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2. Ven. NGUYEN HOANG PHUC
5501201046
IV. Translations
There were six translations of the Lotus Sutra into Chinese,
but only three are still in circulation.
The Lotus Sutra of the Correct Dharma, in ten volumes and
Amongst
the
three,
the
version
translated
by Kumrajva in A.D. 406 is widely known and
accepted. It is the most authoritative version on which
the present English translation is based. The standard in
rendering his oral languages is extremely high. It was a
work of great literacy merit. The form of construction is
strict, but it is easy to read.
Chapter Seven (The Magic City) relates a history of past Buddhas and
disciples
and
then
explains
the
temporary
use
of provisional understandings of Nirvana in order to help reach the long
term objective of enlightenment. This is done through a parable about a
magic city that serves as a way-station along the long spiritual journey
for exhausted spiritual seekers.
Having revealed the practice of the Sutra and that all those of
faith will attain entry into the sphere of enlightenment, a new
theme begins in Chapter Eleven (The Treasure Tower). A
great Treasure Tower arises from the earth into empty space that
contains the Spiritual Life (S. Dharmakaya) from antiquity that
stills attests to the truth of The Lotus Sutra. Upon assembling all
of
his
spiritual
emanations
in
one
place
the
Buddha Sakyamuni opens up the great Treasure Tower revealing
this Spiritual Life (as the ancient One That Has Come from the
ancient past, Abundant Treasures) and begins the ceremony of
empty space (Chapters 11 through 22). This is being seated at the
place of the original enlightenment (the Bodhimandala),
participating in the timeless ceremony of the Three Treasures,
and the giving and receiving of enlightenment.
In
the
Chapter
Twelve
(Devadatta)
the
Buddha
bestows prophecies of enlightenment
on all who have faith, including
women and the sinful, in the stories of
the Dragon King's daughter and
Devadatta.
In
Chapter
Thirteen (Encouragement in the
Embracing of the Sutra) the Buddha
explains embracing the Sutra in hard
times and in the future age of evil
Chapter Fourteen (The Practice of Peace and
Contentment) explains the perfection of the Sutra's
practice in one's thoughts, words, and deeds as well as in
one's resolve.
reveals that there have been countless Bodhisattvas arising from the
bowels of the earth that have been propagating the Lotus Sutra from
time immemorial as his disciples, led by four who represent the Four
Virtues of Nirvana. This revelation confuses his disciples who
cannot understand how the Buddha can be eternal and yet at the
same time all things are temporary and impermanent.
In Chapter Sixteen (Measuring the Life of The One That Has
Come) the Buddha explains the eternal nature of enlightenment,
which is the innate threefold life of the eternal Buddha.
Chapter
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter
Twenty-Three (The
Medicine King) is on the
practices of self-sacrifice as well
the diagnosis and healing of
sickness
Chapter Twenty-Four
(The
Bodhisattva
Wonderful
Sound) & Twenty-Five (The
Bodhisattva Observing the
Sounds of the World) are on
Samadhi practices
Chapter
Twenty-Six
(Dhras) is on the embracing
of prayers
Chapter Twenty-Seven (The
Wonderful Adornment) is on
vows
Chapter Twenty-Eight (The
Bodhisattva
Universal
Virtue) is on confession and
spiritual penetration
A distinctive feature
of the Lotus Sutra is
the use of parables.
It contains many
layers of metaphor
that have inspired
many layers of
interpretation.
The Burning House
(chapter 3): A man
lures his children out
of a burning house
The
Medicinal Herbs
(Chapter 5): Although they
grow in the same ground
and receive the same rain,
plants grow in different
ways
The
Phantom
City
(Chapter 7): A man
leading people on a
difficult journey conjures
an illusion of a beautiful
city to give them the heart
to keep going
Are
One
The Importance of
Faith and Devotion
Buddhahood
may
through
not be
intellect
attained
alone.
Stressing the importance of
faith and devotion as means to
realization of enlightenment.
Faith and devotion make
Buddhahood more accessible
to laypeople who do not spend
their lives in ascetic monastic
practice.
Theravada Buddhism.
Pli scriptures are thought to be the words of the historical
Buddha and some of his disciples, preserved for a time by
oral tradition and then written down in the 1st century
BCE.
Lotus sutra is unlike Pli scriptures being accepted by
Theravada Buddhism. Lotus Sutra is very important to
some Mahayana schools but ignored by others. For
example, the Lotus Sutra is the only scripture accepted by
the Nichiren, but it plays no part in Tibetan Buddhism.
IX. Conclusion
Buddhism.
It appeared in period of strongly divergence of Mahayana
and Theravada, so it is the harmony of Mahayana and
Theravada through its message All vehicles (
Srvakayna, Pratyekayna, Boddhisattva, ect.) are only
one vehicle (Buddha vehicle)
Showing that all beings are the Buddhas to be because the
Buddha nature always exists into every being.
Through its values and influence, Lotus Sutra is
considered as the king of sutras in Mahayana Buddhism.