Āpítán Xīn Lùnjīng 阿毘曇心論經
Abhidharma-hṛdaya-sūtra-śāstra: Sūtra-Commentary on the Heart of the Abhidharma by 法勝 (論), 優波扇多 (釋), 那連提耶舍 (譯)
About the work
The Āpítán Xīn Lùnjīng 阿毘曇心論經 (CBETA T28n1551) is a Northern Qi (北齊) dynasty translation of an expanded commentary on the Abhidharma-hṛdaya-śāstra (KR6l0015, T1550), 6 juan. The text is attributed to the root text by Dharmaśreṣṭhin 法勝 (法勝) with a commentary by Upaśānta 優波扇多 (優波扇多); it was translated by Narendrayaśas 那連提耶舍 (那連提耶舍) under the Northern Qi (高齊). The Taisho header “No. 1551 [cf. Nos. 1550, 1552]” signals its place in the Hṛdaya transmission alongside T1550 and T1552.
Prefaces
The opening of the text includes a brief framing that situates it as an explanatory expansion of the Abhidharma-hṛdaya: “Now, wishing to elucidate the Abhidharma-hṛdaya for the benefit of disciples…” (Jīn yù jiě shì āpítán xīn lìyì dìzǐ gù 今欲解釋阿毘曇心利益弟子故). The commentary distinguishes itself from earlier glosses as neither too broad nor too narrow (lí yú guǎng-lüè 離於廣略).
Abstract
This text represents the second layer of the Hṛdaya commentary tradition: Dharmaśreṣṭhin’s root verse (kārikā) text (T1550) received an extended commentary attributed to Upaśānta 優波扇多 (Upaśānta), another Sarvāstivāda master. Narendrayaśas 那連提耶舍 (Skt. Narendrayaśas, 517–589 CE), a North Indian monk who worked in the Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, and Sui courts and was the most prolific translator of his era, rendered it into Chinese. The 6-juan format represents a middle ground between the brief 4-juan T1550 and the more elaborate 11-juan T1552.
The Northern Qi patronage of translation (here by Narendrayaśas) is consistent with the court’s support for Buddhism; Narendrayaśas also translated major sūtras (including the Mahāratnakūṭa) and is known for producing high-quality renderings.
Translations and research
- Frauwallner, Erich. Studies in Abhidharma Literature. Albany: SUNY Press, 1995.
- No substantial secondary literature specifically on this text located.
Links
- CBETA Online
- Taisho Vol. 28, No. 1551
- Kanseki DB