Alex Wilding

To my mind, they are extended, highly ornamented and repetitive hymns to this transcendental, liberating wisdom. They are meant for recitation as a practice in itself. They've been used for that purpose in the past, and the practice continues.

To my mind, they are extended, highly ornamented and repetitive hymns to this transcendental, liberating wisdom. They are meant for recitation as a practice in itself. They've been used for that purpose in the past, and the practice continues.

One of the ways in which my own teacher makes a living is by reading these sutras in people's homes for hours or even days at a time as a way of generating blessings for the house and home. And almost a thousand years ago, Machik Labdron was doing the same thing. To put it simply, she was the founder of the Chö tradition that I touched on in episode 19.

One of the ways in which my own teacher makes a living is by reading these sutras in people's homes for hours or even days at a time as a way of generating blessings for the house and home. And almost a thousand years ago, Machik Labdron was doing the same thing. To put it simply, she was the founder of the Chö tradition that I touched on in episode 19.

In her younger days, before she went all yogic, she was well known as someone who could read such sutras with extraordinary beauty and correctness. To give you at least an impression, however, I hope you'll indulge me reading a couple of short extracts, all of them in the translations of Edward Kahn's The first is from the Perfection of Wisdom in 700 lines.

In her younger days, before she went all yogic, she was well known as someone who could read such sutras with extraordinary beauty and correctness. To give you at least an impression, however, I hope you'll indulge me reading a couple of short extracts, all of them in the translations of Edward Kahn's The first is from the Perfection of Wisdom in 700 lines.

Just before I start, I'll explain that the word Tathāgata, which is used a lot in this passage, is an epithet for the Buddha. This passage is in the mouth of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who says, Through the mode of suchness do I see the Tathāgata. Through the mode of non-discrimination in the manner of non-observance, I see him through the aspect of non-production.

Just before I start, I'll explain that the word Tathāgata, which is used a lot in this passage, is an epithet for the Buddha. This passage is in the mouth of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who says, Through the mode of suchness do I see the Tathāgata. Through the mode of non-discrimination in the manner of non-observance, I see him through the aspect of non-production.

through the aspect of non-existence. But suchness does not attain enlightenment. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness does not become or cease to become. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness does not stand at any point or spot. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness is not past, future or present. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness is not brought about by duality or non-duality.

through the aspect of non-existence. But suchness does not attain enlightenment. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness does not become or cease to become. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness does not stand at any point or spot. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness is not past, future or present. Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness is not brought about by duality or non-duality.

Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness is neither defiled nor purified, thus do I see the Tartagata. Suchness is neither produced nor stopped, thus do I see the Tartagata. In this way the Tartagata is seen, revered, and honoured. The second extract comes from the Perfection of Wisdom for Surya Garba. Here the Buddha is speaking, saying,

Thus do I see that a targetter. Suchness is neither defiled nor purified, thus do I see the Tartagata. Suchness is neither produced nor stopped, thus do I see the Tartagata. In this way the Tartagata is seen, revered, and honoured. The second extract comes from the Perfection of Wisdom for Surya Garba. Here the Buddha is speaking, saying,

Those people, son of good family, who will take up the sutra on perfect wisdom, the obstacles from their past deeds will become extinct. They will produce an equipment with merit. They will become endowed with a measureless equipment with wisdom. They will be endowed with mindfulness, morality and concentration. Once more again, son of good family, bodhisattvas should train in perfect wisdom.

Those people, son of good family, who will take up the sutra on perfect wisdom, the obstacles from their past deeds will become extinct. They will produce an equipment with merit. They will become endowed with a measureless equipment with wisdom. They will be endowed with mindfulness, morality and concentration. Once more again, son of good family, bodhisattvas should train in perfect wisdom.

Finally, if this isn't too much, a few words from the Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 lines. I wanted to include a bit of this because it's probably the best known of the Prajnaparamita Sutras. Here, the Buddha says,

Finally, if this isn't too much, a few words from the Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 lines. I wanted to include a bit of this because it's probably the best known of the Prajnaparamita Sutras. Here, the Buddha says,

If a person who belongs to the vehicle of the Bodhisattvas does not seize on past, future and present Dharmas, does not mind them, does not get at them, does not construct nor discriminate them, does not see nor review them, if he considers them with the conviction that all Dharmas are fabricated by thought construction, unborn, not come forth, not come, not gone, and that no Dharma is ever produced or stopped in the past, future or present, if he considers those Dharmas in such a way

If a person who belongs to the vehicle of the Bodhisattvas does not seize on past, future and present Dharmas, does not mind them, does not get at them, does not construct nor discriminate them, does not see nor review them, if he considers them with the conviction that all Dharmas are fabricated by thought construction, unborn, not come forth, not come, not gone, and that no Dharma is ever produced or stopped in the past, future or present, if he considers those Dharmas in such a way

then his jubilation is in accordance with the true nature of those dharmas, and so is his transformation of the merit into full enlightenment. So, this is not literature that's going to fly off the shelves of the airport bookshop. It's intended, it seems clear to me, to wash over the listeners and readers.

then his jubilation is in accordance with the true nature of those dharmas, and so is his transformation of the merit into full enlightenment. So, this is not literature that's going to fly off the shelves of the airport bookshop. It's intended, it seems clear to me, to wash over the listeners and readers.