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References to Alchemy in Buddhist Scriptures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 December 2009

Extract

(1) Avataṁsaka Sūtra. Nanjio 88. Translated in A.D. 695–9 by Śikshānanda.

“ There is a drug-juice called Hataka. One liang of it will turn a thousand liangs of bronze into pure gold.” Taishō Tripitaka, vol. x, p. 432, col. 2.

(2) Mahāprañāpāramitopadeśa (Chih Tu Lun). Nanjio 1169. Translated by Kumārajīva in A.D. 402–5.

(a) “ By drugs and incantations one can change bronze into gold.” Taishō Trip., vol. xxv, p. 178, col. 1.

(b) “ By skilful use of drugs silver can be changed into gold, and gold into silver.” Ibid., p. 195, col. 3.

(c) “ By spiritual power a man can change pottery or stone into gold.” Ibid., p. 298, col. 2, end.

(d) “ One measure of stone-juice can change a thousand measures of bronze into gold.” Ibid., p. 401, col. 1.

(3) Mahāyāna-samgraha-bhāshya. Nanjio 1171 (4). Translated by Hsüan-tsang, c. 650.

“ They can turn earth into gold or other precious substances just as they please.” Taishō Trip., vol. xxi, p. 358, col. 2.

(4) Abhidharma Mahāvibhāshā. Nanjio 1263. Translated by Hsüantsang, A.D. 656–9.

Type
Notes and Queries
Copyright
Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1932

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References

page 1102 note 1 A supplement to my “ Notes on Chinese Alohamy ”, Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies, Vol. 4, Pt. 1.Google Scholar

page 1103 note 1 We possess what is in the main only an abstract of the original. The Chinese text is in a corrupt and confused state. Light on its successive stages of development is thrown by a number of T‘ang MSS. of the text found at Tun-huang. See Honda, Prof, in Sōkyō Kenkyū, 03, 1929.Google Scholar