Study of the Buddhist Sutra called Säkiz Y|kmäk Yaruq or Säkiz Törl|gin Yarumïs Yaltrïmïs in Old Turkic, A
Book Description
This scholarly exploration delves into an ancient Buddhist scripture that traveled remarkable distances across cultures and languages, offering modern readers insight into how spiritual wisdom transcended boundaries in medieval Asia. Juten Oda presents a meticulous reconstruction of a sacred text originally composed in Chinese, then translated into Old Turkic and preserved among the treasured manuscripts of the Berlin Turfan Collection.
The scripture at the heart of this study reveals fascinating tensions within Buddhist thought, particularly its bold critique of fortune-telling practices and yin-yang theories that dominated spiritual life in medieval times. Rather than accepting conventional approaches to fate and divination, this text appears to advocate for liberation from such constraints, presenting what one reviewer describes as a "Buddhist gospel of liberation from taboos and divination."
Through careful comparison of Old Turkic fragments with their Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian counterparts, Oda illuminates how this teaching spread widely among Uighur Buddhist communities from the tenth century onward. The abundance of surviving manuscript fragments suggests this scripture resonated deeply with practitioners seeking spiritual freedom from superstitious thinking.
For contemporary readers interested in Buddhism's diverse expressions and its historical emphasis on liberation from limiting beliefs, this study offers a window into how ancient communities grappled with questions of spiritual autonomy that remain relevant today. The work demonstrates how authentic spiritual teachings can flourish even outside official religious canons.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 319 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Texts
- ✓ Explore Turkic Buddhist literature
- ✓ Explore Southeast Turkic languages
- ✓ Understand Buddhist philosophy and practice
- ✓ Explore Buddhist literature
- ✓ Explore Chinese language
- ✓ Explore Uighur language
- ✓ Explore Uighur Buddhist literature
