Buddha's story - IX

Buddhist scriptures

Buddha's teachings have been passed down for centuries through a vast collection of texts known as the Buddhist scriptures. These texts are believed to contain the words and teachings of the Buddha himself, as well as commentaries and interpretations from his disciples and later scholars. In this blog, we will explore the existence of various volumes of Buddhist texts and their names.

The Buddhist scriptures are commonly referred to as the "Tripitaka," which means "three baskets." This term refers to the three main categories into which the texts are traditionally divided. These categories are:

1. Vinaya Pitaka: This is the basket of discipline and contains the rules and regulations for monks and nuns in the Buddhist monastic community. It also includes stories about the Buddha's life and the early days of the monastic community.

2. Sutta Pitaka: This is the basket of discourses and contains the teachings of the Buddha in the form of sermons, dialogues, and parables. These discourses cover a wide range of topics, including ethics, meditation, wisdom, and the nature of reality.

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka: This is the basket of higher teachings and contains a detailed analysis of Buddhist doctrine. It explores the nature of mind, consciousness, and the factors that shape our experience of the world.

Each of these categories is further divided into smaller sections and volumes, each with its own name and unique content. Some of the most well-known volumes of Buddhist texts include:

1. Dhammapada: This is a collection of 423 verses that contain the Buddha's most essential teachings on ethics, meditation, and wisdom. It is considered one of the most important texts in the Buddhist canon and is often used as a source of guidance for practitioners.

2. Lotus Sutra: This is a Mahayana Buddhist text that contains some of the most profound teachings on emptiness, compassion, and the ultimate nature of reality. It is revered as a source of inspiration and insight by many Buddhist practitioners around the world.

3. Heart Sutra: This is a short but powerful text that is chanted daily by millions of Buddhist practitioners worldwide. It contains the essence of the Buddha's teachings on emptiness and is considered a profound meditation on the nature of reality.

4. Diamond Sutra: This is another Mahayana Buddhist text that contains teachings on emptiness and the ultimate nature of reality. It is renowned for its use of paradox and its ability to challenge our preconceptions about the world.

5. Tibetan Book of the Dead: This is a Tibetan Buddhist text that provides a detailed description of the process of dying and rebirth. It is considered a guidebook for the journey through the afterlife and is often used in Tibetan Buddhist funeral ceremonies.

These are just a few examples of the many volumes of Buddhist texts that exist. Each text 

offers a unique perspective on the Buddha's teachings and provides valuable insights for practitioners on the path to awakening.

In conclusion, the Buddhist scriptures are a vast and rich collection of texts that offer valuable insights into the nature of reality and the path to awakening. By studying these texts, we can deepen our understanding of the Buddha's teachings and gain greater clarity and insight into our own lives. Whether we are new to Buddhism or have been practicing for many years, the texts of the Tripitaka offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for all who seek to follow the path of the Buddha.

The Lotus Sutra, also known as the Saddharma-pundarika Sutra, is one of the most revered Buddhist scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism. It is considered to be one of the most important sutras because of its profound teachings and significant role in the development of Mahayana Buddhism. In this blog, we will explore the meaning and details contents of the Lotus Sutra.

Meaning of the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra was composed in India between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE. It was later translated into Chinese by Kumarajiva in the 5th century CE and became one of the most widely read texts in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The title "Lotus Sutra" refers to the lotus flower, which is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and the potential for spiritual growth.

Contents of the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is a collection of teachings and parables that emphasize the concept of universal Buddhahood and the potential for all beings to attain enlightenment. The sutra is divided into 28 chapters, each with its own unique teachings and insights. Here are some of the key teachings and themes found in the Lotus Sutra:

1. Skillful Means: The Lotus Sutra teaches that the Buddha uses skillful means to help sentient beings achieve enlightenment. This includes teaching different doctrines to different people according to their individual needs and abilities.

2. Buddha-nature: The Lotus Sutra emphasizes that all sentient beings possess Buddha-nature, the potential for enlightenment. This means that all beings have the capacity to awaken to their true nature and become Buddhas.

3. Expedient Means: The Lotus Sutra teaches that the Buddha uses expedient means, such as parables and skillful means, to teach the Dharma. The sutra also emphasizes that these expedient means are provisional and are not the ultimate truth.

4. The One Vehicle: The Lotus Sutra teaches that there is only one vehicle to enlightenment, which is the Buddha's teachings. This means that all beings, regardless of their abilities or background, can attain enlightenment by following the Buddha's path.

5. Emptiness: The Lotus Sutra teaches the concept of emptiness, which is the idea that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence. This means that all things are dependently originated and lack a permanent, independent existence.

6. The Universal Gateway: The Lotus Sutra teaches that the Buddha's teachings are a universal gateway to liberation. This means that anyone can benefit from the teachings of the Buddha, regardless of their race, gender, or social status.

7. The Eternal Buddha: The Lotus Sutra teaches that the Buddha is eternal and always present, even after his physical death. This means that the Buddha's teachings are always relevant and applicable, even in modern times.

Conclusion:

The Lotus Sutra is a profound and influential Buddhist scripture that teaches the concept of universal Buddhahood and the potential for all beings to attain enlightenment. Its teachings have had a significant impact on the development of Mahayana Buddhism and continue to be studied and practiced by Buddhists around the world. By understanding the meaning and contents of the Lotus Sutra, we can gain insight into the Buddha's teachings and how they can be applied in our own lives.

What does skillfull means according to lotus sutra ?

In the Lotus Sutra, skillful means or "upaya" in Sanskrit refers to the various methods and teachings used by the Buddha to lead sentient beings towards enlightenment, based on their level of understanding and spiritual development. It is a fundamental concept in Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes the importance of compassion and active engagement in the world.

Skillful means are seen as expedient means to help people overcome their attachment to delusions, ignorance, and suffering. It is not a fixed set of techniques or doctrines but a flexible approach that can be adapted to the needs of different individuals and circumstances. Skillful means can include a wide range of practices such as meditation, chanting, reciting sutras, performing rituals, offering alms, and practicing virtues such as generosity, patience, and compassion.

The Lotus Sutra is considered one of the most important sutras in Mahayana Buddhism, and it emphasizes the principle of skillful means throughout its teachings. The sutra teaches that the Buddha's teachings are tailored to the needs and capacities of different beings, and that he uses various means to lead them towards enlightenment.

For example, the Lotus Sutra tells the story of a group of people who were not receptive to the Buddha's initial teachings because of their attachment to material possessions. In response, the Buddha used skillful means to teach them the principle of emptiness by means of a parable about a wealthy man who used his wealth to rescue his poor son from a life of poverty and suffering.

Overall, the concept of skillful means in the Lotus Sutra emphasizes the importance of compassion, wisdom, and flexibility in the practice of Buddhism, and it encourages practitioners to develop a deep understanding of the needs and capacities of others in order to be effective in their efforts to help others attain enlightenment.

What are parables that found in the Lotus Sutra ?

The Lotus Sutra is a Buddhist scripture that is widely considered as one of the most important and influential sutras. It contains numerous parables that provide insights into the teachings of Buddha. In this blog, we will explore some of the parables found in the Lotus Sutra and their significance in understanding Buddhist philosophy.

1. The Burning House The Burning House parable is one of the most famous parables in the Lotus Sutra. It tells the story of a man who has three children living in a dilapidated house that is on fire. The man tries to save his children by offering them various toys outside the house. The children, however, are so absorbed in playing with the toys that they do not notice the danger they are in. The father then devises a plan to entice them out of the house by offering them a great cart, which they cannot resist. Once outside the house, the father reveals that he has three carts, one for each child, and they are saved from the burning house.

This parable is often used to illustrate the teachings of Buddha, who is represented by the father. The burning house represents the cycle of birth, suffering, and death. The three children represent all sentient beings, who are trapped in this cycle. The toys that the father offers are the various pleasures and distractions of the world that keep people from realizing the danger they are in. The great cart represents the Dharma, which is the only way to escape the cycle of suffering.

2. The Prodigal Son The Prodigal Son parable tells the story of a wealthy man who has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance early and then squanders it on a life of pleasure and debauchery. When he becomes destitute, he returns to his father, who welcomes him back with open arms and throws a feast in his honor. The older son, who has remained faithful to his father and worked hard, becomes jealous and resentful of the attention his brother receives.

This parable is often used to illustrate the importance of compassion and forgiveness in Buddhism. The father represents Buddha, who is always ready to forgive and welcome back those who have strayed from the path. The younger son represents all sentient beings, who have strayed from the path of Dharma. The older son represents those who have remained faithful and worked hard to follow the path. The lesson of the parable is that everyone can be redeemed and welcomed back into the fold, regardless of their past mistakes.

3. The Lost Heir The Lost Heir parable tells the story of a king who has a son who is kidnapped and raised by bandits. The son grows up not knowing who he is or where he comes from. When he is finally reunited with his father, he is amazed to discover that he is a prince and heir to the throne. The son is then trained in the ways of the court and eventually becomes a great king.

This parable is often used to illustrate the idea of Buddha nature, which is the inherent potential for enlightenment that all sentient beings possess. The son represents all sentient beings, who have forgotten their true nature and become lost in the cycle of suffering. The king represents Buddha, who recognizes the potential in all beings and works to bring them back to their true nature. The lesson of the parable is that everyone has the potential to become enlightened, regardless of their past or present circumstances.

In conclusion, the Lotus Sutra contains numerous parables that provide insights into the teachings of Buddha. These parables are often used to illustrate important concepts such as compassion, forgiveness, and the potential for enlightenment. By understanding these parables, we can deepen our understanding of Buddhist philosophy and apply its teachings to our own lives.

 

The Heart Sutra

The Heart Sutra, also known as the Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra, is one of the most famous and widely studied Buddhist texts. It is considered to be one of the shortest, yet most profound sutras, encapsulating the essence of Mahayana Buddhism. The Heart Sutra belongs to the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) genre of sutras, which are revered for their ability to convey the deepest truths of Buddhism.

The Heart Sutra consists of only 14 verses and is often chanted in Buddhist monasteries and meditation centers around the world. The sutra is said to have been transmitted orally from the Buddha himself to his disciple Shariputra. It is believed that the sutra was written down in India in the first century CE and later translated into Chinese by the famous Buddhist monk and scholar Xuanzang in the seventh century CE.

The Heart Sutra begins with the famous phrase, "Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, when practicing deeply the Prajnaparamita perceived that all five skandhas are empty." This phrase sets the tone for the rest of the sutra, as it emphasizes the importance of the Mahayana concept of emptiness.

The Five Skandhas, or Aggregates, refer to the five components that make up a sentient being: form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. The Heart Sutra states that these aggregates are empty, which means that they lack inherent existence. This is a fundamental concept in Mahayana Buddhism, as it emphasizes that all phenomena, including the self, are ultimately empty and devoid of independent existence.

The Heart Sutra also introduces the concept of the "Four Noble Truths," which are the cornerstone of Buddhist teachings. The sutra states that the Four Noble Truths are themselves empty, as they are not separate from the emptiness of the Five Skandhas.

The Heart Sutra emphasizes the importance of the "Perfection of Wisdom" or Prajnaparamita, which is the ability to see things as they truly are, without the distortion of ignorance and delusion. The sutra also stresses the importance of cultivating compassion, as embodied by Avalokiteshvara, in order to attain enlightenment.

In addition to its emphasis on emptiness and compassion, the Heart Sutra also introduces the famous mantra, "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha." This mantra is often translated as "Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, oh what an awakening, all hail!" The mantra is believed to encapsulate the essence of the sutra, as it emphasizes the attainment of ultimate reality and enlightenment.

In conclusion, the Heart Sutra is a powerful and concise text that conveys the essence of Mahayana Buddhism. Its emphasis on emptiness, compassion, and the Perfection of Wisdom make it an essential text for all Buddhist practitioners. The Heart Sutra's influence can be seen in various aspects of Buddhist practice, including meditation, chanting, and philosophical inquiry.

 

Here's a translation and explanation of the Heart Sutra's verses:

Verse 1: "Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, when practicing deeply the Prajna Paramita, perceived that all five skandhas are empty, thus relieving all suffering."

This verse introduces the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who is a symbol of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism. It states that when Avalokiteshvara deeply practiced Prajna Paramita (the perfection of wisdom), he realized that all five skandhas (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness) are empty. This realization led to the relief of all suffering.

Verse 2: "O Shariputra, form is no different from emptiness, emptiness no different from form. Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form."

In this verse, the Buddha addresses Shariputra, one of his disciples, and explains the relationship between form and emptiness. The Buddha says that form (which refers to all physical and mental phenomena) is not different from emptiness, and emptiness is not different from form. This means that form and emptiness are not two separate things, but are actually the same thing. Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form.

Verse 3: "Sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness are also like this."

This verse states that the other four skandhas (sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness) are also empty, just like form.

Verse 4: "Shariputra, all dharmas are marked by emptiness, they neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled nor pure, neither increase nor decrease."

The Buddha reiterates to Shariputra that all phenomena are marked by emptiness, and that they neither arise nor cease. This means that they are not permanent or impermanent, but are beyond such dualities. The Buddha also states that all phenomena are neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing.

Verse 5: "Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness; no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or object of mind; no realm of sight, no realm of consciousness."

This verse emphasizes the emptiness of all phenomena. It states that in emptiness, there is no form, sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness. There are also no sense organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind) or sense objects (form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or object of mind). Furthermore, there is no realm of sight or realm of consciousness.

Verse 6: "There is no ignorance and no cessation of ignorance, no old age and death and no cessation of old age and death; no suffering, no cause of suffering, no cessation of suffering, no path, no wisdom, and no attainment."

This verse emphasizes the emptiness of all aspects of existence, including ignorance, old age, death, suffering, the causes of suffering, the cessation of suffering, the path, wisdom, and attainment. All of these things are ultimately empty and beyond duality.

Verse 7: "With nothing to attain, a bodhisattva relies on Prajna Paramita, and thus the mind is without hindrance. Without hindrance, there is no fear. Far beyond all inverted views, one realizes Nirvana."

This verse emphasizes the importance of Prajna Paramita, the perfection of wisdom, in realizing the emptiness of all phenomena. By relying on Prajna Paramita, a bodhisattva's mind becomes free from hindrances.

Verse 8 : "There is no form, no sensation, no perception, no mental formation, no consciousness; no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no form, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touchable, no mental object, no realm of sight and so forth, until no realm of consciousness; no ignorance, and also no cessation of ignorance, until no aging and death, and also no cessation of aging and death; no suffering, no cause of suffering, no cessation of suffering, no path, no wisdom and no attainment. With nothing to attain, a bodhisattva relies on prajñāpāramitā, and thus the mind is without hindrance. Without hindrance, there is no fear. Far beyond all inverted views, one realizes nirvana."

Explanation: Verse 8 of the Heart Sutra describes the nature of emptiness by stating that all phenomena are devoid of intrinsic nature, including the five aggregates of form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. It also denies the existence of the six sense organs, their corresponding objects, and the realms of existence associated with them. The verse goes on to state that there is no ignorance, aging, death, suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering, path, wisdom, or attainment, and that a bodhisattva relies on prajñāpāramitā (the perfection of wisdom) to attain liberation. The mind of such a bodhisattva is free from hindrance and fear, and they have transcended all deluded views to attain the ultimate goal of nirvana.

Verse 9: Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha Translation: Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone completely beyond, awake, so be it.

Explanation: This verse is a continuation of the previous verses, emphasizing the transcendent nature of emptiness. The repetition of "gone" emphasizes the ultimate state of liberation beyond all limitations and dualities. The final phrase "bodhi svaha" signifies the attainment of awakening and realization.

Verse 10: Shariputra, shunyata-vacanaayaam na prajnaa paramitaa vidyate Avalokitesvara evam aha: "sarvaan-tesaam aparimitaanaam buddhaanaam sarvesaam ca prajnaapaaramitaam-asritya anuttara-samyak-sambodhim abhisambuddhah." Translation: Shariputra, in the emptiness there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no formation, no consciousness; no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touchable, no mental objects; no realm of sight and so on until no realm of consciousness; no ignorance and also no extinction of it, and so on until no old age and death and also no extinction of it. In the absence of "no," "nothingness" and "extinction," the perfect enlightened one relies on the supreme wisdom of prajna paramita and thus attains the unsurpassed and complete enlightenment.

Explanation: This verse continues the emphasis on emptiness and negation of all phenomena, including the six sense organs and their objects, as well as the twelve links of dependent origination. The final phrase emphasizes the importance of wisdom and insight in attaining complete enlightenment.

Verse 11: Therefore, Shariputra, the bodhisattva mahasattva should rely on prajna paramita, with no mental hindrance, no doubts and no fear. Perceiving no obstacles, the mind is not afraid, and is freed from delusion. One reaches beyond all Buddhas and ultimately attains complete nirvana.

Explanation: This verse emphasizes the importance of relying on prajna paramita, the wisdom of emptiness, without any mental obstacles or doubts. The mind that perceives no obstacles is free from fear and delusion, and able to attain ultimate liberation.

Verse 12: All the Buddhas of the three times, having relied on prajna paramita, fully awaken to the unsurpassed, true, complete enlightenment.

Explanation: This verse emphasizes the universality of the realization of prajna paramita, as all Buddhas of the past, present, and future have relied on it to attain complete enlightenment.

Verse 13: Therefore, know that prajna paramita is the great transcendent mantra, the great bright mantra, the supreme mantra, the unequalled mantra, which can remove all suffering and is true, not false. So proclaim the prajna paramita mantra, proclaim the mantra that says: gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.

Explanation: This verse emphasizes the power and efficacy of prajna paramita as a mantra that can remove all suffering and lead to true liberation. The repetition of the mantra "gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha" emphasizes the transcendent nature of this wisdom.

Verse 14: Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.

Explanation: This verse is a repetition of the mantra from the previous verse, emphasizing once again the ultimate state of liberation