The Lotus Sutra is beyond doubt one of the most influential and popular Buddhist scriptures in East Asia. Its parables have inspired unique literary and visual narratives, and its teachings still provide an ethical blueprint for contemporary Buddhists worldwide. In this course, we will assess the breadth and depth of this sutra's sway on East Asian culture, by focusing on the different forms the scripture has taken in its long history. We will engage with a variety of materials, practices and ideas: from cave-temple frescoes and Buddhist miracle tales to modern literature and politics.

Class sessions develop around a theme, for example “Seeing the Lotus sūtra” or “Gendering the Lotus sutra.” We will first read and discuss of one or more chapters of the sutra related to each theme, and then explore how it has been represented in famous literary and artistic works. 

Finally, the course will be an occasion to read the sutra in its entirety, and to get acquainted with its core teachings and themes, but also to gain a fuller awareness of its impact on East Asian cultures.