“There is no future for Buddhism if we only rely on monks. “This is because if the monk passes away, the source of support will disappear.”
Lee Jung-pyo (71, philosophy), professor emeritus at Chonnam National University, whom I met at his home in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul on the 12th, said this when asked why it took 16 years to publish the first Korean Buddhist scriptures, ‘Bulgyeong (SUTTA)’. ‘Buddhist Sutra’ is a Korean translation of ‘Nikaya’ and ‘Aham Sutra’, which contain teachings directly preached by the Buddha among the numerous Buddhist scriptures. He said, “Most religions have scriptures that anyone can easily read, but it was very unfortunate that Buddhism relies on Buddhist statues without Buddhist scriptures.”
―There are many sutras, including the Diamond Sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra, but what does it mean to say that there are no Buddhist sutras?
“The Sutra containing the Buddha’s words or teachings, the Vinaya containing the precepts, and the discourses in which the Buddha’s disciples discussed the Sutra and the Vinaya are called the Tripitaka. After Buddha’s Nirvana, there was a movement to systematize and theorize the teachings, and in this process, many treatises were created that did not properly understand the Buddha’s teachings. So, the Mahayana Buddhist movement arose to reveal the true face of Buddhism again. As a result, another book containing numerous interpretations, explanations, and annotations was published, and the scriptures we know by name, such as the Diamond Sutra, were created.”
―The Tripitaka Koreana is the collection of all of them.
“The Tripitaka Koreana is a compilation of all of the things mentioned above and even related literature created in China. As a result, there is too much overlap and there are also different interpretations of the same content. The Tripitaka Koreana is so vast that one would not be able to read it all even if one were to read it in a lifetime. “It cannot be used as a scripture that people, especially ordinary believers, read.”
―Is there a reason why you chose ‘Nikaya’ and ‘Aham Sutra’ among the many sutras?
“Buddha always told his disciples, ‘Take the teachings as your lamp and refuge, and do not use anything else as your refuge.’ After the Buddha’s death, his teachings were passed down orally by his disciples and then written down in later generations. However, as the Buddhist denomination split, what was written in Pali in the south was called Nikaya, and what was written in Sanskrit in the north was translated into Chinese characters and left behind was called Aham Sutra. There is only a difference in the letters, so the content is almost the same. “I thought it would be difficult for the Mahayana scriptures created after Buddha’s nirvana to become common Buddhist scriptures for everyone because they are not the Buddha’s direct teachings.”
―Korean Buddhism emphasizes enlightenment more due to the influence of Zen Buddhism.
“As Korean Buddhism inherited the teachings of Hyeneng, the Sixth Patriarch, a Zen monk during the Tang Dynasty, the mystical aspect of enlightenment has received too much attention. As a result, studying the scriptures is often seen as a kind of preliminary step to doing good deeds. Moreover, since our Buddhism is Mahayana Buddhism, not many people study the Aham Sutra as Theravada Buddhism. I don’t think you can achieve enlightenment without studying. Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch, was also a person who studied a lot, but it is a pity that this aspect is not mentioned often. “What kind of practice can I achieve by reciting Chinese character scriptures without even knowing what they mean?”
-I went back to being a monk this January.
“I became a monk when I was 19, but I returned to secular life in my late 20s because I wanted to study Buddhism more academically. It’s not easy to just study when you’re at a temple. As I am finishing this book, I plan to do various things in the future, such as holding a Buddhist service using this ‘Buddhist sutra’ and developing a spiritual practice program. It is also something I have to do as a monk, so I became a monk again and received the Buddhist name ’Junggagak’. It’s back to where it came from. ha ha ha.”
Reporter Lee Jin-gu [email protected]
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What are the key differences between the Tripitaka Koreana and other Buddhist scriptures?
This article provides insight into the complexities of Buddhist scriptures, particularly focusing on the Tripitaka Koreana and the significance of the Nikaya and Aham Sutra. The Tripitaka Koreana is a vast compilation of Buddhist texts that reflects the diverse interpretations and teachings developed over centuries. However, the sheer volume and complexity of these scriptures can make it difficult for ordinary practitioners to engage deeply with the teachings.
Professor Lee Jung-pyo discusses the historical context following the Buddha’s death, highlighting how the movement toward systematizing and theorizing the Buddha’s teachings led to the emergence of various texts, including those of the Mahayana tradition. He expresses concern that the later Mahayana texts may not hold the same authority as the original teachings attributed directly to the Buddha.
The professor emphasizes the importance of studying foundational texts like the Nikaya and Aham Sutra, which represent the original teachings preserved in different languages—Pali for the Nikaya and Sanskrit for the Aham Sutra. He argues that understanding these scriptures is crucial for genuine enlightenment and critiques the modern tendency to reduce Buddhist practice to mere recitation without comprehension.
Moreover, he reflects on his personal journey, having returned to monastic life to more deeply engage with and share the teachings of Buddhism. His desire to create accessible spiritual practices for a contemporary audience underscores the ongoing relevance of Buddhist teachings in today’s world.
the article highlights the complexity of Buddhist scriptures, the importance of foundational texts, and the personal commitment of individuals like Professor Lee to fostering understanding and practice within the tradition.