The Prose & Verse of the Lotus Sutra

The Prose & Verse of The Lotus Sutra

Chapter 25
The Universal Door of the Bodhisattva
Observing the Sounds of the World

Page 2

This chapter’s words contain a pair of questions & answers that possess limitless meanings. In outlining them we utilized ten pairs of ideas, beginning with Person & Dharma and ending with Wisdom & Detachment.. Like this, we generally explained the meaning of this chapter’s name.

2. The Specific Explanation

Now, we make five single parts that are specifically on each of the words of the title:

1. Observing (C. Kuan, J. Kan)

There are many kinds of observation. In briefly outlining them, there is analytical observation, the embodiment of observation, a progressive sequence of observations, and total observation.

With analytical observation one extinguishes form and enters into emptiness.
With the embodiment of observation form is identical with emptiness
With a progressive sequence of observations one goes from analytical observation to total observation
With total observation, analytical observation is in accord with the true spiritual aspect of reality, and a progressive sequence of observations is in accord with the true spiritual aspect of reality^1.

Now that we have examined the three observations we only discuss the total observation. The words of the Sutra speak of 'The Universal Door'. If the observation is not total then the door² is not universal. This is the meaning here.

2. The World (C. Shi, J. Se)

When it concerns the conduct of living beings, first there is the world and afterwards there is its observation.
When it concerns teaching of it in words, first there is the observation and afterwards there is the world.³

Now the Sutra is teaching of it in words and so it speaks of the observation (C. Kuan) first and the world (C. Shi) afterwards.

There are many kinds of worlds. In briefly outlining it, there is the conditioned world, the unconditioned world, the world of the two extremes and the inconceivable world.

The conditioned world is the world of the Threefold Realm⁴
The unconditioned world is the dual aspect of Nirvana⁵
The world of the two extremes is Life & Death and Nirvana being combined together
The inconceivable world is the sphere of the true spiritual aspect of reality.

Having examined these worlds and let them go, one only holds on to the inconceivable world.

3. The Sounds (C. Yin, J. On)

The sounds are the spiritual capacities of living beings. There are also many different kinds of capacities. In briefly outlining them, there are the spiritual capacities of personality and heaven, the Two Vehicles, the Bodhisattvas and the Buddhas.

With the spiritual capacities of personality and heaven, evils are not committed and good practices are nurtured.⁶
With the spiritual capacities of the Two Vehicles, there is fear and loathing of Life & Death, and rejoicing in that which is unconditioned.
With the spiritual capacities of the Bodhisattvas, people are put before oneself and there is kindness, compassion and good will.
With the spiritual capacities of the Buddhas, there is observation, entry without hesitation into all things spiritual, complete equanimity, and the guiding of all people onto the one path that will free them from Life & Death.

Having examined the spiritual capacities of all sounds, one only holds onto the capacity of the Buddha.

Therefore one responds with this spiritual capacity to causes and conditions and is called ‘Observing the Sounds of the World’.

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Outline of Title Outline of Prose Outline of Verse & Coda

Footnotes:

1. The four kinds of observation: See the Four Meditations for more on this
a. Analytical; Cognitive thought that discriminates reality from falsehood - predominant in the first meditation
b. Embodiment; Cognitive thought is transcended; intuitive, sensory experience of knowing - predominant in the second meditation
c. Progressive Sequence; Progressively deeper states of mental concentration as cognitive and affective/intuitive states of mind are sublimated into pure presence of mind; up to the third meditation
d. Total; Pure Samadhi, singleness of mind, complete impartiality and equanimity of mind

2. Door: Means of enlightenment, Buddhist teaching and practice

3. World First, Observation Afterwards: (C. Shi-Kuan, J. Se-Kuan) Literally, 'Worldly Observation', doing things before thinking about it, the way of the world. Observation First, the World Afterwards (C. Kuan-Shi, J. Kanze) The spiritual path, introspectively observing and understanding first (and attaining Samadhi), then teaching the world (manifesting one's spiritual life).

4. The Threefold Realm: The realm of desire, form & formlessness; The mortal realm of the self; The spiritual realm of Life & Death, the Saha World

5. The Dual Aspect of Nirvana: The Nirvana that is perceived as being something separate or different from the threefold realm; The Nirvana of those of the Two Vehicles

6. Evils are not committed: The Realm of Personality, where living beings yield to the rule of law and civility and practice the five basic precepts of morality Good practices are nourished: The Realm of Heaven, where prayer, worship and meditation are practiced

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