The Oral Transmission of the Meaning

Measuring the Life of The One That Has Come - Chapter 16

 

#1 Homage to The Lotus Sutra (Nam- Myoho Renge Kyo)
     Measuring the Life of The One That Has Come - Chapter Sixteen

 

Volume Nine of The Prose & Verse of The Lotus Sutra says:

The One That Has Come (Nyorai):
This is the general title of all the Buddhas in the ten directions from the past, the present and the future; of the Two Buddhas, the Three Buddhas, and the source and manifestation of the Buddhas. More specifically it is the title of the original threefold enlightenment.

Measuring the Life (Juryo):
This describes the measure of the merits & virtues of all the Buddhas in the ten directions from the past, the present and the future; of the Two Buddhas, the Three Buddhas, and the source and manifestation of the Buddhas. Now it is the main description of the merits & virtues coming from the original threefold body of enlightenment.

Therefore this is called:
The Chapter on Measuring the Life of The One That Has Come (Nyorai Juryo Hon). 

 

The Oral Transmission of the Meaning says:

The title of this chapter was very important in the life of Nichiren.
It was that which is described here that will be transferred in the chapter on The Spiritual Power of The One That Has Come.1

The One That Has Come is honored by all the Buddhas of the ten directions in the past, the present and future.2
More specifically it is the innate threefold body of enlightenment3.

These are the three very important things that are conveyed in this chapter.

There are six identities with enlightenment5 that are establshed in this chapter:

  1. The One That Has Come is inherent in common mortals.
  2. Then they don the crown of 'Nam- Myoho Renge Kyo', causing them to first hear the title.6
  3. Then, upon hearing and believing, they cultivate the practice.
    This is the practice of observing the source of worship7, which is the phenomena of the three thousand spiritual aspects in a single thought.
  4. Confusions and obstacles are subdued.
  5. Influence on others arises.
  6. The innate threefold body of enlightenment is complete.

In subduing confusion, the chapter on Measuring the Life is the ultimate.
Only the common mortal8 embodies the fundamental being of this chapter, which is the ultimate truth that can be attained in the mind.

What is this innate threefold body of enlightenment? I now tell you that it is 'Nam- Myoho Renge Kyo'.

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Footnotes:

1. The chapter on The Spiritual Power of The One That Has Come: The twenty-first chapter of The Lotus Sutra, in which the Bodhisattvas that have sprung up from the earth vow to propagate the Sutra, and the Buddha instructs them in its use.

2. All the Buddhas of the ten directions in the past, the present and future: Throughout all space and time

3. The innate threefold body of enlightenment: Explained in detail in Chih-I's commentary of this chapter it is the timeless source of enlightenment consisting of thee aspects:
a. The Spiritual Body: The embodiment of spiritual truth that is everywhere, with or without one awakened to it.
b. The Body of the Living Reward: The wisdom and virtues that are the awakening to this body of truth.
c. The Body of the Living Response: The manifestation of enlightenment in this world that is in response to the needs of living beings.
These three are the inseparable aspects of The One That Has Come.

4. The age of the Dharma's demise: (J. Mappo) According to The Lotus Sutra & The Nirvana Sutra, the Dharma (Teaching) of the Buddha will degrade over 500 or 1000-year periods after the Buddha’s entry into Nirvana.
A. The first period is the True Dharma, which is practiced with the purity of the original inspiration.
B. The middle period is the Copied Dharma, in which followers revise the teaching for the times
C. The final period is the Demise of the Dharma, in which the original intent of the teaching is lost

5. The six identities with enlightenment:
a. Identity in principle: Everyone has the capacity to become enlightened. Whether or not they are awakened to it, all living beings have the nature of enlightenment within themselves, as they are part of the spiritual reality as-it-is.
b. Identity in name: Although there is the principle, it is not recognized in daily life until one heeds the word of the Dharma. Accepting and reciting the words of the Sutra with faith.
c. Identity in practice of observation: There is true observation of the mind and spiritual insight. One accepts the Sutra in both word and deed. Chih-I: "Penetrating and reaching the meaning of the words, and observing the mind clearly and thoroughly. Insight and the principle correspond; practice is the same as speech, and speech is the same as practice. When the mind and the mouth correspond, there is the Bodhi that is the Practice of Observation."
d. Identity in resemblance to enlightenment: One's observation becomes more and more on target. One begins to manifest enlightenment in all the conduct of one’s daily affairs. One begins to manifest the Sutra in one's life. Chih-I: "With more Observation, there is more clarity (illumination). With more Calm, there is more serenity. It is like a diligent archer who, with practice, has an ever more accurate aim. There is no contradiction between one's spiritual life and one’s worldly livelihood to sustain oneself, and one’s thoughts and speculations about Bodhi are as previously taught in the Sutra."
e. Identity with enlightenment in increments: One own practice enters into a dynamic with the influence of others. One imparts enlightenment to others. Chih-I: "With the power of observation having Resemblance to Bodhi, one enters into the rank of the Bodhisattvas. One begins by refuting the darkness of ignorance and seeing the spiritual nature of Enlightenment. In opening up the precious treasury of the Dharma one reveals the ‘absolute spiritual reality as-it-is'. The darkness of ignorance is weakened and wisdom turns deep."
f. Ultimate identity with enlightenment: One is a font of the Dharma, enlightening all. Chih-I: "In one turn, the Universal Awakening becomes the Wonderful Awakening. The light of wisdom becomes totally full and can not be made fuller. Only the Buddha is able to penetrate this."

6. The Title: (J. Daimoku) The title of the Sutra - the words that are most full of meaning; The Spiritual Wisdom that seeks the Truth;
Corresponding with The Body of the Living Reward (S. Sambhogakaya)

7. Source of Worship: (J. Honzon) The object of worship, the Spiritual Truth which is fused with the Wisdom;
Corresponding with The Spiritual Body (S. Dharmakaya).

8. Common mortal: Ordinary human being; one living in the Saha World, the Six Spiritual Realms of Life & Death;
Corresponding with The Body of the Living Response (S. Nirmanakaya).

 

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