The Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic - Paperback

One of the most beloved and influential texts in all of Buddhism—a contemporary translation of the Lotus Sutra, the Mahayana scripture that proclaims the universal potential for enlightenment and reveals the Buddha's highest teaching through profound parables and poetic imagery.

The Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Pundarika Sutra) is revered throughout East Asia as the supreme expression of the Buddha's wisdom and compassion. For over fifteen centuries, it has inspired countless practitioners, shaped entire schools of Buddhism, and transformed lives with its revolutionary teaching: that all beings, without exception, possess the Buddha-nature and can attain complete enlightenment.

What you'll discover:

• The teaching of the One Vehicle (Ekayana)—all paths lead to Buddhahood
• Famous parables: the Burning House, the Prodigal Son, the Jewel in the Robe
• The doctrine of skillful means (upaya)—how the Buddha adapts teachings to different capacities
• The eternal nature of the Buddha and the bodhisattva path
• The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging and other inspiring figures
• Teachings on devotion, compassion, and the power of the Dharma
• The promise of universal enlightenment for all beings
• Poetic, visionary language that transcends ordinary understanding

This contemporary translation makes the Lotus Sutra accessible to modern readers while preserving the beauty and power of the original. The sutra's rich imagery, dramatic narratives, and profound philosophical insights reveal why it has been called the "king of sutras" and remains central to Tendai, Nichiren, Pure Land, and other Mahayana traditions.

The Lotus Sutra is not merely a philosophical text but a transformative spiritual experience. Its teachings on the universality of enlightenment, the compassionate activity of bodhisattvas, and the eternal presence of the Buddha have offered hope and inspiration to seekers across cultures and centuries.

Perfect for: Students of Mahayana Buddhism, practitioners seeking foundational Buddhist scriptures, readers interested in the bodhisattva path and universal enlightenment, those drawn to devotional Buddhism, scholars of East Asian religious traditions, and anyone exploring the profound parables and poetry of Buddhist wisdom.

This paperback edition presents the complete Lotus Sutra in contemporary English—one of the most important and beloved scriptures in the Buddhist canon.