Some of you have commented on the tables I included in the November 23, 2022 post on “Dharmas According to the ‘Prajnaparamita Sutras’” that was in response to questions asked about what were the “permanent dharmas” that the Buddha Master referred to in Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra (ITATTTHS). You said the tables were fine, but only raised more questions about what all the Sanskrit terms were about.
I once asked the Buddha Master about the “37 Factors of Enlightenment” that are listed on those charts and was told that I should already know that as that was what we learned in kindergarten. Just in case some of you may have forgotten what you no doubt learned in past lives, I am including a link to an encyclopedic source (941,039 words) that is frequently referenced in ITATTTHS by the Buddha Master. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the English translation, but Nagarjuna’s five volume Maha Prajna Paramita Shastra contains many explanations for the Dharmas included in the Prajnaparamita Sutras. This first or second century shastra is a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita (The Perfection of Wisdom in Five Thousand Lines).
Those of you who are enrolled in any of the courses at Learning from Buddha College & Seminary (LFBCS) may have noticed this link is included as a reference source in the six courses related to the ITATTTHS. Volume I describes the conditions of time, place and individuals under which the Perfection of Wisdom was revealed. Volume II describes the spirit in which the bodhisattva should practice the virtues of his state. Volume III describes the practices auxiliary to enlightenment (bodhipaksikadharma) and the attributes of the Buddhas. Volume IV describes the desires or aspirations of the bodhisattva. Volume V formulates a series of vows, the success of which absolutely requires the practice of the Prajnaparamita. The translator, Ani Migme notes that this internet edition represents only the first part containing the translation of 34 of 100 fascicles of the original work. I still think you may find it helpful as we continue our study of the ITATTTHS.
CLICK for link to an English translation of all five volumes of Nagarjuna’s Maha Prajna Paramita Shastra.
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