Active Self . A Philosophical Study of the Buddha Nature Treatise and Other Chinese Buddhist Texts

373 Pages·1981·7.922 MB·English

by  Sallie B. King

THE ACTIVE SELF:
PHILOSOPHICAL STUDY OF THE BUDDHA NATURE TREATISE
AND OTHER CHINESE BUDDHIST TEXTS
Sallie B. King
May, 1981
Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
◎ Copyright by Sallie Behn King 1981
All Rights Reserved
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE BOARD
Title of Dissertation： The Active Self : A Philosophical Study of
The Buddha Nature Treatise and Other
Chinese Buddhist Texts
Author:
Sallie Behn King
.卜
Date submitted to the Graduate Board: M d L L
Accepted by the Graduate Board of Temple Univcisity in partial fulfillment of the requirement for lbs
degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Dedicated
in gratitude
to
Thomas Dean
TAPLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......................................... vil
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................... ix
Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION . . ............................... 1
PART ONE: THE TEXTS 14
2. THE BUDDHA NATURE TREATISE.........................24
A. Introduction and Refutation of Other
Views 3o
1. Introduction
2. Refutation of Other Views

a. Refuting Hinayana Views: o
Buddha Nature Neither Exists 3
Nor Does Not Exist
b. Refuting Non-Buddhist
l

Philosophies: Buddha Nature
Is Not an Own-Nature 32
c. Clarification of Mahayana

Views: The True Meaning of

the Two Truths Doctrine 8
3. Evaluation
B. The Essence of Buddha Nature: Bodhicitta,
True Nature and Tathagatagarbha 69
1. Introduction 9
2. Analysis 0
a. The Three Causes 20
b. The Three Natures 31
c• Tathagatagarbha

3. Evaluation 7
C. Characteristics of Buddha Naturef I: Action 8
and Non-Substantiality 2
1. Introduction 2
2. Analysis 4
a- Transformation of the Basis 4
b. Dharmakaya and Nirvana 8
c. The Non-Substantiality of
Self and Mind 148

3. Evaluation
0
iv

4

5

5

5

6

6

6

6

7

8

8

8

8

9

0
2
V
D. Characteristics of Buddha Nature, II:
Soteriology 122
1. Introduction
2. Analysis

a. The Man-Buddha Relationship 22
b. The Middle Path I
c• The Trikaya
X
22
3• Evaluation
E. Conclusion
122
3• TWO OTHER TEXTS 172

A. The No Increase, No Decrease Sutra 1 72
27
1. Introduction - 7 2
丄1
2. Analytic Summary 1 75
3• Evaluation 1 8 1
44
B. The Supreme Basis Sutra 1 8 9
1. Introduction 丄i- 18 9
2. Analysis 1 69 21
3. Concluding Evaluation 2 2

PART TWO: THE PHILOSOPHY 2T66
ONTOLOGY 2x 9

A. Introduction 219
B. Contra Monism 2122
C. NondualismOther Aspects 25Ü
D. Conclusion 258

ACTION 216
A. Introduction 26
B * Action 262
1• The Supreme Basis Sutra 2
2• The Buddha Nature Treatise 264
C. Non-Substantiality 27 0
1• Own-Nature 27 0
2. Mind 27 4
3. Consciousness-Only 277
D, Conclusion 27 9
6. PRACTICE 28o

A. Introduction 28 0
B. Analysis 28

1• The Buddha Nature Treatise 281
2• The Supreme Basis Sutra 28

C. Conclusion 29 0
1

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
工 am indebted to the readers of this study, Professors
DeMartino, Kiyota and Yadav for their most helpful comments
on the first draft, suggestions which certainly helped
strengthen both the conceptualization and the expression
of these thoughts. 工 am further obliged tc Professor
Kiyota for his help in steering me towards this topic and
first stirring my interest in tathagatagarbha thought.
He has shown himself to be a wealth of encouragement and
moral support throughout the final stages of my studies
and a generously beneficent spirit. For these boons 工 am
grateful.
工 also owe thanks to the Department of Religion,
Temple University, for its generous financial support.
In my case this support was especially extraordinary, as
the Department proved itself willing to both encourage
and support those studies which took me outside the con­
fines of the Department itself. Thanks are also due
Mrs. Marilyn Coyne for typing the first draft of the disser­
tation f a most ungratifying task, no doubt, with all the
foreign words and markings.
Certain debts cannot be adequately stated, much less
repaid. Such are my debts to Professor Thomas Dean, my
vii
viii
advisor, who has for years selflessly given of himself
that 工 might succeed in completing my degree. Given the
kind and number of obstacles which 工 have faced over the
years, his aid has been both constantly in demand and
crucial to my success. He has given enormously of his
time, assistance and concern. A bodhisattva of compassion,
thoroughly proficient in the skillful means of negotiating
a graduate studies path— it has been my very good fortune
to have been guided by him.
Finally, unending thanks to my husband, Steve. When
difficulties in my studies arose, his unshakable confidence
in me has always succeeded in returning me to my task. It
is thanks to him that we have maintained in our lives the
graduate students1 Middle Path： keeping the study foremost
(so that it would be accomplished) yet keeping it also in
perspective.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BNT: Buddha Nature Treatise
IBK: Indogaku Bukky^gaku Kenkyu
NINDS: No Increase, No Decrease Sutra
PEW: Philosophy East and West
Ratna•: Ratnagotravibhaga
SBS： Supreme Basis Sütra
T. ： Taisho Shinshu Paiz5kyo