Post by dyanaprajna2011 on Sept 10, 2013 13:40:49 GMT
This is something I wrote a while back about the Lotus Sutra:
The Lotus Sutra-the king of sutras. When I first read it, I couldn't imagine how or why it was considered by many Mahayana Buddhists as the highest of the Buddha's teachings. However, after spending some time practicing Buddhism, and going back to it, I've learned some things, and can begin to see why it was so important. Here I'd like to talk about a few things that I've learned about it.
The Lotus Sutra is considered an 'ekayana' sutra, or one-vehicle sutra. Some of the other main ekayana sutras are the Lankavatara, Avatamsaka, Surangama, and Mahaparinirvana sutras. According to these sutras, the ekayana, or one (Buddha) vehicle supersedes the other, lower vehicles: the sravakayana, pratyekabuddhayana, and even the bodhisattvayana. In the Lotus Sutra, all these paths lead to the same goal, i.e., perfect enlightenment. It combines all other Buddhist paths into one ultimate path. The second chapter talks about what in Buddhism is called upaya, or skill in means. What this is, is that the Buddha taught different things to different people, that he felt was what they needed to gain enlightenment. The ekayana sutras each tend to focus on one aspect of the path: the Lankavatara focuses on the mind, meditation, and psychology; the Avatamsaka talks about philosophy and metaphysics; and the Lotus talks about faith and devotion. As well as being an ekayana sutra, the sutra teaches that it will be of great importance during the Dharma ending age. I have something I want to add to this: I think that each ekayana sutra, as well as having a specific role and teaching, also corresponds to a specific time-the Lankavatara during the True Dharma age, the Avatamsaka during the Dharma semblance age, and the Lotus during the Dharma ending age.
Another main theme of the sutra is the eternal nature of the Buddha. This doesn't necessarily mean that the historical Buddha Shakyamuni himself is eternal, but through the dharmakaya, the buddha is eternal. It introduces the trikaya, or three-body, doctrine in Buddhism. In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha Abundant Treasures represents the dharmakaya, Shakyamuni is the sambhogakaya, and the Lotus sutra itself is the nirmanakaya. These are also the three main things that one is to be devoted to. This also leads to another theme of the sutra: the buddha-nature is in all things, especially all sentient beings, and all beings will attain buddha-hood and perfect enlightenment.
The practice of the sutra, as well as being faith and devotion, is also confession and repentance. The bodhisattva Samantabhadra introduces this concept in the last chapter, and the closing sutra, Meditation on Bodhisattva Universal Worthy. These, combined with reading and reciting the sutra, as well as preaching and propagating it, are the main practices associated with the sutra.
The sutra itself says that it is the hardest to believe, and the hardest to understand, and this is certainly applicable. However, if one digs down deep, one can find the treasure house of the dharma located in the sutra, and understand how it is the "king of sutras". But it takes work. First, one must read the sutra, not once, but many times. Then, one must contemplate the sutra, after which, one can practice the sutra. Ultimately, understanding the full scope of the importance of the sutra takes place.
I have more I want to say, but right now, time is not on my side. I'll add more soon, as I really want to discuss this sutra with those who have read it. I've only begun to scratch the surface. Hopefully, it's my wish that something said here will help others on the path to perfect enlightenment.
Something else that I've taken from the Lotus Sutra, is that it teaches the interdependence of all things, and the non-dual nature of reality. To me, this makes it a great text to use, not only for an individual on the spiritual path, but for communities and society to use as a basis for a peaceful society, especially considering that chapter 14, the Happy Life, is about such peaceful practices as part of the practice of the sutra. The target and scope of the sutra is quite unique, in that it speaks to the individual, society, and the whole cosmos. The Buddha-nature is all-pervasive. Everything in the universe is addressed, and all sentient beings, no matter where they are, are promised perfect enlightenment.
Cause and effect is another main theme that runs throughout the sutra, and is addressed both subtly and not so subtly. From the way buddhas and bodhisattvas go from one incarnation to the next, to the way enlightenment is gained by those who practice the sutra, it's all throughout the text.
While the text is mainly devotional and confessional, meditation is a theme and practice in the sutra, but it's much more subtle. Reading, reciting, and copying the text, as one of it's main practices, is in itself a form of meditation. Samadhi is mentioned throughout, as being attained by the buddhas, bodhisattvas, and practitioners of the sutra.
The sutra itself cannot be entered into lightly, and at least a basic knowledge of Buddhism is required in order to understand the sutra. It's not a beginner's text, but an end to Buddhist study and practice. It has to be understood from the perspective of the whole history and teaching of Buddhism. As such, while I believe that the Lotus Sutra is the highest of the Buddha's teachings, it's not the only teaching of the Buddha, and can't really be taken as a stand alone text. However, once a basic grasp of Buddhism is gained, it can be used in such a way.
The Lotus sutra is the pinnacle of Buddhist thought and practice, in my opinion. It's deep, mystical, and all-encompassing. It has different shades of meaning and interpretation, and has to be pierced through layer by layer. Unlike, say, the Pali suttas, which are pretty straight-forward and to the point, the Lotus Sutra reads more like a cosmic drama, unfolding, drawing the reader along on a journey that is rewarding and fulfilling. It jump-starts the fantasy, with it's realms of gods, dragons, and various other spirits, and while it begins on earth, it moves to a cosmic scale, especially in chapter 11.
Even the various ways the text can be divided is not without thought and reason. One of the primary ways the sutra is divided is into two sections: chapters 1-14, and 15-28, two sections of 14 chapters each, and the primary chapter of each section is the second chapter of each section: chapter 2, on skillful means, and chapter 16, on the eternal life of the Tathagata. There's also not one, but two divisions in the center of the text, one dealing with the way of the bodhisattva, and the second, consisting of chapters 11-22, being the ceremony of the sky, also called the ceremony in empty space.
When one begins to study and practice the text, it seems to me that there's a never-ending treasure trove of wisdom to be found. It's a journey, and one that is quite rewarding. For the one who begins the journey, they won't be disappointed.
The Lotus Sutra-the king of sutras. When I first read it, I couldn't imagine how or why it was considered by many Mahayana Buddhists as the highest of the Buddha's teachings. However, after spending some time practicing Buddhism, and going back to it, I've learned some things, and can begin to see why it was so important. Here I'd like to talk about a few things that I've learned about it.
The Lotus Sutra is considered an 'ekayana' sutra, or one-vehicle sutra. Some of the other main ekayana sutras are the Lankavatara, Avatamsaka, Surangama, and Mahaparinirvana sutras. According to these sutras, the ekayana, or one (Buddha) vehicle supersedes the other, lower vehicles: the sravakayana, pratyekabuddhayana, and even the bodhisattvayana. In the Lotus Sutra, all these paths lead to the same goal, i.e., perfect enlightenment. It combines all other Buddhist paths into one ultimate path. The second chapter talks about what in Buddhism is called upaya, or skill in means. What this is, is that the Buddha taught different things to different people, that he felt was what they needed to gain enlightenment. The ekayana sutras each tend to focus on one aspect of the path: the Lankavatara focuses on the mind, meditation, and psychology; the Avatamsaka talks about philosophy and metaphysics; and the Lotus talks about faith and devotion. As well as being an ekayana sutra, the sutra teaches that it will be of great importance during the Dharma ending age. I have something I want to add to this: I think that each ekayana sutra, as well as having a specific role and teaching, also corresponds to a specific time-the Lankavatara during the True Dharma age, the Avatamsaka during the Dharma semblance age, and the Lotus during the Dharma ending age.
Another main theme of the sutra is the eternal nature of the Buddha. This doesn't necessarily mean that the historical Buddha Shakyamuni himself is eternal, but through the dharmakaya, the buddha is eternal. It introduces the trikaya, or three-body, doctrine in Buddhism. In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha Abundant Treasures represents the dharmakaya, Shakyamuni is the sambhogakaya, and the Lotus sutra itself is the nirmanakaya. These are also the three main things that one is to be devoted to. This also leads to another theme of the sutra: the buddha-nature is in all things, especially all sentient beings, and all beings will attain buddha-hood and perfect enlightenment.
The practice of the sutra, as well as being faith and devotion, is also confession and repentance. The bodhisattva Samantabhadra introduces this concept in the last chapter, and the closing sutra, Meditation on Bodhisattva Universal Worthy. These, combined with reading and reciting the sutra, as well as preaching and propagating it, are the main practices associated with the sutra.
The sutra itself says that it is the hardest to believe, and the hardest to understand, and this is certainly applicable. However, if one digs down deep, one can find the treasure house of the dharma located in the sutra, and understand how it is the "king of sutras". But it takes work. First, one must read the sutra, not once, but many times. Then, one must contemplate the sutra, after which, one can practice the sutra. Ultimately, understanding the full scope of the importance of the sutra takes place.
I have more I want to say, but right now, time is not on my side. I'll add more soon, as I really want to discuss this sutra with those who have read it. I've only begun to scratch the surface. Hopefully, it's my wish that something said here will help others on the path to perfect enlightenment.
Something else that I've taken from the Lotus Sutra, is that it teaches the interdependence of all things, and the non-dual nature of reality. To me, this makes it a great text to use, not only for an individual on the spiritual path, but for communities and society to use as a basis for a peaceful society, especially considering that chapter 14, the Happy Life, is about such peaceful practices as part of the practice of the sutra. The target and scope of the sutra is quite unique, in that it speaks to the individual, society, and the whole cosmos. The Buddha-nature is all-pervasive. Everything in the universe is addressed, and all sentient beings, no matter where they are, are promised perfect enlightenment.
Cause and effect is another main theme that runs throughout the sutra, and is addressed both subtly and not so subtly. From the way buddhas and bodhisattvas go from one incarnation to the next, to the way enlightenment is gained by those who practice the sutra, it's all throughout the text.
While the text is mainly devotional and confessional, meditation is a theme and practice in the sutra, but it's much more subtle. Reading, reciting, and copying the text, as one of it's main practices, is in itself a form of meditation. Samadhi is mentioned throughout, as being attained by the buddhas, bodhisattvas, and practitioners of the sutra.
The sutra itself cannot be entered into lightly, and at least a basic knowledge of Buddhism is required in order to understand the sutra. It's not a beginner's text, but an end to Buddhist study and practice. It has to be understood from the perspective of the whole history and teaching of Buddhism. As such, while I believe that the Lotus Sutra is the highest of the Buddha's teachings, it's not the only teaching of the Buddha, and can't really be taken as a stand alone text. However, once a basic grasp of Buddhism is gained, it can be used in such a way.
The Lotus sutra is the pinnacle of Buddhist thought and practice, in my opinion. It's deep, mystical, and all-encompassing. It has different shades of meaning and interpretation, and has to be pierced through layer by layer. Unlike, say, the Pali suttas, which are pretty straight-forward and to the point, the Lotus Sutra reads more like a cosmic drama, unfolding, drawing the reader along on a journey that is rewarding and fulfilling. It jump-starts the fantasy, with it's realms of gods, dragons, and various other spirits, and while it begins on earth, it moves to a cosmic scale, especially in chapter 11.
Even the various ways the text can be divided is not without thought and reason. One of the primary ways the sutra is divided is into two sections: chapters 1-14, and 15-28, two sections of 14 chapters each, and the primary chapter of each section is the second chapter of each section: chapter 2, on skillful means, and chapter 16, on the eternal life of the Tathagata. There's also not one, but two divisions in the center of the text, one dealing with the way of the bodhisattva, and the second, consisting of chapters 11-22, being the ceremony of the sky, also called the ceremony in empty space.
When one begins to study and practice the text, it seems to me that there's a never-ending treasure trove of wisdom to be found. It's a journey, and one that is quite rewarding. For the one who begins the journey, they won't be disappointed.
The Lotus Flower of the Dharma is the most amazing spiritual vision ever revealed to man! The teachings are paradigm altering, the scenes are magnificent!!! With understanding, perhaps we can go on the journey together...and one day soon share the experience of this amazing transmission