The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras

by Burton Watson (Translator)

The Lotus Sutra clearly and definitively reveals the buddha nature that is an integral part of the lives of all people. (from the Forward)

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Spirituality

417 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Burton Watson was an American sinologist, translator, and writer renowned for his English translations of Chinese and Japanese literature. Over his prolific career, he brought classical works of poetry, philosophy, and history to a wider audience, earning numerous accolades, including the PEN Translation Prize and the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation.
Born in New Rochelle, New York, Watson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before studying Chinese at Columbia University. He later moved to Japan, where he worked as a scholar and translator, remaining there for most of his life. His translations, influenced by Arthur Waley and Ezra Pound, emphasized clarity and poetic resonance. Among his most notable works are translations of The Analects of Confucius, Records of the Grand Historian, The Lotus Sutra, Cold Mountain: 100 Poems by Han Shan, and The Tale of the Heike.
Watson’s work played a crucial role in introducing Chinese and Japanese literary traditions to the English-speaking world, and his translations continue to be regarded as both scholarly and literary achievements.

Reviews

[Michael Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for years, but I had never read the complete Lotus Sutra from beginning to end. My first resolution for 2023 was to read it as my first book of the year. I wanted to finish it in January, but it ended up overflowing into February. This is a fascinating ancient text, and I'm not just saying that because Chapter 28 warns that anyone who disparages the Sutra will "be born eyeless in existence after existence." Much of the Sutra deals with explaining away Theravada Buddhism (which to Mahayana Buddhists is a lesser vehicle) as an "expedient means" or a less-than-exactly-true doctrine meant to inch the unenlightened followers closer to understanding the true doctrine. The concept of expedient means is introduced in chapter 2, which Nichiren Buddhists chant in its entirety along with chapter 16. The beginning of the Sutra explains expedient means in a series of parables and metaphors. The end focuses more on the benefits one can obtain by following this doctrine

So what is this one true doctrine? That all phenomena are essentially empty and formless. When Shakyamuni Buddha's followers tell him that that's exactly the same as the old doctrine, he tells them they are right. The latter law is the same as the earlier law. But it's different because of when it is being preached. Also, whereas before there were several vehicles toward achieving enlightenment, actually they are all one-and-the-same. Splitting them up was an expedient means.

I study Buddhism as a hobby, and I'm glad to have finally read through this important text. There are metaphors here that you'll still find in modern secular Buddhist self-help programs. Like in the closing Sutra "On How to Practice Meditation on Bodhisattva Universal Worthy" where the mind is compared to a monkey that needs to be tamed. Compare to Andy Puddicombe's warning in a Headspace: Guide to Meditation video (streaming on Netflix at the time of this writing) that you can't "use the monkey to tame the monkey" or think your way out of a chaotic mindset.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, you can read this cover to cover in this handy revised edition. The Buddha alternates prose and text, and both are quite lyrical in this translation.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and profound reading