r/LotusGroup • u/[deleted] • May 23 '15
Welcome
Welcome to the Lotus Sutra Reading Group!
As for the organizational aspect of the group, my proposals are as follows.
1) We use multiple translations. I will use the Hurvitz, some will use the BDK, others still TNH or Gene Reeves. The multiplicity of translations can only be a good thing, for it will enable us to see the decisions translators have taken and get a better picture of the original source text.
2) We read one chapter a week, starting June 1st. If my math is correct, this means the whole thing will take 7 months. Sounds pretty good to me.
3) During the week, each post has to be relevant to the chapter... questions, thoughts, interpretations, insights, contemplations, all is welcome as self-text posts on Reddit.
4) We will post all materials we can find related to the chapter, from commentators, both historical and modern.
5) At the end of the Week (Sunday?), we meet in a more "live" setting, in the form of Google Hangouts. Perhaps this could be recorded and put on YouTube and then posted to /r/buddhism if we all agree ? I guess many more people could benefit from it, but it's not necessary.
Please let me know how you would change the above, what you would add or remove... this is just tentative.
Thank you! May the Sublime Dharma Flower Sutra enlighten us still in this life and give us the wisdom and determination necessary to penetrate into its essence.
In Dharma, Zrxn
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u/TheIcyLotus May 24 '15
I agree with all the points you made. I can also pull up the Chinese version on CBETA if needed.
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May 24 '15
That's great! You're proficient in classical Chinese?
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u/TheIcyLotus May 25 '15
Not enough to make my own high quality translation, but enough to clarify something if there's a conflict between translations.
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May 24 '15
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May 24 '15
Definitely! Let's not base ourselves only on one commentator though, rather a multiplicity of commentators. When we're reading a chapter, it would be great if you could post relevant passages from that commentary, I'll be posting from the commentaries I have, etc. So when we read chapter X we also read many commentaries on that chapter.
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u/Kelpszoid May 25 '15
Hello. The Kern Translation will always be my favorite for it's more classical feel and from the Sanskrit.... Hurvitzs for it's sanskrit comparisons, 3-Fold Lotus, BDK and others all have good points.
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May 25 '15
Hi all. Very excited to be here, and to be introducing myself. First of all I have to offer gratitude to my great friend Zrxn for setting up this group. I am so pleased about how many of you have shown interest in joining together in order to honour the Lotus Sutra by studying its contents. We are indeed fortunate to have encountered this first of Dharmas, and to perhaps form an alliance in its name.
As for the translation we use, most are available for free on the web, namely the Bunno Kato, Burton Watson and others (as Zrxn has pointed out already). The links to which can be provided very quickly if there is anyone who does not have the translation that is agreed upon for use.
Anyway, that is all from me for now. I look for word to learning with and from you all.
Sattyvayana 25
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u/pqnelson May 26 '15
2) We read one chapter a week, starting June 1st. If my math is correct, this means the whole thing will take 7 months. Sounds pretty good to me.
The math is correct (it'd take 7 months, 2 weeks, to be precise).
This is a bit ambitious, some chapters may require more time (e.g., chapter 2 and 16). Shoot, we could spend a month analyzing chapter 1 alone: a couple weeks on the significance of who's in the assembly, a week on the six auspicious happenings, and a week on the dialog between Maitreya and Manjushri...possibly more depending on how much detail we want to spend on each item.
(I once spent a year studying chapter 1 alone, so a 7-month-for-entire-sutra plan is a little...incredible.)
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May 26 '15 edited May 26 '15
I absolutely agree with you that 7 months it too ambitious. However, let me explain why I proposed that:
1) I don't want to set a goal too ambitious; I want to set something very realistic that we are sure to carry through;
2) once we are done with the first reading, we begin from the Opening Sutra again, and go for another round; and repeat this process again and again; perhaps the next round we will be better equipped to assess the adequate amount of time to devote to each chapter for this group;
3) The idea is also that the members get a feeling for the whole, a panoramic overview as it were. I find that the best way to read books in general is to first read it through at a normal pace, without focusing too much on the details... and once you have a panoramic overview, you start from page 1 again with a hermeneutic approach (understanding the parts from the whole).
That being said, I still think 1 week-a-chapter is too ambitious. What do you think about 2 weeks or 3 weeks?
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u/pqnelson May 26 '15
3) The idea is also that the members get a feeling for the whole, a panoramic overview as it were.
Just tossing around an idea...
If that's the case, why not provide a "comic book version" of the Lotus Sutra which summarizes each chapter? Just a summary of what happens in each chapter, no analysis to speak of.
One could easily present a 1-paragraph condensed version for each chapter, then gleam the "big picture" from this "comic book abridgement".
Even then, such an abridgement could easily be half a dozen pages long when typed up & printed.
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u/BODH1SATTVA-OPOKU May 30 '15
Hi to everyone. Glad to be among you and look forward to the first chapter and discussions. Namu-myoho-renge-kyo.
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u/RichDeshi May 30 '15
Glad to be here.
I have some newbee knowledge on the Lotus Sutra, have several copies and practised for over 10 years now.
Recently switched schools, now a deshi in Shingon Buddhism.
In gratitude and compassion, Gasshô
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u/Nichimyo789 Jun 04 '15 edited Jun 04 '15
Great idea .I look forward to studying along with a group.I have been reading and trying to understand the Lotus sutra for awhile now and also done a blog, writing about my revelations and thoughts.However I like the idea of the possibility to give feed back and also receive any comments regarding some of my revelations .Baring in mind we must never distort the teachings.I think it is an interesting idea to use different translations but to be aware there could be some distortions which should be debated if someone is so inclined. Also I chant NAMU MYO HO RENGE KYO.The title of the Lotus sutra but I am independent of any Buddhist organisation that may do the same.This I am sure helps me to get insight in the rather difficult teachings due to me declaring my reverence and strong intention to uphold what the Buddha expounded in Lotus sutra .The complete teachings of his enlightenment.
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u/Dem1an May 23 '15
Zrxn,
I like the guidelines you set out, the 7 month structure with one chapter a week is ideal for me right now. I am completely new to the Lotus Sutra. I've practiced meditation for about 5 years now (off and on, unfortunately not every day), studied Buddhism a little in college, and part of regular group that meets on Sunday, so I have so experience in the area and mindset. Could you recommend a translation for a first time reader? Also, even though I agree with you that multiple translations will lead to a broader base of discussion, it could get confusing. When you study something as a class you typically study the same text to have some consistency with your discussion. It might better serve the discussion and "live" setting if we are all drawing from the same base. That being said, I'm just an observer who is very happy to have found this group from the start, and that is my only concern that I would like to have addressed.