Dr. Ron Epstein
Dr. Ron Epstein holds a Ph.D. in Buddhist studies from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. in Chinese language and literature from the University of Washington.
He taught Buddhist studies and world religions at San Francisco State University for many years and has recently retired.
His research interests include the Mahayana sutras, Yogachara Buddhism and applied Buddhist ethics.
Ron took refuge with Venerable Master Hsuan Hua in 1967 and was one of the original translators of the Surangama Sutra from Chinese to English.
Together with a team of translators from the Buddhist Text Translation Society, Ron is currently working on the second translation of the Surangama Sutra.
Buddhism
"Ananda's Search for the Mind in Seven Locations." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, March, 1975, pp. 17-23.
"Animals for Dinner--A Karmic Tale." San Francisco Examiner, May 21, 1997, p. A-17.
(introduction and annotated translation) "The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra", Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, No. 9 (Dec., 1970), pp. 11-21. Reprinted in Hua, A General Explanation of the Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra. San Francisco: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 1974.
"Bridging the Gulf between Monastics and Laypeople," Vajra Bodhi Sea, v. 35, series 82, August, 2004, pp. 32-34.
(compiler and editor) Buddhism A to Z. IN PRESS.
"Buddhism and Biotechnology." Edited from a Talk Delivered at "Spiritual Dimensions of Our Technological Future," AHIMSA Sixth Annual Conference, International House, University of California at Berkeley, Oct. 3, 1998. Published in Ahimsa Voices: a Quarterly Journal for the Promotion of Universal Values5(4), Oct. 1998, pp. 6-7. Reprinted in Vajra Bodhi Sea, Jan. 1999, pp. 39-41.
"Buddhism and Measure H: Banning the Growing and Raising of Genetically Modified Organisms in Mendocino County." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, v. 34, Series 82 (April, 2004), pp. 39-43.
“Buddhist Ideas for Attaining World Peace.” Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism. Pt. 1, v. 30, Series 72 (April 2000) pp. 38-39, 27; Pt. 2, v. 30, Series 72 (May 2000) pp. 32-33; Pt. 3, v. 31, Series 73 (June 2000) pp. 28-30; Pt. 4, v. 31, Series 73 (July 2000) pp. 34-35, 44.
"A Buddhist Perspective on Animal Rights." T.S.
"Clearing Up Some Misconceptions about Buddhism." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, Feb., 1999, pp. 41-43.
Environmental Issues: A Buddhist Perspective. Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, v. 35, series 83, March 2005, pp. 28-31.
"Ethnic Buddhadharma?" T.S.
"Foreword." The Fifty Skandha-Demon States: A Simple Explanation by the Venerable Master Hsüan Hua.
The Shurangama Sutra, Volume VIII, pp. vii-ix. Burlingame, CA: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 1996.
"Genetic Engineering: A Buddhist Assessment." Religion East and West, June, 2001, pp. 39-47.
(translation) "The Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra with the Standless Verse Commentary of the Venerable Master Hsüan Hua."
"Imitating Death in the Quest for Enlightenment" T.S.
"The Inner Ecology: Buddhist Ethics and Practice." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, March, 1999, pp. 36-39.
"The Interior Life." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, Nov. 1998, pp. 47-49.
"Mahamaudgalyayana Visits Another Planet: A Selection from the Scripture Which Is a Repository of Great Jewels." Religion East and West, Issue 5, October, 2005, 133-139.
"Pollution and the Environment: Some Radically New Ancient Views." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism. Pt. 1, v. 30 (Dec. 1999), pp. 36, 12; Pt. 2, v. 30 (Jan. 2000), pp. 37-38; Pt. 3, v. 30 (February 2000), pp. 36-38, 46.
(translator) Monk in the Grave (Ven. Master Hsuan Hua). "The Professor Requests a Lecture From the Monk in the Grave." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, July, 1970, pp. 8-12.
"Re-Encountering the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua in China," Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, v. 36, ser. 84, June, 2005, pp. 44-47.
"Remembrance and Gratitude." In Memory of the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, Volume One. Burlingame, CA: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 1995, pp. 205-207.
"The So-Called Lay 'Sangha' in America." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, v. 16, ser. 38, no. 188, Jan. 1986, p. 18. (Chinese translation published in Wan-fo Ch'eng, Sept. 1985, p. 18.)
"The Shurangama Sutra: a Reappraisal of Its Authenticity." A paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Oriental Society, March 16-18, 1976, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"The Transformation of Consciousness into Wisdom: The Path of the Bodhisattva according to the Ch'eng Wei-shih Lun," Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism. Part One: vol. 15, No. 176 (Jan. 1985), pp. 22-23. Part Two: vol. 15, No. 177 (Feb. 1985), pp 15-17. Part Three: vol. 15, No. 178 (March 1985), pp. 14-15.
"The Venerable Master Hsuan Hua Brings the Dharma to the West." In Memory of the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, Volume One. Burlingame, CA: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 1995, pp. 59-68.
(translation and explanation) Xuanzang (Tripitaka Master)."Verses Delineating the Eight Consciousnesses." Vajra Bodhi Sea: a Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism; Pt. 1, Dec. 1997, pp. 37-38; Pt. 2, Jan. 1998, pp. 35-36; Pt 3, Feb. 1998, pp. 34-35; Pt. 4, March, 1998, pp. 33-34; Pt. 5, April, 1998, pp. 34-35; Pt. 6, May, 1998, pp. 31-32; Pt. 7, June, 1998, pp. 31-32, 45; Pt. 8, July, 1998, pp. 31-32; Pt. 9, Aug., 1998, pp. 32-33; Pt. 10, Sept., 1998, pp.; Pt. 11, Oct., 1998, pp. 38-39, 42; Pt. 12, Nov., 1998, pp.
Genetic Engineering
"Buddhism and Biotechnology." Edited from a Talk Delivered at "Spiritual Dimensions of Our Technological Future," AHIMSA Sixth Annual Conference, International House, University of California at Berkeley, Oct. 3, 1998. Unedited version entitled "Biotechnology:
A Buddhist/Vedantic Perspective" published in Ahimsa Voices: a Quarterly Journal for the Promotion of Universal Values5(4), Oct. 1998, pp. 6-7.
Also reprinted in Prabuddha Bharata (Calcutta, India) v. 105 (June 2000) 315-316. Edited version entitled "Buddhism and Biotechnology" reprinted in Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, Jan. 1999, pp. 39-41.
"Buddhism and Measure H: Banning the Growing and Raising of Genetically Modified Organisms in Mendocino County." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, v. 34, Series 82 (April, 2004), pp. 39-43.
"Ethical and Spiritual Issues in Genetic Engineering." Ahimsa Voices: a Quarterly Journal for the Promotion of Universal Values, 5(4), Oct. 1998, pp. 6-7.
"Ethical Dangers of Genetic Engineering." Synthesis/Regeneration 20, Fall, 1999, pp. 2-4.
"Genetic Engineering: A Buddhist Assessment." Religion East and West, June, 2001, pp. 39-47.
"Genetic Engineering: A Major Threat to Vegetarians." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism,
v. 23, series 55 (February, 1993), pp. 44-45. English with Chinese translation (slow .pdf download).
"A Modest Proposal Regarding Genetic Engineering in Mendocino County." Letter to the Editor, Ukiah Daily Journal, January 17, 1999, pp. A6-7.
"Redesigning the World: Ethical Questions about Genetic Engineering." Ethical Issues in Biotechnology. Richard Sherlock and John D. Morrey, eds. Lanham, Boulder, New York, Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield, 2002, pp.47-70.
"Another Voice: Religion and Measure H". Ukiah Daily Journal, February 22, 2004.
"Another Voice: Some Common Sense about Measure H". Ukiah Daily Journal, February 15, 2004.
"Why Genetically Engineered Food Should Be Labeled." 1996.
"Why You Should Be Concerned About Genetically Engineered Food." 1996; rpt. Vajra Bodhi Sea, Pt. 1, Feb. 1998, pp. 41-42; Pt. 2, March, 1998, pp. 37-39.
Environment and Animal Rights
"A Buddhist Perspective on Animal Rights." T.S.
"Animals for Dinner--A Karmic Tale." San Francisco Examiner, May 21, 1997, p. A-17.
"The Inner Ecology: Buddhist Ethics and Practice." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism, March, 1999, pp. 36-39.
"Pollution and the Environment: Some Radically New Ancient Views." Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism. Pt. 1, v. 30 (Dec. 1999), pp. 36, 12; Pt. 2, v. 30 (Jan. 2000), pp. 37-38; Pt. 3, v. 30 (February 2000), pp. 36-38, 46.
Environmental Issues: A Buddhist Perspective. Vajra Bodhi Sea: A Monthly Journal of Orthodox Buddhism,
v. 35, series 83, March 2005, pp. 28-31
Vietnamese Translations of Publications
“Thượng Nhân Tuyên Hóa Hoằng Truyền Phật Pháp Sang Tây Phương.”
“Ngài Đại Mục Kiền Liên Viếng Thăm Một Hành Tinh Khác.”
Portuguese Translations of Publications
A transformação da consciência em sabedoria na escola Consciência-apenas chinesa de acordo com o “Cheng Weishi Lun.”
Versos que delineiam as oito consciências.
