The doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life is found in only one place, hidden in the depths of the life span chapter of the essential teaching of the lotus sutra. The lotus sutra, which illustrates the infinite potential of life through parables and descriptions of spectacular events such as the ceremony in the air, might well be called the culmination, or the apex, of shakyamunis teachings. This is the lotus sutra memorized, recited, and chanted by some western buddhist monks. A contemporary translation of a buddhist classic paperback december 2, 2008 by gene reeves translator in the buddhas words. In translating the chinese text into english we used the kasuga edition of kumarajivas version of the lotus sutra as the basic text, rather than the taisho edition. Hi thanks for a2a very pleased that you are interested in reading of lotus sutra.
All were arhats whose outflows had come to an end, who had no more earthly desires, who had. Its a seminal work in the development of buddhism throughout east asia and, by extension, in the development of mahayana buddhism throughout the world. The lotus sutra book by gautama buddha thriftbooks. The sutra is presented in the form of a drama consisting of several scenes. The two most important teachings found in the lotus sutra are both contained in chapter 16. Medicine king, do you see in this great assembly the immeasurable number of heavenly beings, dragons kings, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras. The lotus sutra by gautama buddha, alex struik, paperback. The lotus sutra translations from the asian classics. The lotus sutra is regarded as one of the worlds great religious scriptures and most influential.
In it, shakyamuni expounds the ultimate truth of life to which he was enlightened. The lotus sutra ebook by 9780861719877 rakuten kobo. An excellent, recent book of contemporary essays related to the lotus sutra. Find inspiration and wisdom to help you find yourself. This book goes beyond theory to show how to bring these teachings into practice in daily life. The lotus sutra is one of the most popular and influential mahayana sutras, and the basis on which several schools of buddhism were established. This is mentioned in the teacher of the law chapter of the lotus sutra. The heart of the lotus sutra paperback june 1, 2001. A contemporary translation of a buddhist classic pdf.
The lotus sutra translated by burton watson chapter one. Considering the manifold complexities and beauties of the work, this is a stunning achievement. The first fourteen chapters of the lotus sutra are called the. I found the glossary in the back helpful to understand some of the buddhist jargon both english and sanskrit used in the translation. Of course, i would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. Lotus sutra, sanskrit saddharmapuarikasutra, lotus of the good law or true doctrine sutra, one of the earlier mahayana buddhist texts venerated as the quintessence of truth by the japanese tendai chinese tientai and nichiren sects. Tozens aim in the formation of this school is to provide a safe haven for some few good dharma seeds to grow amidst the present darkness of this age. Ideas and values this is the translation of opening lecture for the exhibition lotus sutraa message of peace and harmonious coexistence in madrid, spain on february 17, 2012 carlos rubio t he lotus flower, paradigm of the strange beauty that grows, immaculate, deep in the mud, gives its name to the king of the. The first volume of the lotus sutra states, throughout incalculable, innumerable kalpas it is rare that one may hear this law. If you have a wish to quickly obtain wisdom regarding all species of things, you should embrace this sutra and at the same time give alms to those who do so. Essays on the lotus sutra, which he edited, was published in 2002. The lotus sutra is considered by all philosophers as a crucial piece in understanding buddhist philosophy and its unique and almost poetic structure is beautifully translated by watson in a distinct way that it can be easily understood yet still greatly appreciated by both beginners and adept readers in mahayana buddhist texts. The lotus sutra is structured around individual sutras, usually.
A modern interpretation of the threefold lotus sutra. Here, lopez provides what he calls the plot summary of the lotus sutra. When the buddha had finished preaching this sutra, he sat with his legs crossed in lotus position and entered into the samadhi of the place of immeasurable meanings, his body. Esoteric buddhism within the framework of the lotus sutra. Fluent in several languages, tozen presently resides in sweden and established twentyyears ago the zen school of the unborn mind, a virtual sangha of genuine spirituality. A guide to the threefold lotus sutra pdf a longer commentary by the same author. In this book, sgi president daisaku ikeda explains why the lotus sutra is considered the central teaching of shakyamuni buddha in nichiren buddhism and why the expedient means and life span chapters are its essence. The lotus sutra translations from the asian classics readings of the lotus sutra columbia readings of buddhist literature the stories of the lotus. Whether youre experienced with the lotus or have never endeavored to read it, youll. Reeves is currently working on a buddhist natural theology which attempts to relate the process philosophy of a.
The lotus sutra has inspired a branch of folklore based on figures in the sutra or subsequent people who have embraced it. A contemporary translation of a buddhist classic kindle edition by reeves, gene. A universal lotus sutra w e can view the lotus sutra, regarded as a most important mahayana sutra, as a scripture that profoundly conveys shakyamunis original awakening, intent and his behavior as a buddhareviving buddhism in accord with the demands of the times. Wisdom of the lotus sutra 1 the wisdom of the lotus sutra a discussion on religion in the twentyfirst century this is the first installment of a new series in which sgi president ikeda engages in a discussion on the lotus sutra with soka gakkai study department chief katsuji saito and vice chiefs takanori endo and haruo suda. At that time the worldhonored one addressed bodhisattva medicine king.
The heart of the lotus sutra by daisaku ikeda eternal. Like virtually all mahayana sutras, the lotus sutra is a work of uncertain origins. The lotus sutra by burton watson 9780231081610 paperback. Saddharma pundarika sutra or the lotus of the true law scripture of the lotus blossom of the fine dharma. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Because the lotus sutra is such an important and timely scripture, i have. Produced by an unknown authoror rather authors, for scholars today agree that the sutra is a pastiche containing layers produced by different handsthe times and places of its composition are unknown thus its precise cultural background cannot be reconstructed with confidence. A thirdcentury mahayana text, this is used and revered in several traditions. Prophecy of enlightenment for five hundred disciples. Vajrasekhara sutra variocana%27s onehundredand eight lord dharmakaya seals. The signs now are like those of the earlier auspicious portent, this is an expedient means used by the buddhas. The story of the dragon kings daughter, who attained enlightenment in the 12th devadatta chapter of the lotus sutra, appears in the complete tale of avalokitesvara and the southern seas and the precious scroll of. If one is capable of embracing the lotus sutra of the wonderful law, know that such a person is an envoy of the buddha who thinks wit pity of living. The muryogi sutra sutra of infinite meaning, which serves as an introduction to the lotus sutra, reads.
His most recently published book is the stories of the lotus sutra. The lotus sutra is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential sutras, or sacred scriptures, of buddhism. It was the teaching of shakyamuni better we know him as gautam since he. A very nice, personal essay of why the lotus sutra is important to michael wenger, of the san francisco zen center pdf. The lotus sutra not only makes us keenly aware of these facts but also serves as an always dependable guide to the new way of living necessary for us now and in the future. The oldest parts of the text chapters 19 and 17 were probably written down between 100 bc and 100 ad. With very few exceptions the readings in these two editions are almost. Esoteric buddhism within the framework of the lotus sutra buddhism of nichiren gy okai sekido nichiren 122282 is recognized as having established an original form of buddhism which placed the lotus sutra at the center of its doctrine. And through him the eighty thousand great men, saying. Establishing the definitive guide to this profound text, specialists in buddhist philosophy, art, and history of religion address the major ideas and controversies surrounding. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The daimoku of the lotus sutra wnd i nichiren buddhism. The lotus sutra by anonymous meet your next favorite book.
The daishonin says this because the work of a warrior involves killing. The sutras key message is that buddhahood, the supreme state of life characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and courage, is inherent within every person without. The lotus sutra is regarded as one of the worlds great religious scriptures and most influential texts. The lotus sutra more than any other work is responsible for the distinctiveness of east asian buddhism. The purpose of the chanting this powerful mantra is to connect with the eternal buddha and manifesting the desire to save all sentient beings from suffering without impediment or delusion. There are a few commentaries available online as well. Because the lotus sutra is such an important and timely scripture, i have long cherished the hope that all people. The proof of the lotus sutra wnd i nichiren buddhism library. Burton watsons felicitous rendition of the lotus sutra captures superbly well the literary essence of the chinese text. The sutras key message is that buddhahood, the supreme state of life characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and courage, is. A contemporary translation of a buddhist classic the lotus sutra. However, there are opinions saying that esoteric buddhism was a major influence on his thinking. Opening the way for the enlightenment of all people t.
Even into the final pages of the book, lopez wrestles, as he does many times throughout the volume, with this vexing, most thorny, question. Unfortunately, the lotus sutra is one of the most challenging buddhist texts to read due to its length, depth, and difficult prose style. The lotus sutra has been regarded for centuries as one of the most important teachings in mahayana buddhism. Now when the buddha emits this beam of brightness he is helping to reveal the meaning of the true entity of phenomena. The lotus sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and power and one of the most important and. Accompanying him were a multitude of leading monks numbering twelve thousand persons. It is the royal sutra of nichiren buddhism in japan 1253. According to sangharakshita, it uses the entire cosmos for its stage, employs a multitude of mythological beings as actors and speaks almost exclusively in the language of images the lotus sutra can be divided into two parts. Miaolos annotations on the words and phrases of the lotus sutra. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The lotus sutra has essentially defined east asian buddhism with its imagery, devotional passages, and ideas regarding equality between men and women as well as enlightenment for all beings. But reading this and other sutras in translation, we are confronted with many. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson including rev. It is generally accepted opinion that of the many buddhist sutras, the sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law saddharma.
There are ample reasons of studying lotus sutra before any other sutras preached by buddha. A very nice and concise introduction to the entire sutra. The meaning of the lotus sutra is i devote my life to the mystic law of the lotus sutra. Jun 10, 2016 hi thanks for a2a very pleased that you are interested in reading of lotus sutra. Consequently, kumarajivas understanding of the sanskrit original is allowed to shine forth in english on its own terms. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the lotus sutra. You can see all this books content by visiting the pages in the below index. Lotus sutra, on the other hand, makes clear that all people without exception possess a buddha nature and indicates that they can attain enlightenment in this life, as they are, in their present form. Saddharmapuarikasutra scripture of the white lotus of the marvelous law into chinese in 406 c. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson chapter ten. An anthology of discourses from the pali canon teachings of the buddha paperback july 28, 2005 by bhikkhu bodhi author.
Tina turner lotus sutra purity of mind 2h meditation. The layout of the book is attractive, and the typeface is extremely readable. Whitehead and charles hartshorne with the buddhism of the lotus sutra. At one time the buddha was in rajagriha, staying on mount gridhrakuta. Readings of the lotus sutra linked to amazon, including a kindle version. It contains the essential teachings of mahayana, stressing the doctrine of the transcendental nature of the buddha, the ideal of the boddhisattva, and the possibility of universal liberation. And the lotus sutra itself speaks of another lotus sutra, one that was revealed over and over again many aeons ago and embodies the ultimate truth of the buddhadharma. Outline and structure of the lotus sutra i n analyzing the contents of the lotus sutra, tientai divided its twentyeight chap. Wisdom of the lotus sutra 1 the wisdom of the lotus sutraa discussion on religion in the twentyfirst century this is the first installment of a new series in which sgi president ikeda engages in a discussion on the lotus sutra with soka gakkai study department chief katsuji saito and vice chiefs takanori endo and haruo suda. The lotus sutra proclaims that a unitary intent underlies the diversity of buddhist teachings and promises that all people without exception can achieve supreme awakening. May 19, 2017 and the lotus sutra itself speaks of another lotus sutra, one that was revealed over and over again many aeons ago and embodies the ultimate truth of the buddhadharma.
990 6 1336 249 74 428 1371 1075 380 601 603 571 756 446 832 994 1030 788 469 1539 1552 1020 766 1449 1524 832 64 1511 821 728 1457 1202 1322 400 106 902 411 578 54 337 821 1282 727 968 1168 263 11 950