PART ONE - Translations
This sūtra was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese four times, first by Guṇabhadra (435-43 CE), then Bodhiruci (514 CE), then Paramārtha (557 CE). The most complete and reliable translation is typically considered to be that of Xuanzang (647 CE). It was also translated into Tibetan. There is presently no known Sanskrit version.
There are several English translations:
Cleary, Thomas (1995), Buddhist Yoga : A Comprehensive Course, Boston: Shambhala Powers, John (1995), Wisdom of Buddha: The Samdhinirmochana Sutra, Berkeley: Dharma Publishing Keenan, John (2000), Scripture on the Explication of the Underlying Meaning, Berkeley: Numata Buddhavacana Translation Group (2020). Unraveling the Intent, 84000.read
PART TWO - The Title
Saṃdhi-nirmocana Sūtra
Saṃdhi = ‘joint’ (of the body) i.e. and ‘underlying connection’, thus saṃdhāya, ‘cryptic’ or ‘secret’
Nirmocana = “untying (a knot)” (nir-mocana)
PART THREE - Chapter One
- The location - the great palace of light of the ‘Jewel Flower King’
- The assembly - sustained by the great ‘taste’ of the Dharma
- The three entryways to the palace - Emptiness, Characteristiclessness, and Aimlessness.
- The Buddha’s ‘non-dual’ abode.
- The principle Bodhisattvas