Kukai: Major Works (Translations from the Asian Classics)

"Kūkai: Major Works" is a comprehensive collection of the writings of Kūkai (774-835 CE), also known as Kōbō Daishi, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism in Japan. Kūkai was a scholar, poet, and religious reformer whose influence on Japanese culture, religion, and education remains profound.

This volume brings together some of Kūkai’s most important texts, offering insights into his teachings on esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō), his philosophical ideas, and his vision for the integration of spiritual practice and scholarly learning. Among the included works are his "Ten Stages of Mind," which outlines a hierarchical progression of spiritual understanding, and "The Secret Key to the Heart Sūtra," where he expounds on the deeper meanings of this key Buddhist scripture.

Kūkai's writings emphasize the unity of all things and the possibility of realizing enlightenment in this very life through esoteric practices such as mantra, mudra, and visualization. His teachings also explore the nature of language, the relationship between the body and mind, and the cosmic symbolism that is central to Shingon Buddhism.

"Kūkai: Major Works" is an essential resource for those interested in Japanese Buddhism, esoteric traditions, and the history of religious thought in East Asia. This collection provides a thorough introduction to the ideas and practices that have shaped the spiritual landscape of Japan for centuries.

Product Details:

• ISBN: 0231059337
• EAN: 9780231059336
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
  
• Binding: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 1984
• Pub Date: May 14, 1984
• Physical Info: 2.29 cms H x 22.61 cms L x 15.24 cms W (0.48 kgs), 303 pages