Abstract

This book provides a detailed explanation of the reading, meaning, and merits of dharani, sacred incantations found in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. While translation and interpretation of dharani have historically been avoided, understanding their meaning is believed to bring one closer to the wisdom of the Buddha. A Sanskrit-Chinese-Japanese comparative text is included at the end.

Author’s Information

Born in 1973. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, University of Tokyo, and completed his master's degree at the same university's graduate school. After studying at the Sanskrit Advanced Research Center, University of Pune, India, he withdrew from the doctoral program at the University of Tokyo Graduate School after completing all required coursework. He received his PhD (Literature) with a dissertation on "Studies in Classical Indian Debating Techniques." He currently serves as the chief priest of Doshoji Temple, a Soto Zen temple in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, and as a part-time lecturer at Yonezawa Women's Junior College.