T​h​e​ ​S​u​t​r​a​ ​A​s​k​e​d​ ​b​y​ ​B​o​d​h​i​s​a​t​t​v​a​ ​W​o​n​d​e​r​f​u​l​ ​A​r​m

The Sutra Asked by Bodhisattva Wonderful Arm is included in Volume 18 of the Taishō Canon, numbered T0896, titled as translated under imperial decree by the Tripiṭaka master Fatian of the Song from Western India. The scripture uses the questions of Bodhisattva Wonderful Arm as its framework, and its contents involve esoteric Buddhist practice themes such as mantra practitioners’ cultivation, site selection, offerings, homa rituals, recitation, attainment of siddhi, and obstacles in practice. It not only presents ritual knowledge from later Indian Buddhism transmitted through the Song dynasty translation bureau, but also reflects the emphasis in Buddhist mantra practice on pure locations, ritual implements, physical and mental preparation, the sequence of offerings, and bodhicitta. This item is one of the Jin-printed canon editions from Guangsheng Monastery in Zhaocheng, presented as a combined image of four fascicles, and is valuable for the study of the printing of esoteric Buddhist scriptures in the Jin canon and the transmission of Song-translated esoteric texts.