Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatamsaka_Sutra
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra (Sanskrit: महावैपुल्यबुद्धावतंसकसूत्र Mahāvaipulya Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra) is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras of East Asian Buddhism. The title is rendered in English as Flower Garland Sutra, Flower Adornment Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture.
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra describes a cosmos of infinite realms upon realms, mutually containing one another. The vision expressed in this work was the foundation for the creation of the Huayan school of Chinese Buddhism, which was characterized by a philosophy ofinterpenetration. Huayan is known as Kegon in Japan.
Format
The sutra, among the longest in the Buddhist canon, contains 40 chapters on disparate topics, although there are overarching themes:
The interdependency of all phenomena (dharmas)
The progression of the Buddhist path to full Enlightenment, or Buddhahood
Two of the chapters serve as sutras in their own right, and have been cited in the writings of many Buddhists in East Asia.
The Ten-Stages Sutra
The sutra is also well known for its detailed description of the course of the bodhisattva's practice through ten stages where the Ten Stages Sutra, or Daśabhūmika Sūtra (Ch. 十地經, Wyl. phags pa sa bcu pa'i mdo), is the name given to this chapter of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra.[9] This sutra gives details on the ten stages (bhūmi) of development a bodhisattvamust undergo to attain supreme enlightenment. The ten stages are also depicted in the Lankavatara Sutra and the Shurangama Sutra. The sutra also touches on the subject of the development of the "aspiration for Enlightenment" (Bodhicitta) to attain supreme Buddhahood.
English translations
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra was translated in its entirety from the Śikṣānanda edition by Thomas Cleary, and was divided originally into three volumes. The latest edition, from 1993, is contained in a large single volume spanning 1656 pages.
The Flower Ornament Scripture : A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sūtra (1993) by Thomas Cleary, ISBN 0-87773-940-4
In addition to Thomas Cleary's translation, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is translating the Avataṃsaka Sūtra along with a lengthy commentary by Venerable Hsuan Hua. Currently over twenty volumes are available, and it is estimated that there may be 75-100 volumes in the complete edition.
Link: http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/45471/Avatamsaka-sutra
Avatamsaka-sutra, in full Mahavaipulya-buddhavatamsaka-sutra (Sanskrit: “The Great and Vast Buddha Garland Sutra”), also called Garland Sutra, voluminous Mahayana Buddhist text that some consider the most sublime revelation of the Buddha’s teachings.
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra (Sanskrit: महावैपुल्यबुद्धावतंसकसूत्र Mahāvaipulya Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra) is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras of East Asian Buddhism. The title is rendered in English as Flower Garland Sutra, Flower Adornment Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture.
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra describes a cosmos of infinite realms upon realms, mutually containing one another. The vision expressed in this work was the foundation for the creation of the Huayan school of Chinese Buddhism, which was characterized by a philosophy ofinterpenetration. Huayan is known as Kegon in Japan.
Format
The sutra, among the longest in the Buddhist canon, contains 40 chapters on disparate topics, although there are overarching themes:
The interdependency of all phenomena (dharmas)
The progression of the Buddhist path to full Enlightenment, or Buddhahood
Two of the chapters serve as sutras in their own right, and have been cited in the writings of many Buddhists in East Asia.
The Ten-Stages Sutra
The sutra is also well known for its detailed description of the course of the bodhisattva's practice through ten stages where the Ten Stages Sutra, or Daśabhūmika Sūtra (Ch. 十地經, Wyl. phags pa sa bcu pa'i mdo), is the name given to this chapter of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra.[9] This sutra gives details on the ten stages (bhūmi) of development a bodhisattvamust undergo to attain supreme enlightenment. The ten stages are also depicted in the Lankavatara Sutra and the Shurangama Sutra. The sutra also touches on the subject of the development of the "aspiration for Enlightenment" (Bodhicitta) to attain supreme Buddhahood.
English translations
The Avataṃsaka Sūtra was translated in its entirety from the Śikṣānanda edition by Thomas Cleary, and was divided originally into three volumes. The latest edition, from 1993, is contained in a large single volume spanning 1656 pages.
The Flower Ornament Scripture : A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sūtra (1993) by Thomas Cleary, ISBN 0-87773-940-4
In addition to Thomas Cleary's translation, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is translating the Avataṃsaka Sūtra along with a lengthy commentary by Venerable Hsuan Hua. Currently over twenty volumes are available, and it is estimated that there may be 75-100 volumes in the complete edition.
Avatamsaka-sutra, in full Mahavaipulya-buddhavatamsaka-sutra (Sanskrit: “The Great and Vast Buddha Garland Sutra”), also called Garland Sutra, voluminous Mahayana Buddhist text that some consider the most sublime revelation of the Buddha’s teachings.
Scholars value the text for its revelations about the evolution of thought from early Buddhism to fully developed Mahayana.
The sutra speaks of the deeds of the Buddha and of their resulting merits that blossom much like a garland of flowers. The discourse begins with the Buddha’s enlightenment, attended by an anthem chorus of bodhisattvas (buddhas-to-be) and divine beings as numerous as the atoms of all ... (100 of 228 words)
The sutra speaks of the deeds of the Buddha and of their resulting merits that blossom much like a garland of flowers. The discourse begins with the Buddha’s enlightenment, attended by an anthem chorus of bodhisattvas (buddhas-to-be) and divine beings as numerous as the atoms of all ... (100 of 228 words)
Dear all,
Have you read the English Translation and the Editor's & Author's notes?
In the 9 Yanas, Mahayana ranked as 7th from the top and 3rd from the bottom.
Interpreting Avatamsaka from the Mahayana outlook is very much different from that of the Vajrayana or Tantrayana ones.
WHY?
From the 4th to 6th Yanas, which is Vajrayana, the Reader can add Visualization and even Yogic Union, that is merge into the scenes of the sutra, LIVE!
From the beginning, One walks along the path leading to the Big Party held in honor & celebration of Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment.
Of course all the wonders along the way defies most sentient minds. :)
In the some recent reviews I wrote for this sutra, I shared using pictures of Mandala formation to help reader visualize the various worlds and their wonders.
The reviews for Book 18 & 19, still on hold though :)
This month too many special events and also busy with some personal matters.
Zen Patriarch, Hui Neng, said: Not to erect words.
He is indeed very wise.
Words can be interpreted by the Individual reader from their own Wisdom Level and become Distorted or Tuned to that Individual's Frequencies!
One of my Dharma buddies said that Diamond Sutra is one of my favorite!
In fact, most concepts or philosophies are One & The Same!
When One Drops Self, then engulf All, their View will be very near what is in a Buddha's Heart.
Book One of this sutra actually explained that Buddha will teach and succor Each Individual according to their Individual levels of understanding and needs, no matter how diversified they are!
Did you picked that up? :)
Therefore, beware of you Body Speech & Mind as they can expose your true facade to those with Higher Intellectual ability than you.
Beware is a good way to eliminate Unwholesome behavior.
Therefore, don't take things from only the Surface Presentation.
Cheers all
Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom
Lama Lotuschef
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