One of a Pair of Manuscript Covers from the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra)

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This pair of horizontal Buddhist book covers features the goddess of wisdom, Prajnaparamita. At the top she presides in her four-armed golden Nepalese form flanked by male and female devotees; on the bottom she is depicted to the left of the Buddha. Representing dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), she is recognizable by the rosary and book she holds in her upper hands; her lower hands form the gesture of teaching (vitarka mudra) . In the lower book cover the three figures symbolize the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, dharma, and sangha (the Buddhist community). Prajnaparamita represents dharma at the left, the Medicine Buddha presides at the center, and Shadakshari Lokeshvara represents the sangha at right.

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