A Study on the Nianfo 念佛 Practice in the Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna

The Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna 大乘起信論 has generated over 300 commentaries, yet research on its practice section, particularly nianfo practice 念佛修行, remains remarkably limited. This study examines interpretive differences in the nianfo practice section across major commentaries: Wŏnhyo’s Kisillon so 起信論疏, Fazang’s 法藏 Dasheng qixinlun yiji 大乘起信論義記, the Shi moheyan lun 釋摩訶衍論, Tankuang’s 曇曠 Dasheng qixin lun guangshi 大乘起信論廣釋, and Zixuan’s 子璿 Qixin lun shu bixueji 起信論疏筆削記. Two key discrepancies emerge: the scope of scriptural citations and interpretations of “those who achieve rebirth.” Analysis reveals that while Fazang was influenced by Wŏnhyo, he developed independent interpretations. Later commentaries demonstrate selective reception rather than uncritical acceptance of predecessors. Post-Bixueji commentaries divide into two groups: the Qixinlun jieyao 起信論捷要, Dasheng qixinlun shulue 大乘起信論疏略, Qixinlun zhijie 起信論直解, and Qixinlun shuji huiyue 起信論疏記會閱 form one group, while the Qixinlun zuanzhu 起信論纂註 and Qixinlun xushu 起信論續疏 constitute another. This investigation illuminates doctrinal relationships among commentaries and confirms that later commentators built upon earlier works while contributing original insights.