Tag Archives: Icchantikas

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. read more

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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 of Light: “I have the treasury of the eye of truth, the ineffable mind of nirvana.” The Blessed One explains to Kāśyapa the inner-core of this realization: read more

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Dharmatā

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Vajragoni

It may be of interest to some of the readership as to what is the method employed when undertaking the exegesis of the Sutras in these Dharma-series. Firstly, the given Chapters are diligently read and digested in terms of its main import which is then followed by reading the different translations side-by-side, accompanied with some research on key elements. Afterwards I enter into meditation, preferably with an appropriate ambient-audio track that fine-tunes the inner recesses of my spirit. Next I invoke the unparalleled aid of the Tathagatas, sometime referred in various series as the Primordial Mentor, empowering me to discern what stands out as a dominant theme in the given chapter. The given dominant theme usually becomes the title of the blog itself. Some time is then spent away from the Dharma-study altogether allowing all of these inspired elements to slowly come together in one coherent whole, much like a simmering-stew. After all this preparation, whilst continually invoking the aid of the Primordial Spirit, the blog itself is ready for composition. read more

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The Astounding Assembly

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Vajragoni

Our choice of translation for this series on the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra is by Kosho Yamamoto, from Dharmakshema’s Chinese version and edited and revised by Dr. Tony Page in 2007. From time to time we will also draw-upon the translation from the Chinese by Mark L. Blum and the redacted version from the Chinese of Dharmakshema by Huiyan, Huiguan, and Xie Lingyun, translated into English by Charles Patton. read more

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Assessing the Setting

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Vajragoni

Our study of the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra is not to be confused with its distant cousin, the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, which gives a more “historical account” of the Buddha’s last days. The Sutta does give a fascinating story of his having a meal at the home of a Blacksmith, Cunda, after which he fell violently ill. Scholars still debate whether or not he was poisoned, or instead had an allergic reaction to either mushrooms or what is termed “Sukara-maddavam” which in one definition refers to hog’s flesh—meaning perhaps that the pork he ate was not cooked properly. In spite of his illness the Buddha continues his preaching tour until reaching Kusinagara where he has his beloved Ananda prepare a resting place between two blossoming “Sal trees”. There he gives a most moving farewell to Ananda: read more

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The Place of Precious Things

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Vajragoni

19. “On the eighth day of the tenth moon, the Master said to me: That which is called the City of Illusion contains the Two Vehicles, the Ten Stages of a Bodhisattva’s Progress, and the two forms of Full Enlightenment.1 All of them are powerful teachings for arousing people’s interest, but they still belong to the City of Illusion.2 That which is called the Place of Precious Things is the real Mind, the original Buddha-Essence, the treasure of our own real Nature. These jewels cannot be measured or accumulated. Yet since there are neither Buddha nor sentient beings, neither subject nor object, where can there be a City of Precious Things? If you ask, ‘Well, so much for the City of Illusion, but where is the Place of Precious Things?’, it is a place to which no directions can be given. For, if it could be pointed out, it would be a place existing in space; hence, it could not be the real Place of Precious Things. All we can say is that it is close by. It cannot be exactly described, but when you have a tacit understanding of its substance, it is there.” read more

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