The Prajnaparamita or Perfection of Wisdom Sutra expounds the doctrine of “emptiness,” which refers to the insubstantial and illusory nature of life’s experiences. The concept became a principle accepted by Mahayana and Tantric Buddhists. Prajnaparamita literature introduced two striking innovations to Buddhist thought. One was to advocate that the text itself should be an object of ritual worship. The second was to personify the wisdom that the text contains as a female divinity named Prajnaparamita.
This wooden book cover was once part of a Prajnaparamita manuscript, which is indicated by the depiction of the goddess at the center. She is flanked on either side by Paramita deities who personify her virtues. The figure on the right represents charity while the figure on the left represents contemplation.
Details
- Title: Cover of a Prajnaparamita Manuscript
- Date: 12th century
- Medium: Painted and gilded wood
- Dimensions: 10-5/8 x 28-1/8 in. (27.0 x 71.4 cm)
- Credit Line: Norton Simon Art Foundation, from the Estate of Jennifer Jones Simon
- Accession Number: M.2010.1.234.S
- Copyright: © Norton Simon Art Foundation
Object Information
Painting and Sculpture from Nepal, Tibet and Northwest India
- Norton Simon Museum, 1994-09-22 to 1997-06-01
- Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 2: Art from the Himalayas & China, 2003, no. 121 p. 12, 178, 185
- Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 1686 p. 435
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