The Australasian Association of Buddhist Studies notifies updates to the previously advertised sessions with Prof. Michael Zimmerman from the University of Hamburg.
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Lecture 2.
Thursday, 22 August 2019 at 6pm – 7pm
Teachers College Lecture Theatre 306
There will also be two textual workshops for students or staff who have some knowledge of either Sanskrit, Classical Tibetan or both.
The “one-vehicle” (ekayāna) theory of the Lotus Sutra
In the workshop we will read selected passages from one of the most important Mahāyāna texts of Indian Buddhism: the Lotus Sutra. The sutra is particularly well known in East Asia and the simile of the burning house has made it into world literature. We will read the simile of the burning house and other core passages in Sanskrit and its Tibetan translation(s). The Lotus Sutra promotes the concept of universal Buddhahood (ekayāna) and paves the way for what later becomes known as the idea that all sentient beings have buddha-nature. The influence of the Lotus Sutra on major developments in the history of Indian Buddhism is still not fully appreciated. As a piece of literature it represents many aspects of what made Mahāyāna Buddhism a powerful and popular movement throughout Asia.
Workshop 1.
Friday, 23 August 2019 at 10am – 4pm
John Woolley Tutorial Room S334
John Woolley Building (A20)
University of Sydney, Camperdown
Workshop 2.
Friday, 30 August 2019 at 10am – 4pm
John Woolley Tutorial Room S334
John Woolley Building (A20)
University of Sydney, Camperdown
Instructions for participants
We will read the Sanskrit text from the edition by Kern, and compare the version to the Tibetan canonical translation as found in the Kanjurs. We will start with the most famous simile of the Lotus Sutra – the simile of the burning house. Below please find the link to download the Sanskrit edition of Kern. The relevant passage starts on the top of page 72: tadyathApi nAma… The Tibetan text is found (1) in the Japanese edition on page 72 (= W. 69.14) and (2) in (the better readable manuscript of) the STOG Palace Kanjur, starting on folio 86 (arabic number), line 3: ShA ri’i bu ‘di lta ste dper na… Participants are expected to prepare the readings so that each can translate parts of the text. Here is the link to the three texts: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/vJP9PGtcTZ/bWljaHppbUB5YWhvby5jb20=
Gold leaf covered schist reliquary in the form of a stupa. Kusana period, North Western India. National Museum, Karachi, Pakistan. Copyright: Huntington, John C. and Susan L.Huntington Archive
