Difference between revisions of "The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law Translated By H. Kern (1884)"
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| − | Another reason this [[sutra]] is so important, is because of its role in the establishment of a school of [[Buddhism]] call [[Nichiren]]. In the mid-13th century, a Japanese monk named [[Nichiren]] founded a school of [[Buddhism]] based upon the [[Lotus Sutra]]. His teaching was very controversial, because he insisted on excluding all [[Buddhist]] practices except devotion to the [[Lotus Sutra]]. He founded a sect called [[Hokkekyo-shu]] ([[Dharma-Flower-Sutra Sect]]). The second chapter of the [[Lotus Sutra]] claims that the text is itself the highest form of the [[Dharma]]. This is why [[Nichiren]] taught that all other practices were unneccessary, since the [[Lotus Sutra]] was the very flower of the [[Buddha]]'s teachings. [[Nichiren]] believed that its teaching contained the summit of the [[Buddha]]'s teaching about supreme [[enlightenment]] and [[buddhahood]]. [[Nichiren]] defined the essence of its teaching as [[Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]]. This is why many [[Buddhist]] chant [[Nam-myoho-renge-ky]]o. Its literal meaning is Nam: Devotion, Myoho: mystic law, Renge: cause and effect, and Kyo: sutra (teaching of the [[Buddha]].) To many this phrase expresses the ultimate [[truth]] of [[life]] and the {{Wiki|universe}}. They believe that this truth operates within our own lives and therefore, chanting [[Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]] allows each individual to tap his or her innate [[enlightened]] nature directly. Thus, one who chants it is able to gain power and [[wisdom]] to live with confidence, overcome any problem, and develop a happy future. | + | |
| + | |||
| + | The [[Lotus Sutra]] is one of the most important texts in [[Buddhism]] and is considered by many as its finest [[gem]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This text is one of the most famous [[scriptures]] of [[Mahayana Buddhism]]. It is the second of [[three sutras]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The entire work is called [[The Threefold Lotus Sutra]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The three titles are: 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]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The work presented here is the second and most popular [[sutra]] of the three, as translated by H. Kern in 1884. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Until recently, all [[three sutras]] were not available in English until [[Kosei Publishing]] made all three available in one [[book]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Threefold Lotus Sutra]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The defining [[doctrine]] of [[Mahayana Buddhism]] is the [[belief]] that all [[people]] can reach an [[enlightened]] [[state]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This [[idea]] is in sharp contrast with the [[Theravada]] [[belief]] that [[enlightenment]] is reserved for a select few [[scholars]] and [[monks]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Since [[Mahayana Buddhism]] is dedicated to the {{Wiki|ideal}} of having all [[beings]] someday achieve [[Buddhahood]], it is called The [[Greater vehicle]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another defining [[characteristic]] is the [[Bodhisattva]], or [[teacher]], who is a [[soul]] who has already reached [[enlightenment]], but chooses to postpone their ascension into [[Nirvana]] in order to teach others. | ||
| + | |||
| + | What is striking about the [[Lotus Sutra]] and [[Mahayana Buddhism]] is its {{Wiki|emphasis}} on [[devotion]] and [[faith]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is missing from [[Theravada Buddhism]] for it stresses [[meditation]] and austerities. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Lotus Sutra]] was originally written in {{Wiki|Sanskrit}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In [[Sanskrit]], the [[name]] of the [[Lotus Sutra]] is "[[Saddharma Pundarika Sutra]]". | ||
| + | |||
| + | It was translated several times into {{Wiki|Chinese}} in the 3rd-5th centuries A.D. The most revered of these translations is by [[Kumarajiva]] who [[died]] in the early 5th century A.D. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Almost all English translations of the [[Lotus Sutra]] are based on [[Kumarajiva]]'s translation, as is this one. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another [[reason]] this [[sutra]] is so important, is because of its role in the establishment of a school of [[Buddhism]] call [[Nichiren]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the mid-13th century, a [[Japanese]] [[monk]] named [[Nichiren]] founded a school of [[Buddhism]] based upon the [[Lotus Sutra]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | His [[teaching]] was very controversial, because he insisted on [[excluding]] all [[Buddhist]] practices except [[devotion]] to the [[Lotus Sutra]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He founded a [[sect]] called [[Hokkekyo-shu]] ([[Dharma-Flower-Sutra Sect]]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The second [[chapter]] of the [[Lotus Sutra]] claims that the text is itself the [[highest]] [[form]] of the [[Dharma]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is why [[Nichiren]] [[taught]] that all other practices were unneccessary, since the [[Lotus Sutra]] was the very [[flower]] of the [[Buddha]]'s teachings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Nichiren]] believed that its [[teaching]] contained the summit of the [[Buddha]]'s [[teaching]] about supreme [[enlightenment]] and [[buddhahood]]. [[Nichiren]] defined the [[essence]] of its [[teaching]] as [[Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is why many [[Buddhist]] [[chant]] [[Nam-myoho-renge-ky]]o. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Its literal meaning is Nam: [[Devotion]], [[Myoho]]: [[mystic law]], [[Renge]]: [[cause and effect]], and [[Kyo]]: [[sutra]] ([[teaching]] of the [[Buddha]].) | ||
| + | |||
| + | To many this [[phrase]] expresses the [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[truth]] of [[life]] and the {{Wiki|universe}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | They believe that this [[truth]] operates within our [[own]] [[lives]] and therefore, [[chanting]] [[Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]] allows each {{Wiki|individual}} to [[tap]] his or her innate [[enlightened]] [[nature]] directly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Thus, one who [[chants]] it is able to gain power and [[wisdom]] to live with [[confidence]], overcome any problem, and develop a [[happy]] {{Wiki|future}}. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
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| − | [[Category:The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law Translated By H. Kern (1884) | + | [[Category:Lotus Sutra]] |
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| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:The ]]Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law]] Translated By H. Kern (1884) 1}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:12, 24 February 2016
The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important texts in Buddhism and is considered by many as its finest gem.
This text is one of the most famous scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism. It is the second of three sutras.
The entire work is called The Threefold Lotus Sutra.
The three titles are: 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.
The work presented here is the second and most popular sutra of the three, as translated by H. Kern in 1884.
Until recently, all three sutras were not available in English until Kosei Publishing made all three available in one book.
The defining doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism is the belief that all people can reach an enlightened state.
This idea is in sharp contrast with the Theravada belief that enlightenment is reserved for a select few scholars and monks.
Since Mahayana Buddhism is dedicated to the ideal of having all beings someday achieve Buddhahood, it is called The Greater vehicle.
Another defining characteristic is the Bodhisattva, or teacher, who is a soul who has already reached enlightenment, but chooses to postpone their ascension into Nirvana in order to teach others.
What is striking about the Lotus Sutra and Mahayana Buddhism is its emphasis on devotion and faith.
This is missing from Theravada Buddhism for it stresses meditation and austerities.
The Lotus Sutra was originally written in Sanskrit.
In Sanskrit, the name of the Lotus Sutra is "Saddharma Pundarika Sutra".
It was translated several times into Chinese in the 3rd-5th centuries A.D. The most revered of these translations is by Kumarajiva who died in the early 5th century A.D.
Almost all English translations of the Lotus Sutra are based on Kumarajiva's translation, as is this one.
Another reason this sutra is so important, is because of its role in the establishment of a school of Buddhism call Nichiren.
In the mid-13th century, a Japanese monk named Nichiren founded a school of Buddhism based upon the Lotus Sutra.
His teaching was very controversial, because he insisted on excluding all Buddhist practices except devotion to the Lotus Sutra.
He founded a sect called Hokkekyo-shu (Dharma-Flower-Sutra Sect).
The second chapter of the Lotus Sutra claims that the text is itself the highest form of the Dharma.
This is why Nichiren taught that all other practices were unneccessary, since the Lotus Sutra was the very flower of the Buddha's teachings.
Nichiren believed that its teaching contained the summit of the Buddha's teaching about supreme enlightenment and buddhahood. Nichiren defined the essence of its teaching as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
This is why many Buddhist chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Its literal meaning is Nam: Devotion, Myoho: mystic law, Renge: cause and effect, and Kyo: sutra (teaching of the Buddha.)
To many this phrase expresses the ultimate truth of life and the universe.
They believe that this truth operates within our own lives and therefore, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo allows each individual to tap his or her innate enlightened nature directly.
Thus, one who chants it is able to gain power and wisdom to live with confidence, overcome any problem, and develop a happy future.
Source
