The Cosmic and Symbolic Meaning of the Moon in Old Uighur Buddhist Texts

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 177 - 252, 30.06.2025

Hacer Tokyürek

https://doi.org/10.46614/ijous.1702154

Abstract

In this study, the figure of Marīcī in Old Uighur Buddhist texts and the symbolic, cosmological, and astronomical descriptions of the Moon are discussed in a comparative perspective. The positioning of Marīcī as the feminine principle of the cosmic order through the themes of light and protection reveals that she is seen as a metaphysical source of light not only in the Tantric tradition but also in Old Uighur Buddhist thought. Similarly, the figure of the Moon has a multilayered meaning, both as a celestial being regulating the rhythm of time and as a mythological element representing the transformation of saṃsāra. The symbolic link established through the phases of the moon to the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvāṇa reinforces the central role of the time-light-enlightenment triad in Buddhist cosmology. The identification of the full moon with the Buddha's face in ancient Uighur texts transformed the association of light with purification and divine knowledge into a cultural symbol. In conclusion, both Marīcī and the moon figure appear not only as celestial beings in the Old Uighur Buddhist conception of the universe, but also as gendered and symbolised representations of cosmic order, time, and metaphysical enlightenment. In this context, Old Uighur Buddhism reflects a multifaceted cultural and philosophical background through its deep relationships between cosmology, mythology, and astronomy.

Keywords

Old Uyghur, Buddhist texts, Moon, astronomy, religious symbolism., Old Uighur

Eski Uygur Budist Metinlerinde Ay’ın Kozmik ve Sembolik Anlamı

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Eski Uygur Budist metinlerinde yer alan Marīcī figürü ile Ay’a dair sembolik, kozmolojik ve astronomik anlatımlar karşılaştırmalı bir perspektifle ele alınmıştır. Marīcī’nin ışık ve koruma temaları üzerinden kozmik düzenin dişil ilkesi olarak konumlandırılması, onun yalnızca Tantrik gelenekte değil, Eski Uygur Budist düşüncesinde de metafiziksel bir ışık kaynağı olarak görüldüğünü ortaya koymuştur. Benzer biçimde, Ay figürü de hem zamanın ritmini düzenleyen göksel bir varlık hem de saṃsāranın dönüşümünü temsil eden mitolojik bir unsur olarak çok katmanlı bir anlama sahiptir. Ay’ın evreleri üzerinden Buddha’nın doğumu, aydınlanması ve Nirvāṇa’ya erişimiyle kurulan sembolik bağ, Budist kozmolojideki zaman–ışık–aydınlanma üçlüsünün merkezî rolünü pekiştirmektedir. Eski Uygur metinlerinde dolunayın Buddha’nın yüzüyle özdeşleştirilmesi, ışığın arınma ve ilahi bilgiyle olan ilişkisini kültürel bir simgeye dönüştürmüştür. Sonuç olarak, hem Marīcī hem de Ay figürü, Eski Uygur Budist evren tasavvurunda yalnızca göksel varlıklar değil; aynı zamanda kozmik düzenin, zamanın ve metafizik aydınlanmanın cinsiyetlendirilmiş ve sembolleştirilmiş temsilleri olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, Eski Uygur Budizmi kozmoloji, mitoloji ve astronomi arasında kurduğu derin ilişkiler aracılığıyla çok yönlü bir kültürel ve felsefi birikimi yansıtmaktadır.

Keywords

Eski Uygurca, Budist metinler, Ay, astronomi, dinî sembolizm.

Supporting Institution

Tübitak 1001 122K196 numaralı proje

Thanks

Bu çalışma, TÜBİTAK ARDEB 1001 programı kapsamında 122K196 numaralı proje ile desteklenmiştir. Sağladığı finansal katkıdan dolayı TÜBİTAK’a teşekkür ederim. Ayrıca ArGePark araştırma binasında gerekli altyapı ve laboratuvar imkânlarını sağlayan Erciyes Üniversitesi Araştırma Dekanlığına da teşekkür ederim.

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