Prajnaparamitas 01

This document is the first volume (Volume 1) of "The Commentaries on the Prajñāpāramitās" by Giuseppe Tucci, published in 1932 by the Oriental Institute, Baroda, as part of the Gaekwad's Oriental Series.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided pages:

Book Details:

• Title: The Commentaries on the Prajnaparamitas, Volumen 1st
• Author: Giuseppe Tucci
• Publisher: Oriental Institute, Baroda
• Year: 1932
• Series: Gaekwad's Oriental Series, No. LXII

Key Content:

The book is the first volume in a series dedicated to the study of Prajñāpāramitā literature, specifically focusing on its commentaries. This volume contains:

1. The Abhisamayalankāraloka of Haribhadra: This is identified as a commentary on the Abhisamayālaṅkāra of Maitreyanātha and also on the Aṣṭasāhasrikāprajñāpāramitā (the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Verses).

Preface by Giuseppe Tucci:

• Purpose: Tucci states his intention to re-engage with the study of Prajñāpāramitā literature, especially through its extensive commentaries preserved in Chinese and Tibetan translations. He aims to distinguish various schools of interpretation and understand the full significance of the Prajñā literature within the evolution of Buddhist thought.
• Content of Volume 1: This volume focuses on Haribhadra's commentary, which covers both the Abhisamayālaṅkāra and the Aṣṭasāhasrikāprajñāpāramitā.
• Future Volumes: Tucci outlines plans for subsequent volumes:
  • Volume 2 will feature the commentary on the Abhisamayālaṅkāra by Ārya Vimuktisena, along with fragments of Haribhadra's commentary on the Abhisamayālaṅkārakārikā brought from Nepal.
  • Volume 3 will contain abstracts from the most important sections of Nāgārjuna's Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra, which is lost in Sanskrit but preserved in Chinese translation.
• Manuscript Sources: Tucci details the manuscripts used for this edition:
  • A: A Nepalese manuscript on paper from the Asiatic Society of Bengal, described as generally incorrect.
  • B: A modern copy of a palm-leaf manuscript from the Durbar Library, Kathmandu, provided by Sylvain Lévi. It is considered more correct than manuscript A, though clerical errors are frequent in new copies.
  • N: The original palm-leaf manuscript itself from the Durbar Library. It is missing the front page and three internal leaves but is described as extremely correct. Tucci was granted permission to borrow it, allowing him to correct readings in the copy already in the press.
• Tibetan Translation: Reference was made to the Tibetan translation of the work (Bstan-’gyur, Dpe-grub, Ido. 05) for doubtful passages, which was carefully compared with the Sanskrit text.
• Acknowledgements: Tucci expresses gratitude to His Highness Maharaja Bhim Sham Sher, Professor Sylvain Lévi, the authorities of the Asiatic Society, Doctor van Manen (Secretary), and the editor of the Gaekwad's Oriental Series. He also thanks the Baptist Mission Press for their work under challenging circumstances, particularly due to communication difficulties caused by his extensive travels.

Indices and Abbreviations:

• The document includes an "ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF THE KĀRIKĀS OF THE ABHISAMAYALANKĀRA," listing terms and their corresponding page numbers. This index is crucial for navigating the complex philosophical and doctrinal content of the text.
• A "LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS" is provided, identifying AA. (Abhisamayalankārakārikā), AAA. (Abhisamayalankāraloka), and ASP. (Aṣṭasāhasrikāprajñāpāramitā).

Synopsis of Contents:

The bulk of the provided text (pages 13-34) is a detailed table of contents, outlining the structure and progression of the Abhisamayālaṅkāra (AA), the Abhisamayalankāraloka (AAA), and the Aṣṭasāhasrikāprajñāpāramitā (ASP). This synopsis demonstrates the meticulous organization and analytical approach Tucci took in presenting the commentary, mapping out specific concepts and their corresponding sections within each text. It breaks down the Abhisamayālaṅkāra into its eight "abhīsamayas" (realizations or understandings) and further details the specific doctrines discussed within each.

Overall Purpose of the Text:

This volume is a scholarly edition of a foundational commentary on a key Mahayana Buddhist text. Haribhadra's Abhisamayalankāraloka is vital for understanding the Abhisamayālaṅkāra and, by extension, the Prajñāpāramitā sutras. Giuseppe Tucci's work aims to make this complex and important text accessible to scholars through a critical edition based on primary manuscript sources and comparative analysis with Tibetan translations. The preface highlights Tucci's commitment to the scholarly study of Buddhist philosophy and the Prajñāpāramitā tradition.