Before exploring Tao-sheng and his commentary on the Lotus Sūtra it is necessary to define the meaning of the Chinese word li 理. In his commentary, Tao-sheng repeatedly references li, but what exactly is he pointing at?
The original doctoral thesis upon which Young-Ho Kim’s book, “A Study and Translation: Tao-sheng’s Commentary on the Lotus Sūtra” is based is available for download. (PDF). In addition, Walter Liebenthal published a biography of Tao-sheng in Monumenta Nipponica in October 1955. This too is available for download. (PDF)
I took both PDFs and uploaded them to Google’s NotebookLM. This service allows the user to have an AI assistant analyze specific texts and answer questions based on the content of those texts, which ensures that the answers are limited to the facts at hand and not based on wider and perhaps unreliable sources. I’ve tested this before. See Understanding Kaji Kito.
Tao-sheng’s commentary on Kumārajīva’s translation of the Lotus Sutra was completed in 432 CE, two years before he died. Kumārajīva completed his translation in 406 CE. Tao-sheng’s commentary is the earliest one to survive to this date.
How does Tao-sheng’s philosophy differ from the Chinese Taoist and New Taoist philosophy of his day?
The NotebookLM offered this bottom line:
Overall, Tao-sheng’s philosophy represents a unique synthesis of Buddhist thought with elements of Chinese philosophical language and concepts. While he borrows from the vocabulary of Taoism and Neo-Taoism, his system ultimately centers on the Buddhist goal of enlightenment and universal salvation, differentiating him from the dominant philosophical trends of his day.
On the question of li, NotebookLM summarizes Tao-sheng’s perspective saying:
Tao-sheng’s definition of li is not presented as a clear-cut definition but emerges from his application of the term in his commentary on the Lotus Sutra. He sees li as the underlying principle of Buddhist teachings, the object of enlightenment, and a reality that is both particular and universal. He associates li with profoundness, transcendence, and omnipresence. While advocating sudden enlightenment, he also acknowledges the possibility of a gradual process of realization. His use of li reflects a sophisticated attempt to synthesize Buddhist teachings with Chinese philosophical concepts.
When asked “What is li?”, NotebookLM responded:
Li in Tao-sheng’s Commentary on the Lotus Sutra
The term li 理 is central to Tao-sheng’s commentary on the Lotus Sutra, appearing 139 times throughout the text. It’s a complex concept with a range of meanings, reflecting both Buddhist teachings and Tao-sheng’s engagement with Chinese philosophy, particularly Neo-Taoism. The sources suggest that Tao-sheng does not offer a concise definition of li. Instead, its significance unfolds through how he employs the term to illuminate the Lotus Sutra.Li as a Tool for Understanding
- Li acts as a lens through which to understand the deeper meaning and intent behind the Buddha’s words in the Lotus Sutra.
- Tao-sheng uses li to reveal the essential principles and truths embedded within the text, emphasizing that comprehending li is crucial for attaining enlightenment.
Li as the Underlying Reality
- Tao-sheng portrays li as a profound, often elusive, reality that underlies the world of appearances.
- He suggests li is both particular and universal, echoing the Neo-Taoist thinkers Wang Bi and Guo Xiang.
- Just as Wang Bi recognized a universal li and Guo Xiang focused on the particular li of individual things, Tao-sheng seems to bridge these two perspectives.
- In the context of the Lotus Sutra, li signifies the ultimate reality that encompasses and harmonizes the seemingly diverse teachings of the Buddha, representing the unity of the three vehicles and the One Vehicle.
- Tao-sheng also connects li with the Buddhist concept of the Dharma-kāya, suggesting its omnipresent and formless nature.
Li and Language
- Given the profound nature of li, Tao-sheng acknowledges the limitations of language in fully expressing it.
- He compares words to “fishnets and traps,” useful for guiding people towards li but ultimately discarded once the goal is reached.
- Despite their limitations, words and symbols remain essential, particularly for those who have yet to realize li.
Li as the Object of Enlightenment
- Tao-sheng directly links the realization of li with enlightenment, distinguishing his view from Neo-Taoism, where li may be a philosophical principle but not necessarily the target of spiritual practice.
- He uses terms like “perceive,” “trace to the end,” “know,” “penetrate,” and “comprehend” to describe the process of realizing li.
- This suggests a noetic path to enlightenment, involving both understanding and direct experience.
Li and the Path to Enlightenment
- While Tao-sheng is known for his advocacy of sudden enlightenment, his commentary on the Lotus Sutra reveals a more complex perspective.
- He acknowledges that grasping li may involve a gradual process of refining one’s understanding and purifying the mind.
- This apparent contradiction might reflect Tao-sheng’s attempt to harmonize the Lotus Sutra’s teachings on both gradual cultivation and sudden insight with the philosophical context of his time.
Key Characteristics of Li in Tao-sheng’s Commentary
- Underlying Principle: Li represents the essence of the Buddha’s teachings in the Lotus Sutra.
- Ultimate Reality: Li points to a profound reality that underlies the world of appearances.
- Both Particular and Universal: Li encompasses both specific truths and a unifying principle.
- Object of Enlightenment: Realizing li is equivalent to attaining enlightenment.
- Beyond Language: Li cannot be fully captured by words, yet language serves as a provisional guide.
- Path to Enlightenment: Grasping li can involve both sudden insight and gradual cultivation.
Tao-sheng’s use of li showcases his skill in weaving together Buddhist concepts with existing Chinese philosophical language to make the teachings of the Lotus Sutra accessible and meaningful for a Chinese audience.
As I incorporate Tao-sheng’s commentary into my annotations on the Lotus Sutra, I will link each occurrence of the word li back to the above explanation.