Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā

This is a Mahāyāna sūtra 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 properly 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. Although it appears that Chapters 29, 30, and part of Chapter 32 are missing from this manuscript, the manuscript seems to include an end folio from a different manuscript. Images 181 to 192 show two different ending sections from two separate manuscripts. The wooden covers are colorfully illustrated with scenes from the Buddha’s life and images of Bodhisattvas. The illustrations on the folia (Images 185 and 187) depict Jātaka stories. Two different colophons contain the names of two donors: one is a male donor, probably the bhikṣu Rāṇakaśrī Saṅghapālita, and the other is a female donor named Virokā (or Virokāyā?), probably a bhikṣuṇī. Historically, this manuscript appears to be one of the oldest copies of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā. The two colophons mention the names of two Pāla kings: Nayapāladeva and Vigrahapāladeva. Nayapāladeva ruled from 1027 to 1043 CE, and the Vigrahapāladeva mentioned here is most likely Vigrahapāladeva III, who ruled from 1043 to 1070 CE. The first colophon (Image 183) mentions the 14th regnal year of Nayapāladeva (Śrīmannayapāladevapravardhamānakalyāṇavijayarājyasaṃvatsare caturdaśame…). If the year mentioned in the colophon is correct, the manuscript would date to 1041 CE, making it one of the earliest surviving copies of the text. This colophon also mentions the name of the scribe, Varaṇī, who resided in Nalanda.