Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

The aim of this paper is to reveal the original meaning of the ‘Xiangji’ conception of Falang, who taught Jizang and Hyegyun, the well-known Sanlun Masters. Most of the texts of Sanlun School passing down until today were authored by Falang’s disciples but we have few studies on him despite his influences on Sanlun school. His conception on ‘Xiangji’ played an especially important role in the change from the early Chengshilunshi’s concept of ‘Xiangji’ to the late complicated concept of ‘Xiangji’ by providing the central meanings. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze Falang’s ‘Xiangji’ in order to understand the changes in the meaning of ‘Xiangji’ in the history of Chinese Buddhism. Although we can’t find any works in which Falang defined the ‘Xiangji’ concept himself, we can infer how he applied the principle of ‘Xiangji’ from the parts stating Falang’s ‘Xiangji’ in the works such as Jizang’s Erdiyi and Hyegyun’s Chojangjungga’ui. There are two meanings in the different dimensions in Falang's ‘Xiangji’. One is a fundamental meaning of ‘Xiangji’, that is, the Non-duality[不二] of Sunya and Rupa. The other is an extended meaning of ‘Xiangji’, which is the Unhindered Way of the wisdom coming out of the spiritually enlightened, and it is leading to the equality of all dharma. This Falang’s ‘Xiangji’ concept was succeeded and developed by Jizang and Hyegyun, and their ‘Xiangji’ thought of the two truths later became the standard form in Sanlun School. Subsequently, this ‘Xiangji’ concept in Sanlun School had a great influence on ‘Xiangji’ in later Buddhism in China and the East Asia.