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The Vimalakirti Sutra,Used
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One of the most popular Asian classics for roughly two thousand years, the Vimalakirti Sutra stands out among the sacred texts of Mahayana Buddhism for its conciseness, its vivid and humorous episodes, its dramatic narratives, and its eloquent exposition of the key doctrine of emptiness or nondualism. Unlike most sutras, its central figure is not a Buddha but a wealthy townsman, who, in his mastery of doctrine and religious practice, epitomizes the ideal lay believer. For this reason, the sutra has held particular significance for men and women of the laity in Buddhist countries of Asia, assuring them that they can reach levels of spiritual attainment fully comparable to those accessible to monks and nuns of the monastic order.Esteemed translator Burton Watson has rendered a beautiful English translation from the popular Chinese version produced in 406 C.E. by the Central Asian scholarmonk Kumarajiva, which is widely acknowledged to be the most felicitous of the various Chinese translations of the sutra (the Sanskrit original of which was lost long ago) and is the form in which it has had the greatest influence in China, Japan, and other countries of East Asia. Watson's illuminating introduction discusses the background of the sutra, its place in the development of Buddhist thought, and the profundities of its principal doctrine: emptiness.
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- Q: What is the Vimalakirti Sutra about? A: The Vimalakirti Sutra is a significant text in Mahayana Buddhism, highlighting the concept of emptiness and nondualism through the story of a wealthy layman, Vimalakirti, rather than a monk or Buddha.
- Q: Who is the author of this translation of the Vimalakirti Sutra? A: This translation is authored by Burton Watson, a respected translator known for his insightful interpretations of Buddhist texts.
- Q: What is the significance of the Vimalakirti Sutra in Buddhism? A: The sutra is important because it reassures lay believers that they can achieve spiritual enlightenment comparable to that of monks and nuns, emphasizing the value of lay practice in Buddhism.
- Q: How many pages does this edition of the Vimalakirti Sutra have? A: This edition contains 192 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The Vimalakirti Sutra is available in paperback binding.
- Q: When was this edition of the Vimalakirti Sutra published? A: This edition was published on August 15, 2000.
- Q: Is this book in new condition? A: Yes, this book is listed as being in new condition.
- Q: What does Burton Watson discuss in the introduction? A: In the introduction, Burton Watson discusses the background of the sutra, its role in Buddhist thought development, and the core doctrine of emptiness.
- Q: What audience is the Vimalakirti Sutra intended for? A: While it is a sacred text, the Vimalakirti Sutra is particularly resonant for lay practitioners, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond just monastic readers.
- Q: Why is this translation from Kumarajiva significant? A: Kumarajiva's translation, produced in 406 C.E., is considered one of the most influential Chinese versions of the sutra, and Watson's translation is based on this widely acknowledged text.