classes ::: Anonymous, book, Buddhism,
children :::
branches :::
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Instances - Classes - See Also - Object in Names
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object:The Lotus Sutra
author class:Anonymous
class:book
subject class:Buddhism


Chapter 1, Introduction During a gathering at Vulture Peak, Shakyamuni Buddha goes into a state of deep meditative absorption, the earth shakes in six ways, and he brings forth a ray of light which illuminates thousands of buddha-fields in the east.[note 8] Bodhisattva Manjusri then states that the Buddha is about to expound his ultimate teaching.
Chapters 2-9

Scholars suggest that chapters 2-9 contain the original form of the text. Chapter 2 explains the goals of early Buddhism, the Arhat and the Pratyekabuddha, as expedient means of teaching. The Buddha declares that there exists only one path, leading the bodhisattva to the full awakening of a Buddha. This concept is set forth in detail in chapters 3-9, using parables, narratives of previous existences and prophecies of enlightenment.

Chapter 2, Ways and Means Shakyamuni explains his use of skillful means to adapt his teachings according to the capacities of his audience. He reveals that the ultimate purpose of the Buddhas is to cause sentient beings "to obtain the insight of the Buddha" and "to enter the way into the insight of the Buddha".

Chapter 3, A Parable The Buddha teaches a parable in which a father uses the promise of various toy carts to get his children out of a burning house. Once they are outside, he gives them all one large cart to travel in instead. This symbolizes how the Buddha uses the Three Vehicles: Arhatship, Pratyekabuddhahood and Samyaksambuddhahood, as skillful means to liberate all beings even though there is only one vehicle. The Buddha also promises Sariputra that he will attain Buddhahood.

Chapter 4, Faith and Understanding Four senior disciples address the Buddha. They tell the parable of the poor son and his rich father, who guides him with pedagogically skillful devices to regain self-confidence and "recognize his own Buddha-wisdom".

Chapter 5, Parable of the plants This parable says that the Dharma is like a great monsoon rain that nourishes many different kinds of plants who represent rvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas, and all beings receiving the teachings according to their respective capacities.

Chapter 6, Assurances of Becoming a Buddha The Buddha prophesies the enlightenment of Mahakasyapa, Subhuti, Mahakatyayana and Mahamaudgalyayana.

Chapter 7, The Magic City The Buddha teaches a parable about a group of people seeking a great treasure who are tired of their journey and wish to quit. Their guide creates a magical phantom city for them to rest in and then makes it disappear. The Buddha explains that the magic city represents the "Hinayana nirvana" and the treasure is buddhahood.

Chapter 8, Assurances for 500 Arhats. 500 Arhats are assured of their future Buddhahood. They tell the parable of a man who has fallen asleep after drinking and whose friend sews a jewel into his garment. When he wakes up he continues a life of poverty without realizing he is really rich, he only discovers the jewel after meeting his old friend again. The hidden jewel has been interpreted as a symbol of Buddha-nature. Zimmermann noted the similarity with the nine parables in the Tathgatagarbha Stra that illustrate how the indwelling Buddha in sentient beings is hidden by negative mental states.

Chapter 9, Assurances for the Trainees and Adepts. Ananda, Rahula and two thousand rvakas are assured of their future Buddhahood.
Chapters 10-22

Chapters 10-22 expound the role of the bodhisattva and the concept of the eternal lifespan and omnipresesence of the Buddha. The theme of propagating the Lotus Stra which starts in chapter 10, continues in the remaining chapters.[note 9]

Chapter 10, Teacher of the Dharma Presents the practices of teaching the sutra which includes accepting, embracing, reading, reciting, copying, explaining, propagating it, and living in accordance with its teachings. The teacher of the Dharma is praised as the messenger of the Buddha.

Chapter 11, The Treasure stupa A great jeweled stupa rises from the earth and floats in the air; a voice is heard from within praising the Lotus Stra. Another Buddha resides in the tower, the Buddha Prabhtaratna who is said to have made a vow to make an appearance to verify the truth of the Lotus Sutra whenever it is preached. Countless manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha in the ten directions are now summoned by the Buddha. Thereafter Prabhtaratna invites Shakyamuni to sit beside him in the jeweled stupa. This chapter reveals the existence of multiple Buddhas at the same time and the doctrine of the eternal nature of Buddhahood.

Chapter 12, Devadatta Through the stories of the dragon king's daughter and Devadatta, the Buddha teaches that everyone can become enlightened women, animals, and even the most sinful murderers.

Chapter 13, Encouragement to uphold the sutra The Buddha encourages all beings to embrace the teachings of the sutra in all times, even in the most difficult ages to come. The Buddha prophesies that six thousand nuns who are also present will become Buddhas.

Chapter 14, Peace and Contentment Manjusri asks how a bodhisattva should spread the teaching. In his reply Shakyamuni Buddha describes the proper conduct and the appropriate sphere of relations of a bodhisattva. A bodhisattva should not talk about the faults of other preachers or their teachings. He is encouraged to explain the Mahayana teachings when he answers questions. Virtues such as patience, gentleness, a calm mind, wisdom and compassion are to be cultivated.

Chapter 15, Springing Up from the Earth In this chapter countless bodhisattvas spring up from the earth, ready to teach, and the Buddha declares that he has trained these bodhisattvas in the remote past. This confuses some disciples including Maitreya, but the Buddha affirms that he has taught all of these bodhisattvas himself.

Chapter 16, The eternal lifespan of the Tathagata The Buddha explains that he is truly eternal and omniscient. He then teaches the Parable of the Excellent Physician who entices his sons into taking his medicine by feigning his death.

Chapter 17, Merits and Virtues of enlightenment The Buddha explains that since he has been teaching as many beings as the sands of the Ganges have been saved.

Chapter 18, Merits and Virtues of Joyful Acceptance Faith in the teachings of the sutra brings much merit and lead to good rebirths.

In Chapter 19, Merits and Virtues obtained by a Teacher of the Dharma, the Buddha praises the merits of those who teach the sutra. They will be able to purify the six senses.

Chapter 20, The Bodhisattva Sadparibhta The Buddha tells a story about a previous life when he was a Bodhisattva called Sadparibhta (Never Disparaging) and how he treated every person he met, good or bad, with respect, always remembering that they will become Buddhas.

Chapter 21, The Spiritual Power of the Tathagata Reveals that the sutra contains all of the Eternal Buddhas secret spiritual powers. The bodhisattvas who have sprung from the earth (ch 15) are entrusted with the task of propagating it.

Chapter 22, The Passing of the Commission The Buddha transmits the Lotus Sutra to all bodhisattvas in his congregation and entrusts them with its safekeeping. The Buddha Prabhtaratna in his jeweled stupa and the countless manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha return to their respective buddha-field.
Chapters 23-28

Chapter 22, "Passing of the Commission", is the final chapter in the Sanskrit versions and the alternative Chinese translation. Shioiri suggests that an earlier version of the sutra ended with this chapter. He assumes that the chapters 23-28 were inserted later into the Sanskrit version. These chapters are devoted to the worship of bodhisattvas.

In Chapter 23, "The Bodhisattva Bhaiajyarja", the Buddha tells the story of the 'Medicine King' Bodhisattva, who, in a previous life, burnt his body as a supreme offering to a Buddha. The hearing and chanting of the Lotus Stra' is also said to cure diseases. The Buddha uses nine similes to declare that the Lotus Stra is the king of all sutras.

Chapter 24, The Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara "Wonderful Voice" (Gadgadasvara), a Bodhisattva from a distant world, visits Vulture Peak to worship the Buddha. Bodhisattva "Wonderful Voice" once made offerings of various kinds of music to the Buddha "Cloud-Thunder-King". His accumulated merits enable him to take 34 different forms to propagate the Lotus Sutra.

Chapter 25, The Bodhisattva Avalokitevara, is devoted to Avalokitevara, describing him as a compassionate bodhisattva who hears the cries of sentient beings, and rescues those who call upon his name.

In Chapter 26, Dhra, Hariti and several Bodhisattvas offer sacred formulae (dhra) in order to protect those who keep and recite the Lotus Stra.[note 10]

Chapter 27, King Wonderfully Adorned, tells the story of the conversion of King 'Wonderful-Adornment' by his two sons.

In Chapter 28, Encouragement of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, a bodhisattva called "Universal Virtue" asks the Buddha how to preserve the sutra in the future. Samantabhadra promises to protect and guard all those who keep this sutra in the future Age of Dharma Decline.


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--- OBJECT INSTANCES [0]

TOPICS


AUTH


BOOKS


CHAPTERS

1.01f_-_Introduction
1.02_-_Skillful_Means
1.03_-_A_Parable

--- PRIMARY CLASS


book

--- SEE ALSO


--- SIMILAR TITLES [0]


The Lotus Sutra
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favorite ::: cwsa, everyday, grade, mcw, memcards (table), project, project 0001, Savitri, the Temple of Sages, three js, whiteboard,
temp ::: consecration, experiments, knowledge, meditation, psychometrics, remember, responsibility, temp, the Bad, the God object, the Good, the most important, the Ring, the source of inspirations, the Stack, the Tarot, the Word, top priority, whiteboard,

--- DICTIONARIES (in Dictionaries, in Quotes, in Chapters)



--- QUOTES [2 / 2 - 8 / 8] (in Dictionaries, in Quotes, in Chapters)



KEYS (10k)

   1 Taigu Ryokan
   1 Nichiren

NEW FULL DB (2.4M)

   2 Gautama Buddha

   2 Dogen

1:Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo(1), no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law?(1) Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra or Glory to the Sutra of the Lotus of the Supreme Law ~ Nichiren,
2:IN THE entire ten quarters of the Buddha land There is only one vehicle. When we see clearly, there is no difference in all the teachings. What is there to lose? What is there to gain? If we gain something, it was there from the beginning. If we lose anything, it is hidden nearby. Look at the ball in the sleeve of my robe. Surely it has great value.[ The first sentence of this poem quotes a famous line from the Lotus Sutra.] ~ Taigu Ryokan,

*** NEWFULLDB 2.4M ***

1:In the Lotus Sutra, Buddha says to light up one corner - not the whole world. Just make it clear where you are. ~ Shunryu Suzuki
2:In the Lotus Sutra, it is said everything is emptiness - this world is empty, hell is empty, heaven is empty, God is empty, everything is emptiness. Emptiness is the nature of all things, nothingness, so be attuned to nothingness and you will achieve. ~ Rajneesh
3:Among all the sutras I have expounded,
Lotus Sutra is the first and foremost!
If you are able to uphold the Lotus Sutra,
it means you are able to uphold the body of a Buddha!”

(LS 11: 3.35)
Lotus Sutra, Chapter 11, Section 3, Paragraph 35 ~ Gautama Buddha
4:Among all shravakas and pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas are the foremost. So is the Lotus Sutra; among all sutras, it is the foremost! Just as the Buddha is the King of the Law; so is the Lotus Sutra, it is the King of all Sutras!"

(LS 23:2.16)
Lotus Sutra, Chapter 23, Section 2, Paragraph 16 ~ Gautama Buddha
5:English version by Steven Heine
Joyful in this mountain retreat yet still feeling melancholy,
Studying the Lotus Sutra every day,
Practicing zazen singlemindedly;
What do love and hate matter
When I'm here alone,
Listening to the sound of the rain late in this autumn evening.

~ Dogen, One of fifteen verses on Dogens mountain retreat

6:Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo(1), no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law?
(1) Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra or Glory to the Sutra of the Lotus of the Supreme Law ~ Nichiren,
7:IN THE entire ten quarters of the Buddha land
There is only one vehicle.
When we see clearly, there is no difference in all the teachings.
What is there to lose? What is there to gain?
If we gain something, it was there from the beginning.
If we lose anything, it is hidden nearby.
Look at the ball in the sleeve of my robe.
Surely it has great value.
[ The first sentence of this poem quotes a famous line from the Lotus Sutra.] ~ Taigu Ryokan,
8:Joyful in this mountain retreat yet still feeling melancholy,
Studying the Lotus Sutra every day,
Practicing zazen singlemindedly;
What do love and hate matter
When Im here alone,
Listening to the sound of the rain
late in this autumn evening.

Drifting pitifully in the whirlwind of birth and death,
As if wandering in a dream,
In the midst of illusion I awaken to the true path;
There is one more matter I must not neglect,
But I need not bother now,
As I listen to the sound of the evening rain
Falling on the roof of my temple retreat
In the deep grass of Fukakusa.

From: The Zen Poetry of Dogen: Verses from the Mountain of Eternal Peace By: Steven Heine

~ Dogen, Joyful in this mountain retreat


--- IN CHAPTERS (in Dictionaries, in Quotes, in Chapters)



0

   2 Zen
   2 Poetry
   1 Philosophy


   2 Dogen


   2 The Lotus Sutra
   2 Dogen - Poems


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