Amitābha Buddha; Pure Land; rebirth stories; auspicious response
摘要
This research studies The Biographies of Auspicious Response on Rebirth in the Western Pure Land (Wangsheng xifang jingtu ruiying zhuan往生西方淨土瑞應傳, CBETA T51, no. 2070, pp. 104a03-108b15). It details the English translation of a Tang dynasty text concerning the Chinese Pure Land faith in Amitābha Buddha, and its subsequent analysis based on the generated rendition. This one fascicle text involves the preface with the aspirations of the compilers; the forty-eight accounts about rebirth in Sukhāvatī; and the colophon illustrating how the pre-805 manuscript compiled by monks in China were transcribed by monks in Japan in much later centuries with three existing versions as noted in the Taishō. Based on information emphasized in the stories, this research ascertained eight key strategic themes the compilers aim to impart toward the propagation of the faith. The themes support the exemplary demonstration of deep faith in Amitābha Buddha, the sanctity of the practice, and the recognized auspicious signs affirming his sympathetic response to those who wholeheartedly call on him. Rebirth in the Land of Bliss is coveted by the faithfuls to attain eternal liberation from suffering the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth in samsāra. The Pure Land is believed to offer the “Easy Path” toward the eventual attainment of buddhahood.
目次
ABSTRACT i DEDICATION ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii CONTENTS iv ABBREVIATIONS vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Methodology and Scope of Research 3 1.2. About the Compilation of The Biographies 12 1.3. Review of Previous Scholarships 22 1.4. Structure of the Research Paper and Emphasis of Individual Chapters 28 1.5. Conclusion 32 CHAPTER 2: THE SANCTITY OF PRACTICE IN THE BIOGRAPHIES 33 2.1. Single-minded Concentration on the Buddha 33 2.2. Wrongdoings and Repentance 45 2.3. Accumulation and Transfer of Merit 52 2.4. Heightened Practice and Apprehension of the Afterlife 60 2.5. Death and Universal Salvation 68 2.6. Conclusion 76 CHAPTER 3: OFFERING THE DHARMA IN THE BIOGRAPHIES 77 3.1. Offering of the Body 78 3.2. Self-Sacrifice and Buddhist Persecution 90 3.3. Rejection of the Tuṣita Heaven 99 3.4. Conclusion 109 CHAPTER 4: RESONANCE AND RESPONSE IN THE BIOGRAPHIES 111 4.1. Seeing Amitābha Buddha 112 4.2. Rare Fragrance 119 4.3. Bright Light 124 4.4. Revival from the Dead 131 4.5. Conclusion 141 CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BIOGRAPHIES 143 5.1. Vehicle of Vivid Instruction 144 5.2. Source of Compelling Motivation 151 5.3. Further Validation of the Pure Land Faith 158 5.4. Conclusion 164 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 166 APPENDIX A: TRANSLATION OF THE BIOGRAPHIES 172 The Preface 172 The Forty-Eight Stories 173 The Colophon 222 APPENDIX B: STRATEGIC THEMES IMPLIED IN THE BIOGRAPHIES 225 BIBLIOGRAPHY 229 Primary Sources 229 Secondary Sources 229 Dictionaries 232
