DHARMAKSEMA (385-433 CE)

China, unknown date. BQ1743.C5 D53

Dharmaksema (385-433 CE) was a central Indian monk who acted as a translator in China during the early fifth century. The Great Nirvana Sutra was particularly studied in the early period of Chinese Buddhism and was the central text for the Nirvana School. It follows “The Great Discourse on the Great Decease” (Mahaparinbbana Sutta) — a text describing the events leading up to the Buddha’s death and his travels during the last few months of his life — but incorporates new ideas such as the “embryonic Buddha,” teachings on emptiness, and the eternally abiding nature of the Buddhas. The text highly influenced Chinese Buddhism by providing a scriptural basis that all living things have the ability to achieve nirvana, where previously they were thought to have no potential for enlightenment.

Bibliography

Keown, Damien. “Dharmaksema” in A Dictionary on Buddhism. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004). http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198605607.001.0001/acref-9780198605607-e-517

——— “Mahaparinibbana Sutta” in A Dictionary on Buddhism. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004). http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198605607.001.0001/acref-9780198605607-e-1067

——— “Nirvana Sutra” in A Dictionary on Buddhism. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004). http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198605607.001.0001/acref-9780198605607-e-1269

Dharmaksema, Da Bo Nie Pan Jing (Great Nirvana Sutra), China. University of Oregon, Special Collections & University Archives, BQ1743.C5 D53. https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/3uoa1r/CP71110994930001451