Buddhism

[allroock123]

Buddhist Sutras are often translated into diffrent languages including the Chinese language family this is a very difficult task as very subtle meanings are convayed in the orignal text. a good example in the link below.
I was asked "Where am I from" ?
I am from the USA from the new england state of "Vermont"


History - Buddhist Text Translation Society

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by allroock123

Buddhist Sutras are often translated into diffrent languages including the Chinese language family this is a very difficult task as very subtle meanings are convayed in the orignal text. a good example in the link below.
I was asked "Where am I from" ?
I am from the USA from the new england state of "Vermont"


History - Buddhist Text Translation Society

Good for you. This doesn't make the Lotus Sutra a Chinese Text, if that was what you were trying to imply. The Lotus Sutra is a pillar of the Mahayana Branch of Buddhism, which is an Indian religion.

[allroock123]

Originally Posted by iron_jones

Good for you. This doesn't make the Lotus Sutra a Chinese Text, if that was what you were trying to imply. The Lotus Sutra is a pillar of the Mahayana Branch of Buddhism, which is an Indian religion.

I mistook what you said, yes the Buddhist sutras where "orignaly" written
in sanskrit but are you implying the people of india "own" them ?.
It is true the translated text no matter how carefuly translated "Differs" in meaning from the orignal sanskrit text.

[apache_blanca]

Let's get some samples:

The Lotus Sutra (

A Russian programmers' saying: 'If you tried everything, and it still doesn't work... would you Please read the manual!"
So let's 'read the manual': click on the link, click on "Show more..." and what do we see?
Chapter 25: THE UNIVERSAL DOOR OF GUANSHI YIN BODHISATTVA (普門品) in Chinese Chanting
I was inclined to trust Moonbeam's reply anyway cos he is a Chinese Zen Buddhist, now I have the proof
I was going to ask Moonbeam again to explain me the meaning of the Lotus Sutra - but guess what, I got it right on this page reading 'the manual' sometimes helps!
Now, The Lotus Sutra sung in Sanskrit?.. I'll have a look.

If anybody wants to hear what Sanskrit sounds like, here is a *sample*:
The Heart Sutra
- I personally find this version beautiful.

And now you guys got me going about mantras & sutras!
I checked out a few links, here you are,
Om Mani Padme Hum:

"Om" it is blessed to help you achieve perfection in the practice of generosity,
"Ma" helps perfect the practice of pure ethics, and
"Ni" helps achieve perfection in the practice of tolerance and patience.
"Päd", the fourth syllable, helps to achieve perfection of perseverance,
"Me" helps achieve perfection in the practice of concentration,
and the final sixth syllable "Hum" helps achieve perfection in the practice of wisdom.

Perfect for this forum!

PS thanks for telling me your geographical location allroock, I thought you were a South American or a Far Eastern person... the way you express yourself seems slightly different from the Western, but it may be a personality /life experience thing. I am often taken for a... Brazilian
PPS Most importantly, I DID listen to The Lotus Mantra this time, and it does have a 'call' or a 'pull' on me. I could feel the network of energy, everything is connected, Eywa is real, & got Pandora-like visions. Beautiful stuff. I am going to listen to it again. I might get addicted.

[iron_jones]

The Lotus Sutra is written in Sanskrit and started being translated into Chinese languages between 200-300 AD.
I don't see what's so hard about that. It's a Mahayana text. Mahayana Buddhism is an Indian religion.

[Moco Loco]

Wow, due to my Southeast Asia history class this semester, I actually know what you're saying is true

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by apache_blanca

I was inclined to trust Moonbeam's reply anyway cos he is a Chinese Zen Buddhist

Mahayana Buddhism and Zen Buddhism are like night and day.

[apache_blanca]

Thank you for inspiring, polite & respectful counsel to Buddhists on Buddhism, iron_jones.
Were we actually comparing Mahayana Buddhism to Zen Buddhism?

And, iirc, wasn't it you who made this thread about one of the worlds' religions And invited other people to talk about their beliefs And declared that you didn't judge & avoided religious debates?

What I see in your comments from the beginning of this thread is kinda different...

But I know why you're here Eywa sent you so that we could practice our patience, tolerance & serenity and it actually works cos no matter how you've been trying to pull people into squabbles & bickering, no one is interested to enter conflict games Haleluya! I love this thread.

[iron_jones]

Ignoring the above post due to its gargantuan amount of ignorant and condescending babble, I'd love to share with you some gifts my girlfriend got me for my birthday.





For those who don't know, the picture below is of Buddhist Mala beads. These are traditionally used to keep count while reciting mantras.



As you can see this wooden Buddha was sitting on the shelf a little to long and needs to be dusted



Last but not least, I received an absolutely gorgeous Tibetan Singing Bowl. For anyone who has never heard one, please Youtube it. They're lovely.

[moonbeam]

That's pretty awesome.

[iron_jones]

Looking through my book box and found some of my books from the past. I think some of these might be re-read.

[iron_jones]

Just picked up the Tibetan Book Of The Dead, along with a few other books the other day.
I have too many books.

[moonbeam]

You can ever have too many books.

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by moonbeam

You can ever have too many books.

You can when you have no money to buy said books.