Baihua Lengyuan Jing

Author: Jing Sanlong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The carrier of Buddhist culture is the vast array of Buddhist scriptures passed down through the ages. Just as Confucian classics are divided into the Four Great Schools of Thought (Jing, Shi, Zi, Ji), Buddhist scriptures are also categorized into the Three Baskets of Buddhism (Jing, Lu, Lun), known as the "Threefold Scriptures of the Dharma." The "Jing" holds the highest status, as it is the theory expounded by the Buddha to guide his disciples in practice. Therefore, the most attention today is paid to these "Buddhist Scriptures." The Lengyan Jing (Great Perfection of Wisdom of the Tathagata's Essential Teaching of the Lotus Sutra for the Complete Enlightenment of All Bodhisattvas) is one of the main scriptures of Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. Since it was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by the Central Indian monk Pрамита during the Tang Dynasty, it has been cherished by Buddhist followers and scholars across generations, alongside the Huayan Jing (Avatamsaka Sutra) and the Fahua Jing (Lotus Sutra), as an important source for spreading Mahayana Buddhism in China.
Buddhism emerged in ancient India around the 6th century BCE. It was introduced to China around the turn of the era and, through long-term integration with Chinese traditional culture, gradually evolved into Chinese Buddhism with distinct national characteristics. It gave rise to numerous sects and displayed a diverse and vibrant scene. In terms of philosophy, it aligned with the metaphysical ideas that flourished during the Wei and Jin periods, appealing to scholars and literati. It reached its zenith during the Sui and Tang dynasties, complementing Confucianism and Taoism, forming a tripartite synthesis of thought. Over the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it became the traditional knowledge of Chinese scholars, with great monks and eminent scholars emerging in each era. Buddhist studies became a profound and essential part of China's traditional culture.
The Lengyan Jing is a scripture highly regarded by all sects of Chinese Buddhism and has long been cherished by scholars and academicians across generations. Its commentaries and annotations have been passed down continuously, remaining vibrant to this day. Over forty such works have survived to this day, many of which have been spread overseas. In Japan alone, there are no fewer than forty commentators. The script is elegant, with many lines of paired verses, and is superior in both literary expression and profound meaning. For example, "As the sun's reflection appears in a single body of water. If two people observe it together, each sees the reflection as if it were separate—moving eastward, it appears as the eastern sun; moving westward, it appears as the western sun." Though the words are concise, they are full of profound meaning, capable of enlightening the mind.
The Plain Language Lengyan Jing is one of the series of Buddhist cultural essence publications by Sanchuan Publishing House. The author has translated, annotated, and explained the Lengyan Jing word by word to facilitate reading and collection by students of Buddhism and those interested in Buddhist scriptures.