Buddha-nature (as Depicted in the Lankavatara-sutra)

by Nguyen Dac Sy | 2012 | 70,344 words

Buddhism Mahayana

Buy relevant books

Summary: This essay is a critical and comparative study on (the thought of) Buddha-nature as it is presented in the Lankavatara-sutra: an ancient Mahayana teaching from the 3rd century CE proclaiming to advocate the noble orthodox teaching of Buddhism. The Lankavatarasutra is presented in the form of a dialogue between Gautama Buddha and the Bodhisattva Mahamati. Prime topics discussed include Yogacara, Buddha-nature, Alayavijnana (the primacy of consciousness) and Atman (Self).

This study has chosen the Lankavatarasutra (as part of the Mahayana Buddhist literature) because the text is extant in versions of Sanskrit, Chinese and other languages. although often associated with Yogacara tradition, this text is more influential in East Asia and the Chan tradition.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Buddha-nature (as Depicted in the Lankavatara-sutra) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgements

Abstract (Thought of Buddha-nature)

. General Introduction

. The Concept of Buddha-nature

. The Individuality of the Buddha-nature

. The Universality of the Buddha-nature

. Introduction to the Tathāgatagarbha literature

. Introduction to the Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra

. Clarification Of The Topic

. Scope and Method of the Research on the Topic Concerned

. Plan of the Study

+ Chapter 1 - Evolution of the Buddha-nature Concept

. 1. Traces of the Buddha-nature in Early Buddhism (Introduction)

. 1.1. The Buddha-nature and the Buddha’s Enlightenment

. 1.2. The Buddha-nature and the Luminous Mind

. 2.1. The Buddha-nature and Mādhyamaka

. 2.2. The Buddha-nature and Yogācāra

+ Chapter 2 - The Buddha-Nature in the Tathāgatagarbha Literature

. Tathāgatagarbha Literature (Introduction)

. 1. Early period (a): The Tathāgatagarbha-sūtra

. 1. Early period (b): The Śrīmālā-sūtra

. 1. Early period (c): The Mahāparinirvāna-sūtra

. 1. Early period (d): The Ratnagotravibhāgaśāstra

. 1. Early period (e): The Anuttarāśraya-sūtra

. 1. Early period (f): The Other Texts

. 2. Middle period (a): The Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra

. 2. Middle period (b): The Buddha-nature Treatise

. 2. Middle period (c): The Mahāyānasaṃparigraha-śāstra

. 3. Later period

. Summary (the Tathagatagarbha literature)

+ Chapter 3 - The Laṅkāvatārasūtra and Hindu Philosophy

. Introduction (Hīnayāna and Hindu philosophy)

. 1.1. Āryadeva and His Works

. 1.2. Āryadeva and the Laṅkāvatārasūtra

. 2. Six Hindu Philosophical Systems (Introduction)

. 2. Hindu Philosophical Systems (a) Sāṃkhya

. 2. Hindu Philosophical Systems (b) Yoga

. 2. Hindu Philosophical Systems (c) Nyāya

. 2. Hindu Philosophical Systems (d) Vaiśeṣika

. 2. Hindu Philosophical Systems (e) Mīmāṃsā

. 2. Hindu Philosophical Systems (f) Vedānta

. 3. The Buddha-Nature and Brahman

+ Chapter 4 - The Thought of Buddha-Nature in the Laṅkāvatārasūtra

. Introduction (various types of Buddha-nature)

. 1.1. System of Consciousnesses

. 1.2. The Ālayavijñāna

. 1.3. Ālayavijñāna and Tathāgatagarbha

. 2. Tathāgatagarbha and Ātman

. 3. Buddhatā: The Essence of Buddha (Introduction)

. 3.1. Beyond the Twofold Hindrance and Ego

. 3.2. Overcoming the Twofold Death

. 3.3. Cleansing the Twofold Group of Passions

. 4.1. Origin and Development of the Dharmakāya

. 4.2. Dharmakāya in the Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra

+ Chapter 5 - The Practice of Buddha-Nature in the Laṅkāvatārasūtra

. Introduction (the goal of self-realization)

. 1. Gradual cultivation

. 2. Habit-energy

. 3. Sudden Enlightenment

. 4. The Revulsion

. 5. Self-Power

. 6. The Other Power (adhiṣṭhāna)

+ Chapter 6 - Further Development of the Thought of Buddha-nature in China

. Introduction to Chinese Buddhism

. 1. The Daosheng’s Thought of Buddha-nature

. 2.1. The Thought of Buddha-nature in Chan

. 2.2. Chan and the Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra

. 2.3. The Buddha-nature in Gongan and Mozhao Chan

. 3. The Buddha-Nature Thought in the Tiantai School

. 4. The Buddha-nature Thought in the Huayan School

. 2. The Buddha-nature: Solution to Individual and Social Problems

. 3. The Buddha-nature Today: A New Approach

Glossary Of Chinese Characters

Comments:

Comment functionality currently not enabled

Last Updated: 29 September, 2022

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website:

Donate on Patreon

Buy me a Coffee

|

Why? | More options...