Buddhist legend, Davis retelling
Golden Lotus
The Golden Lotus appears at the conclusion of a dialogue between the Buddha and a hungry dragon. The dragon demands human flesh before disclosing its final saying, and the Buddha offers his own body. As he touches the creature's jaws, they divide and become eight golden petals.
Also known as Lotus of the Dragon's Jaws · Eight-petalled Golden Lotus
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In the sources
The offering before the transformation
TraditionalDavis's Buddha refuses to provide another life to feed the dragon, but offers his own body in exchange for the last saying. He then springs toward its open mouth.
Jaws becoming petals
TraditionalThe closing passage says the monster's jaws divide into eight parts as the Buddha touches them, immediately becoming the eight petals of the Golden Lotus.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the specific legend Davis says he adapts from Edward Greey, not a general definition of lotus symbolism or a direct Buddhist scripture translation. The account's sayings are not presented as the canonical Four Noble Truths. Evelyn Paul's plate depicts the Buddha and dragon encounter, rather than a surviving golden object.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
he would, for the welfare of his people, sacrifice his own body.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter IV, printed p. 81
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0094
- Original scan leaf
- 111
- Recorded leaf number
- 111
- Current Reader position
- 93
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
changed into the eight petals of the Golden Lotus.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter IV, printed p. 82
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0095
- Original scan leaf
- 112
- Recorded leaf number
- 112
- Current Reader position
- 94
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
