Reception and transformation of the Huiji Jin’gang shuo shentong daman tuoluoni fashu Lingyao men: the discovery and significance of medieval Japanese scripture manuscripts

Abstract

ABSTRACT Investigative research of the Buddhist manuscripts in Japan are garnering the attention of the international community, but these achievements are all oriented toward problems associated with the traditional methods of research into Chinese translations of Buddhist scriptures. In other words, they are demonstrating the dangers of relying too much on printed editions of texts. This suggests both the importance of a relatively strict revision of Chinese translations of Buddhist scriptures based on the discovery and application of medieval Japanese scripture manuscripts, as well as the possibility of grasping more correctly the historical process of change of textual content, via the work of revision. Moreover, this situation will help promote the potential for a relatively flexible understanding of the reception and transformation of Buddhist scriptures in East Asia. To concretely present the validity and potential of this type of research methodology, this paper takes as a topic the Chinese translations of Buddhist scriptures associated with Huiji Jin’gang, first introducing the various transmitted editions of this scripture. It points out problems contained in the genealogy and content of the printed texts, and further clarify the process of transformation of this scripture, based on the medieval manuscript editions from Dunhuang and Japan.