The Perfection Of Wisdom In Eight Thousand Lines

13,106 words

'The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines' is the earliest text of the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom texts) The following is a less strict interpretation of the 'Eight Thousand Lines' in its original verse form only. ** Many thanks to Reverend Neil Christopher for his hard work on this translation and granting permissing for this c...

Preface

The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines, in short, stresses the importance of the perfection of wisdom in the practice; how all other elements of the practice must be coupled with it; how none can be truly achieved without it, and even, how all dharmas can be potentially fulfilled (are encompassed) by the perfection of wisdom.

So, that leads us to the question, “What is the perfection of wisdom anyway?”

I think the perfection of wisdom is Compassion. Living a life of perfect-compassion realizes all true dharmas. It is only through a life of compassion towards others that any of us will ever truly be able to fulfill the dharmas, and properly walk this path. Despite any other efforts or practices, if lacking compassion, one will never attain true enlightenment (or find any real meaning in this life either).

The following is a less strict (and slightly condensed) interpretation, by me, of the Eight Thousand Lines in its original verse form only. The Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines is the earliest text of the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom texts), which was later expanded. Please note that the Heart Sutra is not included in the Eight Thousand Lines, since it was written a couple hundred years afterwards. If you like this, I highly suggest getting your own hands on a traditional copy of the sutra. It makes for quite the nice read. Although, I know that it is a hard book to get your hands on, so that is why I took the time to write out a copy of it all for you all to enjoy online.

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