Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c7.s2.t7.7

c7.s2.t7.7

The Prajñāpāramitās also maintain the conception that the Dharmakāya is produced by dharmas, the highest of which is, according to them, the prajñāpāramitā, i.e., the knowledge which helps a person to realise the dharma-śūnyatā. The Aṣṭasāhasrikā takes up the question whether the honour shown to the relics of the Tathāgatakāya is more meritorious than the honour shown to the *Prajñāpāramitā*, e.g., by making a copy of it. The answer given is that the relics depend on the body purified by the *prajñāpāramitā*, and therefore it is the source of Buddhas. The source deserves more honour than the remnants of the fruit (*i.e.*, relics of Buddha) produced therefrom, and therefore it is more meritorious to honour the *Prajñāpāramitā* than the relics.¹ It adds that all teachings of Buddha issue from the *Prajñāpāramitā*, and the *Dharmabhāṇakas* preserve and propagate them; so the *Dharmabhāṇakas* should also be respected. They are protected by the *Dharmakāya*, the *Prajñāpāramitā*. *Sarvajñatā* (omniscience) is pervaded (*paribhāvita*) by the *prajñāpāramitā*; from *sarvajñatā* issues the body of Tathāgata, the relics of whom are worshipped; hence *prajñāpāramitā* deserves greater honour.²