Water Water Everywhere

“The principles of these various doctrines that you have expounded upon in past days—how do they differ from those you are expounding now?” …

“Good men, the Law may be compared to water that can wash away dirt and defilement. A well, a pond, a river, a stream, a brook, a channel, a vast sea—all are capable of washing away all kinds of dirt and defilement. And the water of the Law is like this, because it can wash living beings clean of the dirt of earthly desires.

“Good men, water possesses a single nature, but rivers, streams, wells, ponds, brooks, channels, and vast seas each have their particular differences. The nature of the Law is like this too—in its ability to wash away grime and impediment, it is without differentiation.”  (LSOC, p14-15)

Water is water, but depending on the context it can come in a variety of depths and surface areas.  Some of Shakyamuni’s teachings may be very specific and short, while others are much more informative and illuminating.    

All of them have the ability to cleanse the body, even if only a small part of it, but it is only within the Lotus Sutra that we find the one path to Buddhahood which Shakyamuni awoke to under the Bodhi Tree.  The Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra is wider and deeper than any other sea and contains the immeasurable wisdom of the universe to purify the whole body and mind throughout all three existences. 

This is a running theme throughout the Lotus Sutra and there are many references to Shakyamuni's decision to reveal the ultimate Law of the universe in various ways and in various stages according to the ability of the people during those times.   

In the Latter Day of the Law, Nichiren Daishonin illuminated the practice of chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” and, while it may only consist of seven syllables, it contains all of the benefits and all of the "wisdom of the buddhas [which] is infinitely profound and immeasurable" (LSOC, 56).