Theos-Talk Archives (October 2005 Message tt00046)

Dallas and Gerry,
Not wishing to intrude in your exchanges but just to add perspective 
contents I might list the following in regard to replies you have posted:

>>GS The path of the Bodhisattva has ten or more distinct levels, or what
are called Grounds, and the last Ground is that of full Buddhahood.<<

Just for other list members that might want more detail on the above: 

<A HREF="http://www.shinranworks.com/majorexpositions/kgssII-13_15.htm";>Shinran Major Expositions KGSS II : 13-15 Bodhisattva Stages</A>

http://www.shinranworks.com/majorexpositions/kgssll-13_15.htm

>From the Ch'an School No. China (it has the Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva 
Mind in it)

<A HREF="http://blather.newdream.net/t/the_surangama_sutra.html";>the_surangama_sutra</A> 

http://blather.newdream.net/t/the_surangama_sutra.html

From:Zen Centrum PRAJNA 

<A HREF="http://www.prajna.nl/teksten/onderricht/soetras/complete/06_wisdom.htm";>Zen Centrum PRAJNA-Bodhisattva Stages</A>

http://www.prajna.nl/teksten/onderricht/soetras/complete/06_wisdom.htm

>>At that time, the World Honored One, wishing to clarify his meaning, 
proclaimed these gathas:Pure Wisdom, you should know that the nature of perfect bodhi
is without attainment or actualization.
It is without bodhisattvas or sentient beings.
However, when there is enlightenment
and unenlightenment,
there are distinct progressive stages.
Sentient beings are obstructed by understanding.
Bodhisattvas [before the first bhumi]
have not left behind realization.
[Once] they enter the first bhumi
there is permanent quiescent-extinction

with no abidance in any form.

Great enlightenment, being complete,

is called ‘pervasive accordance.’

If sentient beings in the Dharma Ending Age

do not give rise to deluded thoughts,

the Buddha says that they are

bodhisattvas in this very lifetime.

Having made offerings to countless Buddhas

as innumerable as the sands of the Ganges,

their merits are perfected.

Though expedients are many,

all are called in accordance with wisdom.

<<

Dallas:"
>>What is the connection between Paramartha and Nagarjuna if any ? "<<

Here is Nagarjuna's Major Work where he elaborates the Middle Way and 
Paramartha:

<A HREF="http://www.math.ucla.edu/~cai/mmk.html";>Nagarjuna's MulamadhyamakaKarikas</A>

http://www.math.ucla.edu/~cai/mmk.html

Also of equal importance but in axiomatic succinct format are Najarjuna's 73 
Verses:
The Sunyatasaptati (He expounds the Doctrine of the Void and follows the Four 
Cornered Square (the strict form of the dialectic inquiry))

<A HREF="http://www.fodian.net/English/Nagarjuna%20-%20Sunyatasaptati.htm";>Nagarjuna - The Seventy Verses</A> 

http://www.fodian.net/English/Nagarjuna%20-%20Sunyatasaptati.htm

<<GS The term Hinayana means "small path" as opposed to Mahayana or
"great
path." Needless to say, both of these names come from Mahayana Buddhism.
There are fundamental differences in the teachings of these two groups,
much more than just monastic rules<<

One other usage in describing the two major divisions:

Hinayana=Gradual Attainment School

Mahayana+ Sudden Attainment School

<<DTB PARAMARTHA accordingly traveled to Dantapuri Temple. 
Master BUDDHAPALITA was a follower of the Middle Observation 
sect (??), a Mahayana sect that talks about the idea of "the interdependent<<

Dallas, it would help myself and others if you can cite the resource from 
which you are extracting the above and also many other citations you have here.


<<ASANGHA -- VASUBANDU

After NAGARJUNA, a Master named ASANGA, together with his brother
VASUBANDU, formed the Mind Only school largely because <<

<A HREF="http://www.manjushri.com/TEACH/cFahsiang.htm";>Manjushri - Chinese Fa-hsiang School Teaching</A>

http://www.manjushri.com/TEACH/cFahsiang.htm 


>>GS I am not familiar with Athivamati, but the NALANDA Temple is very
famous,
and was the home of many of the ancient Masters.<<

For those interested, Nalanda University was renowned in ancient times, 
Nagarjuna was there and engaged many on discursive contests. Religious Pundits and 
Yogins came and competed in front of the gates of Nalanda for right of entry.

<A HREF="http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.nalanda.nitc.ac.in/about/NalandaHeritage.html&e=42";>Nalanda Digital Library-Nalanda Heritage-Nalanda,the first residential 
internat</A>

http://www.nalanda.nitc.ac.in/about/NalandaHeritage.html&e=42

John


 









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