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  1. Fearless Tripitaka Meditation Essentials (無畏三藏禪要)
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Fearless Tripitaka Meditation Essentials (無畏三藏禪要)

About 無畏三藏禪要

Tang · by 善無畏說

4,609 · about 15 min

The *Essentials of Meditation by the Fearless Tripitaka Master* is a Buddhist meditation classic transmitted by the eminent Tang Dynasty esoteric master Shanwuwei. Shanwuwei was a senior monk from India who came to China during the Kaiyuan era. Together with Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra, he is known as one of the Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan, and he profoundly influenced the development of Esoteric Buddhism in China. This scripture systematically expounds the methods of meditation and contemplation in the esoteric tradition, integrating exoteric and esoteric teachings. It focuses on explaining practical essentials such as the union of the three mysteries and the stages of visualization, embodying the essence of Tang Dynasty esoteric meditation. As an important early text of Chinese esoteric Buddhism, it not only preserves the original form of Indian tantric practices but also provides a theoretical foundation for the later integration of Chan and esoteric teachings. Holding a pivotal role in Chinese Buddhist history that connects past and future, it is a key text for studying the thought and practice of Tang esotericism.

Human translations available

  • Bagchi (1945)Bagchi, Prabodh Chandra "Bodhisattva-śīla of Śubhākarasimha." Sino-Sindhun Studies Vol. 1 No. 3 (1945): 132-160.

無畏三藏禪要(海仁睿)

Essentials of Meditation by the Fearless Tripitaka Master(Hairen Rui)

中天竺摩伽陀國王舍城那爛陀竹林寺三藏沙門諱輸波迦羅——唐言善無畏,剎利種豪貴族。共嵩岳會善寺大德禪師敬賢和上,對論佛法,略敘大乘旨要,頓開眾生心地令速悟道,及受菩薩戒羯磨儀軌,序之如左。

In the city of Rajagriha, Magadha, in Central India, there was the Nalanda Bamboo Grove Monastery. The Tripitaka Master Śubhakarasiṃha—in Chinese, "Shanwuwei"—was a noble of the Kshatriya caste. Together with the esteemed Chan Master Jingxian of the Huishan Temple on Mount Song, they discussed the Dharma, briefly outlining the essential principles of the Mahayana path. Their aim was to swiftly open the minds of sentient beings, enabling them to quickly realize the Way, and to establish the ritual procedures for receiving the Bodhisattva precepts. This is recorded as follows.

夫欲入大乘法者,先須發無上菩提心,受大菩薩戒。身器清淨,然後受法。略作十一門分別:

To enter the path of the Great Vehicle, one must first arouse the supreme aspiration for enlightenment and receive the precepts of a great bodhisattva. Only when one's body and mind are purified can one receive the teachings. This is briefly explained in eleven sections:

第一發心門,第二供養門,第三懺悔門,第四歸依門,第五發菩提心門,第六問遮難門,第七請師門,第八羯磨門,第九結界門,第十修四攝門,第十一十重戒門。

First: The Gate of Initial Aspiration Second: The Gate of Making Offerings Third: The Gate of Repentance Fourth: The Gate of Taking Refuge Fifth: The Gate of Arousing the Bodhi Mind Sixth: The Gate of Inquiry into Hindrances Seventh: The Gate of Requesting the Teacher Eighth: The Gate of Karma Ritual Ninth: The Gate of Establishing Boundaries Tenth: The Gate of Cultivating the Four Means of Embracing Eleventh: The Gate of the Ten Major Precepts

第一發心門

First Awakening of the Mind

弟子某甲等,歸命十方一切諸佛諸大菩薩大菩提心,為大導師,能令我等離諸惡趣,能示人天大涅槃路,是故我今至心頂禮。

I, disciple [Name], and others, take refuge in all Buddhas and great Bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions. With the great mind of enlightenment as our supreme guide, may you enable us to leave behind all evil destinies and show us the great path of Nirvana for humans and heavenly beings. Therefore, I now sincerely bow in reverence.


2 供養門

CBETA Code: T0917

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Copyright: Original texts from CBETA
AI translation for reference only — not authoritative, not a statement of final truth. Awakening of the Dharma requires personal practice.