Customer Reviews

Tao-Sheng's Commentary on the Lotus Sutra: A Study and Translation (S U N Y Series in Buddhist Studies)

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In this book, Professor Kim brings the wisdom of Chu Tao-Sheng, a fifth-century Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar, to the Western world. The relatively little-known Tao-Sheng made invaluable contributions to the development of Buddhism in China, and his thought paved the way for the introduction of Tien-Tai Buddhism under Zhiyi a century later.

In this book, Professor Kim begins with a biography and background information on Tao-Sheng, along with a basic explanation of his philosophy and a description of the time and circumstances in which he lived. The second part of the book is a translation of Tao-Sheng's commentary on the Lotus Sutra, the only one of his many writings that survives intact today. Like the Lotus Sutra itself, the commentary is quite deep and requires many readings to comprehend. It is, however, a great help in understanding the Lotus Sutra, and offers a window into how this prime and beautiful Buddhist scripture was understood in China 1,500 years ago.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of East Asian Buddhism or the Lotus Sutra.