The Lotus Sutra : A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic

The Lotus Sutra is regarded as one of the world's great religious scriptures and most influential texts. It's a seminal work in the development of Buddhism throughout East Asia and, by extension, in the development of Mahayana Buddhism throughout the world. Taking place in a vast and fantastical cosmic setting, the Lotus Sutra places emphasis on skillfully doing whatever is needed to serve and compassionately care for others, on breaking down distinctions between the fully enlightened buddha and the bodhisattva who vows to postpone salvation until all beings may share it, and especially on each and every being's innate capacity to become a buddha. Gene Reeves's new translation appeals to readers with little or no familiarity with technical Buddhist vocabulary, as well as long-time practitioners and students. In addition, this remarkable volume includes the full "threefold" text of this classic. The Lotus Sutra Is One Of The World's Great Religious Scriptures And Most Influential Texts. It Has Been A Seminal Work In The Development Of Buddhism Throughout East Asia, And By Extension In The Development Of Mahayana Buddhism Throughout The World. Taking Place In A Vast And Fantastical Cosmic Setting, The Lotus Sutra Places Emphasis On Skillfully Doing Whatever Is Needed To Serve And Compassionately Care For Others, On Breaking Down Sharp Distinctions Between The Ideals Of The Fully Enlightened Buddha And The Bodhisattva Who Vows To Postpone Personal Salvation Until All Beings May Share It Together, And Especially On Each And Every Being's Innate Capacity To Become A Buddha. This New Translation Takes Particular Care To Appeal To Readers With Little Or No Familiarity With Technical Buddhist Vocabulary, And This Volume Includes The Full Threefold Text Of This Classic. The Sutra Of Innumerable Meanings -- Virtuous Conduct -- Dharma Preaching -- Ten Blessings -- The Sutra Of The Lotus Flower Of The Wonderful Dharma -- Skillful Means -- A Parable -- Faith And Understanding -- The Parable Of The Plants -- Assurance Of Becoming A Buddha -- The Parable Of The Fantastic Castle-city -- Assurance For The Five Hundred Disciples -- Assurance For Arhats, Trained And In Training -- Teachers Of The Dharma -- The Sight Of The Treasure Stupa -- Devadatta -- Encouragement To Uphold The Sutra -- Safe And Easy Practices -- Springing Up From The Earth -- The Lifetime Of The Tathagata -- The Variety Of Blessings -- Blessings Of Responding With Joy -- The Blessings Of The Dharma Teacher -- Never Disrespectful Bodhisattva -- Divine Powers Of The Tathagata -- Entrustment -- Previous Lives Of Medicine King Bodhisattva -- Wonderful Voice Bodhisattva -- The Universal Gateway Of The Bodhisattva Regarder Of The Cries Of The World -- Incantations -- The Previous Life Of King Wonderfully Adorned -- Encouragement Of Universal Sage Bodhisattva -- The Sutra Of Contemplation Of The Dharma Practice Of Universal Sage Bodhisattva -- Glossary Of Proper Names. Translation And Introduction By Gene Reeves. Translated From: Miao Fa Lian Hua Jing, Translated From Sanskrit Into Chinese By Kumārajīva. Translated From The Chinese. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [475]-477) And Index. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Translator's Introduction......Page 14 The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings......Page 34 Virtuous Conduct......Page 36 Dharma Preaching......Page 46 Ten Blessings......Page 54 The Sutra of The Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma......Page 64 Introduction......Page 66 Skillful Means......Page 88 A Parable......Page 116 Faith and Understanding......Page 154 The Parable of the Plants......Page 172 Assurance of Becoming a Buddha......Page 182 The Parable of the Fantastic Castle-City......Page 192 Assurance for the FiveHundredDisciples......Page 220 Assurance for Arhats, Trained and in Training......Page 232 Teachers of the Dharma......Page 238 The Sight of the Treasure Stupa......Page 248 Devadatta......Page 260 Encouragement to Uphold the Sutra......Page 268 Safe and Easy Practices......Page 274 Springing Up fromthe Earth......Page 292 The Lifetime of the Tathagata......Page 304 The Variety of Blessings......Page 314 Blessings of Responding with Joy......Page 328 The Blessings of theDharma Teacher......Page 334 Never Disrespectful Bodhisattva......Page 350 Divine Powers of the Tathagata......Page 358 Entrustment......Page 364 Previous Lives of Medicine King Bodhisattva......Page 366 Wonderful Voice Bodhisattva......Page 376 The Universal Gateway of the Bodhisattva Regarder of the Cries of the World......Page 384 Incantations......Page 394 The Previous Life of King Wonderfully Adorned......Page 400 Encouragement of Universal Sage Bodhisattva......Page 406 The Sutra of Contemplation of the Dharma Practice of Universal Sage Bodhisattva......Page 412 Notes......Page 438 Glossaries......Page 442 Glossary of Proper Names......Page 444 Glossary of Terms......Page 468 Bibliography......Page 488 Index......Page 492 About the Translator......Page 504 About Wisdom Publications......Page 505