the power of recitation

How dare I walk under the sunlight? Please stay here for a short while, so that I may have a chance to learn from you." replied; "It is not my ability, but the powers of the Buddhas." He left the temple immediately.18

The controversy over the preference of philosophy or practice in religious quest is a well known problem in many traditions. This dramatic confrontation is the most full and illustrative account of such a problem. Here the preference of recitation over philosophical understanding is explicitly demonstrated. Tao Hsuan, the historian who wrote the biography on this matter, was a serious scholar himself. He seemed quite disturbed by this anti-intellectual account. In order to balance this, he wrote a pointed comment at the end of the chapter. He pointed out that, "the hindrance of Tao arises from the function of the mind. Tao is free from obstruction yet obstruction is able to hinder understandings of Tao. How can one view much learning as the hindrance of Tao?"19 The historian considered that various means of Buddhism are aimed to cure corresponding spiritual diseases if one's mind is not enlightened by philosophical studies, it is equally possible that recitation may not work as well. Although the present author does not wish to enter into the dispute between philosophers and religious historians at this point, it is interesting to note that this dramatic confrontation has already taken place in medieval China.

(C)

The biography of the eminent monks collected during the Sung period contained the largest number of reciters. The scriptures, which produced the power through recitation, had been increased by a few with The Lotus Sutra, The Diamond Sutra and the Pure Land scriptures as the major texts. The supernatural effects of recitation also seemed to increase during the period.

The most dramatic assertion of super natural powers of recitation are the escape from death, and the exception of punishment after death. The most effective scripture in this regard is the Diamond Sutra. The biography of Hung Cheng is one of the best examples of this effect: Since his recovery from a chronic illness, this monk vowed to recite The Diamond Sutra twenty times daily. Once when he was reciting the text in the night, there was another monk who meditated in the next room. The monk saw that there were two ghost messengers who came to the room with some documents in their hands. The ghost messengers talked between themselves saying that they were ordered to take monk Hung Cheng’s life. The other messenger said, "He is reciting The Diamond Sutra of Perfections of Wisdom in his heart and there is a great and extraordinary spirit which stays beside and protects him. It is impossible for us to approach the monk." Being afraid because of their inability to accomplish their duty within the given time the two messengers went away and captured "the spirit of another monk who happened to be called by the same name. The next morning, the monk who witnessed the strange, incident inquired into the matter and found indeed that there was another monk by the same name who had passed away the previous night. Because of this, the witness himself changed from the Pure Land Text to The Diamond Sutra for recitation.20

A more dramatic story of this power is found in the life of the monk San-tao. Before his renunciation of the household life, he had secretly memorized The Diamond Sutra. He had hidden the scripture in a bamboo tube and carried it in his cloth. Once he was forced to serve as a junior officer of the army. He disliked this job and escaped. After a short while he was captured and sentenced to death as a punishment for his desertion. At the time of execution, the executioner thrice attempted to chop off his head, but the knife broke in each attempt. When questioned about this he said that the power must have come from the scripture. In order to ascertain the matter, the field was searched, and the bamboo tube, which contained the scripture was found. There were three knife chop marks on the tube. The commander was surprised by the event, so he released him and allowed the man to become a monk.21

In one case, the scripture is claimed to possess an effect on the rebirth of birds. It is said that a certain monk named Ming-tu was well versed in the three deeds, scriptural, meditative and disciplinary cultivations, and has recited The Diamond Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom. Toward the end of the Chen Kuan era (627-649), he lived in a monastery and fed two young pigeons, which had a nest in the building. The young pigeons died from their first flight and were buried by the monk. About ten days or so later, two babies came and told him in a dream: "We were two small things born from eggs. We are very grateful and happy to report that we will be reborn as human beings because of the power of your recitation and blessings. Our new family, is about 10 Li east of here." The monk remembered these words. Ten months later, he visited the family and found that twins were born in that house. Hence the monk named the babies "Pigeon boys".22

III

The stories mentioned above clearly established the fact that recitation is one of the most powerful means in Chinese Buddhism more pronounced as time passed on. The evolution of scriptures recited is more significant, as it can be regarded as a barommeter of Chinese Buddhism. It indicates the ups and downs of doctrines and religious practices during this period. In the early period, scriptures related to the life of Buddha were high on the list of recitation. The Lotus Sutra became prominent during the middle of the period and had a lasting effect. The Flower Garland Sutra had a similar position. The emergence of The Diamond Sutra was very dramatic during the later part of the period as were also the scriptures of the Pure Land movement. It is of great interest to not that The Diamond Sutra seemed more popular among Buddhist monks, not merely as doctrinal, but more so in practice. Some extraordinary claims have been made on the power that this text had in rescuing one from death.

The claim of supernatural power of recitation may be disputable among scholars as well as sectarians, yet one point has clearly emerged from this paper, and it was a very popular phenomenon in Chinese Buddhism. It began long before the nien-fo movement of Pure Land which is well-known for its chanting of Buddha's name. From an insider's viewpoint, the power of recitation is extremely great, and in certain cases, it is claimed to be even more powerful and preferable than either a philosophical understanding or the excellence in moral disciplines.