Inconceivable Emancipation: Themes from the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa

by Sangharakshita

Step into the magical, paradoxical world of a Mahayana Buddhist scripture. Mahayana Buddhism, to which the Zen and Tibetan traditions are related, emphasizes the ideal of the Bodhisattva, one who seeks to become Enlightened out of a compassionate desire to help all living beings. In the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa we meet the Bodhisattva Vimalakirti, a worker of wonders, a formidable debator and skilful teacher. Sangharakshita's commentary illuminates this original text, its myths and symbols, and explores the powerful figure of Vimalakirti and the significance of his teachings. By journeying into this scripture we can find the wisdom and compassion that lie at the heart of the Bodhisattva path and discover, communicate and put into action Vimalakirti's message.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

About the author

Sangharakshita was born Dennis Lingwood in South London, in 1925. Largely self-educated, he developed an interest in the cultures and philosophies of the East early on, and realized that he was a Buddhist at the age of sixteen.

The Second World War took him, as a conscript, to India, where he stayed on to become the Buddhist monk Sangharakshita. After studying for some years under leading teachers from the major Buddhist traditions, he went on to teach and write extensively. He also played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work among followers of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

After twenty years in the East, he returned to England to establish the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in 1967, and the Western Buddhist Order in 1968 (now known as the Triratna Buddhist Community and the Triratna Buddhist Order respectively).

Sangharakshita has always particularly emphasized the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the paramount value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and art, and the need for a ‘new society’ supportive of spiritual aspirations and ideas.

In recent years Sangharakshita has been handing on most of his responsibilities to his senior disciples in the Order. Based at the Adhisthana retreat centre in Herefordshire UK, he is now focusing on personal contact with people. For more, go to www.sangharakshita.org.

A collection of 27 volumes will represent the definitive edition of his life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. Find out more about The Complete Works of Sangharakshita

A series of talks by Sangharakshita: ‘Launch of The Essential Sangharakshita and Living Ethically’.

Reviews

[David Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gift, and to be honest I was expecting it to be a difficult and not particularly interesting read.

I'm happy to say how very wrong I was! The writing is clear, the text it discusses is fantastic, and without getting bogged down in the details of the source material it covers the core concepts in a nice amount of depth. And importantly it's done with a sense of humour. I'm now starting to understand what all the fuss is about regarding Sangharakshita.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to the lectures on Free Buddhist Audio alongside reading the book helped elucidate the more complex ideas.

[Suzie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent discourse on the teachings of the Vimalakirti-nidesa, which I read with my buddhist study group.

[Robert Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good explanation before reading the discourse

Excellent lead up leading to a better if not full understanding of this teaching from Shangharakshita, getting used to his style of writing is also important