The Existence or Nonexistence of the Mind of Buddha: A Debate betweenFaxingzongandFaxiangzongin Chengguan's Interpretation

Abstract

One passage of the Sutra Manifestation of the Tathagata is studied in this article. The central question of this passage is whether the Tathagata has mental activity like ordinary people. The exegetes of medieval China recognised the ambiguity of Indian Buddhist tradition on this topic. These monks attempted to harmonise the different views under the rubric of perfect teaching, i.e. the Huayan teaching. This article includes a translation of Chengguan's commentary on this passage, as it is not only the most elaborate explanation of the text, but also a good example of how Chinese commentaries interpreted scriptural sources.