Suramgamasamadhisutra

by Etienne Lamotte

The Buddhist scripture containing teachings that bestow heroic progress on the path to EnlightementThe Suramgamsamadhisutra is an early Mahayana Buddhist scripture. Within a narrative framework provided by a dialogue between the Buddha and the bodhisattva Drdhamati it airs central issues of Mahayana Buddhism by means of philosophical discussion, edifying anecdote, marvellous feat, and drama. At its core is a description of the seeming conversion of Mara, the embodiment of all malign tendencies that obstruct advancement, and the prediction that he too will become a Buddha. Etienne Lamotte (1903-1983), a major figure in the field of Buddhist Studies,Andrew Skilton is a post-doctoral Research Fellow at Cardiff University, working on Mahayana literature, including the Samadhirajasutra. He has published A Concise History of Buddhism (1994) and Santideva`s Bodhicaryavatara (1996).