The Khri brgyad stong pa, or Perfection of Wisdom in Eighteen Thousand Lines, is one of the key versions of the Perfection of Wisdom sutras, widely recognized across the Himalayan world. These sutras, also known as Prajnaparamitasutras, are among the most significant Mahayana scriptures, addressing the profound topic of the emptiness of all phenomena. While Mahayana followers consider them to be the direct words of the Buddha, modern historians suggest they were composed between the first century BCE and the second century CE. These sutras lay the foundational teachings for the Middle Way, which gained prominence in Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist traditions. This collection of the Khri brgyad stong pa is presented in three volumes, adopting a loose poti format. The text is inscribed in uchen script with black ink on cream-colored Bhutanese handmade paper. The first page of each volume features a central illustration of a Buddha, while the second page showcases detailed margin illustrations depicting the previous lives of Buddha Shakyamuni and a stupa. As a sacred relic, the collection is carefully preserved on traditional bookshelves within the Lama Lhakhang of the Dzong fortress. It is meticulously wrapped in multiple layers of cloth and shielded by two wooden boards, securely fastened with a string.
Extent: 3 volumes of manuscripts.
Alternative calendar and date: Tibetan, Iron Snake Year
Original institution reference: Khri brgyad stong pa.
