• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.29
• /
• pp.281-309
• /
• 2010

The aim of this paper is to investigate the origin of prajñāpāramitā thought in Platform-Sutra, because the practices such as No-thought(無念)·No-image(無相)·No-staying(無住), Samadhi for one act(一行三昧), Seating meditation(坐禪) and Non- distinction of calmness and wisdom(定慧一體) are consolidated into the practice of prajñāpāramitā. The practice of No-thought, No-image and No-staying means an absolute stage which cannot be described in words. It is another expression of prajñā-samadhi or practice of prajñā -pāramitā whose concepts originate from Diamond-Sūtra, Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra, Mahāparinibbāna-sūtra, and Mahāprajñā-pāramitā-Sūtra. Samadhi for one act is to have an insight into the original nature in everyday life, which is a new development of practicing prajñāpāramitā. Seating meditation is another form of expression of Sudden Enlightenment to see into one's original nature(頓悟見性) through practicing prajñāpāramitā. This can be said a new kind of mixture of Buddhadhātu thought and prajñāpāramitā thought. Therefore prajñāpāramitā thought in Platform Sutra comes from Buddhadhātu thought and prajñāpāramitā thought. Those two thoughts consolidated in Platform Sutra, made the starting point of Zen Buddhism. At the same time, they further continued to be systemized into the thought of Zen Buddhism and eventually into the conclusion of Zen sect of Chinese Buddhism.