Kanjur

Kanjur, also spelled Kangyur, from the Tibetan bka' 'gyur, meaning translated words, is the Tibetan Buddhist canon consisting of scriptures regarded as the Buddha's own words, translated into Tibetan. It forms one half of the broader Tibetan Buddhist canon, the other half being the Tengyur, which contains commentaries and treatises.

The Kanjur comprises translations of Buddhist texts attributed to the Buddha and his disciples, rendered into Tibetan from Sanskrit and other Indian languages. It includes sutras, tantras, and vinaya texts, reflecting the diverse range of Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings accepted in Tibetan Buddhism. The Kanjur is distinct from the Tengyur, which contains commentaries, scholastic treatises, and philosophical works by Indian and Tibetan authors.

Traditionally, the Kanjur was compiled between the 7th and 9th centuries under royal and monastic patronage, with later revisions and standard print editions produced in subsequent centuries. Several major editions have circulated, including early woodblock printings such as the Narthang edition and later Lhasa-centered printings; regional variations can exist between editions.

In practice, the Kanjur serves as a primary source for doctrine, liturgy, and monastic discipline across Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It is studied for understanding the sutras, vinaya, and tantras ascribed to the Buddha, and it provides the textual foundation for ritual and scholastic work. The Kanjur, together with the Tengyur, constitutes the core of the Tibetan Buddhist canon. See also Tibetan Buddhist canon.