20240925 Vimalakirti Sutra

This page is part of my exploration of Mahayana Buddhism:

https://listed.valdelane.net/55455/20241003-mahayana-buddhism

Vimalakirti exemplifies the bodhisattva ideal and reveals that enlightenment is available to anyone, layperson or monastic." — www.learnreligions.com/major-mahayana-sutras-450031

"While the Buddha is teaching outside the city of Vaiśālī, a notable householder in the city—the great bodhisattva Vimalakīrti—apparently falls sick. The Buddha asks his disciple and bodhisattva disciples to call on Vimalakīrti, but each of them relates previous encounters that have rendered them reluctant to face his penetrating scrutiny of their attitudes and activities. Only Mañjuśrī has the courage to pay him a visit, and in the conversations that ensue between Vimalakīrti, Mañjuśrī, and several other interlocutors, Vimalakīrti sets out an uncompromising and profound view of the Buddha’s teaching and the bodhisattva path, illustrated by various miraculous displays. Its masterful narrative structure, dramatic and sometimes humorous dialogue, and highly evolved presentation of teachings have made this sūtra one of the favorites of Mahāyāna literature." —Robert A. F. Thurman

Translation and commentary:

The Teaching of Vimalakīrti by Robert A. F. Thurman (2017)

https://terebess.hu/english/vimalakirti-nirdesa-sutra.pdf or
https://web.archive.org/web/20230319182802/https://terebess.hu/english/vimalakirti-nirdesa-sutra.pdf

The Vimalakirti Sutra by Burton Watson (1997)

https://terebess.hu/english/Vimalakirti.pdf or
https://web.archive.org/web/20220501060744/https://terebess.hu/english/Vimalakirti.pdf

This page is part of my exploration of Mahayana Buddhism:

https://listed.valdelane.net/55455/20241003-mahayana-buddhism