On Li Tongxuan’s Understanding of Gaṇḍavyūha-sūtra: Entities Who Enter the Realm of Dharma

Abstract

Li Tongxuan’s 李通玄 (635–730 or 646–740) understanding of the Gaṇḍavyūha-sūtra (入法界品) has always been discussed from the perspective of sequential cultivation (修行次第) or the kalyāṇamitra (善知識), without much discussion of “the Assembly who enter the Realm of Dharma 入法界衆.” However, given the importance for Li Tongxuan of all of these in the Gaṇḍavyūha-sūtra, part of the larger Buddhāvataṁsaka-sūtra, it is necessary to discuss Li’s interpretation of “the Assembly who enter the Realm of Dharma.”

Drawing a comparison with Fazang’s 法藏 (643–712) Huayanjing tanxuan ji 華嚴經探玄記, this paper specifies Li Tongxuan’s understanding of “the Assembly who enter the Realm of Dharma,” which is interpreted as a symbol of the Buddha’s teachings. Through it, Li emphasizes the common idea that no obstruction exists between principle and practice embodied in the “faith” and “harmony of three saints” in “the practice methods produced from mundane benefit.”