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Khyenrab

Practice of reading the Sutras

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Tashi Delek,

 

Questions, questions, questions :wink::P

 

I would really like to ask: what should be kept in mind when reading and what would be the right procedure to read the Sutras, such as the Heart of Wisdom Sutra and Sanghata Sutra? I imagine that this is "no picnic", and that one should be in some way prepared, at least with some words of guidance...

http://www.fpmt.org/education/prayers/hear...artsutra_ba.pdf

http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/p...df/SANGHATA.pdf

 

Thank you very much,

Khyenrab

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Guest Ani.Chödrön

Tashi Delek,

 

basically reading of Dharma texts is a Dharma practice so it can be structured in a similar way: with establishing motivation at the beginning and dedication at the end. Many texts are already written this way.

 

I’ve come across different recommendations depending to different aspirations of practitioner. Here are some suggestions:

 

1. Bodhicitta. Many times it has been told how important it is to establish the right motivation before doing a practice, listening to a teaching, reading a text. l-) It is said that the benefit of our practice depends to a great extend on our motivation. The best motivation in Mahayana Buddhism is to benefit others, the Awakening mind. For example, an aspiration that reading this Dharma text would help us to proceed quicker on our path so that we will be able to benefit others as soon as possible. :D

 

2. Wisdom. You have probably noticed how numerous are the texts starting with paying homage to Manjushri. !:! It is recommended that before reading or listening to Dharma - to clarify our obscured mind 8O and in order to understand them deeper and in a proper way - we can recite Manjushri prayer. Especially before the teachings which refer to Emptiness and developing Wisdom. Some suggest reciting Prajnaparamita mantra before reading the Heart Sutra (or about Emptiness). If you have received the lung or initiation of Manjushri then its effect is stronger.

 

3. Whole practice. I have some times come accross prayers or texts structured as a 7-limb prayer, starting with Refuge and offering to the Great ones, continuing with regret about our laziness which caused that we are still so ignorant and with paying respect to the great deeds of the Buddhas & Bodhisattvas, asking them to grant us their blessings.

 

Reading the Dharma text is a beneficial practice, ;-F therefore it is good to conclude it with dedication.

 

Best regards,

chödrön

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It is excellent to see the excellent ones,

excellent to see the Buddha.

Excellent is the field that is the good quality of the Dharma.

Seeing the entirety of the Sangha is excellent.

Excellent is the exposition of the Sanghata,

the extinguisher of all evil.

Those who hear this sutra will attain the supreme path.

 

(Sanghata sutra, p. 34)

 

:)

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The speech of buddhas is subtle.

Sarvasura, listen to me.

The Sanghata-sutra, the teacher,

is revealed in the form of the sage.

The Sanghata teaches, out of kindness,

even through the bodies of buddhas.

As many grains of sand as the Ganges holds,

in just that many forms it teaches.

It teaches in the form of a buddha.

It teaches the very essence of Dharma.

Who wishes to see a buddha,

Sanghata is equivalent to a buddha.

Wherever the Sanghata is,

Always, there the Buddha is.

 

- Sanghata sutra, p.18

 

!:!

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hi,

i am studying the Diamond Cutter Sutra right now. do you know any commentary?

it is said that after finishing the study of this Sutra, the one who read it will experience a difficult period. why is that so?

thank you,

micu

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Diamond Cutter Sutra right now. do you know any commentary?

 

There are several commentaries, but I don't know how many of them are translated. One commentary was written by Master Asanga (~350 A.D.) and one by Master Kamalashila (~750 A.D.). These two were written in Sanskrit.

 

Another commentary (written in Tibetan) is "Sunlight for the Path to Freedom, a Commentary on the Diamond Cutter Sutra", written by Choney Lama Drakpa Shedrup (1675-1748). There exist translation in English, but only "more important" parts are translated. Link: http://www.world-view.org/media/text/cours...6/C6Reading.pdf

 

it is said that after finishing the study of this Sutra, the one who read it will experience a difficult period. why is that so?

This is written in Sutra, and in this Sutra Lord Buddha Shakyamuni also gives an answer which is: "Why is it so? Because, o Subhuti, such beings are purifying non-virtuous karma from the entire string of their previous lives, karma that would have taken them to the three lower realms. As they purify this karma, it causes them to suffer here in this life..."

 

You can read additional explanation about this in the linked commentary.

 

Note also, that the commentary says that it is possible (and not necessary) that suffering will arise after reading such a Sutra.

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www.sanghatasutra.net

 

"This website has its official launch today, October 17, a full moon day with a lunar eclipse. On this highly auspicious day, Buddhists in Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New York, Washington, Madison, Baltimore, California, Puerto Rico and six cities in Mexico are reciting the Sangh?ta S?tra!" :)

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Just a very short excerpt from the Sanghata Sutra:

 

"Who wishes to see a Buddha,

Sangh?ta is equivalent to a Buddha.

Wherever Sangh?ta is,

There the Buddha is, always."

- ?rya Sangh?ta S?tra

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