Table of Contents
Yixing (一行, 673–727 CE) / "One line" / "Single practice"
This query has entries in the MITRA Lexicon: Sanskrit (35) (https://dictionary.dharmamitra.org/?q=%E4%B8%80%E8%A1%8C&par=sa&ui=en), Tibetan (35) (https://dictionary.dharmamitra.org/?q=%E4%B8%80%E8%A1%8C&par=bo&ui=en)
Translation
Yixing (一行, 673–727 CE) / “One line” / “Single practice”
Analysis and Introduction
The Chinese term 一行 (Yīxíng) holds several prominent meanings within East Asian Buddhism and classical literature:
The Eminent Monk and Polymath Yixing (一行, 673–727 CE): In historical and esoteric Buddhist traditions, Yixing is the renowned Tang dynasty master of Zhenyan (True Word / Esoteric Buddhism), astronomer, mathematician, and calendar specialist. Together with the Indian master Śubhakarasiṃha (善無畏, Shànwúwèi), he translated the pivotal Mahāvairocana Tantra (Dàbìlúzhēnǎchéngfóshénbiànjiāchí Jīng, 大毘盧遮那成佛神變加持經, Taishō 848) and authored the authoritative commentary on it, the Dapiluzhena chengfo jingshu (大毘盧遮那成佛經疏, Taishō 1796).
“Single Practice” / “One Practice” (Yīxíng, 一行): Derived from classical Mahāyāna texts such as the Saptaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (文殊師利所說摩訶般若波羅蜜經), the term frequently refers to yīxíng sānmèi (一行三昧, ekavyūha-samādhi or “Single-Practice Samādhi”), a practice of concentrated mindfulness on the realm of Dharma (法界) or a single Buddha, which later became a cornerstone concept in early Chan (Zen) Buddhism, notably discussed in the Platform Sūtra.
Literal or Literary Meaning: In general classical Chinese, 一行 literally denotes “a single line” (of text, poetry, or script), “a party / company traveling together” (yī xíng), or “a single action/conduct”.
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