Expository Commentary on the Vimalakirti Sutra (BDK English Tripitaka) - Hardcover

Hubbard, Jamie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1886439443 ISBN 13: 9781886439443

Publisher: BDK America, 2012

Synopsis

The Expository Commentary on the Vimalakīrti Sūtra is a translation of the Yuimagyō-gisho, a three-fascicle commentary on Kumarajīva’s translation of the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra. Together with commentaries on the Lotus Sutra and the Śrīmālādevī-sūtra, it is known as one of the “Three Commentaries” (Sangyō-gisho) attributed to Shōtoku Taishi. While questions about Shōtoku’s authorship still remain, this text has played significant role in the history of Japanese Buddhism. The Vimalakīrti-sūtra’s dramatic narrative of an awakened merchant prince, long popular in China as a model for the sage-ruler, had obvious appeal to Japanese rulers in the sixth–seventh centuries as well, an era that marks the beginning of the Japanese state. Adopting Buddhism as the state religion, initiating diplomatic relations with Korea and China, and integrating the superior technologies of the continent required great changes in the legitimization of rule and the structure of virtually every aspect of Japanese life. Shōtoku and his family have long been seen as central pillars of this “internationalization” of Japan, and the connection between The Commentary and Shōtoku Taishi assured its importance and influence to this day.

About this title

About the Author:

The BDK English Tripitaka Series was started by the late Dr. Rev. Yehan Numata, founder of the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK) [Society for the Promotion of Buddhism.] The goal of this series is to make available in the English language the Buddhist scriptures and commentaries of the Sino-Japanese edition of the Taisho Tripitaka. Scholars and specialists from throughout the world have been enlisted to translate the selected texts into English. When completed, the one-hundred eight volumes will comprise the First Series of the BDK English Tripitaka.

About this edition

• Publisher: BDK America
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1886439443
• ISBN 13: 9781886439443
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 278