Asṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā

This is a Mahāyānasūtra text that contains 32 chapters, discussing the Buddhist concept of wisdom (Prajñā), the advantages of studying the text, and the possible obstacles in acquiring knowledge. It also describes the difficulties of finding a good teacher and a trained disciple (P.L. Vaidya, 1960. p. XX). This text holds immense significance in shaping the development of both the Mādhyamaka and Yogācāra schools of thought. Written in gold letters. Each of both the wooden plates is decorated with three padma-cakras and a picture of the life of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. The first leaf b-side has a picture of Śākyamuni, 2-a has a picture of Prajñāpāramitā, 114-b has that of Saṃvara(?), 115-a has that of Vajrajo ......, and 230-b has that of Mañjuśrī (Matsunami, 1965. p. 20). Though the image on folio 115a is a bit illegible, it may still be possible to read the goddess's name as Vajrajo[gīnī]. Additionally, folio 230a contains an image of Maitrī (Maitreya). Also the Padmacakras on the wooden plates are decorated with gems. In the colophon, the manuscript mentions the name of King Vīra Mahendra Malla, who ruled over the Patan area from 1709 to 1715 CE. It appears that Amṛta Siṃha ordered the production of this manuscript to be donated to the monastery for the wellbeing of himself and his family. It also mentions the name of the scribe Vajrācārya Vijayacandra, who belongs to Śrīkhaṇḍa Tarumūla Mahāvihāra, Kathmandu.