The brGyad stong pa, or Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines, is one of the most renowned versions of the Perfection of Wisdom sutras. As a condensed rendition of the complete Perfection of Wisdom, it holds a vital place in the Kanjur and is often published independently in ornate and illuminated manuscripts. These Prajnaparamitasutras are central Mahayana scriptures that explore the profound concept of the emptiness of all phenomena. Followers of Mahayana Buddhism regard them as the Buddha’s words, while modern historians trace their composition to roughly the first century BCE to the second century CE. These sutras form the foundation for the teachings on the Middle Way, which have gained significant popularity in Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist traditions. In this collection, the brGyad stong pa is presented in a single volume, adopting a loose poti format. The text is meticulously written in uchen script with black ink on cream-colored Bhutanese handmade paper. The first page features a central illustration of a Buddha, while the second page includes detailed illustrations of the previous lives of Buddha Shakyamuni and a stupa along the margins. Preserved as a sacred relic, this collection is stored on the traditional bookshelves of the Lama Lhakhang in the Dzong fortress. It is carefully protected, enveloped in multiple layers of cloth and shielded by two wooden boards, securely fastened with a belt.
Extent: 1 volume of manuscript.
Alternative calendar and date: Tibetan, Iron Snake Year
Original institution reference: brGyad stong pa.
