The text imparts its penetrating insight by first elaborating the manifold nuances of this doctrine in finely honed formal language, next by demonstrating the ideal in exquisite philosophical repartee. With very few exceptions the readings in these two editions are almost exactly the same in meaning, and the differences are too slight to have any sig nificant effect on the translation. The vimalakirti sutra translations from the asian classics editorial noun translated by burton watson wm. Burton watsons recent translation is better grammatically. Vasubandhus commentary to the saddharmapundarika sutra. The vimalakirti sutra is one of the most popular mahayana sutras. Vasubandhus commentary to the saddharmapundarikasutra. Shokai kanai, was my idea of making the actual sutra more readable and understandable. Burton watson s felicitous rendition of the lotus sutra captures superbly well the literary essence of the chinese text.
You never have to blink twice when reading a word of it so you are. Considering the manifold complexities and beauties of the work, this is a stunning achievement. From early times to the thirteenth century, all published by. Because the teaching of the vimalakirti sutra goes back and forth between two different. The vimalakirti sutra is written in northern india about 100 ce. His translations include the vimalakirti sutra, chuang tzu. Burton dewitt watson june, 1925 april 1, 2017 was an american sinologist, translator, and writer known for his numerous translations of chinese and japanese literature into english. One of the most popular asian classics for roughly two thousand years, the vimalakirti sutra stands out among the sacred texts of mahayana. Translator burton watson argues that the vimalakirti nirdesa was likely composed in approximately 100 ce. Watsons translations received many awards, including the gold medal award of the translation center at columbia university in 1979, the pen translation prize in 1982 for his translation. The teaching of vimalakirti presents in 14 fairly short chapters the core teachings of mahayana.
Its also wellloved for its emphasis on lay people as the focus of buddhas ministry and for teaching the equality of women. Kumarajivas version of the lotus sutra as the basic text, rather than the taisho edition. The vimalakirti sutra is wellknown for saying that if your mind is pure, your world will be a pure land as well. There are more than 1 million books that have been enjoyed by people from all over the world. One of the most popular asian classics for roughly two thousand years, the vimalakirti sutra stands out among the sacred texts of. Burton watson was born on june, 1925, in new rochelle, new york, where his father was a hotel manager. The lord buddha was in residence in the garden of amrapali, in the city of vaisali, attended by a great gathering. Asrecordedinthepalicanon,thebuddhaandhisdisciplesl ivedinan. The lotus sutra audiobook by hendrik kern, nicolas soames. Watson is one of the most respected translators of buddhist texts. Chinese rhymeprose by burton watson translator pdf. His translations include the lotus sutra, the vimalakirti sutra, ryokan.
Always update books hourly, if not looking, search in the book search column. The analects lunyu, translated with an introduction and commentary by annping chin, penguin classics 2014. Doctrinally, the vimalakirti sutra elaborates ideas deriving. Burton watsons version of the lotus sutra is an example of good literary style in a translation. The analects of confucius, translated by burton watson, columbia university press 2007. Terry rae abbott 1985 dissertation, university of california, berkeley.
As translated by burton watson, columbia university press, 2000, isbn. The teaching of vimalakirti minnesota zen meditation center. Pdf and handouts to be uploaded or distributed in class. Burton watson the vimalakirti sutra from the chinese version by kumarajiva by mystic. This combination of the burton translation of the lotus sutra, and the commentaries of rev.
Numata center for buddhist translation and research. The lotus sutra by burton watson 9780231081610 paperback. Review by ratnaprabha of the vimalakirti sutra, translated by burton watson columbia university press, new york, 1997 towards the end of this great buddhist classic, the buddha remarks that those who love varied phrases and literary embellishments are beginners in the bodhisattva way. I find that the translation by itself is sometimes difficult to read in context, and the. Translated by burton watson in 1997 from the chinese. Translator burton watson argues that the vimalakirti nirdesa sutra was likely composed in india in approximately 100 ce. Columbia university press 1996 abstract the vimalakirti sutra, one of the most influential works of the mahayana buddhist canon, is of particular importance in the chan or zen sect. The vimalakirti nirdesha sutra is a mayahana buddhist scripture that dates from the second century ce. The main attraction of this influential mahayana text is that the most profound realizations of mahayana buddhist thought emptiness, nonduality, the bodhisattva ideal, the one vehicle, altruistic compassion, and upayaskillful means are shown, by vimalakirtis example, to be available to lay people. Ordinary enlightenment a translation of the vimalakirti nirdesa sutra by charles luk. It was translated into chinese several times, first in 188 ce which was lost over time. Reverence to all buddhas, bodhisattvas, arya sravakas, and pratyekabuddhas, in the past, the present, and the future chapter i.
From the chinese version by kumarajiva kumarajiva, burton watson one of the most popular asian classics for roughly two thousand years, the vimalakirti sutra stands out among the sacred texts of mahayana buddhism for its conciseness, its vivid and humorous episodes, its dramatic narratives, and its eloquent exposition of. Jun 23, 2010 an important aspect of this scripture is that it contains a report of a teaching addressed to both arhats and bodhisattvas by the layman vimalakirti, who expounds the doctrine of sunyata, or emptiness, to them. His vimalakirti is translated from the kumarajiva chinese text. Burton watson is the foremost englishlanguage translator of classical chinese and japanese literature. Up till here, the stage was set for a great discussion at vimalakirtis house. The lotus sutra audiobook by hendrik kern, nicolas. Get ebooks the vimalakirti sutra on pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi and audiobook for free. At that time in the great city of vaishali there was a rich man named vimalakirti. Download the entire vimalakirti sutra free pdf ebook.
Already in the past he had offered alms to immeasurable numbers of buddhas, had deeply planted the roots of goodness, and had grasped the truth of birthlessness. Aug 16, 2018 burton watson, the vimalakirti sutra columbia university press, 2000. Publication date 201807 topics buddhism collection opensource language english. The sutra of queen srimala of the lions roar and the. Vimalakirti the vimalakirti sutra translations from the. With a translation by the noted scholar burton watson, includes an introduction to the philosopher in relation to chinese history and thought. Burton watsons felicitous rendition of the lotus sutra captures superbly well the literary essence of the chinese text. His translations include the lotus sutra, chuang tzu. Expository commentary on the vimalakirti sutra bdk america. The sutra of queen srimala of the lions roar and the vimalakirti sutra diana y. Buddha is about to expound the sutra of the great vehicle mahayana called the lotus. Burton watson born 1925 age 8889 new rochelle, new york, unitedstates occupation scholar, translator nationality american period 1962present burton watson from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia burton watson born 1925 is an american scholar and translator 1 of both chinese and japaneseliterature.
A new commentary on the heart sutra kama sutra for beginners. One of the most popular asian classics for roughly two thousand years, the vimalakirti sutra stands out among the sacred texts of mahayana buddhism for its conciseness, its vivid and humorous episodes, its dramatic narratives, and its eloquent exposition of the key doctrine of emptiness or nondualism. Esteemed translator burton watson has rendered a beautiful english translation from the popular chinese version produced in 406 c. This culminates with the wordless teaching of silence. One reason for the sutras 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 india, leading apparently a secular life. Originally written in sanskrit, probably in the first century c. Columbia university press 1996 abstract the vimalakirti sutra, one of the most influential works of the mahayana buddhist canon, is of. Yampolsky columbia university press new york chapter 3 the disciples at that time the. Jul 23, 2017 burton watson born 1925 age 8889 new rochelle, new york, unitedstates occupation scholar, translator nationality american period 1962present burton watson from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia burton watson born 1925 is an american scholar and translator 1 of both chinese and japaneseliterature. The vimalakirti sutra, translated by burton watson columbia university press, 1997 3. How to have sex, tantric sex volume 1 the vimalakirti sutra the heart attack sutra.
Navy, and was stationed on repair vessels in the south pacific during the final years of the pacific theatre of world war ii. Relg 3325 buddhism university of central arkansas autumn, 2014 days and time. The vimalakirti sutra by watson, burton, 1925publication date 1997 publisher new york. Burton watson, the vimalakirti sutra columbia university press, 2000.
Poems of a mountain home, and the columbia book of chinese poetry. Among his many awards is the penralph manheim medal for translation for his long and prolific career in chinese, japanese, and english languages. Vimalakirti sutra october 7 great vehicle vimalakirti sutra october 9 midterm examination. In vimalakirtis house, the discussion centered around the need for a bodhisattva to engage the world in order to attain ultimate wisdom.
From early times to the thirteenth century, all published by columbia. You, lay person, can know the enlightenment of the buddhas. Consequently, kumarajivas understanding of the sanskrit original is allowed to shine forth in english on its own terms. Burton watson the vimalakirti sutra from the chinese. The sutra of queen srimala of the lions roar and the vimalakirti sutra pdf.
Burton watson s translation of the lotus sutra is probably the best modern translation its the one ive always turned to anyway. The vimalakirti sutra translations from the asian classics. This combination of the burton translation of the lotus sutra, and the commentaries of. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson including rev. The teachings of vimalakirti minnesota zen meditation center. The vimalakirti sutra vimalakirtinirdesasutra is renowned in contemporary world buddhism for its breathtaking exposition of the mahayana doctrine of nonduality, and justifiably so. Burton watson is one of the worlds bestknown translators from the chinese and japanese. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. From kumarajivas chinese and featuring a short introduction thurman, robert 2000. Another fine translation which may be of interest is vimalakirti nirdesa sutra. In 1943, at age 17, watson dropped out of high school to join the u.