However, most historians believe the sutra was written in the 1st or 2nd century ce, probably by more than one writer. It is the root text, so to speak, of the pure land schools, which. The object of intense veneration among generations of buddhists in china, korea, japan, and other parts of east asia, it has attracted more commentary than any other buddhist scripture and has had a profound impact. 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.
It is a matter of faith in some schools of buddhism that the sutra contains the words of the historical buddha. Kern 1884 the lotus sutra is one of the most important texts in buddhism and is considered by many as its finest gem. Mar 17, 2015 most of the mahayana sutras, which number over two thousand, were written between 200 bce and 200 ce, the period in which mahayana buddhism developed. The strategy of the lotus sutra employ the strategy of the lotus sutra before any other. Berkeley, calif numata center for buddhist translation and research. Its a seminal work in the development of buddhism throughout east asia and, by extension, in the development of. The entire work is called the threefold lotus sutra. This sutra is the basis of nichiren buddhism and daisaku ikedas philosophy. Nov 10, 2008 the lotus sutra is regarded as one of the worlds great religious scriptures and most influential texts. 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. A great pedagogical tool, lopezs book is also an enjoyable read for anyone interested in buddhism and eastern religion, or the global reach of a single sacred text.
Shokai kanai, was my idea of making the actual sutra more readable and understandable. Aug 05, 2017 source of this english sutra kumarajiva, kubo, t. The lotus sutra audiobook by hendrik kern, nicolas. I find that the translation by itself is sometimes difficult to read in context, and the. Commentary by thich nhat hanh chapter 1 open two doors. The library contains the following english translations of the essential texts of nichiren buddhism. The heart of strategy and swordsmanship derives from the mystic law. Whether youre experienced with the lotus or have never endeavored to read it, youll.
The layout of the book is attractive, and the typeface is extremely readable. Numata yehan of bdk bukkyo dendo kyokai, formed and put together a special preparatory commitee to translate the entire 84,000 writings of the chinese tripitaka buddhist canon into english. The lotus sutra book by gene reeves official publisher. Buddhism and the lotus sutra daisaku ikeda website. Reeves companion book, stories from the lotus sutra, is also very good. The first, the sutra of innumerable meanings, is considered by many to be a kind of prologue to the lotus sutra. As sgi president daisaku ikeda has written, the lotus sutra is ultimately a teaching of empowerment. The heart of the lotus sutra lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters ebook. 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 sutra s name in sanskrit is maha saddharmapundarika sutra, or great sutra of the lotus of the wonderful law. The lotus sutra is a collection of mostly devotional sermons, and watson renders the poetry beautifully. 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.
The sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law dharma. The lotus sutra book by gautama buddha thriftbooks. A contemporary translation of a buddhist classic book online at best prices in india on. Different divisions of mahayana buddhism emphasize different sutras, but some texts, like the lotus sutra and heart sutra, are important to most branches of mahayana. The first door is that of history, the events we experience and what we can see and know in our own lifetimes. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson including rev. She founded a website lotus happiness to share her experience in the areas of buddhism, spirituality and selfactualization for the benefits and happiness of humanity. The lotus sutra more than any other work is responsible for the distinctiveness of east asian buddhism. Taking place in a vast and fantastical cosmic setting, the lotus sutra places emphasis.
To make the understanding of the lotus sutra, there are books available to enable you to grasp the essence of the lotus. The lotus sutra, as it is generally known in the west, is one of the most important of all the mahayana sutras, and especially in japan, where it is popularly known as the hokekyou, it has been held in high regard ever since prince shoutoku included a commentary on it in his set of commentaries on three mahayana sutras sangyougisho. The lotus sutra has been regarded for centuries as one of the most important teachings in mahayana buddhism. Saddharma pundarika or the lotus of the true law, sacred books of the east, vol. The lotus sutra was frequently cited in indian works by nagarjuna, vasubandhu, candrakirti, shantideva and several authors of the madhyamaka and the yogacara school. The lotus sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and p. In particular the concept of one vehicle, which permeates.
A beautiful translation with deep love from a lay buddhist practitioner. The threefold lotus sutra bunno kato, yoshiro tamura on. Lopez is the author of a dozen books on buddhist history and philosophy and. Containing profound truths for all people from every culture, it reveals the secret for attainin. The lotus sutra is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential sutras, or sacred scriptures, of buddhism. Great book for for anyone interested in buddhism to read. Unfortunately, the lotus sutra is one of the most challenging buddhist texts to read due to its length, depth, and difficult prose style. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions. The sutra of innumerable meanings, the sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law, and the sutra of meditation on the bodhisattva universal virtue was translated by bunno kato. Containing profound truths for all people from every culture, it reveals. In this fun, engaging, and plainenglish book, gene reevesthe translator of wisdoms critically acclaimed and bestselling edition of the lotus sutra presents the most memorable and remarkable of the lotus sutra s many stories and parables, along with a distillation of his decades of reflection on them in an accessible, inspiring, and naturally. Since its appearance in china in the third century, the lotus sutra has been regarded as one of the most illustrious scriptures in the mahayana buddhist canon.
In this fun, engaging, and plainenglish book, gene reevesthe translator of wisdoms critically acclaimed and bestselling edition of the lotus sutrapresents the most memorable and remarkable of the lotus sutras many stories and parables, along with a distillation of his decades of reflection on them in an accessible, inspiring, and naturally. Establishing the definitive guide to this profound text, specialists in. The sutras key message is that buddhahood, the supreme state of life characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and courage, is. Most of the mahayana sutras, which number over two thousand, were written between 200 bce and 200 ce, the period in which mahayana buddhism developed. Lotus sutra, 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. The lotus sutra by burton watson 9780231081610 paperback. With very few exceptions the readings in these two editions are almost. Next comes the lotus sutra itself, also known by the longer title of the sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law. Because the lotus sutra is such an important and timely scripture, i have. In it, shakyamuni expounds the ultimate truth of life to which he was enlightened. The sutra of the lotus flower of the wondrous dharma, popularly known as the lotus sutra, has been one of the foremost scriptures of mahayana buddhism since the appearance of its superb translation into chinese by kumarajiva in 406 ce. Shakyamunis teachings have been preserved in numerous collections called sutras. Composed in india in the first centuries of the common era, it is renowned for its inspiring message that all beings are destined for supreme enlightenment. Essays on the lotus sutra, which he edited, was published in 2002.
A guide to the lotus sutra with jacqueline stone and. Since its appearance in china in the third century, the lotus sutra. It is one of the worlds great wisdom texts but that doesnt mean it is an easy read. They have written a chapterbychapter guide to the lotus sutra called two buddhas seated side by side.
This text is one of the most famous scriptures of mahayana buddhism. It provides a line by line explanation of these 2 amazing sutra s and a great way to really deepen your understanding of buddhism. The stories of the lotus sutra the wisdom experience. The lotus sutra is among the most venerated scriptures of buddhism. The lotus sutra is regarded as one of the worlds great religious scriptures and most influential texts. Among these, one of the most widely influential has been the lotus sutra. It is a translation of the lotus sutra expedient means and life span chapters.
This combination of the burton translation of the lotus sutra, and the commentaries of rev. The sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law translated by h. Book description columbia university press, united states, 1994. The lotus sutra audiobook by hendrik kern, nicolas soames. Welcome to the soka gakkai nichiren buddhism library. The threefold lotus sutra consists of three sutras. A biography, donald lopez promises to trace the various roles of the lotus sutra as it has traversed the globe and he delivers. The heart of the lotus sutra ebook columbus metropolitan. It teaches us that the inner determination of an individual. The coauthors examine and expand upon the lotus sutra from the perspective of the thcentury founder of their faith, the buddhist sage and reformer nichiren, based on the record of the orally transmitted teachings in which nichiren reveals that the mystic law, the theme of the lotus sutra, is an expression of life itself. This is a teaching from the heart of the mahayana, and ive always felt its special gift.
The lotus sutra is one of the most important mahayana texts and the most widely read, chanted and revered, particularly in asian buddhist countries, notably china and japan. The sutra of innumerable meanings, the sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law, and the sutra. The object of intense veneration among generations of buddhists in china, korea, japan, and other parts of the world, it has had a profound impact on the great works of japanese and chinese literature. All others who bear you enmity or malice will likewise be wiped out. The lotus sutra, revised second edition bdk america. Reeves is currently working on a buddhist natural theology which attempts to relate the process philosophy of a. The lotus sutra, as it is generally known in the west, is one of the most important of all the mahayana sutras, and especially in japan, where it is popularly. I found the glossary in the back helpful to understand some of the buddhist jargon both english and sanskrit used in the translation. Whats being evaluated here is the translation and presentation of the work. The lotus sutra is arguably the most famous of all buddhist scriptures.
The lotus sutra, ikeda summarizes, doesnt preach equality as just a slogan. Within the buddhist canon, the lotus sutra is one text that should be read. Overall, burton watsons translation is a good, nonoffensive goto edition pretty easily found in print. Because the lotus sutra is such an important and timely scripture, i have long cherished the hope that all people. The writings of nichiren daishonin, volumes 1 and 2 wnd1 and wnd2, the lotus sutra and its opening and closing sutras lsoc, and the lotus sutra commentary the record of the orally transmitted teachings ott. Its a seminal work in the development of buddhism throughout east asia and, by extension, in the development of mahayana buddhism throughout the world. His most recently published book is the stories of the lotus sutra. The object of intense veneration among generations of buddhists in china, korea, japan, and other parts of the world, it has had a profound impact on the great works of japanese and chinese literature, attracting more commentary than. Lopezs book adds a cast of historical figures across two millennia united only by their passion for the book. Please inform lotus sutra of your expected arrival time in advance. Composed in india some two millennia ago, it affirms the potential for all beings to attain supreme enlightenment. The work has both literary and philosophical merit, combining verse and parables with clarity of insight, earning it a permanent spot in the history of buddhism. Taking place in a vast and fantastical cosmic setting, the lotus sutra places emphasis on. The only extant indian commentary on the lotus sutra is attributed to vasubandhu.
Burton watsons felicitous rendition of the lotus sutra captures superbly well the literary essence of the chinese text. It was originally written more or less to be performed, to be chanted and brought to life by human voices, not perused from the luxury of our armchair. A thirdcentury mahayana text, this is used and revered in several traditions. Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. Whitehead and charles hartshorne with the buddhism of the lotus sutra. This probably isnt the best place to pick up the basics of mahayana buddhism, but culturally its important. In the raft of entertaining characters found in the lotus sutra itself. The lotus sutra index internet sacred text archive.
Depicting events in a cosmic world that transcends ordinary concepts of time and space, the lotus sutra presents abstract religious concepts in concrete terms and affirms that there is a single path to enlightenment that of the bodhisattva and that the buddha is not to be delimited in time and space. The lotus sutra is one of the most influential buddhist texts, but it can be a. Pdf the lotus sutra download full pdf book download. Saddharmapuarikasutra scripture of the white lotus of the marvelous law into chinese in 406 c. Here, lopez provides what he calls the plot summary of the lotus sutra. Its also nonscholar friendly, making it a good choice for more casual studiers of buddhism. Other complete english translations of the lotus sutra. Considering the manifold complexities and beauties of the work, this is a stunning achievement. You can use the special requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation. This is the lotus sutra memorized, recited, and chanted by some western buddhist monks. Renowned and beloved the world over, a peerless contemporary t. The wisdom of the lotus sutra i vi daisaku ikeda website.
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