Nirvana Sutra Book Discussion - (Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra)
Details
Dear Dharma Drink Friends,
We're planning to embark on another Dharma book reading, the Nirvana Sutra (The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra).
This sutra elaborates on Buddha-nature and serves as a doctrinal confirmation for the many Mahayana lineages. We plan on reading the first half of the sutra, from chapter 1-26. My understanding is that the first half covers the foundation and systematic exposition. The second half, chapters 27-32, consists of elaborations through bodhisattva dialogues. We'll make a decision later if or when to read the 2nd half.
Read Chapters
- Ch 1 - Intro
- Ch 2 - On Cunda
(- Ch 3 - On Grief)
Discussion Preparation:
Please prepare 5 or more points of interests or questions per chapter.
Per BDK America: "One of the most influential Buddhist texts in East Asia, the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra, or Nirvana Sutra, takes the occasion of Śākyamuni Buddha’s last sermon to present a thoroughly Mahāyāna message in which buddhas are mythically eternal yet a constant presence in our temporal world..."
Per Amazon's Dr Tony Page and Kosho Yamamoto book description: "This sutra is the study of what can be called "Nirvana Sutra Buddhism" or "Tathagatagarbha Buddhism". It is a very positive, balanced, faith-promoting and spiritually affirmative manifestation of Buddhism, which recognizes the hidden reality of the unconditioned, egoless Buddha-Self in all beings..."
The translation we plan to use is translated by Kosho Yamamoto:
https://www.shabkar.org/download/pdf/Mahaparinirvana_Sutra_Yamamoto_Page_2007.pdf
There appears to be Amazon versions, likely different editions:
- Amazon: The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
- Amazon: Nirvana Sutra: A Translation of Dharmakshema's Northern version
ALSO NOTE: that we are here to read, exchange and help each other. We’re not here to expound. If you need deeper learnings, please go visit a Buddhist teaching center.
Eddie