Early Tantric Hemerology in Chinese Buddhism: Timing of Rituals According to Śubhakarasiṃha and Yixing

This study examines the hemerology explained by Śubhakarasiṃha/Shanwuwei 善無畏 (637–735) and Yixing 一行 (673/683–727) in their commentary on the Mahāvairocana-sūtra. It is argued that this section reflects the astrological interests of the early Tantric Buddhist tradition. It is furthermore pointed out that Yixing’s own astronomical ideas are incorporated into the explanation. The commentary’s limited details, however, would not have enabled a Chinese reader to determine auspicious times on their own without consulting a specialist in Indian astrology, a point which indicates that the commentary was produced for a court audience.