Thousands of Manifestations of Gautama the Buddha: First Time a Critical Appreciation of the Buddha-Nama-Samgiti from Tibetan-Sanskrit Manuscripts

Appositions with multiple attributes of a deity are a common feature in the prayer liturgies of Indian traditions. Sanskrit liturgical literature often extols the merit of the deity concerned, and these compositions are referred to as Namamala and Nama Sangiti. The Namamala and Stotra literature evolved over time, taking various forms among Indians engaged in idol worship. Through this evolution, Namamala and Stotra literature became an established form of metrical composition.

The present work, Buddhanama-sahasra pancasata-tripancadasa which contains 5,453 names of Gautama the Buddha enumerates thousands of appositions that highlight the excellence of the Buddha Tathagata, though its original Sanskrit form is now lost. Appositions with multiple attributes of the Buddha as a deity were a common liturgical practice in Buddhist texts, aligning with the broader Indian tradition.

This text is found in the Sutra Varga of the Kanjur canonical collection of the Tibetan Tripitaka, and its authenticity as the Buddhavacana (the words of Gautama the Buddha) is affirmed by the Tibetan tradition. This work will be of significant interest to scholars and general readers, particularly those focused on Buddhist Studies.