The Poor Man in Byzantium. Fragments of an Old Uyghur Tale

Year 2021, , 39 - 49, 28.12.2021

Peter Zıeme

https://doi.org/10.26650/iuturkiyat.995198

Abstract

Two Old Uyghur fragments from Yarchoto in the Turfan Oasis can be assigned to a narrative that is not known to us in this guise from any previously known work. The manuscripts of the Berlin Turfan Collection were written sometime during the 10th to 12th century. The main topic of the text is the account of a caravan which brings merchants to Byzantium. A poor man wanted to join it but was rejected by the merchants whose purpose was to gain wealth and a luxurious life. The text culminates in a saying ascribed to the Buddha that one can achieve the fulfilment of all wishes only by listening to the Buddha’s teaching.

Keywords

Old Uyghur, Berlin Turfan Collection, A caravan tale, Buddha’s teaching

Yoksul Bir Kişi Bizans’ta. Eski Uygurca Bir Öykünün Fragmanları

Abstract

Turfan Vahası’ndaki Yarhoto’da keşfedilmiş iki Eski Uygurca bir hikayenin parçası, daha önce herhangi bir eserden bilinmeyen bir anlatıyla ilişkilendirilebilir. Berlin Turfan Koleksiyonu’nun el yazmaları 10. yüzyıldan 12. yüzyıla kadar olan döneme aittir. Fragmanların konusu, tüccarları Bizans’a getirecek bir kervanın hikayesidir. Fakir bir adam kervana katılmak ister, ancak lüks ve zengin bir hayat peşinde olan tüccarlar tarafından reddedilir. Metin, insanın bütün dileklerine Buda’nın öğretisini dinleyerek ulaşabileceğine dair öğütte bulunur.

Keywords

Eski Uygurca, Berlin Turfan Koleksiyonu, kervan hikayesi

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