Vimalakirti

Vimalakirti, an Indian monk and disciple of the legendary Buddhist teacher Shakyamuni Buddha, is renowned for his brilliant and multifaceted discourse, the Vimalakirti Sutra. Often referred to as one of the most important Mahayana Buddhist scripture, this ancient sutra provides an unprecedented account of the teachings of Buddhism in the era of ‘Great Vehicle’ (Mahayana), of which Vimalakirti is a key representative.

First, it is important to understand the background of the Vimalakirti Sutra, as this will provide a context for the content of the text itself. The Sutra was written some 2,000 years ago in northern India. Back then, a host of religious and philosophical texts from Hindu and Buddhist spaces were circulating. Vimalakirti's sutra emerged during a time of flourishing in Buddhist philosophy, which brought forth the advent of Mahayana Buddhism, or the 'great vehicle.'

At the time of its writing, Mahayana Buddhism was accompanied by a narrative about the inherent vastness and interconnectedness of all living beings. This narrative allows us to understand the structure of the Vimalakirti Sutra, as it deals with topics such as the unity of individual and collective reality, humanity's relationship with the divine as well as with one another, and how to live in accordance with the Buddha's teachings. Additionally, Vimalakirti's sutra is renowned for its literary sophistication and multifaceted ideas, all of which is why the sutra is regarded as one of the most important Mahayana Buddhist scripture.

Vimalakirti is renowned for the skilful feat of teaching with multiple voices. This is evidenced in the Sutra, which variously employs the subtle teachings of the Buddha as well as the voices of a number of other characters from across the Buddha’s lifetime. For example, Vimalakirti incorporates the voice of Manjushri, the buddha of Wisdom, Sariputra, one of the Buddha’s greatest disciples, and Maudgalyayana, another great disciple of the Buddha. He is also believed to have used the voice of his daughter Pradyna, who Vimalakirti sought out as the particular audience of his teachings.

Vimalakirti is considered an especially important figure in Mahayana Buddhism due to his teachings being not only devout and evidential, but also practical in its common application. This is exemplified through his emphasis on the virtue of loving kindness, and his detailed explanation of the role of emptiness in Buddhist practice, as well as emphasizing individual effort and understanding of the Buddha's path.

Vimalakirti’s teaching style is also noteworthy for differentiating between the mundane and the Buddha's path. One of the strongest arguments that Vimalakirti gives for this is the notion of Parikalpita, or “improper conceptualization of reality.” In other words, the sutra attempts to reveal how clinging to the mundane, or mundane views of the world, is not a useful thing and instead should be transcended. Parikalpita is a major theme in Vimalakirti's sutra, and the text uses it to demonstrate that the path of awakening, of enlightenment, is more than simply renouncing the mundane world, but rather transcending it.

Finally, the Vimalakirti Sutra is famous for its compassionate portrayal of all living beings, where it stresses that love and equanimity should be our guiding aims in life and in our interactions with each other. This unique focus on compassion is perhaps why Vimalakirti is so revered in Mahayana Buddhism and why the Vimalakirti Sutra is considered one of the most important Mahayana Buddhist scripture.

In conclusion, Vimalakirti is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, renowned for his unique and sophisticated teachings in the Vimalakirti Sutra. This ancient text contains profound teachings on topics such as the interrelatedness of all life, emptiness and Transcendence, and compassion for all beings. Vimalakirti's sophisticated use of literary voice and multifaceted approach to Buddhist teachings make this Sutra a must-have for anyone interested in Mahayana Buddhism, and the study of Buddhist scriptures in general.