I’m not a big fan of Facebook. I participate in order to distribute the content of this website. It’s automatic. I hope people appreciate what’s offered. But when I go to Facebook and view my newsfeed, I feel as if I’m being forced to rummage around in a pile of discards as I search for the buried gem. Still, gems do exist.
I have copied one such gem below in order to save it for future reference.
The Twenty-Eight Unique Concepts of Lotus Sutra
法華経28個獨特的概念 – 英文版
This post is largely inspired by a Buddhist whom had posted an article about 28 main differences between Buddhism and other religions. I wish not to discuss the correctness of that article but it is interesting to note that some points are in contrary to what Lotus Sutra has taught. I have no idea why would a proclaimed Lotus Sutra Practitioner, supposedly a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, have shared that.
Since the Lotus Sutra also happens to have 28 chapters, I thought of gathering and sharing 28 concepts that are taught in the Lotus Sutra that are unique and stands out from the Buddhism that is commonly known.
1. Sakyamuni Buddha has been commonly taught as a Teacher in Buddhism, sometimes also taught as being a mere mortal too. In Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra, it is revealed that the Buddha plays three important roles in our spiritual life. He is our Sovereigner, our Father and our Saviour. The Buddha’s description as our Father are also found in Chapter 2, 4 and 16 of the Lotus Sutra. This shows that the Lotus Sutra teaches that we have much closer relationship with the Buddha than most Buddhists thought.
2. Dharmakaya, a concept that is commonly accepted in Mahayana, describes as the unmanifested, inconceivable, a state which all Buddhas will return to after their dissolution. However, in Chapter 11 and 16, it is understood that the Dharmakaya is Sakyamuni Buddha Himself and not a separate entity. This gives rise to the concept and understanding that Sakyamuni Buddha is the Eternal Buddha.
3. Buddhism in general likes to teach that the Sakyamuni Buddha was a mere human that became Enlightened through six years of practice and is His final realization. However, in the Lotus Sutra, it is taught that this is an expedient mean in introducing Sakyamuni Buddha in this world when in fact He is the Eternal Buddha.
4. In Buddhism, it is also taught that Sakyamuni Buddha had spent three asamkyha time to achieve Buddhahood and enter His final dissolution. However, it is taught in Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra that Sakyamuni Buddha had spent on perfecting His Bodhisattva path is the multiply of His lifespan. This paradoxical concept teaches two important things: firstly, the concept of Eternal Buddha, and secondly, that the Sakyamuni Buddha remains active in His Bodhisattva vows. This leads to the active type of Bodhisattva practices that the Lotus Sutra is teaching.
5. In Buddhism, the 3 common groupings are Theravada, (Chinese) Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism. These are segregated by regions and by latter Buddhists. Whereas in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha segregated practitioners in terms of their spiritual achievements – Arahant, Pratyekabuddha and Bodhisattva; in which, the earlier 2 achievements are part of the Bodhisattva paths. That means, the Buddha ever had one goal in mind, to bring everyone to His level, the Buddhahood and nothing inferior.
6. When you mention Lotus Sutra in Buddhism, it is not uncommon to realise that most Buddhists only heard of Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra. This can be understood that this is because Guanyin (Avalokitasvara) is widely loved and accepted in the Chinese Buddhist community, however, Guanyin is not the protagonist of the Lotus Sutra. The protagonist in Lotus Sutra is the Eternal Buddha identified as Sakyamuni Buddha. This is highlighted in Chapter 25 when an offering was made to Guanyin and he declined. The offering was later accepted under the instruction of Sakyamuni Buddha for the benefit of the audience. Guanyin followed the advice in receiving the offering and redirect the offering to Sakyamuni Buddha and Many-Treasure Stupa.
7. In Buddhism, there were people who cited a portion in Chapter 2 and deliberately twisted its meaning to teach that Lotus Sutra supports the recitation of a particular buddha in some faraway place. This is very untrue. A careful study of that portion actually meant that a sincere verbal veneration to any buddha instead. However, understanding the essence of Lotus Sutra would allow one to know that all buddhas are manifestation of the Eternal Buddha and that, in portion, in its most profound meaning means a sincere verbal veneration to Sakyamuni Buddha.
8. Contrary to what Buddhism teaches in general that the Buddha had entered Parinirvana, it is taught in the Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra that the Buddha had not really entered Parinirvana. Instead, He is often here and in other worlds, to preach the Dharma.
9. While Buddhism general teaches self-reliance, the Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra teaches that we can connect to the essence of the Eternal Buddha by practicing the various virtues in the Lotus Sutra, having a gentle mind and being a person of integrity.
10. Buddhism in general teaches that our world is full of sufferings and in Mahayana Buddhism these days, it encourages people to aim to go to some faraway purelands after one’s demise. The Buddha taught in Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra that our world is pure but we fail to see it otherwise out of fear and dissatisfaction. This is important because this points that the Buddha is teaching the power of living in the present by acquiring the correct perspective instead of lusting what is going to happen after your demise of this life.
11. Buddhism often teaches people to practice non-detachment. This is easily overcome by asking them to detach their possessions and assets and give them to you. The Lotus Sutra does not have this problem.
12. In Buddhism, it is often taught that you must undertake practices over long periods of time to attain some sort of spiritual progressions, however, in Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra, there are descriptions on various acts, there is one as trivial as like a child’s play, that equates to the accomplishment of Buddhahood. This is related to the concept of Grace and how the Eternal Buddha had already laid the path before us.
13. In Buddhism, it is taught that everyone has the potential to become a buddha. In Lotus Sutra, this potential is embedded in us by the Eternal Buddha. This also leads to the concept of Grace.
14. The concept of karma that is often mistaken as a simplistic reaping what you sow is replaced in the Lotus Sutra by the teachings of the Ten Suchness in Chapter 2. It is meant to equip Lotus Sutra practitioners a more holistic way in viewing and understanding the nature of an incident, rather than simply using karma as a reason or excuse for the good and bad things that happen to them.
15. Buddhism in general teaches that worshiping the Buddha’s relics is a way of commemorating Buddha and also symbolizes the presence of the Buddha. However, according to Chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra, you need not house or worship relics anymore as any place that preaches, reads, recites, writes and safekeeping the scripture of the Lotus Sutra represents the full presence of the Buddha.
16. In Buddhism, it is common that the teaching role is often done by monks (or nuns). Laymen teachers is a minority and still expected to prostrate to the monks (and nuns). In Chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra, the Teachers of the Dharma can be either laity or clergy, so long that person understands that Lotus Sutra and meet the requirements as stipulated, that means, in theory, it is possible for a monk (or nun) to prostrate to a laity too.
17. Buddhism in general believes that a person can make merits by offering alms to monks (or nuns). This is due to the belief of assuming a higher spiritual authority due to identity. The stark difference in Lotus Sutra is the actual conduct, that one can accumulate merits by making offerings to a laity Dharma Teacher provided that this laity fulfil the three requirements of the Teachers of the Dharma and is really teaching the essence of the Lotus Sutra.
18. In Buddhism, there is a teaching on the Five Unrepentant Sins and one gets to reborn into the avici hell realm for a very long time. Lotus Sutra is one of the few scriptures that talks about the eradication of such reborn if one chooses to accept the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. In Chapter 10 of the Lotus Sutra, not only was Devadetta liberated from avici hell, he also received the commission of his future attainment by the Eternal Buddha.
19. In Buddhism, there are still traditions and denominations that believes in esoteric practices and not surprisingly building cloud of mysticism around the practices. However, in Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra, the Eternal Buddha had already stated that the essence of the secret (or esoteric) has already been taught in the Lotus Sutra openly. There is no mysticism or any special and private initiation or empowerment like those you can find in Buddhism.
20. In Buddhism, especially the Chinese Mahayana tradition, it is commonly taught that hindrances and misfortunes in life are caused by beings that you have no idea how you had offended them in your previous existences. This is known as karmic creditors and they can manifest as difficult people in your real life or spirits that follow you for many lifetimes. The Lotus Sutra does not have this belief and understanding the Ten Suchness correctly, the concept of karmic creditors does not hold water.
21. Following the previous point, in Buddhism, if a person is believed to be plagued by karmic creditors, this person will be advised to perform varied rituals wishing to get forgiveness to move on in life. Relying on the essence of the Lotus Sutra, this may seem silly because no one can say for sure whether is a person plagued by spirits in the first place. Regardless, even if there is, the ideal way to help the estranged spirits is by undertaking the Five Practices of the Lotus Sutra.
22. While the front part of the Lotus Sutra (the expedient segments) also records exquisite or even extravagant material offerings to the Buddha, the best offerings to the Eternal Buddha as taught by the Lotus Sutra is none other than the Five Practice – acceptance and practice, read and recite, recollect correctly, study and practice, and writing.
23. In Buddhism, it is commonly taught that taking refuge with the Triple Gems as an indicator to be known as a Buddhist. In Lotus Sutra, the Triple Gems represents three spiritual ideals that one can rely on. Let us take a look on the definition of Sangha.
. Buddhism teaches that Sangha includes any monastic members but the Lotus Sutra meant the Bodhisattva-sangha as compare to mortal ones. This is still not as important and vital as maintaining one’s belief in the Eternal Buddha and connect to Him directly.
24. Buddhism in general considers temples to be properly built buildings that house statues or relics and probably be managed by monks (or nuns). In Lotus Sutra, in particularly Chapter 21, it is taught that a temple can be any place, from a laity’s house to the wilderness, if it houses the Lotus Sutra with the condition that the person dwelling there undertake the Five Practices said earlier. This place will also be which people attaining Enlightenment, teaching the Dharma and enter the Parinirvana.
25. In Buddhism, especially Chinese Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism, there are mantras taught in their functional manner largely to either fulfill worldly wishes or assuming the mantras can promise some supernatural abilities. In Lotus Sutra, the Dharani Practices aims to strengthen and fortified a Lotus Sutra practitioner, especially the Dharma Teacher’s spiritual, mental and emotional well-being. A Lotus Sutra practitioner need not lust for good fortune of any sort because Chapter 17 to 19 had talked about it.
26. In Buddhism, bodhisattvas are worshipped for their different functions. By the essence of the Lotus Sutra, bodhisattvas are worshipped by having Lotus Sutra practitioners to follow their conducts and learning their traits.
27. In Buddhism, there are Buddhists who insist practicing compulsory vegetarianism, some to the extent of teaching that being a vegetarian can eradicate past karma. This is not a requirement in practicing the Lotus Sutra and hence do not regard a dietary observation can lead to supernatural results.
28. Buddhism across traditions believes that the next Buddha to be Matreiya Bodhisattva but a person who understands the Eternal Buddha as revealed in the Lotus Sutra will know that it is not.
Hope you enjoy!
Homage to Lord Buddha!