Analysis Of Yoga In Samdhinirmocana Sutra

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The book "Analysis of Yoga in Samdhinirmocana Sutra" by Shinjo Kawasaki delves into the concept of "yoga" within the influential Mahayana Buddhist text, the Samdhinirmocana Sutra. The analysis is primarily based on the Sūtra's discussions regarding meditative practices, specifically Calming (samatha) and Clear Vision (vipaśyanā).

Context and Significance of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra

• Textual Basis: The original Sanskrit text of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra is not extant. The study relies on various translations, primarily the Chinese translations by Bodhiruci (514 AD) and Hsüan-chuang (647 AD), with Hsüan-chuang's being considered the most authoritative in the Yogācāra-Vijñānavāda tradition. Tibetan and partial Chinese translations are also mentioned.
• Yogācāra-Vijñānavāda Foundation: The Samdhinirmocana Sutra is a foundational text for the Yogācāra-Vijñānavāda school of Mahayana Buddhism. It is credited with inspiring key figures like Asanga and Vasubandhu, whose works elaborate on its teachings, including concepts like ālaya-vijñāna (store-consciousness) and the three aspects of existence. The Sutra's teachings on "non-substantiality" are also highlighted as central.
• Relationship with Yogācāra-bhūmi: The text notes a close relationship between the Samdhinirmocana Sutra and the Yogācāra-bhūmi, with scholars suggesting the Sūtra might have originally been part of the larger treatise.

Understanding "Yoga" in this Context

The book explores the meaning of "yoga" as used within this tradition:

• Methodical Mental Orientation: "Yoga" is understood as a "methodical mental orientation" (yonisho-manasikāra). This involves a disciplined and skillful direction of the mind.
• Intense Contemplation: It specifically refers to the "intense contemplation" (bhāvanā) of samatha (Calming) and vipaśyanā (Clear Vision), particularly in the stages of the Bodhisattva path after initial realization.
• Abhyāsa (Repeated Exercise): Yoga is also defined as repeated practice or exercise (abhyāsa).
• Yogācāra: Those who practice yoga are called Yogācāra, which is linked to methodical mental orientation.

The Core Analysis: Yoga as Samatha and Vipaśyanā

The central part of the analysis focuses on a dialogue between Bodhisattva Maitreya and the Buddha (Vairocana-Buddha) from Chapter IX of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra, which is presented as the "Analysis of Yoga." This dialogue clarifies the practice of samatha and vipaśyanā for Bodhisattvas in the Mahāyāna path.

• Foundation for Practice: Bodhisattvas practice samatha and vipaśyanā by relying on the "provisional establishment of natures" (dharma-prajñāpti-vyavasthāpana) and the "non-abandonment of the vow" (anirākṣta-praṇidhi) for enlightenment.
• Meditative Objects: The Sūtra identifies four meditative objects for samatha and vipaśyanā:
  1. Image attended with predication (savikalpa-pratibimba): Primarily the object of Clear Vision.
  2. Image devoid of predication (nirvikalpa-pratibimba): Primarily the object of Calming.
  3. Limits of the entity (vastu-paryantatā): Object of both Calming and Clear Vision combined.
  4. Fulfillment of the requirement (kārya-pariniṣpatti): Object of both Calming and Clear Vision combined.
• Practice of Calming (Samatha-paryeşin): This involves listening to and internalizing the various divisions of the Buddha's teachings (the twelve angas). Bodhisattvas then orient their minds towards these well-considered Dharmas with inner continuity, leading to bodily and mental catharsis (kāya-praśrabdhi and citta-praśrabdhi).
• Practice of Clear Vision (Vipaśyanā-kuśala): After attaining catharsis through Calming, Bodhisattvas fix themselves in that state, setting aside conceptual aspects of thought. They then investigate the Dharmas, gaining conviction in them as mental representations within the scope of concentration. This involves inspection, deliberation, and profound consideration of knowable objects.
• Distinction and Non-Distinction between Calming and Clear Vision:
  • No Difference: Both use the thought as a meditative object.
  • Difference: Calming does not have the "image attended with predication" as its object, while Clear Vision does.
• Nature of Mental Orientation: The text also defines preliminary stages of mental orientation before attaining full catharsis:
  • Associated with a conviction consisting with Calming: Before achieving bodily and mental catharsis, when the mind is oriented towards thought, it is associated with conviction in Calming.
  • Associated with a conviction consisting with Clear Vision: Similarly, when the mind reflects inwardly on properly conceived Dharmas as images in concentration, it is associated with conviction in Clear Vision.
• The "Image of Thought" and "Successive Thought": The Samdhinirmocana Sutra defines specific terms:
  • Image of Thought (citta-nimitta): The image attended with predication, the object of Clear Vision within concentration.
  • Successive Thought (ānantarya-citta): Thought that takes the image of Clear Vision as its object.
  • Single Area of Thought (citta-ekāgratā): This is when Bodhisattvas understand that the image in concentration is mere mental representation (vijñapti-mātra) and orient their mind towards truth (tathatā). This state is conducive to the union of Calming and Clear Vision.

Conclusion

Shinjo Kawasaki's analysis provides a detailed exposition of how "yoga" is understood and practiced within the Samdhinirmocana Sutra. It highlights the crucial role of samatha and vipaśyanā in the Bodhisattva path, defining their objects, methods, and the nuanced relationship between them, all within the philosophical framework of Yogācāra-Vijñānavāda. The study emphasizes the Sūtra's detailed breakdown of meditative techniques, offering insights into the experiential path towards enlightenment as taught in this important Mahayana scripture.