Fó shuō mìmìxiàng jīng 佛說祕密相經
Sūtra of the Buddha’s Speaking of the Esoteric Marks (Skt. Guhya-lakṣaṇa-sūtra?) by 施護 (Dānapāla, 等譯)
About the work
A three-fascicle Sòng-period Esoteric translation by Dānapāla (施護) on the Esoteric marks (mìmìxiàng 祕密相 = Skt. guhya-lakṣaṇa) doctrine — the recognition of the bīja-letter and mudrā-shape signs that constitute the Esoteric semiotic system.
Abstract
The Mìmìxiàng jīng presents the doctrine of Esoteric “marks” — the systematic correspondence between the visible-tangible signs (lakṣaṇa) of Esoteric ritual practice (bīja letters in Sanskrit script, mudrā hand-gestures, mandalic-iconographic forms) and the inner-doctrinal realities they signify. The text is a doctrinal exposition rather than a ritual manual, articulating the semiotic theory of Esoteric Buddhism.
The translation dates from Dānapāla’s career at the Sòng Yìjīngyuàn (982–1017). The work supplements the broader Sòng Esoteric corpus with a focused doctrinal treatment of a key Esoteric theoretical topic.
Translations and research
No substantial secondary literature located.