The Nyi khri, or the Perfection of Wisdom in Twenty-Five Thousand Lines, is considered the medium version of the Perfection of Wisdom sutras and is widely known across the Himalayan world. In this collection, it is presented in four volumes, while other common recensions typically contain three volumes. The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, or Prajnaparamita Sutras, are some of the most important Mahayana scriptures, exploring the topic of the emptiness of all phenomena. Revered by Mahayana followers as the Buddha’s words, they are believed by modern historians to have been composed between the first century BCE and the second century CE. These sutras form the primary basis for the teachings of the Middle Way, which gained prominence in the Tibetan and Himalayan regions. Presented in four volumes in the traditional loose poti format, the collection is inscribed in uchen script with black ink on cream-colored Bhutanese handmade paper. The first page of each volume is adorned with gold ink on dark blue paper. As a sacred relic, this collection is carefully preserved on newly constructed bookshelves within the Dzong fortress. Each volume is wrapped in multiple layers of cloth, shielded by two wooden boards, and securely fastened with a string, ensuring its preservation and continued reverence for future generations.
Extent: 4 volumes of manuscripts.
Original institution reference: Nyi khri.
