Xiànzài xiánjié qiān fómíng jīng 現在賢劫千佛名經
Sūtra of the Names of the Thousand Buddhas of the Present Fortunate Aeon (recension a) Translator unknown (失譯)
About the work
The Xiànzài xiánjié qiān fómíng jīng is the “present aeon” counterpart to the past- and future-aeon thousand-Buddha-names texts (KR6i0022–KR6i0023 and KR6i0026–KR6i0027). It enumerates the thousand Buddhas of the present bhadrakalpa (“fortunate aeon”), the same cosmic period whose cosmological framework is elaborated in the Xiánjié jīng 賢劫經 (KR6i0001). Two recensions are preserved in the Taishō: T447a (this text) and T447b (KR6i0025). The anonymous translator and undated status are characteristic of the entire group.
Prefaces
No translator colophon.
Abstract
T447a (現在賢劫千佛名經, recension a) is the principal Taishō recension of the present-aeon thousand-Buddhas list and is supported by the major canon editions (Sòng, Yuán, Míng, Gōng, Koryŏ). The present-aeon list most directly corresponds to the Xiánjié jīng (KR6i0001) compiled by 竺法護 Zhú Fǎhù; together with the past-aeon and future-aeon lists, it forms the “three aeons, three thousand Buddhas” liturgical system used in the Cíbēi sānmèi shuǐchàn 慈悲三昧水懺 and other Chán and Tiāntái confession rituals. The thousand names in T447a may derive from or share material with chapter 20 (Qiān fó mínghào pǐn 千佛名號品) of the Xiánjié jīng, though their relationship is one of belonging to the same tradition rather than direct textual derivation.
Translations and research
No substantial secondary literature located.