Difference between revisions of "P’u-t’o Shan"
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| − | + | [[Mount Potalaka]] ({{Wiki|traditional Chinese}}: [[補陀落山]]; simplified {{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[补陀落山]]; pinyin: [[Bǔtuóluò Shān]], [[Japanese]]: [[Fudaraku-san]]), which means "[[Brilliance]]", is the [[mythical]] dwelling of the [[Buddhist]] [[bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara]], said to [[exist]] in the seas [[south]] of [[India]]. | |
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| + | Origins | ||
| − | [[ | + | The mountain is first mentioned in the final [[chapter]] of the [[Avataṃsaka Sūtra]], the [[Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra]], where the chapter's {{Wiki|protagonist}} journeys to seek the advice of [[Avalokiteśvara]]. |
| − | + | The [[Japanese]] [[scholar]] Shu Hikosaka, on the basis of his study of [[Buddhist scriptures]], [[ancient]] {{Wiki|Tamil}} {{Wiki|literary}} sources, as well as field survey, proposes the {{Wiki|hypothesis}} that, the [[ancient]] mount [[Potalaka]], the residence of [[Avalokiteśvara]] described in the [[Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra]] and [[Xuanzang’s]] [[Great Tang Records on the Western Regions]], is the real mountain [[Potikai]] or [[Potiyil]] situated at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district, [[Tamil Nadu]]. | |
| − | + | Shu also says that mount [[Potiyil]] / [[Potalaka]] has been a [[sacred place]] for the [[people]] of [[South India]] from time immemorial. | |
| − | + | With the spread of [[Buddhism]] in the region beginning at the time of the great [[king]] [[Aśoka]] in the third century BCE, it became a [[holy place]] also for [[Buddhists]] who gradually became dominant as a number of their [[hermits]] settled there. | |
| − | + | The local [[people]], though, mainly remained followers of [[Hinduism]]. The mixed Hindu-Buddhist {{Wiki|cult}} culminated in the formation of the figure of [[Avalokiteśvara]]. | |
| − | + | Local [[traditions]] | |
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| + | Later [[Japanese Buddhists]], such as the [[Japanese]] [[Yogacara]] [[monk]] [[Jōkei]], espoused aspiring [[rebirth]] on [[Mount Potalaka]] as an easier way to attain progress on the [[Buddhist path]] than the more well-known [[pure land]] of [[Amitābha]]. | ||
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| + | Places named after [[Mount Potalaka]] include: | ||
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| + | <poem> | ||
| + | [[Mount Putuo]] in [[Wikipedia:Zhejiang|Zhejiang]] | ||
| + | [[Putuo Zongcheng]] [[Temple]] in [[Hebei]] | ||
| + | [[Potala Palace]] in [[Tibet]] | ||
| + | </poem> | ||
see also: [[P'u-t'o]]{{ChineseTerms}} | see also: [[P'u-t'o]]{{ChineseTerms}} | ||
| + | {{R}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Pu-to Shan]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:44, 22 December 2015
Mount Potalaka (traditional Chinese: 補陀落山; simplified Chinese: 补陀落山; pinyin: Bǔtuóluò Shān, Japanese: Fudaraku-san), which means "Brilliance", is the mythical dwelling of the Buddhist bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, said to exist in the seas south of India.
Origins
The mountain is first mentioned in the final chapter of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, the Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra, where the chapter's protagonist journeys to seek the advice of Avalokiteśvara.
The Japanese scholar Shu Hikosaka, on the basis of his study of Buddhist scriptures, ancient Tamil literary sources, as well as field survey, proposes the hypothesis that, the ancient mount Potalaka, the residence of Avalokiteśvara described in the Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra and Xuanzang’s Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, is the real mountain Potikai or Potiyil situated at Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.
Shu also says that mount Potiyil / Potalaka has been a sacred place for the people of South India from time immemorial.
With the spread of Buddhism in the region beginning at the time of the great king Aśoka in the third century BCE, it became a holy place also for Buddhists who gradually became dominant as a number of their hermits settled there.
The local people, though, mainly remained followers of Hinduism. The mixed Hindu-Buddhist cult culminated in the formation of the figure of Avalokiteśvara.
Local traditions
Later Japanese Buddhists, such as the Japanese Yogacara monk Jōkei, espoused aspiring rebirth on Mount Potalaka as an easier way to attain progress on the Buddhist path than the more well-known pure land of Amitābha.
Places named after Mount Potalaka include:
see also: P'u-t'o
