The Concept of Śānti in Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra

Abstract

Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra, The Lotus Sutra, is one of the most important, popular, and influential Sūtras of Mahāyāna School. As taught in this Sūtra, infinite possibilities are open to human beings. The Buddha claimed that since all non‐living and living beings including humans are manifestations of the great life-force of the universe, all of them are considered equal in terms of the fundamental values of their existence. In addition, this Sūtra provides us with various fields concerned with common practice in life and ways leading to true happiness. One of them is known as the concept of śānti – peace, which is said to have assisted cultivators to achieve the state of mental tranquillity. Based on the teachings of the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra primarily in the fourteenth chapter entitled “Peaceful Practices”, the paper aims to elaborate this concept as one of the main causes of The Buddha’s manifestation. In fact, during his lifetime, our Enlightened One applied a variety of preaching methods in order for his disciples including monks, nuns and lay Buddhists to obtain true happiness in this life, and the common objectives of such methods are to gain peace in mind. Above all, the essence of the Buddha’s teachings lies in the regular practice and the achievement of powers. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze issues involved in the concept of śānti– peace. Through this process, the writer will outline certain prerequisites taught with Manjushriby the Buddha, which Dharma preachers are required to consolidate. In addition, a method of protecting the bodies and minds of cultivators by the Buddha will be taken into consideration. Therefore, the writer would like to reach a conclusion that the Buddha, through the conversation with Manjuśrī, described the great importance of peace as an indispensable role for those with the aim of gaining true liberty in life