The Awakening of Faith: Attributed to Asvaghosha

by Yoshito Hakeda, Yoshito Hakeda (Translator), Ryuichi Abé (Introduction)

Overview

This text, attributed to Asvaghosha, provides a comprehensive summary to the essentials of Mahayana Buddhism. It discusses how humans can transcend the finite state and participate in the life of the infinite while still remaining in the phenomenal realm. It concludes with a discussion of the particular practices and techniques that will aid the believer in the awakening and growth of faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231131568
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	12/07/2005
Series:	Translations from the Asian Classics
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Hakeda was Associate Professor of Japanese in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and Associate Professor of Religion at Columbia University. Ryuichi Abe is the Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions in the Department of Eas Aisan Languages and Cultures at Harvard University.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Wm. Theodore de Bary
Preface
Introduction
Introduction to the Reprint Edition, by by Ryuichi Abé
Invocation
The Contents of the Discourse
Part 1 The Reasons for Writing
Part 2 Outline
Part 3 Interpretation
Chapter One: Revelation of True Meaning
I. One Mind and Its Two Aspects
A. The Mind in Terms of the Absolute
1. Truly Empty
2. Truly Nonempty
B. The Mind in Terms of Phenomena
1. The Storehouse Consciousness a. The Aspect of Enlightenment
(1) Original Enlightenment
(2) The Process of Actualization of Enlightenment
(a) Purity of Wisdom
(b) Suprarational Functions
(3) The Characteristics of the Essence of Enlightenment b. The Aspect of Nonenlightenment c. The Relationships Between Enlightenment and Nonenlightenment
(1) Identity
(2) Nonidentity
2. The Cause and Conditions of Man's Being in Saüsàra a. Mind b. Consciousness c. Defiled States of Mind d. Comments on the Terms Used in the Foregoing Discussion
3. The Characteristics of Beings in Saüsàra a. Permeation of Ignorance b. Permeation of Suchness
(1) Permeation Through Manifestation of the Essence of Suchness
(2) Permeation Through Influences
(a) The Specific Coordinating Causes
(b) The General Coordinating Causes
II. The Essence Itself and the Attributes of Suchness, by or The Meanings of Maha
A. The Greatness of the Essence of Suchness
B. The Greatness of the Attributes of Suchness
C. The Greatness of the Influences of Suchness
III. From Samsara to Nirva°a
Chapter Two: The Correction of Evil Attachments
I. The Biased Views Held by Ordinary Men
II. The Biased Views Held by the Hinayanists
Chapter Three: Analysis of the Types of Aspiration for Enlightenment, by or The Meanings of Yana
I. The Aspiration for Enlightenment Through the Perfection of Faith
II. The Aspiration for Enlightenment Through Understanding and Deeds
III. The Aspiration for Enlightenment Through Insight
Part 4 On Faith and Practice
On Four Faiths
On Five Practices
The Practice of Cessation
The Practice of Clear Observation
Part 5 Encouragement of Practice and the Benefits Thereof
Notes
Glossary
A Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

At last, a critical English translation of one of the most influential documents of Mahayana Buddhism faithful to the earliest extant Chinese text.

Choice

The most reliable version of the text available to English-speaking readers.

Journal of The Buddhist Society - Andrew May

The most reliable version of the text available to English-speaking readers.

— Andrew May

Journal of The Buddhist SocietyHakeda was Associate Professor of Japanese in the Department of East

The most reliable version of the text available to English-speaking readers.

— Andrew May

Journal of The Buddhist Society

Hakeda was Associate Professor of Japanese in the Department of Ea

The most reliable version of the text available to English-speaking readers.

— Andrew May

Journal of The Buddhist Society