Phrases like "the other-dependent character comes in contact with the predispositions for conventional designations that are the imputational character" are fine translations, but I suspect that most readers would appreciate hearing from Powers what that phrase means to him. There is a place for everything, including bilingual editions of Buddhist sutras. The comments offered here are not intended to detract from the conspicuous excellence of this work; rather, I have made them more in praise of Powers; I wish that he would have allowed his own subjectivity to appear a little more.

　　 In an ideal world, Cleary's translation of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra would still be in print, and several more versions would have been added by other translators. As Buddhism continues to enter the West, we need as many translations of the great sutras as we can get. It is my hope that there will be more to come. And it is also my hope that translators with as much ability as Powers or Cleary will become bold enough to make commentaries of their own, and not just rely on what has been handed to us by tradition.

　

　

Books used in this review:

1)　　 Buddhist Yoga, A Comprehensive Course, translated by Thomas Cleary. Published by Shambala Publications, Inc., Boston, MA, 1995. Out of print.

2)　　 Chieh Shen Mi Ching Shu. Published by Yuan Kuang Fo Hsueh Yuan, Chung Li, Taiwan, 1986.

3)　　 Fo Kuang Ta Ts'e Tien. Published by Fo Kuang Ch'u Pan She, Kao Hsiung, Taiwan, 1989