Conference presentation by Dr. Marc des Jardins

Dr. Marc des Jardins presented a paper at the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures, Hamburg, Germany which took place March 11-12, 2016.

Here is part of the abstract of his paper "Reading Bon Grimoires: Two examples of Gto rgyud manuscripts and the problems of reading and interpretation".

Abstract

Two copies of handwritten manuscripts of Bon esoteric material presented here for first time scrutiny. The first one, a photograph of a photocopy of a handwritten 'secret instruction' (man ngag) entitled: Man ngag sprul gyi 'bar ba bka' rgya ma rdzongs 'phrang sa ma ya rgya rgya. It is a very prviate (yang gsang) document dealing primarily with magical methods to secure various mundane outcomes and which was meant strictly for private usage and not to be shared. Its content is presenting very abbreviated and unclear guidelines, spells and other methods to manifest wealth, love, the killings of enemies as well as medicinal preparations, controlling spirits and many more. The text present complex challenges with its cursive script using a great number of abbreviated forms (bskungs yig), the use of recurring symbols whose meaning are unclear as well as diagrams to be used as talismans, lingam and others.

To read more of the abstract, please visit: https:/www.manuscript-cultures.uni-hamburg.de/cal-details/16031211%20Bonpo%20MS%20WS%20progr.pdf