Please read the Lotus Sutra and respond to the questions at the end of the first short selection (these questions are pasted below). Each response should be between 1-3 sentences and should come only from the primary source itself. In these excerpts, how does the Buddha explain the existence of various Buddhist teachings?As the Lotus Sūtra describes it, is there one or are there many truths?Is the understanding of truth articulated in these excerpts something that would contribute to a democratic and egalitarian religion or to an elitist religious hierarchy?How do later texts in other philosophical or religious traditions deal with alternative texts that claim authority? Do they use techniques similar to the doctrine of “expedient means”? Or do different philosophical or religious traditions use other strategies to establish the ultimate authority of a particular text or teaching? NonThe Lotus Sūtra is a Buddhist scripture composed well after the death of the historical Buddha (around 483 BCE)and written down in Sanskrit even later. The scripture was translated into Chinese at least five different timesbetween 255 and 601 CE and proved to be a tremendously influential text for Chinese Buddhism. The Lotus Sūtrais a text of the Mahāyāna School of Buddhism. As such, its major message is that there is only one way to reachenlightenment, and that is through the way of the bodhisattva as described in the Lotus Sūtra. The passagebelow, which describes the Buddha talking with one of his followers, Säriputra, addresses the question of themultitude, of why there are so many schools of Buddhism. This is an issue that Mahāyāna scriptures had toaddress, since they were written relatively late in the history of Buddhism and had to compete for authority withearlier texts.Document Excerpts with Questions (Longer selection follows this section)From Sources of Chinese Tradition, compiled by Wm. Theodore de Bary and Irene Bloom, 2nd ed., vol. 1 (New York ColumbiaUniversity Press, 1999), 447-448. © 1999 Columbia University Press. Reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Allrights reserved.Selection from the Lotus Sutra:"The Buddha Preaches the One Great Vehicle""Śāriputra, ever since I attained Buddhahood I have through various causes and various simileswidely expounded my teachings and have used countless expedient means to guide livingbeings and cause them to renounce their attachments. Why is this? Because the Thus-Come Oneis fully possessed of both expedient means and the perfection of wisdom. ..."DIGE"Śäriputra, the Buddhas preach the Law in accordance with what is appropriate, but themeaning is difficult to understand. Why is this? Because we employ countless expedient means,discussing causes and conditions and using words of simile and parable to expound theteachings. This Law is not something that can be understood through pondering or analysis.Only those who are Buddhas can understand it. www"Śäriputra, I know that living beings have various desires, attachments that are deeplyimplanted in their minds. Taking cognizance of this basic nature of theirs, I will therefore usePrimary Source Document, with Questions (DBQ) onSELECTION FROM THE LOTUS SUTRA: "THE BUDDHA PREACHES THE ONE GREAT VEHICLE"various causes and conditions, words of simile and parable, and the power of expedient meansand expound the Law for them. Śäriputra, I do this so that all of them may attain the oneBuddha vehicle and wisdom embracing all species. ..."***"... There is no other vehicle, there is only the one Buddha vehicle."

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Please read the Lotus Sutra and respond to the questions at the end of the first short selection (these questions are pasted below). Each response should be between 1-3 sentences and should come only from the primary source itself. In these excerpts, how does the Buddha explain the existence of various Buddhist teachings? As the Lotus Sūtra describes it, is there one or are there many truths? Is the understanding of truth articulated in these excerpts something that would contribute to a democratic and egalitarian religion or to an elitist religious hierarchy?

Please read the Lotus Sutra and respond to the questions at the end of the first short selection (these questions are pasted below). Each response should be between 1-3 sentences and should come only from the primary source itself. In these excerpts, how does the Buddha explain the existence of various Buddhist teachings? As the Lotus Sūtra describes it, is there one or are there many truths? Is the understanding of truth articulated in these excerpts something that would contribute to a democratic and egalitarian religion or to an elitist religious hierarchy?