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What is the Lotus Sutra?

The Lotus Sutra is a sacred text in Nichiren Buddhism that is considered the ultimate teaching of the Buddha. It is believed to have been preached by Shakyamuni Buddha in the final years of his life and was recorded by his disciple Ananda.

The Lotus Sutra is a compilation of teachings and parables that emphasize the concept of universal enlightenment and the potential for all beings to attain Buddhahood. It is also known as the "Sutra of the Wonderful Law" or the "Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma."

The central message of the Lotus Sutra is that all beings possess an inherent Buddha nature and have the potential to achieve enlightenment in this lifetime. This goes against the traditional belief in Buddhism that enlightenment is only attainable after many lifetimes of practice and purification.

The Lotus Sutra also teaches the importance of faith and devotion to the sutra itself as the ultimate path to liberation. It is believed that by chanting the title of the sutra, "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo," one can tap into their inner Buddha nature and awaken to their true potential.

The text of the Lotus Sutra is divided into 28 chapters, with the most famous being the "Parable of the Burning House" and the "Parable of the Three Vehicles." These parables illustrate the idea of universal enlightenment and the various paths that beings may take to reach it.

In Nichiren Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra is considered the most important text and is the foundation of their practice. Nichiren, the founder of this school of Buddhism, believed that the Lotus Sutra was the ultimate teaching of the Buddha and that by having faith in it, one could attain enlightenment in this lifetime.

Overall, the Lotus Sutra is a profound and influential text in Nichiren Buddhism that teaches the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment and the importance of faith and devotion to the sutra as the path to liberation. It continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for practitioners seeking to awaken their true Buddha nature.