The Composite Union of Natures

Abstract

The article elucidates similarities and differences between the structures of Christ’s hypostatic union and of Dharmākara bodhisattva in Shin-Buddhism. First, I explore the structure of the hypostatic union in Chalcedonian Christology. The Logos (the Son) took humanity and was born in the world as a historical person, Jesus Christ. In the hypostatic union of Christ, the human nature and the divine nature form a composite union in the divine hypostasis of the Logos. Second, I explore the structure of Dharmākara bodhisattva in Shin-Buddhism. In Shin-Buddhism, the formless Tathāgata (“hosshō-hosshin”) took form as Dharmākara bodhisattva to save all sentient beings. Dharmākara bodhisattva attained enlightenment and became Amitābha Buddha. Shinran (1173–1262), the founder of Shin-Buddhism, recognized Dharmākara and Amitābha as “the dharma body as compassionate means” (“hōben-hosshin”). In this context, Dharmākara is the individual reality, which is the self-manifestation of Tathāgata and forms a composite union of the Buddha nature and the karmic human nature. Finally, I elucidate similarities and differences between the structures of Christ’s hypostatic union and of Dharmākara bodhisattva in Shin-Buddhism.