Category Archives: The Śūrańgama Sūtra

The Surangama Mantra

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Vajragoni

  “Ananda bowed at the Buddha’s feet and said, “After I left the home-life, I relied on the Buddha’s affectionate regard. Because I sought erudition, I still have not been certified to the unconditioned. “When I encountered that Brahma Heaven … Continue reading →

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Dharma Tools for Silencing the Skandhic Demons

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Vajragoni

Of course the most meritorious means for dispelling the effects of the Skandhic Demons is The Heart Sutra. Chanted daily by millions in the Buddhist milieu it serves as a mantra that diurnally reminds one of the efficaciousness of the … Continue reading →

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The Demons of Mortal Consciousness

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Vajragoni

“Ananda, when that good person, in cultivating samadhi, has put an end to the formations skandha, the subtle, fleeting fluctuations – the deep, imperceptible, pivotal source and the common foundation from which all life in the world springs – are … Continue reading →

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The Demons of Volition

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Vajragoni

“Ananda, when the good person who is cultivating samadhi has put an end to the thinking skandha, he is ordinarily free of dreaming and idle thinking, so he stays the same whether in wakefulness or in sleep. His mind is … Continue reading →

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The Demons of Thought

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Vajragoni

  “Ananda, when the good person who is cultivating samadhi has put an end to the feeling skandha, although he has not achieved freedom from outflows, his mind can leave his body the way a bird escapes from a cage. … Continue reading →

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The Demons of Sensation

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Vajragoni

  “Ananda, when the good person who is cultivating samadhi and shamatha has put an end to the form skandha, he can see the mind of all Buddhas as if seeing an image reflected in a clear mirror. “He seems … Continue reading →

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The Demons of Form

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Vajragoni

  “Ananda, you should know that as a cultivator sits in the Bodhimanda, he is doing away with all thoughts. When his thoughts come to an end, there will be nothing on his mind. This state of pure clarity will … Continue reading →

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They’re Here….

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Vajragoni

  At that time, the Tathagata was preparing to leave the Dharma seat. From the lion throne, he extended his hand and placed it on a small table wrought of the seven precious things. But then he turned his body, … Continue reading →

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Sans Skandhas, Part 2

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Vajragoni

  In the Sutra, Ānanda continues to equate Mind’s essence with transient discrepancies. The Tathagata even jokingly says at one point, “Now where is it???” Ānanda actually goes through “seven locations” wherein Mind can be positioned until he reaches the … Continue reading →

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Sans Skandhas, Part 1

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Vajragoni

  In the midst of the great assembly, the World Honored One then extended his golden arm, rubbed Ananda’s crown, and said to Ananda and the great assembly, “There is a samadhi called the King of the Foremost Shurangama at … Continue reading →

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