Vairocana Sutra; Vajra Peak Tantra; Mahasukha; Guhyasamajatantra; Immediate Body Accomplishment
摘要
The appearance of different Buddhas in Esoteric Buddhism`s scriptures reflects Mahayana`s goal to save all sentient beings; the variety of Buddhas are expedient means to reach beings with varying desires and abilities. The different Buddhas reflect the philosophical and doctrinal changes in the historical development of Esoteric Buddhism. For instance, Vairocana sutra (大日經) contains key doctrines and practice systems of the middle period of Esoteric Buddhism, and is said that Vairocana Buddha is the supreme existence surpassing historical Buddha; it also said that the omniscient wisdom (一切智智) of the enlightened ones marks the ultimate stage of Buddhahood, wherein an expedient as a practical ability to save sentient beings is accomplished. The Vajra Peak Tantra (金剛頂經) which appeared right after the advent of Vairocana sutra, was another development of Yogacarya practice, in the tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. In Vajra Peak Tantra, the Vairocana Buddha is described as a Dharma-kaya Buddha (法身佛) of Vajra-dhatu (金剛界), and through his body, speech and mind of unchanging existence, he manifests Emanation Body (化身) in order to save sentient beings. The Anuttarayoga-tantra system appeared in the latter period of Esoteric Buddhism and was a successor to the idea of Immediate Body Accomplishment (卽身成佛) of the Mantrayana (眞言門), first mentioned in the Vairocana Sutra. Anuttarayoga-tantra is said to be a practice system of both Generation (生起次第) and Completion (究竟次第) Stages; a method to experience the physical body as Buddha nature. This paper seeks to identify historical characteristics evident in the development of Vairocana Buddha throughout Esoteric Buddhism`s history, with special comparison of Vajra Peak Tantra with Guhyasamajatantra.
