"The Lotus Sutra"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, from "The Lotus Sutra", Buddha passed on teachings that became known as the "Expedients" and how within these teachings is the wisdom of the Buddha. It looks at how the Expedients exist through basic understandings and how Buddhism fundamentally revolves around simple virtues and teachings that require of its practitioners merely simple things, like peace, understanding, and honor of oneself and others. It also discusses how, although such solutions in a corrupt and vice-filled world may seem like lofty goals, it is with teachings like the Lotus Sutra and the practice of the Dharma that it is possible to have guidelines on a path that follows through the thickest and darkest of forests.

From the Paper:

"For this reason, Buddha appeared in the world: to develop this Truth through teachings and practicing Bodhisattvas, while applying wisdom through sutras like the Lotus Sutra. The final basic understanding for the Expedients is that people initially were not aware of the way of the Truth and therefore could not apply it naturally to their lives. It was for the Buddha to apply different teachings to the different classes of people, for example, different doctrines would enable different castes and intellects to grasp the Buddha's teachings and allow them to apply them to their unique lifestyles. These different doctrines were all expedient teachings that had one purpose to teach the Truth; the Lotus Sutra."

More papers on "The Lotus Sutra":

• Analytical Essay # 142041 : "The Several Levels of the Lotus Sutra"
• Term Paper # 102566 : "The "Lotus Sutra"
• Analytical Essay # 132358 : "The Lotus Sutra and Emptiness"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: