Monthly Archives: May 2019

d15b, WONS

Practicing the Right Way of Bodhisattvas

“The Teacher of the Dharma” chapter of the Lotus Sūtra preaches, “The highest and most perfect enlightenment that all bodhisattvas should attain is expounded only in this sūtra.” The bodhisattvas in this passage refer to living beings in the nine realms. It means that all the people, virtuous or wicked or female or male, the śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, and bodhisattvas in the Tripiṭaka teaching, the Three Vehicles (śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, and bodhisattvas) in the Common teaching, the bodhisattvas in the Distinct teaching, and the bodhisattvas in the Perfect teaching of the pre-Lotus sūtras must depend on the power of the Lotus Sūtra for becoming Buddhas.

The same chapter also preaches, “Medicine King! Know this that although many laymen or monks will practice the way of bodhisattvas, they will not be able to practice it satisfactorily unless they see, hear, read, recite, copy or keep this Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma or make offerings to it.” This obviously means that though the bodhisattvas practice the Six Bodhisattva Practices and the Four Great Vows through the expedient practices of the Tripiṭaka teaching taking three hundred asaṃkhya kalpa, the Common teaching taking numerous dust-particle kalpa, and the Distinct teaching taking numerous asaṃkhya kalpa, they practice neither the right practices of bodhisattvas nor meritorious good acts until they reach the Lotus Sūtra. It is obvious that they cannot become Buddhas because they do not practice the right way of bodhisattvas.

Ichidai Shōgyō Tai-I, Outline of All the Holy Teachings of the Buddha, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 3, Page 82

Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma – May 25, 2019

My body is pure and indestructible.
I will appear in any of many thousands of billions of worlds
During many hundreds of millions of kalpas,
And expound the Dharma to the living beings.

The Buddha sings these verses to Medicine-King Bodhisattva in Chapter Ten of the Lotus Sūtra. We can hear these lines and assume that the body of the Buddha is somehow a permanent version of the man who lived in this world of conflict 2500 years ago. The body of the Buddha takes many forms. We can see it in his teachings: the Wonderful Dharma he left for us. We can see it in every raindrop, every mountain, every smile and snarling face that comes into our lives. We can see it in the capacity we and all beings have to shed our delusions and live peacefully. The Buddha is always leading us to our better selves, whether we realize it or not.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

LS32

Day 5

Day 5 begins Chapter 3, A Parable

Day 5 Text with annotationsPlay MP3

Having last month heard the prediction of Śāriputra future, we repeat the prediction of Śāriputra in gāthās.

Thereupon the World-Honored One, wishing to repeat what he had said, sang in gāthās:

Śāriputra! In your future life you will become
A Buddha, an Honorable One of Universal Wisdom,
Called Flower-Light,
And save innumerable living beings.

You will make offerings to innumerable Buddhas.
You will perform the Bodhisattva practices.
You will obtain the ten powers and the other merits,
And attain unsurpassed enlightenment.

The kalpa [of that Buddha] will come
after innumerable kalpas from now.
It will be called Great-Treasure-Adornment.
The world [of that Buddha] will be called Free-From-Taint.
It will be pure and undefiled.
Its ground will be made of lapis lazuli.
Its roads will be marked off by ropes of gold.
Its trees of the various colors of the seven treasures
Will always bear flowers and fruit.

The Bodhisattvas of that world
Will always be resolute in mind.
They will have already obtained
The supernatural powers and the paramitas.
They will have already studied the Way of Bodhisattvas
Under innumerable Buddhas.
Those great people will be taught
By the Flower-Light Buddha.

That Buddha will appear in his world at first as a prince.
The prince will give up his princeship and worldly fame.
He will renounce the world at the end of his life as a layman,
And attain the enlightenment of the Buddha.

The duration of the life of Flower-Light Buddha
Will be twelve small kalpas.
The duration of the life of the people of his world
Will be eight small kalpas.

After the extinction of that Buddha,
His right teachings will be preserved
For thirty-two small kalpas.
All living beings will be saved [by his right teachings].

After the end of the period of his right teachings,
The counterfeit of them will last for thirty-two [small kalpas].
His śarīras will be distributed far and wide.
Gods and men will make offerings to them.

These will be the deeds
Of Flower-Light Buddha.
That Honorable Biped will be
The most excellent one without a parallel.
You will be he.
Rejoice!

Continuing with the content from Miraculous Tales of the Lotus Sutra from Ancient Japan, we learn of Ōsumi-no-jō.

Miracles

Ōsumi-no-jō

Having abstained from evil deeds for a long time, a government official with the title of Ōsumi-no-jō strongly aspired to the Way. He had been reciting the Hokekyō for years and had never neglected his daily recitation of a chapter or a copy of the sūtra. He was also devoted to Kannon and observed the proper precepts on the eighteenth day of the month.

He once accompanied the governor to Satsuma Province. After the governor had completed his term of duty, he and his men, including Ōsumi-no-jō, were travelling home to the capital. The governor had developed a grudge against Ōsumi-no-jō and intended to harm him. While crossing the waters between Agi and Suō, they stopped at a remote uninhabited island and marooned Ōsumi-no-jō there.

That was the eighteenth day of the month. Ōsumi-no-jō observed the precepts and recited the eighth roll of the Hokekyō while he tearfully grieved over being marooned and separated from his people, including his wife and children. Thus, he waited for his death.

He tearfully continued to recite the sūtra until the following day. In the morning, when he looked at the sea he saw a black dot on the horizon. The black dot was a small boat which came towards shore as fast as a gale.

The boatmen were surprised to see Ōsumi-no-jō and asked, “Since long ago, no one has come to this island. How did you happen to come ashore?”

Ōsumi-no-jō explained his situation. The amazed boatmen felt sorry for him and gave him food. They said to each other, “We have seen this island from a distance for years but have never been here before. However, last night we suddenly decided to come here and arrived this morning to find this man. Now we clearly know why we hurried to this island. Thanks to the Buddhas’ assistance, this man was to be rescued. We should take him to our village.”

So the boatmen immediately escorted Ōsumi-no-jō to the provincial office of Suhō. Thus thanks to the assistance of Kannon and the miraculous power of the Hokekyō, Ōsumino-jō prolonged his life span. After his safe return to the capital, his faith in Kannon and the Hokekyō increased. (Page 126)

Miraculous Tales of the Lotus Sutra from Ancient Japan


WONS

‘Mutually-Possessed Characteristics of the Ten Realms’

The teaching of the “3,000 in one thought” is based on the “mutually-possessed characteristics of the Ten Realms” meaning that each of the Ten Realms has the characteristics of the other nine. Ignorant of the Ten Realms, the Hossō and Sanron Sects established the Eight Realm theology, missing the realm of bodhisattvas and that of Buddhas. How can they know of the mutually-possessed characteristics of the Ten Realms? The Kusha, Jōjitsu, and Ritsu Sects, based on the Āgama sūtras, preach only Six Realms, ignoring the top four of the ten. They insist on the existence of the one and only Buddha in the worlds throughout the universe, denying the existence of His manifestation in each of these worlds. It is only natural that they leave out the concept of every living being having the Buddha-nature. They do not recognize the possession of the Buddha-nature by man. Nevertheless, the Ritsu and Jōjitsu Sects today speak of the existence of Buddhas in various worlds throughout the universe or of the Buddha-nature in man. It must have been that scholars after the death of the Buddha plagiarized the Mahāyāna doctrines to the advantage of their own schools.

Kaimoku-shō, Open Your Eyes to the Lotus Teaching, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Doctrine 2, Page 35

Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma – May 24, 2019

When the Buddha expounded this Chapter of Wonderful-Voice Bodhisattva, the eighty-four thousand people, who had come accompanying Wonderful-Voice Bodhisattva, obtained the ability to practice the samādhi by which they could transform themselves into other living beings. Innumerable Bodhisattvas of this Sahā-World also obtained the ability to practice this samādhi.

This description comes at the end of Chapter Twenty-Four of the Lotus Sūtra. In the story, Wonderful-Voice Bodhisattva had come to our world of conflict and delusion from his perfect world to hear the Buddha teach the Wonderful Dharma. The Bodhisattvas in this world asked the Buddha about the transformations Wonderful-Voice made to benefit others. This chapter shows how those beings who have vowed to benefit us appear in ways we may not recognize right away. It also shows us the capability we have as Bodhisattvas to transform ourselves for the benefit of others.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

LS32

Day 4

Day 4 concludes Chapter 2, Expedients, and completes the first volume of the Sūtra of the Lotus flower of the Wonderful Dharma.

Day 4 Text with annotationsPlay MP3

Having last month heard Śākyamuni’s prediction for Bodhisattvas who hear the Dharma, hear Śākyamuni’s declaration that this Wonderful Dharma is
the hidden core of the Buddhas.

[The Buddha said to the great multitude:]

All of you, do not doubt me!
I am the King of the Dharma.
I say to you:
“I will expound the teaching of the One Vehicle
Only to Bodhisattvas.
There is no Śrāvaka among my disciples.”

Śāriputra, other Śrāvakas, and Bodhisattvas!
Know this!
This Wonderful Dharma is
The hidden core of the Buddhas.

The living beings
In the evil world of the five defilements
Are attached to many desires.
They do not seek the enlightenment of the Buddha.

Evil people in the future will doubt the One Vehicle
When they hear it from a Buddha.
They will not believe or receive it.
They will violate the Dharma, and fall into the evil regions.

Extol the teaching of the One Vehicle
In the presence of those who are modest,
Who are pure in heart,
And who are seeking enlightenment of the Buddha!

Continuing with the content from Miraculous Tales of the Lotus Sutra from Ancient Japan, we learn of Priest Renson, a Hokekyō Reciter of Twenty-Seven Chapters.

Miracles

Priest Renson, a Hokekyō Reciter of Twenty-Seven Chapters

Renson, a priest of the Gangōji Temple, was of Mimasaka Province. Devoted to the Hokekyō recitation for years, he perfectly memorized twenty-seven chapters of the sūtra, but not the Chapter of Fugen. With further concentration, he tried to memorize the chapter verse by verse, repeating each verse several thousand times in vain. Greatly distressed, Renson engaged himself in difficult practices while observing a Summer Retreat and prayed to Fugen saying, “Bodhisattva Fugen, with a great vow on the Hokekyō, please protect me, a Hokekyō reciter, and make me remember when I forget some verses. I am still imperfect in following the precepts. But my efforts and devotion are all in compliance. I may not be great enough to comply with the teachings of the great sūtra. I have been reciting it with utmost respect and faith which are hard to acquire. I should be able to memorize the entire sūtra with the assistance of Fugen and other Buddhas. Why can’t I learn by heart this single chapter?”

Thus in prayer, Renson spent a summer in retreat. One night he dreamed of a Heavenly Boy who said to him, “I am a messenger from Fugen. I have come here to let you know about your past relationship. In your former life, you were a puppy living with your mother under the plank floor of this temple. A Hokekyō reciter recited the sūtra in the room above you. Both you and your mother listened to all the twenty-seven chapters beginning with the introductory chapter.

But when your mother left from under the floor, you followed her. Because of this, you failed to hear the Chapter of Fugen. Thanks to your merit in listening to the Hokekyō recitation, you were born as a human being in this life, became a priest, and have been able to recite the sūtra. But your karmic relationship to the Chapter of Fugen has not been close enough for you to learn it well in this life. But just continue your efforts. Someday, as you memorize the complete chapter, you will be able to meet various Buddhas in your next life, and to venerate the sūtra again.”

The awakened Renson now clearly knew the karmic cause. He devoted himself to the sūtra more fervently, and finally was able to master the Fugen Chapter. (Page 83)

Miraculous Tales of the Lotus Sutra from Ancient Japan


d27b, WONS

‘The Most Superior of All Living Beings’

The ten parables preached in the “Medicine King Bodhisattva” chapter of the Lotus Sūtra seem to compare the relative merits of the Lotus Sūtra against all other Buddhist scriptures, though this is not the true intent of Śākyamuni Buddha. In actuality, what the Buddha is preaching is that when we compare the practicer of the Lotus Sūtra against the practicer of all other scriptures of Buddhism, the former is like the sun and moon while the latter is like stars and lights.

How do we know this? We know this because of the most important statement in the eighth parable: “Likewise, one who is able to uphold this sūtra is the most superior of all living beings.” These 22 Chinese characters are the foremost essence of the entire Lotus Sūtra. They are the eyes of all living beings. This scriptural statement means, “The practicer of the Lotus Sūtra is like the Sun Deity, Moon Deity, King of the Brahma Heaven, and a Buddha while the practicer of the Great Sun Buddha Sūtra is like a star, river and an ordinary being.”

Therefore, anyone in this world, male or female, laity or clergy, who upholds the Lotus Sūtra will be regarded by the Buddha to be the lord of all living beings and revered by the King of the Brahma Heaven and Indra. When I think of this, my joy is beyond expression.

Shijō Kingo-dono Nyōbō Gohenji, A Reply to the Wife of Lord Shijō Kingo, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II, Pages 120-121

Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma – May 23, 2019

Now I will tell you clearly. The merits of the person who gave all those pleasing things to the living beings of the six regions of four hundred billion asaṃkhya worlds, and caused them to attain Arhatship are less than the merits of the fiftieth person who rejoices at hearing even a gāthā of this Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma.

The Buddha gives this explanation to Maitreya (whom he calls Ajita – Invincible) in Chapter Eighteen of the Lotus Sūtra. He compares the benefit created by someone who teaches innumerable beings and makes exorbitant offerings through following the pre-Lotus sūtras to the benefits of finding joy in the Buddha’s Highest teaching. This joy is not the same as just getting what we want, or being relieved from what we do not want. It is the joy of seeing the world for what it is, and our place in it as Bodhisattvas who exist for the benefit of all beings.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com