Dante’s Purgatorio and The Sutra of Terra-Treasure (Pusa’s Primal Vows) [Dizangpusa Benyuanjing] present the concept of sin and purgatorial punishment for sinners in two different cultural contexts. The purgatorial punishments can be viewed as a way of atoning for sins by being taught a painful lesson through various kinds of suffering. Through such purgatorial punishments, they can attain salvation by being reborn into a new and better life. For sinners in The Sutra of Terra-Treasure, many distinct categories of temporal punishments “are made in the minds of sinners” 唯心所造. Similarly, sinners’ seven deadly sins in the Purgatorio also display seven types of punishments which match seven particular sins resulting from their sinful experiences.
Purgatory is a temporary place of suffering, namely, symbolic of a transitional state of purification for sinners. These temporary punishments become a necessary way to rid them of their past sins. In Dante’s Purgatorio, sinners can leave Mount Purgatory to reach Paradise after they complet their purgatorial punishments. They finish purifying their sinful souls, and then they gain salvation and attain Heaven. In a similar way, sinners in The Sutra of Terra-Treasure can leave Purgatory-hood in an improved state to enjoy improved future lives. Hence, the Buddhist Purgatory-hood is also viewed as a temporary kind of punishment. In both works, sinners show their repentance for their past bad deeds. In Dante’s Purgatorio, so long as sinners show their penitence, God will allow them to enter into the gate of Mount Purgatory to purify their sinful souls. In The Sutra of Terra-Treasure, when sinners show their repentance at any time, they can attain salvation in their future lives. Furthermore, in the Divine Comedy, we observe that sinners ask Dante to carry the message of praying for them to sinners’ relatives, friends, or parents who are still alive in this world. Also, in The Sutra of Terra-Treasure, human beings who are still alive in this world can transfer some of their merits to relieve sinners’ pain.
By comparing both works, we may see that although each comes from a different culture and religion, there are many similar concepts. Sinners can burn away the “wordly dust” in their minds through the various purgatorial punishments. Sinners’ personal regret over their sins and the prayers of others both can help to relieve their suffering. Hence, in both works, we find the idea of mercy for sinners; in the same way, the mercy comforting their minds also gives all humankind the hope of ultimate salvation.
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………i
Chinese Abstract……………………………………………………………………ii
English Abstract………………………………………………………………….iii-iv
Chapter One: Introduction…………………………………………………………1-12
Chapter Two: Sins and Purgatorial Punishments ………………………………..13-40
Chapter Three: Purgatory as Temporary Place--Transitional State Symbol…………………………………………………………..41-56
Chapter Four: Repentance--Regret over Sins……………………………………57-75
Chapter Five: Praying for Sinners………………………………………………..76-91
Conclusion..............................................................................................................92-95
Appendix: Form…………………………………………………………………96-101
Works Cited……………………………………………………………………102-106
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