On Canons and Teaching (Volume 1)

Author: Miao Ling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-18
Features: The Three Baskets of Buddhist Scriptures (Tripitaka) contain twelve divisions, vast and extensive, yet profound and intricate. The essence within is truly boundless, difficult to fathom even over countless eons. Moreover, Buddhist teachings encompass a vast scope, including both worldly and transcendent practices, leaving no aspect untouched. To guide and enlighten the world, understanding worldly practices is essential to grasp the root and capacity of sentient beings, as well as to employ appropriate methods to teach them. The saying "All worldly teachings are said by the Buddha" may illustrate the breadth of Buddhist instruction.
The Abhidharma-kosa is an encyclopedic and dictionary-style treatise in Indian Buddhism. It serves as a foundational text for understanding both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism and has had a significant influence in China and Japan, holding great value. This book, while annotating the Abhidharma-kosa, thoroughly organizes aspects such as its authorship, intellectual sources, and structural organization. It also provides detailed accounts of the translation and annotation processes of the Abhidharma-kosa, enabling readers to gain a systematic understanding.