Rasiyan-u Qumq-a. A Vase of Nectar. An Anonymous Mongolian Poem in a Manuscript of the 18th Century. Facsimile of the Manuscript, Transcription and Translation
2015
Abstract
Rasiyan-u qumq-a (Arshaanii khumkh in Modern Mongolian), A Vase of Nectar, is a long didactic poem composed supposedly at the turn of the 17th century in Classical Mongolian. Forming a cycle of 317 quatrains preserved from original 340, it deals with the harmonious interrelation between the world order (rules of righteous action as perceived the contemporary Mongolian society) and the religious order (basic concepts of Buddhism).
Written by an unknown author, it follows literary traditions founded by Choiji Odser (14th century) and Sakya Pandita's Treasury of aphoristic jewels. The present edition contains an introduction, transcription, Czech translation, and a facsimile of the single known manuscript copy of the work.