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Syllabus

• Lotus Sutra Syllabus 8_26_26.docx

Class Information and Reading Materials

• Course Information

• Watson, Burton -- The Lotus Sutra (Columbia University Press, Buddhism, Mind, Spirit, English) (1).pdf

• Hurvitz_Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma.pdf

• Watson_Lotus Sutra.pdf

• Teiser_Stone_Readings of the Lotus Sutra.pdf

• Zhiyi excerpt from Teiser and Stone.docx

How to Navigate this Course

• Making the Most of This Course

Chapter 1

• Introduction to the Course and Chapter One

• Chapter 1: Introduction

• Reflections on Practice based on Chapter One Introduction

• Chapter 1: Reflections on Practice

Chapter 2

• Expedient Means

• Chapter 2: Expedient Means

• Compassion, Devotion, and the Path to Buddhahood

• Chapter 2: Compassion, Devotion, and the Path to Buddhahood

Chapter 3

• Similes and Parables: The Burning House

• Chapter 3: Similes and Parables

• Similes and Parables: The One Vehicle

• Chapter 3: Similes and Parables (Cont.)

Chapter 4

• Realizing Capacity for Buddhahood

• Chapter 4: Realizing Capacity for Buddhahood

• Belief and Understanding

• Chapter 4: Belief and Understanding

Chapters 5 and 6

• The Parable of Medicinal Herbs

• Chapter 5: The Parable of Medicinal Herbs

• The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs (Cont.) and Bestowal of Prophecy

• Chapter 5 and 6: The Parable of Medicinal Herbs & Bestowal of Prophecy

Chapter 7

• The Parable of the Phantom City, Part 1

• Chapter 7: The Parable of the Phantom City, Part 1

• The Parable of the Phantom City, Part 2

• Chapter 7: The Parable of the Phantom City, Part 2

• The Parable of the Phantom City, Part 3 & Discussion of Chapters 5-7

• Chapter 7: The Parable of the Phantom City, Part 3 & Discussion of Chapters 5-7

Chapters 8 and 9

• 4/23/26: Prophecy of Enlightenment for Five Hundred Disciples & Learners and Adepts

Chapter 10

• 04/30/2026: The Teacher of the Dharma & Comparing Across Chapters 8, 9, and 10

• 05/07/26: The Teacher of the Dharma & Synthesis of Chapters

Chapter 11

• 05/14/2026: The Emergence of the Treasure Tower

Chapter 12

• 05/21/2026: Devadatta

Chapter 13

• 05/28/2026: Encouraging Devotion

Chapter 14

• 06/04/2026: Peaceful Practices

Chapter 15

• 6/11/26: Emerging from the Earth

Chapter 16

• 07/09/26: The Lifespan of the "Thus Come One”

• 07/16/26: The Lifespan of the “Thus Come One”, Part 2

Chapter 17

• 07/23/26: Distinctions in Benefits, Part 1

• 07/30/26: Distinctions in Benefits, Part 2

• Insights on Chapter 17

Chapter 18

• 08/06/26: The Benefits of Responding with Joy

Chapter 19

• 08/13/26: Benefits of the Teacher of the Law

Chapter 20

• 08/20/26: The Bodhisttva Never Disparaging

Chapters 21 and 22

• 08/27/26: The Supernatural Powers of the Thus Come One and Entrustment

Chapter 23

• 09/03/2026: The Bodhisattva Medicine King (Bhaiṣajyarāja)

Chapter 24

• 09/10/26: The Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound