The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to the Trikaya Theory

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ISBN: 9780415333443 | 041533344X
Cover: Hardcover
Copyright: 12/20/2004

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This book presents an analysis of one of the fundamental Mahayana Buddhist teachings, namely the three bodies of the Buddha (the Trikaya Theory), which is considered the foundation of Mahayana philosophy. The author examines how and why from the historical human buddha the philosophical concept of three bodies was formed, particularly the Sambhogakaya, which is the Buddha to be worshipped by all Mayahanists. This work is an outstanding research text for students and scholars of Mayahana Buddhism and anyone interested in Buddhist philosophy.

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

Glossary

xiii

Introduction

(6)

The purpose of the research

(2)

The method of the research

(4)

1 The concept of the Buddha in early Buddhism

(12)

The human Buddha

(6)

The superhuman Buddha

(6)

2 The concept of the Buddha in the early Indian Buddhist Schools (I) The Sarvastivada

(34)

The two-body theory

(4)

The rupakaya

(12)

The dharmakaya

(9)

Other attributes of the Buddha

(1)

The time needed to become a Buddha

(3)

Universal virtues common to all Buddhas and differences between them

(1)

Taking refuge in the Buddha

(1)

The differences between Buddhas, pratyekabuddhas and sravakas

(3)

3 The concept of the Buddha in the early Indian Buddhist schools (II) The Mahasamghika and other schools

(16)

The Mahasamghikas

(13)

Other early Buddhist schools

(3)

4 The origin and development of the dharmakaya

(32)

The origin of the dharmakaya

(6)

The Mahayana development of the dharmakaya concept

(26)

The identification of the Tathagata with tathata

(5)

The dharmakaya as the cosmic body

(2)

The development of the dharmakaya in the Avatamsaka

(4)

The dharmakaya bodhisattvas

(1)

The dharmakaya as tathagatagarbha

(1)

The dharmakaya as mahaparinirvana

(6)

The dharmakaya as non-duality

(2)

The dharmakaya as the transformation of support

(5)

5 The origin and development of the Sambhogakaya

101

(35)

Introduction

101

(3)

The debate between the Sarvastivada and Mahasamghika schools on the physical body of the Buddha

104

(2)

The Buddha's bad karma

106

(13)

The problem of the Buddha's short life-span

119

(5)

The concept of the Buddha in the MPPS'

124

(5)

A solution to the complex problem of the physical body of the Buddha

129

(4)

The development of the sambhogakaya

133

(3)

6 The origin and development of the nirmanakaya

136

(11)

The origin of the nirmanakaya

136

(3)

The development of the nirmanakaya

139

(8)

7 The attributes of the Buddha and other Buddhas in early and middle Mahayana sutras

147

(32)

The light of the Buddha

147

(7)

The retinue of the Buddha

154

(2)

The twenty-one qualities of the Buddha

156

(3)

The ten Buddhas and ten Buddha bodies

159

(4)

A model for the trikaya theory

163

(2)

Other Buddhas and their lands

165

(6)

The classification of Buddha lands

171

(3)

Amitabha and Aksobhya as nirmanakayas

174

(5)

Conclusion: The five basic stages in the development of the concept of the Buddha

179

(3)

Appendix: Chronology of Chinese translation of Mahayana sutras and sastras

182

(5)

Notes

187

(46)

Select bibliography

233

(14)

Index

247

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The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to the Trikaya Theory

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials