Mahayana Buddhism

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King of Prayers -- aspirations of Bodhisattvas:

https://www.kurukulla.org/resources/Prayers_and_Texts/king_of_prayers_a5.pdf

 

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“Minds and worlds interdependently construct each other at myriad entangled levels. That’s the central theme of Waldron’s superb guide to Yogācāra. This will become the go-to book for anyone wishing to learn about this radical Buddhist philosophy of cognition.” —EVAN THOMPSON, professor of philosophy, University of British Columbia, and author of Waking, Dreaming, Being

This 2023 study, Making Sense of Mind Only by William Waldron clarifies Mahayana teachings!

 

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Deep & detailed teachings of Nagarjuna on six Perfections needed by Bodhisattvas:

http://kalavinka.org/ebooks_NEW/Nagarjuna 6 Perfections_Bilingual_ebk_08-19-23.pdf

 

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Major and minor Bodhisattva Vows:

https://ia800901.us.archive.org/18/items/ACBV1100909/BodhisattvaVows.pdf

 

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Not even “non-existence” qualifies as nirvāṇa.
How much the less might “existence” qualify as such?
The complete end of attachments to existence or non-existence—
The Buddha described this as essential to nirvāṇa.

Nagarjuna, Ratnavali

 

[zaangalewa]

Not even “non-existence” qualifies as nirvāṇa.
How much the less might “existence” qualify as such?
The complete end of attachments to existence or non-existence—
The Buddha described this as essential to nirvāṇa.

Nagarjuna, Ratnavali

Then what you call "nirvana" is somehow what we call "god" or "creator" (~="father"). We are not able to say god existed or not existed when he created existence and we say somehow we "go home to god" (="go home to our father") after our death while we are indeed not-existing when we are dead.

 

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Buddha's most valuable sutra is often considered the Lotus Sutra. Master Hsuan Hua gave an extensive commentary on it. Here is a 2021 paperback edition in 14 volumes:

The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra, Vol. 1~14 (a series of fourteen books / new edition)

 

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New Kalavinka book on Bodhisattva's Moral Virtue:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...irtue_Bilingual_ebk_08-15-24.pdf?v=1726004853

 

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Praising a bodhisattva's original solid resolve, from Nagarjuna on the Ten Grounds:

When a person with a solid resolve observes all the sufferings and afflictions endured by those in the hells, among animals, and among the hungry ghosts, devas, humans, and asuras, he brings forth the mind of great compassion and has no fear. He makes this vow:

“All of these beings have deeply entered into such a deteriorated and afflicted state. They have no one to rescue or protect them and have no place of refuge. If I myself am to realize nirvāṇa, I must also bring about the liberation of beings such as these.”

Relying on the mind of great compassion, he is assiduous in his practice of vigor and, before long, achieves what he has vowed to do. It is for this reason that I state that, among all the meritorious qualities of a bodhisattva, solid resolve is foremost.

 

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On page 62 Nagarjuna gives a terse review of the first three stages:

As the bodhisattva on the first ground begins to gain the flavor of good dharmas, his mind abounds in joyfulness. It is for this reason that it is referred to as “the Ground of Joyfulness” (pramudita).

On the second ground, as one cultivates the path of the ten good karmic deeds, one leaves behind all stains. It is for this reason that it is referred to as “the Ground of Stainlessness” (vimala).

On the third ground, as one engages in vastly comprehensive learning and speaks Dharma for beings, one becomes able to provide radiant illumination. It is for this reason that it is referred to as “the Ground of Shining Light” (prabhākara).

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...reatise_English_ebk_08-19-23.pdf?v=1696648350

 

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On mindfulness of Buddha:

Nagarjuna on Mindfulness of the Buddha - English

 

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Peter Roberts' superb translation of Ten Bhumis Sutra:

https://84000.co/translation/toh44-31

 

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All the vast kindness in the entire world does not match even a single hair’s fraction of the Tathāgata’s. The kindness of the Buddha is as inexhaustible as space.

Avatamsaka Sutra, chapter one

 

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One deity, Chenrezi, embodies all Buddhas; One mantra, the six syllables OM MANI PADME HUM, embodies all mantras; One Dharma, bodhichitta, embodies all practices of the development and completion stages. Knowing the one which liberates all, recite the six-syllable mantra.

Patrul Rinpoche

 

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"To expect happiness without giving up negative action is like holding your hand in a fire and hoping not to be burned. Of course, no one actually wants to suffer, to be sick, to be cold or hungry -- but as long as we continue to indulge in wrongdoing we will never put an end to suffering. Likewise, we will never achieve happiness except through positive deeds, words, and thoughts. Positive action is something we have to cultivate ourselves; it can be neither bought nor stolen, and no one ever stumbles on it just by chance."

Dilgo Khyentse

 

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First, be judicious in finding a Guru;
Then, be judicious in attending him;
Finally, be judicious in practicing his teachings.
Whoever is judicious in these three ways will make unerring
progress on the path of liberation.

Buddhist saying

 

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When we prostrate, we’re not prostrating to the material objects on the altar but paying homage to true, understanding wisdom.
—Lama Yeshe

 

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https://www.lamayeshe.com/sites/default/files/silent_mind_holy_mind.pdf

Lama Yeshe on Xmas

 

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Don't think, "I am powerless." Human beings do have power. We have the power to change our lifestyles, change our attitudes, change our habits. We can call that capacity Buddha potential, God potential or whatever you want to call it.
—Lama Yeshe

 

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Venerable Yin Shun (d. 2005) was a giant in Chinese Buddhism. Here are several of his teachings in free pdfs:

English Publications Regarding Venerable Yinshun’s Works｜印順文教基金會