The Significance of Sectarian Thoughts Alternations among Chinese Translated Scriptures in Mahāyāna Buddhism: A Study Based on the Discoveries in Different Versions of the Diamond Sūtra

This is a qualitative research. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to examine the significance of sectarian thoughts alternations towards versions of the Diamond Sūtra; (2) to examine the significance of sectarian thoughts alternations towards other scriptures; and (3) to analyse the significance of the study towards Buddhism.

The findings show that: (1) the sectarians thoughts differences has significant effect to the Diamond Sūtra. The contents were changed from the Mādhyamikan to the Yogācārian doctrinal ideas, which is from everything empty to the existence of ultimate reality. The alternations were made during the fifth to eighth century. The trends of alternations correlated to the rising and falling of the Yogācāra school. (2) Similar patterns in terms of contents, time and trend were also found in other scriptures which means it was a general issue. Very important is, the extant Sanskrit texts have their contents belong to those later versions, therefore, they are not trustworthy enough to be the primitive and authoritative sources. (3) It is suggested that doctrinal examinations have to be carried out on any future studies. Besides, Pāli, Chinese and Tibetan Canons should be upheld in the studies of Buddhism. Sankrit texts should be treated only as supportive materials.