Lotus Sutra Chapter Commentary

[Hans]

Hello dear Treeleafers,

here is the first video in a series of videos where I share some superficial impressions that arose when I looked at the Lotus Sutra for a second time recently:

Please feel free to comment, your feedback is a very precious teaching to me.


Gassho and thank you for your practise,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Oheso]

thank you Chudo Mongen, your talks have helped me a great deal to attempt approaching the Lotus Sutra. After listening to your first encouraging recommendation, I downloaded one of the many versions of the Sutra available online, along with "visions of awakening space, etc.-"

I'm letting my reading of the Sutra precede my reading of the commentary, as you suggested, and must admit so far I've found Leighton to be much murkier than the Sutra itself. thank you for your encouragement and much more comprehensible take on this seminal text.

muddling my way,
gassho,

Robert

[Hans]

Dear Robert,

thank you for your very kind words. As I say in the video, my ramblings are just intended as short commentaries that just have the aim to inspire people to look into some of the roots of our tradition once in a while. I feel very encouraged by your words and will make sure to go through most of the chapters in the next few months.

All the best and gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[Heisoku]

Thank you Chudo, I have had a copy translated by Reeves hanging about unopened for a year and this has encouraged me to take a look! I like the fact that you summarise and contextualise what can be quite unnerving hyperbole. I personally never have like that kind of superdupernatural stuff! Gassho.

[Shokai]

Hans;

Thank you truly for your effort in providing these commentaries. I admire your passion and ability to convey the essence of this and other sutras as you have in the past. Please continue, I really look forward to your videos.

gassho, Shokai

[Genshin]

Thank you Chudo for taking the time to record this wonderful commentary. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next installment.

One question, any book/translation recommendations?

Gassho,
Matt

[Mp]

Thank you Hans ... I must say I too am really enjoying your talks. Clean and clear, just the way I like it.

Gassho
Shingen

[Hans]

Hello folks,

regarding translations, it seems that most native English speakers seem to agree the the Gene Reeves translation of the Sutra is pretty solid. His book about the stories of the Lotus Sutra is also very useful and written in a style which I find very friendly in a way.

Both hard to read IMHO yet also very very interesting is Taigen Dan Leighton's book "Awakening Space in Time", because it deals with the way in which Dogen's teachings were influenced by the Lotus Sutra. But before one dives into that one, I'd personally say it's much more useful to slowly get aquainted with the Shobogenzo first.

All the best and Gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

[RichardH]

Thank you, Hans.

Your energy brings the Lotus Sutra to life for me. I look forward to following this series. The Devas surely approve.

Gassho,
Daizan

[Jinyo]

Thanks Hans - must order a copy - have only browsed through Thich Nhat Hanh's commentry so far.

Gassho

Willow

[Genshin]

Thanks Hans.

Looking forward to your next video.

Gassho
Matt

[Kaishin]

Thank you, Hans!
Gassho, Kaishin

[Kaishin]

I do have a question. Does anyone or any sect take the Lotus Sutra, or even parts or it, literally? I'm thinking here of the Abraamic religions wherein some churches take parts or all of their holy works to be quite literal, whereas others take a more figurative approach. Or was it always intended to be understood allegorically?
Gassho, Kaishin

[Myoku]

and Thank you Hans,
is there are any particular German translation your would recommend ? I have the Margareta von Borsig one here,
but would be glad to hear if something else might be better translated,
Gassho & Thank you again,
Myoku

[Jinyo]

Began reading the Reeves translation today - enjoying it much more than I thought I would