Unraveling the Hidden Intent.
The Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra is one of the central scriptures of Yogācāra Buddhism. It explains why the Buddha sometimes speaks in hidden intent, how ultimate truth stands beyond language, how the Three Natures and three naturelessnesses should be understood, and how bodhisattvas cultivate meditation, the grounds, and buddhahood.
How to read this project
This translation is being built directly from Xuanzang's Chinese text, with the Chinese source beside Ru-Yi's English translation. Because this sūtra is the scriptural root of many later Yogācāra doctrines, terminology follows the site's completed Cheng Weishi Lun translation wherever the two works overlap.
The project now includes all eight chapters, with the Chinese source beside Ru-Yi's English translation and reading notes where a modern English reader needs the doctrinal thread made visible.
For students and study groups
- The Chinese source text from CBETA's Taishō T676 edition.
- Ru-Yi's plain-English translation, kept close to Xuanzang's Chinese.
- Reading notes for Yogācāra doctrine, key terms, and the sūtra's structure.
- A study guide mapping the eight chapters, core doctrines, and suggested reading order.
Read by Chapter
The Chinese text has five fascicles and eight chapters. This reading path follows the chapters, since each one is framed by a bodhisattva's question and a distinct doctrinal theme.
Translation Notes
Shared Yogācāra terminology follows the Cheng Weishi Lun glossary unless this sūtra requires a special distinction. See also this site's note on translation method.