The Contemplation Sutra

The Contemplation Sutra

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight April 22, 2022 Duration: 1:58:26

The Contemplation Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Contemplation Sutra

Resources: Inagaki, Hisao, trans.  The Sutra on the Visualization of the Buddha of Infinite Life Delivered by Sakyamuni Buddha.  BDK English Tripitaka Series.   (Berkeley:  Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2004), pp. 63-87.; The Three Pure Land Sutras, translated by Inagaki Hisao, Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2003.; Fujita, Kotatsu. “The Textual Origins of the Kuan wu-liang-shou fo ching.” In Chinese Buddhist Apocrypha, edited by Robert Buswell, Jr., 149-173. Honolulu:  University of Hawaii Press, 1990.  "Discourse on the Pure Land (浄土論)." (Vasubandhu's Commentary on the Pure Land from the extant Chinese text)  Trans. by David Matsumoto, Pacific World Journal, Third Series, 17 (2015) 23–42.; Pas, Julian.  Visions of Sukhavati: Shandao's commentary on the Kuan Wuliangshou-fo ching. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.  Payne, Richard. “The Five Contemplative Gates of Vasubandhu’s Rebirth Treatise as a Ritualized Visualization Practice,” in The Pure Land: History and Development, eds. James Foard, Michael Solomon, and Richard Payne (Berkeley: Regents of the University of California, 1996), 233–266. Tanaka, Kenneth K. The Dawn of Chinese Pure Land Buddhist Doctrine: Ching-ying Hui-yüan’s Commentary on the “Visualization Sutra.” Albany: State University of New York Press, 1990.  Yamabe, Nobuyoshi. “The Sūtra on the Ocean-Like Samādhi of the Visualization of the Buddha: The Interfusion of the Chinese and Indian Cultures in Central Asia as Reflected in a Fifth Century Apocryphal Sūtra.” PhD diss., Yale University, 1999.; Paul Williams, “Trust, Self-Abandonment, and Devotion: the cults of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,” in Mahāyāna Buddhism, the Doctrinal Foundations (Routledge, 2008), pp. 209-218. ; Fujita, Kōtatsu. “Pure Land Buddhism in India.” In The Pure Land Tradition: History and Development. Translated by Taitetsu Unno. Edited by James Foard,  Michael Solomon, and Richard K. Payne, 1–36. Berkeley: Regents of the University of California, 1996.; “Recollection of the Buddha,” in Chapter Seven of the Visuddhimagga: The Path of  Purification. Trans.  Bhikkhu Ñanamoli. (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 2010), pp. 186-209.; Harrison, Paul. “Buddhānusmriti in the Pratyutpanna-buddha sammukhāvasthita-samādhi sutra.” Journal of Indian Philosophy 6 (1978): 35-57.; Harrison, Paul; McRae, John, trans. The Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sutra, Berkeley, Calif.: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1998.  Banzhou sanmei jing (佛說般舟三昧經): Earliest Chinese Translation of the Pratyutpanna-buddha-saṃmukhâvasthita-samādhi-sūtra, CBETA.; Harrison, Paul. 1998. “Women in the Pure Land: Some Reflections on the Textual Sources.” Journal of Indian Philosophy 26 (6): 553-572.; James, Dobbins, “Women, Sexuality, and Pure Land Buddhism,” in Letters of Eshnni:  Images of Pure Land Buddhism in Medieval Japan, (Honolulu, University of Hawaii Press, 2004), pp. 74-106.; Starling, Jessica. “Neither Nun nor Laywoman: The Good Wives and Wise Mothers of Jōdo Shinshū Temples.” Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 40, no. 2 (2013): 277–301.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Guest Appearance - Rebecca Stover [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:10
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Appearance - Rebecca Stover Disclaimer: Nick's audio is very low quality due to some technical difficulties. We apologize. This week, Bright on Buddhism welcomes our 3rd special guest, Rebecca…
What is Buddhist cosmology? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:06
Bright on Buddhism Episode 35 - What is Buddhist cosmology? How does that play out in ritual and practice? How does it change over time? Resources: Mahathero, Punnadhammo. The Buddhist Cosmos: A Comprehensive Survey of t…
Buddhish Episode 5 - Roe vs. Wade is overturned in the US [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:03
Bright On Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 5 - Hello and welcome to a different kind of episode of Bright on Buddhism called "Buddhish"! These episodes are unscripted, untimed, and unedited. Note that we're speaking less form…
Mahaparinibbana Sutta Part 1 - Chapters 1 and 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:10
The Mahaparinibbana Sutta - Join us as we read and discuss the Mahaparinibbana Sutta Resources: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html; https://suttacentral.net/dn16/?view=normal; Blum, Mark. “De…
Who is King Yama? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:39
Bright on Buddhism Episode 34 - Who is King Yama? Where does he come from? How does he fit into the system of karma and reincarnation? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide;Donald Lopez: Norton Antholo…
What is emptiness? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:39
Bright on Buddhism Episode 33 - What is emptiness? What are the different definitions of this word? How does the definition change over time? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton…
What are kōans? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:01
Bright on Buddhism Episode 32 - What are kōans? What is the doctrine behind them? How are they used? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism;…
What are some notable Buddhist cults? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
Bright on Buddhism Episode 31 - What are some notable Buddhist cults? What do they believe? How can one tell if an organization is a cult or not? Resources: https://cult-escape.com/; Pearce, Thomas H. “Tenchi Seikyō: A M…
How does one get started learning about Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:17
Bright on Buddhism Episode 30 - How does one get started learning about Buddhism? How can you tell if the sources you are looking at are unreliable? How does one become a Buddhist? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An…
What does "poa" actually mean? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:47
Bright on Buddhism Episode 29 - What does "poa" actually mean? Why is it important? How has the understanding of this term changed over time? Resources :Bayer, Achim. “From Transference to Transformation: Levels of Under…