Why is the Lotus Sutra considered a key text in Mahayana Buddhism?

The Lotus Sutra is regarded as a fundamental scripture in Mahayana Buddhism primarily because it emphasizes the notion that enlightenment is accessible to all individuals, not just a select few. This inclusive perspective is a transformative aspect of Mahayana thought. The Sutra highlights the potential for all beings to attain Buddhahood, thereby encouraging practitioners to aspire for enlightenment themselves, regardless of their current spiritual state or background. Such teachings contrast with some earlier Buddhist traditions that positioned enlightenment as reserved for a limited number of individuals, such as monks or those with advanced spiritual training.

Within the Lotus Sutra, the idea that even those who may be considered unlikely candidates—like laypeople or those engaged in worldly life—can achieve enlightenment serves to expand the audience of Buddhism and invites broader participation in the path toward spiritual awakening. This inclusivity is one of the hallmarks of Mahayana Buddhism, as reflected in its focus on compassion and the encouragement of altruistic behavior.

The other options do not encapsulate the defining reasons for the Lotus Sutra's significance in Mahayana Buddhism. It is not the earliest written record of Buddha's teachings; that title generally belongs to earlier texts known as the Pali Canon. While the Sutra does contain important teachings that practitioners are encouraged to follow,