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Article: Analysis of the middle path
(10.3.2018)

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We would like to recall content of the Bhante Dhammadipa courses in Zaježová or Sněhov this year for those who have not been able to attend it.

We have been practicing breath meditation according to the Northern Tradition, thus meditation with a non-dualistic object. Madhjanta Vibhanga – An Intermediate Way Analysis attributed to Bodhisattva Maitreya, has become the theoretical starting point for the practice.

This text belongs to the group of those who has more practical aspect of meditation than the philosophical. Its goal is to make our efforts on the way efficient, not to waste time and strength – which is often the case. One of the main reasons why this is (and that applies to the Southern Tradition too) is the poor knowledge of the object of meditation.

Madhjanta Vibhanga has seven chapters. 1-3 speaks of a gocara – pasture for cows – about the object which is grazing by cow – yogi.

The 1st chapter discussed by Bhante this year in Zaježová deals with the properties of the object (it’s title is Lakshana) and answers the key question – what the properties have WHAT we actually want to know.

Chapter 2 was interpreted by Bhante in Sněhov. It’s title is Varana – Obstacles. Its purpose is to describe what prevents us from knowing the Reality as it is.

The following chapters await us in the future:

Chapter 3 – Tatva – Reality (non-dualistic fact) describes the object as it is,

Chapter 4 – Pratipaksha – Opposites which we need to know to get rid of the obstacles,

Chapter 5 – Avasta – Stages of path and obstacles associated with it,

Chapter 6 – Fruits of the path,

Chapter 7 – Mahayana – the highest vehicle.

As in the past, the recordings of Bhantes lectures (Bhante lectures in Czech language these two courses) are available at www.dhammadipa.cz.

JH

Article: Sandhinirmocana Sutra – Sutra of Untying the Knots
(11.2.2018)

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Exquisite language talent allows Bhante Dhammadipa to translate from and to different languages. Now we have the opportunity to get his Czech translation of the classic text ‘Sandhinirmocana Sutra’ (解深密經) in English ‘Sutra of Untying the Knots’.

This sutra belongs to the middle age of Mahayana Buddhism. This version that has been translated to Czech now, is the version that has apperead at the beginning of the Gupta dynasty, at the time of the golden age of the boom of Indian culture and writing in Sanskrit. According to tradition, this sutra existed in the extensive version of the hundred thousand verses and in a version reduced to one thousand five hundred verses. A shorter version retained in Tibetan and Chinese is the basis of this text.

The compound word ‘sandhinirmocana’ has five meanings in the sense of solving or explaining nodes or secrets: First, the text explains the deep meaning of the concept of the Thrue Body (dharmakaya), otherwise difficult to understand. Secondly, it unties firm knots, such as the knots of saturation of consciousness with ignorance (avidyavasana), which are the laypersons, the disciples and Buddhas for themselves (Pratyekabuddhas) unable to untie. Third, it explains the wisdom that reveals the mystery of truth. Fourth, it reveals the knots that need to be untied. Fifth, it explains the revelation of the mystery of the ultimate meaning of the doctrine.

The work is divided into the following chapters:

Chapter 1. – INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2. – ABOUT THE ULTIMATE TRUE

Chapter 3. – ABOUT THE CONSCIOUSNESS, MIND AND DUALISTIC WAY OF THINKING

Chapter 4. – ABOUT THE ESSENCE OF ALL THINGS

Chapter 5. – ABOUT THE NON-ESSENCE OF ALL THINGS

Chapter 6. – ABOUT YOGA

Chapter 7. – ABOUT (six) PERFECTIONS (parami)

Chapter 8. – ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TATHAGATAS
 

The text of this script as well as the basic part of the ‘Discourse on the Stages of Yogic Practice’ (Yogacarabhumi-Sastra) can be divided into three parts. The second to fifth chapters explain the scope of yoga, sixth and seventh chapters explaining the right acting according to yoga (acara), and chapter eight explains the implications of yoga practice (phala). If we add a part of the introduction chapter, which explains the causes of the teaching of this sutra, the content of the sutra consists of four basic parts. Some scholars are talking about five parts. The end of the eighth chapter, which is explaining the name under which the sutra is to be worshipped, is considered to be the fifth part, as it forms a particularly important part of the text.

Bhante Dhammadipa’s Czech translation of ‘Sandhinirmocana Sutra’ was published in cooperation with the Dhammadipa Foundation and Taiwan foundation “Buddha Educational Foundation“. Now we are looking for and agreeing on how to distribute the book. When everything is ready, we will announce here on Facebook how the Czech translation can be obtained.

JH