The title The Enlightenment of Vairocana is a covering for two boos that study a famous Buddhist scripture with given Sanskrit titles of Vairocanabhisambodhitantra or Mahavairocanasutra. The first book, by Alex Wayman, translates the second chapter, which contains the body mandala of Vairocana’s Compassion, copiously using Buddhaguhya’s compassion, copiously using Buddhaguhya’s commentary, study of some other chapter such as the final one on fire lineage, and include much introductory material, stressing the indo-Tibetan approach, on such topics as the Dharmadhatu and deities of the second chapter. The second book, by Ryujun Tajima, translates the first chapter, with scripture’s theory of becoming a Buddha in one life, copiously using Subhakarasimha’s commentary, summary of the remaining chapters, and includes introductory material stressing the Sino-Japanese approach, especially introducing the reader to the position of the Shingon sect.
The two books complements each other, and provide the interest reader with a veritable feast of information Hopefully the reader will appreciate the beauty of religious message, and the efforts of the two authors render the words of the scripture sensitively and carefully. It should be admitted that this is a profound Buddhist scripture with numerous well-crafted verses, and that it is resistent to the understanding, requiring lengthy attention for its penetration.
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