Lotus Sutra
Also known as: Saddharmapundarika Sutra, Saddharmapundarika-sutra, Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra, Lotus of the True Dharma, Lotus of the Wonderful Law
A Mahāyāna Buddhist scripture proclaiming the One Vehicle and the Buddha’s eternal lifespan, the Lotus Sutra weaves parables and proclamations to reveal universal Buddhahood and compassionate skillful means.
Description
Composed in Sanskrit and preserved most influentially in Chinese translation, the Lotus Sutra (Saddharmapuṇḍarīka) re-centers Buddhist teaching around the One Vehicle (ekayāna) by which all beings can attain Buddhahood. Through vivid parables—the Burning House, the Prodigal Son, the Phantom City, and more—it frames earlier doctrines as compassionate expedients, culminating in the revelation of the Buddha’s timeless, ever-present nature. Its dramatic scenes include the appearance of the Stupa of Many Treasures and the emergence of immeasurable bodhisattvas from the earth, alongside assurances of enlightenment to disciples once thought incapable, such as Śāriputra, Devadatta, and the Nāga Princess. The sutra’s final chapters emphasize universal compassion (Avalokiteśvara’s Universal Gate) and practice embodied by Samantabhadra.
Historiography
The Sanskrit text circulated in multiple recensions, with Nepalese manuscripts later informing modern critical work. Dharmarakṣa’s 3rd-century and Kumārajīva’s early 5th-century Chinese translations established the authoritative East Asian textual lineages. Extensive medieval exegesis by Tiantai/Tendai (Zhiyi, Saichō) and later Nichiren traditions shaped doctrinal reception, ritual use, and lay movements across China, Korea, and Japan.
Date Notes
Compiled in India in Sanskrit; earliest extant Chinese translations by Dharmarakṣa (286 CE) and by Kumārajīva (406 CE).
Archetypes
Major Characters
- Gautama Buddha
- Avalokiteshvara
- Manjushri
- Maitreya
- Prabhutaratna
- Shariputra
Myths
- The One Vehicle
- The Parable of the Burning House
- Emergence of the Jeweled Stupa
- The Buddha’s Eternal Lifespan
- Avalokiteśvara’s Universal Gate
Facts
- The sutra teaches the One Vehicle (ekayāna) that leads all beings to Buddhahood.
- Chapter on the Buddha’s lifespan presents the Buddha as eternally present beyond historical time.
- The Stupa of Many Treasures rises to attest the truth of the Lotus teaching.
- Śāriputra and other disciples receive explicit predictions of future Buddhahood.
- Devadatta is prophesied to attain Buddhahood, reframing his role within compassion.
- The Nāga Princess attains Buddhahood, challenging gender and species assumptions.
- Avalokiteśvara’s Universal Gate describes salvific responses to diverse sufferings.
- Samantabhadra’s closing chapter links doctrine to concrete vows and practice.
- Tiantai/Tendai and Nichiren traditions built comprehensive practice systems upon this text.
- Kumārajīva’s 406 CE translation became the most influential East Asian recension.
- Parables such as the Burning House and Phantom City illustrate skillful means.