The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment: Korean Buddhism's Guide to Meditation (with Commentary by the Son Monk Kihwa)

by A. Charles Muller (Translator), A. Charles Muller (Introduction)

Overview

The Sūtra of Perfect Enlightenment, used in monastic education for more than a millennium, is a concise guide to the key paradigms of the practice systems of the East Asian meditational schools (Ch'an, Sǒn, and Zen). Contained in its twelve chapters are definitive explanations of the meaning of innate and actualized enlightenment, sudden and gradual enlightenment, the true nature of ignorance and suffering, along with numerous examples of methods of contemplation that accord with and reflect the basic Ch'an views on enlightenment and practice. Although the Sutra was popular throughout the East Asian region, it attained its highest canonical status within the Korean Chogye school, where it is still a key text in the core curriculum of modern-day monks and nuns. The Sutra is translated here in full, along with the eloquent and revelatory commentary of the Chǒson monk Kihwa (1376–1433).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781438413815
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	02/25/1999
Series:	SUNY series in Korean Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	250
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

A. Charles Muller is Professor of East Asian Philosophy and Religion at Toyo Gakuen University, Japan.

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviations and Conventions

Introduction

What Is the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment?

Chinese Origins and Effects

The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment in Korea Before Kihwa

Kihwa (Hamho Tukt'ong)

The SPE after Kihwa: The Choson Period

The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment Today

Overview of the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment

Translation

Kihwa's Introduction

1. Mañjusri Bodhisattva

2. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

3. Universal Vision Bodhisattva

4. Vajragarbha Bodhisattva

5. Maitreya Bodhisattva

6. Pure Wisdom Bodhisattva

7. Power and Virtue Unhindered Bodhisattva

8. Voice of Discernment Bodhisattva

9. Purifier of All Karmic Hindrances Bodhisattva

10. Universal Enlightenment Bodhisattva

11. Perfect Enlightenment Bodhisattva

12. Most Excellent of Worthies Bodhisattva

Appendix: Kihwa's Revised Edition of the Sutra

Notes

Works Cited

Index

Editorial Reviews

Muller (East Asian philosophy and religion, Toyo Gakuen U., Japan) presents a new translation of the guide that has been used in monastic education for over a millennium to explain the key paradigms of the practice systems in the East Asian Ch'an, Son, and Zen schools of meditation. It discusses the meaning of innate and actualized enlightenment, sudden and gradual enlightenment, the true nature of ignorance and suffering, and many methods of contemplation. The commentary is by the Choson monk Kihwa (1376-1433). Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

"One of the most attractive aspects of this work is simply that it is a well-done translation of an important text. Considering that the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment is also of great importance in China and Korea, it is particularly welcome that Muller, one of a handful of recognized scholars of Korean Buddhism, has chosen to translate it. The Introduction provides an excellent overview of major issues in East Asian Buddhist thought, and Muller's ability to contextualize these issues in terms of both indigenous Chinese intellectual traditions as well as their Korean trajectories provides a healthy and rare alternative to the more typically narrow treatments of particular texts." — Jamie Hubbard, Smith College

"What I like most about this book is its intercultural approach to the study of a Buddhist internal problem, and its lucid and accessible prose style. This book adds one nail to the coffin of interpretations of Zen that continue to portray it as an anti-intellectual, doctrineless protest against clear and rational thinking and analysis. It is a superb example of historical reconstruction in the fields of Buddhist studies and Korean religious studies, worthy of emulation." — John Goulde, Sweet Briar College

From the Publisher