The Grandeur of Dependent Retribution and Primary Retribution in the Pure Land and Its Significance for Constructing Pure Land Faith

Changding; Qingyuan; Nengcheng; Huiru; Huihang

doi:10.62177/apbs.v1i2.1496

Authors

Changding Lingyanshan Branch, Buddhist Academy of China
Qingyuan Lingyanshan Branch, Buddhist Academy of China
Nengcheng Lingyanshan Branch, Buddhist Academy of China
Huiru Lingyanshan Branch, Buddhist Academy of China
Huihang Lingyanshan Branch, Buddhist Academy of China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/apbs.v1i2.1496

Keywords:

Pure Land, Dependent Retribution and Primary Retribution, Other-Power and Primal Vow, Faith–Aspiration–Practice, Pure Land Faith Construction

Abstract

Pure Land Buddhism regards the descriptions of dependent retribution (yibao) and primary retribution (zhengbao) as foundational pillars of its faith system. This paper systematically compares how the three foundational Pure Land scriptures—the Sutra on Immeasurable Life (Wuliangshou jing), the Amitabha Sutra (Emituo jing), and the Contemplation Sutra (Guan wuliangshou jing)—each emphasize distinct aspects of the two retributions. Drawing upon the interpretive traditions of the patriarchs Tanluan, Daochuo, Shandao, Lianchi, Ouyi, and Yinguang, the study analyzes the two retributions across four dimensions: the grandeur of dependent retribution, the grandeur of primary retribution, the originary power of the Primal Vow, and the non-duality of the two retributions. The study demonstrates that the three scriptures offer complementary descriptions that collectively constitute the scriptural foundation of Pure Land faith; that successive patriarchs translated the two-retributions doctrine into the core basis for practitioners’ establishment of the faith–aspiration–practice structure; and that the doctrine of non-duality bridges the idealist Pure Land and the realist Pure Land, providing solid theoretical support for both the philosophical depth and the practical operability of Pure Land faith.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Tanluan. (6th century). Commentary on the ‘Treatise on Rebirth(T40n1819). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 40, pp. 825–844). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Daochuo. (7th century).Collection for a Land of Peace and Bliss (T47n1958). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 47, pp. 1–22). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Saṃghavarman (Trans.). (3rd century).Sutra of immeasurable life as spoken by the Buddha(T12n0360). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 12, pp. 265–279). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Kumārajīva (Trans.). (5th century). Sutra of Amitābha as spoken by the Buddha(T12n0366). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 12, pp. 346–348). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Kālayaghas (Trans.). (5th century). Sutra on the contemplation of immeasurable life as spoken by the Buddha(T12n0365). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 12, pp. 340–346). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Shandao. (7th century). Commentary on the Sutra of contemplating the Buddha of immeasurable life(T37n1753). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 37, pp. 245–278). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Shandao. (7th century).Collection of liturgical hymns for rebirth(T47n1980). In Ōtagawa, K. (Ed.), Taishō shinshū daizōkyō (Vol. 47, pp. 438–452). Taishō Issaikyō Kankōkai.

Zhuhong [Master Lianchi]. (1973). Commentary and subcommentary on the Amitabha Sutra. Complete works of Master Lianchi. Zhenshanmei Press. (Original work compiled Ming dynasty)

Zhixu [Master Ouyi]. (1989). Essential explanation of the Amitabha Sutra.Complete works of Master Ouyi (Vol. 20). Buddhist Bookshop. (Original work compiled Ming dynasty)

Yinguang. (1940). Expanded collected writings of Master Yinguang (4 vols.). Honghua Society. (Original work composed Republican era)

Guo, H. (2005). A study of the Pure Land thought in the Ānle ji [Master’s thesis, Jilin University]. CNKI.

Guo, X. (2012). A study of Tanluan’s Pure Land thought[Master’s thesis, Southwest University]. CNKI.

Gao, R. (2015). The literary quality of Saṃghavarman’s translation of the ‘Sutra on Immeasurable Life’. Lanzhou Xuekan, (11), 38–45.

Xia, Q. (1999). The Pure Land thought of Hanshan Deqing.Wutaishan Yanjiu, (3), 20–25.

Zhai, J. (2009). A study of Ouyi Zhixu’s ‘Three studies, one source’ Pure Land thought [Master’s thesis, Nanchang University]. CNKI.

Zhengcheng. (2006).An inquiry into Tanluan’s ‘Commentary on the Treatise on Rebirth’. Foxue Yanjiu, (00), 198–206.

Zhao, J. (2016). A study of Daochuo’s Pure Land thought [Master’s thesis, Shanxi University]. CNKI.

Zhao, J., & Cui, T. (2016). A brief analysis of the theoretical features of Daochuo’s Pure Land thought. Sheke Zongheng, 31(3), 145–147.

Wang, W. (2016). A study of Pure Land belief in the Jin and Tang periods [Master’s thesis, Northwest University]. CNKI.

Zhao, Z. (2013). An elucidation of Master Yinguang’s Pure Land thought [Master’s thesis, Shandong University]. CNKI.

Zhou, T. (2018). An analysis of Master Lianchi’s synthesizing methodology. Fayin, (6), 17–23.

Zhu, F. (2012). Master Shandao and the distinctive features of his Pure Land thought. Foxue Yanjiu, (00), 138–147.

Yang, M. (2018).The ‘ten auspicious signs’ and the Amitabha Sutra lecture texts. Dunhuang Xue Jikan, (3), 149–159.

Shi, Y. (2016). Recitation shining across a thousand years, illuminating the human world: A brief discussion of Master Shandao and the Pure Land patriarchal temple]. Fayin, (12), 24–29.

Tanaka, K. K. (1992). The dawn of Chinese Pure Land Buddhist doctrine: Ching-ying Hui-yuan’s commentary on the Visualization Sutra. State University of New York Press.

Köhn, L. (1996). Visions of sukhavati: Shan-tao’s commentary on the Kuan Wu-Liang-Shou-Fo Ching. State University of New York Press.