Journal | Annali di Ca’ Foscari. Serie orientale
Journal issue | 52 | 2016
Research Article | sLob dpon gyis bśad pa: Explanation by the Master
sLob dpon gyis bśad pa: Explanation by the Master
The Teachings on Meditation of an Unknown Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ (IOL Tib J 709, 34a1-36a3)
Abstract
In the Dunhuang manuscript IOL Tib J 709, which is a collection of writings concerning meditation, we come across a short text attributed to a Tibetan master called Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ (allegedly eighth-ninth centuries CE). In his work, Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ exposes a method of meditation that seems to be strongly indebted to Indian Mahāyāna scriptural sources. Besides, also a Chinese Chan influence is here detectable. Therefore, the method of meditation taught by Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ seems to represent a commingling of different elements from different contexts. After a general introduction to the manuscript IOL Tib J 709, this study focuses on Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ’s text, discussing and analysing the following topics: its author and date, the Indian Mahāyāna possible sources, Chinese Chan elements, the meditational path described. An annotated translation of the text, along with its transliteration and the reproduction of the fac-simile of the corresponding portion of the manuscript, concludes the study.
Submitted: Nov. 17, 2015 | Accepted: Jan. 20, 2016 | Published June 30, 2016 | Language: en
Keywords Tibetan Buddhism • Dunhuang manuscript • Meditation
Copyright © 2016 Krishna Del Toso. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.14277/2385-3042/AnnOr-52-16-6
