Retreat on the Sutra of Vimalakirti

Retreat on the Sutra of Vimalakirti
June 9-10, 2007
With Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi

This retreat was an in-depth study of The Vimalakirti Sutra (we studied the translation by Burton Watson, Columbia Univ. Press).  The Sutra of Vimalakirti (Sanskrit. Vimalakirtinirdesha-sutra) occupies a unique place in the Mahayana sutra system. It is taught by a lay teacher and a contemporary of Buddha Shakyamuni. This discourse served as one of the fondational source for the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) School of Buddhism and influenced great teachers from Atisha to Tsong-khapa. The sutra gained immense popularity in India, China, Tibet, and Japan because of its wonderful literary style and profound content. Perhaps the first “deconstructionist” movement of great spiritual significance.