Just as this very magnificent Wonderful-Voice Bodhisattva is cautioned in Chapter 24 not to consider us inferior, we too should not consider our fellow humans, animals, or plants to be inferior or superior to ourselves. In the eye of the Buddha – in the truth found in the Lotus Sutra – we are all equals, though as we recall in the Simile of Herbs, we may have different capacities and characteristics we are all equally capable of attaining enlightenment.

When we are able to set aside comparisons, which only serve to falsely elevate or diminish ourselves, we are better capable of sharing the joy of the Lotus Sutra with other people.