The Shes Rab Khri Pa, or Perfection of Wisdom in Ten Thousand Lines, is one of the prominent versions of the Perfection of Wisdom sutras, widely revered across the Himalayan region. These sutras, also known as Prajnaparamita Sutras, are among the most significant texts in Mahayana Buddhism, exploring the profound concept of the emptiness of all phenomena. Mahayana followers attribute these teachings directly to the Buddha, while modern historians date their composition to between the first century BCE and the second century CE. These scriptures serve as the foundational teachings for the Middle Way, which gained considerable influence in Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist traditions. This collection of the Shes Rab Khri Pa is presented in two volumes, following the traditional loose poti format. The text is inscribed in uchen script with black ink on cream-colored Bhutanese handmade paper. Each volume begins with a striking first page, featuring a central illustration of the Buddha, while the second page includes 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, featuring 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: 2 volumes of manuscripts.
Original institution reference: Khri pa.
