The Lotus Sutra An important Mahayana text

The Mahayana Scriptures Mahayana scriptures have their own sacred texts called sutras (pali: suttas). Earliest Mahayana scriptures were written down in the ancient Indian language of sanskrit between the first century B.C.E. and 150 C.E. (Some scholars say they were not complete until the 5 th century C.E.). There is NO belief in an oral tradition like that of Theravada Buddhists. These were also translated into other languages such as Tibetan, Chinese and Japanese. Recent discoveries of Mahayana scriptures in Afghanistan suggest that the earliest scriptures we have might be as ancient as the earliest Theravada scriptures.

The Mahayana Scriptures The origin of Mahayana scriptures is much debated Some claim that as they have emerged so many centuries after the Buddha himself, they can only be interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings (Theravada view!). Some claim there must have been a parallel Buddhist council held at the same time as the 1 st council at which the Mahayana teachings were recited. Others claim that Mahayana teachings were too advanced for the people to fully understand so teachings like the Prajnaparamita sutra were magically hidden by the nagas (sea serpents/ sea dragons) for safe guarding until human beings were ready for them! Several centuries later, Buddhists like Nagarjuna (1 st century C.E. ) magically rediscovered them and wrote them down when he was spiritually inspired.

The Mahayana Scriptures A number of Mahayana scriptures (three in particular) became especially popular and important in Asia:- 1.The Prajnaparamita sutras which are primarily on the ‘Perfection of Wisdom’ recall Mahayana’s views on Sunyata (shunyata) or emptiness – this is the view that nothing in the universe exists independently, permanently and inherently. The most famous of the prajnaparamitas is THE HEART SUTRA (often recited in Tibetan and Japanese monasteries today). The Madhayamaka School of Mahayana treat the Heart Sutra as its most important scripture.

The Mahayana Scriptures 2. The Lakhavatara sutra sets out the theory of Buddha nature (not on our Spec!) 3.The LOTUS SUTRA is seen by many schools in the Far East as the expression of the Buddha’s most important teachings and is regarded as the most important scripture of all. Nichiren in Japan revere it beyond anything else! In the book, it is clear that the emphasis is on Mahayana to the detriment of Hinayana encompassing the ideals of i) The Bodhisattva and ii) the ideal of skilful means (upaya – kausalya)

The Mahayana Scriptures Mahayana scriptures DO NOT fall into the same categorisation as the Pali Canon e.g.:- There is no Mahayana vinaya Most of the Mahayana scriptures are sutras representing the words of a disciple, not the Buddha himself. Some Mahayana works contain Abhidhamma analysis e.g. psychology of meditation; powers of enlightenment; qualities of enlightenment. Many of the Mahayana texts are believed to have been inspired by the next Buddha; Buddha Maitreya who will come down to the world in the future and teach in person. Majority are written in sanskrit, not pali.

The Lotus Sutra This is one of the most important Mahayana scriptures. It is particularly popular in both China and Japan. It is said to be the talk given by the Buddha to followers and bodhisattvas on Vulture Peak in Rajagraha in Northern India

The Lotus Sutra The Lotus Sutra teaches about the superiority of the Mahayana goal in relation to Theravada Buddhism and its central focus is the notion that the many doctrines and practices taught by the Buddha are all really part of a single path or ‘one single vehicle’ (ekayana) which embraces both Hinayana and Mahayana.It further states that when the Buddha teaches different doctrines to different audiences, he is not being deceptive; rather, this is skilful means in action (upaya – kausalya) that adapts the basic message to suit an audience. (Haven’t all great orators done this?!).

The Lotus Sutra There is reference to the three vehicles (triyana) in the Lotus Sutra but all in the end are subsumed within the ‘Buddha – vehicle’ or Buddhayana and all lead to awakening (bodhi)t as there can be many paths to buddhahood and all vehicles lead ultimately to the same goal. This suggests a derogatory dig at Hinayana for its insistence that their path is the only one to enlightenment and you have to be ordained to even achieve enlightenment.

The Lotus Sutra The idea of all paths lead to awakening, a central theme of The Lotus Sutra is seen in the scriptures most famous parable called “The parable of the burning house” about a father who sees his three young sons playing inside a burning house and are too distracted to notice the danger. So he lures them out by promising each the sort of cart he most desires. When they come out, they are all given one type of cart. This is said to be skilful rather than deceitful, as the subterfuge saves their lives!

How do Mahayana followers regard their scriptures? Not all Mahayana Buddhists agree on the amount of significance you should attach to the scriptures Many schools refer to more than one scripture as a guide Some schools focus on entirely one scripture e.g. Nichiren – Lotus Sutra Some schools do not place any value on studying the scriptures e.g. Zen (although Zen masters have been known to study the Heart Sutra, whereas others e.g. Tibetan schools place supreme importance on studying them.