Difficult Beginnings

Book

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Descriptionངོ་སྤྲོད།

This is the first English translation of the works of Candragomin—a seventh-century Indian philosopher and poet—which have been highly influential in the practice of Buddhism over the past twelve centuries. The book provides an excellent introduction to Mahayana, the "middle way" of the Buddhist path. It will appeal to anyone interested in Eastern Religion.

Candragomin is regarded in the Indo-Tibetan tradition as an exemplar of the bodhisattva ideal. Difficult Beginnings presents three of the most important works. "Candragomin's Resolve" is a short verse aspiration. "Twenty Verses on the Bodhisattva Vow" is a basis for exposition of the bodhisattva vow. "Praise in Confession" recounts the problems that Candragomin encountered in his spiritual practice.

Dr. Tatz provides an excellent introduction to the theory and practice of the bodhisattva path, the ideal of attaining buddhahood—awakening—as well as the commitment to teach and guide others on this path. Also included is a fascinating account of Candragomin's life, and lengthy commentary on the three works presented here. (Source Source: Shambhala Publications)

Citation

Tatz, Mark, trans. Difficult Beginnings: Three Works on the Bodhisattva Path. By Candragomin. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1985.

Publisher Link

https://www.shambhala.com/difficult-beginnings.html

Texts Translated

Candragomin. bodhisattvasaṃvaraviṃśaka, (byang chub sems dpa'i sdom pa nyi shu pa). In bstan 'gyur (sde dge), Vol. 138: 332-333. Delhi: delhi karmapae choedhey, gyalwae sungrab partun khang, 1982-1985. Columbia AIBS
_____. candragomipraṇidhāna, (btsun pa zla ba'i smon lam). In bstan 'gyur (sde dge), Vol. 207: 633-634. Delhi: delhi karmapae choedhey, gyalwae sungrab partun khang, 1982-1985. Columbia AIBS
_____. deśanāstava, (bshags pa'i bstod pa). In bstan 'gyur (sde dge), Vol. 1: 407-412. Delhi: delhi karmapae choedhey, gyalwae sungrab partun khang, 1982-1985. Columbia AIBS

Translation of

Bodhisattvasaṃvaraviṃśaka

This brief work condenses the major points of the chapter on moral discipline, śīla or tshul khrims in Asaṅga's Bodhisattvabhūmi into twenty verses. Likely intended as a mnemonic work, it covers the major disciplinary points that must be followed by those who have taken the bodhisattva vow.

Text

Candragomipraṇidhāna

The Candragomipraṇidhāna is an important Mahāyāna text attributed to Candragomin. The text is a praṇidhāna, which in Sanskrit means "vow," "aspiration," or "prayer." In Buddhist literature, praṇidhānas are typically aspirational prayers or bodhisattva vows that express the practitioner's dedication to achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all beings - a central concept in Mahayana Buddhism. The Candragomipraṇidhāna survives only in fragmentary form in Sanskrit. The fragment survives in a bundle of scattered leaves in the Kaiser Library, Kathmandu.

Text

Deśanāstava

The Deśanāstava is a fifth-century Buddhist hymn written by the poet and scholar Candragomin. It is also known by its English translation, the "Confessional Praise." The hymn's 52 verses are a form of confession. The author confesses his own faults while also praising the Buddha. It is one of several surviving Sanskrit writings by Candragomin, who is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist poets of India.

Text

Introduction 3
Bodhisattva Theory and Practice 3
Candragomin 8
Aspiration 12
Vow 13
Confession 16
Acknowledgments 20
Notes to the Introduction 21

Candragomin's Resolve 25

Twenty Verses on the Bodhisattva Vow 27
Commentary to the Twenty Verses 30

Praise in Confession 39

Commentary by Buddhasanti to the Praise in Confession 47
Notes to the Commentary 99

Index 111