The Existence or Nonexistence of the Mind of Buddha: A Debate between Faxingzong and Faxiangzong in Chengguan''s Interpretation

Author： Hamar Imre

Publisher： Akademiai Kiado

ISSN： 0001-6446

Source： Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, Vol.56, Iss.2-4, 2003-11, pp. : 339-367

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Abstract

One passage of the Sūtra Manifestation of the Tathāgata is studied in this article. The central question of this passage is whether the Tathāgata has mental activity like ordinary people. The exegetes of medieval China recognised the ambiguity of Indian Buddhist tradition on this topic. These monks attempted to harmonise the different views under the rubric of perfect teaching, i.e. the Huayan teaching. This article includes a translation of Chengguan's commentary on this passage, as it is not only the most elaborate explanation of the text, but also a good example of how Chinese commentaries interpreted scriptural sources.