Mongolian Kanjur
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Mongolian Kanjur is a Buddhist canonical text that has 108 volumes.
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It is considered to be the most important religious text in Mongolia.
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Meaning: In the Mongolian language ‘Kanjur’ means ‘Concise Orders’- the words of Lord Buddha in particular.
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Language: Mongolian Kanjur has been translated from Tibetan. The language of the Kanjur is Classical Mongolian.
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Importance:
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Mongolian Kanjur is held in high esteem by the Mongolian Buddhists.
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They worship the Kanjur at temples and recite the lines of Kanjur in daily life as a sacred ritual.
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The Kanjur is kept almost in every monastery in Mongolia.
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Why in News? The Ministry of Culture has taken up the project of reprinting of 108 volumes of Mongolian Kanjur under the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM).
What are Manuscripts?
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A manuscript is a handwritten composition on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf or any other material dating back at least seventy-five years. They also have significant scientific, historical or aesthetic value.
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Manuscripts are distinct from historical records such as epigraphs on rocks, farmans, revenue records. These historical records provide direct information on events or processes in history.
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Further, Lithographs and printed volumes are also not considered manuscripts.