Rulu's latest book

[Nicholas Weeks]

From the Preface to Transcending the World:

This book, presents in three parts the English translations of six sūtras
selected from the Chinese Buddhist Canon. Sūtra 1 in part I is an English
translation of chapter 38 of text 279 (T10n0279), which is one of the three
Chinese versions of the Mahāvaipulya Sūtra of Buddha Adornment. This chapter
“Transcending the World” provides teachings on the universal worthy actions
that a Bodhisattva takes throughout the Bodhisattva Way and beyond. One can
study Sūtra 1 as a stand-alone sūtra or as a sequel to text 279’s chapters 27–37,
the English translations of which are in my fifth book, Two Holy Grounds.

Sūtras 2–5 in part II have never before been translated into English. They
provide a glimpse into the inconceivable Buddha Ground. Sūtra 2 describes the
dharma realm (dharma-dhātu) and the four kinds of wisdom-knowledge
revealed on the Buddha Ground. Sūtra 3 describes the dharma body
(dharmakāya) realized by a Buddha. Sūtra 4 describes a Tathāgata’s state as an
elaboration of the dharma body. Sūtra 5 describes the inconceivable glory of the
ten Buddha grounds.

Sūtra 6 in part III is the Mahāvaipulya Sūtra of Perfect Enlightenment. It reveals
one’s true mind with perfect awareness, the Cause Ground for one’s
enlightenment, and provides teachings on meditation as a skillful means for one
to train to attain perfect enlightenment, immediately or gradually.

[Admin_PC]

I was just looking at this yesterday.
Eventually, I'd like to buy all of Rulu's books, but for now I think I'm going to have to wait.

EDIT: What I meant is that I will have to wait until next month.

[Fortyeightvows]

Who is Rulu?

I have heard of his book 'thinking of amitabha buddha' which is a translation of some sutras into english. Does anyone know about this book? What sutras it contains?

[Admin_PC]

Who is Rulu?

Translator for Chinese sutras into English. Think Rulu might be a "she" but not sure. They own the website http://www.sutrasmantras.info/ and provide a lot of sutras there freely. They also have 10 common mantras/dharanis with audio files. I quote them all the time and Rulu's work continues to be some of the best translations I've seen in terms of conveying the meaning with the use of fluid English.

I have heard of his book 'thinking of amitabha buddha' which is a translation of some sutras into english. Does anyone know about this book? What sutras it contains?

I've chanted most of the book and read a bit more.

Part 1 is Five sutras and One treatise: Larger Sukhavativyuha, Smaller Sukhavativyuha, Meditation Sutra, Mahasthamaprapta's chapter from the Surangama Sutra, Avatamsaka chapter 40, and Vasubandhu's commentary on the Larger Sukhavativyuha.

Part 2 is four additional sutras: Pratyutpanna Sutra, 2 fascicle Maha-prajna-paramita pronounced by Manjusri, Sutra of Inconceivable State of Tathagatas, Sutra of prophecy bestowed on Avalokitesvara.

Part 3 consists of the patriarchs (& biographies), the ancient translators (& biographies), Prayers, and Mantras.

Appendix includes sanskrit alphabet and pronunciation.

[Fortyeightvows]

So what your saying is, it's the best book ever.
I was thinking that was true, i've been wanting to get a copy of the pureland sutras in english and was looking at getting the book by Dover publications called 'Mahayana Buddhist texts'. It has the long and short sukavati and I'm pretty sure the visualization sutra too.
Rulu's book sounds like a much more complete collection though.
Meditation sutra is 佛說觀無量壽佛經 right? same one that sometimes is called visualization sutra ?

[Admin_PC]

Meditation sutra is 佛說觀無量壽佛經 right? same one that sometimes is called visualization sutra ?

Yes, that's exactly right.

[Nicholas Weeks]

Then Universal Wisdom Bodhisattva, knowing that the multitude had
assembled, asked Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, “Buddha-Son, I pray that you
will answer my questions.”

The First Forty-one Questions and Answers [out of 201]

[He asked] “1. On what kinds of things does a Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva rely?”

Then Samantabhadra Bodhisattva told Universal Radiance Bodhisattva and
the other Bodhisattvas, “Buddha-Sons, a Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva relies on ten
kinds of things. What are these ten? They are (1) the bodhi mind, because he
never forgets or loses it; (2) his beneficent learned friends, because they unite
with him; (3) his roots of goodness, because he develops and expands them; (4)
the pāramitās, because he fully practices them; (5) all dharmas, because he
eventually transcends them; (6) his great vows, because they strengthen the
bodhi mind; (7) his actions, because he completes them; (8) all other
Bodhisattvas, because he and they have the same wisdom; (9) making offerings
to Buddhas, because he purifies his faith in Them; (10) all Tathāgatas, because,
like loving-kind fathers, They ceaselessly teach him. These are the ten. If a
Bodhisattva relies on these ten kinds of things, he will acquire a Tathāgata’s
unsurpassed great wisdom as his reliance.”

“2. What are his extraordinary thoughts?”

“Buddha-Sons, a Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva has ten extraordinary thoughts.
What are these ten? They are the thoughts that (1) all roots of goodness are his
own roots of goodness, (2) all roots of goodness are bodhi seeds, (3) all sentient
beings are bodhi vessels, (4) all vows are his own vows, (5) he should transcend
all dharmas, (6) all actions are his own actions, (7) all dharmas are the Buddha
Dharma, (8) all languages are the path of words, (9) all Buddhas are loving-kind
fathers, and (10) all Tathāgatas are the same. These are the ten. If a Bodhisattva-
Mahāsattva abides in these ten thoughts, he will acquire unsurpassed skill in
thinking.”

Avatamsaka Sutra, ch. 38

[Nicholas Weeks]

At that time the Bhagavān said to Wonderful Birth Bodhisattva, “Wonderful
Birth, you should know that the great enlightenment ground comprises five
dharmas. What are these five?
They are (1) the pure dharma realm [dharmadhātu],
(2) the mirror-like wisdom-knowledge [ādarśa-jñāna], (3) the equality
wisdom-knowledge [samatā-jñāna], (4) the discernment wisdom-knowledge
[pratyavekṣaṇā-jñāna], and (5) the accomplishment wisdom-knowledge
[kṛtyānuṣṭhāna-jñāna].

“Wonderful Birth, what is the pure dharma realm?

“As an analogy, although the open sky pervades various appearances of
forms, it cannot be said to have various appearances. Its body has only one
flavor. Likewise, although a Tathāgata’s pure dharma realm pervades various
appearances and perceived states, it cannot be said to have various
appearances. Its body has only one flavor.

Buddha Ground Sutra

[pael]

How Buddha Ground Sutra is practiced/meditated? Which one of 84000 poisons it cure?

[Nicholas Weeks]

How Buddha Ground Sutra is practiced/meditated? Which one of 84000 poisons it cure?

Here is the sutra online; study it and your questions may be answered:

http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra45.html