Two Buddhas Seated Side by Side: A Guide to the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sūtra is a revered Buddhist scripture that asserts the potential for all beings to attain supreme enlightenment. This book provides an essential reading companion, explaining how it was understood by its compilers in India and medieval Japan by one of its most influential proponents. It explores how the sūtra's metaphors, parables, and literary devices worked to legitimate a new vision of the path and the person of the Buddha, and how it was interpreted by the Japanese Buddhist master Nichiren. It demonstrates how readers of sacred works continually reinterpret them in light of their own unique circumstances.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The Lotus Sūtra, one of the most revered scriptures in Buddhism, holds immense significance. Composed in India over two millennia ago, it asserts the potential for all beings to attain supreme enlightenment. Donald Lopez and Jacqueline Stone, in their indispensable reading companion, delve into the understanding and interpretation of this inspiring yet enigmatic masterpiece.

Chapter by chapter, Lopez and Stone guide us through the sūtra, showcasing the anonymous authors' skillful reimagining of the mainstream Buddhist tradition in light of a new vision of the path and the person of the Buddha. They examine how the sūtra's metaphors, parables, and literary devices worked to establish and validate this visionary perspective. Furthermore, they explore how the Japanese Buddhist master Nichiren (1222–1282) interpreted the Lotus, leading to the reformation of modern Buddhism through his inspired reading.

Through their meticulous analysis, Lopez and Stone demonstrate how readers of sacred works continually reinterpret them in light of their own unique circumstances. This book serves as an invaluable guide to the teachings of the Lotus, unlocking their significance for modern readers while shedding light on the central role of commentary in giving ancient writings contemporary meaning.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 141 x 335 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691227948