Dunhuang Like Nirvana Sutra "

Tunhuang hand-copied "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" is of high value of study either in the history of Buddhism or that of the Chinese language and Chinese characters. The thesis reviews 874 manuscripts of "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" of Tunhuang version, and examines respectively aspects such as versions, variant characters, popular form of characters and some of the phrases. The paper consists of six chapters:Chapter one: introductionThis chapter mainly discusses the value, the status quo and the items of attention concerning the research on Tunhuang hand-copied Buddhism document in the respect of language and characters. It also introduces "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" and the objectives and methods of study.Chapter two: versionsThis chapter introduces types and quantities of Tunhuang "Mahaparinirvana Scripture". Based on this, the North Version, the South Version and the "Postnirvana Scripture" volume are described respectively, which includes integrity, preface and postscript and notes, as well as the starting and closing characters of the hand-copied sutra and its corresponding positions in the "Taisho Tripitaka". In addition, it gives deductions about the time of copying, discloses problems of wrong linkage and missing. Meanwhile it makes discussions about the established names and connections between the hand-copied volumes of the sutra. Due to the diverse starting and closing characters in Tunhuang North version "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" and that in the "Taisho Tripitaka", the volume division of Tunhuang North version is also examined in the chapter.Chapter three: variant charactersThis chapter classifies the variant characters in Tunhuang "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" and makes conclusions about the formation of these variants. And the value and significance of study are also covered.Chapter four: emendationIt emends some of the language problems in "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" in the "Taisho Tripitaka" by using the Tunhuang hand-copied materials. It also makes a preliminary emendation to Tunhuang hand-copied "Mahaparinirvana Scripture" by referring to the carving copies handed down from ancient times.Chapter five: critical interpretations of wordsThis chapter interprets 23 words and phrases such as"biantu (变吐) ", which provides some Buddhism sutra materials for the improvement of "Comprehensive Chinese Dictionary". It clarifies 55 groups of variants such as etc. By exposing official and popular forms of characters and exploring its derivation, the chapter explains some character phenomenon in Tunhuang hand-copied "Mahaparinirvana Scripture".Chapter six: conclusion...