The Lankavatara Sutra: A Mahayana Text

Price: $47.00
(as of Dec 29,2024 09:23:21 UTC – Details)

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House; First Edition (January 1, 2024)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9359033847
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9359033846
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds

The Lankavatara Sutra: A Mahayana Text

The Lankavatara Sutra is a revered Mahayana Buddhist text that holds great significance in the development of Mahayana teachings and practices. This sutra is believed to have been composed in the 4th century CE and is attributed to the legendary Bodhisattva Mahamati.

The title “Lankavatara” means “entering into Lanka,” referring to the mythical island of Lanka where the Buddha is said to have delivered this sutra to a gathering of bodhisattvas and arhats. The text is structured as a dialogue between the Buddha and Mahamati, where the Buddha expounds on the nature of reality, the mind, and the path to enlightenment.

One of the key teachings of the Lankavatara Sutra is the concept of “mind-only,” which asserts that all phenomena are manifestations of the mind and that ultimate reality is beyond conceptual thought. This teaching challenges our conventional understanding of the world and invites practitioners to look deeply within themselves to uncover the true nature of reality.

The Lankavatara Sutra also emphasizes the importance of self-realization and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion as the means to attain liberation from suffering. It teaches that enlightenment is not something to be attained externally but is a realization of one’s own true nature.

Overall, the Lankavatara Sutra is a profound and enlightening text that continues to inspire and guide Mahayana practitioners on their spiritual journey. Its teachings on the nature of reality, the mind, and the path to enlightenment are as relevant today as they were centuries ago, making it a timeless and invaluable resource for those seeking ultimate truth and liberation.
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