Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia

458 henrik h. sørensen

of all Tathāgatas),^10 the (Great Compassion Dhāraṇī),^11
and the Foshuo Ruyilun lianhua xin rulai xiuxing guanmen yi
(Ritual of Cultivating Maṇicakra Lotus
Heart Tathāgata’s Method of Contemplation),^12 all translated by the
Indian monk Cixian (fl. tenth century) from Magadha.^13 This
material reflects the later transmission of Esoteric Buddhist texts to
China.^14
Extracanonical material on Liao Buddhism can chiefly be found in
the important collection of epigraphs Quan Liao wen (Com-
plete Liao Texts; hereafter, QLW),^15 compiled during the middle of
the Republican period. Almost half of the material contained in this
collection relates directly or indirectly to Liao Buddhism (including
Esoteric Buddhism),^16 and therefore remains a vital resource for the
study of Liao Buddhism.

The Transmission and Nature of Esoteric Buddhism under the Liao

While the history of the transmission of Esoteric Buddhism from the

late Tang to the Liao is still somewhat unclear, it would seem to have

taken place both as a scriptural process and through introduction by

monk-specialists. Zhao Xiaoyan (fl. eleventh century), in his

preface to the Shenbian jiachi jing yishi yanmi chao, mentions that the

spread of Esoteric Buddhism in the Liao was partly due to the efforts

of a Kasmiri ācārya by the name of Maṇi (fl. eleventh century).^17

This monk is said to have popularized the use of “spell books.” At

that time Esoteric Buddhist scriptures were clearly seen as constitut-

ing a distinct type of Buddhist scriptures known as the “esoteric class

(mibu ).”^18

(^10) Cf. Zhonghua dazang jing, vol. 1601.68:287–91.
(^11) Cf. Zhonghua dazang jing, vol. 1601.68:295.
(^12) T. 1090.20:220.
(^13) FDC, vol. 6:5809bc.
(^14) For more on Song translations of tantras, see Orzech, “Translation of Tantras
and other Esoteric Buddhist Scriptures,” in this volume. 15
For the most useful edition of this work, see Chen, 1982.
(^16) For a brief but useful essay on the importance of this collection for the study of
Liao Buddhism (including Esoteric Buddhist practices), see Gao 2006: 28–31.
(^17) QLW, p. 268. We also learn from this source that Jueyuan received instructions
in Esoteric Buddhism from Maṇi. Cf. QLW, p. 269.
(^18) Cf. QLW, p. 269.