Avatamsaka Sutra: Why So Rare?

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Dharma Flower
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Avatamsaka Sutra: Why So Rare?

Post by Dharma Flower »

Why is Thomas Clearly's translation of the Flower Garland Sutra one of the only English versions available? Is its language difficult to translate or is it just very long?
Dharma Flower
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Re: Avatamsaka Sutra: Why So Rare?

Post by Dharma Flower »

Another thing I am curious about is why English translations of the Mahayana Nirvana Sutra are so rare as well.
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SunWuKong
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Re: Avatamsaka Sutra: Why So Rare?

Post by SunWuKong »

Dharma Flower wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2018 12:22 am Why is Thomas Clearly's translation of the Flower Garland Sutra one of the only English versions available? Is its language difficult to translate or is it just very long?
Yeah there’s not many translations. It is lengthy. 1600 pages long. City of 10,000 Buddha’s is sponsoring a new translation. See Wikipedia
"We are magical animals that roam" ~ Roam
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Caoimhghín
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Re: Avatamsaka Sutra: Why So Rare?

Post by Caoimhghín »

SunWuKong wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2018 7:00 am
Dharma Flower wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2018 12:22 am Why is Thomas Clearly's translation of the Flower Garland Sutra one of the only English versions available? Is its language difficult to translate or is it just very long?
[...] It is lengthy. [...]
Yup.
Then, the monks uttered this gāthā:

These bodies are like foam.
Them being frail, who can rejoice in them?
The Buddha attained the vajra-body.
Still, it becomes inconstant and ruined.
The many Buddhas are vajra-entities.
All are also subject to inconstancy.
Quickly ended, like melting snow --
how could things be different?

The Buddha passed into parinirvāṇa afterward.
(T1.27b10 Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra DĀ 2)
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