A Study on ‘Theory of Practices’ in the Latter Thoughts of Uisang - In the Case of ‘My Body(吾身)’ -

Abstract

This dissertation prescribes the thoughts of Uisang(義湘, A.D 625-702) developed by his Huayen Sutra Lectures after returning to his country as the latter thoughts, especially in the aspect of ‘theory of practices.’<BR> While giving lectures about Huayen Sutra, Uisang gave clear instructions of why we should put theories in practice through the idea of ‘five feet body(五尺身)’ and ‘my body(吾身)’. Uisang established his distinguishing thought as follows; Firstly, one should focus on ‘the present’ and the ‘keen practices’, and regard ‘his or her body’ and ‘the future Buddha indwelling in him or herself’ as the basis of the practice. Through this process, then, the person will be enlightened by the future Buddha inheriting in the person. Either ‘five feet body’ or ‘my body’are indicated as Sattvas in the subject of practices, but he develops the theory of practices in here from the premises that our body is, namely, Buddha.<BR> Then why should I, who is presently a Buddha, practice asceticism? This problem can be explained through two aspects. One is that, in the viewpoint of Buddha, all sentient beings and Buddha himself are equal. But in the Sattva’s point of view, they are beings who need practices. Uisang always emphasized that beings are never fixed but always fluid depending on the relations with others. The key word that represents this logic is ‘x?(須)’.<BR> Uisang presented two ways about the theory of practice. First is to meditate ten Buddha(10佛) through reciting Huayen Sutra. Every words of Huayen Sutra are truly the ten Buddha. The other method is to meditate the future Buddha of myself. The synthesis of these two ways of meditation is ‘to return obsessions’. Dispelling subjective tenacities is Buddhahood. In this way we can affirm that the present self has attained Buddhahood. It is realized by enhancing the future Buddha living in oneself.