Difference between revisions of "Brahmajala Sutra (Mahayana)"
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(Created page with ":::''For the Theravada text of the same name, see Brahmajala Sutta. thumb|250px| The Brahmajala Sutra (Chinese: 梵網經; pinyin: fàn wǎng jī...") |
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| − | :::''For the Theravada text of the same name, see [[Brahmajala Sutta]]. | + | :::''For the [[Theravada]] text of the same [[name]], see [[Brahmajala Sutta]]. |
[[File:00buddha513.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:00buddha513.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | The Brahmajala Sutra (Chinese: 梵網經; pinyin: fàn wǎng jīng, Japanese: bonmōkyō), also called the Brahma's Net Sutra is a text of the [[Mahayana Buddhist canon]]. It is not related to the Brahmajala Sutta of the [[Theravada]] Buddhist [[Pali Canon]]. While the sutra was traditionally regarded as having been recorded in Sanskrit and then translated by [[Kumarajiva]], scholars now believe that the text was written by unknown authors in China in the mid-5th century CE. The sutra itself claims that it is the final chapter of a much longer Sanskrit text, but there is no clear evidence that such a text ever existed. | + | The [[Brahmajala Sutra]] ({{Wiki|Chinese}}: [[梵網經]]; pinyin: [[fàn wǎng jīng]], [[Japanese]]: [[bonmōkyō]]), also called the [[Brahma's Net Sutra]] is a text of the [[Mahayana Buddhist canon]]. It is not related to the [[Brahmajala Sutta]] of the [[Theravada]] [[Buddhist]] [[Pali Canon]]. While the [[sutra]] was [[traditionally]] regarded as having been recorded in [[Sanskrit]] and then translated by [[Kumarajiva]], [[scholars]] now believe that the text was written by unknown authors in [[China]] in the mid-5th century CE. The [[sutra]] itself claims that it is the final [[chapter]] of a much longer [[Sanskrit]] text, but there is no clear {{Wiki|evidence}} that such a text ever existed. |
| − | This sutra introduces [[Vairocana]] Buddha and his relation to [[Shakyamuni]] Buddha and states the [[Bodhisattva vow|10 major precepts]] for [[Bodhisattvas]] 十重戒 and the 48 minor precepts one should follow to advance along the path. These precepts came to be treated in China as a higher ethic a monk would adopt after ordination, in addition to the monastic rules. In Japan, they came to displace the monastic rules almost completely starting with [[Saicho]] and the rise of the [[Tendai]] sect. So, when the Meiji period government allowed [[monks]] to marry, there weren't [[vinaya]] rules to forbid it, leading to most Japanese clergy now being married. The name of the sutra derives from the vast net that the god [[Brahma]] hangs in his palace, and how each jewel in the net reflects the light of every other jewel: | + | This [[sutra]] introduces [[Vairocana]] [[Buddha]] and his [[relation]] to [[Shakyamuni]] [[Buddha]] and states the [[Bodhisattva vow|10 major precepts]] for [[Bodhisattvas]] [[十重戒]] and the [[48 minor precepts]] one should follow to advance along the [[path]]. These [[precepts]] came to be treated in [[China]] as a higher [[ethic]] a [[monk]] would adopt after [[ordination]], in addition to the [[monastic rules]]. In [[Japan]], they came to displace the [[monastic rules]] almost completely starting with [[Saicho]] and the rise of the [[Tendai]] [[sect]]. So, when the {{Wiki|Meiji period}} government allowed [[monks]] to marry, there weren't [[vinaya]] rules to forbid it, leading to most [[Japanese]] {{Wiki|clergy}} now being [[married]]. The [[name]] of the [[sutra]] derives from the vast net that the [[god]] [[Brahma]] hangs in his palace, and how each [[jewel]] in the net reflects the {{Wiki|light}} of every other [[jewel]]: |
| − | :“ At that time, he ([[Shakyamuni Buddha]]) contemplated the wonderful Jewel Net hung in Lord [[Brahma]]'s palace and preached the Brahmajala Sutta for the Great Assembly. He said: "The innumerable worlds in the cosmos are like the eyes of the net. Each and every world is different, its variety infinite. So too are the [[Dharma]] Doors (methods of cultivation) taught by the [[Buddhas]]. ” | + | :“ At that [[time]], he ([[Shakyamuni Buddha]]) contemplated the wonderful [[Jewel]] Net hung in [[Lord]] [[Brahma]]'s palace and [[preached]] the [[Brahmajala Sutta]] for the [[Great Assembly]]. He said: "The {{Wiki|innumerable}} [[worlds]] in the [[cosmos]] are like the [[eyes]] of the net. Each and every [[world]] is different, its variety [[infinite]]. So too are the [[Dharma]] Doors (methods of [[cultivation]]) [[taught]] by the [[Buddhas]]. ” |
| − | The sutra is also noteworthy for describing who [[Vairocana]] Buddha is, as the personification of the [[Dharma]] itself, or more specifically the [[Dharmakaya]] or Truth-Body of Buddhism: | + | The [[sutra]] is also noteworthy for describing who [[Vairocana]] [[Buddha]] is, as the {{Wiki|personification}} of the [[Dharma]] itself, or more specifically the [[Dharmakaya]] or [[Truth-Body]] of [[Buddhism]]: |
| − | :“ Now, I, [[Vairocana]] Buddha am sitting atop a [[lotus]] pedestal; on a thousand flowers surrounding me are a thousand [[Sakyamuni]] [[Buddhas]]. Each flower supports a hundred million worlds; in each world a Sakyamuni Buddha appears. All are seated beneath a [[Bodhi-tree]], all simultaneously attain [[Buddhahood]]. All these innumerable Buddhas have [[Vairocana]] as their original body. | + | :“ Now, I, [[Vairocana]] [[Buddha]] am sitting atop a [[lotus]] pedestal; on a thousand [[flowers]] surrounding me are a thousand [[Sakyamuni]] [[Buddhas]]. Each [[flower]] supports a hundred million [[worlds]]; in each [[world]] a [[Sakyamuni Buddha]] appears. All are seated beneath a [[Bodhi-tree]], all simultaneously attain [[Buddhahood]]. All these {{Wiki|innumerable}} [[Buddhas]] have [[Vairocana]] as their original [[body]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Mahayana sutra's]] | [[Category:Mahayana sutra's]] | ||
Revision as of 07:32, 26 September 2014
- For the Theravada text of the same name, see Brahmajala Sutta.
The Brahmajala Sutra (Chinese: 梵網經; pinyin: fàn wǎng jīng, Japanese: bonmōkyō), also called the Brahma's Net Sutra is a text of the Mahayana Buddhist canon. It is not related to the Brahmajala Sutta of the Theravada Buddhist Pali Canon. While the sutra was traditionally regarded as having been recorded in Sanskrit and then translated by Kumarajiva, scholars now believe that the text was written by unknown authors in China in the mid-5th century CE. The sutra itself claims that it is the final chapter of a much longer Sanskrit text, but there is no clear evidence that such a text ever existed.
This sutra introduces Vairocana Buddha and his relation to Shakyamuni Buddha and states the 10 major precepts for Bodhisattvas 十重戒 and the 48 minor precepts one should follow to advance along the path. These precepts came to be treated in China as a higher ethic a monk would adopt after ordination, in addition to the monastic rules. In Japan, they came to displace the monastic rules almost completely starting with Saicho and the rise of the Tendai sect. So, when the Meiji period government allowed monks to marry, there weren't vinaya rules to forbid it, leading to most Japanese clergy now being married. The name of the sutra derives from the vast net that the god Brahma hangs in his palace, and how each jewel in the net reflects the light of every other jewel:
- “ At that time, he (Shakyamuni Buddha) contemplated the wonderful Jewel Net hung in Lord Brahma's palace and preached the Brahmajala Sutta for the Great Assembly. He said: "The innumerable worlds in the cosmos are like the eyes of the net. Each and every world is different, its variety infinite. So too are the Dharma Doors (methods of cultivation) taught by the Buddhas. ”
The sutra is also noteworthy for describing who Vairocana Buddha is, as the personification of the Dharma itself, or more specifically the Dharmakaya or Truth-Body of Buddhism:
- “ Now, I, Vairocana Buddha am sitting atop a lotus pedestal; on a thousand flowers surrounding me are a thousand Sakyamuni Buddhas. Each flower supports a hundred million worlds; in each world a Sakyamuni Buddha appears. All are seated beneath a Bodhi-tree, all simultaneously attain Buddhahood. All these innumerable Buddhas have Vairocana as their original body.
