The Saddharma-Puṇḍarīka; or, The Lotus of the True Law

Introduction: Discusses the place of the Saddharma-Puṇḍarīka among the nine revered Dharmas, its Mahāvaipulya character, textual history, Chinese translations, manuscript sources, doctrinal structure, and its importance for Mahāyāna Buddhism. Chapter 1 — Introductory: Presents the assembly at Gṛdhrakūṭa, the Buddha’s miraculous illumination of many Buddha-fields, and Mañjuśrī’s explanation that the Buddha is about to preach the Lotus teaching. Chapter 2 — Skilfulness: Explains the profound knowledge of the Tathāgata and introduces the doctrine of skilful means and the one Buddha-vehicle. Chapter 3 — A Parable: Contains the parable of the burning house, illustrating how the Buddha uses provisional teachings to lead beings toward liberation. Chapter 4 — Disposition: Presents the parable of the poor son, showing how beings gradually recover their spiritual inheritance through the Buddha’s guidance. Chapter 5 — On Plants: Uses the image of rain nourishing different plants to explain how one Dharma benefits beings according to their capacities. Chapter 6 — Announcement of Future Destiny: Gives prophecies of future Buddhahood to major disciples. Chapter 7 — Ancient Devotion: Recounts an ancient Buddha and the long history of instruction leading beings toward enlightenment. Chapter 8 — Announcement of the Future Destiny of the Five Hundred Monks: Declares the future Buddhahood of five hundred monks. Chapter 9 — Announcement of the Future Destiny of Ānanda, Rāhula, and the Two Thousand Monks: Extends prophetic assurance to Ānanda, Rāhula, and other disciples. Chapter 10 — The Preacher: Praises those who preserve, recite, teach, and expound the scripture. Chapter 11 — Apparition of a Stūpa: Describes the appearance of the jeweled stūpa and the testimony of Prabhūtaratna Buddha. Chapter 12 — Exertion: Encourages the propagation of the scripture after the Buddha’s Nirvāṇa. Chapter 13 — Peaceful Life: Sets forth proper conduct and conditions for Bodhisattvas and Dharma-preachers. Chapter 14 — Issuing of Bodhisattvas from the Gaps of the Earth: Introduces innumerable Bodhisattvas emerging from the earth. Chapter 15 — Duration of Life of the Tathāgata: Reveals the immeasurable duration of the Buddha’s life and his continuing salvific presence. Chapter 16 — Of Piety: Explains the merit of faith in the Buddha’s long life and in the Lotus teaching. Chapter 17 — Indication of the Meritoriousness of Joyful Acceptance: Describes the merit of accepting the teaching with joy. Chapter 18 — The Advantages of a Religious Preacher: Outlines the spiritual benefits gained by those who preach and preserve the scripture. Chapter 19 — Sadāparibhūta: Narrates the story of a Bodhisattva who reveres all beings as future Buddhas. Chapter 20 — Conception of the Transcendent Power of the Tathāgatas: Displays the supernatural power of the Buddhas and exalts the scripture. Chapter 21 — Spells: Presents dhāraṇīs for protecting the scripture and its preachers. Chapter 22 — Ancient Devotion of Bhaiṣajyarāja: Describes devotion and self-offering associated with the Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyarāja. Chapter 23 — Gadgadasvara: Narrates the visit and qualities of the Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara. Chapter 24 — The All-sided One: Presents Avalokiteśvara’s universal responsiveness to beings in distress. Chapter 25 — Ancient Devotion: Tells a devotional narrative involving transformation through the Dharma. Chapter 26 — Encouragement of Samantabhadra: Presents Samantabhadra’s vow to protect those who uphold the scripture. Chapter 27 — The Period: Concludes the scripture and affirms its transmission and preservation.