Lotus Sutra (Upper and Lower)

Author: Jiang Zifu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The Lotus Sutra, also known as The Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra, translated by Kumārajīva in the Yaoqin period. The Lotus Sutra holds an extremely important position in Mahayana Buddhism and is known as one of the "Kings of the Sutras," alongside The Avatamsaka Sutra and The Lengye Sutra. It is the primary basis for the establishment of the Tiantai sect and has had a profound impact on the development of Buddhism in China. Master Zhizhe of the Tiantai sect divided The Lotus Sutra into two parts: the "" (Path of Manifestation) and the "" (Essence of Reality). The first fourteen chapters belong to the, while the last fourteen belong to the. The explains the causes of the One Vehicle, detailing how the Buddha guided former Hinayana followers to embrace the Mahayana and made predictions for them, as well as recounting the deeds of Shakyamuni in accumulating merits to achieve enlightenment. The focuses on the fruits of the One Vehicle, primarily describing the true essence of Buddha's enlightenment. The Lotus Sutra consists of twenty-eight chapters, most of which are composed of vivid stories and employs numerous parables to convey profound and far-reaching Buddhist teachings. This scripture is engaging in plot, lively in language, subtle in parables, and clear in logic. It not only holds the foremost position among Buddhist texts but has also greatly influenced other disciplines such as philosophy, literature, and art.
There are three Chinese translations of the Lotus Sutra. One hundred and twenty years before Kumārajīva, in the seventh year of the Taikang era of Western Jin (286 CE), Zhi Fahu translated The Correct Dharma Lotus Sutra in ten volumes, comprising twenty-seven chapters. One hundred and ninety-five years after Kumārajīva's translation, in the first year of the Renshou era of Sui (601 CE), Yona Jueduo and Damo Jiezi revised the Sanskrit text and supplemented Kumārajīva's translation, naming it The Added-Chapter Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra in seven volumes, also with twenty-seven chapters. These three translations all coexist. Although there are three versions, they have been widely circulated and explained throughout history, with commentaries and annotations primarily based on Kumārajīva's The Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra.
The existing translations of the Lotus Sutra, though originally written in the vernaculars of their respective eras, are not easily accessible due to dialectal barriers, the obscurity of the original Buddhist texts, and the differences in ancient Chinese and Indian modes of thought. As a result, lectures and discussions on the scripture emerged in ancient times, varying in scale. This translation adheres to the principle of faithfulness to the original text, avoiding subjective speculation and inference: the colloquial translation is clear and straightforward in explaining the teachings; for passages that are difficult to express or have multiple meanings, a literal translation is primarily used; mantras in the scripture are not translated; and the annotations aim for thoroughness and clarity rather than extensive citations. We are delighted as long as the original meaning is not distorted, even if our work offers only a small contribution to the readers. At the same time, we sincerely hope for serious criticism and corrections from the readers.