THE LARGE SUTRA ON PERFECT WISDOM
With the divisions of the Abhisamayalankara
PART I
TRANSLATED BY EDWARD CONZE
PUBLISHED FOR
ORIENTAL STUDIES FOUNDATION INC.
BY
LUZAC & COMPANY LIMITED
46 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, LONDON, W. C. L.
1961
PREFATORY NOTE
The translation normally follows the version in 25,000 Lines (Pancavimsati-sahasrika-prajnaparamita, ed. N. Dutt, 1934). In some passages I have, however, translated the version in 100,000 Lines (Satasahasrika-prajnaparamita, ed. P. Ghosha, 1902-1913; and Ms Cambridge Add 1630), and the readings of the version in 18,000 Lines (Astadasasahasrika- prajnaparamita) and of various Chinese version have occasionally been substituted, as representing an older text. The main purpose of the translation has been to render the course of the argument intelligible. My treatment of the repetitions in the text lacks somewhat in consistency, and has been chiefly guided by the desire to cut down their bulk. The chapter-headings are those of the Tibetan version of the Astadasasahasrika. Those portions of the text which correspond, though not always literally, to the first chapter of the version in 8,000 Lines are marked by asterisks.
This volume contains the first third of the Large Prajnaparamita. Three-fourth of the remainder have so far been translated, and are available in typescript. The text and translation of 15 chapters (i.e. ch. 55-69) will be publishes in Rome fairly soon. In the absence of a printed edition and of accurate manuscripts large portions of the text cannot, however, at present be translated with any degree of precision. If good manuscripts should turn up one day, and if the translator is granted sufficient time and energy, a complete translation of the entire Sutra will be published in due course.
London, March, 1960.
EDWARD CONZE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Prefatory Note
Chapter Headings of Ad
Abbreviations
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
TRANSLATION OF THE SUTRA:
1. The Scene And Circumstances Of The Sermon
2. The Aims In Cultivating Perfect Wisdom
3. Various Preliminary Instructions
(a) Short outline of method of coursing in perfect wisdom.
(b) Superiority of bodhisattvas over Disciples
(c) The Yoga of perfect wisdom.
(d) Varieties of bodhisattvas
i. According to the circumstances of their rebirth.
ii. According to their practices
1. Perfect Purity.
2. All-knowledge.
3. Cognition of the All-knowing.
4. The Five Eyes.
5. The Six super known ledges.
6. Emptiness, No-minding and Sameness
4. Interlude
1. The Teaching Proceeds From The Buddha’s Might
2. The bodhisattva, a mere word, inaccessible as dharma.
3. Degrees Of Ripeness In Insight,
4. Thought transparently luminous.