Part Four  -  OUTLINE OF THE SUTRA

Content
    4.1 Form and Style of the Sutra
    4.2 Content of the Sutra
    4.3 Three Assemblies in Two Places
    4.4 Two Introductions Three Sections (by Chih-che)
    4.5 Three Sections (by Gui Ji)

4.1 FORM AND STYLE

According to the translated text by Kumarajiva, the Lotus Sutra is divided into 28 Chapters in 7 fascicles.

From Chapters 1 to 21 and Chapter 25 of the Sutra, almost everything is said first in prose, then in verse. The remaining chapters are without the verse repetition. The verse part generally follows the tenor of the prose discourse. It is believed that the verse form was used to facilitate the reciters to memorize the teachings and transmit to others.

The principal teachings of the Lotus Sutra are often very beautifully and persuasively expounded, especially in the various parables for which the Lotus is famous. Certainly, the Sutra gains high literary merit.




4.2 CONTENT OF THE LOTUS SUTRA

Chapter

Title

in Sanskrit

1

Preface

Nidana

2

Expedient Devices

Upayakausalya

3

A Parable

Aupamya

4

Belief and Understanding

Adhimukti

5

Medicinal Herbs

Osalhi

6

Conferring Predictions

Vyakarana

7

The Analogy of the Transformed City

Purvayoga

8

Five Hundred Disciples Receive Predictions

Pancabhiksu satavyaarana

9

Bestowing Predictions upon Those Studying and Those Beyond Study

Vyakarana

10

Masters of the Dharma

Dharmabhanaka

11

Vision of the Jeweled Stupa

Stupasamdarsana

12

Devadatta

Devadatta

13

Encouraging Devotion

Utsaha

14

Comfortable and Peaceful Practice

Sukhavihara

15

Emerging from the Earth

Bodhivat vaprthivi vivara samudgama

16

The Life Span of the Thus Come One

Tathagata-yuspramana

17

Distinction in Merits

Punyapayaya

18

The Merits of Responding with Joy

Anumodanapunya nirdesa

19

The Merits of the Dharma Master

Dharmabhanakanu samsa

20

The Bodhisattva Never Desparaging

Sadaparibhuta

21

Supernatural Powers of the Thus Come One

Tathagatarddhyab hisamskara

22

Entrustment

Anuparindana

23

Former Affairs of the Bodhisattva Medicine King

Vaisajyarajapur vayoga

24

The Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound

Gadgadasvara

25

The Universal Gateway of the Bodhisattva Perceiver of the Sounds of the World

Samantamukha

26

Dharani

Dharani

27

Former Affairs of King Wonderful Adornment

Subhavyuharaja purvayoga

28

Encouragement of the Bodhisattva Universal Worthy

Samantabhadrot sahana


4.3 THREE ASSEMBLIES IN TWO PLACES

According to the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha held Three Assemblies in Two Places.

  1. First Assembly in Vulture Peak (Mount Grdhrakuta) - from Chapter 1 to first half of Chapter 11.
  2. Second Assembly in the sky - from the second half of Chapter 11 to Chapter 21.
  3. Third Assembly in Vulture Peak (Mount Grdhrakuta) again - from Chapter 21 to Chapter 28.

4.4 TWO INTRODUCTIONS THREE SECTIONS (BY CHIH-CHE)

According to Chih Che of Tien Tai School, the Sutra can be divided into Two Introductions and Three Sections.

The Two Introductions are:

1. Introducing the Traces

In the first 14 chapters, Shakyamuni taught and transformed his disciples and living beings in this world. It means

  • Manipulating the provisional for the sake of the real
  • Opening the provisional to reveal the real
  • Annulling the provisional to establish the real
    •


    Amongst the 14 chapters, chapter 2 is the most important.

    2. Introducing the Origin

    In the remaining 14 chapters, Shakyamuni explained his causes and effects in the attainment of Buddhahood in his many past lives, and the Bodhisattvas also narrated their experience in cultivation by upholding the Sutra. It means

  • Showing the traces for the sake of origin
  • Opening the traces to reveal the origin
  • Annulling the traces to establish the origin
  • Amongst the 14 chapters, Chapter 16 is the most important.
    •

     

    For Introducing the Traces, there are Three Sections:

    1. Preface Section (Chapter 1)

    The Buddha emitted rays of white light from his eyebrows illuminating the entire eastern world.

    Maitreya raised doubt and requested answers. Manjushri certified the present conditions by his past experience.

    2. Proper Section (Chapter 2 to 9)

    Upon the request of the disciples, the Buddha spoke the Dharma three rounds. The Sound Hearers received the predictions from the Buddha, then they returned from the Small to the Great."

    1. Chapter 2 & 3 - to explain the doctrine of the Three Vehicles converging to One Buddha Vehicle", so that those of superior roots are enlightened. This is the first round of speaking of Dharma.
    2. Chapter 3, 4, 5 & 6 - to explain with a parable of the Three Carts is the One Great Cart" so that those of average roots are enlightened. This is the second round of speaking of Parable.
    3. Chapter 7, 8 & 9 - to explain the causal conditions in the past lives with an analogy of the Transformed City", so that those of inferior roots are enlightened. This is the third round of speaking of Causal Conditions.

    3. Circulating Section (Chapter 10 to 14)

    Shakyamuni praised people who circulated and also glorifying the Sutra. The Sutra is certified by the emergency of Many Treasures Buddha with his Stupa. The Dragon Lady becomes Buddha in the presence of the Buddha. Thus, Bodhisattvas make vows before Shakyamuni, and all converge to One Buddha Vehicle.

    For Introducing the Origin, there are also Three Sections:

    1. Preface Section (First half of Chapter 15)

    Bodhisattvas who emerge from the ground make vows to propagate the Sutra in Saha world.

    2. Proper Section (Second half of Chapter 15 & 16)

    Shakyamuni narrates his attainment of Buddhahood in his many past lives, and also his boundless power.

    3. Circulating Section (Chapter 17 to 28)

    The Buddha praises the meritorious cultivation of the great Bodhisattvas, who set good examples for the coming Bodhisattva. Further to the encouragement of the Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, the perfect, complete and supreme Dharma assembly is adjourned.

      1. The merits and virtues of upholding the Sutra in faith (Chapter 17, 18, 19 & 20)
      2. The entrustment of the Buddha (Chapter 21 & 22).
      3. Sagely effect from sagely cause (Chapter 23, 24 & 25).
      4. Protection of the Sutra and encouragement in cultivation by upholding the Sutra (Chapter 26, 27 & 28).

    4.5 THREE SECTIONS (BY GUI JI)

    According to Gui Ji of Dharmalasaka School, the Sutra is simply divided into three sections:

    1. Preface Section (Chapter 1)

    2. Proper Section (Chapter 2 to 20)

    To explain the One Buddha Vehicle in three aspects:

    2.1 The wonderful realm of Real Mark of One Buddha Vehicle (Chapter 2 to 13).

    2.1.1 Opening provisional to manifest real", thus all three roots receive predictions

      1. Chapter 2 & 3 - to explain the doctrine of The Three Vehicles converging to One Buddha Vehicle", so that those of superior roots are enlightened. This is the first round of speaking of Dharma.
      2. Chapter 3, 4, 5 & 6 - to explain with a parable of The Three Carts is the One Great Cart" so that those of average roots are enlightened. This is the second round of speaking of Parable.(iii) Chapter 7, 8 & 9 - to explain the causal conditions in the past lives with an analogy of The Transformed City, so that those of inferior roots are enlightened. This is the third round of speaking of Causal Conditions.

    2.1.2 Praising people & glorifying Dharma, thus encouraging to uphold and practice

      1. Chapter 10 - praising people and glorying Dharma.
      2. Chapter 11 - certifying the present with the past.
      3. Chapter 12 - receiving prediction without discrimination.

    2.1.3 Annulling provisional to establish real (Chapter 13)

    2.2 The wonderful cultivation in One Buddha Vehicle (Chapter 14 & 15).

    2.3 The wonderful fruition of One Buddha Vehicle (Chapter 16 to 20)

    3. Circulating Section (Chapter 21 to 28)

    To elaborate the meaning of the realm, cultivation and fruition of One Buddha Vehicle.