The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important sutras in Mahayana Buddhism. Translated by Kumarajiva in the 5th century, its teachings have inspired many Buddhist scholars such as Chih-i and Saicho from the Tiantai (Tendai) tradition, Dogen from the Zen tradition and Nichiren the 13th century Kamakura founder and reformer. There is a relative lack of scholarly works that are devoted to an examination of how its philosophical ideas were received and developed throughout history. This book remedies that lack by tracing the origin and development of Lotus Sutra thought, and interprets the text from the perspective of the doctrine of Buddha-nature in Mahayana Buddhism.

This book explores the resonances between Deleuze's philosophy and a range of philosophical concepts in Buddhism. Focusing on this rarely examined relationship, this book gathers perspectives from scholars around the globe to explore the continuities and discontinuities between Deleuze's and Buddhist thought. They examine immanence, intensity, assemblages and desire, and the concepts of ethics and meditation. This volume will prove to be an important resource for readers and scholars interested in philosophy, critical theory and comparative studies. They will find this an engaging and invaluable examination of two different yet similar modes of thought.