A Fistful of Sand

It had been a few years, maybe 20 of them, since I read the Mahayana version of the Brahma Net Sutra. It is very different from the Pali Canon’s version although they touch on similar subjects. That brief touching and the name are the things they actually have in common aside from the claim that they were both taught by the Buddha. The odds that the Buddha spoke both are slim. The two teachings are not actually related. There is so much wrong with the Mahayana Brahma Net Sutra that one hardly knows where to start. Of course, the answer to any criticism might be, “You don’t understand the Sutra” or “You don’t appreciate the Mahayana teachings” or even “You don’t grasp the significance of the bodhisattva.” These are all standard defense of those who actually like the Sutra and want it propagated. As a matter of fact, I do appreciate the bodhisattva teachings but only when they are correctly portrayed. I appreciate the Mahayana as I have gained much from it. As to whether I under...