Development of the Pratyutpannabuddha-saṃmukhāvasthita-samādhi (banzhou sanmei 般舟三昧) in Visualization Sūtras

Abstract

This paper examines the historical development of the pratyutpannabuddha-saṃmukhāvasthita-samādhi (banzhou sanmei 般舟三昧) by comparing the practice of pratyutpanna-samādhi discussed in visualization sūtras. In Pure Land texts, there are two methods of visualizing buddhas. One is the practice of seeing buddhas in this life as taught in the Pratyutpannasamādhi Sūtra, and the other is seeing Amitābha Buddha through birth in his Pure Land as expounded in the Guan Wuliangshoufo jing. Comparing these two practice methods, the question arises why there developed two different locations for the attainment, even though they share the same method of visualization.

Examining the sutras, it becomes clear that the difference arises because the pratyutpanna-samādhi is required for practitioners to attain the stage of avinivartanīya (non-retrogression). Since there are many different levels of practitioners aiming at attaining the stage of non-retrogression, it is necessary to provide many different methods of practice to accommodate their needs. When it comes to the visualization sūtras, the practitioners even include “ordinary lay persons,” who were usually not a part of the Buddhist monastic practice of meditation.