밀교의 아자관에 대한 연구 = Research on the “Meditation on the Letter □(A)” in Esoteric Buddhism

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper examined the meaning of the letter “A” and the main object of worship of “Meditation on the Letter A” through the articles introducing the method of “Meditation on the Letter A,” and considered the related contents in the Bodhicitta-sastra, the Mahavairocana-sutra and the Kuketsu which are its canonical sources. Kukai’s writings did not admit its specific significance, nor appreciate it as an independent method of meditation. They just showed a little description on the letter “A.” Through all his true or false creations, Kukai referred fragmentarily to its method only two times in Hizoki including the content of Hizohoyaku above mentioned. In the part of explaining sanmaji nenju (meditative repetition) among five kinds of chanting in Hizoki, it is described as follows; “Samadhi (meditative absorbtion) is to recite with mind while not moving tongue. On a lotus-flower in the center of mind draw the moon disk, and meditate clearly the siddham letter □(A) on it. Meditation corresponds to chanting.” And in other part, it is told “Meditate the moon disk in our heart, contemplate the siddham letter □(A) on it, transform the letter A into a wish-granting jewel which are pervasive in the dharma-realm. Chant the letter A, and sleep if you feel tired.”
The core problem on the “Meditation on the Letter A” in Japanese Shingon Buddhism is where to find its canonical source. Even though Kukai’s writings show a little description regarding the “Meditation on the Letter A,” in other words, it is hard to say that those explanations are the direct authority on it which has been enthusiastically observed through the ages of Shingon Buddhism. Anyway, there would be some reasons for that “Meditation on the Letter A” aroused interest to posterity and became considered as a representative meditation-method of Esoteric Buddhism for a while. This paper could not be sufficient for defining the characteristic of “Meditation on the Letter A.” but must have a significance that it briefly examined the formation and the development of “Meditation on the Letter A” while bringing forward a case of traditional program of practice.