Audiobook5 hours
The Vimalakirti Sutra
Written by Burton Watson
Narrated by Taradasa
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
()
About this audiobook
The Vimalakirti Sutra is one of the most popular of all Mahayana sutras, being especially loved and revered in the Far East. One of the reasons for the sutra's popularity is that its principal character, Vimalakirti, is not a Buddha or a Bodhisattva or even a monk, but a layman with a family living in Vaishali in India, leading - apparently - a secular life.
This does not hinder his ability, the Sutra proclaims to be a man of remarkable spiritual understanding and attainment - so much so that he confidently lectures and advises arhats (enlightened-monks) and bodhisattvas (perfected individuals working for the enlightenment of all) on spiritual matters. These range from the 10 precepts to be observed (including not harming beings, the practices of generosity and skilful speech) to the six perfections (including morality, renunciation, spiritual vigour and equanimity) and the four immeasurable qualities including loving kindness, compassion and empathetic joy.
The central chapter, and the climax of the Sutra is a long and rich discourse on nonduality. Unusually for such a work, the Vimalakirti Sutra is threaded with touches of humour. The story which frames the work recounts how Vimalakirti feigns an illness in order to prompt arhats - figures such as Shariputra and Subhuti - as well as numerous Bodhisattvas to visit him and inquire after his health, thus creating opportunities for the famous layman to expound the Dharma, the Buddha's teaching. They are initially reluctant to make the visit because they have, in the past, encountered Vimalakirti's skill and received a bit of a spiritual drubbing!
All this is cast in a mythical and imaginative Mahayana setting with thousands of figures of all kinds from all the realms of the many worlds finally coming to visit Vimalakirti - and all fitting comfortably in his small house in Vaishali. Though of Sanskrit origin, it is not known when or where the Vimalakirti Sutra was written, but it is the translation by the fifth-century Chinese scholar monk Kumarajiva which has provided us with the fullest and most satisfactory source text, and which Burton Watson has used to render it into English.
The Vimalakirti Sutra is read with presence and understanding by Taradasa.
This does not hinder his ability, the Sutra proclaims to be a man of remarkable spiritual understanding and attainment - so much so that he confidently lectures and advises arhats (enlightened-monks) and bodhisattvas (perfected individuals working for the enlightenment of all) on spiritual matters. These range from the 10 precepts to be observed (including not harming beings, the practices of generosity and skilful speech) to the six perfections (including morality, renunciation, spiritual vigour and equanimity) and the four immeasurable qualities including loving kindness, compassion and empathetic joy.
The central chapter, and the climax of the Sutra is a long and rich discourse on nonduality. Unusually for such a work, the Vimalakirti Sutra is threaded with touches of humour. The story which frames the work recounts how Vimalakirti feigns an illness in order to prompt arhats - figures such as Shariputra and Subhuti - as well as numerous Bodhisattvas to visit him and inquire after his health, thus creating opportunities for the famous layman to expound the Dharma, the Buddha's teaching. They are initially reluctant to make the visit because they have, in the past, encountered Vimalakirti's skill and received a bit of a spiritual drubbing!
All this is cast in a mythical and imaginative Mahayana setting with thousands of figures of all kinds from all the realms of the many worlds finally coming to visit Vimalakirti - and all fitting comfortably in his small house in Vaishali. Though of Sanskrit origin, it is not known when or where the Vimalakirti Sutra was written, but it is the translation by the fifth-century Chinese scholar monk Kumarajiva which has provided us with the fullest and most satisfactory source text, and which Burton Watson has used to render it into English.
The Vimalakirti Sutra is read with presence and understanding by Taradasa.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJan 7, 2019
ISBN9781004133628
Related to The Vimalakirti Sutra
Related audiobooks
Therigatha: Poems of Early Buddhist Nuns Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lankavatara Sutra Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Disciples of the Buddha: Their Lives, Their Works, Their Legacies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInside Vasubandhu's Yogacara: A Practitioner's Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lotus Sutra: The White Lotus Sutra of the True Dharma Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Essence of Buddhism: Buddhism presented in way that appeals to the modern, scientific socially conscious disciple! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Life Of Buddha Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bodhicaryavatara: A Guide to the Buddhist Path to Awakening Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Requisites of Enlightenment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Concise History of Buddhism: From 500 BCE-1900 CE Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRebirth: A Guide to Mind, Karma, and Cosmos in the Buddhist World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awake-ism: The Heartmind of Buddhism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat the Buddha Taught Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Mysticism: The Essential Teachings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMeher Baba the Heart of the Avatar: Memorable Quotations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEssential Mystery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Who Is the Buddha? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRama Speaks: The Teachings of Rama-Dr. Frederick Lenz Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Life & Teaching Of Gautama Buddha Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Voice of the Buddha Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gateless Gate: Sacred Writings of Zen Buddhism Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Meditations on Living, Dying and Loss: The Essential Tibetan Book of the Dead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Buddha and His Dhamma Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In the Presence of Nibbana: Developing faith in the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Early Teachings of the Buddha with Sarah Shaw Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Essence of Chan: A Guide to Life and Practice according to the Teachings of Bodhidharma Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDharma Wisdom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Life of the Buddha Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStill, in the City: Creating Peace of Mind in the Midst of Urban Chaos Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Buddhism For You
Buddhism 101: From Karma to the Four Noble Truths, Your Guide to Understanding the Principles of Buddhism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddhism Is Not What You Think: Finding Freedom Beyond Beliefs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Meaning of Life: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Communicating Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dancing with Life: Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in the Face of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Go Slowly, Breathe and Smile: Dharma Art by Rashani Rea with the Wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Turning the Mind Into an Ally Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Stay Human in a F*cked-Up World: Mindfulness Practices for Real Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Being Peace Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Buddhist Boot Camp Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Zen in the Art of Archery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Peace Is Every Breath: A Practice for Our Busy Lives Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Living Buddha, Living Christ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to See Yourself As You Really Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Vimalakirti Sutra
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings
0 ratings0 reviews