The Rishukyo : a translation and commentary in the light of modern Japanese (post-Meiji) scholarship
This thesis is a translation of and commentary on the Tantric Buddhist Master Amoghavajra (705-74)'s Li-clki Ching gag (Japanese: Rishukyo, Taisho: 243), the Prajparamita in 150 Verses. Whilst there are some remarks of a historical and text-critical nature, the primary concern is with the text as a religious document, in the context of the scholarship and practice of the modern Japanese Shingon Sect. The Stara occupies a central position in this sect, being an integral part in its daily worship and in the academic and practical training of its priests. The Rishukyo is extant in ten versions: a Sanskrit/Khotanese fragment (?150 verses), a Tibetan 150-verse version and six Chinese versions, one of which is a lengthy, so-called Extended Version. This last is parallelled by two Extended Versions in Tibetan, and, although an examination of the Tibetan sources lies outwith the scope of this study, the thesis sketches some of the possibilities for historical research into the Buddhist Tantric tradition in Central and East Asia which these three longer recensions open up. The Chinese versions -beginning with HsUantsang's (T.220(10))- show varying degrees of esoteric influence. This fact has significance for our understanding
Astley, Ian
Rishukyo translation/critique
The Rishukyo : a translation and commentary in the light of modern Japanese (post-Meiji) scholarship. This thesis is a translation of and commentary on the Tantric Buddhist Master Amoghavajra (705-74)'s Li-clki Ching gag (Japanese: Rishukyo, Taisho: 243), the Prajparamita in 150 Verses. Whilst there are some remarks of a historical and text-critical nature, the primary concern is with the text as a religious document, in the context of the scholarship and practice of the modern Japanese Shingon Sect. The Stara occupies a central position in this sect, being an integral part in its daily worship and in the academic and practical training of its priests. The Rishukyo is extant in ten versions: a Sanskrit/Khotanese fragment (?150 verses), a Tibetan 150-verse version and six Chinese versions, one of which is a lengthy, so-called Extended Version. This last is parallelled by two Extended Versions in Tibetan, and, although an examination of the Tibetan sources lies outwith the scope of this study, the thesis sketches some of the possibilities for historical research into the Buddhist Tantric tradition in Central and East Asia which these three longer recensions open up. The Chinese versions -beginning with HsUantsang's (T.220(10))- show varying degrees of esoteric influence. This fact has significance for our understanding
translation_commentary light_modern japanese post scholarship translation_commentary buddhist master japanese whilst remark historical_text critical nature primary_concern text religious document context scholarship practice modern japanese sect occupy central position sect integral_part daily worship academic practical training priest extant version fragment verse tibetan verse version chinese version lengthy so_called extended version last parallel extended tibetan although examination tibetan source lie outwith scope_study sketch possibility historical buddhist tradition central east asia long recensions open chinese version beginning show vary_degree esoteric influence fact significance