The Sutra That Expounds the Descent of Maitreya Buddha and His Enlightenment; The Sutra of Manjusri's Questions

One of three texts that constitute the Maitreya Triple Sutra; Compiled after the well known Sutra which made a lasting impression of the concerns of the Indian Mahayana community. The Sutra That Expounds the Descent of Maitreya Buddha etc. (Taisho 454) follows the tradition of portraying Maitreya as the future Buddha who will arise to restore the Dharma after the original teachings have fallen into decline. The Sutra of Mañjuśrī’s Questions (Taisho 468) reflects the vibrant state of Indian Buddhism during what was perhaps its most creative period and imparts a lasting impression of the concerns of the Indian Mahayana community.

• Shotaro Iida, Translator

• Jane Goldstone, Translator

• John R. McRae, Translator

  John R. McRae (1947-2011) was a preeminent scholar of Chinese Buddhism who specialized in the rise of Chan (Zen) during the Tang Dynasty. He held positions at Cornell University, Indiana University, and Komazawa University and served for many years as Chair of the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai Publication Committee.