Customer Reviews

The Threefold Lotus Sutra

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is, simply, a fantastic piece of literature, and a first-rate exposition of Dharma. I appreciate this translation for the scholarship behind it, and the process that brought it into being; this was produced by a team of translators dedicated to ironing out imprecisions and ideosyncracies. And it's beautifully printed.

Believe the hype, if it's in you to do so, and read this one with great care. May you have the good fortune to meet with this text and a teacher who can explain it to you. (Tendai.)

May beings benefit!

The jewel of the lotus, the core secrets of true Buddhism, is hidden within innumerable petals, but is not invisible. Yet, it shouldn't be further obscured by poor translation. The Bunno Kato translation of the THREEFOLD LOTUS SUTRA is a laser through fog which illuminates the jewel to those who look for it, read this book and understand with wisdom. Those who come to this book seeking the "what" of Buddhism, will find the "why" and "how" of all existence! They will find the "how to" of creating ethical values in their lives. They will discover the utility of practice, study, faith, behind the sutra's Japaneese language title, NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO. The clarity of the Bunno Kato translation is a manifestation of Buddha Wisdom and Bodhisatva mercy (if unfamiliar with those technical concepts, read the book). In this translation, the profound eloquence of the prose sections educate and inspire; the musical lyrics of the poetry s! ections sing. While, there are noble attempts by others to translate this sutra, they are a tourist's roadmap to this translation's personal guided tour. Delight yourself, borrow the other translations, from your local library. Invest in this book.

This is certainly one of the best Buddhist books available to the English-speaking reader. Not only is the translation of the Lotus Sutra clear and excellent, but this version includes two other sutras, the "Prologue" Sutra of Innumerable Meanings and the "Epilogue" Universal Virtue Sutra, which traditionally accompany the Lotus Sutra in East Asian countries but are not easy to find in English translation.

This version comes with a glossary to explain Sanskrit terms which appear in the Sutras, which is quite helpful. Although the translation to English is done well, this is not the kind of book you can just pick up and read, and clearly understand. It gradually becomes clearer with time, and you could read the Lotus Stura a thousand times and discover something new every time. To accompany this book, particularly if you are new to Buddhism, I would recommend a good commentary, such as "Buddhism for Today" by Nikkyo Niwano, to study along with it to explain some of the allegory and hyperbole one finds in this and other ancient Buddhist literature, the symbolism behind it, and how we can apply these ancient teachings to make our lives and our world better.

The word 'Sutra,' literally means 'thread' or 'string.' The scriptures containing the teachings of the Buddha. Most of the major Sutras were originally written in Pali or Sanscrit, although some were written in Tibetan or Chinese. They are among the world's oldest literature.

These Sutras are called 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. Ananda, a cousin of Sakyamuni and one of the Buddha's ten great disciples, famous for his excellent memory, is supposed to have memorized the Buddha's sermons, which were later recorded as Sutras.

The word bodhi, used in Bodhisattva, means 'wisdom,', or enlightenment, and pertains to buddhahood. Boddhisattva, then, refers to a living being in the final stages of achieving buddhahood, or becoming one who is enlightened.

These are among the most important of the Sutras. At their heart are three major concepts of Mahayana (the great path) Buddhism: First, all sentient beings may attain perfect enlightenment, the main goal of Buddhism; Second, the Buddha is eternal, having existed throughout the infinite past and appearing in many forms throughout the ages, guiding and teaching the law; and Third, the noblest form of Buddhist practice is the way of the Boddhisattva, who devotes himself to enlightenment.

The Threefold Sutra records three of the sermons preached by the Buddha best-known to us (Siddhartha, a prince of Gautama, of the Sakyamuni clan--sometimes referred to simply as Sakyamuni) to a host of boddhisattvas, consisting of the "Opening Sutra," the "Meditation on the Boddhisattva Universal Virtue Sutra," and finally the "Lotis Sutra."

For the serious student of Buddhism, this is a most desirable book.

Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity

This was one of several books used for a college course took on Buddhism. This would be good for groups discussion or independent study. It has the sutra, which is great, but there is a lot of complex language that introduces it, which can bog you down if it doesn't interest you. I woul recommend this book as one of many for Buddhist study.

Reading this book is a labor of love. There are many, many Sanskrit words and endless flowery passages that create atmosphere but that shed little light. Way too much to filter through, but your mileage may vary.

This is far and away the best version of any English translation. It alone has footnotes that reveal extremely important information and clarifications you will not find in any other source. It also has the unpolluted version of the Dragon Princess chapter.

If you are going to read the sutra in English, you should read THIS version first.

As to the Louts Sutra itself. Yes, it is a pain in the butt to read all of the accolades, laudings, and endless repetitions. Don't get lost in the forest. Keep trudging on. Touch each leaf and follow the path laid out through to the end. It will make infinitely more sense after you have read it.

The Three Fold Lotus Sutra reveals the ultimate truth of the Buddhas teachings in all its splendor and wonderment. This is an award winning translation by Kosei publishing Co. In this marvelous translation, in the most essential section the (16th chapter) the truth of the Buddha's Eternal life, is revealed, which states that his life is Eternal from time without beginning. And within this Three Fold Lotus Sutra it is further revealed that all living beings possess the ten realms hell to buddhahood, and that all can attain Buddhahood through upholding this Law Flower Sutra. Explaining that all ten realms contain one another so there exists a 100 realms in one mind. Each of these 100 realms, furthermore, consists of "three factors", that is to say, living beings, the environment in which we live, and the five elements of living beings, (matter, perception, conception, volition, and consciousness). It also possesses the ten aspects or ten factors ( form, nature, substance, function, action, cause, condition, effect, reward, and the ultimate equality of these aspects). In "The Threefold Lotus Sutra" we find in the preface great scholars validity of this sutra and their testimony of the declaration of Shakamuni's Eternal life. As this translations completely reflects its great majesty. The lotus Sutra is the culmination of the Buddha's teaching. Beginning with the three chapters of the Innumerable meanings. Then there is the main discourse which consists of 28 chapters where the greatest revelation ever preached is revealed, and then the wonderment of the final chapter of "The Sutra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue." In the first Chapter the Introductory, is where the Buddha finishes the sutra of innumerable meanings, and then emits a ray of light from the white curls between his eyebrows, and in that instant eighteen thousand worlds in the east become visible. And than Maitreya Bodhisattva asks Munjusri why does the Buddha display such a wonder as this. "At that time Mujusri spoke to Maitreya Bodhisattva-Mahasattva and all the other leaders: "All ye good sons! According to my consideration, the Buddha, the World-honored One, is now intending to preach the Great Law, to pour the rain of the great Law, to blow the conch of the great Law, to beat the drum of the great Law, and to expound the meaning of the great Law." In chapter. # 1 the Buddha is displaying this ray of light or this auspice because he is going to preach this Law Flower Sutra. This chapter is also an introductory to the entire sutra, the order of it, the orgin or scene of the revelation, and the statement of the doctrine of the sutra. In the beginning it states the Buddha is staying at the city of Royal Palaces on Mount Grdhrakuta with a great assemblage of great bhikshus, in all twelve thousand: all of them arhats, faultless, free from earthly care, self-developed, emancipated from all bonds of existence, and free in mind and so on. And then the Buddha Introduces them all by Name. In chapter 2 Tactfulness the Buddha is preaching the Law to Sariputra and others. He tells them that the teaching of the three vehicles was an expedient to lead people to the One Great Vehicle. Further in chapter 2 Tactfulness the Buddha says ," I and other Buddhas in the universe Alone can understand these things. This Law is inexpressible, It is beyond the realm of terms; Among all the other living beings None can apprehend it Except the bodhisattvas Who are firm in the power of faith. Hence chapter 15: "Springing up out of the Earth" ["Ajita! Know thou! All these Bodhisattvas, From numberless kalpas, Have studied the Buddha-wisdom. All of them are my converts, Whom I have caused to desire the Great Way. These are my sons Who dwell in this [Buddha-] world, Ever practicing the dhuta deeds, Joyfully devoted to quiet places, Shunning the clamor of the crowds, With no pleasure in much talk. Such sons as these Are learning the Law of my Way, Always zealous day and night For the sake of seeking the Buddha-way; They dwell in space Beneath the saha-world. Firm in their power of will and memory, Ever diligently seeking after wisdom, They preach all kinds of wonderful laws, Having no fear in their minds. I, [near] the city of Gaya, Sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, Accomplished Perfect Enlightment; And rolling the supreme Law-wheel, I have then taught and converted them And caused them first to aspire to the Way. Now all abide in the never-relapsing [state] And all will become buddhas. What I now speak is the truth; Believe me with single minds! I from a long distant past Have instructed all this host." ] (Threefold Lotus Sutra pg. 244 & 245. This poetic pageantry of the life of the eternal Buddha's life is an enlightening revelation of the culmination of Shakyamuni's teachings, and is the portal to Buddhahood for all living beings. I highly recommend this Sutra to all spiritualist and scholars everywhere as it has been said that this Sutra is the pinnacle of all Buddhist teaching throughout space and time. Gassho, Steven (lotuseek)

Hey do you ever wonder why you're on this planet? Well here is the book that will explain the whole meaning of life. You'll learn that you don't have to love everybody, but rather have compassion for them. Why? Well because of Karma. If someone hurts people and is violent and abusive, they'll be re-born into a place where the're abused and hurt. Until we get the message, we keep going on the merry go round, between abused and abuser. Well if you feel like it's time to get off of the ride, this book will show you the path to enlightenment. This book will introduce you to concepts you've never thought of before. Be patient. Read it again if you have to, but please learn what it has to teach you. Don't wait until your next life to read this book.

About 80% of this text involves long, repetitive descriptions of other worlds and vast myriads of infinite beings acting on a scale of kalpas and kotis. A kalpa is the time it takes for a physical universe to appear and disappear. They come in three durations. A small kalpa is the time it would take for a ten-mile square city covered in poppy seeds to be clean of them if one seed were removed every three years or, alternately, the time required to wear away a ten-mile cubic block of stone if a young woman brushes her dress against it every three years. A koti represents ten million or more, and kalpas are discussed in terms of many kotis or longer. Jewel flowers, celestial flowers and the like fall from heavens for extended periods of time, and myriads of kotis of bodhisattvas attend the Buddha's words and meditate for multiples of kalpas.

Dharma is translated as Law, and the translation also gives the Buddha as being eternal in several places; this jibes uneasily with correct middle way teachings. I had the impression that the translation comes from a Westernized point of view concerning theological matters and never quite escapes.

The sutras contain many words of many blessings accruing to those who read and keep them, and terrible damnations accruing to those who misrepresent them or cause harm to those who engage the teachings.

In here we have the dharma of all vehicles being the great vehicle, the bodhisattva vehicle, and the Buddha tactfully adjusting his teachings according to the capacity of the hearer.

The time required for achieving buddhahood is explained in terms of many kalpas, even to beings already bodhisattvas, with the exception of the eight year old daughter of a dragon, who attained it quite quickly, apparently the only reference to a female achieving Buddhahood in Buddhist sutras. Though it may take a long time, Buddhahood is achievable. The future Buddhahood of many beings is predicted by the World-Honored One, Buddha, in the sutras.

Also, in the first sutra, The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings, middle section, we have the teaching that the dharma is empty.