Liao · by 通理大師集
388 · about 1 min
The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, also known as the Yuanjue Jing, is an important Buddhist scripture translated by Buddhatrāta in the Tang dynasty. The Great Master Tongli, a renowned monk of the Liao dynasty, compiled and edited this sutra, appending a Vajra Liturgy. This scripture expounds the core teaching of the state of perfect enlightenment, discussing how sentient beings inherently possess complete enlightenment and how to manifest this nature through practice. Historically, the sutra was widely circulated during the Tang and Song periods, exerting profound influence on Chinese Buddhism, particularly the Chan and Huayan schools. Its main content includes inquiries by bodhisattvas such as Mañjuśrī and Samantabhadra to the Tathāgata regarding the wondrous principle of perfect enlightenment and methods of cultivation, emphasizing the importance of both sudden awakening and gradual practice. In Buddhist standing, the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment is regarded as a definitive sutra, representing the ultimate and complete teaching of the Dharma. It is one of the essential scriptures relied upon by Chinese Buddhist schools, guiding practitioners to realize the pure enlightened mind.