Tao-sheng Commentary on the Lotus Sutra, p308In this way this sūtra is heard by a fiftieth person.
The purpose of taking up the last person is [to say] that most of the people, in the beginning, hearing in person the wisdom preaching, tend to accept it with deep pleasure, but if it is transmitted to other people, especially when it comes to the last person, their pleasure will be attenuated, and those with attenuated pleasure likewise will have their merits lessened. [Yet,] this time, it turns out that this is not the case; it is suggested that his happiness and recompense are limitless. How much the more would be [the happiness and recompense of] those who were present in the very first audience sitting and hearing firsthand [the Buddha preaching the sūtra! It much also be deep!
Monthly Archives: June 2025
Why Śāriputra as a Buddha Will Teach the Three Vehicles
Over the my years reading the Lotus Sutra I’ve puzzled over why the Buddha predicts that when Śāriputra becomes the the Buddha Flower-Light he “will also lead the living beings [of his world] by the teaching of the Three Vehicles.” Why not just teach the Lotus Sutra? I dealt with this in detail back in early 2021 in my post Abiding in the One and Employing the Three. In Chinese Master Hsuan Hua’s commentary on Chapter 3, A Parable, he offers a succinct answer.
Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary, v4, p38SUTRA
“Tathagata Flower Radiance shall also teach and transform living beings by means of the Three Vehicles. Śāriputra, when this Buddha appears in the world, although it will not be a troubled age, because of his past vows he shall teach the Dharma of the Three Vehicles.”
COMMENTARY
Tathagata Flower Radiance shall also teach and transform living beings by means of the Three Vehicles: Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas. Śāriputra, when this Buddha appears in the world, although it will not be a troubled age characterized by the five turbidities, because of his past vows he shall teach the Dharma of the Three Vehicles. Why is that? In the past, he learned the Buddhadharma from Śākyamuni Buddha. Since his teacher taught the Dharma of the Three Vehicles, as his disciple, Śāriputra aspired to follow his teacher’s example. Therefore, even though he shall not be born in the troubled world of the five turbidities, he will nevertheless teach the expedient Dharma of the Three Vehicles.
Myōhō Renge Kyō Promise for June 30, 2025
Offer delicious food and drink,
And various garments to this son of mine,
And yearn to hear Myōhō Renge Kyō from him
Even if for only a moment!
Tao-sheng: Appropriate Joy
Tao-sheng Commentary on the Lotus Sutra, p307-308In the beginning when the Sage arranged the teaching, he did not expect that those who would be benefited by it would be limited to contemporary beings; he desired strongly that the teaching be directed to the coming generations, admonishing and transforming numerous living beings. The thesis that the effect of the three makes that of the One, as has been explicated earlier, is roughly completed. This chapter is intended to deal with the topic of those who spread [the sūtra]. When a man wants to propagate the Dharma, it is essential that he hold joy and pleasure in his mind. If his mind is full of hatred and anger, he distances himself from [other] beings. How can the Tao be spread by one who distances oneself from [other] beings? Hence, the chapter is entitled “Appropriate Joy.”
Thereupon Maitreya Bodhisattva-mahāsattva said to the Buddha
Maitreya, who was formerly inclined to practice [the Dharma] with appropriate joy, now again asks the Buddha about its meaning.
World-Honored One! How many merits will be given to a good man or woman who rejoices at hearing this Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma?
He demonstrates how much or little [happiness they shall obtain], in order to make stronger the beings’ will to seek it.
Meritorious Virtue and It’s Certain Reward
Chinese Master Hsuan Hua’s belief in immutability of the law of cause and effect is illustrated in a number of ways throughout his 14-volume commentary on the Lotus Sutra.
Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary, v3, p181-182There are eleven kinds of meritorious virtue derived from making Buddha images and statues:
- Your sight is bright and clear in life after life. Your eyes are very bright and can see things very clearly. Why do you have this reward? It is because you made Buddha images in your past lives.
- You will be born in wholesome places. There will be no bad people in the places where you will be born. Your neighbors, friends, and relatives will all be good people. You will not encounter bad people or beasts.
- You will always be born to a noble family that is wealthy and honored.
- Your body will be purple-golden in color. Why aren’t our bodies purple-golden? It is because we did not make Buddha images in our past lives.
- You will possess an abundance of wealth. You will be surrounded by an abundance of precious treasure, including pearls and other valuables.
- You will be born to a family of worthy and kind people.
- You may be born as an emperor. The merit from making Buddha images enables you to become an emperor in the future. In countries where there is no emperor, you could become a president; both are state leaders. Otherwise you can find a country that is still ruled by an emperor and be born there.
- You can be a wheel-turning sage king. This position is even more honorable than that of a state ruler. A wheel-turning sage king who cultivates will soon become a Buddha.
- You may be born in the Brahma heavens. You may become a king in the human realm or be born in the Brahma heavens, with a life span of an eon.
- You will not fall into the three lower realms – the realms of hell beings, hungry ghosts, or animals.
- Life after life in the future, you will continue to revere the Three Jewels. Life after life, you will take refuge with the Three Jewels and will not fall into the three lower realms.
These are the eleven kinds of meritorious virtues derived from making Buddha images. If we have the opportunity, we should make more Buddha images. If you make Buddha images, your appearance will be transformed to perfection.
Myōhō Renge Kyō Promise for June 29, 2025
Expound Myōhō Renge Kyō to the bhikṣus
Who seek the Dharma in all directions
In order to obtain
The knowledge of all things,
Who join their hands together
Towards Myōhō Renge Kyō,
Who receive Myōhō Renge Kyō respectfully,
Who keep Myōhō Renge Kyō with joy,
And who do not receive
Even a gāthā of any other sūtra!
Tao-sheng: Advancing in Both Inner Thought and Outer Practical Ramification
Tao-sheng Commentary on the Lotus Sutra, p305Having heard of your longevity,
They obtained these effects and rewards,
Pure, immeasurable, and without āsravas.[This refers to] the Buddha’s wisdom-life. Now because hearing about [the Buddha’s long] life-span is equivalent to practicing [the pāramitā of] prajña or wisdom intensively, here it thus is said that the merit one can achieve by practicing the five pāramitās for [many] nayutas of kalpas may not equal [even the tiniest] part [of the merit one can achieve by hearing about the Buddha’s long life-span]
Needless to say, so will be the merits of the person
Who keeps this sūtra, gives alms, observes the precepts,
Practices patience, prefers dhyāna-concentrations,
And does not get angry or speak ill of others.The meaning of what has been said in the preceding is found here. When one holds the wondrous understanding within, and outwardly practices the six pāramitās, one has advanced [toward enlightenment], in both [inner] thought and its [outer] practical ramifications (shih); and so one’s right enlightenment (samyaksaṃbodhi) is [so imminent that it can come at any moment] in the morning or evening.