Jinguangming Sutra; Chinese translation; content; thought; spread; influence
摘要
Jinguangming Sutra is a very important Sutra in Mahayana Buddhism. It has a close intrinsic connection with Prajna, Huayan Sutra, Agama, Tathagata-garbha, Fahua Sutra, etc. Jinguangming Sutra has three translations in Tripitaka, its content increased with the time passed. The increased content are the thought, Dharani and sadhana drubtab of Vajrayana. But the main thought in the three translations are basically the same: Buddha taught Jinguangming Sutra in Qidujue Hill in Rajgir, Buddha said the Jinguangming Sutra is the king of all the Sutras, it has boundless merits; it is protected by Virudhaka, deities, evil spirit and so on; confession and praise these two initial approaches to become a Buddhist believer can eliminate people’s sorrow and bring them happiness; the people who help teaching, spreading, hearing, reading, reciting, transcribing, accepting and maintaining faith, holding this Sutra can achieve various wisdom and benefits. Because of the Sutra contains specific purport and promise like Dhammapala, protecting the country, protecting the world, confess and be released from all sins, eliminate disasters, increase good fortune, it was widely respected and believed by monks, monarchs and people, in this way it was widely spreaded all over China, subsequent belief in Vaisravana and Sutra＆Chog of Jinguangming are developed based on it. In the last hundred years, pictures and literatures were found in Jiangsu, Gansu, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, they are valuable in researching. There were woodcut pictures in the beginning of the Sutra. We can divided the pictures into two subjects. One of them are closely related to the contents of the Sutra, using visualized pictures and inscriptions to highlight the purport of the Sutra, they are quite effective in extending publicity and enhancing people’s understanding of the Sutra. Another are based on story of confess and be released from all sins in miraculous stories. Zhang Judao went to ghostdom for a trial because he slaughtered livestock. He transcribed and holding Jinguangming Sutra, thanks to his kind behavior, he were pardoned by the judge in ghostdom, and went back to the living world to enjoy his old age. People drew this story into pictures in order to admonish people to do good works and not to kill.
This article are going to make a comparison between the three translations of Jinguangming Sutra. Researching whether the increase and change of the contents makes differences in the basic thought of the Sutra. Sorting the basic thought in the Sutra. Briefly analyzing the translation style of each Sutra translators. Finding out the routes of transmission and the influence of the Sutra by researching the Biography of Eminent Monks and other date.
