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At age 40, Wáng began to read about Buddhism, starting with the ''Huáyán Sūtra'' 華嚴經. He was unable to understand it, so he began to study under Yíguāng 怡光 of Kāiyuán Temple [[開元寺]] with whom he developed a strong friendship. | At age 40, Wáng began to read about Buddhism, starting with the ''Huáyán Sūtra'' 華嚴經. He was unable to understand it, so he began to study under Yíguāng 怡光 of Kāiyuán Temple [[開元寺]] with whom he developed a strong friendship. | ||
| - | In [[1921]], Wáng published his most famous work, ''Mìzōng gāngyào'' 密宗綱要 (Essentials of the Esoteric School), which was a translation of a work by a Japanese Shingon 真言 priest, Gonda Raifu [[權田雷斧]] (1846-1934). Wáng's work attracted Gonda's attention, in in | + | In [[1921]], Wáng published his most famous work, ''Mìzōng gāngyào'' 密宗綱要 (Essentials of the Esoteric School), which was a translation of a work by a Japanese Shingon 真言 priest, Gonda Raifu [[權田雷斧]] (1846-1934). Wáng's work attracted Gonda's attention, in in May, [[1924]], Gonda and several of his colleagues came to Kāiyuán Temple in Cháozhōu to transmit their brand of Esoteric Buddhism. Wáng received both of the two levels of ''abiṣeka'' 灌頂, or esoteric initiation, at that time. For this occasion he wrote ‘’Jìnggào hǎinèi fóxuéjiā shū'' 敬告海內佛學家書 (Letter of Proclamation to all the Buddhist Scholars in China). |
It was at this time that Wáng began to come into conflict with Tàixū [[太虛]], who was critical of the lifestyles led by Japanese Buddhist priests, and the loose behavioral standards that esoteric Buddhism seemed to imply. Tàixū was especially nonplussed by Wáng's assertion that lay Buddhists can give ''abiṣeka'' to ordained Buddhists. Wáng also attracted the criticisms of many other Buddhists at the time, such as Fǎfǎng [[法舫]], and Yìnguāng [[印光]], for his de-emphasis of the Buddhist precepts. Their criticisms can also be seen in how Wáng is treated by the historian of modern Chinese Buddhism, Shì Dōngchū [[東初]].<ref>{{ZFJS}} Pp. 426-433.</ref> | It was at this time that Wáng began to come into conflict with Tàixū [[太虛]], who was critical of the lifestyles led by Japanese Buddhist priests, and the loose behavioral standards that esoteric Buddhism seemed to imply. Tàixū was especially nonplussed by Wáng's assertion that lay Buddhists can give ''abiṣeka'' to ordained Buddhists. Wáng also attracted the criticisms of many other Buddhists at the time, such as Fǎfǎng [[法舫]], and Yìnguāng [[印光]], for his de-emphasis of the Buddhist precepts. Their criticisms can also be seen in how Wáng is treated by the historian of modern Chinese Buddhism, Shì Dōngchū [[東初]].<ref>{{ZFJS}} Pp. 426-433.</ref> | ||
Wáng Hóngyuàn 王弘願 (1876-1937)
Courtesy name: Shīyù 師愈
Style name 號: Layman Yuánwǔ 圓五居士 Dharma name 法名: Hóngyuàn 弘願 |
| Notable Associates:
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| Erik Hammerstrom |
A lay Buddhist of the Republican period, and an important, but highly controversial, proponent of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism 東密.
Biography
When young, he received a traditional Confucian education. He received the Xiùcái 秀才 degree when he was 23 (1899). He taught at the Cháozhōu Middle School 潮州中學堂 for eight years, becoming principle after the founding of the Republic, though he left this position soon thereafter. He eventually returned to Cháozhōu Middle School to teach.
At age 40, Wáng began to read about Buddhism, starting with the Huáyán Sūtra 華嚴經. He was unable to understand it, so he began to study under Yíguāng 怡光 of Kāiyuán Temple 開元寺 with whom he developed a strong friendship.
In 1921, Wáng published his most famous work, Mìzōng gāngyào 密宗綱要 (Essentials of the Esoteric School), which was a translation of a work by a Japanese Shingon 真言 priest, Gonda Raifu 權田雷斧 (1846-1934). Wáng's work attracted Gonda's attention, in in May, 1924, Gonda and several of his colleagues came to Kāiyuán Temple in Cháozhōu to transmit their brand of Esoteric Buddhism. Wáng received both of the two levels of abiṣeka 灌頂, or esoteric initiation, at that time. For this occasion he wrote ‘’Jìnggào hǎinèi fóxuéjiā shū 敬告海內佛學家書 (Letter of Proclamation to all the Buddhist Scholars in China).
It was at this time that Wáng began to come into conflict with Tàixū 太虛, who was critical of the lifestyles led by Japanese Buddhist priests, and the loose behavioral standards that esoteric Buddhism seemed to imply. Tàixū was especially nonplussed by Wáng's assertion that lay Buddhists can give abiṣeka to ordained Buddhists. Wáng also attracted the criticisms of many other Buddhists at the time, such as Fǎfǎng 法舫, and Yìnguāng 印光, for his de-emphasis of the Buddhist precepts. Their criticisms can also be seen in how Wáng is treated by the historian of modern Chinese Buddhism, Shì Dōngchū 東初.[1]
In 1926, Wáng traveled to Japan and became a 49th-generation Ācārya 阿闍梨 (or teacher) in the Shingon school. Upon his return to China, he gave esoteric initiation to thousands in Cháozhōu, Guǎngzhōu 廣州, Hong Kong, and Shàntóu 汕頭.
He became much less active after 1931.
Important Works
Notable Students
Notes
References: