The Sinicization of 'Ojas', the Formation of 'Ghost Licking/Shaving Head', and the Authenticity of the Guanding Sutra
August 2025
in “
Religions
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary In this research, the authors examined translations of "ojas" in the Bhaiṣajyaguru Sūtra across different Chinese texts, noting variations and evolving interpretations; the study highlights linguistic evidence supporting the view that the text is a foreign-translated sūtra rather than a native creation.
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The document investigates the authenticity of the Guanding Sūtra, debating whether it is a Chinese creation or a translated scripture, with evidence suggesting it is a translation due to its linguistic elements. It examines the Sinicization of the Sanskrit concept "ojas," which evolved into the Chinese terms "ghost licking the head" and "ghost shaving the head," associated with alopecia areata in Chinese medical texts. This transformation reflects the integration of Buddhist concepts into Chinese culture and medicine, highlighting the cultural exchange between Indian and Chinese civilizations. The study provides linguistic evidence to support the theory of the Guanding Sūtra being a foreign translated scripture rather than an indigenous apocryphal text.
