Zengyi ahan jing 增一阿含經

Zengyi ahan jing 增一阿含經, the "Sutra of Sermons Increased by One", is a fundamental canonical text of Early Buddhism and one of the four Āgamas of the Northern Transmission (Mahāyāna Buddhism). It is the Chinese version of the Ekottarikāgama, translated during the Eastern Jin period 東晉 (317-420) by Saṅghadeva (Ch. Sengjiatipo 僧伽提婆, late 4th cent.). The text consists of 51 juan (some sources record 50).

Because its sutras or sermons are arranged sequentially according to numerical categories of doctrine, it is named ekottarika "increasing by one". Tradition holds that the Sanskrit original was orally recited in the Former Qin empire 前秦 (351-394) by Dharmanandi (Ch. Tanmonanti 曇摩難提, late 4th cent.), orally interpreted by Zhu Fonian 竺佛念, written down by Tansong 曇嵩, and later examined and corrected by Dao'an 道安 (312-385) and Fahe 法和. During the Later Qin period 後秦 (384-417), Senglüe 僧䂮 and Sengmao 僧茂 assisted in collating omissions and ensured that all verses were fully recorded.

As the initial translation was not entirely satisfactory, it was subsequently revised by Saṅghadeva (Ch. Sengjiatipo 僧伽提婆). According to the book catalogue Jingke da zangjing mulu 精刻大藏經目錄, 30 separately translated individual sutras from this collection are still extant.

The Ekottarikāgama broadly corresponds to the Aṅguttara-nikāya of the Southern Transmission (Theravada Buddhism, with the Pali Canon), though the latter contains a larger number of sutras. Originally, this Āgama was divided into four sections and eight recitation groups (song 誦), but in the received edition, only the "Shepherd Chapter" (Muyang pin 牧羊品) is marked as belonging to the "Fourth Section, Separate Recitation" (biesong 別誦), while the remaining sections do not indicate recitation divisions.

The collection comprises 52 chapters and 472 sutras. The Introductory Chapter (Xupin 序品) consists of a single sutra in verse form that outlines the overall intent of the collection and includes an injunction for its transmission and dissemination. The remaining chapters are arranged sequentially from teachings involving one doctrinal item up to eleven doctrinal items.

The Zengyi ahan jing records the deeds of the Siddhārtha Gautama and his disciples; explains the disciplinary rules for ordained monks and nuns as well as regulations for the religious practice of lay followers; and expounds the principal doctrines of early (Theravada) Buddhism. Because the text contains expressions such as the "six pāramitās" (liudu 六度) and the "three vehicles" (sansheng 三乘), and acknowledges the bodhisattva and Mahāyāna path, positions close to those advocated by the Mahāsāṃghika School (Ch. Dazhong bu 大眾部), it is generally regarded as a recension transmitted by this School.

The emphasis of this scripture lies in teachings on generosity, moral discipline, and nirvana, as well as in numerous narratives illustrating karmic causes and conditions. For this reason, it was often studied specifically by those engaged in exhortation and moral instruction. Like the other three Āgamas, this work is an important canonical source preserving the doctrines of Early Buddhism. It occupies a significant place in the history of Indian Buddhism and provides valuable material for research into the origins of Buddhism, as well as the political, religious, and philosophical conditions of northern India at the time.