The Ministry of Culture in India has embarked on a significant cultural project: the reprinting of the 108-volume Mongolian Kanjur. This undertaking is scheduled to be completed by March 2022, under the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM). In celebration of Guru Purnima, also known as Dharma Chakra Day, on July 4th, 2020, some of the reprinted copies were presented to the Mongolian government.
The Importance of Mongolian Kanjur
Mongolian Kanjur, a Buddhist canonical text comprising 108 volumes, holds immense importance as the most significant religious text in Mongolia. Its influence extends beyond spiritual practice, offering a rich source of cultural identity to Mongolians. The term ‘Kanjur’ in the Mongolian language translates to ‘Concise Orders’, specifically referring to the teachings of Lord Buddha. This vital text, originally written in Tibetan, is presented in classical Mongolian.
Cultural Ties Between India and Mongolia
The transmission of Buddhism to Mongolia can be traced back to Indian cultural and religious ambassadors during the early Christian era. This profound influence has shaped Mongolia’s religious landscape, with Buddhists forming the largest single religious group in the country today. India established diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955, further strengthening cultural ties. The reprinting of Mongolian Kanjur significantly symbolises cultural harmony between India and Mongolia. This act is expected to foster bilateral relations in the years to come.
National Mission for Manuscripts
In February 2003, the Government of India launched the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) with the express aim of documenting, conserving, and disseminating knowledge preserved in manuscripts. A manuscript, defined as a handwritten composition on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf, or any other material dating back at least seventy-five years, is deemed significant for its scientific, historical or aesthetic value. Not to be confused with lithographs or printed volumes, manuscripts provide critical insights often distinct from historical records such as epigraphs on rocks or revenue records providing direct information on events or processes in history.
One of the NMM’s goals involves publishing rare and previously unpublished manuscripts to disseminate the knowledge they contain. This aims to benefit researchers, scholars, and the general public. The mission operates under the Ministry of Culture.
Source: PIB
This initiative by the Ministry of Culture to reprint the Mongolian Kanjur serves as a testament to the enduring cultural ties between India and Mongolia. It highlights the shared heritage and ongoing partnership between these two nations, and underscores the efforts being made to preserve and propagate the richness and diversity of historical knowledge through initiatives such as the National Mission for Manuscripts.
