Flower Ornament Scripture (eBook)

Thomas Cleary (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

1993 | 1. Auflage
1656 Seiten
Shambhala (Verlag)
978-0-8348-2409-6 (ISBN)

Infos

Known in Chinese as Hua-yen and in Japanese as Kegon-kyo, the Avatamsaka Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture, is held in the highest regard and studied by Buddhists of all traditions. Through its structure and symbolism, as well as through its concisely stated principles, it conveys a vast range of Buddhist teachings.

This one-volume edition contains Thomas Cleary's definitive translation of all thirty-nine books of the sutra, along with an introduction, a glossary, and Cleary's translation of Li Tongxuan's seventh-century guide to the final book, the Gandavyuha, 'Entry into the Realm of Reality.'

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Known in Chinese as Hua-yen and in Japanese as Kegon-kyo, the Avatamsaka Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture, is held in the highest regard and studied by Buddhists of all traditions. Through its structure and symbolism, as well as through its concisely stated principles, it conveys a vast range of Buddhist teachings. This one-volume edition contains Thomas Cleary's definitive translation of all thirty-nine books of the sutra, along with an introduction, a glossary, and Cleary's translation of Li Tongxuan's seventh-century guide to the final book, the Gandavyuha, "e;Entry into the Realm of Reality."e;

Textauszug

FromBook One: TheWonderful Adornments of the Leaders of the Worlds

Thushave I heard. At one time the Buddha was in the land of Magadha, in a state ofpurity, at the site of enlightenment, having just realized true awareness. Theground was solid and firm, made of diamond, adorned with exquisite jewel discsand myriad precious flowers, with pure clear crystals. The ocean ofcharacteristics of the various colors appeared over an infinite extent. Therewere banners of precious stones, constantly emitting shining light andproducing beautiful sounds. Nets of myriad gems and garlands of exquisitelyscented flowers hung all around. The finest jewels appeared spontaneously,raining inexhaustible quantities of gems and beautiful flowers all over theearth. There were rows of jewel trees, their branches and foliage lustrous andluxuriant. By the Buddha's spiritual power, he caused all the adornments ofthis enlightenment site to be reflected therein.

Thetree of enlightenment was tall and outstanding. Its trunk was diamond, its mainboughs were lapis lazuli, its branches and twigs were of various preciouselements. The leaves, spreading in all directions, provided shade, like clouds.The precious blossoms were of various colors, the branching twigs spread outtheir shadows. Also the fruits were jewels containing a blazing radiance. Theywere together with the flowers in great arrays. The entire circumference of thetree emanated light, within the light there rained precious stones, and withineach gem were enlightening beings, in great hosts like clouds, simultaneouslyappearing.

Also,by virtue of the awesome spiritual power of the Buddha, the tree ofenlightenment constantly gave forth sublime sounds speaking various truthswithout end.

Thepalace chamber in which the Buddha was situated was spacious and beautifullyadorned. It extended throughout the ten directions. It was made of jewels ofvarious colors and was decorated with all kinds of precious flowers. Thevarious adornments emanated lights like clouds, the masses of their reflectionsfrom within the palace formed banners.

Aboundless host of enlightening beings, the congregation at the site ofenlightenment, were all gathered there: by means of the ability to manifest thelights and inconceivable sounds of the Buddhas, they fashioned nets of thefinest jewels, from which came forth all the realms of action of the spiritualpowers of the Buddhas, and in which were reflected images of the abodes of allbeings.

Also,by virtue of the aid of the spiritual power of the Buddha, they embraced theentire cosmos in a single thought.

Theirlion seats were high, wide, and beautiful. The bases were made of jewels, theirnets of lotus blossoms, their tableaus of pure, exquisite gemstones. They wereadorned with various flowers of all colors. Their roofs, chambers, steps, anddoors were adorned by the images of all things. The branches and fruits ofjewel trees surrounded them, arrayed at intervals.

Cloudsof radiance of jewels reflected each other: the Buddhas of the ten directionsconjured regal pearls, and the exquisite jewels in the topknots of all theenlightening beings all emanated light, which came and illuminated them.

Furthermore,sustained by the spiritual power of all Buddhas, they expounded the vastperspective of the Enlightened Ones, their subtle tones extending afar, therebeing no place they did not reach.

Atthat time, the Buddha, the World Honored One, in this setting, attained tosupreme, correct awareness of all things. His knowledge entered into all timeswith complete...

Produkt-Details

• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Geschichte der Philosophie
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie der Neuzeit
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Buddhismus
• ISBN-10: 0-8348-2409-4 / 0834824094
• ISBN-13: 978-0-8348-2409-6 / 9780834824096