An Interpretation of Śākyamuni in the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha and the Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka

Abstract

The interpretation of Śākyamuni changes in the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha. For this paper, by comparing the Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka, which praises Śākyamuni, I investigate the factors that change the interpretation of Śākyamuni in the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha. As a result, the following hypothesis is built:

Phrases which praise Śākyamuni are found in the earlier recensions of the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha. We can infer that the Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka was composed in light of the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha, and thus received some influence not only regarding the Pure Land thought, but also in terms of its interpretation of Śākyamuni. The Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka regards as the excellent bodhisattva the one who chooses a Buddha-field of five defilements, as did Śākyamuni, and not the bodhisattva who chooses a pure Buddha-field, as did Amitābha. On the other hand, in the later recensions of the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha, the individuality of Amitābha is strengthened and expressions which praise Śākyamuni are not seen. At the same time, in the later recensions the sutra incorporated the image of the bodhisattva who chose a Buddha-field of the five defilements, as did Śākyamuni in the Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka, as an exceptional existence within Amitābha’s Buddha-field.