The Great Perfection of Wisdom in Full Voice — Emptiness Taught Without Remainder (摩訶般若波羅蜜經)

Описание: About this text

The Mahā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (摩訶般若波羅蜜經) is one of the earliest complete presentations of the Perfection of Wisdom transmitted into the Chinese Buddhist canon. Closely related to parallel recensions preserved as Taishō Nos. 220(2), 221, and 222, this text represents a concise yet authoritative articulation of Prajñāpāramitā before its later massive expansions.

Here, mahā — “great” — does not signify length, but scope and depth. The greatness of this sutra lies in its uncompromising clarity: all dharmas are empty of inherent existence, and liberation depends on realizing this without turning emptiness into a view.

Rather than developing a narrative structure, the 摩訶般若波羅蜜經 proceeds through sustained dialogue and analysis. The Buddha repeatedly examines the aggregates, sense bases, elements, bodhisattva practices, stages of awakening, and buddhahood itself — showing that none can be apprehended as truly existent, and none should be rejected as nihilistic.

At the heart of the text is a definitive insight:
the bodhisattva practices the perfection of wisdom
by not apprehending any practice, any practitioner, or any result.

This sutra is especially concerned with correcting subtle errors that arise once emptiness is intellectually understood. It warns against clinging to emptiness, claiming realization, or treating wisdom as a possession. Even the term Prajñāpāramitā itself is declared empty — a teaching tool, not an ultimate thing.

Several core themes recur throughout the 摩訶般若波羅蜜經:

• Emptiness without fixation — freedom from both existence and non-existence
• Non-attainment — awakening is realized when attainment is relinquished
• Bodhisattva discipline — wisdom governs compassion without self-reference
• Equality of dharmas — samsara and nirvana are not two when rightly seen
• Fearless practice — nothing can obstruct one who does not grasp

A defining concern of the text is the training of bodhisattvas who remain active in the world. One gives generously, upholds discipline, cultivates patience, exerts effort, practices meditation, and realizes wisdom — while not conceiving of giver, gift, or recipient. This is not abstraction, but precision practice grounded in non-clinging.

The text’s measured repetition serves a clear purpose. Each return to emptiness dissolves another subtle attachment — to insight, to progress, to identity as a practitioner. What remains is not passivity, but unobstructed responsiveness.

The title 摩訶般若波羅蜜 — “Great Perfection of Wisdom” — points to a wisdom that leaves nothing outside itself, not because it includes everything as an object, but because it excludes nothing through fixation.

The 摩訶般若波羅蜜經 thus stands as a central pillar of the Prajñāpāramitā tradition. It does not offer a theory of emptiness, but a discipline of release — freeing the mind from every standpoint so that compassion and wisdom can function without limit.

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Credits

Dedication: [Dedication]

Narration, Script & Research: Created entirely through NotebookLM and supporting AI tools
Source: CBETA Taishō Canon T0223 — 摩訶般若波羅蜜經
Produced by: The Dharma × Tech Foundation