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Introduction to the Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sutra--one of the most popular Buddhist classics--is here accessibly introduced by one of its most eminent scholars.
"Soon after entering university in December of 1943, I was sent to the front as a student soldier. I wondered if I were allowed to bring but a single book on the trip, possibly to my death, which would I want to bring. It was the Lotus Sutra" -- from the author's Preface.
Having developed a lifelong appreciation of the Lotus Sutra -- even carrying a dog-eared copy with him through service in World War II -- Yoshiro Tamura sought to author an introduction to this beloved work of Buddhist literature. Tamura wanted it to be different than other basic explorations of the text; his introduction would be plain-spoken, relevant and sensitive to modern concerns, and well-informed by contemporary scholarship. He succeeded marvelously with Introduction to the Lotus Sutra, which Gene Reeves -- Tamura's student and translator of the popular English edition of The Lotus Sutra -- translates and introduces in English for the first time here.
Tackling issues of authenticity in the so-called "words of Buddha," the influence of culture and history on the development of the Lotus Sutra, and the sutra's role in Japanese life, Introduction to the Lotus Sutra grounds this ancient work of literature in the real, workaday world, revealing its continued appeal across the ages.
"Soon after entering university in December of 1943, I was sent to the front as a student soldier. I wondered if I were allowed to bring but a single book on the trip, possibly to my death, which would I want to bring. It was the Lotus Sutra" -- from the author's Preface.
Having developed a lifelong appreciation of the Lotus Sutra -- even carrying a dog-eared copy with him through service in World War II -- Yoshiro Tamura sought to author an introduction to this beloved work of Buddhist literature. Tamura wanted it to be different than other basic explorations of the text; his introduction would be plain-spoken, relevant and sensitive to modern concerns, and well-informed by contemporary scholarship. He succeeded marvelously with Introduction to the Lotus Sutra, which Gene Reeves -- Tamura's student and translator of the popular English edition of The Lotus Sutra -- translates and introduces in English for the first time here.
Tackling issues of authenticity in the so-called "words of Buddha," the influence of culture and history on the development of the Lotus Sutra, and the sutra's role in Japanese life, Introduction to the Lotus Sutra grounds this ancient work of literature in the real, workaday world, revealing its continued appeal across the ages.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 19, 2018
I picked this up in a lot of books from the library to learn more about Buddhism and someone had recommended The Lotus Sutra and this was the only book in the library with that title on it. However, this book is more of a commentary based introduction to the work and goes into great detail about the text, its origins, evolution, main themes, etc. Unfortunately I found this rather lacking as I was hoping to read the original text with commentary.
I'm giving it 3 stars as I think it might be enjoyable to dig in and read if you have familiarity with the Lotus Sutra or have a copy that you can read side by side with this, however by itself without the original text I felt that it fell quite short.
I'm giving it 3 stars as I think it might be enjoyable to dig in and read if you have familiarity with the Lotus Sutra or have a copy that you can read side by side with this, however by itself without the original text I felt that it fell quite short.
June 18, 2023
I started and restarted this book many times. I do think it requires a general level of knowledge of Mahayana Buddhism to really glean much from it. The reasons I would stop reading is I didn’t feel like I was getting any functional knowledge out of it.
Now that I have been studying Buddhism for a while, I enjoyed reading it this time around. It focuses on the evolution of Buddhist doctrine as it is portrayed through the Lotus Sutra, with the end goal to talk about Nichiren’s Lotus school. I want to reread this after learning more about Nichiren specifically.
Now that I have been studying Buddhism for a while, I enjoyed reading it this time around. It focuses on the evolution of Buddhist doctrine as it is portrayed through the Lotus Sutra, with the end goal to talk about Nichiren’s Lotus school. I want to reread this after learning more about Nichiren specifically.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews