Reading the Words of the Buddha
In this course we will study excerpts from the following major mahayana sutras:
- Prajnaparamita Sutras – The presentation of the emptiness of the second turning
- The Lotus Sutra – The presentation of ekayana, one path, as opposed to multiple separate paths of shravaka, etc., and of the skillful means of the Buddha
- Questions of Kashyapa – A core presentation of the middle way, including reference to the 500 arhats who were shocked by this teaching
- Teachings of Vimalakirti – Completely outrageous presentation of the inconceivability of the dharma
- The Lankavatara Sutra – The presentation of mind only and alayavijnana
- Samdhinirmocana Sutra – The presentation of the three natures
- Tathagatagarbha Sutra – The main presentation of buddha nature
- Dialogue with Queen Srimaladevi – A more fully developed version of buddha nature
- The Aspiration of Samantabhadra – The conclusion of the immense Avatamsaka Sutra, one of the most repeated sutras of the Tibetan tradition