Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras: Maitreya's Mahayanasutralamkara with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham

Description

This new translation of one of the most important texts of Mahayana Buddhism makes a clear case for why we should strive energetically to achieve the unsurpassable state of enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings, and having formed that intention, how we should practice the bodhisattva path. A comprehensive description of the bodhisattva's view, meditation, and enlightened activities. Bodhisattvas are beings who, out of vast love for all sentient beings, have dedicated themselves to the task of becoming fully awakened buddhas, capable of helping all beings in innumerable and vast ways to become enlightened themselves. To fully awaken requires great generosity, patience, energy, discipline, concentration, and wisdom, but we all have the potential to develop these qualities since we have the seed of buddhahood. The classic verses of the Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras are accompanied by two renowned Tibetan commentaries, each translated for the first time in a modern language. The commentaries draw on the tremendous richness of the Indo-Tibetan tradition, discussing the message of the verses with lucid engagement.

MAITREYA and ASANGA are traditionally considered the progenitors of the Yogacara, one of two great currents of Mahayana view and practice. Their works have achieved the status of unique spiritual classics. KHENPO SHENGA (1871-1927) contributed tremendously to the nonsectarian Rime movement in Tibet. His commentaries on the classic Indian Buddhist treatises have become part of the core curriculum in numerous monastic colleges throughout Tibet and South Asia. JU MIPHAM (1846-1912) displayed a universal genius as he wrote on all aspects of Buddhist theory and practice, as well as on the traditional sciences. He is one of the most influential figures to come out of the Tibetan tradition in recent centuries. The DHARMACHAKRA TRANSLATION COMMITTEE is committed to making Buddhist classics available to modern readers in their native languages. It draws its inspiration from the vision, commitment, and magnificent achievements of past Buddhist translators.