DDB: 聲字實相義 | True Meaning of the Voiced Syllable

Digital Dictionary of Buddhism

聲字實相義

Pronunciations

Basic Meaning: True Meaning of the Voiced Syllable

Senses:

Shoji jissō gi, 1 fasc., T 2429.77.401–404, by Kūkai 空海 in 817 CE. An examination of esoteric discourse, which begins: "The teaching of the Tathāgata is always by syllables. The syllables exist in the six objects of sense perception which are their body." (Yamasaki, p. 79) 夫如來說法必藉文字。文字所在六塵其體。 Such discourse develops in terms of sound/word/reality, the distilled essence (maṇdā 曼荼) of all sentient beings. Sound is identified as the essential characteristic of resonance 響必申聲, which originates in contacts between the elements. Words depend on sounds; exhalation is the word a 阿字, the name of the Dharma Embodied 法身佛, which stands for non-creation. Then follows a definition of 'true words' (mantra 眞言): "what do these mantras denote? They can denote even the reality of dharmas without error or falsehood. Thus, we call them true words." 此眞言詮何物。能呼諸法實相不謬不妄。故名眞言。 The discussion concludes with a summary in verse: "The five states of matter resonate 五大皆有響 / The ten worlds speak their languages 十界具言語 / The six senses are identical with text 六塵悉文字 / The Dharma Embodied is reality 法身是實相.

References:

Yamasaki, Taikō, Yasuyoshi Morimoto, and David Kidd. 1988. Boston, New York: Shambhala.

[Chinese Buddhist Canonical Attributions Database]

[Iain Sinclair, Achim Bayer]

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[Dictionary References]

Bukkyō jiten (Ui) 563

Iwanami bukkyō jiten 425

Fo Guang Dictionary ?

Bussho kaisetsu daijiten (Ono) ⑤402a*

Bukkyō daijiten (Mochizuki) (v.1-6)2620c

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Entry created: 1997-09-15

Updated: 2018-10-13