This thesis annotates and translates the commentary of the Five Positions (Wuwei 五位) of the Caodong lineage 曹洞宗. The Five Positions in the Caodong tradition is the progressive stages of awakening in Chan practice. It introduces a distinctive conception with a unique Mahayana notion that emptiness and existence are mutually dependent and relatively equivalent. Liangjie良价 (807-869) conducts an overview to access Chan practice and unveils the advanced meditation status serving as the framework and the direction that closely coheres with the basic technique for Chan practice. There are three categories of the Five Positions in the Caodong tradition, the Five Positions of Improper and Proper (Pianzheng wuwei 偏正五位), the Five Positions of Merit and Honor (Gongxun wuwei 功勳五位), and the Five Positions of Sovereign and Minister (Juncheng wuwei 君臣五位). They are theoretically relevant to each other. The Five Positions of Improper and Proper is the doctrinal foundation for the Five Positions of Merit and Honor and the Five Positions of Sovereign and Minister, which illustrate the teaching of the Five Positions of Improper and Proper in different aspects. This thesis focuses on the Five Positions of Improper and Proper to explore Liangjie’s point of view and approach to the Five Positions for Chan practice. It aims at clarifying the original meaning and the purpose and attempting to reorient the Five Positions from the later study that is associated with Yijing 易經. This thesis contains two parts, the introduction and annotated translations. In the introduction, the Five Positions and the primary sources for translation are investigated. The relevant issues and the disputes regarding the Five Positions and the documents will also be discussed. In annotated translations, Five Positions and the commentaries of the Five Positions are translated and explained in this part.
目次
Abstract i Acknowledgments v Introduction 1 The major documents for translation 6 The Five Positions of Improper and Proper 6 The Five Positions of Merit and Honor 7 The Five Positions of Sovereign and Minister 8 The Table of the Primary Sources of the Five Positions 9 The Primary Sources of the Five Positions 11 Liangjie’s Contribution to the Five Positions 11 Regarding the Five Positions of Improper and Proper 12 Regarding the Five Positions of Merit and Honor 16 Discussion 17 Benji’s Contribution to the Five Positions 18 Regarding the Five Positions of Improper and Proper 19 Regarding the Five Positions of Sovereign and Minister 21 Discussion 21 Yongjue’s Contribution to the Five Position 22 Regarding the Five Positions of Improper and Proper 24 Regarding the Five Positions of Merit and Honor 24 Discussion 25 The Issue in the early documents of the Five Positions 25 Discussion in the Samādhi of Jeweled Mirror 28 The Yijing concept in the Samādhi of Jeweled Mirror 30 Issues in the Samādhi of Jeweled Mirror 36 Discussion 38 Concluding Remark 39 Annotated Translation of the Five Positions 41 The Five Positions of Improper and Proper 45 The Improper in the Proper 46 The Proper in the Improper 52 Approaching from the Proper 59 Arriving from Both [the Proper and the Improper] 66 Arrival at Both [the Proper and the Improper] 74 The Five Positions of Merit and Honor 81 Inclination [toward Cultivation] 82 Devotion [to Cultivation] 84 Merit 86 Merit in the Company [with All dharmas] 88 Merit of Merit 90 The Five Positions of Sovereign and Minister 93 Sovereign 95 Minister 96 Minister Inclining to Sovereign 99 Sovereign Viewing Minister 101 The Reconciliation of Sovereign and Minister in the Path 102 BIBLIOGRAPHY 104 Primary Sources 104 Secondary Sources 105 Chinese Sources 106 English Sources 108 Japanese sources 110 Online reference 113
