Manicudavadana: The Annotated Translations and A Study of the Religious Significance of Two Versions of the Sanskrit Buddhist Story

Abstract

<p>This dissertation contains four sections including an introduction, the translation of two texts -- the Manicudavadana from the Mahajjhatakamala and from Ksemendra's Avadanakalpalata, a discussion of Maicuda's many roles in other Buddhist texts, and an analysis of Manlcuda's act of dana.</p> <p>The first chapter deals with relevant scholarship on the texts to date. It generally introduces what scholars have done on the Manicudavadana. The next focus of this chapter is on the transmission and development of the Manicudavadana. Chapter 2 contains two translations of Manicuda story. The next section, Chapter 3, is mainly concerned with the variety of the texts on Manicuda that exist outside India and are found today in the Chinese Tripi taka. This "larger" picture of the Manicuda story points out the significance of different roles that Manicuda played. Chapter 4 discusses Manicuda's well-known heroic action, selfless giving, or dana. It could be considered "sin-expiation", etc., but another consideration of this action is given. I seek to understand this deed as the first stage (bhumi) of a Bodhisattva's spiritual journey toward the highest enlightenment. He must symbolically die, in order to be reborn on a higher level in his progress on the Bodhisattva path. The sacrifice of Manicuda in this interpretation is a kind of initiatory ritual.</p>