Dear Reader,

Welcome. Today’s keyword is “Vimalakīrti.” Let’s start with an expansion of our keyword in three Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: Vimalakīrti विमलकीर्ति

Chinese: Wéimójié 維摩詰

Tibetan: Dri med grags pa དྲི་མེད་གྲགས་པ།

Definition:

The Vimalakīrtinirdeśa, in English “Vimalakīrti’s Instructions,” is an important sūtra of the Mahāyāna, or “Great Vehicle,” dating from approximately the second century CE. The name Vimalakīrti in the title is the name of the sūtra’s protagonist: a layman who embodies the bodhisattva ideal. Vimalakīrti elucidates the Dharma with a wisdom that surpasses even that of the Buddha’s most accomplished monastic disciples. Through a series of philosophical discourses and miraculous feats, Vimalakīrti expounds on the Mahāyāna themes of śūnyatā, or “emptiness,” the unity of saṃsāra and nirvāṇa, and the importance of upāya, or “skillful means.”

Significance:

The Vimalakīrtinirdeśa is a masterpiece that blends doctrinal depth with narrative flair. The scripture reflects the Mahāyāna vision through the voice of its remarkable lay protagonist. The sūtra weaves Vimalakīrti’s dialogues and miracles to critique and transcend the perceived limitations of early Buddhist thought. In particular, Vimalakīrti critiques the dichotomy between lay and monastic life and the notions of purity and practice. Vimalakīrti, through his illness and subsequent teachings, serves as a medium to convey the Mahāyāna ideal that enlightenment is not confined to the monastic order but is accessible to all, regardless of their roles in society. Central to the sūtra’s narrative is Vimalakīrti’s silence in response to inquiries about non-duality. This is a literary moment whose eloquence resonated through centuries of Buddhist thought and practice, for, in communicating the incommunicable, Vimalakīrti shows that ultimate truth transcends the domains of language and conceptual thought. This episode critiques the limitations of discursive reasoning and elevates the discourse on prajñā, or “wisdom,” to unparalleled heights.

The sūtra’s historical layers, revealed through its transmission from the original Sanskrit to multiple translations across Asian cultures, demonstrate its universal adaptability, a feature that enriched the Mahāyāna tradition in scope and appeal. Notably, the story of Vimalakīrti, together with the sūtra’s insights, have inspired Buddhist practitioners and captivated scholars and artists, leading to its depiction in numerous forms of Buddhist art across East Asia.

In placing a layman at the heart of its discourse, the authors of the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa called for a transformation in the pursuit of enlightenment, emphasizing that the bodhisattva path is open to all. This sūtra thus stands as a text that both consolidates and expands the Mahāyāna vision, unveiling the concerns and tensions at the center of the Buddhist debate—namely, societal roles and the pursuit of wisdom—at the time of its compilation.

This is all for today. Thank you for your presence, and I’ll see you next time.

All the best,

Martino

Enlightenment Legacies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.enlightenmentlegacies.com

Dear Enlightenment Legacies Reader,

You are invited to join our digital vihāra. This week’s keyword is “abhidharma.” Let me begin with an expansion of our keyword in four major Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: Abhidharma अभिधर्म

Pāli: Abhidhamma

Chinese: Āpídámó 阿毘達磨

Tibetan: Chos mngon pa ཆོས་མངོན་པ།

Definition

Abhidharma, translating to “higher teachings” or “higher dharma,” is a critical and analytical elaboration of Buddhist doctrines, particularly concerning epistemology, psychology, and metaphysics. It systematizes the teachings found in the sūtras into precise, technical descriptions of reality and the processes of mental and physical phenomena.

Significance

Abhidharma represents a crucial development in Buddhist literature, emerging as a systematic exposition of the Buddha’s teachings. It evolved either from mnemonic matrices or catechistic discussions, refining and categorizing doctrinal elements to facilitate understanding and memorization. Abhidharma texts offer a comprehensive analysis of reality, detailing the dynamics of consciousness, matter, and their interrelations. This genre forms a part of the Tripiṭaka (“Three Baskets”), emphasizing higher wisdom training and encompassing topics like epistemology, cosmology, and the path to enlightenment. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, Abhidharma extends to include broader treatises, influencing scholastic discussions and practice. It plays a crucial role in structuring and disseminating Buddhist philosophy and practice across traditions.

Thanks for listening. I will see you next week.

All the best,

Martino

Enlightenment Legacies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.enlightenmentlegacies.com

Dear Enlightenment Legacies Reader,

You are invited to join our virtual vihāra. This week’s keyword is “arhat.” We shall begin with an expansion of our keyword in four major Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: arhat अर्हत्

Pāli: arahat

Chinese: luóhàn 羅漢

Tibetan: dgra bcom pa དགྲ་བཅོམ་པ་

Definition:

An arhat, or “worthy one” in Buddhism, is a being who has eradicated all afflictions (kleśa) and will not be reborn, as they will enter nirvāṇa upon death. This state is achieved by overcoming the ten fetters that bind one to the cycle of rebirth, including ignorance, craving, and the belief in a permanent self.

Significance:

The arhat, in the context of mainstream Buddhist schools, is viewed as the culmination of spiritual attainment. They stand as the highest among the four grades of noble persons (āryapudgala), surpassing stream-enterers, once-returners, and non-returners. This attainment involves the complete extinguishment of the ten fetters and contaminants (āsravakṣaya), allowing one to achieve nirvāṇa in their current life and final liberation (parinirvāṇa) at death.

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, however, the ideal of the arhat is considered inferior to that of both the bodhisattva and the buddha. The arhat is seen as having overcome only the afflictive obstructions (kleśāvaraṇa), but not the obstructions to knowledge (jñeyāvaraṇa), which is a realization only the buddhas can achieve. Despite this, arhats are highly revered figures in Buddhist literature and art, often featured as key figures in significant texts like the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra (Lotus Sūtra) and the Vajracchedikāprajñāpāramitāsūtra (Diamond Sūtra). They are also venerated in East Asia, particularly in the form of luohans, who are believed to remain in the world until the coming of Maitreya, the next buddha of the present cosmic age. In China, for example, these luohans, often numbered as sixteen, are celebrated in separate shrines and represent the profound legacy of arhats in Buddhist cultural and religious practices.

Thanks for your presence. I will see you next week.

All the best,

Martino

Enlightenment Legacies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.enlightenmentlegacies.com

Dear Enlightenment Legacies Reader,

You are invited to join our digital vihāra. Today’s keyword is “Guru.” We shall begin with an expansion of our keyword in four major Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: guru गुरु

Pāli: upādhyāya उपाध्याय

Chinese: shàngshī 上師

Tibetan: bla ma བླ་མ་

Definition

In Buddhism, the term “guru” represents a highly revered teacher or guide. This term connotes a figure of significant weight and authority, typically serving as a mentor or instructor in religious practices and doctrines. In Buddhism, the guru is more than a teacher; they are often venerated as a religious guide leading disciples on their path to enlightenment.

Significance

The concept of the guru in Buddhism carries profound historical and cultural relevance. Emphasized in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, the guru is not only a teacher but also a guide on the path to personal and universal awakening. The relationship between guru and disciple is deeply symbolic, often compared to the bond between father and son, signifying nurturance, guidance, and the transfer of wisdom and insight. In Mahāyāna scriptures such as the Avataṃsakasūtra, the guru plays a crucial role in guiding spiritual seekers like Sudhana through a series of encounters with various mentors, each imparting different aspects of insight into the path. The Avataṃsaka’s literary representation highlights the multifaceted nature of the guru as a figure embodying various forms of wisdom.

In the Vajrayāna, the guru assumes an even more central role. Here, the guru is regarded as the human embodiment of the Buddha’s cosmic bodies. This reflects the belief that the guru’s teachings and presence facilitate a direct connection with the higher truths taught in the Tantras. The Gurupañcāśikā, a text delineating the proper conduct of students in the presence of a tantric guru, underlines the reverence and respect owed to the teacher. In Tibet, as in India, the guru is central to religious practice, an essential mediator and conveyor of the Buddha’s teachings, often revered as an embodiment of the Buddha himself. The veneration of the guru in Buddhist literature and art reflects this deep-seated reverence. Representations of gurus in Buddhist art often depict them with auras of sanctity, emphasizing their divine nature and their role in the journey of their disciples. In summary, the guru is a cornerstone of practice and understanding, transcending the role of a mere teacher to become a vital guide on the path to enlightenment.

With gratitude for your presence. I will see you next week.

All the best,

Martino

Enlightenment Legacies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.enlightenmentlegacies.com

Dear Enlightenment Legacies Reader,

You are invited to join our digital vihāra. Today’s keyword is “Duḥkha.” We shall begin with an expansion of our keyword in four major Buddhist languages.

Sanskrit: duḥkha दुःख

Pāli: dukkha

Chinese: ku 苦

Tibetan: sdug bsngal སྡུག་བསྔལ་

DefinitionDuḥkha, in Buddhism, refers to the intrinsic suffering or unsatisfactoriness permeating human existence. It encompasses not just physical and emotional pain, but a deeper, more subtle sense of dissatisfaction with life, extending to mental, emotional, and spiritual realms, underscoring life’s impermanence and the inevitability of change.

SignificanceThe concept of duḥkha, foundational in Buddhism, arises in the first of the Four Truths of the Nobles (catvāry āryasatyāni), emphasizing life’s inherent suffering. This suffering includes birth, aging, sickness, death, and the pain of not achieving desires. Beyond these, duḥkha encompasses broader existential dissatisfactions, recognizing life’s transient nature. It invites a critical reevaluation of worldly pursuits, highlighting the three marks of existence: impermanence (anitya), suffering (duḥkha), and nonself (anātman). This awareness encourages a shift from attachment to worldly pleasures to seeking liberation in nirvāṇa. Buddhist texts enumerate various types of duḥkha, ranging from three to over a hundred categories, each dissecting suffering’s multifaceted nature and its role in the cycle of rebirth and liberation.

With gratitude for your presence. I will see you next week.

All the best,

Martino

Enlightenment Legacies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.enlightenmentlegacies.com