The Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka and ÍËnyatå Thought

Yuichi Kajiyama
THE HISTORICAL FORMATION OF THE LOTUS SŪTRA

I

N 1852 the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥kasËtra (Lotus SËtra) was translated
from the Sanskrit into French by the French scholar Eugène Burnouf.
In 1884 the Dutch scholar Hendrik Kern did an English translation also
from the Sanskrit, and between 1908 to 1912 Kern and the Japanesescholar BunyË NanjØ published an edited version of the Sanskrit Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. At that time, Burnouf and Kern produced importantstatements on its historical formation. In subsequent years Japanesescholars who did research on the historical formation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka brought forth a prodigious number of books andstudies. Noteworthy among them is the work by KØgaku Fuse entitledHokekyØ seiritsushi (The Historical Formation of the Sadharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka) published in 1934,1 whose contents, though since amended
at certain points, have more or less held up to scrutiny to the presentday. In 1975, Nissen Inari introduced various theories on the historicalformation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka which had been published earlier by Japanese scholars;2 and in 1993 a more recent presentation of thearray of plausible theories on the same theme was published by ShinjØ
Suguro.3 We must note, however, that none of these works adequately
presents the research done by such scholars as KØtatsu Fujita,4 YoshirØ
Tamura,5 KeishØ Tsukamoto,6 and Seishi Karashima.7 Only rarely has
the research done in Japan on the philosophy and historical formation of
the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka ever attempted to unravel the fragile links to
the Sanskrit texts or to such translations as Dharmarak∑a’s Chêng fahua ching/ShØhokekyØ (T No. 263); instead, the bulk of it has been centered on Kumåraj¥va’s Miao-fa lien-hua ching/MyØhØrengekyØ (T No.
262).
With regard to Sanskrit texts, there are three main lines of transmission: the Nepalese, the Central Asian, and the Gilgit manuscripts. These
manuscripts have been revised and edited (although some lacunae
remain) and published in easily accessible form; studies of various frag72

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

73

ments have also been published.8
Tamura, who bases his conclusions on revised findings of Fuse’swork, sums up the historical formation of the sutra’s contents as follows:
I would designate as the first order, chapters II to IX, from “Upåya” to“Prophecies to Adepts and Novices,” as compiled around 50 A.D.; thesecond order, chapters X to XXI, from “Dharma Master” to “Entrustment,”
as compiled around 100 A.D.; and the third order, chapters XXII to XXVII,
from “Former Deeds of Bhai∑ajyaråja Bodhisattva” to “Encouragementsof Samantabhadra Bodhisattva,” as compiled around 150 A.D.9

That is, excluding the “Devadatta” chapter of the popular edition andthe verse section of the “Universal Gate of Avalokiteßvara Bodhisattva”
chapter which did not exist when Kumåraj¥va produced his translation,
the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka is generally considered to consist of 27 chapters altogether.
Fuse divides the first order (in his case, chapters I to XVII, from the“Introduction” to the “Merits of Joyful Acceptance” chapter) into two
periods. Regarding the gåthå or verse portion, generally assumed to be
the original form of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, he places this development in the first period,10 and the expansion into the prose portion as
following somewhat later, this comprising the second period. Accordingly, Fuse regards the second order to be a third period when the gåthå
and prose portions were compiled together. In addition, he considers the
six chapters beginning with “Former Deeds of Bhai∑ajyaråja Bodhisattva” on, to have been supplemented during a fourth period. While theview that the first order gåthå portion appeared before the prose portion
has long been held, even from the time of Kern, Tamura’s work demonstrates this historical formation by a different set of considerations.11
Recently, Karashima set forth a dramatic thesis that takes the gradualformation theory of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka seen in the above works
to its ultimate conclusion in his study, “HokekyØ ni okeru jØ (yåna) tochie (jñåna)—daijØ bukkyØ ni okeru yåna no gainen no kigen ni tsuite(Yåna and jñåna in the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka: with regard to the originof the notion of yåna in Mahåyåna Buddhism).” While this paper does
not set out to discuss the entire process of formation to the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, the author’s perspective on the sutra touches on its historicalformation in the following way.
With regard to the formation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, I would designate the first order as consisting of “Upåya (II)” (hereafter the chapter

74

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

titles will be those of the Miao-fa lien-hua ching and the chapter numbers, that is, the small roman numerals in brackets, will be those of the
Kern-Nanjio edition) to “Prophecies to Adepts and Novices (IX)”; I
would further divide the first order into (a) the portion consisting only oftri∑†ubh (or tri∑†ubh-jagat¥) and (b) that consisting of ßloka and the prose
sections, which we will call the first and second periods, respectively.
Next, I would designate as the second order the “Dharma Master (X)” to“Tathågata’s Mystical Powers (XX)”, as well as “Introduction (I)” and“Entrustment (XXVII)”. All other SP (Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka) chapterswould belong to the third order. While absolute dates of formation are
impossible to determine, to my mind they were established in the order offirst period, second period, second order, and third order. Again, withregard to the problem of precedence between Z (Dharmarak∑a’s Chêng
fa-hua ching) to L (Kumåraj¥va’s Miao-fa lien-hua ching), judging fromthe format (chapter divisions, etc.) of the Sanskrit original relied on by L,
I would hypothesize that L is older than that of Z, but as far as lexical
items go, the original of Z appears to be older than that of L and seems tocontain more MI (Middle Indic) elements.12

In an approach that runs against most of the scholarship up to now,
ShinjØ Suguro in his work, HokekyØ no seiritsu to shisØ (The Formation
and Philosophy of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka) theorized that all 27 chapters of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka were established simultaneously. This
work appeared in 1993, the same year the Karashima paper was published, hence Suguro did not have the benefit of seeing the latter (nor is
the Karashima paper mentioned in a revised 1996 edition). Suguro
argues that, since there has been no discovery of any manuscript orwork independent of the sutra canon that would support the gradual formation theory that scholars have been working on, that theory does not
go beyond sheer speculation. If that is the case, he argues, it is justified
to propose another theory, the view that all 27 chapters of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka were written at the same time. By 27 chapters hemeans that “Devadatta (XII)” did not exist at the time Kumåraj¥va did
his translation, and in addition to its being appended to the end of the“Treasure Tower (XI)” (Emergence of the Treasure Tower) of the Dharmarak∑a translation, it is well known that in the history of Chinesetranslation texts were not infrequently enlarged by later generations;this is how he would explain why the chapter was not included inKumåraj¥va’s 28-chapter translation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. In
arguing for the simultaneous establishment of the verse and prose portions, Suguro rejects the theory of the verse preceding the prose. Fur -THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

75

ther, he does not attach importance to the shift from the first order’sperforming of pËjå for the stËpa to the second order’s performing ofpËjå for a caitya in which the sutra is placed. Neither does he place
great importance on the difference between the first order practices,which are “holding, professing, and expounding the sutra,” and the second order practice of sutra copying. In short, he rejects the notion of afirst and second order, saying that with both these phenomena it is conceivable that they mutually anticipated one another, hence came into
being simultaneously. While space does not permit us to further discuss
the arguments Suguro sets forth, he makes points that are worthy ofnote.

THE PRAJÑĀPĀRAMITĀSŪTRA AND THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKASŪTRA
With regard to the Karashima paper above, in addition to its discussionof the origin of the notion of yåna in Mahåyåna Buddhism and its new
theory on the overall formation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, there isanother important element it contains, and that is the new perspective it
presents on the problem of precedence with regard to the formation of
the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥kasËtra and the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra. The
Karashima paper gives seven points why the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka (that is, the eight chapters beginning with “Upåya” and thegåthå portion set in tri∑†ubh meter. Karashima’s so-called old SP [Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka]) must have preceded the A∑†asåhasrikå Prajñåpåramitå (The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines; Ch. Hsiao-p’in
Pan-jo ching), the older stratum PrajñåpåramitåsËtra, in its formation.
The reason this is a new perspective is that up to now scholars who
dealt with the historical formation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka havegenerally assumed the older stratum PrajñåpåramitåsËtra evolved prior
to the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, or if they thought otherwise, have always
kept their silence as to the matter. Here we will present an extremely
simplified version of the seven points made by the Karashima paper; fora more detailed argument, see pp. 177–181 of that paper, as well as thenotes (the bracketed information as well as the endnotes).
(1) The A∑†asåhasrikå Prajñåpåramitå/Hsiao-p’in pan-jo ching(hereafter as A∑†a/Hsiao p’in) emphasizes the performing pËjå for sutra
scrolls and rejects pËjå for stupas, but the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka positively recommends the building and venerationof stupas. In “Dharma Master (X)” on, however, the building of sutra
burial mounds (caitya), representing the performance of pËjå to sutra
scrolls, is recommended.

76

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

(2) In the A∑†a/Hsiao p’in, the dharma practices of holding, professing, expounding, copying, and the performing of pËjå are explained, but
in the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka the practice of copying does notappear, and it is not until the second order on that copying is first mentioned.
(3) In the A∑†a/Hsiao p’in Mañjußr¥ and Maitreya Bodhisattva
appear. In the second order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka these two bodhisattvas make an appearance, but they do not do so in the first order.
(4) In the A∑†a/Hsiao p’in the term preacher of the dharma, or
dharmabhåˆaka, appears, and the term is used frequently in the second
order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, but in the first order there is no clear-cut
instance of the term (see note 8 to section eight of his paper).
(5) In the first order gåthås, ßËñyatå is mentioned, but since it does
not go beyond the treatment found in Ógama and Sectarian literature, it
is a mere artifact. The point where we find the A∑†a/Hsiao p’in clearly
influenced by ßËnyatå (emptiness) thought system is in the second halfof “Parable of Medicinal Herbs (V)”; hence this verse portion, which is
not found in the Kumåraj¥va translation, is thought to occur late in its
formation.
(6) The A∑†a/Hsiao p’in from the beginning explains theprajñåpåramitå (perfection of wisdom) as the basis of the fivepåramitås, but in the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka the six paramitås are merely
enumerated. It is not until the second order, in “Merits of Distinction(XVI)”, that the prajñåpåramitå thought system is first presented as thebasis of the five påramitås.
(7) In the first order the bodhisattvas are not given a logical presentation, and it is not until the second order that this is done.
Karashima’s explanation is as follows:
What seems to have happened is this: When the prajñåpåramitå thoughtsystem developed in southern India, in another area completely unrelated
to it the old Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka underwent formation. Sometime laterin western India these two works met, with the result that the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka was impacted by prajñåpåramitå thought system and the second order stratum came to be appended to it. This theory would go to
explain the phenomena related in the above seven points.13

In as much as the Karashima theory assumes a gradual formation of the
Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, it will be no easy matter to come up with a countertheory to it.
In the T’ien-p’in miao-fa lien-hua ching (, T No. 264)
translated into Chinese by Jñånagupta and Dharmagupta in 601, there isTHE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

77

an introduction (although unsigned it is thought to be written by theÍramaˆa Shang-hsingof P’u-yao ssu) that contains comments that are very much like textual criticism, which is unusual for
ancient times. I will translate the main portion, leaving out passages
related to preliminary matter.
The Tunhuang ßramaˆa Dharmarak∑a, during the reign of Chin emperor
Wu-ti, translated the Chêng fa-hua ching. In the Latter Ch’in dynasty, theMiao-fa lien-hua ching was translated by Kumåraj¥va at the request of
Yao-hsing. When we compare the two translations, however, it becomes
clear that they could never have (been translated from) the same original
text. It is said that (the original text) Dharmarak∑a relied on was writtenon tåla leaves (Indian palm leaves), while (the original text) Kumåraj¥varelied on was a Kuchean manuscript. I made a search of the sutra repository and at last found the two manuscripts. The tåla manuscript matched
the Chêng fa-hua ching and the Kuchean manuscript was truly the sameas the Miao-fa lien-hua ching. It cannot be said that there were no omissions in Dharmarak∑a’s palm leaves, nor can it be said that there wasnone in Kumåraj¥va’s manuscript either. What was missing in Dharmarak∑a’s was the gåthå portion of “Universal Gate.” And what was
missing in Kumåraj¥va’s was: 1) half of “Parable of Medicinal Herbs(V)”; 2) the beginning portion of “PË®na (VIII)” (The 500 Disciples’
Prophecy of Enlightenment), 3) as well as “Dharma Master (X)”; 4)“Devadatta,” and 5) the gåthå portion of “Universal Gate (XXV)” (ofAvalokiteßvara Bodhisattva). Kumåraj¥va’s also had moved “Entrustment” to a point just before “(Former Deeds of) Bhai∑ajyaråja Bodhisattva (XXIII)”. The “Dhåraˆ¥” (chapter) of both texts was moved to a place
after “Universal Gate (XXV)” (of Avalokiteßvara). It would be no easy
matter to relate all the similarities and differences between them. As todealing with “Devadatta” and the gåthå portion of “Universal Gate,” (weshould follow the example) of our learned predecessors who, coming in aconstant stream, repaired what was missing, and then disseminated it inthis world. It is my aspiration to live my life in that honored tradition,
thus I took this role upon myself.
In Jen-shou first(601), a hsin-yu
year, during the great Sui
dynasty, at the request of the Íramaˆa Shang-hsing of P’u-yao ssu temple, I paid a visit to Ta hsing-shan ssu temple, along with thetwo dharma masters Jñåna(gupta) and (Dharma)gupta who were wellversed in the Tripi†aka, where we examined stacks of Indian tåla leaf
manuscripts. When we examined the original manuscripts, the beginningsof the two chapters, “PË®na” and “Dharma Master,” were missing. With

78

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

regard to “Parable of Medicinal Herbs,” we revised and added the (latter)half. We placed “Devadatta” so as to make it continuous with (the end of)“(Treasure) Tower.” We made “Dhåraˆ¥” continuous with “(Tathågata’s)
Mystical Powers (XX).” We restored “Entrustment” to (its usual position)
so as to conclude (this sËtra). We put in numerous revisions to make theterms and syntax consistent.”14

From long before the “Devadatta” chapter has been regarded as a lateaddition to the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. Suguro regards the portion of the
Sa t’an fên t’o li ching (, T No. 265; a work that circulated
independently of the 27-chapter Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka prior to the compilation of the latter) that corresponds in content to “Devadatta,” as having been patched into the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka “Treasure Tower”
chapter. Pointing out that the first portion of “The 500 Disciples” andthe first half of “Dharma Master” respectively correspond to the eighthtale of the Jåtaka/Sheng ching (T No. 154) and the “PËjå” chapter ofthe Vimalak¥rtinirdeßa, both of which were in prior circulation, Suguroalso notes with regard to the missing gåthå portion of “Universal Gate”
in both the Kumåraj¥va and Dharmarak∑a translations, as related in the
introduction to the T’ien-p’in miao-fa lien-hua ching cited above, thatever since the historical account of sutras in the Li-tai san-pao chi (TNo. 2034) the translation of the gåthås has been credited to Jñånagupta,
which brings Suguro to conclude, following some rather far reachingarguments, that this portion was appended. The same author makes adetailed examination of the second half of “Parable of Medicinal
Herbs.” If we disregard the gåthås at the end of the first half of thatchapter in the Kumåraj¥va translation, says Suguro, the first half
does not deal with the ßråvaka’s attainment of buddhahood, nor does ittake up the problem of ekayåna or triyåna (one vehicle or three). Accordingly, if we intend to view (the first order materials) from the major
themes of the relationship between ekayåna and triyåna (one vehicle andthree vehicles) or the ßråvaka’s attainment of buddhahood, we are forced
to conclude that we have very little to go on as far as explanations go. . . .
I would contend that the second half portions of this chapter were supplements for the express purpose of making up for these deficiencies.15

While regarding these five places as supplements to the text, heargues that the 27-chapter Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, in its historical formation, came into existence simultaneously.
Of the above five places, however, the second half of “Parable ofMedicinal Herbs” is qualitatively different from the other four. “The

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

79

500 Disciples” and “Dharma Master” have their corresponding parts inother canonical works that were circulating independently, but there is
no Sanskrit text for either one. Not only does the gåthå portion of “Universal Gate” not exist in either the Kumåraj¥va or Dharmarak∑a translation, the Sanskrit text to this portion is also corrupted. “Devadatta” was
not in the original Kumåraj¥va translation, but was in another Chinesetranslation circulating independently; but in the Sanskrit text and in the
Dharmakak∑a translation it is included only in the “Treasure Tower.”
These features have been pointed out by numerous earlier scholars, towhich Suguro adds his opinion that this portion must have been
appended as a supplement. While the second half of “Parable of Medicinal Herbs (V)” does not exist in the Kumåraj¥va translation, the fact isit does exist in the Sanskrit text, in the Dharmarak∑a translation, and in
the T’ien-p’in miao-fa lien-hua ching, and there seems to be no otherwork in circulation. As conceived in the Karashima theory, as thegåthås are in ßloka meter rather than tri∑†ubh, they do not earn a place inthe older stratum Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. In my opinion, though, thissecond half should also be included in the second period. With regard to
this portion, aside from the arguments set forth by Suguro, I believe
sufficient thought has not been given to its investigation, and mostscholars confronting its absence in the Kumåraj¥va translation havebeen inclined to conclude this portion must have been appended in alater period, or was left out of the translation intentionally byKumåraj¥va for some reason, or perchance the manuscript Kumåraj¥vaused to make his translation was flawed at that point. We will look at
the content of this portion later on, but for the purposes of this brief
paper I wish to attempt a comparative study of the philosophical systemof the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka’s first eight chapters (from “Upåya [II]” to“Prophecies to Adepts and Novices [IX]”), inclusive of the second halfof “Parable of Medicinal Herbs,” and the older stratum Prajñåpåramitå
(A∑†asåhasrikå Prajñåpåramitå, or Tao-hsing pan-jo ching). For thepresent I will have to limit my remarks to these first eight chapters due
to limitations of space and time.
The hypothesis I wish to propose in this study is that the second halfof Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka “Parable of Medicinal Herbs (V)” had alreadybeen compiled in the Sanskrit text of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka when
Dharmarak∑a made his Chêng fa-hua ching translation in 286. In otherwords, the second half of this chapter was not added on or interpolated
into the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka some time after Dharmarak∑a, nor was it
appended after Kumåraj¥va had translated it (406). If we make a comparison of the first and second half of the “Parable of Medicinal Herbs”

80

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

of the Chêng fa-hua ching, we would find the two are not based on different texts, nor would it strike us that its Chinese translation is thework of two different hands (see n. 18 to section fifth below). As I said
before, this circumstance arises because scholars have never entertained
the possibility that this might be so, at least not in any tangible way.
What I intend to do, then, is to make a comparison of the first order
Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, tentatively including the gåtha portion set intri∑†ubh (or tri∑†ubh-jagat¥) meter, and the original PrajñåpåramitåsËtra, that is, Lokak∑ema’s Chinese translation of the A∑†asåhasrikå
Prajñåpåramitå, the Tao-hsing pan-jo ching of 179. Ideally, we would
want to constantly refer to the Sanskrit text as we read the Tao-hsing
pan-jo ching, but as the extant text of the former is full of later inerpretations, we cannot rely on the available portions of the former if they
are lacking in the latter. With regard to the problem of precedence
between the old Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka and the original PrajñåpåramitåsËtra, once again we cannot allow it to bear too greatly on our
discussion of the historical formation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. As
the early PrajñåpåramitåsËtra was written in prose, this rules out any
philological comparison with the verse sections of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. Further, of the Sanskrit texts of PrajñåpåramitåsËtra
uncovered so far, all of the manuscripts presently at our disposal date toa much later period. This would eliminate Lokak∑ema, since the materials do not go back even to the time of Dharmarak∑a and Kumåraj¥va.
From that perspective, any direct comparison temporally with the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka is impossible. Accordingly, we shall, for the time
being, make observations on the ßËnyatå thought contained in the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka through a comparison of Dharmarak∑a’s Chêng fahua ching and Lokak∑ema’s Tao-hsing pan-jo ching. In order to clarify
what the passages mean, however, we will have to make reference to
the Sanskrit texts of both sutras, as well the various Chinese translationsof the A∑†asåhasrikå PrajñåpåramitåsËtra.

ON THE PARALLELS BETWEEN THE SADDHARMAPU N. DAR. ĪKAĀHASRIK
Ā
P
RAJÑ
ĀP
ĀRAMITĀ
AND THE AS. TAS.
The 5,000 Who Left
At the beginning of Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka “Upåya (II)”, in response to
the thrice-spoken entreaty of Íåriputra, Íåkyamuni starts to deliver a
profound sermon that the ßråvakas and pratyekabuddhas in the audience would have difficulty comprehending: that the setting up of theTHE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

81

three vehicles was in fact merely an upåya (expedient device), for in
reality there is only one Buddha vehicle. It is recorded that, at thispoint, 5,000 members of the Assembly—bhik∑us, bhik∑uˆ¥s, laymen
and laywomen—rose up as a body to take their leave. After Íåkyamuni
gave them permission with a silent nod, he turned to Íåriputra and said,“It’s a good thing those haughty ones have made their departure, as the
Assembly has now gotten rid of a lot of unnecessary elements” (Chêng
fa-hua, 69, b18 ff.; Sanskrit text, 38, 12 ff., gåthås 38–41).
A similar story is recorded in the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra. The subject
here, however, is prajñåpåramitå, the perfection of wisdom. Íåkyamuni says: “Because the capacities of bodhisattvas differ, though they see
numerous Buddhas, practice austerities and uphold precepts, they are
not able to arrive at a sincere understanding of prajñåpåramitå, norhave faith in it, hence there are those who lack an awakening.” Theseare people, “for instance, who are in the Assembly, and even though
they hear the prajñåpåramitå being expounded, rise and leave (theAssembly). This is because a dharma such as this finds a home only in
the great bodhisattvas (bodhisattvå mahåsattvå˙). Even if I, the Buddha, expound the profound meaning of prajñåpåramitå, such a person
will simply toss it away and leave, without any desire to hear more. As
to why this is so, such a person in a previous life once had the opportunity to hear prajñåpåramitå expounded, but tossed it away and left, andso even now such a person has no mind (to listen). This is entirely due
to the excesses of not wishing to know” (Tao-hsing, 441, a28 ff.; Sanskrit text, 89, 21–27). This kind of bodhisattva not only does not wantto listen for his own sake, neither will he expound prajñåpåramitå forthe sake of others; as such, he falls short of being omniscient. Thus failing to realize what all the Buddhas of past, present, and future realize,
at death he tumbles into the depths of niraya (hell), where in the courseof transmigration he continues to undergo suffering.
In the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra, the practicers of the Buddha way are allcalled bodhisattvas, but it is important to note that those who are in fearof falling back into transmigration are merely called bodhisattvas, while
those who never regress into transmigration and are blessed with omniscience are called bodhisattvå mahåsattvå˙.
The Ír āvaka’s Attainment of Buddhahood and the Prajñāpāramit āIn the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, on the one hand there are those bhik∑us
who rise to take their leave of the Assembly when the Buddha begins topreach the method of attaining Buddhahood, but there are also many

82

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

other bhik∑us like Íåriputra who listen intently to the teaching of the
Buddha vehicle and receive the prediction of Buddhahood. In “Upåya(II)” (Chêng fa-hua, “Good Measure”), Íåkyamuni says, “Seeing thatthe former deeds of sentient beings are not the same, I, the Buddha,
observed they also differ in what their hearts desire , and thus I devised
skillful means (upåya) to match their needs. As to the working principleof this dharma, this is the great vehicle by which all beings equallyattain the highest Enlightenment; this is the way through which beings
acquire divine power, wisdom and virtue. There is no second vehicle.
As this principle applies equally to all beings throughout the world,
there is to be no discriminating among them. If (there is no second vehicle), how can one possibly speak of a third vehicle?” (Chêng fa-hua, 69,
c14–18; Sanskrit text G, 187, 32–189, 5). By pointing out the Buddha
vehicle as the ultimate goal of the omniscient ones, the Buddha simply
wishes to expound the way of bringing sentient beings to realize theinsight of Tathågatas. Those who listen to this sermon the Buddha
delivers shall surely become recipients of the supreme and orthodox
Awakening. Thus, it states, there is nowhere in the world where one
may find a second vehicle. How much more so, then, would this apply
to talk of a third vehicle.
There is only one Buddha path, never are there two. How then can a third
be said to exist in the world? This is just a device (that the Buddha,) the
Most Eminent among Men (), employs as a skillful means, wheremeans the most eminent among men (Chêng fa-hua, 70, b15–17).
The vehicle is indeed but one. No second one exists. Nor could there everbe said to be a third that exists in the world.
Saying there are various kinds of vehicles is nothing more than the upåya
of (theBuddha,) the Most Eminent among Men (Sanskrit, Upåya chapter,gåthå 54).

In “Parable (III)” (Chêng fa-hua, “Suited to the Times”), Íåriputra
receives the prediction from Íåkyamuni that he will in the future consummate the bodhisattva practices and become a buddha by the name of
Flower Light. Íåkyamuni then says, “Due to my regarding all these(sentient beings) as if they were my own sons, it will simply be bymeans of the Buddha vehicle alone that they shall all attain perfectnirvåˆa. By this I do not mean that there is a nirvåˆa awaiting certain
individual sentient beings who will each (have their own separatenirvåˆas) one by one. All sentient beings shall come into (the same)nirvåˆa as the Tathågata; that is, it shall be nirvåˆa in the greatest andTHE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

83

most complete sense of the term” (Chêng fa-hua, 76, b3–5; Sanskrit
text, 81, 13–82, 1).
What the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka calls the path to Buddhahood has its
corollary in the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra’s notion of prajñåpåramitå. In the
Tao-hsing pan-jo ching, the Buddha says: “Those who study ßËnyatå
will, in the end, not lose the prajñåpåramitå. Bodhisattvas such as thesedwell in the midst of prajñåpåramitå. Those who desire to learn theway of the arhat, truly they should listen to the prajñåpåramitå; theyshould learn, hold, and protect it. Those who desire to learn the way ofthe pratyekabuddha, they should listen to the prajñåpåramitå; theyshould learn, hold, and protect it. Those who desire to learn the way ofthe bodhisattva, they should listen to the prajñåpåramitå; they should
learn, hold, and protect it. The reason I say this is, the prajñåpåramitå
as the dharma most profound is what the bodhisattva should aspire tolearn” (Tao-hsing, 426, a5–9; Sanskrit text, 4, 1, ff. The final phrase inthis text,, would seem to be a transcription error for,
judging from the corresponding portions in the Mo-ho pan-jo ch‘ao
ching which reads[T No. 226, 8, 509, a2], the Ta-ming
tu ching which has[T No. 225, 8, 479, a10–11], andthe Hsiao-p’in pan-jo ching which shows[T No. 227, 8,
537, b26]. I wish to thank Seishi Karashima for pointing this out to me).
Here, the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka and the Tao-hsing pan-jo ching may
differ somewhat in their narrative modes, but what they relate is essentially the same, that is, there is a strong will to draw those who seek topursue the practices of the ßråvaka-pratyekabuddha vehicle over to theside of the bodhisattva-Buddha vehicle.
The Írāvaka and Íūnyatā Thought
In Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka “Parable (III)”, Íåriputra, while intimidated by
the Buddha’s spiritual prowess but up to now satisfied with theßråvaka’s nirvåˆa he had attained, laments not having wished for the
Buddha vehicle.
“(My mistake was,) having achieved a total understanding of views andactions, I thought at that time I was on the threshold of opening up a perfect understanding of the dharma of emptiness. For that reason I believed
I had arrived at nirvåˆa. But then I realized that, no, it was not nirvåˆathat I had arrived at.” This is expressed in the Kumåra j¥va translation, at
11, a12, as: “Obtain proof with regard to the dharma of emptiness”(Chêng fa-hua, 73, c21–23).
I have discarded all of my mistaken views and further, I have experienced

84

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

all things as empty (sparßayitvå)—these things led me to believe I had
realized nirvåˆa. But this cannot be called (genuine) nirvåˆa (Sanskrit G,
204, gåthå 12).

This kind of self-reflection that the ßråvaka sages submit themselvesto, saying they grasped the truth that all things are empty yet failed toaspire to the supreme and orthodox Awakening of the Buddha, is frequently encountered in the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka. For instance, in gåthå
42 of “Belief and Knowing (IV)” (Chêng fa-hua: “Belief and Desire,”hsin-yao), we find Mahåkåßyapa’s words of self-reflection:
Within my mind I have come to realize as a matter of course that all
things pass into extinction, but never did it occur to me to wish for andwillfully seek this kind of (Buddha) wisdom.
So too did I hear of (the exquisite sights) of the many Buddha worlds ofthe great sage, but in my heart there arose no feeling of joy or happiness(Chêng fa-hua, 82, c2–4. Sanskrit, section 4, gåthå 42. Note that the firsthalf of these two works do not correspond well with one another.).

However, such instances of self-reflection by bhik∑us and bhik∑uˆ¥sreleased from the grip of their mental afflictions—this being, in otherwords, the Buddha’s reproof of them—are also encountered occasionally in the A∑†asåhasrikå PrajñåpåramitåsËtra. In the Tao-hsing pan-joching, for instance, the Buddha remarks to the bhik∑us and bhik∑uˆ¥s(referred to as bodhisattvas in the prajñåpåramitå literature) who, having divested themselves of their mental afflictions and realized insight
into the uncreated, have become arhats.
They have served the 500 Buddhas well, performing acts of charity invarious situations, upholding the precepts, consummated their actions
with forbearance, put forth energy, and practiced meditation. But as they
did so without being protected by the prajñåpåramitå, what they didlacked the finesse of skillful means (upåya). And so, Íåriputra, althoughthese bodhisattvas apply themselves to ßËnyatå, to grasp the formless
and, distancing themselves from their desires, pursue the way forth within that frame of mind, in their direct realization of ultimate reality(bhËtako†i˙ såk∑åtk®tå) they end up enrolled in the ßråvaka class, they donot (arrive at) the Buddha class because they lack the finesse of skillfulmeans (Tao-hsing, 453, c3–8, Sanskrit, 155, 7 ff.).

The Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka’s “experiencing that all things are empty”
and the Tao-hsing ching’s Sanskrit text’s “direct realization of reality”
are equally valuable statements. The corresponding portion of the Chi -THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

85

nese translation of the Tao-hsing ching even goes so far as to express
this by saying, “They take up the realization of the arhat.” In either
case, it states their satisfaction over arriving at a ßråvaka’s nirvåˆa, andtheir lack of desire for the supreme and orthodox Awakening of the
Buddha. In the Tao-hsing pan-jo ching’s “Protecting the Empty” (thiscorresponds to Sanskrit text section 20 “Reflections on Skillful
Means”), the Buddha says: “Contemplate (the five aggregates of) matter, perception, conception, will, and consciousness as empty, contemplate on this with single focus, without seeing any dharma (object ofcontemplation). When in this way you see no dharma, this means a realization from within the dharma is not to be created” (Tao-hsing, 458,
b19–21). This “creating a realization” or at times “taking up of a realization” are rough renderings from the Sanskrit phrase corresponding to“direct realization.” Direct realization is to become attached to theobject of contemplation by affirming its existence. In the Tao-hsing
ching “Protecting the Empty,” that is, the Sanskrit text’s section 20,
there is a detailed explanation of the logic that “one should become wellacquainted with emptiness (parijaya),16 rather than cleave to a direct
realization of it,” but as this falls outside our present purposes, we will
not be citing this material here.
Stupa Worship and Sutra Copying
In the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, the worship of the stupa inwhich the Buddha relics are interred, is explained, but it is not until thesecond order that we encounter for the first time an explanation of sutra
copying and the worship of the caitya (sutra burial mound) in which thescrolls are interred. By contrast, in the A∑†asåhasrikå PrajñåpåramitåsËtra it is explained from the very start that there is greater merit to be
had by making copies of the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra and interring themin sutra mounds, than there is in the Buddha relics or worship of
stupas. This is even cited by some scholars as evidence that thefirst order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka historically preceded the A∑†asåhasrikå PrajñåpåramitåsËtra. Indeed, in the prose section of Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka “Upåya (II)”, there is no mention of stupa worship, and it
is only in the gåthå section that it is suddenly extolled as an upåya the
Buddha devises for the sake of saving sentient beings. These verses
support the view that they were added at some later period. Further,among scholars who contend that the entire 27-chapter Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka was established simultaneously, there is the view that since
stupa worship and sutra worship are not incompatible, it presents noproblem to consider them as both taking place at the same time. Be that86

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

as it may, in the case of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, there is no clear-cut
explanation as to why copying the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka as well as theworship of and performance of pËjå before the sutra mound should besuperior to pËjå before the Buddha relics and the stupa. In “Dharma
Master (X)” (Chêng fa-hua, “Medicine King Tathågata”) it is simply
stated that when the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka is expounded, copied, andput into written form, “you must make a large caitya for the Tathågata
piled up high with jewels, but in its center it is not always necessary toplace the Tathågata’s physical remains (ßar¥råˆi). As to why this is so isbecause an entirely complete Tathågata body (ßar¥ram) is alreadyenshrined therein” (Sanskrit text, 231, 9–11; Chêng fa-hua, 101, 19–21:
Thus, in this regard, people should desire to raise a holy temple [caitya]
to the Buddha, and use a large [number of] jewels, to build it as large
and as long [as possible]. There is no need to place the Buddha’sßar¥råˆi in the caitya. Why is that so? That is because the Tathågata’sßar¥ram is already placed).
On the other hand, in the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra there is never any
indication that the Tathågata’s relics or the stupa in which they areinterred are to be taken lightly. The relationship between stupa andprajñåpåramitå is stressed repeatedly by Indra:omniscience of the properly awakened Tathågatas emerges from out ofof gods, that the pËjå should be performed to the relics (of the Buddha) ,it also follows that the pËjå should be performed for the prajñåpåramitå
from out of which the relics emerged. Accordingly this should be regarded as the center of the pËjå (Tao-hsing, 435, c4–5).
This should not be taken to mean that I do not hold the remains of thoseTathågatas in the highest of esteem. I do hold them in the highest ofesteem. However, the object of the pËjå should be the prajñåpåramitå
from which emerged the Tathågatas whose remains we have. This being
so, it is by pËjå to prajñåpåramitå that the Tathågatas’ relics are worshipped in their entirety” (Sanskrit, 48, 11–14).

Íåkyamuni is heard to say, as to why the prajñåpåramitå is more
important than the Tathågata’s relics,
The reason this is so is because there emerges from the prajñåpåramitå
the omniscience of the Tathågata-arhat-buddhas awakened through thesupreme and perfect Enlightenment (Tao-hsing, 433, b3–5).
This is because the pËjå should pay homage to the fact that the total
It is not the case that I do not respect the relics. While it follows, Oh God

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

87

prajñåpåramitå. Accordingly, the pËjå performed for the Tathågata’s
relics also honor that from which the omniscient ones emerged (Sanskrit,
36, 1–3).

I will not make many comments at present, but I wish to mention that
there is clear evidence that the PrajñåpåramitåsËtras place greater
esteem on the copying of the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra and the worship of
the sutra mound, even as it expresses an esteem for the stupa. Here it
would seem the problem is not so much one of the historical precedenceof the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka versus the PrajñåpåramitåsËtras, but canbe laid down to the differences in their respective characterizations of
the sutra canon; in the former we see an active drumming up of interestin the Buddha vehicle notion mediated by various kinds of upåya; in thelatter we find an exceedingly philosophical and logical presentation of
its particular thesis.
THREE VEHICLES OR ONE?17
In Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka “Upåya (II)”, Íåkyamuni turns to Íåriputra andsays,
To the contrary, there is just this one great vehicle of Awakening, andnone beyond it I recommend. As there are no two vehicles, how then canthere be three (Chêng fa-hua, 69, c9)?
There is only one vehicle that I expound as a way for sentient beings. As
that is the teaching of the Buddha vehicle, there is then no second vehicle
or third vehicle that exists (Sanskrit text, 40, 13–15).

This happens to be from the prose section, but the same intent is repeated throughout the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka in numerous places in both theverse and the prose sections. For instance, Sanskrit text gåthå 54 reads:
The vehicle is indeed but one, no second one exists. Nor could there everbe said to be a third that exists in the world. It is nothing more than anupåya of (the Buddha), the Most Eminent among Men, to say there are
vehicles of various kinds.
There is only one Buddha way, never has there ever been a time when
there was two. How in the world can it ever be said that there are three?
(The Buddha) who is the (highest) among men merely employs this as adevice (upåya) (Chêng fa-hua, 70, b15–17).

On the other hand, in A∑†asåhasrikå Prajñåpåramitå “Reality-as-

88

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

such (XVI)” (Tao-hsing, “Original Nothingness [XIV]),” there is a discussion on the subject of three vehicles and one vehicle. SubhËti instead ofÍåkyamuni explains at length that all things including the supreme andorthodox Awakening of the Buddha are empty; to this Íåriputra presents a counterargument.
According to SubhËti’s exposition of (the Buddha’s) sermon, there can be
no one who attains bodhisattvahood. Although the Buddha says that there
are three kinds of worthy persons, arhat, pratyekabuddha, and Buddha,these three (kinds) should not be conceived of (literally) as three. According to SubhËti’s exposition, there can be only one path (Tao-hsing, 454,
a19–21).
The Tathågata explains that there are three kinds of people (ßråvakas,
pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas) who practice in the way of the bodhisattva vehicle, but according to our Elder SubhËti’s exposition, those threekinds of distinction vanish completely and there is but one vehicle, thatis, the Buddha vehicle or the bodhisattva vehicle (Sanskrit, 159, 3–4).

As explained above, in the prajñåpåramitå literature, though there are
exceptions it was customary to call the lower grade practicers of the
Buddha way, inclusive of the ßråvaka and pratyekabuddha, by thegeneric term bodhisattva, while those seekers at the irreversible stage orhigher were known as the great bodhisattvas. In the sequel, a rather
long exchange takes place between SubhËti and Íåriputra, at the end ofwhich SubhËti at length says to Íåriputra:(SubhËti asks) how can there possibly be one path in original nothingness(tathatå)? (Íåriputra answers:) “There is no path.” (SubhËti says:) “If it is
not really cognizable, why do you distinguish between arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and Buddhas in this way (Tao-hsing, 454, a26–28)?”
From the standpoint of reality, from the standpoint of eternity, since you
have yet to have any perception as to what comprises a bodhisattva, how
is it these ideas float up in your mind that this kind of seeker ought to go
to the ßråvaka vehicle, that this kind of seeker ought to go to the pratyekabuddha vehicle, that this kind of seeker ought to go to the great vehicle?
When seen in the light of reality-as-such, there is no distinction among
these several bodhisattvas (Sanskrit, 159, 15–17).

In the unrelentingly thorough standpoint of ßËnyatå of the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra, not only are the ßråvaka and pratyekabuddha notregarded as real entities, neither are the bodhisattvas or the Buddhas;

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

89they are all things that are empty. In the standpoint of emptiness, in theworld of reality-as-such, all seekers and even the Buddha are empty. In
the logic of ßËnyatå, any distinction among seekers of the way isdenied. The only thing that “is,” is simply the one truth of emptiness,reality-as-such. In the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra, it is said the great bodhisattvas alone can understand this truth. If we see things through theeyes of Íåriputra, this would mean that the bodhisattva or Buddha vehicle alone exists. In the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka , it is said there
are not three vehicles, there is only the one Buddha vehicle; at the sametime, there is no indication as to the rationale why this should be so.
PARABLE OF MEDICINAL HERBS (V)In the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka (from “Upåya [II]” to “Prophecies to Adepts and Novices [IX]”), with the exception of “Parable ofMedicinal Herbs (V)” we encounter virtually no genuine ßËnyatå
thought. The only thing we find, as cited above, are repeated instancesof mistaken understanding of ßËnyatå thought as the hallmark of theßråvaka’s nirvåˆa. In second section of this paper we have alreadytouched on the fact there is a consensus among scholars that the second
half of “Parable of Medicinal Herbs” is a later addition, and in the present section we will examine the first and the second half of this chapter
together.
In the first half of chapter V, the analogy is made: Just as the clouds
let fall the rain of one-taste that trees and medicinal herbs large andsmall take up and use to grow each in their own way according to theirrespective potentials, so, too, does the Buddha preach the dharma of
one taste that sentient beings interpret each according to their own
propensity to become commoners, ßråvaka, pratyekabuddhas, or bodhisattvas. As we come across phrases such as the dharma of one taste(ekarasa), ßËnyatå of one taste, prajñåpåramitå of one taste, and so on,in the PrajñåpåramitåsËtras, there is undoubtedly a correlation between
the two. That is, in the Sanskrit text of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, chapter V, gåthås 38–39, the worldly, the arhats, and the pratyekabuddhas
each attain their own respective Awakenings upon hearing the Buddha’s teaching of one taste. After this, in gåthås 40–41 (which are alsoverses set in tri∑†ubh-jagat¥), it says,
Many bodhisattvas are blessed with phenomenal memory and strong resolution, and rove throughout the worlds of the triple world in search of
the highest Awakening. These bodhisattvas are ever like the tall trees andshall grow (to be giants).

90

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

In full possession of the divine powers by cultivating the four kinds ofdhyåna, they rejoice when they hear of ßËnyatå, and releasing thousandsof beams of radiant light (they rescue people thereby). It is people such asthese who are called the giants of the trees of this world.

The Awakening or ßËnyatå described here is not like the ßråvaka’snirvåˆa where there is “a direct realization” or a “created realization”
midway, but indicates the Mahåyåna bodhisattva’s Awakening ofßËnyatå. Taken at face value we can say that these two gåthås correspond to the statements made by the novice bodhisattva and by thegreat bodhisattva of the irreversible state.
These places of course are also found in the Kumåraj¥va translationof the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka (20, b13–17), but in Dharmarak∑a’s translation, Chêng fa-hua (at 85, a2–7) there is a set of passages that, withthe exception of one part, correspond well contentwise with the Sanskrit
text:
There are countless bodhisattvas whose wisdom is brought to completion
upon hearing the import (of the Buddha’s teaching), and roving the triple
world freely they present themselves among those assembled to exhort
them to take up the great way. Such bodhisattvas are like trees growing
taller day by day.
Through their progress in culturing their divine abilities (®ddhi-påda),they excel especially in the four dhyånas. If they hear of the wisdom of
emptiness, their minds are liberated on the spot, releasing countless thousands of millions beams of light. (Bodhisattvas such as) these are called
the great trees.

In the Kumåraj¥va translation, Miao fa-hua, chapter V (19, c2–5),
there is a statement that precedes this portion which we should takecareful note of.
Knowing not whether these grasses and trees, brushes and woods, and all
the various kinds of medicinal herbs are of themselves of high, middle, or
low, the Tathågata knows only that they should be regarded by a single
aspect and be treated to the dharma of one taste, that is, the aspect of liberation, the aspect of separation (from suffering), the aspect of extinction,
the aspect of ultimate nirvåˆa, the constant stillness of extinction that
ultimately returns to emptiness.

Apart from the fact that the Sanskrit text’s “returning to space (åkåßa)”has been rendered as “returning to emptiness” in the Miao fa-hua andthe T’ien-p’in fa-hua ching, these three texts are in good agreement

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

91

with each other. As the term “space” is sometimes used in the
PrajñåpåramitåsËtras as a metaphor for emptiness or appears even as asynonym or as one of the 10 similes for emptiness, we can assume that
the Chinese translators were obliged to use these forms to suit the literary demands of the four character line into which these gåthås werebeing rendered; thus it presents no problem to translate space as emptiness. However, at this point, only the Chêng fa-hua (at 83, c10–12) has:
Just as the rain falls equally on the medicinal herbs and shrubs, whether
white or black or blue or red, whether high or middle or low, the World
Honored One sees through all of this as one taste, and bringing them toenter the taste of liberation he wills them to cross the bar to extinction.
Those who have yet to make the crossing are brought across to ultimately
pass into extinction, to reach the one land of one and the same dharma
taste.

This would indicate that the Sanskrit original for this work was different from that of the other two. However, what they are saying is not thatdifferent from each other, the message that all things return to emptiness being unmistakably the same, and we can also say this portion
expresses a genuine sense of Mahåyåna ßËnyatå thought.
The second half of the chapter (Chêng fa-hua, 85, a19 ff.) is missingin the Kumåraj¥va translation, but this portion exists in the three Sanskrit versions as well as the Dharmarak∑a translation. When we compare the Chinese translation of Buddhist technical terms in the second
half of this chapter and that in the Dharmarak∑a translation in the firsthalf of this chapter as well as the other chapters of the Chêng fa-hua,
we find there is a good match between them, hence it is more or lessbeyond doubt that the Chinese translation of the second half is by thehand of the same translator, Dharmarak∑a, and we may assume that
there existed a Sanskrit manuscript of this portion that he saw when
making this translation. While the Sanskrit text would give a clearer
picture of what this part contains, in the following I will give a brief
synopsis of the Chêng fa-hua version.
The Buddha says, just as the sun does not choose whether or not toshine on the high or the low, the deep or the shallow, the fragrant or thefoul, but shines down from the heavens above on all equally, so too
does the light of Buddha wisdom not choose among the five strains ofsentient beings, ßråvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and Buddhas as different,
and shines equally on all beings everywhere, and if all people followthat understanding, there is in it something for each person to receive(Chêng fa-hua, 85, a19 ff., summarized). Hereupon, Kåßyapa poses a

92

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

question to the Buddha, “If there are no three vehicles, why then are
there (the distinctions of) bodhisattva, pratyekabuddha, and ßråvaka
(Chêng fa-hua, 85, a24–25)?” This exchange closely resembles Íåriputra’s counterargument from Tao-hsing “Original Nothingness (XIV),”
introduced in the present paper in the fourth section in the discussion of
three vehicles or one vehicle.
In response the Buddha says that a potter throws all kinds of potsfrom clay that are used as containers for honey or oil or yogurt and soon. The clay is one and the same, but the containers all appear to be different. In reality, people are one and the same with no differences, buteach individual has different deeds (in their former lives), and that’s the
only reason for their being divided into high, middle, and low. Hereupon, Kåßyapa asks, “For instance, even if there are differences amongpeople, ultimately is (their nirvåˆa) one and the same or is it different?”
to which the Buddha answers with the parable of the person born blind(Chêng fa-hua, 85, a29 ff.).
The person born blind believes there’s no sun or moon, no five colors, no eight directions or zenith or nadir in this world, and no matter
how much other people try to convince that person that these things
exist, he cannot understand. A good doctor who takes pity on the blind
man climbs the Himalayas in search of medicinal herbs and finds thefour herbs that will cure the four diseases. As a result of taking a doseof these herbs, the blind man’s eyes are healed and he is able to seeanything and everything, he can see near and far, high and low, andsoon he comes to be arrogant about his ability, saying, I can see everything, there’s no one superior to me. At that point a hermit possessed of
the five kinds of divine powers appears on the scene and goes to theman who once was blind and criticizes him, saying, the only thingthat’s happened to you is your eyes have been endowed with sight, but
as you stand inside this room you don’t know what’s going on outside, you have no idea what other people are thinking, you can’t hear
the things or sounds in the distance, if there’s a place just ahead you
cannot cross to on foot you can’t get there by flying, you don’t have any
memory of the time you were in your mother’s womb, you haven’t
the slightest of divine powers, and yet you go about all puffed up
with pride. The person who once was blind but whose eyes were now
open felt contrite, and becoming a disciple of the hermit, lived in theforests, practiced meditation in mountain caves, and underwent austerities, until at last he came into possession of the five kinds of divine
powers, and deeply repented the fool of a person he once had been.
The Buddha then proceeds to analyze the above parable. The person

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

93born blind is a sentient being lost on the five paths of life and death
who, being based in ignorance accumulates all kinds of afflictions andkarma as related in the twelve-linked chain of causation, and ends up
drowning in the misery and suffering of birth, aging, sickness, anddeath. The good doctor is the Tathågata. The four diseases are greed,anger, foolishness, and the 62 heretical views. The four medicines are
emptiness, signlessness, wishlessness, and the gateway to nirvåˆa. To
see near and far with open eyes is to see the three vehicles. To become
an ascetic is to give rise to the heart of the bodhisattva and to reach theirreversible stage where, through insight into the uncreated, one
becomes a Buddha. The parable of the person born blind who is maderecipient to sight symbolizes that the seeker, as ßråvaka or pratyekabuddha, has already broken through the cycle of life and death and passed
beyond the triple world, and as he looks back on the five paths andfinds on his own there’s no quarter for him here, as there’s none who
surpasses him he desires to enter nirvåˆa, at which point the Buddha
appears to him to teach him how to begin the process of raising the bodhisattva mind.
The content of the Buddha’s instructions is as follows:
Remain not in saµsåra, dwell not in nirvåˆa, know the triple world forthe emptiness it is, wherein . everything everywhere is but a temporary
abode, like a phantasm or a dream, like a mirage or an echo. All things
being without existence, there’s nothing we desire out there, there’s nothing to take up or throw down, there’s neither darkness nor light. At thattime, if we contemplate deeply, seeing in the mode of non-seeing and notin the mode we are accustomed to seeing up to now, we realize that all
we are seeing is the welling up of people’s (dreams and desires) (Chêng
fa-hua, 85, b27–c18; the Sanskrit text indicates the “welling up” means
people’s individual wishes and desires).

Here, we are being presented with a rather sophisticated version ofßËnyatå thought in expressions such as, “to dwell not in life and death,to dwell not in nirvåˆa,” and “to see without seeing the object of sight”(the latter expression in the Sanskrit text being “see in the mode of nonseeing”).
The verses that immediately follow the prose section above are comprised of 39 gåthås set in ßloka meter, while the Chêng fa-hua has 28gåthås, if we count one gåthå as four verses of five characters per line.
Since the T’ien-p’in fa-hua ching has 38 gåthås, at one gåthå per four
verses of five characters per line, we can see that this version is rendered more meticulously than that of the Chêng fa-hua Among the

94

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

verses, Sanskrit text gåthå 82,
those who are great in wisdom see the entire dharmakåya; the three vehicles do not exist; in all the world there is but one vehicle,

is found in the T’ien-p’in fahua ching, but missing in the Chêng fa-hua(“Those who are great in wisdom see the entire dharmakåya” is possibly a reference to the collection of the sutras).
In the first order Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, the only place where wecome across the same genuine ßËnyatå thought as the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra is the “Parable of Medicinal Herbs (V).” Moreover, this is not
only in the second half of the chapter, but also evident in the first half.
It would seem that the dharma masters must have noticed that, to reachthis fifth chapter, in the process of incorporating the shift from the threevehicles to the Buddha vehicle in the second, third, and fourth chapters,
the rationale set forth was insufficient to answer why there must be a
progression from the three vehicles to the one Buddha vehicle, andwhat the Buddha vehicle is all about. It would seem to me they realized
the necessity of summing up in this fifth chapter the ßËnyatå thoughtthat served as a hidden assumption to the chapters up to then. I will
forego making any conclusions as to why Kumåraj¥va did not translate
the second half of this chapter, although it existed in the Chêng fa-hua,
but it would seem to me that perhaps the original manuscript thatKumåraj¥va saw had regional differences in the Indian palm leaf and the
Kuchean manuscripts, or perhaps it was due to the document being
accidentally damaged or partially lost.
Notes
Texts cited are Dharmarak∑a’sChêng fa-hua chingShØhokekyØ (T No.
263, at vol. 9: 63–134; hereafter as Chêng fa-hua); Kumåraj¥va’s
Miao-fa lienhua chingMyØhØrengekyØ (T No. 262, at vol. 9: 1–62, hereafter as Miao fahua). Lokak∑ema’s
Tao-hsing pan-jo chingDØgyØ hannyakyØ (TNo. 224, at vol. 8: 425–478; hereafter as Tao-hsing); and Kumåraj¥va’s Hsiao-p’in panjo chingShØbon hannyakyØ (T No. 227, at vol. 8: 536–587; hereafter as
Hsiao-p’in pan-jo). The Sanskrit text referred to in the paper is the Kern-Nanjio edition
unless otherwise indicated. The Sanskrit text of the Hsiao-p’in pan-jo refers to P. L.
Vaidya, ed., A∑†asåhasrikå Prajñåpåramitå: With Haribhadra’s Commentary CalledÓloka, Buddhist Sanskrit Texts, No. 4, Darbhanga: The Mithila Institute of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Sanskrit Learning, 1960. To locate appropriate citations inthe sutra canon, the following works were used: Seishi Karashima, A Glossary of Dharmarak∑a’s Translation of the Lotus Sutra, Bibliotheca Philologica et Philosophica Buddhica, vol. 1, Tokyo: International Research Institute for Advanced Buddhology(IRIAB), Soka University, 1998; and Ryusei Keira and Noboru Ueda, Sanskrit WordIndex to the Abhisamayålaµkårålokå Prajñåpåramitåvyåkhyå (U. Wogihara edition),
Tokyo: Sankibo Press, 1998.

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚŪNYAT Ā

951KØgaku Fuse
, HokekyØ seiritsushi(The Historical Formation of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka), Tokyo: DaitØ, 1934.
2
Nissen Inari, HokekyØ ichijØshisØ no kenkyË
(Studies on the Ekayåna Thought of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka), Tokyo: Sankibo, 1975.
3
ShinjØ Suguro, HokekyØ no seiritsu to shisØ
(The
Formation and Philosophy of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka), Tokyo: Daito, 1993.
4KØtatsu Fujita, “IchijØ to sanjØ”, in ŌchØ Enichi, ed., Hokke
shisØ(Philosophical Studies on the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka), Kyoto: Heirakuji,
1969; published in English as “One Vehicle or Three?,” trans. Leon Hurvitz, Journal ofIndian Philosophy, Vol. 3, Nos. 1/2, D. Reidel, Dordrecht – Holland; Boston, MA, U.
S. A., March/April 1975, pp. 79-166.
5
YoshirØ Tamura, HokekyØ
(The Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka), Tokyo:ChËØ KØron, 1969.
6
KeishØ Tsukamoto, HokekyØ no seiritsu to haikei: Indo bunka to daijØ
bukkyØ
:(The Formation and Background to
the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka: Indian Culture and Mahåyåna Buddhism), Tokyo: Kosei,
1986.
7
Seishi Karashima, “HokekyØ ni okeru jØ (yåna) to chie (jñåna): DaijØ
bukkyØ ni okeru yåna no gainen no kigen ni tsuite”(yåna)(jñåna): —yåna— (Yåna and jñåna in the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka: With regard to the origin of the notion of yåna in Mahåyåna Buddhism), in RyËgen Taga
, ed., HokekyØ no juyØ to tenkai(The Assimilation and Spread of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka), Kyoto: Heirakuji, 1993, pp.
137–197.
8
Among them we find: H. Kern and Bunyiu Nanjio, ed., Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka, Bibliotheca Buddhica 10, 1908–1912 Osnabruck: Biblio, Neudruck, 1970; U. Wogihara
and C. Tsuchida, Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥kasËtram, Seigo-Kenkyukai, 1934, Tokyo: Sankibo, reprint, 1994; Shoko Watanabe. ed., Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka Manuscripts Found in
Gilgit, two parts, Tokyo: Reiyukai, 1975 (hereafter cited as G); Hirofumi Toda, Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥kasËtra, Central Asian Manuscripts, Romanized Texts, Tokushima:KyØiku Shuppan Center, 1981, second edition 1983; Oskar von Hinüber, A New Fragmentary Gilgit Manuscript of the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥kasËtra, Tokyo: Reiyukai, 1982.
There are also the works of N. Dutt, P. L. Vaidya, and so on, a complete listing being
impossible.
9
Tamura, op. cit., 44.
10Fuse, op. cit., 214.
11
Tamura, op. cit., 47.
12
Karashima, op. cit., 138
13
Ibid., 181.
14
This Introduction was first summarized in English in a translation by BunyË NanjØ
(Bunyiu Nanjio), A Catalogue of the Chinese Translations of the Buddhist Tripitaka:
The Sacred Canon of the Buddhists in China and Japan (popularly known as the Nanjio
Catalogue), 1883, 46a, a work reprinted in Japan as Daimin sanzØ seikyØ mokuroku,
1929. NanjØ’s translation was later cited by Michael Fuss, Buddhavacana and Dei Verbum, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1991, 62. It has been translated from the original kanbun text
into Japanese by KØken Sasaki, Tenbon MyØhØrengekyØ no yakushutsu(On the Translation of the T’ien-p’in miao-fa lien-hua ching), inEnshØ Kanakura, ed., HokekyØ no seiritsu to tenkai
(His-

96

THE SADDHARMAPUN. DAR. ĪKA AND ŚUNYAT Ā

torical Formation and Development of the Lotus Sutra), Kyoto: Heirakuji, 1974, p. 222.
My reading of this passage is somewhat different, and so I have provided my own translation.
15
With regard to “Parable of Medicinal Herbs (V),” we have the recent study by T.
Vetter, “Hendrik Kern and the Lotus SËtra,” Kokusai BukkyØgaku KØtØ KenkyËsho
NenpØ
(Annual Report of the International Research Institute for Advanced Buddhology at Soka University) vol. 2, Tokyo, 1999, pp. 132–133.
This study confirms that the translation by Kumåraj¥va would seem to use a Sanskrit
manuscript that is even older than that used by Dharmarak∑a. Also, there is A. Yuyama,“Why Kumåraj¥va Omitted the Latter Half of Chapter 5 in Translating the Lotus Sutra,”Festschrift Dieter Schlingloff, hrsg. von Friedrich Wilhelm, Reinbek: Inge Wezler,
1996, p. 325–330. In this study, the author concludes through an examination of themeter that the latter half of this chapter was intentionally omitted by Kumåraj¥va.
16
cf. F. Edgerton, Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Grammar and Dictionary, vol. 2, London: New Haven, 1953 (reprint, 1985), q.v. parijaya.
17
This problem is dealt with in KØtatsu Fujita, “IchijØ to sanjØ” (one vehicle orthree?), op. cit., to which I am indebted for its comparative study of one vehicle or threevehicles in the PrajñåpåramitåsËtra and the Saddharmapuˆ∂ar¥ka.
18
In Chêng fa-hua, “Medicinal Herbs (V),” the key Buddhist technical terms in thesecond half are well matched with those in the first half of the same chapter, as well as
the terms in other chapters. On the other hand, in the Kumåraj¥va translation, Miao fahua, there are many terms that do not match. For instance, the three samådhis onßËnyatå, animitta, apranihita, in the latter half in Chêng fa-hua (V), 85, c9,
kË, musØ, mugan = “Belief and Knowing” 80, a16; but in the Kumåraj¥va translation 16,b16,
kË, musØ, muså. Upåya: at Chêng fa-hua 86, b8,
zengonhØben = 84, c14 = 70, a15; in the Kumåraj¥va translation 7, c20,
hØben riki.
Pratyekabuddha: at Chêng fa-hua 85, a24,
engaku = 69, c22; in the Kumåraj¥vatranslation 7, b27,
byakushi butsu. *Tathatå: at Chêng fa-hua 85, b27,
honmu; in the Kumåraj¥va translation, *shinnyo. nirvåˆa: at Chêng fa-hua 85, c9
naion; in Kumåraj¥va it isnehan. In connection with the twelve-linked chainof causation, avidyå, sparßa, vedanå: at Chêng fa-hua 85, b28–29, chi, kØ, (also asshË), tsË = 91, c5–7; in the Kumåraj¥va translation 25, a5–6,
mumyØ, soku,ju.