Author: M G Chitkara
Publisher: APH Publishing Corporation
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 000
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8176481963
Description
As part of a 21-volume series, this work underscores that the Lotus Sutra gives the clearest possible picture of Buddhism saying that it is a philosophy of life. More specifically, Buddhism teaches one how to purify his life, develop the wisdom to grasp life’s truth and establish true independence.
The development of Mahayana came a tremendous outpouring of literary works, which included some of the best known and most widely used of all the Buddhist texts. There was the group of Prajnaparamita-sutras, including the Diamond and heart Sutras, the Lotus Sutra, The Dasabhumika-sutra, the Sukhavaitvyuha-sutra, and many others. Therefore, as with much of Indian history, we know little of the details of dates and events, but we have a great deal of information about the development of thought. Through the sutras and texts, we can trace a movement that put forth new conceptions about such doctrines as the Bodhisattva, Sunyata, Karuna, and the six paramitas.
This truth is the Law existing in and behind the phenomenal changes in the universe and pervading the boundless expanses of space. This is also the fundamental law that operates within the depths of each individual life. Life has an infinite variety of manifestations and functions, but the entity or Law of life permeates all phenomena. Buddhist scriptures other than the lotus sutra are only partial and relative explanations of the fundamental Law of life.
The sutras other than the Lotus sutra regarded the Ten Worlds as separate and independent of each other, not as interrelated parts of a whole entity. There was no systematic explanation of the Ten Worlds. In contrast, through the Lotus Sutra we can see that each of the ten states. Moreover, over universal rule regulates their changing aspects. This rule, the ten factors of life, is applicable to all the Ten worlds at any movement and its common to each entity of life.
Contents
Homage to all Buddhas
Tactfulness
A Parable
Faith Discernment
Herbs Parable
The Prediction
Ancient Devotion
Five Hundred disciples and Predication of Destiny
Prediction: Arhants Trainees and the Trained
The Preacher of Dharma
Beholding, The Precious Stupa
Devadatta
Exhortation to hold Firm
A Peaceful Happy Life
Springing up out of the Earth;
Eternal life span of Tathagata;
Discrimination of Merits;
The Meritorious Joyful Acceptance
The Ideals Of Religions Preacher
The Bodhisattva Never Despise
The Divine, Transcendent Powers Tathagata
The Holder of Final Commission
The Ancient Story of Bodhisattva: The Medicine King
The sound of Happiness
The Witness of Sorrows and Pains
Ancient Devotion The Dharnis
Encouragement of the Bodhisattva Virtue
Appraisal & Sum Up
Bibliography
Index