The Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic

by Gene Reeves (translator)

The Lotus Sutra is regarded as one of the world's great religious scriptures and most influential texts. It's a seminal work in the development of Buddhism throughout East Asia and, by extension, in the development of Mahayana Buddhism throughout the world. Taking place in a vast and fantastical cosmic setting, the Lotus Sutra places emphasis on skillfully doing whatever is needed to serve and compassionately care for others, on breaking down distinctions between the fully enlightened buddha and the bodhisattva who vows to postpone salvation until all beings may share it, and especially on each and every being's innate capacity to become a buddha.

Gene Reeves's new translation appeals to readers with little or no familiarity with technical Buddhist vocabulary, as well as long-time practitioners and students. In addition, this remarkable volume includes the full "threefold" text of this classic.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Zen, Scripture

504 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2008

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

good to read in a group. don't get caught up in the allegorical nature of the narrative. rather maintain a wide view of the underlying message that we are all endowed with unconditional buddha nature.

[Jaina Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was surprised to find myself extremely annoyed by this. Yeah, i get that it was composed in a very different time and place, and i can tell that this translation is excellent, and i admit that any sort of religious or spiritual materials that seem too proselytizing just turns me off, but this read like an infomercial and i lost my patience. Namo!

[Matt Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What? Indescribable. Could spend a lifetime thinking and learning more about it.

[G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel silly putting a rating on the Lotus Sutra but here I am.

[Jeanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hardcore buddhism.

Think I would’ve preferred an addendum to this colossus. I might’ve have missed out on certain details and important parables.

Otherwise, a quintessential read for anyone interested in the buddhist teaching.

[Tatiana Friar McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to the Lotus Sutra over the years, I’ve uncovered new layers of insight with each reading, deepening my appreciation for its timeless wisdom. Its rich parables and teachings continue to challenge and inspire me, fostering ongoing growth in my practice.

For those seeking a text that encapsulates the essence of Mahayana Buddhism and offers practical guidance for compassionate living, I wholeheartedly recommend the Lotus Sutra. Its enduring message serves as a guiding light on the path toward understanding, compassion, and ultimate liberation.

[Lukasz Dygon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accessible translation of a religious classic that inspired many Eastern Buddhist ideas and practices.

According to the book itself, it is a very big no-no to slander or criticise it's contents. To avoid reincarnating as a mangy dog kicked and beaten with by village kids, I will tread lightly.

I've learned a lot of context that helped me understand Buddhist thought and was able to perhaps appreciate the more mystical dimension of Mahayana Buddhism.

The central theme of the Large Vehicle made me think about didactics in a new way quite deeply. I am sure that I am better for having read the Lotus Sutra and I am sure that I will use it in being more compassionate towards teachers and hopefully to be a better mentor to others myself.

[ⓈⓃⓄⓌ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, but also quite repetitive, often references other sutras, and has a bit of a misogynistic slant at times. The translation seems fine (not that I'd know), and the explanation of terms at the end was very handy

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um. It's the Lotus Sutra. Arguably, the most exquisite of all Buddhist scripture. My favorite was the Medicine Buddha scripture.

[Adrian Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic by Gene Reeves.

The Kindle edition cost 1,500 yen. Not cheap. It contains 3 sutras that often appear together: The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings, The Sutra of the Lotus Flower and The Sutra of Contemplation of the Dharma Practice of Universal Sage Bodhisattva. The Kindle edition is properly formatted and proofread and you can manoeuvre easily within the text.

What brought me to read this was that I knew the Lotus Sutra was the inspiration for the foundation of Pure Land Buddhism. However, I'm sorry to say I was disappointed with its content. I'm not qualified to comment on the translation nor am I a Buddhist scholar. It is, as the translator intended, readable. That, in itself, is a considerable feat since the work was translated from Sanskrit to Chinese in c. 406. But I think the book would benefit from a preface by a Buddhist scholar on how to interpret the text. Any work of this antiquity (Buddha lived c. 2,500 years ago) is so remote from our own age that we need to know something of its historical context. There is a Preface but Reeves restricts his comments to his aims and policy regarding various words as a translator. There are also useful footnotes but something is missing and I think it's historical background.

In case anyone's interested, I'll say a little about Pure Land Buddhism. Basically (and because of this over-simplistically), there are two types of Buddhism - Zen and Pure Land. Pure Land sects have been described as the easier route to awakening and suited to ordinary people because Zen practice is too difficult and/or requires solitude for meditation. Today, Pure Land sects account for 40% of Japan's Buddhism. They use chanting as opposed to meditation as their means to awakening the mind and this method is recommended in the Lotus Sutra.

[Geoff Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book. This was recommended to me by a Unitarian minister I knew about 10-12 years ago and I just got around to reading it. I think this is essential reading for anyone interested in Buddhism, of course, but also for those who are interested in Asian art. It explains a LOT about what we are looking at. It was difficult to read - at times it is repetitive. Each chapter contains a passage in prose and then the same section repeated in poetry. It was well worth the journey. I have tried to pick this up a few times and just couldn't do it but this translation definitely made it easier to get a toe-hold into this difficult sutra. It lead me to read Thich Nhat Hahn's commentary on it "Opening the Heart of the Cosmos: Insights on the Lotus Sutra" which I also recommend. I like to keep my world, philosophy, and Buddhism simple: I am a Diamond Sutra person for sure. But this important sutra will enrich your understanding of Buddhism and bring you closer to Asian art and culture.

[Peter McGregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent translation, super easy to read and digest. Low(er) rating is primarily to do with the text itself and my own personal issues with Mahayana Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra is essentially a recruitment guide to the second wave of (predominantly) Asian Buddhism. It seeks to recruit more followers of Buddha (the god-figure) repeatedly stating that to achieve the status of bodhisattva, to delay one's enlightenment in favor of spreading the gospel of Buddha is the highest honour you could hope to achieve.

Excellent translation, weak text in general.

[Orlando · Rating 2 out of 5]

From a purely artistic perspective, Reeves translation of one of the world's great religious texts leaves a lot to be desired. The prose parts are perfectly fine, and the famous parables are a joy to read. The verse parts, however, never grab as one's attention. It all feels, like so many translations these days, a bit flat and academic. You leave feeling as if you understand what the sutra is all about, but never having captured your heart. In addition to theological knowledge, which Reeves no doubt has, the translator of the Lotus Sutra really needs be true poet in his or her language to make the whole thing leap into life. Occasionally, such as the in the parable of the burning house, the violent and grotesque imagery is vivid enough to sustain itself. But this parable is an exception. Most of the imagery in the Lotus Sutra is soft and sensual, which deserves a translator skilled in English verse. Imagine if Alexander Pope or one of the English romantics had also been a Buddhist scholar...

[Nicholas Charles]

a drag. obviously, the repetiton serves many purposes: monastic memorization being made easier, meditative ritualistic signifances, and some symbolic registers poppin off: but really it gets insanely dull and hilarious afywr awhile.

this is the religious tome equivalent of kids going "my super-duper epic amazing bazooka obliterates yiur shield into a thousand million eons of little dust rubble".

scholarly debate on the themes if paternalism and skillful means are fascinating.

wacky Buddhism.

topos of hating women. dragon girl is cool for a second tho.

building stuppas in the sand!!!!

[Vilijus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't attempt to rate such an important text with my current level of ignorance. I can only say that this version was indeed highly readable, as it says in other places - many Sanskrit terms were translated into English, including most names, which are rather abundant. So the rating is not for the actual contents of the sutra, even though I found reading it quite inspiring and pleasant, but more for the accessible translation that Mr. Reeves has kindly presented.

[Noah Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for theology amd description of the oneness of Buddha. The sectarian discussion of the difference between them and other Buddhist canon is a but over my head.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a very readable translation. When I finished this book, I immediately reread it. It is definitely a book that needs to be studied to fully comprehend its messages.

[James Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lotus Sutra is my introduction to Mahayana Buddhism and I thought it was a pretty good tour of the different Bodhisattvas and their qualities. Reading between the lines was a little difficult but my interpretation is that each Bodhisattva represents qualities to meditate on as part of the path to enlightenment. It does spend a lot of time talking about itself so much that you have to pay special attention or otherwise you'll completely miss when it does get to the point. :-)

One thing I kind of didn't like about this translation is the choice to replace the Asian mythological creatures, gods and goddesses with greek or anglo-saxon counterparts.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamental teachings in my life...