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GANDAVYŪRASTTRA
personally checked it with the original to use it as a Press Copy for a projected edition in thc Gackwad Oriental Series. I was equally lucky to use this transcript which I personally comparer/ with the original at crucial points during my frequent visits to Baroda during 1958-59 for the purpose of preparing the critical text of the Ayodhyā Kānda of the Ramayana for that Instituto. lium very happy for this sind as otherwise I would have been compelled to almost reproduce the text as in the Kyoto edition. It shoule, however, bc clearly understood that the Baroda Ms is just a Al., having numerous misrcadings, omissions (inostly haplographical) and gaps; but on the whole I find the Ms. very carefully prepared by a good scholar-scribc.
While I was in Kathmandu in November 1954, I visited the Vajrācārya monastery where I saw several 1)evanaşarı Niss, of the Gandavyūhasūtra which appeared to be recent paper M15. It means that it is still possible in that region to get in okler nis, of this sūtra to enablc the younger scholar to improve my trxt further.
4. Analysis of the Work Like other works of the class of Agamas or Dharmas of Nepalese Buddhism, this work opens with an introductory section describing the Buddha scated in the assembly of Bochisattvas, monks and lay disciples attending on him in the Jctavana gardeu donated to the Samgha by Anithapindada at Srivasti. The monks discussed among themselves the unfathomableness of the greatness of Buddha, and thc mcans to obtain a fraction of that greatness. For this end, the real guide was a Kalyziņamitra, a benevolent friend. The Buddha, knowing the contents of their discussion, entered into a samadhi called Siṁhavijrmbhita when several Bodhisattvas from different lands arrived there to wait upon him, and took their seats around the Master in such a manner that the entire extent of the Jetavana garden got filled with them. The Srāvakas like Sāriputra were not, however, aware of this prowess of the Buddha. Each one of the Bodhisattvas then recited a short hymn in praise of the Buddha (pp. 1-24). Then Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, who had realised the nature of the Samādhi as well as the prowess of Buddha, explained the same to the assembly. Next came Bodhisattva Manjusri who also explained to the assembly the great power of Buddha's Samadhi. The assembly was thereupon filled with thc sentiment of Karunā
