Stem Array Sutra

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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Nicholas Weeks
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Stem Array Sutra

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

That is the title given by Peter Alan Roberts to the final chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra. The 84000 Project will release the e-book versions on 27 October. Here is an interview with Roberts:

https://84000.co/the-stem-array/
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

It is now available in three e-book formats only - no immediate plans for a printed book. It has over 1100 PDF pages of text, detailed summary of sections, glossary, notes and Introduction:

https://read.84000.co/translation/toh44-45.html#toc
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Comparing the Cleary version which made more use of the Chinese translation with the new Roberts version relying more on the Tibetan:

Cleary:
Again, it is as if there is an eye-purifier called “possessed of undefiled brilliance,”
which is incompatible with any darkness or obscurity: suppose someone obtained it
and with that eye-clarifier “possessed of undefiled brilliance” went in the dark of
night among a huge crowd of people in various postures unable to see in the
darkness, and walked around, stood there, sat down, and so on—those people would
not see this person or distinguish what he was doing. On the other hand, this person
would see the crowd of people, their various postures, positions, locations,
appearances, and dress. In the same way, the Buddha, together with his company of
enlightening beings, having the pure unobstructed eye of knowledge, discerns and
sees all beings. Buddha shows the miracle emanated from the great concentration
of Buddha, but the great disciples did not see the miracle emanated from the
concentration of great knowledge of Buddha, or the great company of the assembly
of enlightening beings.
Roberts:
By analogy, there is the completely purified sight called stainless brilliance,
which does not experience any darkness. If a man who has obtained that purified sight
named stainless brilliance were to go in the completely black darkness of a dark night
among a gathering of a quintillion people who have various practices and conduct
and whose sight is overwhelmed by darkness, he would move, stand, sit down, and
act among them in various ways, but those people will not see or know of that man’s
various kinds of activity. [F.295.a] However, when that man looks in the different
directions at the various practices and conduct that the great gathering of beings is
performing, he sees their various shapes, their various colors, with none of those
various sights unseen. In the same way, the Tathāgata, who has an entourage of an
assembly of bodhisattvas, possesses the sight that is pure and unimpeded so that he sees
and knows the entire world. He demonstrates the manifestation of the great miracles of
a buddha’s samādhi, but the great śrāvakas do not see those great miracles manifested
by the samādhi and wisdom of the Tathāgata. Nor do they see that great assembly of
the great bodhisattvas.
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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Aloka
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by Aloka »

Peter Roberts is a very talented translator and a dedicated practitioner. A number of years ago we used to attend the same teachings and had the same Tibetan teachers.

May he live long and prosper.

:anjali: :heart:
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

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Vast beauty and wisdom in this sutra!
Just as a pure wish-fulfilling jewel
Fulfills the wishes that are made,
In that way, the Jina fulfills
The pure aspirations of beings.

Just as a shining jewel
Shines with lights,
In that way, pure omniscience
Illuminates the aspirations of beings.
Roberts 1.99-100

Cleary is also superb.
As a pure wish-fulfilling jewel grants what is desired,
The Victor fulfills the aspirations of those whose intentions are pure.

Like a luminous jewel shining,
Omniscience, pure, illumines beings’ minds.
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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bodom
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

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Does this have any connection to the Theravada path?
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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Aloka
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by Aloka »

bodom wrote: Fri Nov 05, 2021 8:37 pm Does this have any connection to the Theravada path?
Not that I'm aware of, the Avatamsaka sutra is a Mahayana text, and Peter Roberts is a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner.

:shrug:

https://www.learnreligions.com/the-avat ... tra-450027



.
Last edited by Aloka on Fri Nov 05, 2021 8:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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bodom
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by bodom »

Aloka wrote: Fri Nov 05, 2021 8:42 pm
bodom wrote: Fri Nov 05, 2021 8:37 pm Does this have any connection to the Theravada path?
Not that I'm aware of, the Avatamsaka sutra is a Mahayana text. :shrug:

https://www.learnreligions.com/the-avat ... tra-450027
Yeah I figured ..thanks Aloka. I wanted to give the OP a chance to show any kind of connection before locking the post
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Mahayana teachings do not exclude the Theravada teachings, in fact it explicitly includes them as the essential foundation. But one has to study some of the Mahayana Tripitaka to know that.

But if this sutra link bothers folks here -- be safe from irritation & lock it up.
Good and evil have no fixed form. It's as easy to turn from doing bad to doing good as it is to flip over the hand from the back to the palm. It's simply up to us to do it. Master Hsuan Hua.
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bodom
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Re: Stem Array Sutra

Post by bodom »

But if this sutra link bothers folks here -- be safe from irritation & lock it up.
Since there is no direct connection the thread will be closed.

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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