A Comparative study on the concept of sukhavatibhumi in sukhavativyuha sutra

Abstract

This dissertation consists of four chapters.

1. Aspecial study on Sukhavativytha Sitra. 2. A comparative study on Sukhavati-Bhimi and the Nibbanic concept in Theravada tradition. 3. A comparative study on Sukhavati-Bhumi and the concept of the final goal of Madhyamika sect or Nihilism. . 4. Summary and conclusion

The first chapter examines the background that led to the emergence of "Sukhavatibhimi” (the land of bliss) and "Amitabha Buddha" concepts. Then it discusses the summaries of Mahasukhavati (Larger Sukhavati), Culasukhavati (Smaller Sukhavati) and Amitayur-dhyana (meditation on Amitayur) Sutras which are the main sources of Sukhavati tradition and their editions, commentaries, Chinese and Tibetan translations. Thereafter, it compares larger and smaller Sukhavativythas; discusses the history of Sukhavati sects that prevailed in China and Japan; includes information of pure and impure worlds, the land of bliss as described in the Sukhavativythas, critical analysis of the land of bliss, the concepts of devotion and rebirth as depicted in the Sukhavativythas and the land of bliss mentioned as the ultimate goal in other Mahayana Sitras beside the Sukhavativytihas. Here a special attention is given to the description of the land of bliss. Also I stress upon its modern interpretations as the metaphorical depiction of the mental development by Suzuki (a Japanese scholar) and master Hui- Neng (the sixth patriarch of Chinese Chan sect).

The second chapter especially discusses Nibbanic concept of Theravada Pali tradition besides dealing with the concept of Nibbana (emancipation) in Mahayana tradition in India and other sects connected to it. Besides, this chapter contains the theories of various scholars on Nibbana and the path leading to Nibbana. Moreover, it also compares the concepts of ‘the land of bliss' and ‘Nibbana’ and the concepts on paths leading to Nibbana as depicted in these two traditions. Here it is asserted that being born in the land of bliss is similar to acquiring the mental development through Anagami fruition, the third stage on the way to Nibbana as described in Theravada.

First part of the third chapter deals with the main points of Madhyamika philosophy and then it is compared with the concept of the final goal as described in Sukhavati tradition. Accordingly, the chapter comprises of the critical discussions on Nagarjuna (the founder of Madhyamika school), the history of this tradition that prevailed in India, China, Tibet, Japan and Korea, the method used by Nagarjuna to express the theory of emptiness, Svatantrika and Prasangika interpretations of Madhyamika, the modern interpretations of these two modes, logical form of catuskoti, the religious and philosophical meaning of emptiness, the forms of emptiness, the idea of emptiness in Yogacara school, the emptiness in Madhyamika that prevailed in China and Japan. The emptiness, discussed here is understood according to the theory of Paticcasamutpada (the theory of dependent arising) and it needs to be realized through the wisdom (Praja) and realizing emptiness is as attaining Nibbana in Madhyamika tradition.

The final chapter contains the summaries of each chapters and their conclusions arrived with a thorough analysis. Last but not least, it also compares all concepts of the ultimate goal as depicted in these three traditions.