The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, also known as the Prajnaparamita Sutras, are among the most influential Mahayana scriptures, emphasizing the concept of emptiness and the nature of all phenomena. These sutras are revered by Mahayana followers as the Buddha’s teachings and are believed by scholars to have been composed between the first century BCE and the second century CE. Serving as the foundation for the Middle Way teachings, the Perfection of Wisdom in Hundred Thousand Lines, is considered the largest and most widely recognized version across the Himalayan region. Presented in 16 volumes in the traditional loose poti format, the collection is inscribed in uchen script with black ink on cream-colored Bhutanese handmade paper. Each volume opens with a central illustration of the Buddha, while the second page features detailed margin illustrations depicting the previous lives of Buddha Shakyamuni and a stupa. An additional opening page, known as the tog, is elegantly adorned with gold ink on dark blue paper, showcasing a central illustration of the Buddha. Regarded as a sacred relic, the collection is housed on traditional bookshelves within the Lama Lhakhang of the Dzong fortress. Each volume is carefully wrapped in multiple layers of cloth, sandwiched between two wooden boards, and securely fastened with a belt, ensuring its preservation and continued reverence for generations to come.
Extent: 16 volumes of manuscripts.
Original institution reference: Bum.
