This study examines the translations of dhāranī sūtras made by Bodhiruci in the early eighth century and later Esoteric texts, such as Yixing’s commentary on the Mahāvairocana sūtra and Amoghavajra’s ritual manuals…
Book reviews
Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage by Shitou
Turn around the light to shine within, then just return. The vast inconceivable source can’t be faced or turned away from.
Meet the ancestral teachers, be familiar with their instructions, bind grasses to build a hut, and don’t give up.
Ordinary Mind is Tao
Mumon’s Poem: Hundreds of flowers in spring, the moon in autumn, The cool breeze in summer and snow in winter; If there is no vain cloud in your mind, for you it is a good season.
Buddhism and Tales of the Supernatural in Early Medieval China
The Youming lu is a work that demonstrates Buddhist influence as it began to appear in Chinese narrative on a relatively large scale.
Gathering of Intentions: A History of a Tibetan Tantra
When the tantras first arrived in Tibet, Tibetans were slow to compose full-blown commentaries on these esoteric works…
At Home in the World, by Thich Nhat Hanh
Seeing this peaceful image, the idea came to me that l wanted to become someone like that Buddha, someone who could sit very still and calm…
The Power of Patriarchs: Qisong and Lineage in Chinese Buddhism
This book provides a detailed biography with a focus on the influential historical writings he composed to defend Chan claims of a “mind-to-mind transmission” tracing back to the historical Buddha.
The Heart Sutra a review.
Book review: There have been many translations of this short text over the years, but this is a completely fresh look and the translator comes up with some rather unique conclusions.