大勢至菩薩法門探討 ──以《楞嚴經．念佛圓通章》為主=Probing into the Dharma Gates of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva ─ based on The Perfect Penetration of Being Mindful of the Buddha in Surangama Sutra
《楞嚴經》=SurangamaSutra; 大勢至菩薩=Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva; 念佛三昧=the Buddha-recitation Samadhi; 都攝六根=gathering in the six sense organs through; 淨念相繼=continuous pure mindfulness
The thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter, “Introduction,” discusses motivation, purpose, and literature review on ancient commentaries and modern academic research. The second chapter, “Relevant Sutra Texts of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva,” first states the origin of sutra texts and doctrines of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. This chapter goes on to analyze relevant important sutra texts according to Surangama Sutra, Compassionate Lotus Sutra “Karuna Pundarika Sutra,” and Contemplation Sutra “Amitayurdhyana Sutra”. Then, the chapter explains Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva of Vajrayana dharma gates, which leads readers to understand how Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva appears in different sutra texts and dharma gates, and how he has compassion and benefits all sentient beings. The third chapter, explores the status, dharma gates, and all-time commentaries of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva in The Perfect Penetration of Being Mindful of the Buddha in Surangama Sutra. Also, it investigates the relevance and interaction between the Preachment of Being Mindful of the Buddha in Surangama Sutra and other dharma gates of being mindful of the Buddha. Secondly, to analyze the Samadhi of the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. Furthermore, displays previous scholars’ viewpoints through interpretations of The Perfect Penetration of Being Mindful of the Buddha made by the Flower Garlan“Huayan” school, the Lotus “Tiantai” school, the Zen school, and the Pure Land “Amidism” school of Buddhism. The fourth chapter mainly discusses the related teachings of the bodhisattva cultivation process in the scriptures. The fifth chapter integrates the arguments from all chapters and then gives the conclusion.Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva used no more than 244 words to conclude the process of Buddhist practice. The seemingly simple principles and similes of “people to people” and “mother and son” human relations, actually contain some profound doctrines. The Preachment of Being Mindful of the Buddha guides people to practice and achieve Samadhi by reciting Buddha’s name. The content is both simple and deep, specific, and generalized, friendly for practitioners with different abilities and nature.Among the four kinds of Buddha-recitation Samadhi, which one was the method of Samadhi for the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva? According to which the Bodhisattva said that it was used mindfulness of the Buddha to enter into patience with the non-existence of beings and phenomena. As per the original intention of the Surangama Sutra, it supposed to be a true reality, But it also has the meaning of recitation, visualizing, and contemplation. As for the three forms of Samadhi by reciting Buddha’s name are either similar or dissimilar to each other according to the causes, conditions, and Buddha’s name chanting merits of the present. However, every sentient beings have the same resolution — seeking the Pure Land and attain the Buddha-path. The dharma gate of “the perfect penetration of being mindful of the Buddha” assimilates practitioners with sharp faculties and sudden faculties, differentiate thoughts on things and reasons and benefit all sentient beings with varied faculties. Therefore, all living creatures
