Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra-upadeśa

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Continuing with my summer Office Lens house cleaning, I’ll be reprinting a selection of quotes from The Commentary on the Lotus Sutra by Vasubandhu.

From the Translator’s Introduction:

The Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra-upadeśa (Jpn. Myōhorengekyō upadaisha) is a commentary on the Lotus Sutra attributed to the eminent Buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu. According to the Hokke Denki (Taishō no. 2068, 52c25-29), over fifty commentaries were written on the Lotus Sūtra (Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra) in India, including one by the renowned philosopher Nāgārjuna. The Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra-upadeśa (hereafter also referred to as the Commentary) has the distinction of being the only Indian commentary on the Lotus Sūtra to have been preserved in any Buddhist canon; it may, however, be an apocryphal text.

Vasubandhu's Commentary on the Lotus Sutra, p 87

The Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra-upadeśa is one of four documents contained in the Tiantai Lotus Texts, which was published in 2013 as part of the BDK English Tripiṭaka Series. In addition to the commentary, the book includes The Infinite Meanings Sutra, The Sutra Expounded by the Buddha on Practice of the Way through Contemplation of the Bodhisattva All-embracing Goodness and A Guide to the Tiatai Fourfould Teachings attributed to the Korean monk Chegwan.

These four texts are considered essential for studying the doctrine of the Tiantai Lotus school, which is the foundation of Nichiren’s teachings.

The commentary begins with this dedication:

Fascicle One

A commentary by Vasubandhu, the Commentator on the Great Vehicle

Translated by Bodhiruci, the Tripitaka Master from Northern India, with the Buddhist monk Tanlin and others in Yexia, between 509-535 during the Later Wei dynasty.

I give reverence to the Sea of Perfect Enlightenment (Buddha), the Immaculate Doctrine (Dharma), and the Immutable Assembly (Sangha). For those of profound intellect I shall elucidate an explanation [of the Lotus Sutra].

In honor of the Venerable Sage, the bodhisattvas, and the disciples, I shall briefly put forth this synopsis in order to have the Dharma benefit myself and others.

I pay homage to the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the past, present, and future.

With their extensive benevolence and overwhelming supernatural powers, I entreat them to bestow me with self-confidence.

Having great compassion and stopping the four Māras, they protect the dominant factor for enlightenment.

Vasubandhu's Commentary on the Lotus Sutra, p 93

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