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The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra: New Edition
The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sūtra ( Saddharma-puṇḍarīka Sūtra) presents the One Buddha Vehicle as Śākyamuni Buddha’s ultimate teaching and a unifying path that embraces and reconciles the variety of Buddhist doctrines as well as the provisional teachings of the Three Vehicles. Provisional and ultimate are shown to be nondual, and their nonduality epitomizes “the essence of things as they really are.” The sūtra also emphasizes that the potential for awakening is ever-present in sentient beings and declares that all of them will one day realize Buddhahood. Famous for its parables, the Lotus Sūtra demonstrates the countless skillful means (upāya) that Buddhas use to lead living beings to liberation. This edition of the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra contains both a new English translation of the sutra as well as the original Chinese by Master Kumārajīva. This sutra only text (Volume XV) is designed to be a companion text to the new fourteen-volume set of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s commentary. Within the margins of this book, readers will find cross reference numbers that indicate where a sutra text line’s respective commentary lies within the fourteen volume set. Find the set on Amazon under the The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Volumes 1 to 14 (with Commentary by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua).
611 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2021
16 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 4, 2021
Found the answer to the doubts that puzzling me all this while in this Sutra. The roadmap to the ultimate destination (Home) is described here.
While this home journey may be long, the scenes and conditions anticipated along this long journey are described and the applications to overcome these conditions using the right tools and methods contained within the Sutra.
This book incorporated both the Sutra in English and Chinese, with dual languages contained within the same book, coupled with reference guide on the margin of the page, that makes the cross referencing easy and flipping the pages fast between English and Chinese texts. I find this dual-language structure unique and enabled the readers to better grasps the meaning/principle underlying in the message intended by cross referencing. In fact, one gets to learn three languages, besides English and Chinese, one gets to learn some Sanskrit words too, where Sanskrit is referred and romanised throughout to book. Apart from learning languages, one could learn some skills to do translation too.
Will definitely read this Sutra over again, I believe this Sutra will guide the reader to stay within the right path at the right pace for this long journey.
While this home journey may be long, the scenes and conditions anticipated along this long journey are described and the applications to overcome these conditions using the right tools and methods contained within the Sutra.
This book incorporated both the Sutra in English and Chinese, with dual languages contained within the same book, coupled with reference guide on the margin of the page, that makes the cross referencing easy and flipping the pages fast between English and Chinese texts. I find this dual-language structure unique and enabled the readers to better grasps the meaning/principle underlying in the message intended by cross referencing. In fact, one gets to learn three languages, besides English and Chinese, one gets to learn some Sanskrit words too, where Sanskrit is referred and romanised throughout to book. Apart from learning languages, one could learn some skills to do translation too.
Will definitely read this Sutra over again, I believe this Sutra will guide the reader to stay within the right path at the right pace for this long journey.
September 10, 2021
This is an awe-inspiring sutra, and possibly the most joyful sutra that I have ever encountered. It was extraordinary reading this historical sacred text, which made me feel like I was peeking back in time when the Buddha spoke this sutra. The way the Buddha revealed the multiple worlds and gave prediction was mind-opening, profound and comforting at the same time. I cannot highly recommend this sutra enough, it is a comfort read especially during the time of turbulence with pandemic, climate crisis and political unrest.
As far as I can remember, BTTS has been translating sutras into English for a long time. By reading this new version of the Lotus Sutra, I can tell the team of translators went through a great length in preserving the authenticity whilst ensuring the language flow well. This version of the Lotus Sutra will be my 1st choice to pick up if I want to read it again and trust me, it is so rich that reading it once will not be enough!
As far as I can remember, BTTS has been translating sutras into English for a long time. By reading this new version of the Lotus Sutra, I can tell the team of translators went through a great length in preserving the authenticity whilst ensuring the language flow well. This version of the Lotus Sutra will be my 1st choice to pick up if I want to read it again and trust me, it is so rich that reading it once will not be enough!
September 3, 2021
The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra, a title that has intrigued me from the first time I came across it. The Buddha had spoken so many sutras but why is this dharma particularly named WONDERFUL and had used the beautiful Lotus flower with its unique features to describe it.
The lotus flower, as a bud, rises out unblemish from mud, through murky waters to bloom above everything. As a bud, the seeds are already in place and continue to grow as the flower blooms. However, the seeds mature and remain while the flower fades away.
This lotus flower aptly demonstrates our inherent Buddha nature which is found in all of us. The Buddha nature, amidst the 5 turbidities, can be nurtured and cultivated. Shakyamuni Buddha, through this wonderful sutra gave the prediction that all of us can become a Buddha.
Thus, the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra.
The lotus flower, as a bud, rises out unblemish from mud, through murky waters to bloom above everything. As a bud, the seeds are already in place and continue to grow as the flower blooms. However, the seeds mature and remain while the flower fades away.
This lotus flower aptly demonstrates our inherent Buddha nature which is found in all of us. The Buddha nature, amidst the 5 turbidities, can be nurtured and cultivated. Shakyamuni Buddha, through this wonderful sutra gave the prediction that all of us can become a Buddha.
Thus, the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra.
September 3, 2021
I had an amazing chance to listen to Master Shuan Hua's teaching about this Sutra and was so joyful and happy as being granted a wonderful Jewel or great wisdom that I can never ever think of having it oneday. Reading, listening, studying this Sutra is an important, unmissable work to all those, who are monastics, scholars and whoever want to study and understand about Buddhism. All those who listen or hear about this Sutra will attain the wonderful, countless benefits, blessings, knowledge, wisdom that Buddha taught from a long long time ago.
The English translation of this Sutra is a priceless work and has our highest respectation as it propagates the utmost true and precious teachings and wisdom of Budda to benefit all living beings, to guide us to become Buddhas.
The English translation of this Sutra is a priceless work and has our highest respectation as it propagates the utmost true and precious teachings and wisdom of Budda to benefit all living beings, to guide us to become Buddhas.
September 4, 2021
I like it because this book shows me that we all have Buddha nature that will never leave me behind, it is always with me. And we all have the wonderful wisdom and don't lack anything.
Chapter 7 talks about a fantasy transformational city that we all dreamed about
Chapter 8 gives me confidence about my future destiny
chapter 12 teaches me how to accept unwholesome people in my life in a constructive way
chapter 14 teaches me how to be happy and peaceful, how to avoid toxic people or environment
chapter 25 teaches me to contemplate the sound within, listen within, turn all my attention inward and stop searching outside unceasingly.
It is like one of my best friends to accompany me.
Chapter 7 talks about a fantasy transformational city that we all dreamed about
Chapter 8 gives me confidence about my future destiny
chapter 12 teaches me how to accept unwholesome people in my life in a constructive way
chapter 14 teaches me how to be happy and peaceful, how to avoid toxic people or environment
chapter 25 teaches me to contemplate the sound within, listen within, turn all my attention inward and stop searching outside unceasingly.
It is like one of my best friends to accompany me.
September 4, 2021
Publications from the Buddhist Text Translation Society (BTTS) have to go through 4 committees composed of one or more individuals: Primary Translation, Review, Editorial, and Certification. Their translations are therefore thorough and express closely the original texts. But in that spirit, the first version used vocabularies which were direct translations (to avoid introducing interpretations), and reading the text did not flow smoothly. This version replaces the majority of these direct translations with familiar English terms to give a very pleasant reading. This helps tremendously the comprehension of this all-important text on Buddhism. Another excellent book from BTTS.
September 4, 2021
I came across a comic version of the sutra as a kid and I am glad to see the fruition of the same sutra translated to English. It is easy and enjoyable to read. I am especially interested in the parables as they give meaning to why the Buddhas encourage sentient beings to cultivate and seek an end to rebirth as well as our relationship with the Buddhas. I am also delighted to see a chapter on Devadatta, a person I thought was the forever bad guy, but I was surprised that it was not always that way and we may not always know the truth unless we are fully awakened. This sutra is yet another path to awakening and I strongly recommend you to read it.
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January 28, 2024The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra is is one of the most important and revered scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism.
The Lotus Sutra is considered highly beneficial for the cultivation of Buddhism due to its profound teachings and emphasis on universal enlightenment.
In summary, the Lotus Sutra supports the cultivation of Buddhism by providing profound teachings that inspire practitioners on the path to enlightenment. Its emphasis on universal Buddhahood, skillful means, and the Bodhisattva ideal contributes to the development of compassion, wisdom, and a comprehensive understanding of the Dharma.
The Lotus Sutra is considered highly beneficial for the cultivation of Buddhism due to its profound teachings and emphasis on universal enlightenment.
In summary, the Lotus Sutra supports the cultivation of Buddhism by providing profound teachings that inspire practitioners on the path to enlightenment. Its emphasis on universal Buddhahood, skillful means, and the Bodhisattva ideal contributes to the development of compassion, wisdom, and a comprehensive understanding of the Dharma.
September 1, 2021
The Dharma Lotus Sutra made me realised the wisdom of buddhadharma is like a great vast sea. My understanding on the buddhadharma is just like a single drop of water. Only through faith one can enter. Thanks to all the hard works and dedication made by the team in order to complete this sutra text. Millions will be benefits or even awaken from this treasure. Amituofo 🙏
September 2, 2021
The Lotus Sutra, as we know, is one of the main Mahayana Sutras known. However, as one who does not understand Chinese characters well, language barriers deter us from understanding better what the Sutra means. This English version would serve well to brothers and sisters who are more well-versed in English. Thank you for the efforts!
Amituofo!
Amituofo!
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September 1, 2021This is one of the most important sultra in the Buddhism study. It is with utmost delight that we are given the opportunity. The Chinese and English versions provide excellent cross-reference to enhance the understanding for the bilingual spoken people.
September 3, 2021
For a beginner of Buddhist sutra reader, the translation provides an accessible means to peak into the gate of the profound dharma. Some of the Buddhist conceptions are yet to be clarified. it is nevertheless an easier read among others.
September 3, 2021
The historical Shakyamuni Buddha’s wisdom Dharma is still alive and instilled in this immaculately translated version of the ancient wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. Beautifully translated and each word from this text gives immense joy to the multitudes seeking this deep and ancient wisdom.
September 2, 2021
The book was very comprehensive. It was able to take the difficult and condensed Chinese version and transform it into a version that an average English speaker can read and understand.
May 26, 2022
Dharma Master Hsuan Hua said, ‘Sakyamuni Buddha is still speaking the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra on Vulture Peak at this very moment!’. It was due to the vision he saw that brought about the lectures and major translation works on the Lotus Sutra, from Chinese to English.
Despite Sakyamuni Buddha being said to have passed on, He is actually still alive and present on Earth. It is just that our naked eye could not see Him, because of our lack of merit and virtue.
Dharma Master Heng Chih summed it succinctly, ‘...I would come to experience the lasting immediacy of being there with each unfolding scenario in the Lotus Sutra, just as if I was - and am - at any given moment, there on Vulture Peak listening to the ongoing Lotus.’
Reading the Wonderful Dharma of Lotus Sutra is like a story book which takes you through passages of time, nurturing your spiritual self in the process. You feel as if you’re part of the assembly at the Vulture Peak, listening to what the Buddha is sharing.
Sakyamuni Buddha, upon enlightenment, saw that all living beings have the potential to become Buddhas. By developing that true potential via proper cultivation and purity, all living beings will become Buddhas as well. Countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have come to Earth, up till today. They use skillful means to teach living beings of their potential, and help them to achieve that potential as well. With that, the endless karmic cycle of birth and death will also end.
The Wonderful Dharma of Lotus Sutra represents the Buddha, and His teachings. Through the inconceivable spiritual powers of the Buddha via this sutra, the sutra brings you step by step closer towards anuttara samyaksambodhi, the true and perfect enlightenment.
In this king of sutras, Sakyamuni Buddha introduces various other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas that have affinities with us; by telling us about their names, vows, merit and virtue.
These are some of them mentioned in the sutra:
Volume 13: With a thousand hands and eyes, She saves living beings. If ten thousand beings sincerely ask for Her help, She fulfills all their wishes accordingly. Guan Yin Bodhisattva contemplates the causes and conditions of each living being, and rescues them accordingly. Because She contemplates the causes and conditions by listening to the sounds of the world, She is known as the Bodhisattva Who Contemplates The Worlds’ Sounds.
Volume 12: Bodhisattva Medicine King made the ultimate offering to the Buddha Pure Bright Virtue Resembling the Sun and Moon and to the Dharma Flower Sutra by burning his body which had ingested all kinds of fine incense powder and wrapped in oil soaked cotton. Living beings are delighted to see Him, for He continuously made sacrifices, including sacrificing His own life, to save living beings. Because living beings are delighted to see Him, He is also known as Bodhisattva All Beings Delight To See.
Volume 11: In the past lives, Sakyamuni Buddha’s transformation body was Bodhisattva Never Slighting. Before He became a Bodhisattva, He was a bhikshu who cultivated ascetic practices by bowing, praising, and patiently enduring insults for many years. The merit and virtue He accrued, allowed Him to meet numerous Buddhas. He gained more spiritual powers and cultivated the means of propagating the Dharma Flower Sutra in Buddhist assemblies.
Despite Sakyamuni Buddha being said to have passed on, He is actually still alive and present on Earth. It is just that our naked eye could not see Him, because of our lack of merit and virtue.
Dharma Master Heng Chih summed it succinctly, ‘...I would come to experience the lasting immediacy of being there with each unfolding scenario in the Lotus Sutra, just as if I was - and am - at any given moment, there on Vulture Peak listening to the ongoing Lotus.’
Reading the Wonderful Dharma of Lotus Sutra is like a story book which takes you through passages of time, nurturing your spiritual self in the process. You feel as if you’re part of the assembly at the Vulture Peak, listening to what the Buddha is sharing.
Sakyamuni Buddha, upon enlightenment, saw that all living beings have the potential to become Buddhas. By developing that true potential via proper cultivation and purity, all living beings will become Buddhas as well. Countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have come to Earth, up till today. They use skillful means to teach living beings of their potential, and help them to achieve that potential as well. With that, the endless karmic cycle of birth and death will also end.
The Wonderful Dharma of Lotus Sutra represents the Buddha, and His teachings. Through the inconceivable spiritual powers of the Buddha via this sutra, the sutra brings you step by step closer towards anuttara samyaksambodhi, the true and perfect enlightenment.
In this king of sutras, Sakyamuni Buddha introduces various other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas that have affinities with us; by telling us about their names, vows, merit and virtue.
These are some of them mentioned in the sutra:
Volume 13: With a thousand hands and eyes, She saves living beings. If ten thousand beings sincerely ask for Her help, She fulfills all their wishes accordingly. Guan Yin Bodhisattva contemplates the causes and conditions of each living being, and rescues them accordingly. Because She contemplates the causes and conditions by listening to the sounds of the world, She is known as the Bodhisattva Who Contemplates The Worlds’ Sounds.
Volume 12: Bodhisattva Medicine King made the ultimate offering to the Buddha Pure Bright Virtue Resembling the Sun and Moon and to the Dharma Flower Sutra by burning his body which had ingested all kinds of fine incense powder and wrapped in oil soaked cotton. Living beings are delighted to see Him, for He continuously made sacrifices, including sacrificing His own life, to save living beings. Because living beings are delighted to see Him, He is also known as Bodhisattva All Beings Delight To See.
Volume 11: In the past lives, Sakyamuni Buddha’s transformation body was Bodhisattva Never Slighting. Before He became a Bodhisattva, He was a bhikshu who cultivated ascetic practices by bowing, praising, and patiently enduring insults for many years. The merit and virtue He accrued, allowed Him to meet numerous Buddhas. He gained more spiritual powers and cultivated the means of propagating the Dharma Flower Sutra in Buddhist assemblies.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews