Why Sakyamuni did not prevent [the 5,000 monks and lay followers] from departing [in Chapter 2, Expedients] has been discussed since ancient times. The matter should not be interpreted as a lack of mercy on the part of Sakyamuni; quite the contrary, it shows his infinite patience and compassion. The teaching of the Lotus Sutra allows everyone to become a Buddha, even heretics who oppose the right teaching. Obviously at this point the five thousand arrogant monks were heretics. They were intentionally presented here to show that even a heretic can be saved by Sakyamuni’s mercy and become a Buddha sooner or later. The Buddha does not prevent them at this time so as not to hurt their feelings; he knows that eventually they will return. At root, all people are the same, as we saw in the tenth “Suchness.” This identity, which exists along with manifold differences—as seen in the first nine Suchnesses—is called the “Void” or “Emptiness” in Buddhist philosophy.