Toh 3550Untitled

Exposition of the Prajnaparamita Scripture (Toh 3550)

Context

This scripture belongs to the Prajnaparamita Collection (Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) in the Mahayana tradition of the Northern Tibetan Transmission, one of the core collections of Mahayana Buddhism. The Prajnaparamita Collection was widely translated and circulated in China, Japan, Vietnam, and other Mahayana Buddhist countries. This scripture is known as a profound proclamation on the true nature of dharmas, especially the doctrine of Emptiness (Śūnyatā) and Prajnaparamita (Prajñāpāramitā), that is, “the perfection of insight that has gone to the other shore.”

According to the tradition of the Northern Tibetan Transmission, the Prajnaparamita Collection was taught by Buddha Shakyamuni at Rajagriha or other sacred places, often with the participation of assemblies of bodhisattvas and noble beings. The setting of the teaching often records moments of solemn reverence, prostration, and the heartfelt disclosures of disciples, expressing their wish to understand the truths of impermanence and selflessness.

Main Content

The Prajnaparamita scripture proclaims the signlessness (animitta) and lack of self-nature (anātmaka) of all dharmas. These are teachings directly related to emptiness (śūnyatā), a central concept in Mahayana, distinct from yet related to the Four Noble Truths of early Buddhism.

The scripture emphasizes that all dharmas, whether material or mental, existent or non-existent, have no fixed nature and no independent “self-nature” (ātma-svabhāva). From this quality, the student-practitioner must deeply realize that there is no absolute “self,” and no absolute “dharma” to cling to or solidify. This is the foundation for liberation from afflictions and suffering.

This scripture also explains in detail the six paramitas: generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and insight.