6th International Symposium Oriental Studies

The 6 th International Symposium on Oriental Ancient Documents Studies 48 Raisa Krapivina The Three Types of Knowledge in the Abhisamayālamkāra (The Ornament for the Clear Realizations) 1. The Abhisamayāla ṃ kāra, composed by Maitreya-Asanga, introduced one of the two main interpretations of the Prajñāpāramita Sūtras. The hidden meaning of the Prajñāpāramita Sūtras is revealed in the Abhisamayāla ṃ kāra as a process of realization of Prajñāpāramita (the Perfection of Wisdom). The direct meaning of the Prajñāpāramita Sūtras — emptiness — is explained in Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka treaties. 2. The Abhisamayāla ṃ kāra consist of eight chapters. The general layout of the text can be divided into the following sections: a. The vast exposition of the three types of knowledge in chapters I–III. b. The vast exposition of the four means of realization of the three types of knowledge in chapters IV–VII. c. The vast exposition of the attainment of Buddhahood (Dharmakaya) in chapter VIII. 3. The Abhisamayāla ṃ kāra opens with the verse of homage. The three types of knowledge are introduced here: the all-knowledge of the Listen‑ ers “seeking peace” in nirvana, the knowledge of paths of the Bodhisattvas “who work for the benefit of the world”, and the knowledge of all aspects “perfectly endowed with which” the Buddhas turn the Wheel of the doctrine. The three types of knowledge are the Perfection of Wisdom, “the Mother” who Maitreya worships with praise. The purpose of the Abhisamayāla ṃ kāra is to develop in the followers the knowledge of all aspects. Maitreya explains how to practice the knowledge of all aspects and summarizes the contents under eight main subjects: 1) knowledge of all aspects; 2) knowledge of paths; 3) all-knowledge; 4) complete clear realization of the three types of knowledge in all their aspects; 5) culmination of clear realization; .