LS32

Day 29

Day 29 covers all of Chapter 25, The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.

Having last month covered lust, anger and stupidity, we complete the enumeration of the supernatural powers of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva-­mahasattva.

A woman who, wishing to have a boy, bows and makes offerings to World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva, will be able to give birth to a boy endowed with merits, virtues and wisdom. [A woman] who, wishing to have a girl, [does the same,] will be able to give birth to a beautiful girl who will be loved and respected by many people because of the roots of virtue which the [newly-born] girl planted in her previous existence. Endless-Intent! Because World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva has these powers, the merits of those who respect him and bow to him will not be fruitless. Therefore, all living beings should keep the name of World-Voice­-Perceiver Bodhisattva.

Endless-Intent! Suppose a good man or woman keeps the names of six thousand and two hundred million Bodhisattvas, that is, of as many Bodhisattvas as there are sands in the River Ganges, and offers drink, food, clothing, bedding and medicine to them throughout his or her life. What do you think of this? Are his or her merits many or not?

Endless-Intent said, “Very many. World-Honored One!”

The Buddha said:

Anyone who keeps the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva and bows and makes offerings to him even for a moment, will be given as many merits as to be given to the good man or woman as previously stated. The merits will not be exhausted even after hundreds of thousands of billions of kalpas. Endless-Intent! Anyone who keeps the name of World-Voice­Perceiver Bodhisattva will be given these benefits of innumerable merits and virtues.

In the February 1, 2017, Nichiren Shu News, Rev. Shokai Kanai of the Las Vegas Kannonji Temple, has an article entitled, “Before Trying to Become a Buddha, Behave like a Bodhisattva!”

Kannon Bodhisattava (the statue) with Omandara Gohonzon (the object of veneration, behind the statue)
There is a big difference between statues of Buddha and those of Bodhisattvas. Statues of the Buddha only have one robe because they have renounced worldly matters and attained Buddhahood leaving them with no attachments to anything. On the other hand, Bodhisattvas are lay people. Therefore most statues wear garments, crowns, necklaces, and bracelets. Some Bodhisattvas hold a flower or a medicine bottle in their hand. Thus the Bodhisattvas are decorated with many jewels.

Bodhisattva means, “One who seeks enlightenment not only for himself but also for others.” The most well-known Bodhisattva is “Kannan” described in the Lotus Sutra Chapter 25. The title of the chapter is “The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.” Many Buddhists consider this chapter as an independent sutra, therefore it is widely accepted and read regardless of their denomination. The “Universal Gate” symbolizes that it is open to everyone! Some Kannan Bodhisattva statues, such as the one enshrined in the Nevada Kannan Temple, have eleven faces to perceive all directions.

The sutra teaches about benefits in this world. It says, “If living beings call the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva with all their heart when they are under various sufferings, the Bodhisattva will immediately perceive their voices and cause them to emancipate themselves from their suffering.”

There are two kinds of people who come to our temple. One group is seeking salvation from Kannan Bodhisattva. For these people, we do counseling, memorial services, kito blessings and teach them to have peace of body, mind and soul. The other group who comes to the temple wants to learn how to behave like a Bodhisattva. The Kannan Bodhisattva called them to come to the temple. They practice. chanting, Shodaigyo meditation, and studying the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism. They are the leaders in our communities.

To behave like a Bodhisattva means to keep up your work in the office, do chores at home and help the community. Bringing happiness to others is behaving like a Bodhisattva.