It was the focal point for the chinese tiantai jpn. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson including rev. 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. Full translation from rissho kosei kai, found here a full pdf of the lotus sutra. The daimoku of the lotus sutra wnd i nichiren buddhism. 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. At that time the buddha addressed the bodhisattvas, the heavenly and human beings, and the four kinds of believers saying. The heart sutra 2 no ignorance or ending of ignorance, and so forth, up to no aging and death or ending of aging and death. Venerable sariputra was the student foremost in wisdom.
Having developed a lifelong appreciation of the lotus sutra even carrying a dogeared copy with him through service in world war ii yoshiro tamura sought to author an introduction to this beloved work of buddhist literature. And the supplemented lotus sutra of the wonderful law says that one who accepts and upholds the name of the lotus sutra will enjoy immeasurable good fortune. Prophecy of enlightenment for five hundred disciples. Threefold lotus sutra chinese, english and sanskrit. By way of prajna paramita, the bodhisattvas mind is free from hindrances. A guide to the threefold lotus sutra by nikkyo niwano copyright by. Mahayana sutras the original, possibly written in a version of sanskrit or possibly a prakrit language, has not survived. This is the nature of the law, sariputra, universally in the world, in all directions. In the prelotus sutra teachings and theoretical teaching of the lotus sutra, shakyamuni is depicted as having been born in india as a. In the heart sutra, for example, avalokiteshvara bodhisattva explains sunyata to sariputra.
Here then, form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form. The buddha also promises sariputra that he will attain buddhahood. The lotus sutra is one of the most popular and influential mahayana sutras, and the basis on. He classified the lotus sutra as conveying the teachings that shakyamuni buddha expounded toward the end of his life, which the buddha intended to be passed on to the future for the enlightenment of all people. The amitabha sutra as discoursed by the buddha thus have i heard. Aug 16, 2018 the vimalakirti sutra contains more subtle wisdom than can be presented in a short essay, but here is a brief overview of the sutra.
A contemporary translation of a buddhist classic kindle edition by reeves, gene. The lotus sutra of the correct law says that, if one hears this sutra and proclaims and embraces its title, one will enjoy merit beyond measure. Shokai kanai, was my idea of making the actual sutra more readable and understandable. Opening the way for the enlightenment of all people t.
Sariputra represents the hinayana tradition in many of these sutras. At that time, the venerable sariputra approached the place frequented by maitreya bodhisattva mahasattva. 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. 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. In it, shakyamuni expounds the ultimate truth of life to which he was enlightened. 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. Its a seminal work in the development of buddhism throughout east asia and, by extension, in the development of mahayana buddhism throughout the world. Rajagriha was a city on the site of presentday rajgir, in northeastern india, and gridhrakuta, or vultures peak, is nearby. Myoho renge kyo was first derived in chinese, as the title of the enlighten lotus sutra the ultimate teaching preached in india 2,500 years ago by siddharta gautama buddha, also known as shakyamuni, in the 5th century. The amitabha sutra introduction and translation by ronald. The lotus sutra bucknell digital commons bucknell university. Initially, his aim was to explain the heart sutra, but he. Translation of a buddhist classic the stories of the lotus sutra threefold lotus sutra chinese, english and sanskrit edition peaceful action, open heart. Buddha is about to expound the sutra of the great vehicle mahayana called the lotus.
Translated by tripitaka master hsuan tsang commentary by. Immeasurable kalpas in the past, i sought the lotus sutra without ever flagging. Jul 30, 2017 short stories about ten eminent disciples of the buddha each of buddhas disciples played an important role in the early days of buddhism. Lotus sutras essential teaching, its latter four teen chapters, is the attainment of buddhahood in the remote past described in the life span of the thus come one chapter. Sariputra, in countless, innumerable spheres in all directions for the weal of many, the happiness of. All were great arhats who the multitudes knew and recognized, such as the elders sariputra. Understanding amitabha buddha sutra from the perspective of the lotus sutra amitabha buddha, or amida buddha, is the buddha of special reverence in pureland. Whosoever in future, monks, be he a young man or a young lady of good family, shall hear this chapter of the sutra of the lotus of the true law, and by doing so be relieved from doubt, become pureminded, and put reliance on it, to such a one the door of the three states of misfortune. Once the buddha was staying at jetavana, anathapindikas park in the kingdom of sravasti with a great sangha of bhiksus,1 one thousand two hundred and fifty in all.
Saddharmapuarika sutra, literally sutra on the white lotus of the sublime dharma 1 is one of the most popular and influential mahayana sutras and the basis on which the tiantai, tendai, cheontae, and nichiren schools of buddhism were established. The sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law translated by h. 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. He was staying there with a large gathering of monks numbering one thousand two hundred fifty. Because the lotus sutra is such an important and timely scripture, i have long cherished the hope that all people. The sutras key message is that buddhahood, the supreme state of life characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom and courage, is. Taking place in a vast and fantastical cosmic setting, the lotus sutra places emphasis on. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson chapter twelve. The heart sutra as recited in the triratna buddhist community the bodhisattva of compassion, when he meditated deeply, saw the emptiness of all five skandhas and sundered the bonds that caused him suffering. With very few exceptions the readings in these two editions are almost. Other complete english translations of the lotus sutra. A guide to the threefold lotus sutra rissho koseikai. For example, the lotus sutra is the only scripture accepted by the nichiren, but it plays no part in tibetan buddhism.
In the vimalakirti sutra, sariputra finds himself switching bodies with a goddess. Mar 20, 2018 skillful means is one of the major themes of the lotus sutra. Overall, burton watsons translation is a good, nonoffensive goto edition pretty easily found in print. At the time of the sermon that comes to us as the sutra of. Easy readings of the lotus sutra nbic online store. In particular the concept of one vehicle, which permeates the work, has had great influence on multiple.
The amitabha sutra introduction and translation by ronald epstein upasaka i guorong first published in vajra bodhi sea, no. Full translation by tsugunari kubo, akira yuyama, two japanese scholars, found here in full. The pureland of amitabha is just like a imaginary city. The supplemented lotus sutra of the wonderful dharma, in seven volumes and twentyseven chapters, a revised version of kumarajivas text, translated by jnanagupta and dharmagupta in 601 ce. So, the lotus sutra begins by making a connection to a real place associated with the historical buddha. Lotus sutra is very important to some mahayana schools but ignored by others. At one time, the lord was staying at rajagrha on vulture peak mountain with a large company of monks,1,250 monks, and many bodhisattvas,mahasattvas. In the lotus sutra, the buddha starts talking about the higher wisdom of buddhas and his use of skillful means sanskrit. Lotus sutra is unlike pli scriptures being accepted by theravada buddhism. This combination of the burton translation of the lotus sutra, and the commentaries of.
In this parable, a man comes home to find his house in flames while his children play happily inside. Shariputra, who represented the lesser vehicle appeared ridiculed. Profound and immeasurable is the wisdom of the buddhas. Although it is impossible to replace a teacher who could explain the liturgy. Even into the final pages of the book, lopez wrestles, as he does many times throughout the volume, with this vexing, most thorny, question. In fact, amitabha sutra is one of the many expedient teachings expounded by shakyamuni buddha to enable all to attain buddhahood. Reprinted in hua, a general explanation of the buddha speaks of amitabha sutra. 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 miracles and parables in the king of sutras inspired a variety of images in china, in particular the sweeping compositions known as transformation tableaux that developed between the seventh and ninth. The buddhas statement is disconcerting to sariputra. Within the buddhist canon, the lotus sutra is one text that should be read as a whole. The lotus sutra second revised edition the lotus sutra is one of the most important of all the mahayana sutras. Readings of the lotus sutra columbia readings of buddhist. The vimalakirti sutra contains more subtle wisdom than can be presented in a short essay, but here is a brief overview of the sutra. The lotus sutra, revised second edition bdk america. Buddha, shakyamuni meaning sage of the shakyas, the. The lotus sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and power and one of the most important and. The first volume of the lotus sutra states, throughout incalculable, innumerable kalpas it is rare that one may hear this law. The lotus sutra of the wonderful dharma, in eight volumes and twentyeight chapters, translated by kumarajiva in 406 ce. The lotus sutra has had immeasurable influence in east asia, especially in the mahayana traditions of china and japan. Wang argues that the explosion of art inspired by the lotus sutra, starting from the 7th and 8th centuries in china, was a confluence of text and the topography of the chinese medieval mind in which the latter dominated. 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.
Because the lotus sutra is such an important and timely scripture, i have. 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. This combination of the burton translation of the lotus sutra, and the commentaries of rev. Lotus sutra project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The amitabha sutra introduction and translation by. Vimalakirtis story in this allegorical work, vimalakirti is a layman who debates a host of disciples and bodhisattvas and demonstrates his deep enlightenment and understanding.
Dec 31, 2017 understanding amitabha buddha sutra from the perspective of the lotus sutra amitabha buddha, or amida buddha, is the buddha of special reverence in pureland. Thurman, the pennsylvania state university press, 1976. The lotus sutra is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential sutras, or sacred scriptures, of buddhism. Innumerable meanings, not even shariputra, that disciple first in wisdom, had attained enlightenment. The goddess was making a point that gender doesnt matter in nirvana. The lotus sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and p. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Here, lopez provides what he calls the plot summary of the lotus sutra. 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. The lotus sutra has inspired a branch of folklore based on figures in the sutra or subsequent people who have embraced it. Lotus claims to be a record of the words of the historical. This pdf file may be printed and distributed according to the terms of use. Although he used the traditional divisions of the buddhas teaching into classes, on many occasions he dealt broadly with the general idea. 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.
For many east asian buddhists, the lotus sutra contains the ultimate and complete teaching of the. The lotus sutra and its opening and closing sutras. Mahapratisara sutra is the main sutra in the group of pancharaksha sutras which has 5 protective deities, with the bodhisattva mahapratisara occupy the central position in the mandala. 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.
The monks known by name were greatly wise sariputra. There are eleven volumes of texts relating to mahapratisara compiled in tibetan and the entire of pancharaksha sutra is collected in both kangyur and tengyur. Then the venerable sariputra, pleased, glad, charmed, cheerful, thrilling with delight and joy, stretched his joined hands towards the lord, and, looking up to the lord with a steady gaze, addressed him in this strain. The events described in the lotus sutra take place in a universe of cosmic proportions with. There is no suffering, no cause, no extinction, no path. Sacred texts buddhism index previous next chapter iii. Within the buddhist canon, the lotus sutra is one text that should be read. Its also nonscholar friendly, making it a good choice for more casual studiers of buddhism. Saddharmapuarikasutra scripture of the white lotus of the marvelous law into chinese in 406 c. Thereafter the lord again addressed the assembly of monks. Shariputra represented buddha in areas which required wisdom, mogallana in supernatural powers, katyayana helped spread buddhism, subhuti was the symbolism of emptiness, purna in debating the dharma, aniruddha in attentiveness and exemplifying. Chapter 4, faith and understanding four senior disciples address the. Other languages do not have the poetic brevity of chinese to express so much, in so few words. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the lotus sutra.
Initially, his aim was to explain the heart sutra, but he commented, likewise, on the lotus sutra. Major parables in the lotus sutra and personal enlightenment notes from lecture given at winthrop university, rock hill south carolina on october 24, 2012 good evening, thank you all for being here tonight to learn about the lotus sutra, and to. Motifs from the lotus sutra figure prominently in the dunhuang caves built in the sui era. 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 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, yoshiro tamura, and kojiro miyasaka with revisions by w. There are eleven volumes of texts relating to mahapratisara compiled in. The wisdom of the buddhas is infinitely profound and. Establishing the definitive guide to this profound text, specialists in buddhist philosophy, art, and history of religion address the major ideas and controversies surrounding. Lessons from the lotus sutra the wisdom of the lotus sutra. I find that the translation by itself is sometimes difficult to read in context, and the. Whats being evaluated here is the translation and presentation of the work.
At one time the buddha was in rajagriha, staying on mount gridhrakuta. Jodo kiyose of nichihonji temple, published by rev. One who can believe this sutra and put this teaching into practice will attain foremost wisdom. Pdf the lotus sutra download full pdf book download. Partial translation, from another rissho kosei kais chanting book, found here. Whether youre experienced with the lotus or have never endeavored to read it, youll. Ten eminent disciples of the buddha lotus happiness. The lotus sutra is regarded as one of the worlds great religious scriptures and most influential texts. Sariputra then asks the buddha to explain his teachings for the benefit of other beings, prompting the buddha to teach the lotus sutra. In the second chapter, the buddha explains the importance of upaya, and he illustrates this in the third chapter with the parable of the burning house.
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