Lotus Sutra, "a Multiplicative Thinking And Its Literary Characteristics

Based on the relations between Buddhism and literature, this paper, whose subject is about single vehicle and literature characteristics in Lotus Sutra, is the research work of the Buddhist literature. The paper is divided into three parts: 1 , the original sutra of Lotus Sutra and its spread through translations and notes.2, the concept of Lotus Sutra. 3, the research on literature characteristics of the sutra, especially the literal meaning in the preface of Lotus Sutra and the art of metaphor.Chapter 1 elaborates the history of the text spread Lotus Sutra, such as the spread of the original sutra in ancient India and the translation in ancient China. It introduces the re-study of the Sanskrit sutra following the development of the near modern archeology works in the Central Asia, and discusses the background of Lotus Sutra through the research.Chapter 2 introduces the background of studies on the single vehicle as a central notion of the theory, especially the point of the classic of explaining the Buddhism considered by Mr Lv-cheng, and establishes the research method in the sutra, theory , practice, consequence etc. The paper considers that the origin of thought of the single vehicle is based on the connection between the Law of Dependent Origination in the Mahayana and the glorification of the Buddha. The paper explains the construction of the meaning of the single vehicle in 3 ways : one vehicle equivalent to three vehicles, Buddhist view formed in ancient times, and the thought of convenience.The literature research in the chapter 3 & chapter 4 is the most important part of this dissertation. It tries to make a foundation of study tactics of sutra literature which contemplates the aescethic characteristics whose basis are Buddhist philosophy on the theological premise. Furthermore, it reflects the literary property by the principles and tactics on the unification of religion and art.This dissertation also discusses the literal meanings originated from metaphoric symbolism of fa hua liu rui, dramatic effects of liu rui xu and yi nian xu, and specific narration structure through Wen shu shi li 's answers.As the main method of expressing the Buddhism, Metaphor embodies the thought and literature in Lotus Sutra. Absorbing the new research about the metaphor, The paper discusses the special artistic features of the Mahayana metaphor in this sutra. The first, the paper deals with the thought that the metaphor is regarded as the special convenience to learn the truth and the method making the theory solemner, at the same time, the metaphor has a function convincing people to believe and enjoy, and aescethetic result of exceeding minor noise by superior sound. The second, the paper considers that different types of metaphor explain the thought of the single...