The Ministry of Culture has a cool project going on! They’re working to reprint 108 volumes of the Mongolian Kanjur by March 2022. This awesome initiative is part of the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM).
What is Mongolian Kanjur?
The main religious text in Mongolia is a Buddhist scripture called the Kanjur, consisting of 108 volumes. It holds immense cultural significance, serving as a vital source of identity for the Mongolian people. In the Mongolian language, “Kanjur” translates to “Concise Orders,” specifically representing the teachings of Lord Buddha. The text, originally translated from Tibetan, is written in classical Mongolian.
Historical connection between India and Mongolia
- Buddhism was introduced to Mongolia way back when by some cool folks from India, spreading their culture and religious vibes in the early Christian era. Fast forward to today, and Buddhists are the big shots in the religious scene in Mongolia.
- India and Mongolia became official buddies in 1955 when they set up diplomatic relations. Now, the Indian government is making a sweet move by publishing the Mongolian Kanjur, showing off their cultural friendship. This move is expected to boost their friendship even more in the coming years.
Background
India is home to an incredible treasure of about ten million manuscripts, making it likely the largest collection globally. These manuscripts are like a diverse library, touching on various topics and featuring different writing styles, languages, beautiful calligraphy, and vibrant illustrations. It’s a rich tapestry of knowledge and creativity!
National Mission for Manuscripts
- The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) kicked off in February 2003 by the Indian Government. Its main job is to dig up, protect, and share the wisdom tucked away in ancient handwritten documents.
- Manuscripts are handcrafted pieces on various materials like paper, bark, cloth, metal, or palm leaves, dated at least seventy-five years old. They’re valuable for their scientific, historical, or artistic significance.
- Not everything old is a manuscript. Lithographs and printed books don’t count. Manuscripts are also different from historical records like inscriptions on rocks or revenue documents that give us direct info about historical events.
- The mission wants to unveil and share rare, unpublished manuscripts. Why? So that the knowledge stored in them gets out to researchers, scholars, and everyone else who’s curious.
- This whole manuscript mission falls under the Ministry of Culture in India. They’re the ones steering the ship.
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