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The Lotus Sutra
Chapter 1, Introduction, Page 21
The verse response by Manjusri to Maitreya’s question, conclusion:
The similarity of the past and what is about to happen: First, the similarity of the person for whom the Dharma is spoken and the similarity of the name of the Dharma:
“He who was most honored among gods and men
Soon arose from
his Samadhi
Praising the Bodhisattva Wonderful Light
‘You are the eyes
of the world
To whom all turn in faith
Able to embrace the treasury of the
Dharma &
The Dharma as I have taught it to you.
Alone you have been
able to realize it.’
When the World Honored One offered this praise
The
Bodhisattva Wonderful Light rejoiced.
The Buddha then taught the Lotus
Sutra.”
The similarity of the time:
"For a full sixty
kalpas
Never rising from his seat.
He taught the most Wonderful
Dharma
The Master of the Dharma, Wonderful Light
Was able to completely
accept and embrace it."
The similarity of the imminent entry into Nirvana:
"The Buddha taught this Lotus Sutra
Causing all the assembly
to rejoice
Then upon this very same day
He addressed the hosts of gods and
men
“The meaning of the true spiritual aspect of reality in all things
Has already been taught to you.
Now, at midnight
I must enter into
Nirvana.
With diligence and a single mind
You must be free of
idleness
The Buddhas are very difficult to meet
In a million kalpas only
one is encountered.”"
The similarity of the prophecies of enlightenment:
"The children of the World Honored One
Heard that the
Buddha was entering into Nirvana
Feeling much grief and distress.
The
Buddha’s extinction is so sudden!
The Noble Lord, the King of the
Dharma
Comforted the countless assembly.
“When I am extinguished
You
mustn’t grieve or be alarmed
This Bodhisattva Treasury of
Virtue
Faultless in understanding of the true aspect of reality
Already
penetrating and reaching it completely
Will be the next to attain
enlightenment
He will be known as Pure Life.
He will also liberate countless living beings.”"
The similarities in the propagation of the
Sutra after the Buddha enters into Nirvana:
Increasing diligence and
offerings of service:
“That night the Buddha attained extinction
Just
as firewood is extinguished when the fire die out
His relics were divided up
and given out
Countless towers were erected
Bhiksus and
Bhiksunis
Their numbers like the sands of the Ganges
Doubled up and
multiplied their diligence
In seeking the path of enlightenment.”
The similarities in the propagation of the Sutra after the Buddha enters into
Nirvana:
The propagation of the Sutra and the benefits:
“This Teacher
of the Dharma, Wonderful Light
Having preserved the Buddha’s treasury of
the Dharma
For eighty small kalpas
Widely proclaimed this Lotus
Sutra.
All eight of the princes
Influenced and transformed by Wonderful
Light
Were strong and firm on the supreme path.
Seeing countless
Buddhas
They offered service to them.
Following them in practicing the
path
In succession they became Buddhas
Each receiving their prophecy of
enlightenment.
The last one, a god among gods
Was named Steadily Burning
Lamp
Guide and teacher of the sages
Liberator of countless living
beings
This teacher of the Dharma, Wonderful Light
Then had a single
disciple
With a mind ever lazy and negligent
Greedily attached to fame and
profit
Tirelessly seeking fame and profit
Too comfortable in enjoying the
pleasures of the home life
Abandoning all that was learned and
recited
Forgetful and not keen in apprehension.
Because of these
things
He was called Fame Seeker.
Upon practicing a host of good karmic
deeds
He saw the countless Buddhas.
Upon offering service to them
He
followed and practiced the great path
Possessing the six Paramitas.
And
now, upon seeng the lion Sakyamuni.
He will become a Buddha
He will be
known as Maitreya.
He will broadly liberate living beings
Their numbers
will be immeasurable
After the extinction of the Buddha.”
The connection between the past and the present:
The one that was lazy and
negligent was you
The Teacher of the Dharma, Wonderful Light
Turned out
to be me who is here now.”
The conclusion: The teaching of The Lotus Sutra is imminent.
“I saw the Buddha Bright Lamp of the Sun and
Moon
The original sign of light being the same as it is now
Because of
this I know that this Buddha here
Desires to teach The Lotus
Sutra.”
The conclusion: It is a Dharma for instructing the Bodhisattvas.
“The signs now are the same as the original omens
These
are the way and means of the Buddhas
Now the Buddha has issued forth a bright ray of
light
Helping to inspire the meaning of the true aspect of
reality.
Everyone should now recognize this
Join their palms and wait with
a single mind.
The Buddha will pour down the rain of the Dharma
Fulfilling
those that seek the path of enlightenment.”
The conclusion: The Buddha will resolve all doubts.
“If any that seek the Three
Vehicles
Still have any doubts or regrets
The Buddha will now resolve
them
Making them disappear without a trace.”
The End of Chapter One
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Since July 9, 2001