Amoghavajra

Amoghavajra (705-774) (Chinese: 不空 Bukong / P' u-k' ung , Japanese: 不空金剛 Fukūkongo ) is a Master Bouddhiste, the most famous translator, and representing Buddhism Vajrayana mizong (密宗) in China. The dangers threatening the empire in the middle of the Dynastie Tang push the sovereigns to seek protective rites and make it possible the current mizong to take a good departure, but the progressive decline of the capacity and a sporadic hostility to the “foreign” religions cuts its dash and do not permttent to him to be established durably. Under the Song, it is a current minor compared to the Chan and with the majority Jingtu and it disappears with the dynasty.

Amoghavajra exerted a great influence on the Japanese Buddhism via its disciples constituting the school known as Zhenyan (Mantra). Huiguo (慧果, ja. Keika-Ajari), in particular, had as raises Kukai, founder of the school Shingon whose Amoghavajra is one of the eight patriarchs.

Biography

There exist two versions of its origins. One makes it be born with Sri Lanka and follow at 14 years (718) Vajrabodhi to Srivijaya, then with Luoyang in 720. According to other sources, it is born in North from India, or with Samarkand of an Indian father and a mother perhaps sogdienne, and goes to China at 10 years to died of his father.

Ordered into 724 in Guangfusi (廣福寺), its linguistic abilities are quickly made profitable by Vajrabodhi that it assists in its work of translation. In autumn 741, Vajrabodhi dies. Three months after, Amoghavajra embarks with Guangzhou for study and a compilation trip of texts with disciples (37 according to a source) of which Hanguang (含光) and Huibian (惠辯). After a passage in Indonesia, they go to Sri Lanka. It seems that it met Nagabodhi there (龍智), Master of Vajrabodhi, and studied the Tattvasaṃgraha (十八會金剛頂瑜伽法門), central text of Buddhism tantric, the Reserve of compassion of Mahāvairocana (毗盧遮那大悲胎藏), the Onction in five parts (五部灌頂) and the secret Livre of will mantras .

After a passage by India, it would have returned to China into 746 with a half-thousand of booklets. First of all placed to Honglusi (鴻臚寺), service of reception of the foreign monks, it is invited to give oiling to the emperor Xuanzong, then is sent to Jingyingsi (淨影寺) to direct the translations. Its rites for the rain ordered by the effective palate being shown, it receives the name of Zhizang (智藏) Réservoir of wisdom and the dress crimson. In spite of the honors, it seems that he asks into 749 to return in his country of origin, but he falls ill on the way with Shaozhou (韶州) in the south and gives up his project.

In 753, the general köktürk Geshu Han (哥舒翰), prince de Xiping (西平王), which defends the country against the foreign incursions of the North-West and wishes a magic or spiritual protection for its army, invites it to Kaiyuansi (開元寺) of Wuwei. Into 754, it translates the first part of the Tattvasaṃgraha 865. In 755 the rebellion of An Lushan bursts; it is captured by the rebels, but is delivered by the troops loyal supporters into 757. It returns then to the capital where rites of purification are required of him to reinforce the dynasty. In 758, he solicits new emperor Suzong to take again the direction of translations. He would have stopped using ritual based on Renwangjing (仁王經) an army tibéto - Ouïghour E of 200.000 men threatening Chang' year: the troops would have dispersed after the general Pugu Huaien fell stiff died. In 765, he is director of Honglusi.

After Suzong, it is with the turn of the emperor Daizong to call upon him for the protection of the dynasty. Amoghavajra had persuaded the emperor to put the empire under the protection of the Bodhisattva Manjusri. In 766, the construction of Jingesi (金閣寺) begins on the mount Wutai, that of the Four mounts Buddhist devoted to the bodhisattva. In 771, it presents to Daizong the 77 texts which it translated accompanied by contents, and asks so that the unit be integrated in the Tripitaka Chinese. It receives the title of Maître tripitaka to the vast knowledge (大廣智三藏).

With its death in 774 (15th day of the 8th month), three days of mourning official are issued and it receives the posthumous names of Sikong (司空) and Dabianzheng (大辨正). A Pagode is set up in the temple of Daxingshan (大興山) to receive its relics.

Disciples

Hanguang (含光), Huiqiong (惠銎), Huilang (惠朗) known Chongfusi (崇福寺), heir to oilings, Hanguang (含光) in Jingesi (金閣寺), Huichao (惠超) with Silla, Huiguo (惠果) in Qinglongsi (青龍寺), Yuanjiao (元皎) in Baoshousi (保壽寺), Juechao (覺超).

Translations

References and notes

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