Day 3

Day 3 begins Chapter 2, Expedients.

I love the idea of the Buddhas having “gentle voices”:

“Śāriputra! The Tathāgatas divide [the Dharma] into various teachings, and expound those teachings to all living beings so skillfully and with such gentle voices that living beings are delighted.”

And how faith trumps knowledge:

The Dharma cannot be shown.
It is inexplicable by words.
No one can understand it
Except the Buddhas
And the Bodhisattvas
Who are strong in the power of faith.

But still the Śrāvakas or Pratyekabuddhas cling to knowledge:

“Why does the World-Honored One extol so enthusiastically the power of the Buddhas to employ expedients? Why does he say that the Dharma attained by him is profound and difficult to understand, and that the true purpose of his teachings is too difficult for Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas to know? He expounded to us the teaching of emancipation. We obtained this teaching and reached Nirvāṇa. We do not know why he says all this.”

And…

Those who are seeking the vehicle of cause-knowers,
And the bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, gods, dragons,
Gandharvas, and other supernatural beings,
Are exchanging glances of perplexity.
They are looking up at you, at the Honorable Biped
Thinking:
“What is this for? Buddha! Explain all this!”

When the Buddha finally agrees to expound the Dharma, 5,000 people get up and walk off believing they already knew all there was to know:

Thereupon the World-Honored One said to Śāriputra: “Now this congregation has been cleared of twigs and leaves, only sincere people being left. Śāriputra! Those arrogant people may go. Now listen to me attentively! I will expound [the Dharma] to you.”

And…

“Śāriputra and all of you present here! Understand the Dharma by faith with all your hearts! There is no vehicle other than the One Buddha-Vehicle.”