The Perfection of Wisdom (Wheel Series,) [Paperback]

Edward Conze (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001 | Series: Wheel Series, (Book 1)

After the Torah, the Koran and the Gospels, the Indian literature of "The Perfection of Wisdom" has had the greatest impact on the religious consciousness of mankind. Its composition extended for over seven hundred years, and here we offer the reader the first two works which were composed in South India between 100 B.C. and A.D. 100.

These documents are not only indispensable to those who wish to undersand the mentality of the East, they still carry a potent spiritual message; and those who desire to diminish their personal worries by the disciplined contemplation of spiritual truths could make no better choice.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Grey Fox Press (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877040494
• ISBN-13: 978-0877040491
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Book, November 6, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfection of Wisdom (Wheel Series,) (Paperback)

Edward Conze has published at least 3 translations of the Prajnaparamita or Perfection of Wisdom texts. These are attributed to Gautama Siddhartha, the historical Buddha. Numerous versions of various lengths of these sutras exist. The first of Conze's translations that I read was a collection of the shorter versions of the sutra. The present volume is a single, middle length version. It is often referenced or quoted or included in Bibliographies of Tibetan Buddhist works--which utilize or build upon its wisdom (especially the "emptiness" or dependent-arising nature of perceived reality). While I value the shorter version book, I consider this one vastly superior. It seems to be the version most referenced too. Dr. Conze also published a much longer version (25,000 lines) entitled, "The Large Sutra on Perfect Wisdom" which I own but have yet to read. These texts are not simple, easy reading, but they are profound, high philosophy and/or metaphysics concerning the nature of reality and the universe and humanity's place therein or relation thereto. They tend to link the so-called Mahayana (Great Vehicle) of Northern Buddhism to Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism). They are also a wonderful (and, perhaps essential) precursor for ventures into Kagyu Mahamudra and/or Nyingma Dzogchen teachings as well as the Tantric Buddhism or all 4 schools (these 2 plus Sakya and Gelugpa). I plan to keep them in my library.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Mother Prajnaparamita, August 12, 2008

By 

Claudia Webinger (Zurich, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Perfection of Wisdom (Wheel Series,) (Paperback)

Edward Conze's translation of the Prajnaparamita Sutra in 8000 lines and of the even earlier verse form is still the only English translation of this beautiful and profound Buddhist text. It's a great gift that the scholar Conze devoted his life to the study of Prajnaparamita and made these texts available. For a more poetic and inspiring version of the Prajnaparamita Sutra I recommend Lex Hixon's "Mother of the Buddhas, Meditations on the Prajna Paramita Sutra."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic!, June 22, 2011

By 

Jughead (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfection of Wisdom (Wheel Series,) (Paperback)

For those interested in the Mahayana this is the book! Webinger's review and advice say it well, if you find this translation to be difficult take a look at the Hixon 'translation'. Also, for the independent minded (some of the reviewers were tepid in this regard,) there are two Sutras, that are considered 'condensed' versions of the Prajnaparamita doctrines, which are very interesting and helpful. For those take a look at Red Pine's excellent translations of the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra, both of which include selections from the commentaries of the Ancients. Good stuff!