The Lotus Gospel; or Mahayana Buddhism and Its Symbolic Teachings: Compared Historically and Geographically with Those of Catholic Christianity

Foreword: Explains the two-part structure of the work: comparative history of the first seven centuries and allegorical teaching in East and West. Chapter I – Influence of the Mahayana Teaching: Traces Mahayana from North-West India to China, Korea, and Japan; compares its development with early Christianity. Chapter II – Its Influence upon Art: Discusses Buddhist art, images of Buddha, Gandhara influence, Dainichi Nyorai, and symbolic parallels with Christian art. Chapter III – An Imperial Vision: Examines visions, Maitreya, Ming-ti, and the transmission of Buddhist imagery and doctrine into China. Chapter IV – Fertilizing Influence of the New Race: Discusses cultural exchange, Jewish and Christian presence in Asia, and symbolic religious transmission. Chapter V – The Pilgrimage Era: Presents pilgrimage movements, Chinese Buddhist travelers, and Christian missionary expansion. Chapter VI – The Land of Morning Radiance, Chosen: Describes the coming of Buddhism to Korea and its civilizing and religious impact. Chapter VII – The Coming of the Mahayana to Japan: Explains the arrival of Mahayana Buddhism in Japan through Korea. Chapter VIII – Glad Tidings of Great Joy: Discusses early Japanese reception of Buddhist images, sutras, and ritual culture. Chapter IX – An Imperial Apostle and a Notable Epoch: Focuses on royal and imperial patronage of Buddhism and the consolidation of Buddhist institutions. Chapter X – The Excellent Rules of Antiquity: Presents moral, institutional, and symbolic frameworks associated with ancient religious discipline. Chapter XI – Two Wonderful Centuries: Covers a major period of religious and cultural development. Chapter XII – Ibid: Continues the discussion of the same historical period and its religious significance. Chapter XIII – Kobo Daishi: Examines Kobo Daishi, Shingon Buddhism, esoteric transmission, and Japanese religious symbolism. Chapter XIV – Allegorical Teaching: Begins the interpretive section on Buddhist and Christian symbols. Chapter XV – Allegorical Teaching continued: Continues symbolic and doctrinal comparison. Chapter XVI – “The Unseen Friend”: Discusses devotional and spiritual symbolism related to unseen divine or salvific presence. Chapter XVII – “The Great Physician”: Interprets healing, salvation, and compassionate religious imagery. Chapter XVIII – The Emerald Buddha: Examines Buddhist sacred imagery and symbolic meaning. Chapter XIX – The Mount of Purification: Discusses mountain symbolism, purification, ascent, and spiritual transformation. Chapter XX – Signs, Symbols, Numbers: Analyzes religious signs, numerical symbolism, and sacred forms. Chapter XXI – “The Sign of All The Nyorais”: Concludes with symbolic interpretation of Nyorai imagery and related doctrinal meanings.