Sutra Copying

[spindrift]

Copying a Buddhist Sutra (a sacred text) by hand is a highly meritorious activity. One should start with clear, virtuous motivation. Since one will be handling the holy scriptures it is good to wash one's hands before starting.

Last night, at our small Romsey Buddhist group, we prepared the table for our copying, cleared space, lit a stick of incense and kept silent .

We had chosen to copy the Heart Sutra (Prajna Paramita} (Hannya Shingyo).

which was first written between 100BC and 5CE. Because of its antiquity the script veers between Chinese , Japanaese and perhaps Korean. It is all written in Kanji which have innumberable pen-strokes and to learn it to perfection as one would wish, would take many long years of practice. For us eager disciples picking up the calligraphy brushes for the first time was most daunting.

First we had to use old Japanese woodblocks fashioned for rubbing the ink-stick in drops of water to achieve an even-coloured ink. Everything about the whole procedure is difficult and requires total dedication and concentration. I still have a slight headache from the effort I put into it last night.

Here is what we were copying...The Heart Sutra~



If anyone is interested in the Sutra's translation into English, I would be most pleased to write it for you.. I believe it is the shortest sutra in the Canon.

It is read from right to left and starting at the top of the page reading down.....

'Gate! Gate! Paragate! Parasamgate! Bodhi Svaha!

[Deleted]

My last copying activity, when I was in the 1st grade, was to write 20 times "I will not talk during mass."

I will call it the "not talking" sutra, but I am not certain if it was meritorious.

[spindrift]

I am not intending this thread to be a comic one. I am most serious. Please show respect.

[Deleted]

Sorry.

[spindrift]

That's all right. I didn't want others following your lead. I'm a strict teacher

[fumobici]

[Deleted]

While Buddhism is a very serious endeavour, I don't think that the word "strict" is usually associated with it, or am I mistaken? (This is a serious question.)

[spindrift]

You are quite right K. I only meant that when I am in the role of 'teacher' I am strict! I intended to joke...I didn't put the right punctuation mark at the end.

Of course I am not qualified to teach the Dhamma and certainly no Buddhist teacher would be strict.

How difficult it is to convey one's meaning in cyber text.

I imagined that some people might be interested in the art of Sutra copying which is usually only done in Japan and China. Anyway......

[Deleted]

Well, it would appear that the principal point of it is calligraphy, which if course can be very interesting if you know what you are writing. I would imagine that most of the western applications faded away after Gutenberg's invention. The tales of the monk scribes in the big writing room of the monestery doing illuminated texts in the Middle Ages were very fascinating, but also locked the art of writing into a very elitist endeavour reserved for exceedingly few people.

That makes the Asian art of calligraphy all the more interesting now -- the fact that writing is still considered an artwork instead of being completely utilitarian like in the West. At the same time, it is "just" black ink on white paper, which is rather austere for modern tastes -- I assume that is part of its zen appeal, too. While I respect people who want to purge their lives to a state of essential simplicity, I have never made the spiritual connection between doing hard tasks, depriving oneself of food or other worldly delights and yet being more happy or satisfied with one's existence because of this. I can't help but imagine that it is a sort of self punishment that one applies because of real or imagined misdeeds in one's life.

Perhaps you can give a more satisfying explanation.

[hwinpp]

Weeell....

I'm not so sure about the Theravada branch.

They seem to be the same hypocrites the Christians are...

Very strict in what the sangha demands, not so strict when applying these laws unto themselves.

You wouldn't believe what I've seen here.

In case anybody is interested, I've collected a couple of the scandals that have happened here involving monks:

talesofasia.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=63

[spindrift]

Hwinpp - as far as I know Theravadens don't do Sutra copying.

Why do you want to stir the pot with scandals about monks when I was explaining the art of Sutra copying?

please start another thread for yourself.

[hwinpp]

It was the 'strictness' question by Jack that carried me beyond the subject, SD. Apologies.

[spindrift]

Thank you, Hwinpp, that's ok.

[Deleted]

I will now stoop over and let myself be whipped.

[spindrift]

[spindrift]

(Kyo)Sutra copying is an ancient Buddhist activity that is, in fact, a form of meditation. Shakyo = The copying of Kyo (Sutras).


I found this paragraph on google:

(In Japan) A row of people kneel before writing tables in a vast temple hall. They trace the exact strokes of each kanji of a sutra, following the model that is visible from under their writing paper. The faint scent of incense wafts through the hall, and not a sound can be heard. After an hour a bell is rung, the tension lifts, and the people stretch their legs and look refreshed.

More and more people are turning to ascetic pursuits to relieve the stresses of modern life. Two such activities are sutra copying, which involves copying out Buddhist sutras with an ink brush, and Zen meditation, in which people sit in a temple clearing their minds of worldly thoughts.

At a yet deeper level, the practice of shakyo is considered highly important as a 'Meritous activity' - that is, the practice of shakyo is a means by which one can accrue Merit - the Spiritual Blessings or Grace of a Buddha - for oneself - or on behalf of others.

There are many ways to undertake shakyo. This is one example:Choose a sutra to copy, (The Heart Sutra - being the shortest sutra, makes for a good introduction to shakyo practice).

You begin with purifying your body - by washing your hands and rinsing your mouth.

This is followed by practice of a simple meditation technique such as 'watching the breath' for a few minutes in order to clear the emotions and the mind.

When you feel ready, perform Gassho to the Sutra and the 'Light' it embodies. Recite the Sutra's title three times.

Banish all other thoughts from your mind, release yourself from all attachments, and concentrate on the moment. Take up your brush or pen, and, with mindful intent, begin copying the sutra.

It is said you should 'copy from your heart', that is, you should copy with heart-felt dedication and composure.

Focus on what you are doing - take your time - it is said that you should "let each stroke of the brush or pen be a meditation in itself".

When you have completed copying the sutra, once more perform Gassho to the Sutra and the 'Light' it embodies. Recite the Sutra's title three times.

If you are practicing shakyo as a meritous undertaking - you may now dedicate the practice to the individual or purpose it is intended for.


If you have performed shakyo for another person, you may wish to give the copy of the sutra to this person.

If, on the other hand, you performed shakyo, for example, as a blessing for a new apartment, you might frame the sutra copy and hang it on the wall of your new home.

The sutra copy you have made should be treated with respect.

It is a manifestation of the 'Light'.

If, for whatever reason, at some point you should wish to discard it, this should be done with some degree of ceremony.

Perhaps you might light some incense, say a prayer in gratitude for the benefits you have received, then carefully burn the paper on which the sutra is written, and respectfully dispose of the ashes.

It is held that even 'practice' versions or versions containing many errors should be disposed of respectfully, rather than simply crumpled up and dumped in a bin.


Sutra copying at the Shingon temple at Narita...(I have visited this temple).



Namu Amida Butsu

[Deleted]

More and more people are turning to ascetic pursuits to relieve the stresses of modern life.

One thing that perplexes me about this is that I imagine that one's first attempts at sutra copying are full of mistakes and unwanted blotches. This would certainly not relieve my stress but would instead upset me! How are mistakes dealt with, spindrift?

[spindrift]

It is emphasized that the result of your efforts (good or bad) do not matter....one begins to find calm anyway.

Of course calligraphy takes years to learn and mistakes will be made for a long long time. The art is a lifetime's study...you can take years just to write one character perfectly... or you may never achieve even this.

My last effort wasn't good. I had ground and mixed my own ink from an ink block on the ink stone and I hadn't got the colour or texture right. But I wasn't aiming for a perfect result; just trying was good enough. It's a new frame of mind for you perhaps, K? it was for me. I, also, tend to be a perfectionist but one has to admit that one cannot be perfect, and that's part of the practice.

[gertie]

I sort of think Asians might have a tad of the upper hand on this since they learn kanji as children.

What else do Buddhist do? Isn't that the religion where they are supposed to go live under a tree forsaking earthen goods or am I confused?

[spindrift]

Sages from any religion tend to sit under trees having forsaken earthly goods, Gertie....

Hindus do it a lot. Gurus under trees abound. I know one who actually lives in the roots of his tree in Uttaranchal but only during the summer

[spindrift]

I'm bumping up this thread because I have so enjoyed reading it through tonight. I can't believe I told off the jokers in such a strict way!

I'll add something -

when one has finished copying a sutra it is usual to fold it as small as possible and then put it into a Buddha-rupa or chorten or other reliquary. The other course of action is to burn it.

[tjoe]

When we were kids, on the first evening of Durga Puja we did something like this copying Durga mantra 108 times.
My school teacher insisted on me to copy one line that he wrote on my copy everyday 20 times to improve my handwritting. I had by then mastered the art of holding two pencils. So, I had to copy only 10 times ;D