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Audio | view transcript

On Being All Things to All Men

by Sangharakshita

The Sutra's hero, Vimalakirti, was a master of the Bodhisattva's 'Skilful Means', discussed here in terms of the Four Analytical Knowledges, the Four Elements of Conversion, and the Magical Formulae.

Talk given in 1979.

This talk is part of the series The Inconceivable Emancipation - Themes from the Vimalakirti Nirdesha.

Tracks (click play to listen)

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	1.	Introduction (6:21)
	2.	A general description of Vimalakirti (3:26)
	3.	Vimalakirti's practice of the Six Paramitas (1:49)
	4.	Vimalakirti's skilful means (6:21)
	5.	The importance of skilful means (10:56)
	6.	The Four Sangrahavastus ('Means of Unification'): i. Dana - Giving (4:57)
	7.	ii. Priyavadita - Loving Speech (3:58)
	8.	iii. Arthacarya - Doing Good (3:25)
	9.	iv. Samanarthata - Exemplification (5:03)
	10.	The Analytical Knowledge of Principles (4:00)
	11.	The Analytical Knowledge of Meaning (2:17)
	12.	The Analytical Knowledge of Etymology (4:27)
	13.	The Analytical Knowledge of Courage (4:01)
	14.	A shortcoming in communication (7:16)
	15.	Vimalakirti's teaching to the laymen (5:27)
	16.	A touch of magic - the Dharanis (1:57)
	17.	The Dharma as skilful means (3:27)