Does Everyone Get to Ride the “Great Vehicle”?: Exclusive Inclusivism in the Lotus Sūtra

Themes of exclusion and inclusion are prominent in the Lotus Sūtra, one of the most popular texts in the Mahāyāna Buddhism. The Lotus proclaims the Buddhahood of all beings, espousing a Buddhistic “universal salvation.” On the face of it, this makes the Lotus an inclusive scripture, yet it also has a strong exclusivist dimension. This basic contradiction makes the Lotus a fascinating yet frustrating text to work with. This chapter addresses the text’s play between inclusivism and exclusivism, and problems this poses. I suggest that the Lotus does not resolve such matters so much as resist attempts to impose a definitive message, thereby challenging our desire for easy certainties. Ironically, by excluding finality, the Lotus actually fosters continual engagement—what could be more inclusive?