Day 27 concludes Chapter 23, The Previous Life of Medicine-King Bodhisattva.
Last month, I looked at the saving power of the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma. The month before, I focused on the position of the Lotus Sutra in comparison with all of the other sutras.
Eventually I’ll deal with Gladly-Seen-By-All-Beings Bodhisattva’s penchant for fiery demonstrations of his devotion to Sun-Moon-Pure-Bright-Virtue Buddha, but before that I want to discuss the final message of Chapter 23, The Previous Life of Medicine-King Bodhisattva.
Chapter 23 opens with this question:
Star-King-Flower Bodhisattva said to the Buddha: “World-Honored One! Why does Medicine-King Bodhisattva walk about this Saha-World? World-Honored One! This Medicine-King Bodhisattva will have to practice hundreds of thousands of billions of nayutas of austerities in this world. World-Honored One! Tell me why!
Chapter 23 ends with this:
When the Buddha expounded this chapter of the Previous Life of Medicine-King Bodhisattva, eighty-four thousand Bodhisattvas obtained the dharanis by which they could understand the words of all living beings. Many-Treasures Tathagata in the stupa of treasures praised Star-King-Flower Bodhisattva, saying:
Excellent, excellent, Star-King-Flower! You obtained inconceivable merits. You asked this question to Sakyamuni Buddha, and benefited innumerable living beings.
Question Authority was the motto of my generation. In discussing faith in Buddhism, Rev. Ryusho Jeffus from Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Buddhist Temple, Charlotte, NC, underscores the need to continue to question:
Questioning the teaching helps to lead to further study and exploration of life, which leads to firmer and stronger faith. In Buddhism faith is actually enhanced by questions and practicing. Faith is one part questioning and another part practicing and applying. I personally believe that we should flee from anyone or any teaching that tries to lie outside the realm of questions. Refusing to answer questions or implying that questioning is wrong or unfaithful should be an automatic warning that something just isn’t quite right.
