Chapter 8 Approaching the Perfection of Wisdom: Nenghai’s Interpretation of the Ornament of Realization
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Abstract
This chapter examines the translation and interpretation of Tibetan Buddhist commentaries in the early twentieth century in order to explore Chinese Buddhists’ reception of Tibetan Buddhism, focusing on Nenghai’s representation of Ornament of Realization, a treatise central to the Tibetan Buddhist scholarly tradition. From the 1930s to the 1960s, Nenghai translated several commentaries and used them to interpret the Ornament. He used these Tibetan commentaries to clarify doctrinal understanding and address the tensions that he perceived within the Chinese Buddhist community. This chapter analyzes Nenghai’s interpretations, thereby examining his strategy for promoting Tibetan Buddhism to Chinese Buddhists. By comparing the Ornament with other Chinese commentary works, Nenghai argued that Tibetan commentaries would offer a new lens with which to approach the Perfection of Wisdom literature in the Chinese Buddhist canon. He also believed they would help to deepen readers’ understanding of bodhicitta and other important Mahāyāna Buddhist ideas. Nenghai presented the treatise by drawing attention to its revelation of the bodhisattva practice, arguing that it provides useful guides for any person on their spiritual journey toward ultimate enlightenment and further suggesting that Tibetan commentaries serve to illuminate a systematic scheme by which the bodhicitta could be gradually and intentionally nurtured and developed toward the ultimate attainment of full enlightenment. This chapter shows that the translation of Tibetan commentaries did more than fill a gap in the Chinese Buddhist canon. Nenghai’s representation of the standpoints of the Indo-Tibetan masters reflected his understanding of the needs of the Chinese Buddhist community. Nenghai emphasized the efficacy of the perspectives brought by the treatise to the study and understanding of Buddhist teachings. Highlighting the bodhisattva path as a gradual process of learning and cultivation, Nenghai suggested ways to integrate a variety of scriptures into one’s study in order to better guide one’s cultivation.