Two Massive Mahayana Sutras mentioned in Atisha's Lamp
In the stanzas describing aspirational bodhicitta, Atisha refers to two Mahayana sutras.
The Sutra of the Arrayed Tree is the massive last chapter of an even longer text. The sutra tells the story of the merchant's son, Sudhana, who travels the universe, meeting various teachers—humans, bodhisattvas, Buddhas, and even children—who expound the teachings of interconnectedness, emptiness, and compassion.
And the Sūtra Requested by Vīradatta is another massive Mahayana text that, along the way, illustrates the nature and merit of bodhicitta —the aspiration to free all beings, without exception, from suffering and bring them to the state of enlightenment.
If you feel inspired, you can dip into these monumental texts, which give a flavour of the scope and details of many Mahayana sutras.
Alistair, our Teacher, I am immensely grateful to you for your clear and meaningful words that resonate with me and, I expect, others in this room. I appreciate and am inspired by your knowledge and wisdom. And in answer to your question, yes, your answer does make sense!
Ultimately, my core questions have revolved around the concept of prostrating, confessing and praying to another being, even if enlightened. You have explained, I believe, that one of the reasons that Buddhists offer Great Devotion to enlightened beings is because through this practice, they can lighten their "individual path with the light of their existence." And so these ritutals serve to ease our suffering, and are, perhaps, springboards to enlightenment.
Here is my take on that...and yes, I am a Muslim, and an imama, but also a soul seeker. I do not believe in prostrating or confessing or praying to another being, no matter how enlightened, in the same way that I would not prostate, confess or pray to Muhammad, peace be upon him. Muhammad was enlighted by God (in my view), and possessed extraordinary wisdom and abilities, but he was not God.
Dear Alistair, you stated that enlightened beings are "empty of permanent existence." I pray and prostrate daily to One that does exist permanently, to One that is above the web of suffering, to One that is the ultimate reality. And is all-loving and all-compassionate too.
I will end here - and you know that this is concise for me! lol
Blessings and peace to you Alistair, and to all who are reading these words.
With love and salaams,
Fran
Please allow a new postscript. I offer my spiritual thoughts, with their acknowledged Muslim perspective/bias, not to be at all confrontational, or to suggest that my viewpoint is best. I have immense respect for Buddhism, and my soul calls out to learn more, in the company of you good people! It's simply that I stand in a field that gets to be a bit confusing and lonely, trying to find an intersection between Buddhism and Islam. My heart and soul respond to both. Maybe that intersection is love? Thank you all for your kindness in allowing me to ask my questions here. Peace. xxx