Aṣṭasāhasrikā 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. It appears that this manuscript includes the first three folia, which are written on paper in Newari script, while the remainder of the manuscript is inscribed in the Siddham (Kuṭila) script on palm leaves. The paleography and materials indicate that this portion of the manuscript is exceptionally old. Although the manuscript is incomplete, it is plausible that manuscript no. 45 contains one folio from this text, which likely corresponds to image 183 in manuscript no. 45. If this hypothesis is correct, it could represent one of the oldest extant manuscripts of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā, as the folio bears the name of King Nayapāladeva and notes that the manuscript was created during his reign in Nalanda.