Difference between revisions of "觀普賢菩薩行法經"
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[[Samantabhadra Meditation Sutra]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[觀普賢菩薩行法經]]; pinyin: [[Guān Pǔxián Púsà Xíngfǎ Jīng]]), | [[Samantabhadra Meditation Sutra]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[觀普賢菩薩行法經]]; pinyin: [[Guān Pǔxián Púsà Xíngfǎ Jīng]]), | ||
| − | The [[Samantabhadra]] [[Meditation]] [[Sūtra]] ({{Wiki|traditional Chinese}}: [[觀普賢菩薩行法經]]; simplified {{Wiki|Chinese}}: 观普贤菩萨行法经; pinyin: [[guān pǔxián púsà xíngfǎ jīng]]; [[Japanese]]: [[普賢經]]; Rōmaji Fugen-kyō; [[Korean]]: 관보현보살행벞경; Gwanbohyeonbosalhaengbeop Gyeong), [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཀུན་ཏུ་བཟང་པོ]]}}{{BigTibetan|་}}; | + | The [[Samantabhadra]] [[Meditation]] [[Sūtra]] ({{Wiki|traditional Chinese}}: [[觀普賢菩薩行法經]]; simplified {{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[观普贤菩萨行法经]]; pinyin: [[guān pǔxián púsà xíngfǎ jīng]]; [[Japanese]]: [[普賢經]]; [[Rōmaji Fugen-kyō]]; [[Korean]]: [[관보현보살행벞경]]; |
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| + | [[Gwanbohyeonbosalhaengbeop Gyeong]]), [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཀུན་ཏུ་བཟང་པོ]]}}{{BigTibetan|་}}; [[Kunde Zangpo]]; also known as the [[Sūtra]] of [[Meditation]] on the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Universal]] [[Virtue]], is a [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhist]] [[sutra]] [[teaching]] [[meditation]] and repentance practices. | ||
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| + | The extant {{Wiki|Chinese}} text of [[the meditation sutra]] was translated by [[Dharmamitra]] between 424 and 442 CE (T09n277). The [[Samantabhadra]] [[Meditation]] [[Sūtra]] is often included in the so-called "[[Threefold Lotus Sutra]]," along with the [[Lotus Sutra]] and the [[Innumerable Meanings Sutra]]. It is not known, however, when or by whom the [[sutra]] was first recited, | ||
| − | + | but it is considered by many [[Mahayana]] sects to be a continuation (an epilogue) of the [[Buddha's teachings]] found within the [[Lotus Sutra]].This [[sutra]] is believed to have followed two earlier translations, [[including]] one by [[Kumarajiva]], which are now lost; no original [[Sanskrit]] translation has been found | |
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| − | According to the [[sutra]] itself, [[Samantabhadra Bodhisattva]] ("[[Universal | + | According to the [[sutra]] itself, [[Samantabhadra Bodhisattva]] ("[[Universal Virtue]]") was born in the [[east]] [[Pure Wonder Land]] and whose [[form]] was already mentioned clearly by the [[Buddha]] in the [[Avatamsaka Sutra]]. In the [[Threefold |
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| + | Lotus Sutra]], the [[chapter]] preceding the [[Samantabhadra Meditation Sūtra]], [[chapter]] 28 of the [[Lotus Sutra]], describes [[Samantabhadra]] as a {{Wiki|perfect}} example of an adherent to the four practices: | ||
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He proves that those who violate the [[Dharma]] can be delivered from their transgressions if they are sincerely penitent. | He proves that those who violate the [[Dharma]] can be delivered from their transgressions if they are sincerely penitent. | ||
| − | In the [[Meditation Sutra]], the [[Buddha]] describes [[Universal]] Virtue's [[body]] as [[unlimited]] in size, and the range of his {{Wiki|voice}} and the [[forms]] of his image are also described as [[unlimited]]. He possesses [[divine]] [[powers]] that enable him to come into the [[world]] when he | + | In the [[Meditation Sutra]], the [[Buddha]] describes [[Universal]] Virtue's [[body]] as [[unlimited]] in size, and the range of |
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| + | his {{Wiki|voice}} and the [[forms]] of his image are also described as [[unlimited]]. He possesses [[divine]] [[powers]] that enable him to come into the [[world]] when he | ||
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| + | wishes and shrink down to a smaller size. Through his [[wisdom]]-power, he appears [[transformed]] as if mounted on a [[white elephant]] to the [[people]] of [[Jambudvīpa]] [[defiled]] by the three heavy [[hindrances]]: [[Arrogance]], [[envy]], and | ||
| − | + | covetousness. The [[Buddha Shakyamuni]] describes in detail the [[form]] of the [[elephant]] on which [[Universal]] [[Virtue]] is mounted. | |
| − | [[Universal | + | [[Universal Virtue]] rides the [[white elephant]] for the sole {{Wiki|purpose}} of guiding the [[people]] of [[Jambudvīpa]], or the [[sahā-world]], through practices that are associated with their {{Wiki|environment}}. The [[bodhisattva]] riding on his [[white |
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| + | elephant]] is a [[symbolic]] image of [[Buddhist practice]], as well as a [[representation]] of [[purity]]. The [[purity]] of the [[six sense organs]] is represented by the six tusks of [[Universal]] Virtue's [[white elephant]]. | ||
It is undeniable that the [[Meditation Sutra]] is a continuation of the [[Lotus Sutra]], because the [[sutra]] itself testifies to the "[[Dharma Flower Sutra]]" three times. | It is undeniable that the [[Meditation Sutra]] is a continuation of the [[Lotus Sutra]], because the [[sutra]] itself testifies to the "[[Dharma Flower Sutra]]" three times. | ||
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Meaning of Repentance | Meaning of Repentance | ||
| − | The denotational meaning of the [[word]] "repentance" in a general [[sense]], is the {{Wiki|confession}} or [[remorse]] of one's [[own]] {{Wiki|past}} [[physical]] and [[mental]] [[misdeeds]], or transgressions. When we [[repent]], we {{Wiki|purify}} our [[minds]] and we free ourselves from a [[sense]] of [[sin]], and we [[feel]] greatly refreshed. {{Wiki|Psychoanalysts}} have applied this [[principle]] in helping many [[people]] who are [[mentally]] afflicted. | + | |
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| + | The denotational meaning of the [[word]] "repentance" in a general [[sense]], is the {{Wiki|confession}} or [[remorse]] of one's [[own]] {{Wiki|past}} [[physical]] and [[mental]] [[misdeeds]], or transgressions. When we [[repent]], we {{Wiki|purify}} our | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[minds]] and we free ourselves from a [[sense]] of [[sin]], and we [[feel]] greatly refreshed. {{Wiki|Psychoanalysts}} have applied this [[principle]] in helping many [[people]] who are [[mentally]] afflicted. | ||
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| − | In [[Japan]], the text is also called the [[Repentance Sutra]] ([[Japanese]]: 懺悔經; Rōmaji: Sange-kyō). The second [[chapter]] of the [[Lotus Sutra]] explains in detail the {{Wiki|concept}} of [[Tathātā]], or "[[Suchness]]". The [[sutra]] emphasizes repentance by means of [[meditating]] on "the [[true aspect]] of [[reality]]" and the "[[Vaipulya sutras]]." | + | In [[Japan]], the text is also called the [[Repentance Sutra]] ([[Japanese]]: [[懺悔經]]; [[Rōmaji]]: [[Sange-kyō]]). The second [[chapter]] of the [[Lotus Sutra]] explains in detail the {{Wiki|concept}} of [[Tathātā]], or "[[Suchness]]". The [[sutra]] emphasizes repentance by means of [[meditating]] on "the [[true aspect]] of [[reality]]" and the "[[Vaipulya sutras]]." |
The [[essence]] of [[Buddhist]] repentance is summed up in the following lines from the verse spoken by the [[Buddha]] concerning the [[purification]] of the [[six sense organs]]: | The [[essence]] of [[Buddhist]] repentance is summed up in the following lines from the verse spoken by the [[Buddha]] concerning the [[purification]] of the [[six sense organs]]: | ||
Revision as of 23:00, 14 October 2020
Samantabhadra Meditation Sutra (Chinese: 觀普賢菩薩行法經; pinyin: Guān Pǔxián Púsà Xíngfǎ Jīng),
The Samantabhadra Meditation Sūtra (traditional Chinese: 觀普賢菩薩行法經; simplified Chinese: 观普贤菩萨行法经; pinyin: guān pǔxián púsà xíngfǎ jīng; Japanese: 普賢經; Rōmaji Fugen-kyō; Korean: 관보현보살행벞경;
Gwanbohyeonbosalhaengbeop Gyeong), Tibetan: ཀུན་ཏུ་བཟང་པོ་; Kunde Zangpo; also known as the Sūtra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue, is a Mahayana Buddhist sutra teaching meditation and repentance practices.
The extant Chinese text of the meditation sutra was translated by Dharmamitra between 424 and 442 CE (T09n277). The Samantabhadra Meditation Sūtra is often included in the so-called "Threefold Lotus Sutra," along with the Lotus Sutra and the Innumerable Meanings Sutra. It is not known, however, when or by whom the sutra was first recited,
but it is considered by many Mahayana sects to be a continuation (an epilogue) of the Buddha's teachings found within the Lotus Sutra.This sutra is believed to have followed two earlier translations, including one by Kumarajiva, which are now lost; no original Sanskrit translation has been found
According to the sutra itself, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva ("Universal Virtue") was born in the east Pure Wonder Land and whose form was already mentioned clearly by the Buddha in the Avatamsaka Sutra. In the [[Threefold
Lotus Sutra]], the chapter preceding the Samantabhadra Meditation Sūtra, chapter 28 of the Lotus Sutra, describes Samantabhadra as a perfect example of an adherent to the four practices:
He practices the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
He protects the Dharma teachings from every kind of persecution.
He witnesses the merits obtained by those who practice the teachings and the punishments of those who slander the Dharma or persecute the practitioners.
He proves that those who violate the Dharma can be delivered from their transgressions if they are sincerely penitent.
In the Meditation Sutra, the Buddha describes Universal Virtue's body as unlimited in size, and the range of
his voice and the forms of his image are also described as unlimited. He possesses divine powers that enable him to come into the world when he
wishes and shrink down to a smaller size. Through his wisdom-power, he appears transformed as if mounted on a white elephant to the people of Jambudvīpa defiled by the three heavy hindrances: Arrogance, envy, and
covetousness. The Buddha Shakyamuni describes in detail the form of the elephant on which Universal Virtue is mounted.
Universal Virtue rides the white elephant for the sole purpose of guiding the people of Jambudvīpa, or the sahā-world, through practices that are associated with their environment. The bodhisattva riding on his [[white
elephant]] is a symbolic image of Buddhist practice, as well as a representation of purity. The purity of the six sense organs is represented by the six tusks of Universal Virtue's white elephant.
It is undeniable that the Meditation Sutra is a continuation of the Lotus Sutra, because the sutra itself testifies to the "Dharma Flower Sutra" three times.
Meaning of Repentance
The denotational meaning of the word "repentance" in a general sense, is the confession or remorse of one's own past physical and mental misdeeds, or transgressions. When we repent, we purify our
minds and we free ourselves from a sense of sin, and we feel greatly refreshed. Psychoanalysts have applied this principle in helping many people who are mentally afflicted.
Contemplation of Reality
In Japan, the text is also called the Repentance Sutra (Japanese: 懺悔經; Rōmaji: Sange-kyō). The second chapter of the Lotus Sutra explains in detail the concept of Tathātā, or "Suchness". The sutra emphasizes repentance by means of meditating on "the true aspect of reality" and the "Vaipulya sutras."
The essence of Buddhist repentance is summed up in the following lines from the verse spoken by the Buddha concerning the purification of the six sense organs:
The ocean of impediment of all karma
Is produced from one's false imagination.
Should one wish to repent of it
Let him sit upright and meditate on the true aspect of reality.
All sins are just as frost and dew,
