Buddhism, such as Buddha nature, `dharmakaya`,
`nirvana` , `sunyata` , bodhicitta, `alayavijnana` ,
`bhutatathata` , the difference of attainment of
`nirvana` between a `sravaka` and a bodhisattva and
so forth. As a guide to these dialogues, we have
classified them into seven sub-divisions:
I. The practices of a Bodhisattva--This
consists of six questions: No. 1, 2, 9, 10,
12 and 13.
II. The religious cultivation of the ordinary
people--This consists of four questions: No.
3, 4, 8 and 14.
III. The various differences among the three
`yanas` --This consists of four questions:
No. 15, 16, 17 and 18.
IV. The accomplishments of the Buddha--This
consists of three questions: No. 5, 6, and 7.
V. The `dharmakaya` and `nirvana` --This consists
of three questions: No. 11, 19 and 20.
VI. The `alayavijnapa` and perfect wisdom--This
consists of one question: No.21.
VII. The development of Buddhist schools--This
consists of one question: No.22.
The present version was edited and collated on
the basis of three imperfect and fragmentary
manuscripts bearing No. S2674 from the British
Museum, London, and Nos. P2690 and P2674 from the
`Bibliotheque` Nationale, Paris. There are nearly
400 footnotes explaining the various readings,
errors, omissions, corrections and other aspects of
the manuscripts.
There is an editorial 'Preface' featuring a
brief assessment of the quality, nature, contents,
history and other areas of the text. It is hoped
that one may be enabled to better understand its
importance in Buddhist studies.