The Prose & Verse of The Lotus Sutra

The Prose & Verse of The Lotus Sutra

Chapter 2 - Ways & Means

Text - Page 12

Now we will clarify this sphere¹ in two parts:

First there is one part that briefly indicates the provisional wisdom and real wisdom together. As the words say:


Sho	Ho	Jits-	So
All	Things	Reality	Aspect

... The true spiritual aspect of reality in all things.

Then there are the ten phrases that elaborate on the aspects of provision and reality:


Sho	I	Sho	Ho	Nyo	Ze	So
These	Are	All	Laws	As	It-Is	Appearance


Nyo	Ze	Sho	Nyo	Ze	Tai
As	It-Is	Nature	As	It-Is	Embodiment


Nyo	Ze	Riki	Nyo	Ze	Sa
As	It-Is	Power	As	It-Is	Influence


Nyo	Ze	In	Nyo	Ze	En
As	It-Is	Cause	As	It-Is	Condition


Nyo	Ze	Ka	Nyo	Ze	Ho
As	It-Is	Effect	As	It-Is	Retribution


Nyo	Ze	Hon	Mats-	Ku	Kyo	To
As	It-Is	Beginning	End	Finally	Ultimately	Equal

These are its aspects:

Appearance as-it-is
Nature as-it-is
Embodiment as-it-is
Power as-it-is
Influence as-it-is
Cause as-it-is
Conditioning as-it-is
Effect as-it-is
Retribution as-it-is
Ultimate consistency from beginning to end as-it-is

Now we will make four explanations of these ten aspects

In terms of the ten spiritual realms
In terms of the spiritual realm of enlightenment
In terms of their separation & union
In terms of one's spiritual standing

The Sutra speaks of All things (Shoho), and so we use The Ten Spiritual Realms to explain them
The Sutra says The Buddha has realized that which is most rare and difficult to understand (Buts-sho Joju Dai Ichi Ke U Nange Shi Ho). Therefore we use The Spiritual Realm of Enlightenment to explain them.
The Sutra says No more, Sariputra, it is not necessary to teach of it again (Shi Sharihotsu Fu Shu Bu Setsu). Therefore we use The Separation & Union of enlightenment and the other spiritual realms to explain them.
The Sutra says This can only be ultimately fathomed between the Buddhas (Yui Butsu Yo Butsu Naino Kujin). Therefore we use One's Spiritual Standing to explain the ten aspects.

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Footnote:

1. This Sphere: A reference to the sphere of the spiritual realm of enlightenment. Also translated as the 'object', It is the object of worship; The object of the Buddha's wisdom; The spiritual realm beheld in the eye of enlightenment; The Buddha in the ten worlds of the mind.

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