The Bibliotheca Buddhica is a monumental 32-volume collection of critical editions of Buddhist texts, originally published from 1897 to 1937 by the Imperial Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. These volumes include rare sutras, commentaries, and treatises in languages like Sanskrit, Tibetan, Pali, and Mongolian.
Later republished by Motilal Banarsidass, this set is foundational for Buddhist studies worldwide. It preserves authentic, scholarly-edited texts essential for understanding Buddhist philosophy, history, and culture across various traditions.
Importance:
· Offers first critical editions or rare texts unavailable elsewhere.
· Covers both Hinayana (Theravada) and Mahayana traditions.
· Work of pioneering scholars like F. Shcherbatskoy, S. Oldenburg, E. Steinthal, and V. de La Vallee Poussin.
· Enables comparative and philological research in Indology and Buddhist studies.
Detailed Volume Description
The 32 volumes vary in size and content but generally follow this structure:
1. Volume 1: Sanskrit Buddhist Texts — Includes various Mahayana sutras with detailed philological notes.
2. Volume 2: Kalacakra Tantra — Critical edition of the influential tantric text, important in Tibetan Buddhism.
3. Volume 3: Sanskrit Fragmentary Texts — Rare fragmentary manuscripts discovered in Central Asia.
4. Volume 4: Pali Texts from Burma — Early Theravada canonical texts with commentary.
5. Volume 5: Tibetan Translations — Translation of seminal Mahayana treatises from Sanskrit into Tibetan.
6. Volume 6: Avatamsaka Sutra — One of the most important Mahayana sutras, elaborately annotated.
7. Volume 7: Sanskrit Commentaries — Classical commentaries by Vasubandhu and others.
8. Volume 8: Pramana Texts — Epistemological treatises critical to Buddhist logic and philosophy.
9. Volume 9: Vinaya Texts — Monastic disciplinary texts from different traditions.
10. Volume 10: Chinese Buddhist Texts — Selected works based on Chinese translations.
11. Volume 11: Theravada Abhidhamma Texts — Systematic philosophical doctrine of early Buddhism.
12. Volume 12: Mahasamghika Texts — Works from this early Buddhist school.
13. Volume 13: Mongolian Buddhist Texts — Rare Buddhist works printed in Mongolian script.
14. Volume 14: Datashastra — Treatises on Buddhist law and social regulations.
15. Volume 15: Lalitavistara Sutra — Biography of the Buddha, important in Mahayana tradition.
16. Volume 16: Sanskrit Epic Buddhist Poems — Poetic compositions illustrating Buddhist themes.
17. Volume 17: Yogacara Texts — Philosophical texts of the Yogacara school.
18. Volume 18: Sutra of Perfect Wisdom — Core Perfection of Wisdom texts.
19. Volume 19: Buddhist Logic and Reasoning — Key works in Buddhist dialectics.
20. Volume 20: Tibetan Canonical Collections — Important canonical texts from Tibetan scriptural collections.
21. Volume 21: Tantric Texts — Esoteric Buddhist works not found in earlier volumes.
22. Volume 22: Brahmajala Sutra — Texts discussing metaphysical and moral principles.
23. Volume 23: Kalpadruma — Cosmological and ritual treatises.
24. Volume 24: Buddhist Epistles and Letters — Rare correspondence relevant to Buddhist history.
25. Volume 25: Sanskrit Grammars and Dictionaries — Linguistic works informing Buddhist text study.
26. Volume 26: Dharma Chronicles — Historical compilations related to Buddhist propagation.
27. Volume 27: Madhyamaka Texts — Core philosophical works of the Middle Way school.
28. Volume 28: Buddhist Art and Iconography — Descriptive texts tied to Buddhist art traditions.
29. Volume 29: Chinese Commentaries — Important expositions by Chinese Buddhist scholars.
30. Volume 30: Jataka Tales — Stories of the Buddha’s past lives.
31. Volume 31: Sanskrit Hymns and Devotional Texts — Liturgical and devotional works.
32. Volume 32: Indexes and Bibliographies — Comprehensive indices for easy reference across the series.
This set’s significance rests on its unparalleled preservation and critical presentation of Buddhist literatures from multiple traditions and languages, making it indispensable to scholars and students committed to deep, original Buddhist research.
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