This remarkable literature has been called the most important of the texts treasured by the Madhyamika and the very foundation of Mahayana metaphysics.
These texts teach a non-systematic religious philosophy, fervent in devotion and rich in poetic expression, centering on the notion that all is emptiness.
Obmiller analyses the doctrine of Prajnaparamita or Transcendental Wisdom. It is based on Tibetan exegetical literature and is considered by learned Tibetan tradition to be the most important as:
- A summary of the Prajnaparamita sutras, and
- As the text containing the special theory of the marga or the Path to the attainment of Nirvana according to the Mahayanistic standpoint.
Maitreya, according to Tibetan tradition, was one among those present when the Sakya delivered his discourses on Prajnaparamita, later on compiled by Kashyap, consisting of 21 volumes.
E Obermiller (1901-1935), an eminent Buddhist scholar, has taken recourse to those Indian and Tibetan commentaries which are held in high esteem by learned Tibetan tradition and are considered to contain the most clear, thorough and full analysis of the subjects contained in the Abhisamayalamkara. |
