The Five Abhisambodhi as Described in the Wubu xinguan and Japanese Esoteric Buddhist Correlations

Abstract

This paper first examines the five abhisambodhi (stages of meditation to attain buddhahood) as described in the opening passage of the Wubu xinguan. I then verify that this conception of the five abhisambodhi is connected closely with that elucidated in both the Zunsheng foding xiuyujiafa guiyi (T. 973), the translation of which is attributed to Subhakarasimha, and the Zhufo jingjie shezhenshi jing, translated by Prajña. I conclude with thoughts on the dating of the Wubu xinguan's formation.