Matthew Akester: Difference between revisions

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Chandrakirti explains in the Bodhisattva-Avatara Shastra :


0. The Foundation: Beings in samsara [the 6 realms] having generated the aspiration to climb the Bodhisattva Bhumis by practicing the 6 paramitas.  
==Short description==
I am a translator and researcher based in Boudhanath. Basically I work on history, and have specialised in literature related to holy places and monuments. My major work is an extensive commentary on 'Jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse's Guide to Central Tibet, which I hope to get published soon.


Now we proceed through 3 stages on the Path of Accumulation and 3 more stages on the Path of Unification:
The very few published translations include
gTer ston Zhig po gling pa's inventory for a 'Vajra temple' in lHa sa (Tibet Journal 2001)
Descriptions of bSam yas mChims phu by Rig 'dzin 'Jigs med gling pa and Ka thog Si tu Chos kyi rgya mtsho (Chengdu 2003?)
The 5th and 13th Dalai Lama-s' inventories for the lHa sa gtsug lag khang, and other short texts on the history of lHa sa (Temples of Lhasa by A. Alexander, Serindia publications 2005.


1. "The Joyous": Having tasted shunyata [emptiness], we are joyous. Here, the main practice is to perfect the Generosity Paramita. You might be born as a King in the Human Realm and have lots of chances to practice generosity! Now on the Path of Seeing, we can start the Path of Meditation.  
Out of historical interest in the life of mKhyen brtse'i dbang po (rather than any religious qualification) I have recently completed a translation of his "U dum ba ra'i dga' tshal" biography by 'Jam mgon kong sprul. I have gone for a literal rendering, preserving the flavour of the original, although this is slightly heavygoing in English. I am still trying to elaborate the context as much as I can in brief annotations, and welcome input or comments from anyone familiar with the material. Again I hope to publish soon.


2. "The Stainless": At this bhumi, the main practice is the perfection of Shila [discipline of vows] because of which you are free of anxiety and the 3 Poisons [negative tendencies, obscurations]. You might be born as a chakravartin (King bearing the noble marks of an emperor, like Siddartha Gautama Shakya), whose power and enjoyment are challenged by the practice of discipline and precept-keeping.  
There are a variety of unpublished translations, the most substantial being a book-length life story, related to my work on recent Tibetan history.
MA


3. "The Luminous": Here, we try to perfect Patience or equanimity. This is the source of the luminosity. You might be born as Indra, King of gods, who is called Shakra, -- opposer of the Ashuras.
===Published Works===


4. "The Radiant": After the 3rd Bhumi, the Nirmanakaya aspect of Buddhahood has been perfected. But there are two more Kayas, therefore, the Paramita to perfect here is that of Exertion. This activity in the service of virtue creates a radiance of wisdom which burns away false conceptions. Here, you might be reborn as Shyama, a deity in the "Continuous Peaceful Realm").
===Active Projects===


5. "The Unconquerable": Driven by exertion, you perfect dhyana [meditation] and other skillful means in preparation for the helping of all sentient beings. The word unconquerable refers to both the difficulty of achieving the state of dhyani and the state of the being having now achieved this goal. Now it is possible to be born as a god in the Tushita Heavens where you can observe the Six Realms and the interplay of dharmas.
===Unpublished Works (completed)===


6. "The Manifest": The intense practice of dhyana and other skills enables you to be reborn as a God-king who can manifest miraculous activity. The Paramita of Prajna is to be perfected.
===Other Projects===


7. "The Gone-Afar": Having perfected the Six Paramitas, we now possess both wisdom and skill. This is a plateau below which you will not fall, but there is still room for effort.
===Internal Links===


In the 10 Paramita system, the perfection is that of Skillful Means needed to overcome Mara who provides opportunities for others to act in opposition.
===External Links===


It is said that once the 7th Bhumi is attained, the Buddhas prophesy concerning your achieving Buddhahood, and will indicate your Buddha-Name and circumstances.
email: (optional)


In a former life, Lord Shakyamuni received this prophecy after having presented 4 golden flowers to the Buddha of that aeon .


8. "The Immovable": At the Eighth Bhumi, you can enter Nirvana at the snap of a finger; so Tathagatas come and click you out of it, reminding you of your aspiration and the work still ahead. But they cannot force you to remain, therefore the virtue is that of firmness of Aspiration.
[[Category:Translators]]
 
You might be reborn as Brahma, Lord of the Universe.
 
9. "The Good-Wisdom": Almost ready for Buddhabood, you practice the acquisition of the Ten Powers and Six Supernatural Powers. You might also be reborn as Brahma.
 
10. "The Dharma-Cloud": All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas rejoice in your elation at having attained Buddhahood completely. Primordial awareness [dhyani/jnana] clears away whatever subtle defilements and tendencies might still be retained. You, like Lord Maitreya in the Tushita Heavens, await your turn. This is also the beginning of the Path of Non-Meditation.

Latest revision as of 01:40, 15 January 2006

Short description

I am a translator and researcher based in Boudhanath. Basically I work on history, and have specialised in literature related to holy places and monuments. My major work is an extensive commentary on 'Jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse's Guide to Central Tibet, which I hope to get published soon.

The very few published translations include gTer ston Zhig po gling pa's inventory for a 'Vajra temple' in lHa sa (Tibet Journal 2001) Descriptions of bSam yas mChims phu by Rig 'dzin 'Jigs med gling pa and Ka thog Si tu Chos kyi rgya mtsho (Chengdu 2003?) The 5th and 13th Dalai Lama-s' inventories for the lHa sa gtsug lag khang, and other short texts on the history of lHa sa (Temples of Lhasa by A. Alexander, Serindia publications 2005.

Out of historical interest in the life of mKhyen brtse'i dbang po (rather than any religious qualification) I have recently completed a translation of his "U dum ba ra'i dga' tshal" biography by 'Jam mgon kong sprul. I have gone for a literal rendering, preserving the flavour of the original, although this is slightly heavygoing in English. I am still trying to elaborate the context as much as I can in brief annotations, and welcome input or comments from anyone familiar with the material. Again I hope to publish soon.

There are a variety of unpublished translations, the most substantial being a book-length life story, related to my work on recent Tibetan history. MA

Published Works

Active Projects

Unpublished Works (completed)

Other Projects

Internal Links

External Links

email: (optional)