Monthly Archives: December 2017

The well of no origin

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Tozen

Please share what you have, so I may quench this thirst. The well is over there. Why don´t you taste the water yourself? Where? I cannot see it. Something is obviously in the way obscuring the view. How do I … Continue reading →

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Highlights from the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Vajragoni

Reflecting back upon the introductory blog from this series, along with the analysis of the Self from contemporary scholars like Dr. Tony Page and Dr. Chris Jones, the other salient construct revolved around Shimoda Masahiro’s hypothesis that the early stupa-based … Continue reading →

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The Moon Parable

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Vajragoni

The Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra makes excellent use of parables in order to construct analogies as to the True Buddha Nature. The Moon Parable stands out in analogizing how the cycles of the Moon reflect the perennial nature of the Tathagata. Chapter 15: … Continue reading →

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Entering the Garbha-Self

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Vajragoni

Number Twelve is the flagship chapter for the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra; it further details the True Nature of the Self and then highlights its salvific context as, “After hearing this sutra one thereupon understands that all living beings possess Buddha-nature, and this … Continue reading →

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Origin of the One who Suffers

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Vajragoni

Chapter Ten: On the Four Truths There’s an interesting copy of this chapter translated by Charles Patton found on the old Dark Zen website. The notable difference from other copies concerns the line, “That which is called [the sufferer] is … Continue reading →

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Dharma of the Evil One

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Vajragoni

Chapter Nine: On Good and Evil (Mark L. Blum translation): As a carry-over from the last chapter, Kāśyapa inquires from the Blessed One as to whether or not one should continue to depend upon and find refuge in the āryapudgala … Continue reading →

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The Fab-Four

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Vajragoni

Chapter Eight: The Four Dependables (Mark L. Blum translation): The Buddha said: Good man, within this Subtle Sutra of the Great Nirvana there are four kinds of people who capably protect the true-dharma, promote the true-dharma, and keep the true-dharma … Continue reading →

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Modes of Liberation

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Vajragoni

At the beginning of Part II of Chapter Seven a discussion arises as to the exact nature of “the hidden treasury”. The Real Treasury of the Tathagatas was covered in Chapter Three with the quote from Zen Master Keizan’s Transmission … Continue reading →

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A Lion’s Earring

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Vajragoni

Chapter Seven is a vast potpourri covering more ethical and proper propriety (right choice of meat and wine) issues for both monks and laity, but the real meat of this interval revolves around the Nature of the Tathagata, in particular … Continue reading →

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The Virtue of the Tathāgata

Posted on December 16, 2017 by Vajragoni

Although brief in length, Chapter Six on the Virtue of the Name is nonetheless expansive and bold in execution in terms of bringing home the message and import of the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra. It even makes the bold proclamation that it’s consequential … Continue reading →

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