Interpretation of the Tibetan Language Text of Teachings on Samsara from Dunhuang Documents
Eight manuscripts from Dunhuang documents,namely P.T.24.4,P.T.24V.1,P.T.32BV.2,P.T.459,P.T.580V,P.T.757V,P.T.977.4,and IOL Tib J 335.I,have been found to be copied from the same historical manuscript.These documents have previously been given different names in catalogues and photocopy records of historical texts,while some individual manuscripts remain untitled.According to the title of the source document from which these manuscripts are drawn,this paper first identifies the text as being a copy of Teachings on Samsara,then presents a transcription,translation and interpretation of the text by utilizing P.T.24.4 and P.T.24V.1 as original versions of the document.Finally,this study points out that these texts actual-ly composed a Buddhist bianwen变文,a popular form of narrative literature for preaching Buddhism created in the Middle Tang dynasty when Chinese religious culture was heavily influenced by Tibet.This consideration leads to the conclusion that the writ-ing of this document was influenced by Tibetan translations of Buddhist sutras,such as the Udana varga and Bodhicaryāvatāra,as well as Chinese translations of Buddhist scripture in the form of bianwen.
Dunhuang manuscripts in ancient TibetanTeachings on Samsarabianwen
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