Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 December 2009
Of the 7, 000 manuscripts (including fragments) which were taken by Sir Aurel Stein, almost at random, from the great hoard in Tunhuang, some 380 bear dates, ranging from A.D. 406 to 995. Six are of the fifth century, and forty-four of the sixth. A few of the undated MSS. may be even earlier than 406, while it is highly probable that others are later than 995, seeing that the date 1035 is found in the similar collection at Paris. But in any case the period covered does not greatly exceed 600 years.
1 An asterisk at the beginning of a transliterated title indicates that the first part of the text under consideration is missing, while one at the end of the title means that the last portion is incomplete. “N.” stands for Bunyiu Nanjio's Catalogue, and “K.” for the Kyōto edition of the Chinese Buddhist Tripitaka.