{"product_id":"the-lotus-sutra-hendrik-kern-paperback","title":"The Lotus Sutra translated by Hendrik Kern- Paperback","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Lotus Sutra — Hendrik Kern\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Universal Path to Awakening\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the most influential scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Lotus Sutra\u003c\/strong\u003e presents a profound vision of the Buddha's teachings, emphasizing compassion, skillful means, and the possibility of awakening for all beings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this paperback edition, readers encounter the classic English translation by \u003cstrong\u003eHendrik Kern\u003c\/strong\u003e, a pioneering scholar of Buddhist Sanskrit literature, with illustrations credited to Alex Struik.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough parables, philosophical teachings, and vivid imagery, the sutra invites readers to reconsider the nature of enlightenment and the Buddha's compassionate activity in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Teaching of the One Vehicle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA central theme of the Lotus Sutra is the \u003cstrong\u003eOne Vehicle (\u003cem\u003eEkayāna\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the teaching that the various paths presented by the Buddha ultimately lead toward Buddhahood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sutra explains that the Buddha employs different teachings according to the needs, abilities, and circumstances of those receiving them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis principle, known as \u003cstrong\u003eskillful means (\u003cem\u003eupāya\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e, illustrates the compassionate flexibility of Buddhist teaching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than presenting the Dharma as a rigid system, the Lotus Sutra emphasizes the importance of guiding beings toward wisdom through methods suited to their understanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Buddha's Enduring Presence\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother important teaching of the Lotus Sutra concerns the Buddha's lifespan and the nature of his awakening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scripture presents a vision of the Buddha whose activity extends far beyond the historical events of his earthly life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis teaching has profoundly influenced Mahayana understandings of Buddhahood, devotion, and the continuing availability of the Dharma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParables That Illuminate the Dharma\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lotus Sutra is celebrated for its memorable stories and symbolic imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong its best-known teachings are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eThe Burning House\u003c\/strong\u003e: A parable illustrating how the Buddha uses skillful means to lead beings away from suffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eThe Prodigal Son\u003c\/strong\u003e: A story exploring spiritual inheritance, gradual understanding, and the discovery of one's potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eThe Medicinal Herbs\u003c\/strong\u003e: An illustration of how the Dharma benefits beings according to their different capacities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eThe Jeweled Stupa\u003c\/strong\u003e: A dramatic vision expressing the significance and enduring presence of the Buddha's teaching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese stories have inspired Buddhist literature, visual art, devotional practice, and philosophical commentary for centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Lotus Sutra in Buddhist Traditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lotus Sutra has played an especially important role in East Asian Buddhism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt became foundational to the Chinese \u003cstrong\u003eTiantai\u003c\/strong\u003e tradition and the Japanese \u003cstrong\u003eTendai\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eNichiren\u003c\/strong\u003e traditions, while also influencing broader Mahayana Buddhist thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts teachings on compassion, skillful means, and universal Buddhahood continue to be studied and contemplated across Buddhist communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Translation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHendrik Kern (1833–1917)\u003c\/strong\u003e was a Dutch scholar and pioneering translator of Sanskrit Buddhist texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis English translation of the Lotus Sutra was first published in the nineteenth century and remains an important work in the history of Buddhist textual scholarship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this is a historical translation, readers may encounter terminology and interpretive choices that differ from contemporary English translations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition provides an opportunity to engage with both a foundational Buddhist scripture and an influential early English rendering of the text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eTitle\u003c\/strong\u003e: The Lotus Sutra\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eTranslator\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hendrik Kern\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eIllustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e: Alex Struik, as credited by the publisher\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003ePages\u003c\/strong\u003e: 366\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: August 2, 2012\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e: 5.98 × 9.02 × 0.76 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003ePrimary subject\u003c\/strong\u003e: Mahayana Buddhist scriptures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eLanguage\u003c\/strong\u003e: English\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Students of Mahayana Buddhism\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Readers interested in Buddhist philosophy and scripture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Practitioners studying skillful means and universal Buddhahood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Students of Tiantai, Tendai, and Nichiren Buddhism\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Buddhist reading groups and Dharma study circles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Readers interested in historical translations of Buddhist texts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Teaching of Boundless Possibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lotus Sutra presents a vision of the Dharma in which wisdom and compassion are inseparable, and the Buddha's teachings are adapted to the needs of all beings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough its parables and profound teachings, it continues to invite readers toward a deeper understanding of the Buddhist path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA valuable addition to any collection of Mahayana Buddhist scriptures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRooted in Tradition. Inspired by Mindfulness.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67883442110600,"sku":"9781479106165","price":22.93,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0762\/1561\/5624\/files\/PlSd_-fi1H9781479106165.webp?v=1794169078","url":"https:\/\/thedharmagrove.com\/products\/the-lotus-sutra-hendrik-kern-paperback","provider":"The Dharma Grove","version":"1.0","type":"link"}