Artwork
Text, Folio 6 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 6 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1119 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The object is a narrow wooden strip bearing densely packed black ink characters.
About this work
Overview
The object is a narrow wooden strip bearing densely packed black ink characters. The script fills almost the entire surface, with two small perforations near the edges, a feature typical of historic paper or parchment. The wood shows signs of extensive use, indicating it has been handled repeatedly over centuries.
Subject & Meaning
The inscription forms part of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita‑sutra, a Buddhist scripture known as the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines. This sutra expounds the concept of emptiness and the nature of ultimate reality, serving as a foundational text for Mahayana practice and philosophical study.
Technique & Style
The text was executed by hand using a brush dipped in black ink, applied directly onto the wooden substrate. The characters are rendered in an ancient script, likely a form of early Brahmi or Siddham, characterized by tight, uniform columns that maximize the limited space of the strip.
History & Provenance
The wooden strip originates from a manuscript tradition that circulated in medieval Buddhist monastic centers. Its worn condition suggests frequent consultation. The piece is presently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed alongside related manuscript fragments.
Artist & collection
Text, Folio 8 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 4 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 38 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 37 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 33 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 40 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)