About 新菩薩經
177 · about 1 min
The *New Bodhisattva Sutra* is a Buddhist scripture composed in China, categorized among the apocryphal sutras. Its specific author is unknown, and it is traditionally believed to have been compiled during the Tang Dynasty. Its historical context is closely tied to the concept of the Dharma-Ending Age and popular Buddhist beliefs, reflecting the people's fears of disasters, illnesses, and wars at the time, as well as their urgent desire for the protective power of the Dharma. The sutra primarily focuses on the merits of reciting Buddha's names and transcribing scriptures, promoting the idea that invoking the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can dispel calamities, resolve difficulties, prolong life, and increase blessings. It carries a strong emphasis on practical application and worldly salvation. Although not included in the orthodox Buddhist canon, this sutra was widely circulated among the people and profoundly influenced the secularization of Chinese Buddhism and folk religious beliefs. It remains an important text for studying the social history of Chinese Buddhism and the religious life of the populace.