Jiànlì màntúluó jí jiǎnzé dìfǎ 建立曼荼羅及揀擇地法
Method of Mandala-Construction and Site-Selection by 慧琳 (Huìlín, 集 — compiled)
About the work
A one-fascicle Esoteric ritual manual compiled by Huìlín 慧琳 (慧琳, 737–820), the great Tang Buddhist lexicographer and disciple of Amoghavajra. The text covers the twin preparatory rites of mandala-construction (jiànlì màntúluó 建立曼荼羅) and site-selection (jiǎnzé dìfǎ 揀擇地法).
Abstract
The text is one of the few Esoteric ritual works by Huìlín — better known for his great philological work the Yīqiè jīng yīnyì 一切經音義 (KR6s0013, T2128). His Esoteric training under Amoghavajra is reflected in this short ritual manual, which combines the mandala-construction prescriptions with the site-selection prescriptions into a single working manual. The text supplements the more general anonymous Fàntiān zédì fǎ (KR6j0081) with a more specifically Esoteric framework drawing on the Amoghavajra tradition.
The composition dates from Huìlín’s mature career, conventionally bracketed 770–820 (his death year).
Translations and research
No substantial secondary literature located.