The Secrets of the Tathagata, in Sanskrit, the Tathagataguhya Sutra, is a quintessential Mahayana sutra on the nature of the body, speech, and mind of bodhisattvas and the Buddha. This annotated translation is the first in any western language. The core message of the Secrets of the Tathagata is that bodhisattvas and the Buddha manifest in whatever form is necessary to teach and aid sentient beings. It illustrates its teachings with marvellously memorable narratives. Its primary interlocutor is Vajrapani, the vajra (thunderbolt mallet) bearer. He incisively answers the queries of Shantamati Bodhisattva and narrates his recollection of crucial moments in the Buddha's life. The Secrets of the Tathagata emphasises that the power of the non-dual and ineffable Buddha underlies all the good deeds and realisations of the bodhisattva, and that his wisdom is inherent in all beings. While the Buddha exerts no effort, he freely manifests for beings based upon their needs and the inclinations of their mind. Beings see the Buddha just like looking at themselves in the mirror, and his words of wisdom sound forth like enchanted instruments that automatically play when wafted by the winds of our karmic inclinations. Shaku Shingan has rendered a readable English translation from the Chinese of the Song Dynasty monk Dharmaraksha, with critical comparisons and translations from the earlier Maharatnakuta Sutra translation of the same text, the Sanskrit original of which has been inaccessible for hundreds of years. Shingan's introduction provides historical background, explains the sutra's place in the history of Mahayana Buddhism and Buddhist studies, and gives the reader an understandable digest of its key themes and doctrines.

Secrets of the Tathagata: A Mahayana Sutra, Shaku Shingan (translator), Hardcover, 310 Pages, $45.66

Shaku Shingan is a Mahayana Buddhist practitioner, who has spent several years developing ways to read, understand, and introduce Mahayana sutras and thought to a wider audience. He currently focuses on preparing materials to aid with understanding Mahayana sutra materials. On-going projects include the publication of accessible and non-academic sutra translations from Sanskrit and Chinese, as well as more general books and other resources which can introduce Mahayana Buddhism to a wider audience. His projects can be found here: https: //sites.google.com/view/shingans-portal/home