Lotos-Sutra Hardcover – 1 January 2009
German edition by Margareta von Borsig (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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Print length
413 pages
German
Publisher : Herder, Freiburg (1 January 2009)
Language : German
Hardcover : 413 pages
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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happy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Can one evaluate Mahayana Buddhism?
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 5 January 2015
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Can one evaluate Mahayana Buddhism?
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Can one evaluate Mahayana Buddhism?
If so, and only then, can you rate this book.
The book's subtitle is a lie: The Lotus Sutra is neither an enlightenment book nor a book of all Buddhism (just as Martin Luther's catechism is not a book of all Christianity).
The book's subtitle is a lie: The Lotus Sutra is neither an enlightenment book nor a book of all Buddhism (just as Martin Luther's catechism is not a book of all Christianity).
The Lotus Sutra is the central book of the Mahayana denomination of Buddhism. Especially the great vehicle (mahayana) relies more on promises, rites and faith than on enlightenment.
The Lotus Sutra is also rather unsuitable for meditation
or even as a guide to the Boddhisatwa.
The actual text extends over 350 pages and the Chinese original was written almost 1000 years after Buddha-Gautama. It is supposed to represent a sermon of the Buddha (at 350 pages an extremely long sermon lasting many hours), the Buddha-Gautama on Geierspitzberg (a real place in Bihar, ie a very small rocky peak that only offers space for very few people, unless the little space is occupied by countless vultures) is said to have held.
The actual text extends over 350 pages and the Chinese original was written almost 1000 years after Buddha-Gautama. It is supposed to represent a sermon of the Buddha (at 350 pages an extremely long sermon lasting many hours), the Buddha-Gautama on Geierspitzberg (a real place in Bihar, ie a very small rocky peak that only offers space for very few people, unless the little space is occupied by countless vultures) is said to have held.
Unfortunately, there are neither photos of the Boddhisatwas mentioned nor a photo of the very small rocky peak of the Geierspitzberg (Griddhraj Parvat) in this book. So you only have a realistic, plastic understanding of the mentioned Boddhisatwas and the place of the sermon by googling.
Much in the Lotus Sutra is reminiscent of the Gospel of Luke: the parable of the prodigal son (this is even more difficult than in Luke), the parable of the herbs (is an analogue of the parables of the wheat field and the parable of the vineyard).
Much in the Lotus Sutra is reminiscent of the Gospel of Luke: the parable of the prodigal son (this is even more difficult than in Luke), the parable of the herbs (is an analogue of the parables of the wheat field and the parable of the vineyard).
The style of the parables is also reminiscent of Luke. This may well have been the reason that the Catholic Church financed this translation into German and published it through a Catholic publisher.
The words in this Lotus Sutra, on the other hand, do not sound like the benevolent and tolerant Gautama at all. Here are the concluding words of the discourse (Chapter-28):
The words in this Lotus Sutra, on the other hand, do not sound like the benevolent and tolerant Gautama at all. Here are the concluding words of the discourse (Chapter-28):
"Again, if one sees those who take up and adhere to sutras, and he proclaims their faults and transgressions, whether true or false: such a one will be afflicted with leprosy in the present life. If he laughs at them, for generations his teeth will be gapped or missing, his lips low, his nose flat, his hands and feet crooked, his eyes squinting, his body foul-smelling and dirty, with bad scabies and bloody pus, he will become addicted to water and asthmatic, in short, be afflicted with any serious disease Therefore, Samantabhadra, when you see those who are absorbing and keeping this sutra, you should stand up and salute them from afar,
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Pe-Bu
5.0 out of 5 stars enrichment
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 28 August 2012
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Anyone who is interested in Mahayana Buddhism and would like to study one of the most influential texts of almost all Mahayana schools and traditions will find this careful translation very useful. The translation is appropriate for today's German language without being modernist. And in many footnotes, terms and contexts are explained and worked out very carefully and in as much detail as necessary, but also as briefly as possible. So if you want to get to know one of the "sacred texts" of most Japanese Buddhist schools (Tendai, Nichiren, etc.), then this book is highly recommended.
However, the subtitle of the book "The Great Enlightenment Book of Buddhism" bothers me a little. First, in the Buddhist traditions for which this sutra is authoritative, enlightenment plays a far less important role than it does in Zen Buddhism. Above all, however, one cannot speak of an "enlightenment book of Buddhism", because the Lotus Sutra has only marginal importance for many other Buddhist traditions and schools (Theravada (Hinayana), Tibetan Buddhism, also Zen to a certain extent). Here the publisher approaches a small "trick" that can perhaps be explained in terms of sales, which the book does not need at all, especially since the (publisher's) blurb itself indicates that the sutra is only relevant for certain Buddhist schools.
Nevertheless, I give 5 points, because this small critical note does not change the fact that this text is not only an enrichment for Buddhists, but for all those who are religiously, yes, philosophically interested.
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Michael Schroeder
3.0 out of 5 stars Mahayana programmatic
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Anyone who is interested in Mahayana Buddhism and would like to study one of the most influential texts of almost all Mahayana schools and traditions will find this careful translation very useful. The translation is appropriate for today's German language without being modernist. And in many footnotes, terms and contexts are explained and worked out very carefully and in as much detail as necessary, but also as briefly as possible. So if you want to get to know one of the "sacred texts" of most Japanese Buddhist schools (Tendai, Nichiren, etc.), then this book is highly recommended.
However, the subtitle of the book "The Great Enlightenment Book of Buddhism" bothers me a little. First, in the Buddhist traditions for which this sutra is authoritative, enlightenment plays a far less important role than it does in Zen Buddhism. Above all, however, one cannot speak of an "enlightenment book of Buddhism", because the Lotus Sutra has only marginal importance for many other Buddhist traditions and schools (Theravada (Hinayana), Tibetan Buddhism, also Zen to a certain extent). Here the publisher approaches a small "trick" that can perhaps be explained in terms of sales, which the book does not need at all, especially since the (publisher's) blurb itself indicates that the sutra is only relevant for certain Buddhist schools.
Nevertheless, I give 5 points, because this small critical note does not change the fact that this text is not only an enrichment for Buddhists, but for all those who are religiously, yes, philosophically interested.
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Michael Schroeder
3.0 out of 5 stars Mahayana programmatic
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 9 August 2020
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The book is touted as an important enlightenment book. It certainly is for those Mahayana schools that refer to the Lotus Sutra. It must be one of the earlier Mahayana sutras and develops some key Mahayana tenets such as the Bodhisattva path, the need to teach the Buddha's doctrine by the means appropriate to the situation, that all can become Buddhas, etc. Many of these are said to be so special and new teachings are also laid out in Theravada and the Pali Canon.
What I really dislike about the Lotus Sutra is the constant propaganda for the supposed superiority of Mahayana over the other Sravaka Buddhist schools (of which only Theravada survives today).
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The book is touted as an important enlightenment book. It certainly is for those Mahayana schools that refer to the Lotus Sutra. It must be one of the earlier Mahayana sutras and develops some key Mahayana tenets such as the Bodhisattva path, the need to teach the Buddha's doctrine by the means appropriate to the situation, that all can become Buddhas, etc. Many of these are said to be so special and new teachings are also laid out in Theravada and the Pali Canon.
What I really dislike about the Lotus Sutra is the constant propaganda for the supposed superiority of Mahayana over the other Sravaka Buddhist schools (of which only Theravada survives today).
And the constant praise of the uniqueness of one's Lotus Sutra teachings.
And the virtual damnation of all who, like me now, doubt its uniqueness and meaning.
From the point of view of an "educated Buddhist" it might be nice to know the numerous parables, such as that of the prodigal son, the burning house or the imagined "heavenly" city, which have now almost become common property.
Despite some passages that are definitely worth reading and interesting, the Lotus Sutra appears to me in numerous passages primarily as a propaganda document of the Mahayana that was flourishing at the time.
From the point of view of an "educated Buddhist" it might be nice to know the numerous parables, such as that of the prodigal son, the burning house or the imagined "heavenly" city, which have now almost become common property.
Despite some passages that are definitely worth reading and interesting, the Lotus Sutra appears to me in numerous passages primarily as a propaganda document of the Mahayana that was flourishing at the time.
I would have to read the Lotus Sutra in historical context to better appreciate its achievements. Unfortunately I don't have the information (books, papers, ...)
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Matthias
5.0 out of 5 stars The Lotus Sutra is well worth readingReviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 3 March 2017
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The evaluation applies to the text of the Lotus Sutra.
Less the author of the book, who ends up talking too much about the Catholic Church.
It has no place in a book about the Lotus Sutra.
Buddha is the father of this world - I am the father of this world.
The text of the Lotus Sutra is well translated and presented separately.
The translation is far better than Thich Nan Tan's.
The author of the book has done a very good job in this regard.
To those who like the Lotus Sutra, the father of this world will reveal himself to him, who as an invisible force tries to free his children from the chains of this world and lead them back into the light. Nice that this translation of the Lotus Sutra exists.
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Waldrose
4.0 out of 5 stars Can you evaluate a state of mind?Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 15 March 2013
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This book contains sacred texts that have strong meaning for me. The resemblance to the New Testament is interesting.
I bought the book to check the claims of the book: "Mysteries about Jesus Christ". It's very exciting.
Only then did I get holy wrath in the middle. Always only Buddhas, only monks, only men. In the beginning there was also something about nuns, but it became more and more masculine. That's when I hit the crisis. I am a woman, at the time the book was written, there were women there too, I assume, but this worldwide ignoring of women in religion prompted me to close this book and I decided again the stories of Frau Holle by Heide Göttner-Abendroth.
That was healing for my woman's soul.
I don't want to deny the sacredness of this book, only as a woman I don't find myself addressed. Therefore a star deduction.
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Only then did I get holy wrath in the middle. Always only Buddhas, only monks, only men. In the beginning there was also something about nuns, but it became more and more masculine. That's when I hit the crisis. I am a woman, at the time the book was written, there were women there too, I assume, but this worldwide ignoring of women in religion prompted me to close this book and I decided again the stories of Frau Holle by Heide Göttner-Abendroth.
That was healing for my woman's soul.
I don't want to deny the sacredness of this book, only as a woman I don't find myself addressed. Therefore a star deduction.
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Heide Gottner-Abendroth
Frau Holle >
The fairy folk of the Dolomites: The great goddess myths of Central Europe and the Alps retold
by Heide Göttner-Abendroth Paperback – 19 Oct. 2005
by Heide Goettner-Abendroth (Author)
by Heide Goettner-Abendroth (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
Frau Holle – a Great Goddess? The popular story of the old woman in the clouds has many a surprise in store. From a rich treasure trove of Frau Holle myths, Heide Göttner-Abendroth brings to life the image of a cult figure who has shaped people's lives for thousands of years. What we knew as fairy tales now encounters us in a remarkably different way. This time, in her literary retelling of influential myths, Heide Göttner-Abendroth traced the figure of Mother Holle and the fairy world of the Dolomites. These myths from Central Europe, known today as 'Children's and Household Tales', were once robbed of their religious and spiritual content. Although a living belief in the helping power of the maternal goddess had long been cultivated, An alienation from the matriarchal world finally took place with the writing of the myths. Heide Göttner-Abendroth uncovers real places and names in the fairy tales and gives them back their historical and spiritual content. The figure of Mother Holle embodies the matriarchal cycle of the seasons. For a long time she resisted patriarchalisation; but when she can no longer stop them, she takes her blessings with her. The cycle of myths surrounding the fairy people of the Dolomites is also an example of drastic historical changes. Heide Goettner-Abendroth gives these unjustly neglected stories back their place in the system of the great goddess myths. A treasure trove for those interested in history, lovers of fairy tales and legends, for parents and young people, scientists and laypeople. ---- Excerpt Frau Holle This is the wheel of time!', said Frau Holle. 'It made you grow older as it walked, and it transformed me into the divine crone at the end of this year.' With these words she threw off her heavy cloak, put down the high hood and ordered the mill wheel to stop. Groaning, the mill wheel came to a standstill and Frau Holle sat on top of it. 'But this year is over, a new one is beginning!' she called from above, 'I too want to renew myself.' And she said the magic spell: 'What is old becomes young with a swing!' Now the mill wheel turned backwards. Schrumm, it whizzed around once, and after this roundabout the goddess had become a year younger. Schrumm, went the second roundabout, scrounge scruff, another and another, and with every turn Frau Holle grew younger. […] She jumped down and now resembled herself, bringing the first buds of spring to all lands in March of every year. Light was her veil and dove feathers her dress. […] The rejuvenated Holle grabbed one of the fair ones after the other and threw them onto the mill wheel, saying the saying: 'What is old becomes young with a swing!' And crooked, the wheel ground backwards, made one after the other young and beautiful again like at the beginning of the year. The same thing happened to the earth serpent, in the whirl of spokes the time that had passed so far ran back for her, without her forgetting what she had learned and experienced. Her hands became smooth and her face beautiful, and she felt lightness in her heart again. That was Mother Holle's gift that she rejuvenated her priestesses like herself. But one last one still stood there, she seemed helpless and lost. The goddess looked at her angrily, spoke the severe words: 'You have served me badly as a priestess! You were lazy with the people to whose help I sent you, you also accepted gifts against my command. Chattering you revealed your time and secrets to guard. […] I will give you the reward for it!' Without further ado she grabbed the unfaithful priestess, threw her onto the mill wheel and said the magic spell: 'The mill grinds, what is young grows old!' Schrumm, the wheel was turning forward again, and before the faithless woman could think of it, she was a year older. On the next trip, another year had passed, then another one and another one, time went by so fast for her. The false fair lady screamed and begged to be allowed off the wheel again, but whining and crying didn't help her, the mill wheel turned incessantly and ground her into a very old woman. When the goddess took her down, she was crooked and wrinkled, her arms hanging withered about her body. So she had wasted her life with her naughtiness. She was sent back to Earth...
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
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Ina Wähner
4.0 out of 5 stars New impressions of old stories
Reviewed in Germany on 12 August 2006
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As in the first two parts, the author describes legends and myths from the times when mother-daughter inheritance was still common. Traces of the old mother goddess, who is often still called "Frau Holle", can be found in the Alpine region and in the German low mountain ranges, as well as corresponding links to legends, such as with the Thannhäuser myth or the Kyffhäuser story. The second part of the book tells the
story of the Dolomite fairies with their queens - reflected in the mountains; the mother line is passed on in different versions and the connection with the animal kingdom finds meaning in harmony with omnipotent nature.
In this book, too, the mirrored but well-known version is told in the respective appendix, which has been handed down to us through the collections of fairy tales from the patriarchate. Recognizing the fascinating female side gives tremendous insights into almost lost female development phases.
32 people found this helpful
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Brit
5.0 out of 5 stars
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As in the first two parts, the author describes legends and myths from the times when mother-daughter inheritance was still common. Traces of the old mother goddess, who is often still called "Frau Holle", can be found in the Alpine region and in the German low mountain ranges, as well as corresponding links to legends, such as with the Thannhäuser myth or the Kyffhäuser story. The second part of the book tells the
story of the Dolomite fairies with their queens - reflected in the mountains; the mother line is passed on in different versions and the connection with the animal kingdom finds meaning in harmony with omnipotent nature.
In this book, too, the mirrored but well-known version is told in the respective appendix, which has been handed down to us through the collections of fairy tales from the patriarchate. Recognizing the fascinating female side gives tremendous insights into almost lost female development phases.
32 people found this helpful
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Brit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in Germany on 22 August 2012
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I was just fascinated by this book. So many things that you still have stored in the subconscious from the old beliefs come together after this book and make sense. I was fortunate to read and learn from this beautiful ancient faith. Many things make more sense to me than some beliefs today. Many thanks to the author!!!!! In any case, this book is highly recommended.
10 people found this helpful
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J. W.
3.0 out of 5 stars Matriarchat
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I was just fascinated by this book. So many things that you still have stored in the subconscious from the old beliefs come together after this book and make sense. I was fortunate to read and learn from this beautiful ancient faith. Many things make more sense to me than some beliefs today. Many thanks to the author!!!!! In any case, this book is highly recommended.
10 people found this helpful
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J. W.
3.0 out of 5 stars Matriarchat
Reviewed in Germany on 6 February 2006
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really nice stories that Mrs. göttner-abendroth has put together. the subject of 'matriarchy' should certainly not be dismissed as a fairy tale, but göttner-abendroth places it in the realm of legends. she is completely wrong in her assumption that the problem of war and violence was completely unknown in pre-celtic and pre-germanic societies - the archaeological finds prove the opposite: just think of the violent death of ötzi and the mass graves of talheim - not to mention the proven human sacrifices. göttner-abendroth unfortunately loses credibility with her theses and is therefore no help in matriarchy research.
26 people found this helpful
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Christian F. Brunner
4.0 out of 5 stars Important and good book
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really nice stories that Mrs. göttner-abendroth has put together. the subject of 'matriarchy' should certainly not be dismissed as a fairy tale, but göttner-abendroth places it in the realm of legends. she is completely wrong in her assumption that the problem of war and violence was completely unknown in pre-celtic and pre-germanic societies - the archaeological finds prove the opposite: just think of the violent death of ötzi and the mass graves of talheim - not to mention the proven human sacrifices. göttner-abendroth unfortunately loses credibility with her theses and is therefore no help in matriarchy research.
26 people found this helpful
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Christian F. Brunner
4.0 out of 5 stars Important and good book
Reviewed in Germany on 16 October 2014
I would recommend reading this work to anyone who cares about the survival of European traditions. Much only makes sense through the matricentric mythology.
Unfortunately, from a spiritual point of view, the author walks into the same quagmire as those she so harshly condemns in her writings. Everything that is not matricentric is fundamentally bad. So did the Celts, who absolutely had a culture supported by the Great Goddess.
Anyway, she misses finding wisdom in balance.
Abfalter, the apple tree druid
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Rosalyn Reeder
5.0 out of 5 stars Mother Hulda
I would recommend reading this work to anyone who cares about the survival of European traditions. Much only makes sense through the matricentric mythology.
Unfortunately, from a spiritual point of view, the author walks into the same quagmire as those she so harshly condemns in her writings. Everything that is not matricentric is fundamentally bad. So did the Celts, who absolutely had a culture supported by the Great Goddess.
Anyway, she misses finding wisdom in balance.
Abfalter, the apple tree druid
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Rosalyn Reeder
5.0 out of 5 stars Mother Hulda
Reviewed in Germany on 20 October 2009
I read, but do not write, German. I ordered this book because of the Frau Holle research. So far, I have read only the Frau Holle section. It verifies so much of what I have researched ever since reading Merlin Stone's "When God was a Woman", 1978. December 2006 I was in Munich, where I was excited to find the holly-shaped cookies for sale at Dolmayr labeled Hexenblätter. At the Swarevski shop on the Marienplatz, I asked for the Hexenblat pendant I saw in the window. The clerk had no idea what I meant - told me this was Stechpalme. Neither clerk had any idea what I meant by "holly."
I hope the book will be translated into English so the English speaking world will be able to participate in the resurgence of Frau Holle. This was not a "cult" but a major world religion - since it links with Brigid, Hera, Hapi, Kali und viel weiter.
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Y. Arendt
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful fairy talesReviewed in Germany on 9 September 2010
beautiful fairy tales about the great goddess Frau Holle. It is a beautiful collection with many little-known fairy tales about Frau Holle. Very nice book.
2 people found this helpful
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I read, but do not write, German. I ordered this book because of the Frau Holle research. So far, I have read only the Frau Holle section. It verifies so much of what I have researched ever since reading Merlin Stone's "When God was a Woman", 1978. December 2006 I was in Munich, where I was excited to find the holly-shaped cookies for sale at Dolmayr labeled Hexenblätter. At the Swarevski shop on the Marienplatz, I asked for the Hexenblat pendant I saw in the window. The clerk had no idea what I meant - told me this was Stechpalme. Neither clerk had any idea what I meant by "holly."
I hope the book will be translated into English so the English speaking world will be able to participate in the resurgence of Frau Holle. This was not a "cult" but a major world religion - since it links with Brigid, Hera, Hapi, Kali und viel weiter.
12 people found this helpful
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Y. Arendt
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful fairy talesReviewed in Germany on 9 September 2010
beautiful fairy tales about the great goddess Frau Holle. It is a beautiful collection with many little-known fairy tales about Frau Holle. Very nice book.
2 people found this helpful
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