Qing · by 大義集
257,218 · about 857 min
The Great Compendium of the Lotus Sutra (also known as the Collected Essential Meanings of the Lotus Sutra) is a significant commentary composed by the eminent Tiantai monk Yisong Xueqing of the Qing dynasty to elucidate the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra translated by Kumārajīva. This work emerged against the backdrop of Buddhist revival in the early Qing period. Adhering to the Tiantai school’s perfect teaching of the Lotus Sutra as established by the Great Master Zhiyi, Yisong Xueqing systematically organized and provided profound explanations of the sutra’s text. Its primary content lies in expounding the doctrine of the One Vehicle’s perfect and immediate teaching, focusing on key principles such as opening the provisional to reveal the real, uniting the three vehicles into the one, and the true aspect of all phenomena. It also offers concise interpretations of essential terms and practices within the sutra. This commentary is regarded as one of the authoritative works in Lotus Sutra studies from the Qing dynasty, holding an important position in the Tiantai lineage and the history of Lotus Sutra exegesis, providing clear guidance for later generations of students to deeply understand the Lotus Sutra.