Authors and affiliations:Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
關鍵詞
Chinese Buddhism; Dharma; Women in Religion; Harrison, Paul
摘要
This paper attempts to explore the issue of female rebirth in Sukhavati by examining relevant passages in all extant versions (Sanskrit，Tibetan and Chinese) of the Longer Sukhavativyuhasutra, the core text of Pure Land Buddhism. The results show that the tradition represented by this scripture has undergone considerable change since its earliest recensions were produced，from a hard-line position (asserting clearly that Sukhavati is devoid of women and sentient beings are reborn there only as males) to a much softer stance (in which the denial of female rebirth is rather ambiguous and Sukhavati has nymphs). This historical shift finds its modern counterpart in contemporary revisionist attempts to assert either the possibility of female rebirth in Sukhavati or the absence there of gender distinctions altogether.
目次
INTRODUCTION 553 THE THIRTY-FIFTH VOW 554 NYMPHS IN SUKHAVAT I? 559 OTHER RELEVANT PASSAGES 562 CONCLUDING REMARKS 563
