More Lotus

I'm reading The Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic translated by Gene Reeves. I wrote a little bit about how The Lotus Sutra rewrote Buddhism in a recent post. I first learned about The Lotus Sutra from Donald Lopez Jr.. Lopez described The Lotus Sutra changing the theology of Buddhism. Reeves offers a less strict interpretation his introduction to his translation. I especially liked the following paragraph:

“It is also a very clever way to answer the question of how it is possible for one to overcome obstacles, however conceived, along the path of becoming a buddha. If ordinary human beings are completely under the sway of passions and delusions, by what power can they break through such a net of limitations? Some say that it is only by one’s own strength; one can be saved only by oneself. Others say that it is only by the power of Amida Buddha or perhaps Guan-yin that one can be led to awakening. The Lotus Sutra says that it is by a power that is at once one’s own and Shakyamuni Buddha’s. The Buddha really is embodied in the lives of ordinary people. He himself is both a one and a many.” Gene Reeves

Other religions have a similar dilemmas between God/gods and free will. Even the non-religious have a similar dilemma between determinism and free will.

Both is a great answer. It keeps responsibility on the individual, and people need to take responsibility. But it's also good to be able to let go to a high power. According to Reeves, Buddhism, like other religions, keep both ideas.

As an atheist/agnostic, I really like a solf determinism where free will and determinism are compatible. It's both!