Mahāprajñāpāramitā Śāstra (大智度論)

About 大智度論

Later Qin · by 龍樹菩薩造 · Source text translated by 鳩摩羅什

955,171 · about 3184 min

The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom was composed by the ancient Indian Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna and translated into Chinese by the eminent translator Kumārajīva during the Later Qin dynasty. This treatise is an important Buddhist scripture, belonging to the core works of the Mahāyāna Madhyamaka school. It primarily elucidates the profound principles of the Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra. Comprising one hundred volumes in total, it systematically expounds the thought of śūnyatā (emptiness) in prajñāpāramitā, the stages of Bodhisattva practice, and the practical methods of the six pāramitās and myriad practices. It is revered as the encyclopedia of Mahāyāna Buddhism. As a representative śāstra of early Mahāyāna Buddhism, the Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom profoundly influenced the formation of the doctrinal system of Chinese Buddhism, providing important theoretical foundations for schools such as the Tiantai and Huayan traditions. It holds a lofty position in the history of Buddhist philosophy.