Research On The Interpretation And Utilization Of Ten Vehicle Meditation In Tiantai Sect

Ten vehicle meditation is the core of practice for cessation and observation in Tiantai sect.While"Maha meditation" shows that there are differences on interpretation with the use of ten vehicle in various of objects.It emphasizes the trait of harmony on ten vehicle in aggregates,realms and fields as an object of contemplation,which impresses holistic use of ten completions of the great vehicle for people.Similar utilization appears in afflictions,karma,demonic forces,and various of views as objects.However,in disease and meditation itself as an object of contemplation,it stresses successive supplement,choice and enlightenment from first vehicle,namely contemplating inconceivable object,to the tenth that is removed from love of the dharma.The logic of later using is valued by Zhanran and other Tiantai sect's scholars.They insist that less or more use of ten vehicle depend on sharp or dull faculties.Sharp faculties only contemplate inconceivable object is enough,middling faculties practice three or seven rules,while dull faculties need all ten vehicle.Toshio Ando considered that the use of ten vehicle had different rules facing diverse objects for meditation,so we couldn't generalize the use logic of successive choice and practice in meditation object to other objects.What's the authentic relationship among Ten vehicle,one's faculties and objects of contemplation?How should we comprehend the character in usage of ten vehicle?these are what I try to make out in my dissertation.Ten vehicle meditation is principally presented in "Maha meditation",which is a very important writing for explaining perfect and sudden cessation and contemplation.Before we understand the trait of ten vehicle,we should firstly catch on its text annotation in the view of ten objects written in "Maha meditation".In this book,the cessation and contemplation of perfect teaching is interpreted by means of contrasting it with tripitaka teaching,shared teaching and distinct teaching in scriptural study and meditation practice.The interpretation reveals the mutual containment between teaching and contemplation,which is the background of annotation for ten vehicle.Although ten vehicle is means of perfect cessation and contemplation,it can also be applied to tripitaka,shared and distinct teaching after the theoretically adjustment.Catching on the utilization of ten vehicle in tripitaka,shared and distinct teaching can help us to comprehend the completely interpenetrated feature of perfect teaching.The form of ten vehicle meditation is Four kinds of samadhi,which is the exterior rite and norm.While ten objects is internal view at the time of ten vehicle cultivating.Greatly perfect understanding and twenty-five expedients are prior skillful means,the former should be defined as hearing and understanding to perfect principle,while the later is preparation on phenomena.In effect,both of them are completely interpenetrated,which will establish a sound basis for the cultivation of ten vehicle.Unless on the basis of scriptural study,meditation practice,as well as expedients application of ten vehicle,we can't comprehend thoroughly with its explanation.In the object of aggregates,realms and fields for contemplation,the text annotation is interpreted in all particulars,e.g.contemplating inconceivable object is put out first,this object arouse the vow,then practicing to fulfill the vow,breaking affliction,discerning blocked or unblocked on the way to enlightenment,adjusting the factors of enlightenment to strengthen cessation and contemplation,applying six perfections in phenomena assist in contemplation of principle,recognizing six graded stages in case of pride in spiritual superiority,being patient to keep internal and external hindrances away,removed from love of the dharma in case of delusions at the highest level.These ten rules cooperate to make up vehicle.Inconceivable object generate vow,practice fulfill vow,direct cause added with assistant,teaching guide contemplating,the end work in concert with the beginning,all of these appear a holistic usage of ten vehicle with perfect cultivation.Zhiyi first put out of ten vehicle of contemplation in the object of aggregates,realms and fields.He explained each rule's function and relationship among each other in detail,aiming to clearly presented his theoretical reflections on ten vehicle.At the same time,it repeatedly stress accepting and transforming newcomer in text.Obviously,Zhiyi underlined the holistic use of ten vehicle stemming from his original intention to benefit newcomers.In the annotation of ten vehicle' application under the view of afflictions and meditation,Zhiyi emphasized the other logic for use of ten vehicle meditation.That is successful practice and enlightenment assessment for ten rules.If only contemplating inconceivable object makes one enlighten for cognizance of non-arising,there will be no use for the other nines.If the first rule doesn't works,the second one arousing compassion will turn on.Supposing one cannot get awareness still,he will practice one after one in sequence until all of ten vehicle,then he is bound to enlighten for cognizance of non-arising.This logic of successively adding on rules and making choice in sequence should be concerned with the disease and meditation as objects of contemplation.The cultivation in object of disease is for purpose to recover from an illness.Practicing contemplation with meditative concentration in meditation itself as an object is easier to get enlightenment than cultivating observation with distracted mind.In both the two objects of contemplation enlightenment may appear by use of one rule or less rules of ten vehicle,which depends on the ability and nature of learners.In a manner of speaking,the viewpoint of ability and nature determinism,as well as the viewpoint of objects of contemplation determinism,could find basis for themself from the annotation on ten objects of ten vehicle,but both of them have their imperfection.Considering that Zhiyi always reveal complete by partial,and display ultimately perfect interpretation by expedients,we can find that those two usage of ten vehicle in ten object is the appeared result of selectively expedient presentation.Ten vehicle can be more flexible.Although ten vehicle is put out in sequence,it doesn't mean that it could only be used in this way,and the role provided by each rule is not insignificant.The inconceivable object of contemplation perfectly interpenetrate with the other nine rules,which supporting the condition that first one is enough.Sharp faculties only cultivating the first rule will possess the other nines spontaneously,while dull faculties must cultivate vehicle deliberately,and middling faculties should be equipped with both of spontaneity and deliberation.Whatever the faculties is,the attainments and merits of ten vehicle is essential to get stages of realization,as Zhiyi explained the stage of realization in perfect teaching through ten vehicle.In brief,the specific utilization of ten vehicle is flexible.It is not limited in the modes rendered in "Maha meditation" to practice.By means of different interpretation in various objects of contemplation,Zhiyi tried to help learners to comprehend resilient usage of ten vehicle,rather than matching objects and contemplation dogmatically.Unless we surmount the stylized understanding based on faculties and objects determinism,neither can we seize the flexible application of ten vehicle,nor can we grasp its virtue comparing with the teaching and contemplation of other sects.