Difference between revisions of "Tao-an"
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| + | [[Tao-an]] (312-385) was the first native {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[Buddhist monk]] of major importance. | ||
| + | He inspired his [[disciples]] to seek the [[word of the Buddha]] in the best translations of texts from [[India]] and to interpret them in a critical, almost "[[scientific]], " [[spirit]]. | ||
| − | [[Tao-an]] | + | [[Tao-an]], whose [[family]] [[name]] was 'Wei', came from a [[traditionally]] [[Wikipedia:Confucianism|Confucian]] [[family]] who lived in what is now southern Hopei Province. |
| − | + | He was born in a period of [[constant]] bloody warfare and seems to have been orphaned at an early age. | |
| − | [[ | + | He became a [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|novice}} at the age of 11, slowly distinguishing himself by his [[phenomenal]] [[intelligence]], although his [[appearance]] was extremely unprepossessing. |
| − | + | As was the {{Wiki|custom}}, he left his [[monastery]] after [[ordination]] to wander from place to place seeking instruction from different [[masters]], studying sometime after 335 with [[Fo-t'u-teng]] in 'Yeh' (northern Honan). | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | [[Tao-an]] soon led his [[own]] [[disciples]] in various [[monasteries]] in the [[North]], being joined by his most famous [[disciple]], [[Hui-yüan]], on 'Mt. Heng' in northern [[Shansi]] in 354. | |
| − | + | During this period (until 365) [[Tao-an]] was, since he came from a [[scholarly]] [[family]], | |
| − | Taoan [[died]] in {{Wiki|Ch'ang-an}}. | + | exposed to the prevailing theories of [[metaphysical]] [[Taoism]] ([[hsüan-hsüeh]]) based mainly on the commentaries by 'Wang Pi' (226-249) upon the [[Tao-te ching]] and by [[Kuo Hsiang]] ([[died]] 312) upon the [[Chuang-tzu]]. |
| + | |||
| + | After joining the [[Buddhist]] [[sangha]], he read widely in early translations of texts on [[dhyana]] ([[meditation]]) and perhaps on [[Prajnaparamita]] [[philosophy]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He then began his {{Wiki|bibliographical}} and {{Wiki|exegetical}} work, being the first {{Wiki|Chinese}} to make sentence-by-sentence commentaries on [[Buddhist]] works, commentaries that attempted to understand what the text really meant. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 365 [[Tao-an]] fled the {{Wiki|chaos}} that {{Wiki|incessant}} warfare among [[barbarian]] dynasties had made of [[North China]] and settled in [[Hsiang-yang]] (northern Hupei) with 400 or 500 [[disciples]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Because the [[Pai-ma monastery]] was too small, he soon moved to the [[T'an-hsi monastery]], a private mansion. Here [[Tao-an]] reached his maturity as [[philosopher]], [[scholar]], and [[religious]] leader. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==[[Tao-an's Teachings]]== | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[Tao-an's]] [[philosophy]] is known as the {{Wiki|theory}} of [[Penwu]], which may be translated as "[[Fundamental non-differentiation]], " and which attempts to interpret the [[Buddhist]] [[idea]] of [[sunya]] ([[emptiness]]) in terms reminiscent of [[Wang Pi]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The differentiated [[world]] as we know it is based upon a [[substratum]] of 'wu' (basic non-differentiation). | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is only by [[realizing]], through [[meditation]], the basic [[oneness]] of this [[substratum]] that we can shake off the impediments of the [[mundane world]] and arrive at [[truth]] and {{Wiki|salvation}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Tao-an's]] {{Wiki|scholarship}} at this period is represented by his analytical [[bibliography]] of over 600 [[Buddhist]] works called [[Tsung-li chung-ching mu-lu]] and finished in 374, a truly {{Wiki|revolutionary}} work that set the pattern for all later [[Buddhist]] bibliographies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | His [[religious]] [[development]] was especially noteworthy for his [[devotion]] to the {{Wiki|worship}} of [[Maitreya]], which he seems to have originated in [[China]], and for his unceasing study of the {{Wiki|rules}} of [[monastic]] [[life]] ([[Vinaya]]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | He also originated the practice of giving [[monks]] the surname "Shih, " underlining the fact that they are [[sons of Buddha Sakyamuni]] is [[Shih-chia-mu-ni]] in {{Wiki|Chinese}}). | ||
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| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | When, in 379, [[Fu P'i]] captured [[Hsiang-yang]], [[Tao-an]] followed him to the Former [[Ch'in]] capital, {{Wiki|Ch'ang-an}}, after having sent most of his [[disciples]] away to [[form]] their [[own]] centers. In the capital he was extremely active in {{Wiki|secular}} as well as in [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|cultural}} [[life]], | ||
| + | |||
| + | and very close to [[Fu Chien]], the reigning [[emperor]], and to the center of {{Wiki|political}} power. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Tao-an]] devoted himself chiefly to the supervision of the translation of new materials from [[India]] and central {{Wiki|Asia}}; | ||
| + | |||
| + | in 382 he laid down a series of {{Wiki|principles}} that were used by [[translators]] long afterward, although he himself knew no [[Sanskrit]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | These [[new translations]] were of enormous importance for the [[understanding]] of the true meaning of [[Buddhist texts]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Toward the very end of his [[life]], [[Tao-an]] felt overwhelmed by the [[feeling]] that he could no longer assimilate this obviously more profound [[understanding]] of the [[Buddhist]] message. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This [[feeling]] was typical of him, of his [[conscientiousness]], his [[humility]], and his [[intellectual]] [[honesty]], making him the most important figure in early [[Chinese Buddhism]], before he was overshadowed by his [[disciple]] [[Hui-Yüan]] and by [[Kumarajiva]], who was brought to [[China]] through [[Tao-an's]] influence. | ||
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| + | [[Taoan]] [[died]] in {{Wiki|Ch'ang-an}}. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
http://biography.yourdictionary.com/tao-an | http://biography.yourdictionary.com/tao-an | ||
| − | + | {{ChineseTerms}} | |
Latest revision as of 22:08, 2 December 2015
Click here to see other articles relating to word Tao-an
Tao-an (312-385) was the first native Chinese Buddhist monk of major importance.
He inspired his disciples to seek the word of the Buddha in the best translations of texts from India and to interpret them in a critical, almost "scientific, " spirit.
Tao-an, whose family name was 'Wei', came from a traditionally Confucian family who lived in what is now southern Hopei Province.
He was born in a period of constant bloody warfare and seems to have been orphaned at an early age.
He became a Buddhist novice at the age of 11, slowly distinguishing himself by his phenomenal intelligence, although his appearance was extremely unprepossessing.
As was the custom, he left his monastery after ordination to wander from place to place seeking instruction from different masters, studying sometime after 335 with Fo-t'u-teng in 'Yeh' (northern Honan).
Tao-an soon led his own disciples in various monasteries in the North, being joined by his most famous disciple, Hui-yüan, on 'Mt. Heng' in northern Shansi in 354.
During this period (until 365) Tao-an was, since he came from a scholarly family,
exposed to the prevailing theories of metaphysical Taoism (hsüan-hsüeh) based mainly on the commentaries by 'Wang Pi' (226-249) upon the Tao-te ching and by Kuo Hsiang (died 312) upon the Chuang-tzu.
After joining the Buddhist sangha, he read widely in early translations of texts on dhyana (meditation) and perhaps on Prajnaparamita philosophy.
He then began his bibliographical and exegetical work, being the first Chinese to make sentence-by-sentence commentaries on Buddhist works, commentaries that attempted to understand what the text really meant.
In 365 Tao-an fled the chaos that incessant warfare among barbarian dynasties had made of North China and settled in Hsiang-yang (northern Hupei) with 400 or 500 disciples.
Because the Pai-ma monastery was too small, he soon moved to the T'an-hsi monastery, a private mansion. Here Tao-an reached his maturity as philosopher, scholar, and religious leader.
Tao-an's Teachings
Tao-an's philosophy is known as the theory of Penwu, which may be translated as "Fundamental non-differentiation, " and which attempts to interpret the Buddhist idea of sunya (emptiness) in terms reminiscent of Wang Pi.
The differentiated world as we know it is based upon a substratum of 'wu' (basic non-differentiation).
It is only by realizing, through meditation, the basic oneness of this substratum that we can shake off the impediments of the mundane world and arrive at truth and salvation.
Tao-an's scholarship at this period is represented by his analytical bibliography of over 600 Buddhist works called Tsung-li chung-ching mu-lu and finished in 374, a truly revolutionary work that set the pattern for all later Buddhist bibliographies.
His religious development was especially noteworthy for his devotion to the worship of Maitreya, which he seems to have originated in China, and for his unceasing study of the rules of monastic life (Vinaya).
He also originated the practice of giving monks the surname "Shih, " underlining the fact that they are sons of Buddha Sakyamuni is Shih-chia-mu-ni in Chinese).
When, in 379, Fu P'i captured Hsiang-yang, Tao-an followed him to the Former Ch'in capital, Ch'ang-an, after having sent most of his disciples away to form their own centers. In the capital he was extremely active in secular as well as in Buddhist cultural life,
and very close to Fu Chien, the reigning emperor, and to the center of political power.
Tao-an devoted himself chiefly to the supervision of the translation of new materials from India and central Asia;
in 382 he laid down a series of principles that were used by translators long afterward, although he himself knew no Sanskrit.
These new translations were of enormous importance for the understanding of the true meaning of Buddhist texts.
Toward the very end of his life, Tao-an felt overwhelmed by the feeling that he could no longer assimilate this obviously more profound understanding of the Buddhist message.
This feeling was typical of him, of his conscientiousness, his humility, and his intellectual honesty, making him the most important figure in early Chinese Buddhism, before he was overshadowed by his disciple Hui-Yüan and by Kumarajiva, who was brought to China through Tao-an's influence.
