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Ordinary Enlightenment: A Translation of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Paperback – October 8, 2002

by Charles Luk (Author)

9 customer reviews

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This classic scripture of Mahayana Buddhism and Zen emphasizes spiritual practice in the midst of secular life. Composed in about the second century CE, The Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra tells the story of a householder named Vimalakirti who lived a worldly life while following the Bodhisattva path. This sutra is particularly applicable to Western students of Buddhism because it teaches that people in the secular life can practice Buddhism as effectively as members of monastic communities. The translator provides an accurate and accessible text complete with explanatory notes and a glossary.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the only translation of this work from the Chinese, and it is eminently accessible. An archetypal source for lay students, I enjoy it for its depth and its humor."—Robert Aitken, author of Taking the Path of Zen

About the Author

Charles Luk was a lifelong student of Buddhism who translated several works of Chinese Buddhism.

Product details

Paperback: 184 pages
Publisher: Shambhala; First Paperback Edition edition (October 8, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1570629714
ISBN-13: 978-1570629716
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 9 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #760,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #604 in Zen Philosophy (Books)
- #718 in Buddhist Rituals & Practice (Books)
- #792 in Zen Spirituality

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9 customer reviews

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This should be in every Dharmic library

January 15, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Charles Luk does an excellent job with the translation. Perfect to read on its own or along with various other translations. This sutra is one of the greatest for the non-monastic practitioner of Bodhisattvayana. Truly a must read.

2 people found this helpful

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Upasaka Heng He

Important Sutra - Important Translation

July 7, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Charles Luk, himself a lay Buddhist, translated this "Lay Buddhist" sutra for us who aren't monks but nevertheless aspire for the Path. Luckily for us, we have an ideal in Vimalakirti, a lay Bodhisattva who excelled all other Bodhisattvas, including the embodiment of wisdom, Manjusri. This sutra is very theatrical and dramatical they could make a movie out of it! It contains my favourite expression, formula of the essence of Mahayana: "The patient endurance of the Uncreate"

3 people found this helpful

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Very understandable

September 5, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am very impressed by this translation. It isn't a light read, but with thoughtful reading it is very understandable and enlightening.

One person found this helpful

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May 13, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

excellent translation !

Comment

March 24, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am not a fan of the Indian texts of Buddhism.

Comment

Atisha Dipankara

Charles Luk's Chinese Translation is smooth & delightfull.

May 31, 2012

Format: Paperback

I did enjoy "Ordinary Enlightenment": A Translation of the Vimalakirti Nirdesa - Charles Luk; Paperback much more than the Thurman Translation, even though I had been way more fond of the Tibetan School's Texts.
Luk's Translation has humour, and a Great overall Flow. The Font size is much more readable to my old eyes.
Very enjoyable Yet Supremely Profound, not a
University text book. High quality paper and production.
Not a difficult read, nor is it watered down for the
non familiar first time reader. IMHO, it gets the Zen like
feel across, without changing the meaning of the text.
You can see why that school had an affinity for this Sutra.

9 people found this helpful

Comment

John Erik Hanson

It was written by Dorje Chang Buddha II

March 18, 2019

Format: Paperback

This is the best book available in the English language. That should be obvious when you learn that the author Vimalakirti was no lay practitioner, but none other than Dorje Chang Buddha II., who was the master of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is essential for spiritual and moral development. The best Sutra yet. Namo Dorje Chang Buddha II.

Comment

Extraordinary Translation

May 24, 2012

Format: Paperback

I purchased this several years ago now, and still find it extraordinary. A MUST for would-be buddhas.
I quote Upasaka P'ang Yun below for he exemplifies 'Ordinary Enlightenment'.
"There is nothing special about what I do each day; I only keep myself in harmony with it. Everywhere I neither accept nor reject anything. Nor here do I confirm or refute a thing. Why do people say that RED and PURPLE differ? There's not a speck of dust on the blue mountain. Supernatural powers and wonder-making works are but fetching water and the gathering of wood."
For those of you who doubt the words of Virmalakirti, I say only this 'it's later than you think.'

2 people found this helpful

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