Nagarjuna: Exposition of Bodhicitta Bodhicittavivarana (a critique of Vijnanavada)

NNIntroduction

This regrettably neglected text comprises 112 stanzas introduced by a brief prologue in prose. It has sometimes been grouped as a tantric work, but a glance at its contents shows how unwarranted such a classification is.

The Bodhicittavivarana is never mentioned or cited by Buddhapalita or Candrakirti. On the other hand it forms one of the basic authorities for Bhavya in his most mature work, the Ratnapradipa. It is never quoted in his earlier works, the Tarkajvala, Prajnapradipa, and [*Kara-]talaratna. Among other ‘good’ authors citing the Bodhicittavivarana are especially Asvabhava and Santaraksita. I have also come across scores of quotations by other commentators; fortunately several of these are in Sanskrit. It is my general impression that the Yuktisastika, Catuhstava, and Bodhicittavivarana are the most frequently quoted among all works ascribed to Nagarjuna in later Indian literature. Read the rest of this entry »

1.
Now, in the presence of the Buddhas, I fold my hands and bow
my head. I intend to explain according to tradition a Buddha’s
accumulations for enlightenment.

2.
How is it possible to explain without omission the
accumulations for enlightenment? [For] the Buddhas are the
only ones who individually obtain infinite enlightenment!

3.
The body of a Buddha has infinite qualities. The [two]
accumulations for enlightenment constitute the basis.
Therefore the accumulations for enlightenment have no final
limit either. Read the rest of this entry »

Nagarjuna (1st – 2nd century CE), the great Indian Buddhist master, wrote this letter of advice, in verse, to a king that was a friend. Although short at only 123 verses, it is considered to be a monument in the Indian Buddhist tradition, and covers the Mahayana path with uncommon clarity, and is for this reason much quoted by many great Tibetan masters.

Letter to a Friend

(bShes-pa’i springs-yig, Skt. Suhrllekha)
by Nagarjuna

translated by Alexander Berzin, March 2006

(1) O you, with a nature of good qualities, who’ve become worthy
through constructive deeds,
Please listen to these (verses) in noble meter,
Which I’ve compiled in short for the sake of (instilling)
An intention for the positive force that comes from (following)
explanations of the Blissfully Gone (Buddha’s) speech.

(2) Just as the wise venerate a statue of the Blissfully Gone,
Even out of wood, regardless of how it’s been made;
Likewise, although this poetry of mine may be deficient,
please do not scorn it,
Since it’s based on expressions of the hallowed Dharma. Read the rest of this entry »

Nagarjuna: In Praise of the Transcendental

HYMN TO [THE BUDDHA,] THE WORLD TRANSCENDENT by Nagarjuna

Sanskrit title: Lokatistava

Tibetan title: ‘jig rten las ‘das par bstod pa (jigten ley depar toepa)

Homage to Manjushri!

1

I bow to you, the world transcendent,

You who’re versed in the gnosis of absence.

For the benefit of the world

You’ve suffered long with great compassion.

2

That apart from the mere aggregates

No sentient being exists, you uphold.

Yet, great sage, you continue to remain

Perfectly immersed in the welfare of beings. Read the rest of this entry »

Ārya Nāgārjuna

Root Stanzas on the Middle Way

Sanskrit: Mula madhyamaka karika.

Tibetan: dBu ma rtsa ba’i tshig le’ur byas pa shes rab ces bya ba.

[Translator’s homage]

dBu ma rtsa ba’i tshig le’ur byas pa Shes rab ces bya ba bzhugs so // //

rgya gar skad du // Pra dzny’a n’a ma m’u la ma dhy’a ma ka k’a ri ka

bod skad du //’jam dpal gzhon nur gyur pa la phyag ‘tshal lo

Here lie the Root Verses of the Center called “Intelligence”. In the language of India: Prajnanamamulamadhyamakakarika. In the language of Tibet: dBu ma rtsa ba’i tshig le’ur byas pa shes rab ces bya ba. I prostrate to the youthful Manjushri. Read the rest of this entry »