三彌勒經疏 1.7

1.7

Third, regarding single and multiple editions of the sūtra texts: herein, first differentiate single and multiple editions, and then distinguish the authentic from the apocryphal. To discuss single and multiple editions: The Ascent Sūtra in eight sheets was translated by Juqu Jingsheng, Marquis of Anyang under the Northern Liang. The Descent Sūtra in nine sheets was translated by Kumārajīva at Baoyin Monastery in Yuzhang during the third year of Chengsheng of the Jin. The Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra in seventeen sheets was translated by Dharmarakṣa of the Western Jin. In the Hongshi era of the Later Qin, Kumārajīva translated the Descent Sūtra in six sheets, though titled Maitreya Receives the Prediction. There was also a translation by another person titled Sūtra of Maitreya’s Time of Attainment, but it was in three sheets and its phrasing was considered deficient, so the earlier text was preserved. These works called the Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra in seventeen sheets, the Descent Sūtra in six sheets, and the Sūtra of the Time of Attainment in three sheets were translated in the fourth year of Hongshi, being the second production. The Song Catalogue says: 'The Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra in seventeen sheets, the Descent Sūtra in six sheets, and the Sūtra of the Time of Attainment in three sheets are different translations of the same text.' However, it does not speak of the Hongshi sūtras. These seventeen-sheet, six-sheet, and three-sheet [texts] are largely the same as Dharmarakṣa's translation with minor differences; see the Catalogue of the Two Qin. Shi Daobiao of Chang'an translated the Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra, which is the third translation. In the Qi period, in Jiangnan, the śramaṇa Daozheng later cut off the beginning and end, naming it Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra, and also calling it Descent Sūtra; yet the head of that sūtra has 'Great Wisdom Śāriputra'. Master Ji says: 'The Descent Sūtra itself has two texts. The larger has "Thus have I heard", translated by Dharmarakṣa of the Jin; the smaller has "Great Wisdom Śāriputra", translated by Kumārajīva of the Jin.' Ancient authorities said the translators were different; Master Ji says: 'The larger has its three divisions, whereas that which lacks the introductory division is simply an abbreviated recitation.' In summary, the first is a single edition, and the latter two are multiple editions, because the Descent Sūtra was translated twice and the Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra was translated three times. Next, distinguishing the authentic from the apocryphal: these three sūtras are all authentic and not apocryphal. This concludes the explanation of the third topic. Now, setting aside digressive discussions, let us further examine secondary issues.