A Comprehensive Commentary on the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra Volume4: The Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra Kindle Edition

The Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom): Formation, Author, and TranslatorThe Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (often shortened to Dazhidulun in Chinese-derived readings), is a crucial treatise in Mahayana Buddhism, serving as a commentary on the Mahāprajñāpāramitāsūtra (also known as the Larger Perfection of Wisdom Sutra). The following section provides a detailed explanation of its formation, author, and translator.FormationThe Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra is believed to have been composed around the 3rd century CE. While originally written in Sanskrit, only the Chinese translation survives today. The original text is estimated to have been massive, potentially reaching one million ślokas (verses), or approximately 32 million syllables.AuthorTraditionally, Nāgārjuna is credited as the author of the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra. However, there is some academic debate on this attribution. Nāgārjuna is considered the founder of the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) school of Mahayana Buddhism. The estimated lifespan of Nāgārjuna, generally placed between 150 and 250 CE, roughly coincides with the presumed period of the treatise's composition.TranslatorKumārajīva translated the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra into Chinese between 402 and 405 CE.Several points are noteworthy regarding the translation process:Kumārajīva opted for a selective, rather than a complete, translation, prioritizing key sections and essential points. In the case of the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra, Kumārajīva undertook the following methods of selective translation:He fully translated only the first 34 chapters (the introductory section). The remaining chapters were summarized and translated.Given the perceived Chinese preference for brevity, Kumārajīva condensed the original text during translation.The extant Chinese version comprises 100 volumes, which is estimated to be approximately one-third of the original Sanskrit text.A preface by Sengrui uses the expression "three parts removed two," suggesting that two-thirds of the original text was omitted.It is believed that a complete translation of the original text would have resulted in approximately 1000 volumes.Significant additions and modifications might have been incorporated during the translation process.The translation work is believed to have taken place at a translation center in Chang'an.The translation of the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra played a crucial role in the transmission of Indian Buddhist thought to China, and it subsequently exerted a profound influence on Buddhism in China and Japan.Translator's Preface (by Yasunari Kato)I have endeavored to translate the profound wisdom of the Bodhisattva Nagarjuna, born in India roughly two thousand years ago and transmitted through China to Japan, in a way that is accessible to modern readers.The Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra systematically explains the fundamental Buddhist concept of "Prajna (Wisdom)" through an extensive amount of commentary. Its content is diverse, encompassing Buddhist philosophy, psychology, ethics, and even meditation practices, containing universal truths that resonate with contemporary society.However, the original text is written in Classical Chinese, and its difficulty makes it challenging for modern individuals to readily engage with. Therefore, drawing upon my years of studying and practicing Buddhism, I have striven to create a modern, accessible translation that preserves the original nuances while allowing readers to progress smoothly through the text. Read more