Ekottara Agama
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The Ekottara Āgama ("Numbered Discourses," Mandarin: Zēngyī Ahánjīng, 增壹阿含經) is an early Indian Buddhist text, of which currently only a Chinese translation is extant (referenced as Taisho T02N125). It is one of the four agamas (the Sanskritic Sūtra Piṭaka) in the Chinese Buddhist Canon.
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[edit] Origins and history
A complete version of the Ekottara Agama was translated by Dharmanandi (曇摩難提) of the Fu Qin state (苻秦) [397CE] and altered by Saṃghadeva in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Although some believe that this text comes from the Sarvāstivādin school, most scholars look to the Mahāsaṃghika school or one of its derivatives.[1]
The Ekottara Agama generally corresponds to the Theravadin Anguttara Nikaya, but of the four agamas of the Sanskritic Sūtra Piṭaka in the Chinese Buddhist Canon, it is the one which differs most from the Theravadin version. According to Keown, "there is considerable disparity between the Pāli and the Sarvāstivādin versions, with more than two-thirds of the sūtras found in one but not the other compilation, which suggests that much of this portion of the Sūtra Piṭaka was not formed until a fairly late date."[2]
[edit] Mindfulness of Breathing
A notable inclusion in the Ekottara Agama is a discourse that includes meditative instructions on Mindfulness of Breathing given by the Buddha to his son Rahula. In it, the Buddha gives Rahula instructions on how he can practice this form of meditation to enter into samadhi. After an unknown length of time, Rahula enters into a deep state of samadhi, passes through the four stages of dhyana, and attains complete perfection and liberation. Rahula then returns to the Buddha as an arhat, giving a full report of his practice, his experiences in meditation, and the realizations that he has had. This discourse corresponds to the Theravadin Maha-Rahulovada Sutta in the Majjhima Nikaya (MN 62).
[edit] Influence on East Asia
In lectures, renowned Buddhist master Nan Huaijin frequently cites the Ekottara Agama for its discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing, and lectures on Rahula's report to the Buddha. He details the fine points of practice and the relationships that exist between the mind, body, and breath, including related exoteric and esoteric phenomena. Also discussed are the dissemination of this practice into various forms in the Mahayana schools of Buddhism in East Asia such as Zen and Tiantai, and into Daoist meditative practices.[3][4][5]
[edit] References
- ^ Sujato Bhikku. "About the EA". ekottara.googlepages.com. Retrieved on 2009-03-01.
- ^ Keown, Damien. A Dictionary of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
- ^ Nan, Huai-Chin. Working Toward Enlightenment: The Cultivation of Practice. York Beach: Samuel Weiser, 1993.
- ^ Nan, Huai-Chin. To Realize Enlightenment: Practice of the Cultivation Path. York Beach: Samuel Weiser, 1994.
- ^ Shi, Hong. "The Conversations of Nan Huai-chin and Peter Senge". William Bodri.
