⑥Sanskrit Lotus Sutra Manuscript from the University of Tokyo General Library (No. 414), Romanized Text (2003)

Published by the Soka Gakkai
Edited by Haruaki Kotsuki
Coordination by the Institute of Oriental Philosophy
Date of publication: November 25, 2003
ISBN: 4-88417-008-3
Collection of University of Tokyo General Library
Copy date: 17th-18th centuries CE
Number of pages: xxxvi +279 + illustration (1 page) (total 316 pages)
Language: Sanskrit, English, and Japanese
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This book includes a romanized text of the paper manuscript broght from Nepal in 1903 by Ekai Kawaguchi (1866-1945), a Buddhist scholar and explorer. It is apparent that this manuscript was copied by one copyist from the beginning to the end in beautiful Ranjana script. It is a paper manuscript of good quality. Comparatively fewer scribal errors and omissions of letters are found. The miniature of the Buddha image surrounded by disciples and followers in the center of folio 1b is described much more elaborately than those of other paper manuscripts. This is one of the manuscripts used for collating the Kern-Nanjo edition, the first critical edition published between 1908 and 1912. The academic value of manuscript is there higher.
    The Nepalese manuscripts can be devided into two groups due to the copy dates, i.e., palm-leaf manuscripts from the 11th to the 12th centuries CE and paper manuscripts since the 17th century CE. This manuscript preserves the readings of both groups. Regarding textual proximity with the palm-leaf manuscript from the National Archives of Nepal (no. 5-144) and manuscript fragments in the Asha Archives in Kathmandu.
Regarding proximity with the paper manuscripts, it bears readings very close to the Sanskrit Lotus Sutra manuscript from the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (no. 6), as well as other similar paper manuscripts belonging to the same group.