Living Yogacara_ An Introduction to Consciousness-only Buddhism

Abstract

in recent years, Japan has seen a noticeable interest developing in the indian and post-indian forms of buddhism that served as the backdrop for the formation of the Heian and Kamakura buddhism. The general public has come to understand that there are doctrinal teachings of buddhism upon which such foundational Japanese masters as Kūkai and saichō, shinran, dōgen, and nichiren greatly relied in making their own impact on their local formof the tradition.one of these buddhist doctrinal systems that originates in india is that of Yogācāra buddhism—commonly referred to in East asia as “consciousness-only buddhism.” The indian buddhist schools of abhidharma and Yogācāra together form a extremely detailed and complex scholarly system. To indicate the difficulties involved in learning these two extremely complex buddhist doctrinal systems, there is an old saying, “Yogācāra three years,abhidharma eight years,” reflecting the amount of time it is thought to take to truly master these two systems. although Yogācāra buddhism is a notoriously complex doctrinal system, at the same time it is a straightforward and realistic teaching that offersmuch that we can draw upon for application to our daily lives.However, due to its complexity, truly accessible introductory works written on the topic have been few and far between: detailed complexity and simplicity don’t go so well with each other. despite the difficulties to be seen in putting together a good introductory work on Yogācāra, Japanese specialists in this area have made efforts to compose and publish some relatively easy introductory works for public consumption, which has in turn led to an increase in interest on the part of general readers. nonetheless, we still often hear complaints from readers that these books are too difficult, and it is thus in response to these voices that i have endeavored to write a book that avoids discussion of hair-splitting details, and which, in as simple a language as possible, provides an introductory account of the basic Yogācāra teachings. While Yogācāramay on one hand be characterized as nothingmore than the extended study of basic buddhist doctrine, it is also something that is complete as a single religious systemin itself. Therefore, in teaching about Yogācāra, it is notmerelymy intention to select a list of essential items and explain how these are experienced in the course of living one’s daily living. Rather, it is my intention to explain the religious significance of these teachings, and exactly how, as a whole, they can be appropriated and applied in our daily lives. This does not mean that this is the only way the book is to be read—i think that this is something that needs to be tried and tested by each reader from his own standpoint. one should be able to gain personal access to the Yogācāra teachingswhile at the same time apply thesewithin the framework of understanding buddhism that one has developed heretofore. if this book can in any way help to facilitate such an approach, i will be very grateful.