Prajnaparamita

in the Rañjanā script.]] Bodhisattva. manuscript. Nālandā, Bihar, India]] Prajñāpāramitā, in Buddhism, means "the Perfection of (Transcendent) Wisdom." The word Prajñāpāramitā combines the Sanskrit words prajñā ("wisdom") with pāramitā ("perfection"). Prajñāpāramitā is a central concept in Mahāyāna Buddhism and its practice and understanding are taken to be indispensable elements of the Bodhisattva Path. The practice of Prajñāpāramitā is elucidated and described in the genre of the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras, which vary widely in length and exhaustiveness.

History

Earliest texts

Western scholars have traditionally considered the earliest sūtra in the Prajñāpāramitā class to be the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra or "Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines", which was probably put in writing in the 1st century BCE. This chronology is based on the views of Edward Conze, who largely considered dates of translation into other languages. The first translation of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā into Chinese occurred in the 2nd century CE. This text also has a corresponding version in verse format, called the , which some believe to be slightly older because it is not written in standard literary Sanskrit. However, these findings rely on late-dating Indian texts, in which verses and mantras are often kept in more archaic forms.

Additionally, a number of scholars have proposed that the Mahāyāna Prajñāpāramitā teachings were first developed by the Caitika subsect of the Mahāsāṃghikas. They believe that the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra originated amongst the southern Mahāsaṃghika schools of the Āndhra region, along the Kṛṣṇa River. These Mahāsaṃghikas had two famous monasteries near the Amarāvati and the Dhānyakataka, which gave their names to the schools of the Pūrvaśailas and the Aparaśailas. Each of these schools had a copy of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra in prakrit. Guang Xing also assesses the view of the Buddha given in the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra as being that of the Mahāsaṃghikas. Edward Conze estimates that this sūtra originated around 100 BCE.

Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā

In contrast to western scholarship, Japanese scholars have traditionally considered the Diamond Sūtra (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) to be from a very early date in the development of Prajñāpāramitā literature. The usual reason for this relative chronology which places the Vajracchedikā earlier is not its date of translation, but rather a comparison of the contents and themes. Some western scholars also believe that the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra was adapted from the earlier Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. This view is taken in part by examining parallels between the two works, in which the Aṣṭasāhasrikā seems to represent the later or more developed position. According to Schopen, these works also show a shift in emphasis from an oral tradition (Vajracchedikā) to a written tradition (Aṣṭasāhasrikā).

Overview of the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras

An Indian commentary on the Mahāyānasaṃgraha, entitled Vivṛtaguhyārthapiṇḍavyākhyā, frames a Mahāyāna view of the Prajñāpāramitā doctrines and gives a partial list of the various texts:

The titles of these eight Prajñāpāramitā texts are given according to their length. The texts may have other Sanskrit titles as well, or different variations which may be more descriptive. The lengths specified by the titles are given below.

# Triśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 300 lines, the Diamond Sūtra, or Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra # Pañcaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 500 lines # Saptaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 700 lines, the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī's exposition of Prajñāpāramitā # Sārdhadvisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 2500 lines, from the questions of Suvikrāntavikrāmin Bodhisattva # Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 8000 lines # Aṣṭadaśasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 18,000 lines # Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 25,000 lines # Śatasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra: 100,000 lines, also called the Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra

According to Joseph Walser, there is evidence that the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (25,000 lines) and the Śatasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (100,000 lines) have a connection with the Dharmaguptaka sect, while the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (8000 lines) does not.

In addition to these, there are also other Prajñāpāramitā sūtras such as the Heart Sūtra (Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya), which exists in both 14-line and 25-line versions. Regarding the shorter texts, Edward Conze writes, "Two of these, the Diamond Sūtra and the Heart Sūtra are in a class by themselves and deservedly renowned throughout the world of Northern Buddhism. Both have been translated into many languages and have often been commented upon."

Tāntric versions of the Prajñāpāramitā literature were produced from the year 500 CE on. Additionally, Prajñāpāramitā terma teachings are held by some Tibetan Buddhists to have been conferred upon Nāgārjuna by Nāgarāja, King of Nāgas, who had been guarding them at the bottom of the sea.

Xuanzang and the Mahāprajñāpāramitā

Xuanzang returned to China from India with three copies of the Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra which he had secured from his extensive travels. Xuanzang, with a team of disciple translators, commenced translating the voluminous work in 660 CE using the three versions to ensure the integrity of the source documentation.

Prajnaparamita in visual art

The concept of buddhist transcendental wisdom perfection is often personified as a bodhisattvadevi (female bodhisattva) Prajnaparamita. The Indian sript from Nalanda, Bihar, depict the Prajnaparamita personified as a goddess. The depiction of Prajnaparamita statue as a goddess is also can be found in ancient Java and Cambodian art.

Prajnaparamita in Ancient Indonesia

Mahayana buddhism took root in ancient Java Sailendra court in the 8th century CE. The Mahayana reverence of female buddhist deity started with the cult of Tara enshrined in the 8th century Kalasan temple in Central Java. Some of Prajnaparamita's important functions and attributes can be traced to those of the goddess Tara. Tara and Prajnaparamita are both referred to as mothers of all Buddhas, since Buddhas are born from wisdom. The Sailendra dynasty was also the ruling family of Srivijaya buddhist empire in Sumatra. During the reign of the third Pala king Devapala (815-854) in India, Srivijaya Maharaja Balaputra of Sailendras also constructed one of Nalanda’s main monasteries in India itself. Thereafter manuscript editions of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra circulating in Sumatra and Java instigated the cult of the 'Goddess of Transcendent Wisdom'. In 13th century, the tantric buddhism gained royal patronage of king Kertanegara of Singhasari, and thereafter some of Prajnaparamita statues were produced in the region, such as the Prajnaparamita of Singhasari in East Java and Prajnaparamita of Jambi, Sumatra. Both of East Java and Jambi Prajnaparamitas bear resemblance in style as they were produced in same period, however unfortunately Prajnaparamita of Jambi is headless and was discovered in poor condition.

The statue of Prajnaparamita of East Java is probably the most famous depiction of the goddes of transcendental wisdom. It was discovered in almost perfect condition in the Cungkup Putri ruins near Singhasari temple, Malang, East Java. Local tradition links the statue to Queen Ken Dedes the first queen of Singhasari, probably as a deified portrayal of the queen. Another opinion links the statue with Queen Gayatri, the consort of Kertarajasa the first king of Majapahit. The statue was discovered in 1818 or 1819 by D. Monnereau, a Dutch East Indies official. In 1820 Monnereau gave the statue to C.G.C. Reinwardt, who later brought the statue to the Netherlands, where it became a prized possession of the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde in Leiden. In January 1978, the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde returned the statue to Indonesia, where it was placed in National Museum of Indonesia. Today the beautiful and serene statue is displayed on 2nd floor Gedung Arca, Indonesian National Museum, Jakarta.

The statue of the goddess Prajnaparamita of East Java is considered as the masterpiece of classical ancient Java Hindu-Buddhist art in Indonesia. The serene expression and mediatative pose and gesture suggesting peace and wisdom, in contrast with rich and intricate jewelry and decorations. The goddess wearing her hair high arranged in Jatamakuta crown. The goddess is in perfect lotus meditative position sitting on a padmasana (lotus throne) on a square pedestal. The goddess performing dharmachakra-mudra (the mudra symbolizing turning the wheel of dharma). Her left arm is placed around an utpala (blue lotus) which on top of it sat the lontar palm leaf book Prajnaparamita-sutra. The statue is lay on carved stella, and behind her head radiate halo or aura of light to suggest a divinity that have reach the highest wisdom.

Selected English translations

Author	Title	Publisher	Notes
14th Dalai Lama	Essence of the Heart Sutra, ISBN 978-0861712847	Wisdom Publications	Heart Sutra with commentary by the 14th Dalai Lama
Edward Conze	The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines and its Verse Summary ISBN 81-7030-405-9	Four Seasons Foundation	The earliest text in a strict translation
Lex Hixon	Mother of the Buddhas: Meditation on the Prajnaparamita Sutra ISBN 0-8356-0689-9	Quest	A less strict interpretive translation of most of the version in 8,000 lines
Edward Conze	The Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom ISBN 0-520-05321-4	University of California	Mostly the version in 25,000 lines, with some parts from the versions in 100,000 and 18,000 lines
Edward Conze	Buddhist Wisdom Books ISBN 0-04-440259-7	Unwin	The Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra with commentaries
Geshe Tashi Tsering	Emptiness: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought, ISBN 978-0861715114	Wisdom Publications	A guide to the topic of emptiness from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective, with English translation of the Heart Sutra
Lopez, Donald S.	The Heart Sutra Explained ISBN 0-88706-590-2	SUNY	The Heart Sutra with a summary of Indian commentaries
Lopez, Donald S.	Elaborations on Emptiness ISBN 0-691-00188-X	Princeton	The Heart Sutra with eight complete Indian and Tibetan commentaries
Rabten, Geshe	Echoes of Voidness ISBN 0-86171-010-X	Wisdom	Includes the Heart Sutra with a Tibetan commentary
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso	Heart of Wisdom ISBN 0-948006-77-3	Tharpa	The Heart Sutra with a Tibetan commentary
Thich Nhat Hanh	The Heart of Understanding ISBN 0-938077-11-2	Parallax Press	The Heart Sutra with a Chan commentary
Thich Nhat Hanh	The Diamond that Cuts Through Illusion ISBN 0-938077-51-1	Parallax Press	The Diamond Sutra with a Chan commentary
Edward Conze	Perfect Wisdom; The Short Prajnaparamita Texts ISBN 0-946672-28-8	Buddhist Publishing Group, Totnes. (Luzac reprint)	Most of the short sutras: Perfection of Wisdom in 500 Lines, 700 lines, The Heart Sutra and The Diamond Sutra, one word, plus some Tantric sutras, all without commentaries.
Edward Conze	Selected Sayings from the Perfection of Wisdom	Buddhist Society, London	Portions of various Perfection of Wisdom sutras
Dr. Yutang Lin	Wisdom and Compassion in Limitless Oneness	Taiwan, 1995

See also

Diamond Sutra

Heart Sutra

References

External links

The Prajnaparamita Literature Bibliography of the Prajnaparamita Literature

Lotsawa House Translations of several Tibetan texts on the Prajnaparamita

Dr. Yutang Lin: The Unification of Wisdom and Compassion

The Ratnaguṇasaṃcaya Gāthā: condensed online translation by Neil Christopher

Category:Mahayana sutras Category:Female buddhas and supernatural beings