A Survey of Emptiness in a Khotanese Text of Zambasta
Subject Areas : Interdisciplinary studies
Fariba
Sharifian
1
(Ph.D. in Culture and Ancient Languages of Iran, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.)
Keywords: Buddhism, emptiness, khotanese, Zambasta, Mahayana, Bhava,
Abstract :
In the scientific classification of languages, Khotanese is among the Middle East Iranian languages. Although the history of recognition of Khotanese language does not exceed one hundred year, because of its lingual characteristics, cultural richness, and its integration with Buddhist customs, and Sanskrit language, its scientific study in recent century has been considerably expanded. Knowing about the ancient Iran and background of the Persian language specially its words is not only through Old and Middle Persian languages, but it is necessary to conduct a scientific study and analyze the other Iranian languages. One of these languages is called Saka-Khotanese or Khotanese which is not known for Farsi speaking people and even by scientific circles as it deserves. This research surveys the philosophy of Emptiness (ṣunyatā) according to the 7th. Chapter of The Book of “Zambasta”, a series of Khotanese Texts, including: Transcription, Translation into Persian and Notes on the proper names and some particular concepts about Buddhism.
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