Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma (Translations from the Asian Classics)

Originally published in 1976, Leon Hurvitz's monumental translation of the Lotus Sutra is the work scholars have preferred for decades. Hailed by critics as an "extraordinary" and "magnificent" achievement, Hurvitz's translation is based on the best known Chinese version of the text and includes passages of the original Sanskrit that were omitted from the Chinese. Beloved for its mythology and literary artistry, the Lotus Sutra is one of the most popular and influential texts of Mahayana Buddhism, asserting that there is only one path to enlightenment, the bodhisattva path, and that all followers without exception can achieve supreme awakening. The text argues that the Buddha cannot be delimited by time and space and that a common intent underlies the diversity of Buddhist teachings. Through parables of the burning house, the wayward son, and other tales that have come to be known throughout East Asia, the sutra skillfully concretizes abstract religious concepts and clarifies bold claims about the Buddhist tradition. Urging devotees to revivify doctrine through recitation and interpretation, the sutra powered an organic process of remaking that not only kept its content alive in the poetry and art of premodern Asia but also introduced new forms of practice and scriptural study into contemporary Buddhism. Stephen F. Teiser's foreword addresses this vital quality of the sutra, discusses its background, and reflects on the enduring relevance of Hurvitz's critical work. Introduction -- Expedient Devices -- Parable -- Belief And Understanding -- Medicinal Herbs -- Bestowal Of Prophecy -- Parable Of The Conjured City -- Receipt Of Prophecy By Five Hundred Disciples -- Prophecies Conferred On Learners And Adepts -- Preachers Of Dharma -- Apparition Of The Jeweled Stūpa -- Devadatta -- Fortitude -- Comfortable Conduct -- Welling Up Out Of The Earth -- The Life Span Of The Thus Come One -- Discrimination Of Merits -- The Merits Of Appropriate Joy -- The Merits Of The Dharma Preacher -- The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging -- The Supernatural Powers Of The Thus Come One -- Entrustment -- The Former Affairs Of The Bodhisattva Medicine King -- The Bodhisattva Fine Sound -- The Gateway To Everywhere Of The Bodhisattva He Who Observes The Sounds Of The World -- Dhāraṇī -- The Former Affairs Of The King Fine Adornment -- The Encouragements Of The Bodhisattva Universally Worthy. Translated From The Chinese Of Kumārajīva By Leon Hurvitz. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Introduction Expedient devices Parable Belief and understanding Medicinal herbs Bestowal of prophecy Parable of the conjured city Receipt of prophecy by five hundred disciples Prophecies conferred on learners and adepts Preachers of dharma Apparition of the jeweled stupa Devadatta Fortitude Comfortable conduct Welling up out of the earth The life-span of the Thus Come One Discrimination of merits The merits of appropriate joy The merits of the dharma-preacher The bodhisattva never disparaging The supernatural powers of the Thus Come One Entrustment The former affairs of the Bodhisattva Medicine King The Bodhisattva Fine Sound The gateway to everywhere of the Bodhisattva He Who Observes the Sounds of the World Dharani The former affairs of the King Fine Adornment The encouragements of the Bodhisattva Universally Worthy.