REL 80.13 The Lotus Sutra: Can you become a Buddha in this Lifetime?

The Lotus Sutra is arguably the most important and popular Buddhist text in East Asia. Famous for its philosophical insights, parables, and fantastic imagery, the Lotus Sutra has permeated Chinese and Japanese cultures.  This course explores the place and significance of the Lotus Sutra in China, and more broadly in East Asia. We will examine the Lotus in several registers, beginning with its philosophical significance, the impact of the Lotus on Buddhist meditation techniques, the significance of artistic depictions of the text in cave temples and shrines, and the place of the Lotus in Buddhist sectarian and popular movements, from medieval China to contemporary Japan.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:TMV; WCult:NW

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Religion