Best translations of Tathāgatagarbha Sūtrs in general

Discuss and learn about the traditional Mahayana scriptures, without assuming that any one school ‘owns’ the only correct interpretation.
Post Reply
User avatar
ThreeVows
Posts: 942
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 5:54 pm

Best translations of Tathāgatagarbha Sūtrs in general

Post by ThreeVows »

Any recommendations for English translations of the TGG Sūtras in general? Any sutras in the class is fine, I’m curious for recommendations broadly.

Thanks.
“Whoever wants to find the wisdom beyond intellect without praying to his guru is like someone waiting for the sun to shine in a cave facing the north. He will never realize appearances and his mind to be one.”
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Schrödinger’s Yidam
Posts: 7885
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 6:13 am

Re: Best translations of Tathāgatagarbha Sūtrs in general

Post by Schrödinger’s Yidam »

I like Snow Lion's "Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary." tr. Rosemarie Fuchs. The commentary is by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, so it is pretty authoritative if you're a Karma Kagyupa.

I'm no expert, but I'm led to believe that the Uttaratantra is pretty much the go-to text for TGG teachings. It has the most comprehensive take on the subject and seems to be the one most referenced by current teachers. Brunnhölzl has a scholarly (and wonderful) translation of the same text called "When Clouds Part", with lots of supporting chapters talking about the text's importance to various Kagyu lamas over the centuries. But that's a 1,000 page masterwork on how Buddha Nature is handled in KagyuLand. Maybe it shouldn't be your first exposure.
1.The problem isn’t ‘ignorance’. The problem is the mind you have right now. (H.H. Karmapa XVII @NYC 2/4/18)
2. I support Mingyur R and HHDL in their positions against lama abuse.
3. Student: Lama, I thought I might die but then I realized that the 3 Jewels would protect me.
Lama: Even If you had died the 3 Jewels would still have protected you. (DW post by Fortyeightvows)
User avatar
ThreeVows
Posts: 942
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 5:54 pm

Re: Best translations of Tathāgatagarbha Sūtrs in general

Post by ThreeVows »

smcj wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:41 am I like Snow Lion's "Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary." tr. Rosemarie Fuchs. The commentary is by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, so it is pretty authoritative if you're a Karma Kagyupa.

I'm no expert, but I'm led to believe that the Uttaratantra is pretty much the go-to text for TGG teachings. It has the most comprehensive take on the subject and seems to be the one most referenced by current teachers. Brunnhölzl has a scholarly (and wonderful) translation of the same text called "When Clouds Part", with lots of supporting chapters talking about the text's importance to various Kagyu lamas over the centuries. But that's a 1,000 page masterwork on how Buddha Nature is handled in KagyuLand. Maybe it shouldn't be your first exposure.
Thanks. I'm familiar with that book and have a copy. I've enjoyed it.

I was specifically looking for Sutras such as the Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra, Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra, Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, the Aṅgulimālīya Sūtra, etc. I've read some but was curious as to recommendations from others.

Thanks regardless.
“Whoever wants to find the wisdom beyond intellect without praying to his guru is like someone waiting for the sun to shine in a cave facing the north. He will never realize appearances and his mind to be one.”
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Nicholas Weeks
Posts: 4209
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Re: Best translations of Tathāgatagarbha Sūtras in general

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Seeker12 wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:15 am Any recommendations for English translations of the TGG Sūtras in general? Any sutras in the class is fine, I’m curious for recommendations broadly.

Thanks.
You did not say if you have read Rulu's translations, if not here are over 50 sutras, some of which are Tathagatagarbha. Also in books.

http://www.sutrasmantras.info/intro.html
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Post Reply

Return to “Sūtra Studies”