In translating the chinese text into english we used the kasuga edition of kumarajivas version of the lotus sutra as the basic text, rather than the taisho edition. The writings of nichiren daishonin, volumes 1 and 2 wnd1 and wnd2, the lotus sutra and its opening and closing sutras lsoc, and the lotus sutra commentary the record of the orally transmitted. In particular, it analyzes nichiren s claim that each character of the lotus sutra is a living buddha and contains the entirety of the buddhas teachings within itself. And the supplemented lotus sutra of the wonderful law says that one who accepts and upholds the name of the lotus sutra will enjoy immeasurable good fortune. Nichiren s reading of the lotus sutra, which he regarded as the quintes sence of. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson including rev. The writings of nichiren daishonin, volumes 1 and 2 wnd1 and wnd2, the lotus sutra and its opening and closing sutras lsoc, and the lotus sutra commentary the record of the orally transmitted teachings ott. The japanese titles of the documents referred to in the text i. Published by the head office of nichirenshu buddhism. Welcome to the soka gakkai nichiren buddhism library. Is it possible, without understanding the meaning of the lotus sutra, but merely by chanting the five or seven characters of nammyohorengekyo once a day, once a month, or simply once a year, once a decade, or once in a lifetime, to avoid being drawn into trivial or serious acts of.
It will also consider nichirens treatment of gift of the body stories from the. This pdf file may be printed and distributed according to the terms of use estab lished on the. The acceptance and impact of the lotus sutra in japan institute of. Nichiren shu daily service nichiren buddhist sangha of new. And nichiren daishonin taught that everything in life unfolds in. From this perspective, it could be said that the lotus sutra predicted the appearance and actions of nichiren daishonin in the latter day. Praj nap dr ami ta sutras, some of which are considered to have been. The strategy of the lotus sutra wnd i nichiren buddhism library. Nichiren argued on the basis of the nonduality of form and mind that. Several goshos honorable writings written by nichiren daishonin concerning buddhism and the lotus sutra. Nichirens interpretation of the universality of the lotus sutra. Within the buddhist canon, the lotus sutra is one text that should be read as a whole. The lotus sutra expounds the fundamental law of the universe, the mystic law.
Buddha during the first forty years after his enlightenment and the lotus sutra. Nichiren s reading of the lotus sutra, which he regarded as the quintes sence of sakyamuni buddhas. The library contains the following english translations of the essential texts of nichiren buddhism. The lotus sutra is one of the most popular and influential mahayana sutras, and the basis on which the tiantai, tendai, cheontae, and nichiren schools of. This combination of the burton translation of the lotus sutra, and the commentaries of. The lotus sutra of the correct law says that, if one hears this sutra and proclaims and embraces its title, one will enjoy merit beyond measure. The lotus sutra and tsunesaburo makiguchi and josei toda. Discussion gosho the strategy of the lotus sutra in 1274, nichiren daishonin was pardoned and returned to kamakura from his exile on the island of sado. Nichiren was persecuted throughout his lifetime by the japanese government and by religious powers who considered his revolutionary teachings a grave threat to their continued authority. The soka gakkai believes that nichirens interpretations of the. On the other hand, because he lived in exact accord with its teachings, he was able to prove that the lotus sutra and the words of. It is a matter of rejoicing that your usual prudence and courage, as well as your firm faith in the lotus sutra, enabled you to. Nichiren buddhism, became the parent organization of contemporary lay movements like. Buddha is about to expound the sutra of the great vehicle mahayana called the lotus.
The commonly chanted sections of chapter 2 and 16 of the lotus sutra are used in this service. Furthermore nichiren thought that a buddha was a person. Lotus sutra chapter titles and their abbreviated forms j. First international lay retreat determined to be bodhisattvas of the earth pdf. The writings of nichiren daishonin, volumes 1 and 2 wnd1 and wnd2, the lotus sutra and its opening and closing sutras lsoc. What does it mean to use the strategy of the lotus sutra. With very few exceptions the readings in these two editions are almost. Giving ones life for the lotus sutra in nichirens thought. The daimoku of the lotus sutra wnd i nichiren buddhism. Saddharmapuarikasutra scripture of the white lotus of the marvelous law into chinese in 406 c.