Jinah Kim, Harvard University
Alexander O’Neill, Musashino University, Tokyo
Sarah Richardson, University of Toronto
Pañcarakṣā (pronounce: "pancha-rak-sha") means “five protectresses” or “five protector goddesses.” This particular Pañcarakṣā Sūtra belongs to the Newari Buddhist tradition in Nepal and protects users from a range of illnesses and calamities including snake bites, defense from torments of hell, safety during sea journeys, and protection against pestilence. This video is part of the digital exhibit, "Hidden Stories: Books Along the Silk Roads."
Video
Further Reading and Viewing
For an extended conversation about this object, see the video and accompanying materials on the "Hidden Stories: Books Along the Silk Roads" video page.
See also the bibliography from the Hidden Stories Project website.
Cite
This video was originally produced for the "Hidden Stories: Books Along the Silk Roads" digital exhibit in 2022.
Kim, Jinah, Alexander O’Neill, and Sarah Richardson. "The Pañcarakṣā Sūtra: A Living Buddhist Text from Nepal," Middle Ages for Educators, April 8, 2024. Accessed [date]. https://middleagesforeducators.princeton.edu/pañcarakṣā-sūtra-living-buddhist-text-nepal