The Concept of the Mind-Made Body during the Northern and Southern Dynasties in China

Abstract

To date, research on the history of Chinese Buddhist doctrine has little explored the development of the concept of the Mind-made body （Sanskrit: manomayakāya; Chinese: yisheng shen 意生身）. In this essay, I intend to delve into the evolution of the Mind-made body concept during the Northern and Southern dynasties in China, based on an analysis of two texts: the Shengman yiji 勝鬘義記 （T. 2761） and the Shengman jingshu 勝鬘経疏 （擬題: S.6388, BD02346）.

First, I will analyze the theory of the Mind-made body at the eighth stage as found in the Shengman yiji. It is evident that in this text, the Mind-made body at the eighth stage is considered synonymous with the dharma-body （Sanskrit: dharmakāya; Chinese: fashen 法身）. Next, I discuss the theory of the Mind-made body at the first stage as found in the Shengman jingshu. This text establishes a correspondence between three types of Mind-made bodies and ten stages.

Furthermore, in the Shengman jingshu, it is clear that the author intends to differentiate between two types of beings from two vehicles: those before the first stage and those between the first stage and the sixth stage. The latter beings are referred as sage bodhisattvas.