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Monthly Archives: February 2012
A Phantasmagoric Voyage
3. The Disciples’ Reluctance to Visit Vimalakirti, cont’d The Buddha then said to the venerable Mahakatyayana, “Katyayana, go to the Licchavi Vimalakirti to inquire about his illness.” Katyayana replied, “Lord, I am indeed reluctant to go that good man to … Continue reading
Posted in The Vimalakirti Sutra, Zen
Tagged Dharma-eye, imageless, liberation, Penance, skandhas, Vimalakirti Sutra
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BON APPÉTIT
3. The Disciples’ Reluctance to Visit Vimalakirti, cont’d Then, the Buddha said to the venerable Subhuti, “Subhuti, go to the Licchavi Vimalakirti to inquire about his illness.” Subhuti replied, “Lord, I am indeed reluctant to go to this good man … Continue reading
Posted in The Vimalakirti Sutra, Zen
Tagged Buddhadharma, emancipation, spiritual discernment, Subhuti, Vimalakirti Sutra
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Three Blind Mice
3. The Disciples’ Reluctance to Visit Vimalakirti One perhaps asks the question, why do such noble personages—like Sariputra, Subhuti, and later the Bodhisattvas themselves—have such a reluctance to go and visit the ailing Vimalakirti? They are not, says Thurman, “pretending” … Continue reading
Leviathan from the Deep
Just a little commercial break from the Sutra—this rare, 27-pound oddity (lobster) was recently discovered off the coast of Maine. Could it be that this giant crustacean is a throw-back from some dark and foreboding primordial sea—the great grand-daddy of … Continue reading
A Man for all Seasons
2. Inconceivable Skill in Liberative Technique Thurman masterfully translates upaya (expedient tool) as a liberative method skillfully employed by Vimalakirti, who cleverly deploys many and diverse expedient means for the liberation of sentient beings. At that time, there lived in … Continue reading
Posted in The Vimalakirti Sutra, Zen
Tagged dharmakaya, Robert Thurman, upaya, Vimalakirti Sutra
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Field of Dreams
This vast throng of spectators is in total awe of the Buddha, sitting majestically upon his royal Lion throne. As they circumambulate-round him clockwise seven times, they lay down at his feet a spectacular parasol (a canopy): As soon as … Continue reading
Posted in The Vimalakirti Sutra, Zen
Tagged Buddha-field, perception, Robert Thurman, Vimalakirti Sutra
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Now Voyager
Purification of the Buddha-field, cont’d Their mindfulness, intelligence, realization, meditation, incantation, and eloquence all were perfected. They were free from all obscurations and emotional involvement, living in liberation without impediment. They were totally dedicated through the transcendences of generosity, subdued, … Continue reading
Posted in The Vimalakirti Sutra, Zen
Tagged Buddha-gnosis, dharani, Robert Thurman, Vimalakirti Sutra
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Other voices…Other rooms
I have chosen Robert Thurman’s translation of the Vimalakirti Sutra for our 40-day Dharma study. Charles Luk’s version is fine, but Thurman’s version seems to resonate more for me. Also, Luk’s subtitle of his published translation of the sutra is … Continue reading
Posted in The Vimalakirti Sutra, Zen
Tagged buddhafield, metanoia, Robert Thurman, Vimalakirti Sutra
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Mara
On Wednesday for many quarters the solemn season of Lent begins. The whole premise is based on the encounter that the Bodhisattva Jesus had with Satan (Mara) in the desert of karmadhautu for 40 days. For many, they just outwardly … Continue reading
The Root of the Matter
Yesterday’s blog made reference to The Awakening of Faith Shastra and its revelation that all apparent interdependency is really a reflective reality and manifestation of the One Mind—Dharmadhatu. The hologram was also utilized as a metaphor of how the many … Continue reading