Why does the Buddha say in Chapter 3 that he will teach the One Vehicle, but only to bodhisattvas? In the first chapter, we saw that the Dharma Flower Sutra celebrates both listening and teaching or preaching. In other words, it takes two to teach – teaching is not teaching unless someone is taught. Thus … Continue reading Only Bodhisattvas
The true meaning of the Buddha’s words, “The buddhas teach only bodhisattvas,” should be interpreted as follows: As long as you think that the fact that you have been able to obtain enlightenment for yourself alone is enough, you cannot attain real enlightenment. If you feel that you yourself have attained enlightenment though many other … Continue reading Teaching Only Bodhisattvas
Although the Buddha provided the “hearers,” “private Buddhas,” and Bodhisattvas with three different ways, the essence of the three identities is Bodhisattvahood. Those who don’t realize this fact and hold on to their particular beliefs that they are either arhats (perfect ones) or “private Buddhas” (self-enlightened), are neither true arhats nor true “private Buddhas.” When … Continue reading The Buddhas Teach Only Bodhisattvas
Day 4 concludes Chapter 2, Expedients, and completes the first volume of the Sūtra of the Lotus flower of the Wonderful Dharma. Having last month considered the difficulty in hearing the Dharma, we consider why the Buddha teaches only Bodhisattvas. Anyone who rejoices at hearing the Dharma And utters even a single word in praise … Continue reading Day 4
The Lotus Sutra text with annotations Annotations for this chapter Thereupon the World-Honored One emerged quietly from his samādhi, and said to Śāriputra: “The wisdom of the [present] Buddhas is profound and immeasurable. The gate to it is difficult to understand and difficult to enter. [Their wisdom] cannot be understood by any Śrāvaka or Pratyekabuddha … Continue reading Chapter 2: Expedients
The Lotus Sutra text with annotations Chapter 1: Introductory Thus have I heard. The Buddha once lived on Mt. Gṛdhrakūṭa in the City of King-House. He was accompanied by twelve thousand great bhikṣus. They were Arhats. They had already eliminated āsravas, and had no illusions. They had already benefited themselves, broken off the bonds of … Continue reading Tao-sheng’s Commentary on the Lotus Sūtra
Day 4 concludes Chapter 2, Expedients, and completes the first volume of the Sūtra of the Lotus flower of the Wonderful Dharma. Having last month considered how King Brahman, Heavenly-King Śakra, The four heavenly world-guardian kings, Great-Freedom God, and other gods asked the Buddha to turn the Wheel of the Dharma, we consider why the … Continue reading Day 4
Therefore, anyone who has wisdom should copy this sūtra with all his heart, cause others to copy it, and also keep, read and recite it, memorize it correctly, and act according to it. The Buddha declares this to Universal-Sage Bodhisattva in Chapter Twenty-Eight of the Lotus Sūtra. It is important to remember that early in … Continue reading Daily Dharma – June 3, 2024
Day 3 covers the first half of Chapter 2, Expedients. Having last month considered consider why the Buddhas teach only Bodhisattvas, we conclude today’s portion of Chapter 2, Expedients. “Śāriputra! The Buddhas appear in the evil worlds in which there are the five defilements. The worlds are defiled by the decay of the kalpa, by … Continue reading Day 3
Day 3 covers the first half of Chapter 2, Expedients. Having last month considered why the Buddha appears to expound various teachings, we consider why the Buddhas teach only Bodhisattvas. “Śāriputra! The present Buddhas, the present World-Honored Ones, of many hundreds of thousands of billions of Buddha-worlds of the ten quarters benefit all living beings, … Continue reading Day 3