By Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
A collaboration with the National Palace Museum
This exhibition, structured like a Buddhist scripture, aims to help visitors appreciate the Lotus Sutra as a foundational text that has inspired over a millennium of artistic and cultural achievements in East Asia. It begins with a "Prologue" that introduces the background of the Lotus Sutra. The "Main Exposition" then highlights its key artistic motifs. Finally, the "Dissemination" showcases the "Universal Gateway" chapter, Guanyin iconography, and the Sutra's historical spread.
Prologue
“Saddharma” means “true Dharma” or “wonderful Dharma”, while “puṇḍarīka” means “lotus”, serving as an epithet for “saddharma”. Therefore, the title signifies “The Scripture of the True Dharma as Pure as the Lotus”.
The Lotus Sūtra (Pŏphwagyŏng) lluminated manuscript written in gold ink, Goryeo period, Korea (Goryeo period) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Establishment of the Lotus Sutra
Around the 1st century CE, within the Great Assembly School, a particular faction emerged that emphasized the pursuit of enlightenment for the sake of all beings. This faction referred to themselves as the “Mahayana”, meaning “Great Vehicle”.
Imperial Household printed edition (Ming dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
What is the Lotus Sutra all about?
In the Elder School, it is believed that only Buddha Shakyamuni could attain the complete enlightenment. However, in the Lotus Sutra, Buddha Shakyamuni proclaims that everyone can attain the same complete wisdom as the Buddha.
Volume 1 of The Lotus Sūtra (Song dynasty print in Su Shi’s calligraphic style) (Song dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Main Theme of the Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sutra states that individuals were initially led through the expedient means of the “Three Vehicles”, then they are finally led towards the realm of the “One Buddha Vehicle”, symbolizing the convergence of the Three Vehicles into one.
The Lotus Sūtra (Illuminated manuscript written in silver ink) (Song dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
The Spread of the Lotus Sutra in China
The Lotus Sutra emerged as the most popular choice for recitation, dissemination, and transcription in China. This widespread engagement with the Lotus Sutra contributed significantly to its enduring influence and prominence within Chinese Buddhism.
Main Exposition
Consisting of 28 chapters, the Lotus Sutra is woven into a rich tapestry of narrative elements. It features parables such as “Parable of the Blazing House” and “Parable of the Poor Son”, used by Buddha Shakyamuni to expound his teachings and by his disciples in response to him.
The Lotus Sutra (Manuscript written by monk Jifang) (Ming dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Seven Parables
Buddha Shakyamuni often uses allegories to explain his teaching, and the Lotus Sutra is notable for its many parables, of which the best-known are the “Seven Parables.”
The Lotus Sutra (Manuscript written by monk Yuanhao) (Yuan dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Illustrations of the Lotus Sutra
The earliest iconography from the Lotus Sutra depicts two Buddhas seated side by side. This scene, from Chapter 11, "The Emergence of the Jeweled Stupa," shows Buddha Prabhutaratna (Many Jewels) rising from a jeweled stupa to affirm Buddha Shakyamuni's teachings.
Dissemination
The chapter titled "Universal Gateway of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara" was especially significant, as it was widely chanted across East Asia, contributing to the propagation of Avalokiteshvara’s veneration throughout the region.
The Great Dharani of Guanyin (Ming dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
The Iconography of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)
The "Universal Gateway of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara" spreads Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) devotion across East Asia, inspiring feminine iconography and depictions from the Song dynasty onward, reflecting the Sutra's enduring impact on Chinese Buddhism.
Volume 1 of The Lotus Sūtra (Song dynasty large-print Zhejiang edition) (Song dynasty) by unknownFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Lotus Sutra's relation with Art
The Lotus Sutra not only extols the virtues of copying its text and creating religious art but also inspired a wealth of artistic creations.
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