Cause and Effect Sutra

[Will]

The BTTS translation: http://cttbusa.org/cause_effect/cause_and_effect.htm

How it begins:

The Buddha Speaks The Sutra On Cause And Effect In The Three Periods Of Time

Translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society

At that time, Ananda was on Magic Mountain, together with twelve hundred fifty in the assembly. Ananda made obeisance with his palms together, circumambulated the Buddha three times, and knelt with his palms joined. Then he asked Shakyamuni Buddha this question: "During the Dharma-Ending Age, all the living beings in Southern Jambudvipa will give rise to much unwholesome karma. They will not revere the Triple Jewel, or respect their parents. They will be lacking in the Three Bonds. The Five Constants that safeguard the universal obligations between people will be in disharmony and disarray. Beings will be poor, destitute, lowly, and vile. Their six faculties will suffer impairment. All day long they will engage in killing and harming. Moreover, they will not be of equal status; some will be wealthy while others will be poor. What are the conditions leading to these various different rewards and retributions? We disciples pray that the World Honored One will compassionately explain each one of these for us."

[plwk]

Will, do you recall in the past, there was a thread in ES that discussed about the possibility of some Sutras classed as 'doubtful' in the Chinese/Taisho's Sutra Pitaka, is this one of them or some other?

Magic Mountain
Isn't that a rather literal translation of '靈鷲山' or 'líng jiù shān', the Vulture Peak Mountain or 'Griddhraj Parvat/Kuta' in today's south of Rajgir in India?

[Will]

Will, do you recall in the past, there was a thread in ES that discussed about the possibility of some Sutras classed as 'doubtful' in the Chinese/Taisho's Sutra Pitaka, is this one of them or some other?

Magic Mountain
Isn't that a rather literal translation of '靈鷲山' or 'líng jiù shān', the Vulture Peak Mountain or 'Griddhraj Parvat/Kuta' in today's south of Rajgir in India?

No such recollection; but in any case these "doubtful" sutras have had a tremendous beneficial affect on East Asia for many generations. See the Kuan-Yin book by Chun, where many "doubtful" Kuan Yin sutras were revered and produced much inspiration and miracles.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Kuan-y ... 0231120296

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

...do you recall in the past, there was a thread in ES that discussed about the possibility of some Sutras classed as 'doubtful' in the Chinese/Taisho's Sutra Pitaka, is this one of them or some other?

I remember, and yes... this is one and the same sutra.

in any case these "doubtful" sutras have had a tremendous beneficial affect on East Asia for many generations

To that extent, they are akin to the Jatakas of the Pali tradition in that they promote morality and provide inspiration, but in doing so distort the Buddha's deep and transcendent teaching on karma/vipaka, reducing them to the level of morality tales and fables. Whether that distortion constitutes skilful means, I'll leave for you to decide as per your criteria. I would be doubtful about giving it the thumbs up given some of the superstitions prevalent in these regions, such as the Hungry Ghost Festival, which are rooted in superstitious, non-Dharmic interpretations of karma.

Maitri,
Retro.

[Will]

retro: I would be doubtful about giving it the thumbs up...

Only after reading & pondering on it, of course.