| 摘要 | The Kalacakra (Wheel of Time) tantra is a system of Vajrayana Buddhist mysticism that developed in India during the 11th century. Like all forms of Vajrayana Buddhism, the Kalacakra utilizes theurgy as a path of soteriological apotheosis. The basic concept underlying the Kalacakra system is the ancient idea of the identity of the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the soul). Cosmos and soul form an integrated entity that serves as the basis for the soteriology of the Kalacakra yoga. Thus the entire subject matter of the Kalacakra tantra is presented under five categories: cosmos, soul, initiation, practice, and gnosis. The Kalacakra is also described in terms of three Kalacakras: the Outer, Inner, and Other Kalacakras. The Outer Kalacakra is the cosmos; the Inner Kalacakra is the soul; and the Other Kalacakra is the path of apotheosis consisting of initiation, practice, and gnosis. This dissertation focuses on the Outer Kalacakra. It consists of two parts, an introduction and a translation. Part I contains nine chapters: the general characteristics of tantra, unique features of Buddhist tantra, the Vajrayana's place within Buddhism, methodology in the study of Vajrayana Buddhism, chronological problems in the study of Vajrayana Buddhism, the history of the Kalacakra in India, a survey of the Kalacakra tantra, an analysis of the translation, and a bibliographical survey of previous study of the Kalacakra. Part II consists of a translation from the Sanskrit and Tibetan of Sri Kalacakra I.1-27, 128-170 and Vimalaprabha I.1.1-9.27, 10.128-149. The Sri Kalacakra (together with its commentary the Vimalaprabha) is a massive esoteric encyclopedia. Cosmology is the principal topic treated in the translation, but a number of other subjects are also dealt with at greater or lesser length--theology, soteriology, mythology, hermeneutics, ontology, chronology, armaments, and eschatology--to mention a few. The Kalacakra represents the culmination and final synthesis of Indian Vajrayana Buddhism. Its catholic and syncretic approach to the path to enlightenment make its literature a treasure trove of philosophical, historical, and philological information. This dissertation makes a substantial portion of this information easily accessible to interested scholars, and serves as a prolegomenon for future study of the Kalacakra tantra. |
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