One-Hundred Fifty Praises, written by Asvaghosa Bodhisattva, contains the essential connotations on the path to enlightenment. Through 150 beautifully written phrases, readers find themselves in utmost admiration for the Buddha. Thus, it has become one of the first treatises newcomers are required to memorize when they first enter Nalanda Temple.

But for such an important piece of writing, why is it not as popular as some of the other Buddhist teachings?

It’s been said that Tang Dynasty Venerable Yijing had completed the translations for One-Hundred Fifty Praises while he was studying at Nalanda Temple. However, because he became a translator’s assistant upon his return to China, this piece of writing was never widely circulated in China.

1300 years later, two days before her teaching at the annual summer retreat, Teacher Zhen-Ru chose Pandita Yongjin’s version of the One-Hundred Fifty Praises as the basis for her lecture. With more than 200 pages, it provides a detailed explanation on the One-Hundred Fifty Praises.

Though the translation for this particular version is still incomplete, it is Teacher Zhen-Ru’s desire to introduce this piece of writing to everyone so all could benefit from it. As practitioners who seek for nothing but the truth, let us all welcome the wealth of knowledge about to come our way!