Buddhist Geeks The Vimalakīrti Sūtra with Kenneth Folk
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Aug 22, 2023 Pragmatic Dharma teacher Kenneth Folk shares his understanding of the Vimalakīrti Sūtra, a Mahayana Buddhist text exploring enlightenment. Topics include the concept of the ten directions, qualities of profoundly developed individuals, the Bodhisattva's wisdom and compassionate healing, exploring transcendental powers, mythical beings and perception of purity, and attaining enlightenment through perceiving problems.
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Sutra as a Magical Spell
- The Vimalakīrti Sūtra acts like a "magical spell" that transports listeners to awakened states through its poetic and humorous language.
- Its supernatural descriptions and themes invite a transformative, immersive experience beyond intellectual understanding.
Compassionate Rebirth Choice
- Bodhisattvas deliberately choose to be reborn in the five lower realms out of compassion for all beings.
- This reverses typical Buddhist views by including the human realm as a lower one they willingly enter to aid others.
Bodhisattvas' Names as Magic
- Each Bodhisattva's name in the sutra functions as a magical spell intended to imbue listeners with their qualities.
- The expansive list symbolizes a colorful, symbolic aura meant to inspire and transform through recitation.