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Document Details : Title: The Missing Passage in the Old Version of the Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna Subtitle: An Unsolved Mystery Author(s): JIN, Tao Journal: Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies Volume: 48 Date: 2025 Pages: 143-166 DOI: 10.2143/JIABS.48.0.3295424 Abstract : This paper is focused on an apparent missing passage in the old version of the East Asian Buddhist treatise, the Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna. Textual evidence pointing to a conspicuous discrepancy in the ti/yong-neng/suo structure found both within the treatise itself and in comparison with several other texts has led scholars to surmise the existence of such a missing passage. Not in a position to question the integrity of its own scripture, the commentarial tradition, in contrast, almost always chooses to either ignore or explain away the problem in a manner that leaves the question unresolved. In the absence of new materials, this problem has remained and will perhaps always remain an unsolved mystery. By drawing attention to the issue, explaining its standard solution and analyzing factors that expose the inadequacy of such a solution, this essay seeks to alert scholars in the field to the imperfect condition of the Awakening of Faith in its old version and, in doing so, to call for closer examination of the text of the treatise in its future studies. |
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