A Critical Study of Wisdom as Depicted in Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita with Reference to the Philosophy of Nagarjuna

In Prajnaparamita literature the philosophy of emptiness is explained. Theravadins discuss the philosophy of personal selflessness while the Mahayanists explain in details the selflessness of dharmas (phenomena). Nagarjuna used the word s?nyata for this philosophical explanation. In his teaching everything is dependent origination. At the time of absent of the cause there will not be the effect. Further he described that there is no use of talking about personal and doctrinal matters in causeless environment. In Prajnaparamita literature the selflessness of personal and doctrinal factors are explained. The philosophy of nihilism or emptiness of personal and doctrinal factors can be seen in Astasahasrika as Pudgala and Dharma nairatmya. Specially in the discussion of ?akra, Subh?ti and Sariputra in the Astasahasrika this concept can be found. One can argue that the selflessness is not the emptiness. Answering to this question we can maintain the idea of nothingness, but it is not the negativity. It is true that the absent of cause is emptiness and the nature of causeless is emphasized as selflessness and nihilism. Everything including five aggregates, five sense organs, five sense objects, supra-mundane qualities such as sotapanna (stream enterer), sakadagami (once returner), anagami (non-returner), arahat (liberated one), paccekabuddha (second Buddhahood) and Buddha (Buddhahood) are to be considered as selfless. As explained in Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita s?tra for perfect wisdom and final liberation one should detach from attachments and bondages understanding their emptiness with the help of Upaya kau?alya jnana (knowledge of skills for perfect wisdom). In this research paper the factors related to this concept are discussed in details.