As far as I know, the concept of the Universal Mind (一心, yixin) was first coined in the 'Awakening of Faith'.
In studying Zongmi, Yanshou, Chinul and Wonhyo, I found different translations such as: Universal Mind, All-encompassing mind, One Mind, One Nature, Pure Nature.
Some say it is synonymous with mind-nature (xinxing).
But neither alternative translations nor synonymous tell me what it is.
In studying Yongming Yanshou systematically, I have come to identify what he says it is, its characteristics, and its functions. **The issue is that it ends up being identified with so many phenomena that it becomes confusing.**
Its entity:
1. The dharmadhatu
2. The mind of suchness
3. The mind of arising and ceasing
4. A mind that is unperturbed and enters the dhyanas
5. A mind that arises in dependence upon practicing concentration and contemplation
6. The mind that is transmitted from a Chan patriarch to another patriarch
Its characteristics: 1. The origin of nature and characteristics 2. The basis of all things 3. A phenomena in which pure and impure, samsara and thusness intersect 4. A principle that unifies all the teachings of the buddha 5. The great tenet 6. The grand progenitor 7. The source of all truth 8. ‘Universal’ in that it includes mundane and supermundane dharmas.
Its function: 1. Illuminating the myriad dharmas as if reflected in a mirror. 2. Entering the dhyanas. 3. Producing prajna. 4. Perfecting [the actualization of] cessation. 5. Perfecting observation. The best explanation I have found so far explains that the One Mind is identified with so many phenomena because it is all of them. **Do you know of a more more detailed account, a clear explanation, or an authoritative reference?** In 'Wŏnhyo’s Theory of One Mind', Eun-su Cho says: > The One Mind is an evolution and merger of the concepts of > ālaya-vijñāna and tathāgatagarbha. It is a well-known fact that the > ālayavijñāna and the tathāgatagarbha originate from different branches > of Buddhist thought. The womb of the Tathāgata is a concept developed > from the optimistic idea that any sentient being has the possibility > of becoming a Buddha, a concept already described since early Buddhism > as the “innately pure mind.” And: > The One Mind is at times equivalent to ālayavijñāna, to the > tathāgatagarbha, or to original enlightenment, but its characteristics > contain the attributes of all. The One Mind represents an optimistic > and all-encompassing philosophy of the mind, surpassing both > ālayavijñāna and tathāgatagarbha. Additionally, the One Mind possesses > the meanings of unity and concentration.
Its characteristics: 1. The origin of nature and characteristics 2. The basis of all things 3. A phenomena in which pure and impure, samsara and thusness intersect 4. A principle that unifies all the teachings of the buddha 5. The great tenet 6. The grand progenitor 7. The source of all truth 8. ‘Universal’ in that it includes mundane and supermundane dharmas.
Its function: 1. Illuminating the myriad dharmas as if reflected in a mirror. 2. Entering the dhyanas. 3. Producing prajna. 4. Perfecting [the actualization of] cessation. 5. Perfecting observation. The best explanation I have found so far explains that the One Mind is identified with so many phenomena because it is all of them. **Do you know of a more more detailed account, a clear explanation, or an authoritative reference?** In 'Wŏnhyo’s Theory of One Mind', Eun-su Cho says: > The One Mind is an evolution and merger of the concepts of > ālaya-vijñāna and tathāgatagarbha. It is a well-known fact that the > ālayavijñāna and the tathāgatagarbha originate from different branches > of Buddhist thought. The womb of the Tathāgata is a concept developed > from the optimistic idea that any sentient being has the possibility > of becoming a Buddha, a concept already described since early Buddhism > as the “innately pure mind.” And: > The One Mind is at times equivalent to ālayavijñāna, to the > tathāgatagarbha, or to original enlightenment, but its characteristics > contain the attributes of all. The One Mind represents an optimistic > and all-encompassing philosophy of the mind, surpassing both > ālayavijñāna and tathāgatagarbha. Additionally, the One Mind possesses > the meanings of unity and concentration.
Asked by Tenzin Dorje
(4976 rep)
May 28, 2018, 05:49 PM
Last activity: May 28, 2018, 11:10 PM
Last activity: May 28, 2018, 11:10 PM