The Avataṃsaka Period of Teaching

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Caoimhghín
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The Avataṃsaka Period of Teaching

Post by Caoimhghín »

If I may ask a few question concerning what are likely some misconceptions of mine:

The Avataṃsaka Period: during this period, it is said that the Buddha taught a bewildering and confusing dharma that was not understood by the masses, and only by a select few bodhisattvāḥ.

Regardless of if this Avataṃsaka period occurred or not, why is the Buddha believed to have began with incomprehensible teachings? Since this information essentially comes from the internet, free flowing and uncited, what is the appropriate contextualization for the belief that there was an Avataṃsaka Period of mostly incomprehensible dharma with very little transmission occurring?
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)
Admin_PC
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Re: The Avataṃsaka Period of Teaching

Post by Admin_PC »

This article might help explain the background of the various classification systems (panjiao) and the development of the 5 periods system.
http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/DLMBS/en ... seq=396962
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Caoimhghín
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Location: Whitby, Ontario

Re: The Avataṃsaka Period of Teaching

Post by Caoimhghín »

Admin_PC wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2017 2:04 pm This article might help explain the background of the various classification systems (panjiao) and the development of the 5 periods system.
http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/DLMBS/en ... seq=396962
It is a very interesting article, from the abstract. Unfortunately, I do not think that that site is hosting it anymore.
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)
Admin_PC
Former staff member
Posts: 4860
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:17 pm

Re: The Avataṃsaka Period of Teaching

Post by Admin_PC »

Was going to host it myself, but just found out that the author's hosting it here:
http://coastal.academia.edu/ChanjuMun
http://www.academia.edu/30839083/Wonhyo ... ifications
Admin_PC
Former staff member
Posts: 4860
Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:17 pm

Re: The Avataṃsaka Period of Teaching

Post by Admin_PC »

Never mind, just saw that he hadn't uploaded the document.
Here's a link
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