56.1 Name
Cheng-shih ( 成實 ) was translated from Sanskrit word 'Satyasiddhi',
which was the short form of a shastra written by Harivarman called 'Satyasiddhi Shastra'. The sect was named after the shastra, as it was the principal
text of this sect. In Chinese, 'Cheng' means 'establishment' and 'Shih' means 'truth'. The name of the text is derived from the claim that it emphasizes the
true meaning of the shastra.
56.2 Development
The shastra was translated in Chinese by Kumarajiva. His followers studied it and established as a sect. The sect was popular in Six Dynasties
till Tang Dynasty.
56.3 Principal Text
Satyasiddhi Shastra is the principal text, written by Harivarman in the 3rd century. The shastra was widely studied from the time
of its translation in Chinese by Kumarajiva in early 5th century.
56.4 Main Doctrines
This sect is regarded as the most liberal amongst Hinayana sects. It expounded the views on the emptiness of 'self' and 'Dharma', which was
unique and spectacular by that time.
56.4.1 Two-Truth or Two-Emptiness Theory
There are 2 main truths:
- Contemplating the emptiness of Five Skandhas, we should not hold the views of self, others, or sentient beings as a real and concrete entity.
- Contemplating the emptiness of all Dharmas derived from Five Skandhas, we should understand these are just names given or titles adopted by us,
but their own entities.
If all Dharmas and human beings are empty in nature, all the existence and phenomena will be reverted to the state of Nirvana � the ultimate truth of
Hinayana
56.4.2 Two-Obstruction or Two-Hindrance Theory
There are 2 kinds of obstructions that hinder us from Enlightenment:
- The obstruction by afflictions � it is equivalent to the delusion of the views and thought. The obstruction can be removed by contemplating the
emptiness of self and others.
- The obstruction by knowledge � the worldly knowledge is the accumulation of our experiences in the past, which is conditional. That means it is not
universally true. It may lead many people to become more subjective, thus hinder us from Enlightenement. The obstruction can be removed by
contemplating the emptiness of Dharmas.
56.5 Fruition upon cultivation
This sect lists 28 levels of fruition in the course of cultivation. The highest level is Arhatship. Thus the sect is regarded as Hinayana, though its doctrines
are close to Mahayana, particularly the Theory of the Emptiness of Dharma.
As an Arhat, the practitioner enters in the state of Non-residual Nirvana, which transcends the Three Realms and, of course, liberate from reincarnation.
However, amongst the Ten Realms, Arhat is inferior to Bodhisattva and Buddha. The practitioner has to give back Hinayana and set goal to Mahayana and
One Vehicle. During the attainment of the Supreme Enlightenment in Buddhahood, all will be empty, including Samsara , Nirvana, and even Buddhahood and
emptiness itself.