One overriding theme of the Lotus Sutra is that all of those who put their faith in the sutra are Bodhisattvas. Our practice is the Bodhisattva practice, and the final chapters of the Lotus Sutra explain how we accomplish that practice.

As Gene Reeves writes in The Stories of the Lotus Sutra:

“[W]hat is the job that needs to be done? The more general answer is that the Dharma needs to be widely shared – so, especially with the Buddha no longer able to do so directly, bodhisattvas are responsible for teaching, and thus perpetuating, Buddha Dharma. The Sutra is concerned not only with teaching the Dharma in the ordinary sense; it is concerned with having the Dharma be embodied, having it be a central part of the lives of people. Early in [Chapter 23], Shakyamuni Buddha says, ‘For incalculable hundreds of thousands of billions of eons, I have studied and practiced this rare Dharma of supreme awakening.’ Notice that he says both ‘studied’ and ‘practiced.’ Practicing the Dharma goes beyond studying it to embody it in one’s life. Thus bodhisattvas have a responsibility not only of teaching the Dharma by words, but also by demonstrating and exemplifying it in their actions.

“It is because of this role as exemplars of the Dharma that bodhisattvas, both mythical and human, can be models for us. Because they are said to have many marvelous powers, people may pray to a bodhisattva for relief from some kind of danger or suffering, but that is not the most useful way to understand our relationship to such bodhisattvas. … If various bodhisattvas have found skills and powers with which to help others, we too can develop skill in ways of helping others.”

The Stories of the Lotus Sutra, p235

And one who practices in this manner is a light to the world. As Nichiren writes in “Shijō Kingo-dono Nyōbō Gohenji”:

“The ten parables preached in the ‘Medicine King Bodhisattva’ chapter of the Lotus Sūtra seem to compare the relative merits of the Lotus Sūtra against all other Buddhist scriptures, though this is not the true intent of Śākyamuni Buddha. In actuality, what the Buddha is preaching is that when we compare the practicer of the Lotus Sūtra against the practicer of all other scriptures of Buddhism, the former is like the sun and moon while the latter is like stars and lights.

“How do we know this? We know this because of the most important statement in the eighth parable: ‘Likewise, one who is able to uphold this sūtra is the most superior of all living beings.’ These 22 Chinese characters are the foremost essence of the entire Lotus Sūtra. …

“Therefore, anyone in this world, male or female, laity or clergy, who upholds the Lotus Sūtra will be regarded by the Buddha to be the lord of all living beings and revered by the King of the Brahma Heaven and Indra. When I think of this, my joy is beyond expression.”

Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II,
Pages 120-121

---

Table of Contents Next Essay