Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra

This manuscript contains the Lotus Sūtra (Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra), also known as The White Lotus of the Good Dharma, a foundational Mahāyāna scripture attributed to the Buddha Śākyamuni. Delivered on Vulture Peak to a vast assembly of bodhisattvas—including those emerging from beneath the earth—the sūtra teaches the existence of a single, true path to enlightenment. It distinguishes between provisional and ultimate teachings and portrays the Buddha as an eternal being who continues to teach beyond his historical lifetime. Central episodes include the appearance of the long-departed Buddha Prabhūtaratna in a suspended stūpa, into which Śākyamuni enters, signifying the unity of all Buddhas. Especially revered in East Asia, the text emphasizes its own supremacy and the boundless merit gained through devotion to it. (Source: 84000) According to Matsunami (Notebook 1, p. 41ff.), folio 35 is missing. The manuscript is incomplete and shows signs of damage, particularly toward the end. Folia are numbered on the recto in the right margin. To assist with foliation, Matsunami inserted paper slips. The final leaves are heavily deteriorated.