Lot 149
149
MAHAPRAJNAPARAMITA SUTRA (J., Daihannya-haramitakyo) (Greater Sutra of the Perfection of Transcendent Widsom), Fascicle 152: manuscript; ink on paper; 47 leaves, 94 pp. folded, mounted as a folded accordion book; each page with 5 columns with 17 characters per column within ruled lines, red verse demarkation dots on several pp.; colophon dated Bun'ei 3 (1266), 3rd month, 27th day, and signed by monk-calligrapher Kaien of the Sekida (Stone hut); light orange paper covers speckled with black ink--small worming, repairs, paper toned, moisture stains; 10 x 3¾in. (25.5 x 9.5cm.)

MAHAPRAJNAPARAMITA SUTRA (J., Daihannya-haramitakyo) (Greater Sutra of the Perfection of Transcendent Widsom), Fascicle 152: manuscript; ink on paper; 47 leaves, 94 pp. folded, mounted as a folded accordion book; each page with 5 columns with 17 characters per column within ruled lines, red verse demarkation dots on several pp.; colophon dated Bun'ei 3 (1266), 3rd month, 27th day, and signed by monk-calligrapher Kaien of the Sekida (Stone hut); light orange paper covers speckled with black ink--small worming, repairs, paper toned, moisture stains; 10 x 3¾in. (25.5 x 9.5cm.)

Details
MAHAPRAJNAPARAMITA SUTRA (J., Daihannya-haramitakyo) (Greater Sutra of the Perfection of Transcendent Widsom), Fascicle 152: manuscript; ink on paper; 47 leaves, 94 pp. folded, mounted as a folded accordion book; each page with 5 columns with 17 characters per column within ruled lines, red verse demarkation dots on several pp.; colophon dated Bun'ei 3 (1266), 3rd month, 27th day, and signed by monk-calligrapher Kaien of the Sekida (Stone hut); light orange paper covers speckled with black ink--small worming, repairs, paper toned, moisture stains; 10 x 3¾in. (25.5 x 9.5cm.)

Lot Essay

This is fascicle 152 of 600 in the Sutra of Perfect Wisdom, the essential text of Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) Buddhism, the principal school in East Asia. It was translated from Sanskrit by the Chinese monk Xuanzang (Genjo, 500-664) in 659. The complete text comprises 16 sutras of varying length in 200,000 lines (slokas) on the metaphysical doctrine of non-substantiality of phenomena. The scriptures offer a route to attainment through the bodhisattva, or being of wisdom.

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