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Anusmrti in Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana perspectives| A lens for the full range of Buddha's teachings

<p> This research investigates <i>anusmr&dotbelow;ti</i> (Sanskrit), <i>rjes su dran pa</i> (Tibetan), anussati (P&amacr;li), and considers how this term might serve as a link for finding a commonality in practices in H&imacr;nay&amacr;na, Mah&amacr;y&amacr;na and Vajray&amacr;na traditions. The research was inspired by the work of Buddhist scholars Janet Gyatso, Paul Harrison, and Matthew Kapstein. Each of them has noted the importance of the term anusmr&dotbelow;ti in Buddhist texts and Buddhist practice. Harrison sees a connection between H&imacr;nay&amacr;na practices of <i>buddh&amacr;nusmr&dotbelow;ti </i> and a host of Mah&amacr;y&amacr;na and Vajray&amacr;na practices. He notes that <i>buddh&amacr;nusmr&dotbelow;ti</i> can be seen as a source of later, more elaborate Vajray&amacr;na visualization practices ("Commemoration" 215). Gyatso investigates contextual meanings of the term <i> anusmr&dotbelow;ti</i> and cites meanings that include an element of commemoration and devotion. She notes that varieties of <i>anusmr&dotbelow;ti </i> are considered beneficial for soteriological development and are deliberately cultivated for that purpose (<i>Mirror of Memory</i> 2-3). Matthew Kapstein refers to a type of anusmr&dotbelow;ti that is the palpable recovery of a state of being or affect. This, he says, is not simply the memory of the experience but the recovery of the sense of <i>being </i> in that state ("Amnesic Monarch" 234). Essential to the research were the teachings of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Anam Thubten Rinpoche on Buddha-nature and Pure Vision. </p><p> In this study I have coined the terms "Buddha-nature anusmr&dotbelow;ti" and "Pure vision <i>anusmr&dotbelow;ti.</i>" Though these terms do not appear in the literature, they may be seen as useful in investigating core remembrances (<i>anusmr&dotbelow;ti</i>) in the Mah&amacr;y&amacr;na and Vajray&amacr;na traditions respectively. "Buddha-nature <i>anusmr&dotbelow;ti </i>" refers to a key remembrance or commemoration in Mah&amacr;y&amacr;na Tibetan literature and practice. "Pure Vision <i>anusmr&dotbelow;ti </i>" refers to a key remembrance or commemoration in Vajray&amacr;na Tibetan literature and practice. This dissertation cites passages from key texts and commentaries to make the point that these coined terms meaningfully reflect a major aspect of their respective traditions. They describe that which is worthy and important, that which should be remembered and commemorated. </p>

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3621055
Date28 June 2014
CreatorsRoe, Sharon J.
PublisherCalifornia Institute of Integral Studies
Source SetsProQuest.com
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis

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