On the “Subhūti-parivarta”: A Study Based on the *Bhagavatyāmnāyānusāriṇī-nāma-vyākhyā’s Explanation

Abstract

What is the “Subhūti-parivarta” referred to in Chapter 2 of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā (ASP)? In this article, I consider the understanding based on the commentaries of the Prajñāpāramitā such as the *Bhagavatyāmnāyānusāriṇī-nāma-vyākhyā (BhĀA, D 3811; P 5209). More than half a century ago, Mitsuyuki Kajiyoshi pointed out that the “Subhūti-parivarta” mentioned in Chapter 2 of the ASP refers to the first chapter. He presumed that the “Subhūti-parivarta” referred to there was the original form of the Prajñāpāramitā. According to the BhĀA, it was understood that “Subhūti-parivarta” refers to the first chapter of ASP. It is also an understanding based on the *Āryaśatasāhasrikā­-pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikāṣṭādaśasāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā-bṛhaṭṭīkā (D 3808; P 5206). However, it became clear that BhĀA does not understand the “Subhūti-parivarta” as the Prajñāpāramitā’s original form.