The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise

Composed by one of the most remarkable yet enigmatic figures of Buddhism, the legendary Nāgārjuna, this treatise on The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra builds on the ancient traditions of early Buddhism, adds scholastic systematic analysis, and rallies together the sūtras and treatises of Mahāyāna Buddhism, to champion the Madhyamaka, or “Middle Way,” of the bodhisattva’s spiritual path to the omniscience of a fully awakened Buddha. 

Language: Chinese, English

 

Request copies

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 1-5

Chapter headings in this volume:

  • Chapter 1.1: Introduction to the Causes and Conditions
    第一章 序品 : 第一節 緣起義釋論
  • Chapter 1.2: Explanation of “Thus Have I Heard: At One Time”
    第一章 第二節 : 如是我聞一時釋論
  • Chapter 1.3: General Explanation of “Thus Have I Heard”
    第一章 第三節 : 總說如是我聞釋論
  • Chapter 1.4: Explanation of “Bhagavat”
    第一章 第四節 : 婆伽婆釋論
  • Chapter 1.5: Explanation of “Dwelt at the City of Rājagṛha”
    第一章 第五節 : 住王舍城釋論
  • Chapter 1.6: Explanation of “Together with a Great Assembly of Bhikṣus”
    第一章 第六節 : 共摩訶比丘僧釋論
  • Chapter 1.7: Explanation on the Meaning of the Fourfold Assembly
    第一章 第七節 : 四眾義釋論
  • Chapter 1.8: Explanation of “Bodhisattva”
    第一章 第八節 : 菩薩釋論
  • Chapter 1.9: Explanation of Mahāsattva
    第一章 第九節 : 摩訶薩埵釋論
  • Chapter 1.10: Explanation of the Virtues of Bodhisattvas
    第一章 第十節 : 菩薩功德釋論

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 6-10

Chapter headings in this volume:

  • Chapter 1.11: Explanation of the Ten Similes
    第一章 第十一節 : 十喻釋論
  • Chapter 1.12: Explanation of Thoughts Free of Obstruction
    第一章 第十二節 : 意無礙釋論
  • Chapter 1.13: Explanation of the Buddha Land Vow
    第一章 第十三節 : 佛土願釋論
  • Chapter 1.14-A: Explanation of Emitting Light
    第一章 第十四節 : 放光釋論
  • Chapter 1.14-B: Explanation of Emitting Light (Continued)
    第一章 第十四節 : 放光釋論之餘
  • Chapter 1.14-C: Explanation of Emitting Light (Continued)
    第一章 第十四節 : 放光釋論之餘
  • Chapter 1.15-A: Explanation of the Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions
    第一章 第十五節 : 十方諸菩薩來釋論
  • Chapter 1.15-B: Explanation of the Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions (Continued)
    第一章 第十五節 : 十方菩薩來釋論之餘

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 11-15

Chapter headings in this volume:

  • Chapter 1.16: Concerning Śāriputra
    第一章第十六節:舍利弗因緣第十六
  • Chapter 1.17: The Meaning of the Perfection of Giving
    第一章 第十七節:檀波羅蜜義
  • Chapter 1.18: Praising the Meaning of the Perfection of Giving
    第一章第十八節: 讚檀波羅蜜義
  • Chapter 1.19: The Meaning of the Characteristic of Giving
    第一章 第十九節: 檀相義
  • Chapter 1.20-A: The Meaning of Dharma Giving in the Perfection of Giving
    第一章 第二十節: 檀波羅蜜法施義
  • Chapter 1.20-B: The Meaning of Dharma Giving in the Perfection of Giving (Continued)
    第一章 第二十節: 檀波羅蜜法施之餘
  • Chapter 1.21: The Meaning of the Perfection of Morality
    第一章 第二十一節: 尸羅波羅蜜義
  • Chapter 1.22: The Meaning of the Characteristic of Precepts
    第一章 第二十二節: 戒相義
  • Chapter 1.23-A: Praising the Meaning of the Perfection of Morality
    第一章 第二十三節: 讚尸羅波羅蜜義
  • Chapter 1.23-B: The Meaning of the Perfection of Morality (Continued)
    第一章 第二十三節: (讚)尸羅波羅蜜義之餘
  • Chapter 1.24: The Meaning of the Perfection of Patience
    第一章第二十四節: 羼提波羅蜜義
  • Chapter 1.25: The Meaning of the Patience for Phenomena in the Perfection of Patience
    第一章第二十五節: 羼提波羅蜜法忍義
  • Chapter 1.26: The Meaning of the Perfection of Diligence
    第一章 第二十六節: 毘梨耶波羅蜜義

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 16-20

A Brief Introduction to Fascicles 16-20

The journey of discovery continues…

In fascicles sixteen through eighteen, The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise guides us through the perfections of diligence, meditative concentration, and prajñā wisdom, respectively. Stories of striving forth, descriptions of sentient beings in the cycle of birth and death, cautionary tales, as well as detailed instructions and analyses inspire us to be diligent, to cultivate meditative concentration well, and to embrace and realize prajñā wisdom.

In fascicles nineteen and twenty, the treatise elaborates on the Buddha further telling Śāriputra what a bodhisattva should practice on the path toward Buddhahood in The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra. The treatise explains that the four bases of mindfulness, the four right efforts, and so forth (collectively known as the thirty-seven aspects of awakening) are the path to nirvāṇa and instructs us in great detail. Next, the treatise explains that the three samādhis are the gates to nirvāṇa, and the four immeasurable minds and so forth help us open those gates. All who practice these are sure to fulfill their aspirations on the path.

Chapter headings in this volume:

  • Chapter 1.27: The Meaning of [the Characteristic of] the Perfection of Diligence
    第一章 第二十七節: 毘梨耶波羅蜜義
  • Chapter 1.28: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration
    第一章 第二十八節: 禪波羅蜜
  • Chapter 1.29: The Perfection of Prajñā Wisdom
    第一章 第二十九節: 般若波羅蜜
  • Chapter 1.30: The Meaning of the Perfection of Prajñā Wisdom
    第一章 第三十節:釋般若相義
  • Chapter 1.31: The Meaning of the Thirty-Seven Aspects of Awakening
    第一章 第三十一節: 三十七品義
  • Chapter 1.32: The Meaning of the Three Samādhis
    第一章 第三十二節: 三三昧義
  • Chapter 1.33: The Meaning of the Four Immeasurable Minds
    第一章 第三十三節: 四無量義

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 21-25

In fascicles twenty-one through twenty-three, The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise elaborates on the Buddhist practices of the eight liberations, the eight spheres of mastery, the nine sequential concentrations, the ten universal visualizations, the nine perceptions on the impure, the eight kinds of mindfulness, the ten perceptions, the eleven kinds of wisdom, the three kinds of samadhi, and the three faculties.

In fascicles twenty-four and twenty-five, The Treatise describes in detail the Buddha’s ten powers, four fearlessnesses, and four unobstructed wisdoms.

Chapter headings in this volume:

  • Chapter 1.34: The Meaning of the Eight Liberations
    第一章 第三十四節: 八背捨義
  • Chapter 1.35: The Meaning of the Nine Perceptions on the Impure
    第一章 第三十五節: 九相義
  • Chapter 1.36-A: The Meaning of the Eight Kinds of Mindfulness
    第一章 第三十六節: 八念義
  • Chapter 1.36-B: The Meaning of the Eight Kinds of Mindfulness (Continued)
    第一章 第三十六節: 八念義
  • Chapter 1.37: Explanation of the Ten Perceptions
    第一章 第三十七節: 十想釋論
  • Chapter 1.38: The Meaning of the Eleven Kinds of Wisdom
    第一章 第三十八節: 十一智釋論
  • Chapter 1.39: Explanation of the Ten Powers
    第一章 第三十九節: 十力釋論
  • Chapter 1.40: The Meaning of the Four Fearlessnesses
    第一章 第四十節: 四無畏義

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 26-30

Fascicle twenty-six details the eighteen exclusive attributes of the Buddha.

Fascicles twenty-seven through thirty elaborate further on what a bodhisattva should practice on the path toward Buddhahood in The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra: those who wish to eliminate the habitual tendencies of afflictions, abide in the six supernatural powers, surpass the sravaka and pratyekabuddha states and abide in the non-regressing state, attain the dharanis and the samadhis, gain immeasurable and limitless virtue, perfect the Buddha’s thirty-two major marks and eighty minor marks, and ensure that all sentient beings become established in the perfections of giving, morality, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and wisdom should learn the perfection of prajna wisdom.

Chapter headings in this volume:

  • Chapter 1.41: Explanation of the Eighteen Exclusive Attributes
    第一章 第四十一節: 十八不共法釋論
  • Chapter 1.42: The Meaning of Great Loving-Kindness and Great Compassion
    第一章 第四十二節: 大慈大悲義
  • Chapter 1.43: Explanation of the “Wish to Abide in the Six Supernatural Powers”
    第一章 第四十三節: 欲住六神通釋論
  • Chapter 1.44: Explanation of Surpassing [Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha] Giving with the Mind of Rejoicing
    第一章 第四十四節: 布施隨喜心過上釋論
  • Chapter 1.44-B: Explanation of Surpassing [Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha] Giving with the Mind of Rejoicing (Continued)
    第一章 第四十四之餘: 布施隨喜心過上釋論
  • Chapter 1.45: Explanation of Dedicating Merit
    第一章 第四十五節: 迴向釋論
  • Chapter 1.46: The Meaning of Making Offerings with the Roots of Wholesomeness
    第一章 第四十六節: 善根供養義
  • Chapter 1.47: Explanation of the Buddhas Praising Bodhisattvas’ Names
    第一章 第四十七節: 諸佛稱讚其名釋論

Request Form: The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise is an ongoing project that includes 100 fascicles (or scrolls) in total. FGSITC is printing each fascicle as a separate book, and we have divided the project into 5-fascicle box sets. The date of completion is unknown at this time, but we have been making steady progress.

The treatise is a comprehensive work of theory, logic, narratives, and sutra references; even learned Dharma practitioners may find it challenging. We recommend requesting one box set at a time so that you have an opportunity to thoroughly read and study the material before moving to the next set. 

If you would like to request print copies, please use the form below. We ask that you submit a review or general feedback on what you’ve read before making additional requests.

Please kindly note that all shipping charges are at your cost. Orders outside the United States have an additional international shipping fee. To avoid paying high international shipping costs, we recommend reaching out to your nearest branch temple(s) before contacting us. We appreciate your consideration.

© 2025 Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center

Protected by copyright under the terms of the International Copyright Union; all rights reserved. 5