Sitting-Forgetting in Surrealist Automatism

In the book of Zhuangzi there is a passage where Yan Hui declares to Confucius (in Watson's translation): 

I smash up my limbs and body, drive out perception and intellect, cast off form, do away with understanding, and make myself identical with the Great Thoroughfare. This is what I mean by sitting down and forgetting everything. 

This passage on 坐忘 (sitting-forgetting) provided a template for subsequent meditational practices in Daoism. 

The surrealist practice of automatic writing begins with sitting and forgetting. I quote from two important guides to the practice: 

Having settled down in some spot most conducive to the mind's concentration upon itself, order writing material to be brought to you. Let your state of mind be as passive and receptive as possible. Forget your genius, talents, as well as the genius and talents of others.

- André Breton, First Manifesto of Surrealism

Take a hand, paper, ink, and a pen with a new nib, and settle yourself comfortably at your table. Now forget all your worries, forget that you are married, that your child has whooping-cough, that you are Catholic, that you are a senator, that you are a disciple of Auguste Comte or of Schopenhauer, forget antiquity, the literature of all countries at all times. You no longer want to know what is logical and what is not, you no longer want to know anything except what you are going to be told.

- Benjamin Péret, in a guide to automatic writing collected in A Menagerie in Revolt. 

The casual way in which Breton and Péret express this forgetfulness suggests it is an attitude that can be entered in a moment. But this forgetfulness is also a fundamental current running through all surrealist practices, manifesting in surrealists' love for objective chance, collective play, and all methods that work to dissolve, transmute, or annihilate concepts of self, aesthetics, morality, etc. that hamper revelation. So this forgetfulness is also a long-term cultivation. 

In his later work on automatic writing, "The Automatic Message," Breton notes how some automatic texts were compromised by the writers' attachment to their conception of their own talents and aesthetic sensibilities: 

This viewpoint of artistic talent, with the incredible vanity that is attached to it, is naturally not foreign to the internal and external causes of mistrust which, in surrealism, have prevented automatic writing from fulfilling all its promises. Originally the aim was simply to grasp involuntary verbal representation and fix it on the page without imposing on it any kind of qualitative judgment. However, critical comparisons have not failed to raise questions regarding the degree of richness or elegance, in this or that person, of the interior language. In this game an execrable poetic rivalry soon demanded its due.

On the other hand an inevitable delectation (after the fact) in the very terms of the texts obtained, and particularly in the images and symbolic figurations abounding in them, has had a secondary effect of diverting most of their authors from the inattention and indifference which, at least during the production of such texts, must be maintained. This attitude, instinctive in those who are used to appreciating poetic value, has had the vexing consequence of giving the participant an immediate awareness of each part of the message received.

In the same work Breton also rejects an automatism that affects an external inspiration:

contrary to what spiritualism proposes — that is, the dissociation of the subject’s psychological personality - surrealism proposes nothing less than the unification of that personality. For us, obviously, the question of the externality of the ‘voice’ (to repeat for the sake of simplification) could not even be raised.

The dissolution of self-identity is not in favor of an Other, but integration of those aspects of the personality ignored, despised, obscured, or deemed foreign, which opens an ever more expanding and ambiguous apprehension of the contours and limits of this personality.

All of this is to say that, for the explorer in automatism, forgetfulness is an ongoing practice, as well as a step in the process of automatic writing. For my part I intend to pay more attention to this forgetfulness, give it more time and breathing space, when I sit down to write. 

The Sutra on the Eleven-Faced Heart of Dharanis (十一面神咒心經), a translation

Here’s my translation of the Sutra on the Eleven-Faced Heart of Dharanis, as it was translated into Chinese by Xuanzang and is found in the Taisho Tripitaka Vol. 20, No. 1071. I decided to translate this sutra since I had encountered the eleven-faced dharani years ago when I attended a nyungne retreat, and later started wondering about its origins. When I found that the originating sutra had never been translated into English, I thought I might remedy that. So here it is. 

The eleven faces belong to the particular form of the great Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, AKA Guanzizai, Guanyin, Kannon, Chenrezig, etc. invoked in this text. The sutra not only provides the dharani and explains its benefits, but also outlines a number of variations and ritual acts to accomplish particular effects, such as curing illness, erecting a magical barrier, or exorcising the possessed. The most powerful rituals can be done after enshrining the dharani in a statue and the text provides instructions for carving this statue and consecrating it. I am not a scholar and if anyone spots mistakes, please let me know. 

The Sutra on the Eleven-Faced Heart of Dharanis (十一面神咒心經) Translated from Xuanzang’s Chinese translation, Taisho Tripitaka Vol. 20, No. 1071 

Avalokiteshvara Arrives and Introduces the Dharani

Thus I have heard: Once the Blessed One was dwelling at the bodhimanda in Sravasti amid a great crowd of bhikshus, 1,250 people altogether, with countless bodhisattvas and mahasattvas, and the bodhisattva Maitreya pre-eminent. Moreover there was a great assembly of countless bhikshus, bhikshunis, upāsakas, upāsikās, all kinds of heavenly beings, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, kumbhandas, pishachas, and human and non-human beings, circumambulating, making offerings, saluting, honoring, worshiping, and expounding the Dharma. 

At that time the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokiteshvara, together with countless hundred thousands of kotinayutas of mantra-chanting gods, before and behind, circumambulated to where the Buddha was. Arriving, he then prostrated to the World-Honored Biped, circumambulated to the right three times, withdrew, and sat to one side, addressing the Buddha: 

 “World-Honored One! I have a heart of dharanis called ‘Eleven Faces’, possessing great might, and spoken by eleven kotis of Buddhas. Desiring to benefit, calm, and gladden all sentient beings, I will now speak it, whereby all diseases are wiped out, whereby all evils are quelled, whereby all misfortunes are stopped, whereby all evil dreams are warded off, whereby all untimely deaths are averted. I desire to make the sick-hearted find harmonious purity, bring peace and joy to those with bitter sorrows, find conciliation for those beset with animosity, quell all devilish obstructions, and fulfill all the heart’s worthy aspirations. 

“World-Honored One! I see no world, whether of gods, devils, Brahmas, sramanas, Brahmins, and so forth, where those who defend themselves with this dharani, who uphold, recite, write, and spread it, can be harmed by any disasters, violence, maras, knives, rods, poisons, or baleful sorceries. Nor do I see any dwelling with boundaries set with this dharani, far or near, that can be invaded and attacked, except by the ripening of fixed evil karma. World-Honored One! This should be taken as proof that these things are inevitable- only accept them with faith and without discrimination, thus shall every disaster be kept afar, unable to approach. 

“This heart of dharanis is acclaimed and emulated by all Buddhas together, by all Thus Come Ones remembered and defended. World-Honored One! I recall that as many kalpas as Ganges’ sands ago, a Buddha appeared who, right at his awakening, was named the Thus Come One White-Lotus-Eyed Unhindered Utmost Blazing Light of Virtue King. I was at that time a great sage, and received from that World-Honored One this incantation. At the same time I received this incantation I saw Buddhas of the ten directions firmly acquire the acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas. 

“Knowing that this incantation is greatly formidable, then if there are pure and faithful good men, good women, and so forth, who wish to accept, uphold, and recite this dharani, they should reverently recite it wholeheartedly. Each daybreak, being as pure as the Dharma, recite this incantation one hundred eight times- if you can do this, you will reveal yourself as one attaining ten kinds of victory. What are these ten? 

“First, a body that never sickens; 

Second, the constant protection of all Buddhas of the ten directions; 

Third, the enjoyment of inexhaustible wealth, clothing, and food; 

Fourth, the power to subdue foes without fear; 

Fifth, the command of all respect and deference at a word; 

Sixth, venomous insects and devils cannot strike you; 

Seventh, no blade nor staff can harm you; 

Eighth, water cannot drown you; 

Ninth, fire cannot burn you; 

Tenth, you shall not die a violent death. 

“Moreover, you attain four kinds of excellent victory: 

“First, at the verge of death, you shall see the Buddhas; 

Second, at your end you will not succumb to evil urges; 

Third, you shall not die from disasters; 

Fourth, you shall obtain a birth in the Land of Bliss. 

“World-Honored One! I recall that as many kalpas as ten Ganges’ sands, and again more, in the past, a Buddha appeared who, right at his awakening, was named the Thus Come One Melodious Fragrance. I was at that time in the form of a great householder and from that Buddha received this incantation. When I received this incantation, by firmly reciting it I easily transcended forty thousand kalpas of birth and death. Moreover I acquired the great store of compassion and wisdom of all Buddhas, and the liberating dharma gates of all bodhisattvas: whereby I am empowered to save humans, non-humans, and so on, from all imprisonments and entanglements, shackles and fetters, imminent execution, fire, water, wind, bandits, venom, curses, and all manner of bitter hardships. Thus can I be the refuge, salvation, comfort, island, and shelter for all sentient beings. By the reception of this incantation’s power all malevolent yakshas, rakshasas, and so on are at once compelled to raise minds of kindness and mercy, and then abide in anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. 

 “World-Honored One! This dharani of mine is greatly formidable. If recited once it can eradicate the four root crimes and empty the five unceasing hells- how much more it can do for the yogins who practice it as I expound it. It is because one has formerly cultivated the good roots of a hundred thousand kotinayutas of Buddhas that one hears this spell now. Moreover, those yogins who can maintain it as it is taught, if they can for a day and night recite this dharani constantly, I shall cause them to fulfill all they aspire and seek for, as they wish. If they can, for a fortnight- perhaps fourteen or fifteen days-, maintain a fast in the purity of Dharma, and recite my dharani with concentration, they shall easily transcend forty thousand kalpas of births and deaths. 

“World-Honored One! Because of this incantation my name is illustrious and hard to find and hear of. If one were to recite the names of all Buddhas a hundred thousand kotinayutas of times, and another recite my name wholeheartedly for a moment, the achievements of the two would be equal. Those who recite my name shall all without exception attain the ground of nonregression, depart all afflictions, shed all obstructions and all fears, until all evils of body, speech, and thought are wiped out. Moreover, if one can constantly recite the dharani I expound, and practice it as I explain it, know that this person shall receive supreme bodhi as if placed in the palm of one’s hand.” 

 At that time the World-Honored One praised bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s words: “Excellent, excellent, good man! Thus do you raise the thought of great compassion for all sentient beings, and desire to preach this great dharani. Good man! You therefore can easily relieve all sentient beings of every affliction, hindrance, hardship, and fear, and evils of body, speech, and thought, until all sentient beings abide calmly in anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Good man! I also am moved to receive your dharani when you expound it.” 

 

The Root Dharani 

Then the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokiteshvara at once arose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, and kneeled. Addressing the Buddha, he said: “Those who recite this dharani should speak it thusly: 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, om dhara dhara, dhiri dhiri, dhuru dhuru, itte vitte, cale cale, pracale pracale, kusume, kusuma ware, illi milli, ciri citi jvalam apanaya suddhasattva mahakarunikya svaha. 

“World-Honored One! This is the root dharani: one who recites it gains the aforementioned achievements and victories. 

Enchanting Water and Robes 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, ho ho ho ho, ili milli, ciri biri, chili shili, svaha! 

 

“World-Honored One! This is the incantation for enchanting water and robes.When one wishes to enter a temple, first bathe; then enchant water seven times with this incantation, sprinkling it on one’s body for purification; again, enchant the robe seven times with this incantation, then put it on. 

Enchanting Incense and Lamps 

 “Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, chulu chulu, ho ho ho ho, svaha! 

"World-Honored One! This is the incantation for enchanting incense and lamps. When one enters a temple and wishes to burn an offering of incense, first enchant the incense with this incantation seven times, then burn it; likewise when one desires to light a lamp, first enchant the oil with this spell seven times, then light it. 

Enchanting Flowers, Perfume, and Ornaments 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, sili sili, dhili dhili, sili sili, svaha!

“World-Honored One! This is the incantation for enchanting flowers, perfume, and ornaments. When one enters a temple and wishes to make offerings of flowers, perfume, and ornaments, first enchant the flowers seven times with this incantation, scattering them over the honored images. Again enchant the perfume seven times with this incantation, daubing it on the honored images. Again enchant the ornaments seven times with this incantation, adorning the honored images with them. 

Enchanting Buddha Offerings 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, svati svati, sidi sidi, sudu sudu, svaha! 

“World-Honored One! This is the incantation for enchanting Buddha offerings. When one desires to make offerings to the Buddhas of food, flowers, fruit, and so on, first enchant them twenty one times with this incantation, then offer them. 

Enchanting Firewood and a Fire Rite 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, masa dasa, jali jali, hulu hulu, julu julu, sulu sulu, mulu mulu, svaha! 

“World-Honored One! This is the incantation for enchanting firewood. When one desires to undertake something with the above root dharani, first enchant the jasmine wood one intends to burn with this incantation once. Then divide the jasmine wood into thirty-one one-inch segments and soak them in buttermilk and honey overnight. Take each segment and enchant it once and throw it into the fire until all of them are gone. Then that undertaking shall be accomplished.

Drawing Sacred Boundaries 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, illi mill, bili dili, chulu shilu, svaha! 

“World-Honored One! This is the incantation for drawing sacred boundaries. When one desires to draw a sacred boundary, first enchant water with this incantation seven times and sprinkle it in the four directions. Or enchant mustard seeds or pure ash, seven times in any case, and sprinkle them on the four sides, as far or near as one desires, and at once the boundary shall form and serve as a ward.

Requesting Avalokiteshvara’s Return after a Ritual 

“Salute to the Three Jewels! Salute to the noble ocean of wisdom, Universal Light, majestic king Thus Come! Salute to all Thus Come Ones, arhats, and perfectly awakened ones! Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Greatly Compassionate! Tadyatha, bichu bichu, dichu dichu, chuchu chuchu, vaichu vaichu, kicha kicha, Bhagavan Arya’valokitesvara sarva namo, svaha!

“World-Honored One! This is the incantation for requesting that I return to my palace. When the matter is finished and you request that I return to my palace, you should enchant water seven times with this incantation, and sprinkle it to the four directions, then I will go back. 

Medical Applications 

“World-Honored One! This dharani, even if not enshrined, is yet effective for all kinds of undertakings, and reciting them wholeheartedly will leave no wish unfulfilled. 

“If one suffers malarial fits for maybe once a day, or every two days, or every three days, or if one is sickened by devils, be they putanas, dakinis, pisacas, kataputana, maddening devils, convulsive devils, or any of the other kinds of fiends, in all cases enchant the afflicted one with this incantation, one hundred eight times and at once they shall be cured. If the ailment is grave, take a five-colored cord and recite the incantation while tying knots, once for each knot, for one hundred eight knots altogether. By tying it onto the patient’s neck or arm, their faults and hindrances shall be wiped away and the sickness at once cured. 

“If one suffers boils, carbuncles, ulcers, sores, cysts, gangrene, ringworm, and all other kinds of ugly ailments; or sustains knife, arrow, spear, lance, or other such wounds; or snake, scorpion, centipede, wasp, or other bites- enchant all of these with this incantation seven times and at once they shall be cured. If the ailment is grave, enchant yellow clay seventeen times and spread this on the afflicted spot and the affliction shall be cured. 

“If one suffers from paralyzing winds , deafness, blocked nose, stupefying wind, and such diseases, in all such cases one should wholeheartedly recite this incantation, enchanting the afflicted one one hundred eight times, and the sickness at once shall be cured. If the ailment is grave, saute birch bark and laurel incense in oil or butter, enchanting each seven times, and then spread it on the body, or drip it on the ears or nose, or have them swallow it and the sickness shall soon be cured. 

“If there is any other kind of disease, in all cases you should wholeheartedly enchant it with this incantation, or recite it to oneself, and at once it shall be wiped away. 

Enshrining the Dharani 

“World-Honored One! If one desires to enshrine this dharani, one should first carve an image of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva from solid, fine, flawless, pure sandalwood, one handspan and a half long. The left hand grasps a vase that holds a red lotus; the right arm is extended with a mala suspended from it and the hand forms the fearless mudra. Make this image with eleven faces: in front, three faces of merciful countenance; on the left, three faces of wrathful countenance; on the right, three faces with white fangs protruding upwards; behind, one face with a vicious laughing appearance; on top, one face resembling a Buddha’s face. Atop the crowns of every head make a Buddha form. Adorn this Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva’s body with jade necklaces and all manner of splendor. 

“Having made this image, when you have some aspiration, don a new clean robe and keep a fast from the first day of the new moon to the eighth day. Three times each day recite the incantation one hundred eight times or innumerable times. Thenceforth, in a quiet place arrange a pure seat and place there the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva image facing west; according to your means offer various food and drink, and burn only agarwood and storax incense. The yogin should keep a diet of barley and dairy and recite as before until the thirteenth day. Thenceforth offerings must be doubly fine as before and the yogin should eat only the three white foods, namely, milk, cheese, and rice. Get wood of the bodhi tree and light a fire with it before the image, and take another piece of that wood and cut it into one thousand and eight one-inch segments. Having soaked them in frankincense oil, take each piece, recite the incantation once, and toss it into the fire, until all of them are gone. At this time there shall be shaking like a great earthquake, and the statue shall likewise move. From the topmost face’s mouth shall come a cry of praise for the yogin, saying, Excellent, excellent, good man! As you can so diligently endure for your aspiration, I shall fulfill your desire, whether it be to empower you to rise into the air and fly away, or again to roam unimpeded, or make you a king among mantra-chanting gods, or make you as unhindered as I am. 

A Rite for Securing Avalokiteshvara’s Aid in Bodhicitta 

“Furthermore, the yogin might, on the 15th day of the waxing moon, take this Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva image and place it in a Buddha reliquary hall. Donning a new clean robe, and keeping a fast for one day and one night neither drinking nor eating, gather one thousand and eight jasmine flowers; taking one flower at a time and enchanting each one once, throw it on the image until all are gone. At this time mouth of the image’s front face shall cry out in an earthshaking thunderous roar- at this time the yogin should set their mind at ease and not give rise to fear, but recite the dharani and entreat for that which they desire, saying, Salute to noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva the Greatly Compassionate! When can I become a great refuge for all sentient beings, and fulfill all their hearts’ desires? Then shall Avalokiteshvara fulfill your aspiration, and when it is fulfilled, none among all the ranks of gods and dragons can hinder you. 

 

Making Healing Butter 

“Furthermore, if the yogin, at the time of a lunar eclipse, places a tael of butter in a silver vessel before the image and chants this incantation until the moon re-emerges as before, eating this food will leave no disease of the body uncured. 

 

A Bindi for Clearing Hindrances, Evil Dreams, and Diseases 

“Furthermore, the yogin should get equal parts of realgar and cow’s bezoar, place these before the image, and chant this incantation one thousand and eight times. Then mix them with water and apply it as a dot between the eyebrows. Three aforementioned things shall be accomplished if one bathes in warm water: all hindrances, all evil dreams, and all diseases shall be entirely wiped away. 

A Rouge Averting Invasion 

“Furthermore, if villains of another region wish to invade one’s territory, you should take a grain of safflower rouge and recite this incantation one hundred eight times, then reverently dot it upon the image’s leftward wrathful faces, and turn them toward that region, and this shall make the villainous army unable to advance. 

A Fire Rite and Enchanted Knots for Lifting an Epidemic 

“Furthermore, if an epidemic arises among the people or livestock of one’s country, light a fire of neem wood before this image, and take another piece of this wood and cut it into one thousand and eight one-inch segments. Take each segment, smear it with mustard seed oil, chant the incantation once, and throw it into the fire, until all of them are gone. Then take a red cord and tie it into seven enchanted knots, one incantation for each knot, and tie it to the top of the topmost Buddha face. This can cause the epidemic to be entirely wiped out. Afterwards untie the enchanted cord. 

Enchanted Knots for Exorcising a Person 

“Furthermore, if a servant is possessed and sickened by dakinis, putanas, or other kinds of devils, you should take a white cord and tie it into twenty one knots, one incantation for each knot, and tie it to the top of the merciful faces in front. After a night has passed untie it from there and tie round the neck of the afflicted and they will at once be cured. If the karmic weight is heavy and not cured, you should take this cord and enchant it one hundred eight more times, and tie it to the top of the image as before. After a night has passed untie it and tie it round the neck of the afflicted, and they will surely be cured. 

 

A Fire Rite and Enchanted Knots for Exorcising a House 

“Furthermore, if there is a long miserable illness that is interminable, or evil spirits enter into a home, bring one hundred eight grains of mastik incense before this image, enchant each grain once and toss it into the fire, until they are all gone. Moreover, take a white cord and tie it into twenty one enchanted knots, one incantation for each knot, and tie it to the top of the merciful faces in front. After a night has passed untie it from there and tie it round the neck of the afflicted, and that which ails them shall be cured, and devils will disperse. 

A Fire Rite and Enchanted Knots for Thwarting Enemies 

“Furthermore, if an enemy seeks opportunities to censure and curse, desiring to do you injury, you should make all kinds of offerings, of incense, flowers, and other things, to this image. Light a fire of agarwood before this image and take one hundred eight rape seeds, enchanting each once and throwing it in the fire. Moreover take a white cord and tie it into twenty one enchanted knots, with one incantation for each knot. Tie it to the top of this image’s leftward wrathful faces. After a night has passed, untie it. One by one call out your enemy’s name and cut off a knot, each one in a different place, one invocation for each cut, until they are all gone. Now that enemy’s works will fail and they will naturally be subdued. 

Enchanted Knots for Furthering Worthy Deeds 

“Furthermore, if someone aspires to any worthy deed, take threads of five colors and bind them into an enchanted rope with one hundred eight knots, one incantation for each knot. Moreover, enchant it seven times before this image and tie it on top of the merciful faces. After a night has passed, untie it and tie it to your body and you shall find what you seek. 

An Enchanted Perfume Bath for Clearing Obstacles 

“Furthermore, if you are aware of troubles in your body, or if the extent of your worthy deeds is inferior to your intent, or disasters often arrive without cause, you should bathe this statue in perfume. Then take this perfume and enchant it one hundred eight times, and bathe a statue of Vinayaka in it. Then make one hundred eight incantations and sprinkle it on your body. All troubles shall naturally dissipate and all that you seek will be fulfilled.” 

Acclamation and Departure of the Assembly 

At that time Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva concluded speaking this sutra, and all the great assembly at the same time acclaimed him, saying, “Excellent, excellent, great being!  As you have spoken the dharani with the desire to benefit and gladden all sentient beings. we are moved to likewise vow to uphold it.”

At that time the great assembly joyously leapt up, circumambulated the Buddha three times, saluted him, and departed.

Beginning

At the moment this will be a place for me to publish translations from Chinese (Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian texts as well as chuanqi/ zhiguai tales and anything weird that strikes my fancy) and also collect my thoughts on sundry topics, which might be interesting to a few others. I have many interests and passions, including surrealism, poetry, and anything exalting the imagination and the liberation of the mind. I also like to talk/think about esoteric philosophy and magic of various sorts, utopian politics, mythology & folklore, and roleplaying games.