Artwork

Text, Folio 31 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, Folio 31 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1119 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Text, Folio 31 (recto), is a carved wooden strip from an 8th-century manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key Buddhist text. The narrow, rectangular piece features densely packed, meticulously carved script.

Subject & Meaning

The text is a portion of the Prajnaparamita-sutra, a foundational Mahayana Buddhist scripture emphasizing the perfection of wisdom. The specific content of Folio 31 is not highlighted, but its inclusion in the manuscript underscores its role in disseminating Buddhist teachings.

Technique & Style

The manuscript page exhibits precise, even carving, with tiny letters arranged in grid-like rows to maximize space. The dense packing of text suggests a focus on preserving the entirety of the scripture in a compact form.

History & Provenance

Created in the 8th century, this folio originated from a larger manuscript. Its history prior to current holdings is not detailed here, but it is now associated with The Cleveland Museum of Art, which holds other parts of the manuscript.

Context

This folio reflects the manuscript traditions of early Indian Buddhism, where wooden substrates were occasionally used for sacred texts. The two holes suggest it may have been bound with other folios at some point.