In doing a file search in historic articles posted on the pre-BLOG news section of the temple’s website I found something that I wanted to share. Over a decade ago a number of us studied Learning from Buddha from an earlier translation and headings and I found something that I found interesting. The text was divided into three sections as is what we have now, but with different titles than we used. I found that those old H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III originated titles really summed up the entire text. I am sure the simplified chapter headings I added were intended to simplify the translation, but they lost the poetry and insight that the Buddha Master made so clear and complete that I wanted to comment on my “cleaning up” the translation. I am sure my tidying up was well intended, but it looses the genius and clarity that the Buddha Master imparts and I want to apologize and confess my mistake. I know better–or I should have. But I also realize that I have learned a few things over the decade and at least can recognize my mistake and for that I am very grateful. Here is the comparison:
Chapter 1: OLD TITLE- “One Who Learns Dharma but Does Not Cultivate Oneself Cannot Attain Accomplishment”; NEW TITLE-“Dharma”
Chapter 2: OLD TITLE-“One Who Cultivates Oneself but Does Not Learn Dharma Cannot Generate Realization Powers”; NEW TITLE-“Cultivation”
Chapter 3: OLD TITLE- “If One Does Not Put into Practice the Lessons One Has Heard on Cultivation and Dharma, It Will Be Like Trying to Scoop Up the Reflection of the Moon on Water.” ; NEW TITLE-“Self-Examination & Implementation”
Yes, a variation on the Buddha’s original wording was still part of the title, but it was not what I used. I truly feel ashamed, that I would try and simplify or modernize the poetry and clarity of the Buddha Master with such simple minded expressions. Probably all the rest of you were with the Buddha’s words and it didn’t matter, but when I saw what I had done I was so blown away with what I saw I had to comment. The Buddha’s titles really told us everything we needed to know about His text. I am not sure I could or should try and go back and rework my notes and summaries of our more recent classes, but I really found that how we studied this over ten years ago in Stockton to be most profound. It is most humbling.
CLICK for article that includes a summary and links to the 2026 ZOOM discussions of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Learning from Buddha.
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