Download or read book The Lotus Sutra Life and Soul of Buddhism written by Nikkyō Niwano and published by Tokyo. This book was released on 1971 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Lotus Sutra written by Nikkyō Niwano and published by . This book was released on 1970 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Lotus S tra written by Donald S. Lopez Jr. and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2016-10-04 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A concise and accessible introduction to the classic Buddhist text The Lotus Sutra is arguably the most famous of all Buddhist scriptures. Composed in India in the first centuries of the Common Era, it is renowned for its inspiring message that all beings are destined for supreme enlightenment. Here, Donald Lopez provides an engaging and accessible biography of this enduring classic. Lopez traces the many roles the Lotus Sutra has played in its travels through Asia, Europe, and across the seas to America. The story begins in India, where it was one of the early Mahayana sutras, which sought to redefine the Buddhist path. In the centuries that followed, the text would have a profound influence in China and Japan, and would go on to play a central role in the European discovery of Buddhism. It was the first Buddhist sutra to be translated from Sanskrit into a Western language—into French in 1844 by the eminent scholar Eugène Burnouf. That same year, portions of the Lotus Sutra appeared in English in The Dial, the journal of New England's Transcendentalists. Lopez provides a balanced account of the many controversies surrounding the text and its teachings, and describes how the book has helped to shape the popular image of the Buddha today. He explores how it was read by major literary figures such as Henry David Thoreau and Gustave Flaubert, and how it was used to justify self-immolation in China and political extremism in Japan. Concise and authoritative, this is the essential introduction to the life and afterlife of a timeless masterpiece.

Download or read book Life Journey the Miracle of the Lotus Sutra written by WILLIAM DANG and published by Partridge Publishing Singapore. This book was released on 2020-11-17 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A simple young man, native of a Province, Vietnam. William was born from a farming family with nine children. Filled with love and support from his loving parents in their beautiful homeland, William Dang spent most of his childhood life in the field. Though life was tough for him, with his nature of being Independent and having strong desire to succeed in life, he was able to climb up the ladder and build his own family of four children with the love of his life – his wife, without the influence of her wife’s family wealth. William Dang began his journey to discover the depths of his inner self and soul from returning to his childhood memories, about his family home where he was born and grown-up, the journey of craving for knowledge, developing a career, and in building a loving family. In this journey, you will encounter interesting stories that had happen in real life. You will experience visual images of South Vietnamese people in the '60s as well as following years of journey towards passion for knowledge seeking and overcoming some life’s obstacles until reaching the self-awakening part of life. Awakening and self-actualization from negative experiences of his life, which he would like to share heartily to everyone to bring about positive energy to motivate and to inspire. As a Buddhist religious follower, you will be surprised that the colours of his own life and his inner awakening all originated from the study of Buddhism. This awakening stage started from prostrating The Lotus Sutra. Thereafter, miracles had happened to his life wholly felt in every second, every breath, and every moment. He felt and experienced the great Love, Compassion, and Sympathy which will be nourished in each one of us every day. William Dang believes that these miracles he experienced through the Lotus Sutra which teaches the way for enlightenment of all humanity, and the enlightenment of the individual in the current life circumstances, will also be experienced by the readers. Whoever or wherever you are, in any country or any religion, he believes that there is an apparent and intimate link not only between people but between us and the universe. Join William Dang in this life’s journey. Surely, you will be inspired by his success story, especially during this pandemic period. You might see for yourself in each challenging step, a great life lesson to ponder and find meaning in your own life from rediscovering your inner self as well. Share the colours of your life as well that will become like a stepping stone towards finding one’s self to experience great Love and Peace.

Download or read book Buddhism for Today written by Nikkyo Niwano and published by Kosei Publishing Company. This book was released on 1989-12-15 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This concise, readily understandable book is designed as a guide to one of the supreme scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism: the Threefold Lotus Sutra. The first publication of the complete sutra in English (Kosei, 1975) was widely acclaimed, and an ever-growing audience has been created for what is certainly among the greatest of the world's religious documents. Like the Bible and the Koran, however, the Threefold Lotus Sutra requires explanation by a gifted teacher, and it is for this reason that Niwano has written this guide. Giving careful consideration to the relationships among the thirty-two chapters of the sutra, he not only outlines the contents but also explains the major points.

Download or read book The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras written by Minerva Lee and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-04-21 with total page 548 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hailed as the King of all Sutras, the Lotus Sutra and its Opening and Closing Sutras are the most outstanding teachings expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha. This teaching encapsulates the heart and soul of the Buddha, for it reveals the Law of Lotus that enables all people to attain Buddhahood. In essence, the Lotus Sutra is a supreme teaching of Life. Original, distinctive and innovative, this is an extraordinary translation born out of true love and gratitude in the Buddha's teaching. Here are the value-added features in terms of structure and style that make reading the Lotus Sutra a wonderfully enlightening experience: 1. Notation System The notation system is a structure that empowers the readers in the assimilation of the essence of the Lotus Sutra. It is an excellent tool that facilitates meaningful flow of ideas in the Buddha's teaching. In addition to the notation system, an overview summary on the categorization of key teachings has been included in each chapter as well. 2. Literary Devices Poetry is an artistic expression of thoughts and emotions. Literary devices such as alliteration, assonance and rhyme system are weaved into the fabric of the translation, thus bringing forth the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha's spirit elegantly. With a touch of poetic beauty in the Buddha's words, the Lotus Sutra becomes a melodious voice resonating delightfully with the hearts of all readers.

Download or read book For Buddhism For Sentient Beings The Buddhist Practice of Tzu Chi s Missions written by 王本榮 and published by 經典雜誌 慈濟傳播人文志業基金會. This book was released on 2023-07-01 with total page 446 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduction The Straight Path of Bodhi and the Translucent Sphere of Lazuli In the forty-nine years of the Buddha’s lectures, he first gave a wide range of expedient dharma teachings, in order to use the water of the Dharma to cleanse sentient beings of their delusion and worries. After forty-two years of teaching expedient Dharma, he turned to lecture “The Lotus Sutra (Threefold Lotus Sutra)” in order to teach the Bodhisattva Dharma, pointing out the true meaning of the Bodhisattva’s heart and actions as the foundation of Buddhahood. The Lotus Sutra (Threefold Lotus Sutra) consists of 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. Within these, the essence lies in The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings, where it instructs sentient beings to study the virtues and to understand the state of mind of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and details the incomparable good deeds manifested by the Great Vow. For over 55 years, under the leadership of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the members of Tzu Chi have followed the teachings of “The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings” to hear the voices of the people who are suffering, to help them realize enlightenment, to observe deeply and practice widely, to benefit all sentient beings, and promote the Four Missions all around the mundane world. At a time when the human mind is perverted, the world is in chaos, the environment is being destroyed, the climate is changing, the resources are being depleted, and the ecology is unbalanced. Where war is frequent, epidemics are rampant, and the survival and civilization of mankind are facing serious crisis, it is the mission of Tzu Chi to inspire the altruistic mind of people, to promote pure love, and to spread the true meaning of Buddhism to the people. In accordance with the teaching of the Dharma Master Cheng Yen that “the Buddha’s teachings should be life-oriented and the Bodhisattva should be humanized,” the sign language musical “Purity, Great Love, Innumerable Meanings,” interpreted from the classics of “The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings,” was premiered at the Tzu Chi 41st Anniversary Conference in 2007 at Hualien’s Jing Si Hall, followed by a touring performance at home and abroad. This allowed the public to understand the expedient Dharma teachings through audiovisuals and to realize the auspiciousness of the Dharma meaning, and to receive the nourishment of the Dharma rain, and the blessing of the Dharma medicine, so as to enlighten one’s heart and purify the body. Practicing the dharma teachings to purify the hearts of people, harmonize the society and pray for the elimination of disasters in the world. As the author of this book, I was fortunate to participate in eight performances of the play. During the rehearsals, I was first struck by the flow of the lyrics, the majesty of the momentum, the boundless profound spirit of the Dharma. Gradually, I was able to delve deeper into the meaning of sutra, understand the integration of the sutra and musical, and absorb the meanings of the sutra and thus realizing the Buddha is really the Great Enlightened One of the universe, the One who speaks as he does, the One who speaks truthfully, and the One who does not lie. In the verses of The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings, it explains, “Infinity originates from one” and “One begets infinity, and infinity originates from one” as the true cosmic reality and state of life. What may have seemed unbelievable and absurd at that time, after 2,500 years of time and evolution, has proven to be very much in line with modern astronomy, cosmology, physics, relativity, quantum theory, evolution, biology, chemistry, and medicine, and the direction of practice directed by the Buddha is also the correct path to final emancipation. What is even more admirable is that Dharma Master Cheng Yen has followed the teachings of Venerable Master Yin Shun of “for Buddhism, for sentient beings,” and has continued to practice the teachings of “The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings” thoroughly, encouraging her disciples to apply their vital energies to practice the spirit of compassion and great love, and practice the human realm Bodhisattva path through the concrete actions of the Four Missions and Eight Endeavors. Not only does he open the Buddha’s vision for sentient beings, show the Buddha’s vision, realize the Buddha’s vision, and enter the Buddha’s vision, but also practices the Buddha’s vision. Moved by the Master, the author of this book published One Seed to Infinite in 2009, with the aim of presenting the modern interpretation of The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings. The “Prelude” of “Purity, Great Love, and Innumerable Meanings” states, “Vast is the universe, life comes and goes, such is life’s natural course, no need to be astounded. Contemplate upon this carefully with a tranquil mind, we begin to realize life is impermanent and transient, the life of today can change bringing a different tomorrow.” It combines and interprets the magnificence, and vastness of the universe, and the sorrows and joys of life perfectly. In response to this prelude, the Dharma Master Cheng Yen said, “Every flower, grass, and tree in the world is constantly undergoing metamorphosis. Everything is originally nothing; existence is created through the conditions of convergent cause and predestined effect. All things are formed from predestinations. They are born from each other, following the principle of complementary and interdependency of everything in the universe and they are constantly going through the natural cycle of forming, living, falling and vanishing.” This is an excellent interpretation of the reality of the universe and natural phenomena stated in the verses “all actions are impermanent” and “all Dharmas have no self” in “The Three Universal Truths.” Emptiness is not nothingness, but all possibilities. The ultimate reality is “emptiness,” but cannot exist apart from the phenomena of “existence.” Schrödinger, a master of quantum mechanics, proved that both light and particles have wave-particle duality, and when we observe them, they will be concentrated at one point and appear as particles, but when they are not observed, they will expand in space in the form of waves. Particles are not constant entities, but transient phenomena that are sometimes linked together to create the illusion of an eternal body. The starting phrase of the Virtues Chapter is “Bodhisattvas are wise beings with great compassion, their minds are tranquil, ever-abiding in meditation, peaceful, free of desires and are immune from any kind of delusion or wrong thoughts” “Eternal Stillness,” which is in line with “The Three Universal Truths,” states, to practice according to the Dharma is to train the mind, to transcend the realm of “all actions are impermanent” and “all Dharma has no self,” and to enter the profound dharma realm of “no birth, no death, no constant, no difference, no coming and no going” (emptiness), and to realize the eternal truth of “permanence, bliss, true self, purity,” based on the impermanence from birth to death. The statement, “our mind is clear and translucent, and our vows are as vast as the endless void, and conviction is unwavering for countless eons” is the realization of the “meaning of righteousness” (or the true meaning) from the “permanence, bliss, true self, purity,” which refers to the absolute truth of the ultimate reality. The “innumerable dharma paths, all of which become clear to us, and the attainment of great wisdom and penetrating the true nature of all things” is the realization of the “secular meaning” (or the worldly meaning) from the mundane world, which refers to the relative truth of the mundane world. The ultimate truth and the worldly truth are two truths that are two sides of one coin. The former is to investigate the truth of things from the perspective of the ultimate, while the latter is to gain insight into the interdependent phenomena of the mundane world from the perspective of the relative truth. “Jing Si” is a profound observation of the Dharma lineage with the essence of Prajñā (the ultimate meaning) as the body, while “Tzu Chi” is a wide practice of the sect with the essence of great compassion without attachments (the worldly meaning) as the application. Jing Si and Tzu Chi can be said to be the perfect combination of Weber’s social concept of value-rational and instrumental action. The integration of the absolute and relative truths, that is, the fusion of emptiness and wisdom, is the so-called buddha nature or Tathāgata nature, the essence of the Buddhahood. All sentient beings have the potential to become Buddhas, but they are unable to manifest it due to delusion. Here are four kinds of sentient beings: namely, there are those born from eggs, those born from wombs, those born from moisture, those born of transformation, and there are also differences between those with form, those without form, those with thought, and those without thought. From each “condition” (effect) formed by the “cause” of each, the “realm” (karma) is created, and the cause is stored to recycle back to the cause of the reincarnation. From there, it explains the “condition” to create “karma,” which then returns the cycle back to “cause.” Buddhism widely explains the various phenomena of birth and death in the universe and in life, as well as the principles of karma and retribution, guiding sentient beings to follow and harness these principles to improve oneself, transform their external environment, create good karma, and create a sustainable civilization. It is paradoxical that at a time when increasingly sophisticated science is proving the profound subtlety and vastness of the Buddha’s teachings, many Buddhist sutras are being misinterpreted, misunderstood, and misrepresented, resulting in distortions and misrepresentations that do not reflect the Buddha’s original intent. True Mahāyāna Buddhism is active in the world. If a society is without right and wrong, without justice, without order and without compassion and if it only adapts to the external surroundings through internal dharma practice, it is not only the degradation of human beings, but also the incompetence of religion. Things often have unexpected and unimaginable outcome. For example, when the silkworms spit out silk, they never thought they would create the Silk Road. As the same for the Dharma Master, when she fled her home, she never thought she would create a global Tzu Chi family. Tzu Chi started with just the Master, from one thought, one life of boundless compassion and now fifty-five years later, its footprints have spanned across five continents, four oceans, and over one hundred countries. Believing in people’s love and people’s selflessness, the Dharma Master’s heart gives boundless acceptance, and never wavers or change in his fortitude and seizes time and lets no second slip by. Treating each second like the last second, as the start of a new second, and when it passes, one tiny barrier is overcome, allowing each new obstacle to be tackled. The author has followed the Dharma Master’s teaching for 30 years and feels that the Master has been “mindfulness of the body,” “mindfulness of emotions,” “mindfulness of the mind,” and “mindfulness of the dharma,” and follows that “one’s mind should not abide anywhere,” as stated in The Diamond Sutra (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra), “One who practices charity (dāna) without any attachments, is like a man with open eyes, who can see everything in the sunshine” and that’s fundamentally how the world of Tzu Chi becomes one on which the sun never sets. The secret to the success in normal business organizations is to have the right people, do the right thing, and do the thing right. The Master’s vow is to help and transform all sentient beings with compassion, taken across sentient beings universally. Using Nature as an example, he will not abandon the small streams or the tiny water drops, hoping that even those who are not the right people can become the right people and join the sea of Buddhist merit. It’s not easy for a Buddhist monk to push a person “one inch” closer to Buddhahood and likewise, the leadership of a volunteer force is far more challenging than that of a business enterprise. The self-oriented state of mind of a Hīnayāna (Smaller Vehicle) disciple is, “the lonely smoke of the desert is straight, the sunset of the Yangtze River is round,” while the compassionate vow of a Mahāyāna (Greater Vehicle) disciple is “the Straight Path of Bodhi and the Translucent Sphere of Lazuli.” The Dharma Master can be said to be a great leader who has the ability to take sentient beings to places where they do not necessarily want to go, but where they should be, from one being to the next, so that the will of all can transform the vision of truth. She leads the people of Tzu Chi from all around the world to follow the teachings of the Chapters of Virtue, Expounding (preaching) the Dharma, and Ten Merits of The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings and to practice infinite righteousness in the Sahā world. The finale of the musical, “Purity, Great Love, Innumerable Meanings,” states, “We see that all life will come to an end, as coming together and parting is the way of nature, and a thousand-year-old pine will grow old, while still standing up to the wind and rain.” The power of kindness in us is unlimited, boundless. The power of Dharma can affect marvelous things. Our vows and perseverance can create miracles and faith will give us courage to realize our aspirations. Turn the spark of inspiration into lasting Great Love. We can bring joy and benefit to all living beings and pass on the light of wisdom. Compassion is continuously being born in the universe, and kindness and goodness will open up to us a different path. With Great Love and immeasurable compassion, with a tranquil mind of purity, unwavering vows and reverence for the law, we shall practice the Bodhisattva Way in Jambudviipa. Here “Jambudviipa” in Buddhist sutras refers to our current planet. Life from birth to death on the surface is an overlap of physiological actions and consciousness during the lifespan, but in reality it is a reorganization of the fundamental particles and atoms of the “dust” of the universe over tens of billions of years, as well as the memory of the Earth’s biological history, recorded in DNA for nearly 4 billion years. After passing away, the physical body will disintegrate and return to the “lifeless” matter of the universe, without coming or going, without birth or death. Life is very difficult and extremely precious. As “man is the soul of the universe,” we must think about the four questions of human life: “Why do we live?” (the purpose of life), “Why are we born as human beings?” (the essence of life), “What is life?” (the phenomenon of life), and “Why live?” (the meaning of life) The power of human learning and creativity has led to technological progress and material civilization, allowing for the maximization of the productivity of goods and services. Our political systems and economic systems are designed to endlessly expand human desires and exploit the Earth’s resources indefinitely. The cost of such a successful model is environmental collapse, disaster, wealth inequality, war, pestilence, and refugees, and the Mother Earth we depend on becoming unrecognizable and overburdened. Today’s material civilization is built on multiple connections of globalization, technology, industrialization, and division of labor. However, these connections are very fragile and unstable, and once the environment changes or mutual trust disappears, the advantageous system can take a sharp turn for the worse, becoming uncontrollable and irreversible. Only by unlocking the wisdom and compassion of each individual, by developing the perseverance and courage of each individual, can we turn the tide and create the opportunity for sustainable human development. We must completely change the ecology and mentality of production and consumption from a habit of over-consumption of materials and energy to a simpler life with less desire and more contentment, and we must also have a more long-term consensus to eliminate the flaws hidden in the system that are not conducive to sustainable development. During the “bad times” and “end of times,” the Master constantly reminds us that, “In this great era of ours, we must know right from wrong. In times of great disaster, we must nurture great compassion. In times of great delusion, we must give rise to great wisdom. In times of great turmoil, we must practice great repentance.” Mahāyāna Buddhism is the unification of “mind” and “matter” centered on “mind.” From the vast universe to the smallest particle of dust, all are “concrete laws of dharmas” that are “manifested by the mind alone.” In 2003, at Jing Si Hall, Dharma Master Yin Shun encouraged the Tzu Chi people, “Meditate on all the Buddhas of the entire universe and understand that all matter is created by the mind alone.” When the old monk first saw the mountain as a mountain, he saw the false appearance of “conditions,” that is, “illusion appears from the consciousness.” When he saw the mountain as a mountain, he realized the empty appearance of “emptiness” as “emptiness is only name.” When he saw the mountain as a mountain, he realized the truth of “all things arise from conditions, but are empty in nature” and the only “true and constant is the mind.” This book was written in February of 2020 and was finished on May 10 of the same year, the Buddha’s Birthday, which was exactly 100 days in duration. It was also the author’s 100 days of “mindfulness,” where he learned and understood more about the wisdom of Buddhism and Tzu Chi’s deep vision and wide practice. The author was born in the postwar baby boom, and has lived through the agricultural, industrial, knowledge, and information eras, as well as through the time of Martial Law, lifting of Martial Law, the Cold War, and the Post-Cold War era. He has followed in the footsteps of the Dharma Master for over thirty years. Although limited in ability and space, this book hopes to describe briefly in the Dharma Master’s compassionate vow to do everything in his life, “for Buddhism and for all sentient beings,” and to lead people of Tzu Chi to practice compassion to heal the world. It was also during these 100 days that the coronavirus was spreading and “infecting” the world. The microscopic nano-virus was able to “parasitize,” causing humans who believe themselves to be “the soul of the universe” to lockdown entire cities and countries. It is a reminder that human beings must understand their limitations and fragility, respect life more, face heaven and earth with humility, and be more reverent to nature. However, when Taiwan and the world faced various natural and man-made disasters, Tzu Chi bodhisattvas, in their blue and white uniforms, immediately descended from the sky and emerged from the earth, being the first and staying until the last. This has become their routine as volunteers and “doing what is expected” has become their standard. If you breathe well, you will forget the existence of breathing, and if your shoes fit, you will forget the existence of shoes. When looking at the Six Missions of Tzu Chi, it is a culmination of many people’s infinite vows to volunteer, both financially and physically, without any complaints on one’s own initiative. There is “seeing confusion (illusion)” and “thinking confusion (temptation)” for common people, and “dust (miniscule) confusion” for bodhisattvas. The Dharma Master always encourages the disciples to face adversity and frustration without anger or depression, and to learn patience in the face of humiliating words and have an unwavering heart when faced with wind and storm. The world is a place of cultivation. We must put equal emphasis on interpretation and action, the integration of the governing principles, and the dual operation of compassion and wisdom, it is as the saying states, “on the top of a hundred-foot pole, keep on progressing. Then, the ten directions of the Universe become clear.” A Western scholar who visited Tzu Chi was so moved that he wanted me to use one word to describe Tzu Chi. The word I gave him was “Nowhere,” which I separated into two levels of meaning. The words, “Now here,” can mean “in the present moment, the body is empty,” expressing the deep view of the Jing Si Dharma lineage, and “Nowhere” can also mean “being ubiquitous, being endless,” expressing the extensive practice of the Tzu Chi sect of Buddhism. Tzu Chi’s assistance in the Japanese Tohoku Earthquake impressed Ida’s Laboratory at Kyoto University. They were so moved by the altruistic compassion of a Buddhist group and its compassionate commitment to the world as well as the power of organization and mobilization, that they sent a research team to cover the event. Before leaving, they gave me a letter from Kyoto University, asking me to write down “What is Tzu Chi?” as a basis for their team’s research. I wrote “Tzu Chi: Compassionate Relief for the World” and defined it with four “lifetimes:” “A lifetime of immeasurable compassion, a lifetime of hearing and practicing all the teachings, a lifetime of unwavering faith, and a lifetime journey without regrets.” “Transmitting the Jing Si Dharma Lineage, Advancing the Tzu Chi School of Buddhism,” we are grateful for the compassion and wisdom of Dharma Master Cheng Yen and all the Tzu Chi people around the world, who uphold the principle, “for Buddhism and for all sentient beings,” to make this book possible. The six chapters of this book describe how Tzu Chi’s four main missions of charity, health care, education, and culture & communication, as well as the practice of Buddhist teachings and scriptures in the world of today’s sentient beings, are being carried out through the practice of the sacrifice and charity and environmental protection. The writer is not vastly knowledgeable in Buddhism, nor is he a sociologist, and thus, if there are any inadequacies or omissions, we hope for all the knowledgeable advisors to advise and correct.

Download or read book The Buddhist Way of Life written by F Harold Smith and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-05-13 with total page 191 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Originally published in 1951. This study of Buddhism deals with the early tradition, followed by a brief consideration of its historicity and the form the religion takes in Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand. The main line of development in India, China and Japan is then discussed. Focussing on essential Buddhism in both its chief schools, the Lesser and Greater Vehicle, the influence of philosophy on sect and of both on the practical affairs of history are examined.

Download or read book Introduction to the Lotus Sutra written by Shinjō Suguro and published by Jain Publishing Company. This book was released on 1998 with total page 243 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To many Buddhists, The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important, if not the most important, sutras in the Buddhist canon. To the beginning student of Buddhism, however, The Lotus Sutra often presents a difficult challenge. For this reason, the authors have developed "An Introduction" to The Lotus Sutra, making it easy to understand this central scripture of Mahayana Buddhism.

Download or read book The Lotus S tra written by Donald S. Lopez, Jr. and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2016-09-12 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A concise and accessible introduction to the classic Buddhist text The Lotus Sutra is arguably the most famous of all Buddhist scriptures. Composed in India in the first centuries of the Common Era, it is renowned for its inspiring message that all beings are destined for supreme enlightenment. Here, Donald Lopez provides an engaging and accessible biography of this enduring classic. Lopez traces the many roles the Lotus Sutra has played in its travels through Asia, Europe, and across the seas to America. The story begins in India, where it was one of the early Mahayana sutras, which sought to redefine the Buddhist path. In the centuries that followed, the text would have a profound influence in China and Japan, and would go on to play a central role in the European discovery of Buddhism. It was the first Buddhist sutra to be translated from Sanskrit into a Western language—into French in 1844 by the eminent scholar Eugène Burnouf. That same year, portions of the Lotus Sutra appeared in English in The Dial, the journal of New England's Transcendentalists. Lopez provides a balanced account of the many controversies surrounding the text and its teachings, and describes how the book has helped to shape the popular image of the Buddha today. He explores how it was read by major literary figures such as Henry David Thoreau and Gustave Flaubert, and how it was used to justify self-immolation in China and political extremism in Japan. Concise and authoritative, this is the essential introduction to the life and afterlife of a timeless masterpiece.

Download or read book The Stories of the Lotus Sutra written by Gene Reeves and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2010-11 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "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.

Download or read book Lifefulness written by Giuseppe Cloza and published by Giunti. This book was released on 2022-09-28 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After the success of Felicità in questo mondo (Happiness in this World), the author uses his simple, conversational style to take us on a fascinating voyage of discovery into the world of Buddhism. A practice that helps you face life with a positive energy that rises from within, fills you, and expands around you, creating a dynamic and contagious harmony. Focusing particularly on Nichiren Buddhism and Nam myoho renge kyo, with its concrete approach to living our daily lives in the best possible way, the author helps us discover the beneficial effects of Buddhist practice on our body, as well as its effects on the deeper parts of our mind and on the things and people that surround us. A journey that unveils the points of contact between Buddhism and science, psychology, and other philosophies and religions. An important and moving book, useful for everyone, with an abundance of practical advice for achieving Lifefulness: the fullness of life.

Download or read book Mindfulness of Buddhahood in Life written by Minerva T y Lee and published by . This book was released on 2018-05-17 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Lotus Sutra is the coup de maître of the Buddha's enlightenment and achievement. Hailed as the King of all Sutras, the Lotus Sutra is the symbolism of Supreme Perfect Enlightenment for it focuses on the essence of the Buddha's teachings: complete liberation of suffering through attaining Buddhahood quickly. Hence, the Lotus Sutra is the veritable beacon of hope for people who wish to live with peace, happiness, and dignity. Mindfulness of Buddhahood in Life: Revolutionary Insights of the Lotus Sutra is a refreshingly original and innovative book of commentary of the Lotus Sutra. Written by a lay female Buddhist practitioner, this book is packed with unorthodox perspectives of the Lotus Sutra. Vastly different from the worldviews and interpretations of Master Chih-I and Nichiren, the book aims to help readers debunk the preconceived notions of the Lotus Sutra by unravelling the secrets of the Buddha's teachings through scriptural understanding of the metaphors, parables, and images as found in the Lotus Sutra. This is a must-read book for scholars as well as intermediate to advanced practitioners of Nichiren and Mahayana Buddhists alike who are keen to understand the Lotus Sutra from a theoretical and scriptural point of view. The refreshing insights-especially with respect to the compassion aspect of the Lotus Sutra- will certainly help you understand the pivotal roles played by Buddhas and bodhisattvas in supporting their disciples to attain Buddhahood quickly.

Download or read book The Heart of Lotus Sutra written by Daisaku Ikeda and published by . This book was released on 2018-03-07 with total page 716 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Lotus Sutra has been regarded for centuries as one of the most important teachings in Mahayana Buddhism. This book goes beyond theory to show how to bring these teachings into practice in daily life. Containing profound truths for all people from every culture, it reveals the secret for attaining happiness for both oneself and others through the process of self-reformation. Based on the teachings of Nichiren, a 13th-century Buddhist teacher and reformer, the scriptures of the Lotus Sutra show how every person can attain Buddhahood.

Download or read book The Heart of Lotus Sutra written by Daisaku Ikeda and published by . This book was released on 2018-03-06 with total page 570 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Lotus Sutra has been regarded for centuries as one of the most important teachings in Mahayana Buddhism. This book goes beyond theory to show how to bring these teachings into practice in daily life. Containing profound truths for all people from every culture, it reveals the secret for attaining happiness for both oneself and others through the process of self-reformation. Based on the teachings of Nichiren, a 13th-century Buddhist teacher and reformer, the scriptures of the Lotus Sutra show how every person can attain Buddhahood.

Download or read book The Lotus Sutra Saddharma Pundarika Annotated Edition written by Johan Hendrik Caspar Kern and published by Jazzybee Verlag. This book was released on 2012 with total page 425 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the extended and annotated edition including * an extensive annotation of more than 10.000 words about the history and basics of Buddhism, written by Thomas William Rhys Davids The Lotus Sūtra is one of the most popular and influential Mahāyāna sūtras, and the basis on which the Tiantai and Nichiren schools of Buddhism were established. This sutra is known for its extensive instruction on the concept and usage of skillful means – the seventh paramita or perfection of a Bodhisattva – mostly in the form of parables. It is also one of the first sutras to use the term Mahāyāna, or "Great Vehicle", Buddhism. Another concept introduced by the Lotus Sutra is the idea that the Buddha is an eternal entity, who achieved nirvana eons ago, but willingly chose to remain in the cycle of rebirth (samsara) to help teach beings the Dharma time and again. (courtesy of wikipedia.com) Contents: Buddhism The Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarîka) Chapter I. Introductory. Chapter Ii. Skilfulness Chapter Iii. A Parable. Chapter Iv. Disposition. Chapter V. On Plants. Chapter Vi. Announcement Of Future Destiny. Chapter Vii. Ancient Devotion. Chapter Viii. Announcement Of The Future Destiny Of The Five Hundred Monks. Chapter Ix. Announcement Of The Future Destiny Of Ânanda, Rahula, And The Two Thousand Monks. Chapter X. The Preacher. Chapter Xi. Apparition Of A Stûpa. Chapter Xii. Exertion. Chapter Xiii. Peaceful Life. Chapter Xiv. Issuing Of Bodhisattvas From The Gaps Of The Earth. Chapter Xv. Duration Of Life Of The Tathâgata. Chapter Xvi. Of Piety. Chapter Xvii. Indication Of The Meritoriousness Of Joyful Acceptance. Chapter Xviii. The Advantages Of A Religious Preacher. Chapter Xix. Sadâparibhûta. Chapter Xx. Conception Of The Transcendent Power Of The Tathâgatas. Chapter Xxi. Spells. Chapter Xxii. Ancient Devotion Of Bhaishagyarâga. Chapter Xxiii. Gadgadasvara. Chapter Xxiv. Chapter Called That Of The All-Sided One, Containing A Description Of The Transformations Of Avalokitesvara. Chapter Xxv. Ancient Devotion. Chapter Xxvi. Encouragement Of Samantabhadra. Chapter Xxvii. The Period (Of The Law, Dharmaparyâya).

Download or read book A Guide to the Threefold Lotus Sutra written by Niwano, N. and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 1981 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This concise, readily understandable book is designed as a guide to one of the supreme scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism: the Threefold Lotus Sutra. With careful consideration of the relationships among the 32 chapters, the author outlines the contents and explains the major points.