultural thought and norms has been done abroad and scholars have painstakingly worked at learning ancient scripts in order to understand the true meaning of what they have studied. It is fitting that we in India take care to preserve what we have, knowing that it is of relevance not just to us here but to the rest of the world as well,” said Sangita.

The Lotus Sutra was discovered by some cattle grazers in 1931. They found it in a wooden box in a circular chamber inside a Buddhist stupa and brought it to the Wazir of Gilgit. The Wazir sent it to Maharaja of Kashmir in Srinagar. The manuscripts have survived for centuries because they were written on Bhoj patra (bark of the birch tree) which does not decay in freezing sub zero temperature of Gilgit.

The document was studied by Hungarian-British archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein who anounced their discovery. The publication of this book is a result of collaboration between National Archives of India, Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP) and The Sokka Gakkai. 

A UN recognised NGO Sokka Gakkai works towards spreading values of peace, culture and education amongst people based on the principles of Buddhism.

The Lotus Sutra is one of the most sacred scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism which is strongest in Tibet, China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia. Addressing the gathering, eminent historian and Director NHAI, Prof Mushril Hasan, said, “A crying need in our country and in other parts of the world is to make historical documents accessible. The publication ensures that these manuscripts can now be viewed and studied more freely. I hope that this landmark achievement will herald the start of a trend of thinking of creative and innovative ways of making our rich heritage not just accessible but also meaningful to many.”

Dr. Lokesh Chandra, Chairperson, IIC stressed the significance of this rare ancient manuscript: “Lotus Sutra has provided a value system to Asia for over 1600 years. It gives the idea that everything in life should be valued as a treasure. And that, mind is the greatest treasure of all. Numbers are very important to trace history, evaluation or ideas of the manuscript and a reading of Lotus Sutra is proof of calculation by Indians.”

The panel discussion was also attended by Dr. Akash K. Ouchi, fellow, Institute of Oriental Philosophy. “I am very sure this publication this edition of Gilgit manuscripts is a historic and significant landmark in the study of Buddhism,” 

Dr. Kapila Vatsayayan, founder president of IGNCA concluded the panel discussion with, “If preserving our heritage is not the priority of the state, then India is on the verge of losing its cultural memory.”