Links to good stuff

Here, you will find KEY Sutras to develop a solid foundation in understanding the Buddha‘s teaching – the Dharma:

  • The 4 Noble Truths of the Buddha – This is the only explanation that I’ve that teaches you actually USE the 4 Noble Truths in your everyday life and as a reflection in your meditation.  A MUST read for a beginner.
  • The Shurangama Sutra – This is THE Sutra for opening wisdom.  In this Sutra, the Buddha reveals the True Mind/the Buddha Nature (also called Bodhi Nirvana) – he makes the crucial distinction that the intellectual consciousness which we use to think – we think that this is our Real Mind – but actually it is not.  Then the Buddha reveals what the True Mind is really like and how to actually see it for yourself.

This Sutra is for people who really want to learn about themselves and their Real Mind.  If you can learn and understand this 1 Sutra, you will basically be able to understand nearly all of Buddhism!

  • Mahayana Sutras – these are the recorded words of the Buddha himself from the Sanskrit and Chinese texts translated into English.  Definitely worth a read because these come from the source of Buddhism himself.
  • Mahayana Sutras with Commentary from Master Hsuan Hua – Sutras are sometimes difficult to understand.  Here, we are lucky the awesome Dharma Master, Hsuan Hua helps explain them.
  • The Mahaparinirvana Sutra – where the Buddha talks about the Buddha Nature, the precious gem hidden inside all of us that we don’t even know that we have.  This Sutra is not very well known in the west because there are not many widely available translations of it.  However, it is highly respected in the East in China and Tibet.

It was spoken by the Buddha on the final day before his physical body passed on and clarifies that he taught not-self to help people let go of things – and that it’s a huge mistake to think that there is no self – because he finally reveals that there is indeed a True Self – the Buddha Nature – the hidden gem inside of us all that we don’t even know that we possess.

  • The Majjhima Nikaya – the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha.  These Suttas give you a good overview of the general teachings of Buddhism.

Hands down, this is THE best book to learn Buddha recitation from because he makes it so simple.  But don’t let the simplicity fool you – what Master Yin Kuang has done is harnessed the essence of Pure Land Buddhism practice in this book.

  • Vajra Bodhi Sea  This is old school Chinese Mahayana Buddhism at its best in the forms of the teachings of Master Hsuan Hua in a monthly magazine format.  Has both Chinese and English translations side by side – so if your family and friends are Chinese – they may also be able to benefit from this.
  • Buddhist Dictionary – a very comprehensive dictionary compiled by Professor Ron Epstein

28 thoughts on “Links to good stuff”

  4. I recently finished my translation of the 佛說大乘無量壽莊嚴清淨平等覺經 (The Buddha Speaks The Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, And Enlightenment Sutra):

    https://archive.org/details/infinitelifesutra2014

    From my research, I had noticed that there was no existing substantial translation of the Sutra text so I decided to translate it myself. My translation covers Chapter 4, the entire 48 vows, Chapter 24, Chapter 32-37, Chapter 41 (partial) and Chapter 48 (ending). I also included a Case Study commentary (revised) of Venerable Hai Xian’s Pureland rebirth at the back.

    Hence, the text translation of mine covers the important morning and evening recitation parts of the 48 Vows and Chapters 32-37.

    This work is in the Public Domain and has no copyright.

    I reccommend everyone interested in Pureland Buddhism to have a look and share it.

    Reply

  6. Hi All,

    I have recently finished the much expanded Edition II of my translation of Upasaka Xia Lian Ju’s Infinite Life Sutra.

    In addition to many new sutra chapters, important accounts, commentary, and improvements have been included to support the text. For instance, I have written chapters on Filial Piety, translated Chinese accounts of the karmic rewards of protecting life and added annotated illustrations from the Jade Record. Furthermore, I have also translated Master Yin Guang’s teachings and the Shurangama Sutra treatise on Pureland Buddhism.

    As with all my other work, it has no copyright and is in the Public Domain. Please have a look and share it with your friends.

    Scribd link:

    Reply

  10. Hi all,

    This is the first English translation of Upasaka An Shi’s excellent Discourse on the Forty Eight Inquiries of Non-Violence.

    This translation is in the Public Domain has no copyright, so please feel free to share and reproduce it.

    “If man does not harm animals, they will not be disturbed.
    They could be together like the luminous moon surrounded by the stars.”
    – Ven Master Hong Yi

    Reply

  11. Hi all,

    Here is my translation of the 淨修捷要 ( a very important scripture practice in the Pure Land school). It is also Upasaka Xia Lian Ju’s final and most important teaching:

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  16. My Aunt’s pet Beagle achieves Pure Land rebirth after five days of supportive chanting:

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  17. The Light of Amita: Poem Praising Amitabha’s Golden Light:

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  18. Hello! Stumbled upon this blog. There’s so much content! I am curious, may I ask who runs this? (One person or a group?) (If your name is private, I can give my email. Or if it’s super-private, then I’ll just say wow, lots of great writing!)

    Reply

      • Would it be too much to ask who you are? We want to cite some of your posts but not sure what credentials you have? Are you based in Taiwan? If that is OK, you can email us at emorybuddhistclub at gmail dot com. thanks!

      • Sorry, I can’t reveal who I am. As for my credentials – let’s just say that I am able to read, write, analyze and critique arguments in university or post graduate level academic papers.

        Still, though you can get some amazing PhD’s and Professors, you can also get some who don’t know how to defend their assertions and arguments – so that’s not a guarantee.

        It’s more important to analyze the strength of the argument itself than place value too much on who said it – because even experts can be wrong sometimes. The important thing is if you think an expert is wrong – to know:
        1. Why they are wrong
        2. What exactly is it that makes them wrong and
        3. Know what evidence you have to back up your argument.

        You can also examine your own arguments to see if there are any flaws in them and see if they can withstand the test of battle.

        With my own writings, you can always double check which Sutra or Sutta or experienced teacher I am referencing – that way, you know that the Buddha himself said it and I’m not pulling nonsense out from thin air (as many people online do these days – but you can recognize them by their repeated refusals to reference original/primary source teachings to back up their claims) – more important than knowing who I am.

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