The Lankavatara Sutra in Modern English Volume2: Featuring Three Foundational Chinese Translations and Two Key Commentaries

The Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra (楞伽経) is a profound and influential Mahāyāna Buddhist text. Exploring consciousness, reality, and enlightenment, it significantly shaped Buddhist philosophy, especially Chan (Zen) in East Asia. Its teachings on cittamātra (mind-only), tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature), and non-duality continue to inspire. The Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra's journey into China involved several key translations. This volume offers modern English renderings of core sūtra texts from Chinese recensions and key classical commentaries that illuminated its teachings. It aims to be a comprehensive resource for contemporary readers to engage with the Laṅkāvatāra tradition. Included texts are: 1. 楞伽阿跋多羅宝経 (Léngqié Ābáduōluó Bǎojīng) - The Jewel Sūtra of the Appearance of the Laṅkā ("Four-Fascicle Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra") Formation: The earliest extant complete Chinese translation, from a Sanskrit text compiled c. 4th-5th C. CE, crucial for early transmission to China. Compiler: Original Sanskrit attributed to the Buddha, later compiled by Mahāyāna scholar-monks. Translator: Guṇabhadra (求那跋陀羅), c. 443 CE (Liu Song). Influential in early Chan, associated with Bodhidharma. 2. 入楞伽経 (Rù Léngqié Jīng) - The Sūtra of Entering Laṅkā ("Ten-Fascicle Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra") Formation: A different, possibly more expansive Sanskrit recension than Guṇabhadra's, offering a detailed exposition. Compiler: From the Indian Mahāyāna tradition. Translator: Bodhiruci (菩提流支), c. 513 CE (Northern Wei). An alternative textual witness. 3. 大乗入楞伽経 (Dàshèng Rù Léngqié Jīng) - The Mahāyāna Sūtra of Entering Laṅkā ("Seven-Fascicle Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra") Formation: Considered the most polished, complete, and philosophically refined Chinese version; standard for later East Asian scholastic study. Compiler: From the Indian Mahāyāna textual tradition. Translator: Śikṣānanda (實叉難陀), 700-704 CE (Tang). Highly regarded for clarity and accuracy, often a basis for modern scholarly work. 4. 入楞伽心玄義 (Rù Léngqié Xīn Xuányì) - Profound Meaning of the Heart of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra Formation: A key commentary elucidating core philosophical tenets, likely based on Śikṣānanda's translation, reflecting Tang Dynasty scholasticism. Author: Huayan patriarch Fazang (法藏, 643-712 CE, Tang). His commentary offers invaluable insights from a Huayan perspective. Comments on: Śikṣānanda's translation. 5. 注大乗入楞伽経 (Zhù Dàshèng Rù Léngqié Jīng) - Commentary on the Mahāyāna Sūtra of Entering Laṅkā Formation: A classical commentary on Śikṣānanda's translation of the Dàshèng Rù Léngqié Jīng, vital for students navigating the sūtra's dense prose. This translation project aims for faithfulness to original meanings in clear, accessible, contemporary English. We hope this collection serves as a valuable resource for readers to explore the transformative wisdom of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra and its rich commentarial tradition. May these teachings illuminate the path to understanding and compassion.