Why does the Buddha say in Chapter 3 that he will teach the One Vehicle, but only to bodhisattvas? In the first chapter, we saw that the Dharma Flower Sutra celebrates both listening and teaching or preaching. In other words, it takes two to teach – teaching is not teaching unless someone is taught. Thus … Continue reading Only Bodhisattvas
The true meaning of the Buddha’s words, “The buddhas teach only bodhisattvas,” should be interpreted as follows: As long as you think that the fact that you have been able to obtain enlightenment for yourself alone is enough, you cannot attain real enlightenment. If you feel that you yourself have attained enlightenment though many other … Continue reading Teaching Only Bodhisattvas
Although the Buddha provided the “hearers,” “private Buddhas,” and Bodhisattvas with three different ways, the essence of the three identities is Bodhisattvahood. Those who don’t realize this fact and hold on to their particular beliefs that they are either arhats (perfect ones) or “private Buddhas” (self-enlightened), are neither true arhats nor true “private Buddhas.” When … Continue reading The Buddhas Teach Only Bodhisattvas
Day 3 covers the first half of Chapter 2, Expedients. Having last month considered why the Buddha appears to expound various teachings, we consider why the Buddhas teach only Bodhisattvas. “Śāriputra! The present Buddhas, the present World-Honored Ones, of many hundreds of thousands of billions of Buddha-worlds of the ten quarters benefit all living beings, … Continue reading Day 3
Day 4 concludes Chapter 2, Expedients, and completes the first volume of the Sūtra of the Lotus flower of the Wonderful Dharma. Having last month considered the simple acts of enlightenment, we consider more simple acts of enlightenment. The boys who by playing drew A picture of the Buddha With a piece of grass or … Continue reading Day 4
Day 3 covers the first half of Chapter 2, Expedients. Having last month considered the purpose of the Buddha’s teaching, we consider why the Buddha appears to expound various teachings. The Buddha said to Śāriputra: “The Buddhas, the Tathāgatas, teach only Bodhisattvas. All they do is for one purpose, that is, to show the insight … Continue reading Day 3
Day 32 covers Chapter 28, The Encouragement of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva, closing the Eighth Volume of the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma. Having last month considered Universal-Sage Bodhisattva’s vow to protect those who keep the Lotus Sutra, we consider the merits to be earned by keeping the Lotus Sutra. [He said to … Continue reading Day 32
The Lotus Sutra text without annotations Day 1 Chapter 1: Introductory Thus have I heard.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] The Buddha once lived on Mt. Gṛdhrakūṭa [1] in the City of King-House. He was accompanied by twelve thousand great bhikṣus. They were Arhats.[1] They had already eliminated … Continue reading Lotus Sutra With Annotations
The Lotus Sutra text with annotations Chapter 1: Introductory Thus have I heard. The Buddha once lived on Mt. Gṛdhrakūṭa in the City of King-House. He was accompanied by twelve thousand great bhikṣus. They were Arhats. They had already eliminated āsravas, and had no illusions. They had already benefited themselves, broken off the bonds of … Continue reading The Lotus Sutra – all 28 chapters combined
The Buddhas, the Tathāgatas, teach only Bodhisattvas. All they do is for one purpose, that is, to show the insight of the Buddha to all living beings, to cause them to obtain the insight of the Buddha. The Buddha speaks these words in Chapter Two of the Lotus Sutra. Here he emphasizes the importance of … Continue reading Daily Dharma – Dec. 23, 2023