The objective of this dissertation is to undertake a comparative study of the Mahādukkhakkhandhasutta《苦蘊經》with its three Chinese translations extant in the Chinese Agamas. Through the study, it is expected to get an understanding of the textual differences and doctrinal differences in these different versions. This is a textual study carried out through comparing four versions of the same discourse, which was kept for long by different Buddhist Sects. A reading into the similarities shared by these different versions and crucial divergences appeared in explaining the dhammic matters, would shed light to expand the knowledge on two earliest Buddhist textual traditions, Nikayas and Agamas. In order to materialize the purpose of the study, the dissertation has been devised into four chapters. In examining a discourse having four different versions, we could realize that all of them have been in conformity with the basic idea discussed in the text. For instance, the Mahādukkhakkhandhasutta《苦蘊經》describes suffering and three causes (sensuality, material form and feeling) conducive to suffering. All the three causes have been explained in terms of three aspects: gratification, danger and escape. In this case, the three Chinese versions share a great similarity. However, each parallel has been different from others in relation to the textual differences: where one text contains a detailed account of a certain matter, another text has given a short reference to the same matter. Remarkably, we can find that these different versions include independent interpretations to certain dhammic concepts. So, this study leads us to understand how the different sects have attempted to interpret the basic teachings of the Buddha within an acceptable limit.
目次
Abstract I Acknowledge II Declaration III List of Abbreviation IV Contents V Chapter I Introduction 06 1.1. Introduction to the topic 06 1.2. The Research Problem 06 1.3. Literature Review 07 1.4. Sources 09 1.5. Outline 12 Chapter II The Characteristics of the Mahādukkhakkhandhasutta 《苦蘊 經》 14 2.1. Two categories of suttas dealing with dukkha 14 2.1.1. The first category: introductory suttas on dukkha 15 2.1.2. The Second category: detailed suttas on dukkha: 18 2.2. The cause of suffering: taṇhā or avijjā 20 2.3. The Characteristics of the Mahādukkhakkhandhasutta《苦蘊 經》 23 2.3.1. Mahādukkhakkhandhasutta: a detailed account 24 2.3.1.1. Sensuality (kāmā-欲望/婬) 25 2.3.1.2. Material form (rūpa-色) 28 2.3.1.3. Feeling (vedanā-痛/覺) 39 2.3.2. The doctrinal basis of the discourse- taṇhā (渴愛) 30 2.3.2.1. Sensuality (kāma-欲望/婬) 30 2.3.2.2. Material form (rūpa-色) 36 2.3.2.3. Feeling (vedanā-痛/覺) 39 Chapter III-I The Comparison 44 Chapter III-II Translation 84 Chapter III.III Critical reading into the comparison 100 Chapter IV Conclusion 128 Bibliography 130
