The Lotus Sutra Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Lotus Sutra
Book Review: Required reading for Buddhists
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the ultimate teaching of Shakymuni, and thus essential for anyone who claims to be Buddhist, or is exploring Buddhist Dharma. Though the language may seem daunting to understand immediately, the seeking mind will find it's poetic essence compelling. Further exploration into this most beautiful metaphorical tapestry reveals the true essence of all existence.Book Review: SGI Sutra
Summary: 3 Stars
You may do better with the Huvitz translation, "Blossom of the Fine Dharma". The Watson version seems too influenced by the Soka Gakkai, who are a bit dogmatic about the Lotus Sutra. They differ in small ways, but enough that it can obscure the message of unification the Lotus Sutra presents.
This doesn't mean the Watson version isn't worth reading, just understand how skewed a translation can get, if the people involved in the translation have an agenda. By Watson's own admission in the book, the Soka Gakkai played a big role in helping create this translation.
For those in the Soka Gakkai, who might take offense to my opinion of this translation of the Lotus Sutra or anything else. Realize it is only an opinion and if you take offense, come to anger, or seek to hurt me in some way. You may want to investigate what you're really gaining from the Soka Gakkai "vehicle" of Buddhism. I wish you all the best.
Book Review: Shakyamuni's Highest Teaching
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the entire text of Shakyamuni's highest teaching, the Lotus Sutra, which forms the basis of faith and daily practice for millions of Nichiren Buddhists around the world, particularly members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA). The Lotus Sutra was conceived as a drama of colossal proportions and is considered by many scholars to be one of the earliest known literary masterpieces. Burton Watson's vivid translation provides readers with a clear understanding of this most profound work.Book Review: Shakyamuni's highest teaching
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the entire text of Shakyamuni's highest teaching, the Lotus Sutra, which forms the basis of faith and daily practice for millions of Nichiren Buddhists around the world, particularly members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA). The Lotus Sutra was conceived as a drama of colossal proportions and is considered by many scholars to be one of the earliest known literary masterpieces. Burton Watson's vivid translation provides readers with a clear understanding of this most profound work. I also highly recommend a little book of Buddhist wisdom titled "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" by Taro Gold. Excellent.Book Review: Shakyamuni's ultimate message
Summary: 5 Stars
The Lotus Sutra is considered by many to be the last and ultimate testimony of Shakyamuni Buddha, founder of Buddhism and the first historical Buddha. The Lotus Sutra marks the culmination of his teachings, flawless in both word and principle----and applicable to all sentient beings. Unlike other sutras, the Lotus Sutra advocates a great deal of Bodhisattva (altruism) thought as the supreme path to Buddhahood.Watson's translation of the Lotus Sutra is highly valued due to the enormous experience he has had translating both Chinese and Japanese literature. One will find this translation to be much more concise and easy to read, and without the enormous verbosity and euphemisms that other translators in the past have included. Since it's apperance in 255 C.E., the Lotus Sutra has gained the attention of many Mahayana Buddhists for it strongly advocates the enlightenment of all beings regardless of age, sex, social status, gender or lifestyle. In addition to this, the Lotus Sutra has been renowned to carry the popular movement of Nichiren Buddhism, advocating its Japanese title of Myoho-Renge-Kyo as the ultimate way to Buddhahood.
What is striking about the Lotus sutra is its great emphasis on the enlightenment of the mass, and the ability to all to utilize their own expedient way to happiness. One should pay close attention to the 2nd and 16th chapter to see Burton's great effort in taking such a task. Other chapters such as the Ho-Shi (Ch. 10) and Kanzeon Bosatsu Fumon (Ch.25) also illuminate the text's great appeal to human problems and compassion. Seemingly magical scenarios from this provocative text has caused many to label it as if it were a show of melodrama. But Burton's translation presents more than just a melodramatic show. Using concise and readable description, this translation brings great beauty to the text and its humanistic message to all people.
The Lotus Sutra has many beautiful tales. Beloved characters like Shariputra, Devadatta and Kishimojin and Kanzeon Bosatsu are also here. Burton translated this book with great care in simplicity, while maintaining all the important concepts and message which runs through this whole book. Each chapter is divided with a prose and a verse form, so all of us can choose which one we'd like to study. No chapters or fascicles have been left out, and the first and last sutra that come before and after this text are independent of each other. Each chapter is divided with a prose and a verse form, so all of us can choose which one we'd like to study.