The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1394 page)

(1903–58).
Russian lay theologian. One of the greatest 20th-cent. exponents of
Orthodox
theology in the W., he was opposed to the sophiological theories of
Bulgakov
, and championed a renewal of the thought of the fathers interpreted in the light of
hesychasm
. Among W. thinkers he was drawn to Meister
Eckhart
, on whom he wrote an important study. He combined a profoundly
apophatic theology
with a doctrine of the mystery of the human person created in the image of God. His works include
The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church
(1944, 1957);
In the Image and Likeness of God
(1967; 1975), and
Orthodox Theology
(1964, 1978).

 
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(Skt.,
padma
). Religious symbol in Eastern religions.
Hinduism
The lotus represents beauty, and also non-attachment: as the lotus, rooted in mud, floats on water without becoming wet, so should the one seeking release live in the world without attachment. More specifically, it represents centres of consciousness (
cakra
) in the body.
Buddhism
The lotus summarizes the true nature of those who float free of ignorance (
avidya
) and attain enlightenment (
bodhi
). It is therefore the throne or seat of a buddha; and in
Pure Land
, it is the symbol of the Buddha's teaching.
See also
PU
ARIKA
.

 
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Lotus Position
:

see
PADM
SANA
.

 
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Lotus School
:

see
T’IEN-T’AI
.

 
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(Skt.,
Saddharmapu
arikas
tra
, ‘The
S
tra
on the True
Dharma
[which resembles a] White Lotus’). An early (1st cent. BCE–2nd cent. CE) and most important
Mah
y
na
s
tra. It is taught by
kyamuni
Buddha
in his
Sa
bhoga-kaya
(cf.
trikaya
) form. The s
tra reveals a new interpretation of many traditional beliefs, particularly concerning the nature of the Buddha. In the
Lotus
, the Buddha is no longer regarded as a mere mortal but as a sublime being with supernatural powers who preaches in a mythological paradise surrounded by thousands upon thousands of followers.
The true dharma teaches that the buddhas pass into nirv
na after, not before, all sentient beings, and the true Buddhist unwearyingly labours along the bodhisattva path for the liberation of all beings.