Sanskrit Taught at Old Gold Mountain
One of the many Dharma doors cultivated at Gold Mountain Monastery is that of language study and the investigation of Buddhist Texts as they are found in various Asian languages, in particular, Sanskrit, Chinese, and Japanese. This broad study not only deepens a Buddhist cultivator's knowledge of the Dharma, but it also provides a firm basis for translations of the original words of the Buddha into Western tongues. To hasten the day when people will be able to read all the Buddhist scriptures without knowing a foreign language. The Sino-American Buddhist Association provides classes in both occidental and oriental languages so that translations, based on the most accurate and complete sources available, can be made into Western tongues.
Sramanerika Heng Hsien is here shown conducting a class in Sanskrit. Heng Hsien, who is currently completing a Ph.D. in Sanskrit at the University of California at Berkeley, is a valuable member of the Buddhist Text Translation Society of the Sino-American Buddhist Association. She is able to work with ease in many languages, French, German, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, and Chinese, and now specializes in the principle languages of the Buddhist Canon: Sanskrit, Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, and Chinese. The text being taught is the smaller Sukhavativyuha, which describes the Paradise of the Buddha Amitabha.
During the summer of 1972 The Sino-American Buddhist Association, Gold Mountain Dhyana Monastery, and Vajra Bodhi Sea Publications will jointly sponsor three separate Sutra-Study and Meditation Sessions, each five weeks long. During these sessions daily explanations of major Buddhist texts will be made. Complementing the Sutra study will be approximately five hours of meditation every day in addition to the chanting of Sutras and mantras. The dates for the three sessions follow:
First Session: June 7th—-July 13th, 1972
Second Session: July 14th—-August 18th, 1972
Third Session: August 19th—September 22nd, 1972
The closing date for registration for the first session is June 1st, 1972.
There is no better way to introduce yourself to Buddhism and the path of cultivation than by attending one of these sessions. Following the instructions of Sakyamuni Buddha, the combination of Sutra study, meditation, and recitation will bring about a deep understanding of both the principles and the practice of the Buddhadharma. You may attend one, two, or all three of these sessions.
For further information call or write the Sino-American Buddhist Association, Gold Mountain Dhyana Monastery, 1731 15th Street, San Francisco, 94103. Telephone: (415) 621-5202
CALENDAR OF BUDDHIST HOLIDAYS 1972
August 18 Bhiksu Precepts
Transmitted
21 Great Strength
Bodhisattva’s Birthday
23 Ullambana Festival
Sept. 1 Nagarjuna Bodhisattva’s Birthday
7 Ground Treasury
Bodhisattva’s Birthday
22 Bodhisattva
Precepts Transmitted
29 Dipinkara Buddha’s Birthday
Oct.
25 Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Leaving Home Day
