Equal Benefits

Chapter 3 of the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra is called "Ten Benefits" and Shakyamuni reveals the ten benefits and inconceivable powers of the Lotus Sutra trilogy.  In the previous post we saw the inconceivable changes that fall within the first of these ten benefits.  Here are the rest...

1.     The first benefit doesn’t specify the intention of the individual but talks about the sutra in general and how it can cause those with negative traits to  transform these into positive qualities.  See “The Benefit of Human Revolution” for the full list of the 16 transformations contained within this first benefit.

The next three benefits refer to the benefits attained by living beings who hear this sutra, even if they only hear it once, or hear only one verse or even just one line of it. 

2.     Living beings that have heard the Lotus Sutra or even just heard “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”, will begin to understand the immeasurable number of meanings contained within this profound and mystic Law.  “This sutra may be likened to a single seed from which grow hundreds, thousands, ten thousands of other seeds, and from each of these seeds in turn grow more seeds numbering in the hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, so that they keep on increasing in this way until they become immeasurable”  (LSOC, p22-23)

3.     Living beings (who are currently troubled by delusions and earthly desires) that have heard the Lotus Sutra or even just heard “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” and have begun to understand the immeasurable number of meanings contained within this profound and mystic law, will be able to free themselves from the sufferings of birth, death and earthly desires but can also, if they uphold this sutra, lead other people to do the same. 

The Immeasurable Meanings Sutra explains: “Even before he is capable of saving himself he will be capable of saving others.  He will be like a ship’s captain whose body is afflicted with grave illness, whose four limbs fail to function properly, and who remains on this shore [the shore of ignorance, aging and death].  But he has a sound and durable ship [the great vehicle sutra] and can always explain to others the articles needed to get them over the water, so that by providing these he can insure their crossing.  The person who upholds this sutra will be like this.”   (LSOC, p23)  

4.     The fourth benefit is similar to the third, such that living beings that have heard the Lotus Sutra or even just heard “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”, will be able to save others, even if they are unable to save themselves.  But they will also become companions of the bodhisattvas, and will be able to fully embrace the sutra the more they are able to hear and study it.  Shakyamuni compares them to baby, infant and young child prince’s who possess the potential to become great kings in the future.

The remaining benefits are those attainable by GOOD MEN and GOOD WOMEN who accept, uphold, read, and recite this Threefold Lotus Sutra (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras). 

It’s also worth noting two points here, firstly GOOD isn’t specifically related to the goodness of character and behaviour (although that is important) of an individual, but to the fact that they believe in the Lotus Sutra, uphold the Lotus Sutra and follow the practice of the Lotus Sutra.  And secondly, this is the first time in more than forty years of teachings, that Shakyamuni explicitly explains that by whole-heartedly embracing and sincerely following the correct path of the Lotus Sutra and the mystic Law, WOMEN will gain exactly the same benefits as MEN.   Some people focus on the story of the Dragon King’s Daughter as proof of the equality of women in the Lotus Sutra, but to me the true equality of the Lotus Sutra is found in these phrases explaining the benefits for “Good men and good women” which occur in this section of the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra, but are also repeated in later chapters of the Lotus Sutra. 

5.     “If there are good men or good women who, while the Buddha is in the world or after he has passed into extinction, accept, uphold, read, recite and copy this profound, unsurpassed great vehicle sutra, then although such persons are still bound and encumbered by earthly desires, unable to remove themselves from the concerns of the ordinary individual, they will be able to manifest and show to others the way of the great bodhisattva.”   (LSOC, p25)

6.     Good men and good women such as these, despite their own weaknesses and desires, will also be able to preach the Law to others and enable them to break free from the sufferings of birth, aging, delusions and death. 

For this sixth benefit, Shakyamuni gives us the example of a young inexperienced prince left in charge of his kingdom by a king that is abroad or fallen sick, that can maintain order within society by enforcing the king’s rules.  In this way he explains that even though the Buddha may not be in the world, people that are still struggling to overcome their fundamental negativity and to follow the path of the Lotus Sutra, can still teach others about the Mystic Law and enable them to awaken to the true aspect of all phenomena and the mystic Law in their lives.

7.     If there are good men and good women who not only accept, uphold, read and recite this sutra, but also have the desire to explain, teach and practice it, and who have conceived a desire for enlightenment, cultivating good roots, nurturing minds of great compassion, and desiring to save all living beings from their sufferings, then in their present lives they will gain the truth of birth and death and their earthly desires will in a moment be cast off and destroyed.

8.     If there are good men and good women who also revere and have faith in the sutra as if they were looking upon the Buddha’s body, then they will be able to practice the sutra as the Law directs, persevere in their faith and ensure that kosen rufu is established.  (Kosen rufu is simply sharing our faith and practice of the Lotus Sutra far and wide for the happiness of others.)

9.     If there are good men and good women who, as well as accepting, upholding, reading and reciting this sutra, leap with joy on having gained what they have never before gained, and are also able to explain and teach this sutra widely and in accordance with the listener’s ability, then they will be able to wipe out negative karma form previous lifetimes, attain purity, deeply understand the law and quickly attain the highest levels of practice.  Shakyamuni says: “This is because the sutra possesses this power.”   (LSOC, p28)

10.  If there are good men and good women who, in addition to all of these previous criteria, can understand how rare this profound teaching is, and how rare it is for them to have met it, then “nothing will be outside their compassion.  They will encompass all living beings who suffer causing them to enter upon the Buddha path.  And because of this, these people will before long gain supreme perfect enlightenment. … This is called the tenth benefit and inconceivable power of this sutra.”   (LSOC, p29)

“This unsurpassed great vehicle sutra … is worthy of unsurpassed veneration, for it can enable ordinary persons all to attain the stage of sage; leaving forever the realm of birth and death, they will all gain freedom. … This sutra … can cause all living beings who are still at the level of ordinary persons to put forth immeasurable shoots that will grow into the way of the bodhisattva, to plant trees of benefits that will flourish, put out branches, and spread.  Therefore this sutra is dubbed the possessor of inconceivable benefits and power.”   (LSOC, p29)

The Benefit of Human Revolution

Shakyamuni responds to the audience’s questions, explaining that this sutra comes “from the dwelling and abode of the Buddha.  It’s aim is to lead all living beings to conceive the desire for enlightenment.  And it abides in the practices carried out by bodhisattvas” (LSOC, p21) and then starts to explain the ten benefits of following the sutra. 

This post focuses on the first of the ten benefits and is one of my favourite sections of the Lotus Sutra.  This extensive list of benefits, all of which make up only the FIRST of the ten benefits, reveals human revolution in action, and explains how negative tendancies and fundamental darkness can be changed into positive traits through this practice.

“Good men, the first [great benefit] is that this sutra can cause bodhisattvas who have not yet conceived the desire for enlightenment to conceive such a desire.

It can cause those who are without compassion or benevolence to nurture compassionate minds.

It can cause those who delight in killing and slaughter to nurture minds of great pity.

It can cause those filled with envy and jealousy to nurture minds of joyful acceptance.

It can cause those who are begrudging and attached to things to nurture minds capable of relinquishing.

It can cause those who are close-fisted and greedy to nurture minds of almsgiving.

It can cause those of abundant arrogance and pride to nurture minds that uphold the precepts.

It can cause those much given to wrath and anger to nurture forbearing minds.

It can cause those who are indolent and lazy to nurture minds of diligence.

It can cause those who are scatterbrained and disordered to nurture minds devoted to meditation.

It can cause those with much ignorance and folly to nurture minds of wisdom.

It can cause those who are not yet capable of saving others to nurture minds set upon saving others.

It can cause those who practice the ten evil acts to nurture minds devoted to the ten good acts.

It can cause those who delight too much in the conditioned to strive for minds fixed on the unconditioned.

It can cause those whose minds are given to regression to cultivate minds of non-regression.

It can cause those given to outflows to nurture minds free of outflows.

It can cause those with many earthly desires to nurture minds that cleanse and extinguish such desires. 

Good men, this is called the first benefit and inconceivable power of this sutra”  (LSOC, p21-22)

Do You Hear What I Hear?

“If there are living beings who are able to hear this sutra, they will gain great profit.  Why?  Because if they can practice it, then without fail they will quickly gain unsurpassed enlightenment.  As for those living beings who are unable to hear it, one should know that they will lose great profit, for though immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable asamkhya kalpas* may pass, they will in the end fail to gain unsurpassed enlightenment.  Why?  Because they will not know about the great direct way to enlightenment, but will travel perilous byways beset by numerous hindrances and trials.”  (LSOC, 20-21)

*an immeasurable period of time, approximately 10⁵¹ x 16 million years!

Picture by AZNcelly at deviantart.com 

There may naturally be some people who remain totally ignorant about Shakyamuni's Lotus Sutra and Nichiren's daimoku, and consequently are unable to receive the great benefits, but I think it’s interesting that the sutra states “those living beings who are unable to hear it” because this strikes right to the heart of our faith in Nichiren Buddhism.   In addition to those that are naturally ignorant of the sutra, there will also be those that have listened to it or heard about it, and yet they fail to truly hear it, they fail to embrace it within their lives and they may even actively slander this profound teaching.

Shakyamuni reiterates this point later in “The Teacher of the Law” chapter, stating:

“[I]f there are those who will listen to this sutra, then they are capable of practicing the bodhisattva way in a fitting manner.  If among the living beings who seek the buddha way there are those who see or hear this Lotus Sutra, and who, having heard it, believe, understand, and embrace it, then you should know that these people can draw near to supreme perfect enlightenment.”  (LSOC10, p204)

And, in “The Doctrines of Three Thousand Realms”, Nichiren writes “Living being whose ears are touched by the daimoku are living beings who will gain merit" (WND-2, p88)

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). 

Life Begins At 40

“Good men, in the past I sat upright for six years under the bodhi tree in the place of enlightenment and was able to gain supreme perfect enlightenment. With the Buddha eye I observed all phenomena and knew that this enlightenment could not be explained or described. Why? Because I knew that living beings are not alike in their natures and desires. And because their natures and desires are not alike, I preached the Law in various different ways. Preaching the Law in various different ways, I made use of the power of expedient means. But in these more than forty years, I have not yet revealed the truth. ... Good men, ... I rose up from under the kingly [Bodhi] tree, proceeded to Deer Park in Varanasi, and turned the wheel of the Law, preaching the four noble truths for Ajnata Kaundinya and the other five ascetics ... During the middle period, both here and in various other places, for the sake of the monks and the host of bodhisattvas I expounded and set forth the twelve-linked chain of causation and the six paramitas... And now once more I am here expounded this great vehicle Immeasurable Meanings Sutra.” (LSOC, p15-16)

This is another one of those signposts that T’ien-T’ai used to classify all of the Buddha’s sutras and this one clearly states that:

(i)                Shakyamuni awoke to this Law when he sat under the bodhi tree.

(ii)              Because of its difficulty and the difference in people’s abilities, he had to preach this sutra in various different ways prior to this moment.

(iii)            In more than 40 years, he hasn’t revealed this truth – the truth he was awakened to under the bodhi tree.

The Path To Buddhahood

Immeasurable Meanings Sutra - Chapter 1 and Chapter 2

At that time ... for the sake of the bodhisattvas [the world-honoured one] preached the great vehicle sutra entitled Immeasurable Meanings Sutra, a teaching to instruct the bodhisattvas.  (LSOC1, p37)

We now jump to The Immeasurable Meanings Sutra, the Opening sutra and prologue to the main Lotus Sutra.  Chapter 1 of the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra introduces the cast of characters (devils, animals, people, bodhisattvas, etc.) that are attending the lecture and states that they have all excelled in their specific practices ("the four noble truths, six paramitas, twelve-linked chain of causation") to become proficient in their fields of learning, realization and bodhisattva. 

There are frequent references within The Lotus Sutra (and other sutras) to previous knowledge and practices and Nichiren states this is one of the ways in which T'ien-T'ai was able to classify the sutra into their different periods of teachings.

(c) David Barile

Chapter 2 – Preaching the Law – begins with the assembly asking Shakyamuni in a single voice if there is a teaching that will lead them to enlightenment quickly and his response introduces the concept of the Ten Worlds.  (Extracts from the sutra are in bold):

Bodhisattva Great Adornment and the others of the eighty thousand bodhisattvas, speaking in a single voice, then addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, if bodhisattvas mahasattva wish to succeed quickly in gaining supreme perfect enlightenment, what sort of doctrines should they practice? What sort of doctrines can cause bodhisattvas mahasattva to succeed quickly in gaining supreme perfect enlightenment?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Great Adornment and the others of the eighty thousand bodhisattvas, “Good men, there is a single doctrine that can cause bodhisattvas to succeed quickly in gaining supreme perfect enlightenment. If bodhisattvas study this doctrine, then they will be able to gain supreme perfect enlightenment. ... this single doctrine is called the doctrine of immeasurable meanings. If bodhisattvas wish to practice and study these immeasurable meanings, then they should observe and perceive how all phenomena, from the beginning down to the present, are in nature and aspect empty and tranquil, without bigness or littleness, without birth or extinction, not abiding, not moving, neither advancing nor retreating, but like vacant space, without any dualism.”  (LSOC, p11-12)

He continues that most people are deluded in their understanding of life and are unable to see connections between their actions and their effects, which leads them to move among the six paths of existence (Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity and Rapture) suffering the effects of their actions:

“But living beings in their vain delusions make wild calculations, saying, this is one thing, that is another, this brings gain, that brings loss, and give rise to thoughts that are not good, carrying out evil acts, transmigrating through the six paths of existence and undergoing sufferings and bitterness for immeasurable millions of kalpas without ever being able to escape.” (LSOC, p12)

He then states that when bodhisattvas can see this reality which causes the suffering of others, they are compelled to act and help others who are living deluded lives:

“Bodhisattvas mahasattva, clearly perceiving that this is so, are moved to pity in their minds, and inspired by great compassion, wish to rescue these beings from their plight.”  (LSOC, p12)

To be able to see this reality though, the World-Honored-One explains that bodhisattvas need to study and learn about the reality of life, such as the laws of appearance (birth), existence, change and disappearance (death).  These studies will lead them to a true realization of the law:

“They should then once more enter deeply into the study of all phenomena. ...When bodhisattvas have in this manner observed the beginning and end of these four aspects and have understood them in their entirety, then they will clearly perceive that all phenomena, never abiding from one instant to the next, are constantly being born anew and passing into extinction, and then they will immediately perceive the true aspect of birth, abiding, change, and extinction.”  (LSOC, p12-13)

And they will then be able to teach others this Law, and with the wisdom that people have different capabilities and states of life they will realize that they might need to teach in different ways to help people understand this one true Law.

“Once they have gained this perception, then they must turn to the capacities, natures, and desires of living beings. Because such natures and desires are immeasurable in variety, the ways of preaching the Law are immeasurable; and because the ways of preaching the Law are immeasurable, its meanings are likewise immeasurable. These immeasurable meanings are born from a single Law, and this Law is without aspect. What is without aspect is devoid of aspect and does not take on aspect.  Not taking on aspect, being without aspect, it is called the true aspect.”  (LSOC, p13)

By Learning and through Realization of the truth of this law, they can then teach others compassionately (Bodhisattva) who will then go on to teach others as well.

“When bodhisattvas mahasattva rest and abide in this understanding of the true aspect of all phenomena, then the pity and compassion that they put forth will be based on clear understanding and not groundless, and they will be truly capable of rescuing living beings from the sufferings that they undergo. And once they have rescued them from suffering, they will preach the Law for them and enable living beings to enjoy ease and delight.”  (LSOC, p13)

Finally, The World-Honored-One concludes his response to the question by saying that if bodhisattvas practise in such a way they will achieve enlightenment (Buddhahood) quickly. 

“Good men, if bodhisattvas are able in this manner to practice the immeasurable meanings of this all-embracing doctrine, then they are certain to succeed quickly in attaining supreme perfect enlightenment." (LSOC, p13)

Finally, he reassures them that this one true Law is protected by all Buddhas and cannot be disproved by devils or non-believers:

"Good men, this profound, unsurpassed great vehicle Immeasurable Meanings Sutra is true and correct in word and principle, worthy of unsurpassed veneration. It is guarded and protected by all the buddhas of the three existences. There is no devil host, no congregation of non-Buddhist believers who can invade it, nor can it be destroyed by any erroneous views or accidents of birth and death. Therefore, good men, if bodhisattvas mahasattva wish to gain unsurpassed enlightenment quickly, they should practice and study this profound, unsurpassed great vehicle Immeasurable Meanings Sutra.”  (LSOC, p13)

LOTUS SUTRA - 1. INTRODUCTION

The Lotus Sutra begins with the INTRODUCTION chapter which sets the scene for the rest of the teaching.

After introducing the numerous individuals present at the assembly, Shakyamuni teaches the IMMEASURABLE MEANINGS SUTRA which sets the scene for this prologue sutra in the Lotus Sutra trilogy, explains that previous sutras were leading people towards this supreme teaching and outlines the immeasurable benefits of the Lotus Sutra.  After teaching this sutra, various omens occur and one of Shakyamuni's disciples explains that these signs usually occur before a buddha teaches the Wonderful Law of the Lotus Sutra.

Here is a list of the blog entries for the Introduction Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (and the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra)


THE LOTUS SUTRA – CHAPTER ONE  (INTRODUCTION)

“This is What I Heard” – The Title

“This is What I Heard” – The Recitation

The Greatest Show on Earth

THE IMMEASURABLE MEANINGS SUTRA The Path to Buddhahood Life Begins At 40 Water, Water Everywhere Do You Hear What I Hear? The Benefit of Human Revolution Equal Benefits

Flowers, Light, Music, ACTION!