The Invention of a Language of Emptiness: The “Chojang chungga-ŭi,” the Earliest Korean Exposition of Buddhism

This volume is the first annotated translation in any language of the “Chojang chungga-ŭi” (The Meaning of the “Middle” and the “Provisional” in the “First Stanza”), a little-known text that yielded considerable influence on early East Asian Buddhism. It corresponds to the first chapter of the Taesŭng saron hyŏnŭi ki (Notes on the Four Treatises[, belonging to the] Large Vehicle), a Samnon/Sanlun compendium written by the Paekche monk Hye’gyun (fl. 6th/7th c.) after he studied with the famous Chinese Sanlun teacher Falang (507–581).

Apparently directed at beginners, the “Chojang chungga-ŭi” explains fundamental concepts in detail, thus giving precious corroborative information on Chinese Sanlun as mirrored in Jizang’s (549–623) works. Textual parallels with Jizang’s Lunji (Traces of the Treatises) shed new light on the extent that both disciples were indebted to their teacher, Falang. Additionally, the text provides first-hand insight into the nature of early Samnon in Paekche and important clues for understanding the origins of the famous Silla monk Wǒnhyo’s (617–686) patterns of exegesis. As the title implies, the text centers on the “First Stanza,” the fundamental exegetical formula Samnon/Sanlun students under Falang and his immediate successors had to master. The repetitive and formulaic style of the text shows that, contrary to widespread misconceptions, Sanlun/Samnon exegetes were less concerned with the scholastic study of authoritative texts than using the “Chojang chungga-ŭi” to rehearse formulae designed to lead the practitioner toward awakening. In doing so, they struggled to find new ways of expression that transcended the usual apophatic vs. cataphatic dichotomy of a middle path, avoiding any reification of the “middle” and the “provisional.” They created instead cataphatic formulae that constantly affirmed yet did not produce fixed meaning, just as “a,” the first character of the Siddham alphabet, pervades all texts yet, as a negation prefix, constantly denies any attribution.

The Invention of a Language of Emptiness will be of great use to those interested in commentarial exegesis as meditational practice and East Asian Buddhists’ attempts at developing a language of emptiness.

• Jörg Plassen, Translator

  Jörg Plassen is professor of East Asian religions at Ruhr University Bochum.

• Choe Yeonshik, Translator

  Choe Yeonshik is professor of ancient and medieval Korean history at Dongguk University.

• Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Series Editor

  Robert E. Buswell, Jr. holds the Irving and Jean Stone Endowed Chair in Humanities at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he is also Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures and founding director of the university’s Center for Buddhist Studies and Center for Korean Studies.