Artwork
End of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines; Haribhadra’s final remarks; beginning of colophon, folio 187 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
End of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines; Haribhadra’s final remarks; beginning of colophon, folio 187 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1119 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This manuscript folio, dated to an unspecified period, is part of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key Mahayana Buddhist text.
About this work
Overview
This manuscript folio, dated to an unspecified period, is part of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key Mahayana Buddhist text. The aged, brown paper features densely packed black text in an unidentified script, divided into three sections with small gaps in between. Physical characteristics include torn and smooth edges, two small holes, and a beige background in the image presentation.
Subject & Meaning
The text on folio 187 (verso) concludes the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines and begins Haribhadra’s final remarks, followed by the start of the colophon. The subject matter pertains to Buddhist philosophy, specifically the culmination of a significant Prajnaparamita sutra and the transition into commentary or closing sections.
Technique & Style
The manuscript exhibits a traditional approach to Buddhist textual production. Characteristics include the use of black ink on brown paper, a uniform, densely packed script (identity unknown), and simple, functional page layout. The overall aesthetic suggests a focus on the text’s content over decorative elements.
History & Provenance
Specific historical and provenance details for this folio are not provided. Its age and condition imply it is a historical artifact, but the exact date, origin, and ownership history remain unclear.
Context
This folio is contextualized within Mahayana Buddhism, specifically the tradition of Prajnaparamita sutras, which are central to the development of Mahayana thought. The inclusion of Haribhadra’s remarks situates it within scholarly or commentarial traditions of the time.
Legacy
As part of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, this folio contributes to the broader legacy of Prajnaparamita texts in influencing Mahayana Buddhism and, by extension, Eastern Asian religious and philosophical thought. However, the specific impact or significance of this particular folio is not detailed.
Artist & collection
- Text, Folio 5 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 32 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 38 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 37 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 33 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 25 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 7 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 37 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)