| Although the doctrine of tathagatagarbha can be traced to the teaching of an innately pure luminous mind (prakr&dotbelow;tis cittasya prabhadsvara) in early Buddhist teachings, the Anunatvapurn&dotbelow;atvanirdesa-parivarta (AAN) is often considered one of the earliest Buddhist scriptures that explicitly expound the teachings of the tathagatagarbha .; The central message of the AAN focuses upon the non-increase and non-decrease nature of the dharmadhatu. This brings out the idea of the dharmadhatu as a totality which transcends all dualistic notions. Translated into Chinese by Bodhiruci in 525 CE, the AAN is now extant only in Chinese translation (Taisho no. 668). Unfortunately, no serious studies have ever been conducted on this sutra in Western scholarship. The precise relationship between the tathagatagarbha and the two Mahayana traditions, Madhyamaka and Yogacara, is also worth investigating in detail. The thesis will argue that the tathagatagarbha is not a separate school in Indian Buddhism. It will then study the historical issues relating to the AAN, followed by a philosophical investigation of its teachings. The thesis will also undertake an "external" consideration of the doctrinal relationship between the AAN and a number of sutras and sastras. It will also incorporate a study of Bodhiruci, of the Northern Wei dynasty, who translated the AAN into Chinese, as well as the first complete English translation of the AAN from its extant Chinese version.; This study may provide an alternative view on the tathagatagarbha theory. The thesis will argue that the tathagatagarbha is referring to be an aspect of all experiences. This means that all beings are by nature having a dimension of the mind not fully realized, and it is yogic meditative practices that enable the practitioners to develop an awareness of the enlightenment which is always implicit in our consciousness. |
