Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia

(Ben Green) #1

. textual material relating to esoteric buddhism 47


Kanming yizhang jin (Beholding Destiny in One Handful
of Gold),^52 attributed to Yixing, the disciple of Śubhākarasiṃha. This
is a text for prognostication.


Chizhou xianren feibo yigui (Ritual Proceedings of
the Flying Bowl of the Vidyādharas),^53 attributed to Amoghavajra. The
text deals with the attainment of the siddhī of flying.


Chengjiu mengxiang fa (Method of Attaining Perfection
While Dreaming),^54 attributed to Amoghavajra, but probably an apoc-
rypha, possibly of Japanese origin. The ritual described here involves
the construction of an altar and the invocation of Mañjuśrī and vari-
ous astral divinities. Both spells and mantras are used.


Shijiamouni rulai bachu kunao xian da shenbian feikong da bo fa
(Method of Śākyamuni
Tathāgata Rooting Out Evil Vexations by Manifesting the Great Divine
Transformation of the Great Bowl Flying Through Space),^55 attributed
to Prajñā. An apocrypha written in imitation of a sūtra, it includes the
outline of a narrative in which the Buddha manifests miraculous pow-
ers with his almsbowl. The text teaches the use of spells and mudrās
for feeding hungry ghosts and bears some similarities with the Chi-
zhou xianren feibo yigui mentioned above.


Lianhua bu Duolixin pusa niansong fa
(Method for Invoking the Bodhisattva Duolixin of the Lotus Quarter),^56
compilation attributed to Vajrabodhi (Bazheluoputi). A lengthy ritual
text that mainly describes the use of spells, mantras, and mudrās for the
worship of Duolixin, i.e., Avalokiteśvara. The Lotus Quarter referred
to in the title indicates the designated section of the Dharmadhātu
Mandala.


Jintai liangjie shixiang cheng (Masters in the Succes-
sion of Inheritance of the Two Realms of the Vajra and the Womb),^57


(^52) ZZ. 1043.59.
(^53) ZZ. 1048.59.
(^54) ZZ. 1052.59.
(^55) ZZ. 1069.59.
(^56) ZZ. 1054.59.
(^57) ZZ. 1073.59.

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