“The Vimalakirti Sutra, one of the most famous and influencial works of the Mahayana canon, is outstanding for the eloquent and orderly manner in which it expounds the basic tenets of Mahayana, the liveliness of its episodes, and its frequent touches of humor, these last a rarity in a religious work of this type. The Vimalakirti Sutra is also unusual in that its central figure is not a Buddha or Buddhas but a wealthy townsman of Shakyamuni’s time. Vimalakirti, who in his religious understanding and practice epitomizes the ideal lay believer. For this reason, and because of the sutra’s remarkable literary appeal, it has enjoyed particular popularity among lay Buddhists in China, Japan, and the other Asian countries where Mahayana doctrines prevail and has exercised a marked influence on their Mahayana Buddhism, it has held a place of particular importance in the Ch’an or Zen sect.” ― Burton Watson, (p2, Introduction, The Vimalakirti Sutra, tr Burton Watson 1999, from Chinese edition Kumarajiva, 406CE. Motilal Barnasidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1672-5)

— The Vimalakirti Sutra (Page 2)