CKI00320 Theodotus – Swāt – steatite miniature stūpa

This steatite miniature stūpa was discovered in a Pathan village in Swāt where it was being used as a money-box. A Kharoṣṭḥī inscription is engraved around the entire circumference of the upper part of the stūpa base.  The text records the establishment of relics of the lord Śākaymuni by the Meriadarch Theodotus for the benefit of many.

Content Summary

The Meriadarch Theodotus established relics of the lord Śākaymuni for the benefit of many.

Analysis

Editions

The initial edition by Konow was based on rubbings and an inked tracing whilst a subsequent edition by Salomon was based on a series of photographs.  A 3D model of the reliquary has been developed to support the current edition.

Keywords

Benefit, Buddha, EraRulerDate, Establishment

Previous Editions

• Konow, Sten. 1929. Kharoshṭhī Inscriptions with the Exception of Those of Aśoka. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. II, Part I. Calcutta: Government of India Central Publication Branch. 2–4
• “Gandharan Reliquary Inscriptions.” In: David Jongeward, Elizabeth Errington, Richard Salomon and Stefan Baums, Gandharan Buddhist Reliquaries. Gandharan Studies, Volume 1. Seattle: Early Buddhist Manuscripts Project.  197-99

Other References

• Bibliographic details of references to this inscription are available from ( Gāndhārī Language and Literature )

Acknowledgements

Development of the 3D model was undertaken by Murtaza Taj (LUMS, Lahore). Research on this edition and production of the digital edition was completed with the generous support of the Prakaś Foundation.  The transliteration, translation, chāyā and glossary have been reviewed by Mark Allon and Stephanie Majcher.