. esoteric buddhism under the jin (–) 479On the Transmission of Esoteric Buddhism to the Jin
Historical sources on the transmission and spread of Esoteric Bud-
dhism under the Jin are meager; only by grafting together odd bits
and pieces gleaned from a variety of different sources may we achieve
the semblance of a useful historical overview. Moreover, virtually no
original Esoteric Buddhist works by Jin authors have been identified so
far (though due to intensified interest in the field, some may in fact be
identified in the near future). It is interesting to note that the area of
material culture is where the most significant information on Esoteric
Buddhism under the Jin can be found.
Despite the paucity of historical sources, there are a few details on
important Jin practitioners of Esoteric Buddhism to be had. Among
these is a monk referred to as “The Great Chinese Monk ” or
Ven. Pomo , the “Demon Basher” (fl. first half of the twelfth
century). A biographical entry on him in the Bu xu gaoseng zhuan
(Supplement to the Continuation of Histories of Eminent
Monks)^4 describes him as a thaumaturge and master of the scriptures
active during the reign of Emperor Xizong (1138–1148). In typi-
cal fashion, the text mentions how by “chanting spells [Pomo] was
able to drive out evil (neng songzhou quye ).”^5 The entry
ends with a description of the large red śarīra recovered from the ashes
after his cremation.^6
The same source contains another account of an adept of Esoteric
Buddhism, Fazhong (fl. second half of the twelfth century) from
Mt. Wutai , who was active during the Dading reign period
(1161–1189). He is also described as a worker of miracles, a master of
spellcraft who could make rain and who was able to drink poisonous
wine without being harmed.^7 The account mentions Fazhong’s use of
a vajra to perform his magical feats, and of how he drew a vajra-circle
(probably an enclosure marked off by vajras) on the ground that was
then empowered with a spell as part of a ritual.^8 Fazhong became so
famous that he was eventually invited to the imperial palace.
(^4) ZZ (1975–1989), 1524.77.
(^5) Cf. ZZ, 1524.77, 525a.
(^6) ZZ, 1524.77, 525a.
(^7) ZZ, 1524.77, 503a.
(^8) ZZ, 1524.77, 503b.