加持

Readings

Pinyin: jiāchí

Wade-Giles: chia-ch'ih

Hangul: 가지

Korean MC: gaji

Korean MR: kaji

Katakana: カジ

Hepburn: kaji

gia trì

assistance

• Blessings, grace, empowerment. A term commonly seen used in esoteric Buddhism, referring to the compassion of the Buddha, which one may depend upon. It often implies the application of prayer or ritual, to which the Buddha responds. It can also mean to simply aid, or support. This term also appears in vinaya rituals, where one asks for the support of buddhas and bodhisattvas in keeping vows (Skt. adhiṣṭhāna, adhi-ṣthā, adhiṣṭhita, sam-adhi-ṣthā, abhimantrita; Pāli adhiṭṭhāna). adhiṣṭhāna is transliterated as 地瑟娓曩.

  In the case of the three bodies it is precisely the salvific mediation between the world and enlightenment which is emphasized; their emptiness is secondary. The emphasis on the transformative and teaching function of the bodhisattva is closely aligned with the three-body scheme and particularly with the saṃbhogakāya 報身, which, in turn, is connected with the idea of adhiṣṭhāna. The term adhiṣṭhāna has its roots in the Pāli scriptures where adhitthana iddhi is the power of the Buddha's self-multiplication. It is found throughout the Mahāyāna and has a range of meanings. These include decision, resolution, self-determination, to stand on or insist on, basis, to oversee, a residence or abode, and a benediction. Its basic meaning seems to be to take a stand or position, in its metaphorical and literal senses, as well as to provide a basis for, as in benediction. This "basis" is the foundation for transcendent wisdom's existence in the world. It indicates, to borrow a convenient phrase, "a place on which to stand," as well as the stand taken. (from Orzech, 1998)

  Orzech further refers to the discussion of adhiṣṭhāna given by Suzuki in his Studies of the Laṅkâvatāra-sūtra, pp. 202–205. [resp. Charles Muller, Charles Jones; source(s): Nakamura, Soothill, JEBD, Hirakawa, Iwanami, C. Orzech]
• In Esoteric Buddhism, this also signifies establishing a stable link with a deity. In the meditations on the stūpa of five cakras 五輪塔, in which one initially focuses on the earth element in oneself and in the diety, and then the water element, and so on, the adhiṣṭhāna signifies the identification with the deity has been achieved. Kūkai's explanation: "Kaji 加持 refers to the Great Compassion of the Tathāgata and the mind of faith of sentient beings. Ka means the reflection of the Buddha Sun in the water of the minds of sentient beings, and ji means the sadhaka's mind that "retains" the Buddha Sun." (translation by Adrian Snodgrass, 1988, p. 35) [resp. Dan Lusthaus]

• References:

  OrzechCharles DPolitics and Transcendent Wisdom: The Scripture for Humane Kings in the Creation of Chinese BuddhismUniversity Park, PAPennsylvania State University Press1998

  SnodgrassAdrianThe Matrix and Diamond World Mandalas in Shingon BuddhismNew DelhiAditya Prakashan1988

  SuzukiD. T.Studies in the Laṅkâvatāra SutraLondonRoutledge1930

  [resp. Charles Muller]

Dictionary References:

Bukkyō jiten (Ui), 116

Bulgyo sajeon, 8a

Zengaku daijiten (Komazawa U.), 158a

Iwanami bukkyō jiten, 117

Japanese-English Buddhist Dictionary (Daitō shuppansha), 157b/174

Bukkyōgo daijiten (Nakamura), 146a

Fo Guang Dictionary, 1572

Ding Fubao

Buddhist Chinese-Sanskrit Dictionary (Hirakawa), 0201

Bukkyō daijiten (Mochizuki), (v.1-6)436b

Bukkyō daijiten (Oda), 195-1

(Soothill's) Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms, 167

Copyright © 2010 -- Charles Muller

generated: 2013-09-19