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The Confessional Samadhi of the Lotus Sutra, page 24
C. The Signs of the Realization of Spiritual Insight
How does one recognize the spiritual signs of insight attained by the practitioner? Concerning these, there are also three parts:
1. The Signs of Pure Insight in the Lower Grades of Practice
Whether during or at the end of the full three weeks, whether walking or seated, one enters into much meditative concentration. One is instantly awakened to one's body and mind being like a cloud, a shadow, a dream, and an illusion, causing the awakened mind to be inspired inside. Wisdom & insight are illuminated and one has thoroughly realized all of the teachings. With ways & means, one skillfully teaches them without obstacles or hesitation. One penetrates and reaches the meanings of the twelve parts of the Sutra1, explaining the difficult questions without any hesitation. One is unceasingly teaching the Dharma. This is called The Signs of Pure Insight in the Lower Grades of Practice.
2. The Signs of Pure Insight in the Medium Grades of Practice
Whether one is walking, seated, chanting or thinking, the body and mind are serene like empty space, and one enters into many tranquil forms of concentration. With proper insight, one faces and sees the Bodhisattva Universally Virtue and his vehicle that is the six-tusked royal white elephant, surrounded by countless Bodhisattvas. Because living beings rejoice upon seeing this presented before them, they will attain Samadhi and the Dharani2. This is called:
The Dharani is the Great Wisdom & Insight. Upon attaining this Great Wisdom & Insight, one will hear the teachings of the Buddhas and not forget them, penetrating and reaching each and all of them without any hesitation. In a single phrase, one penetrates and reaches all meanings, and will teach the Dharma unceasingly. One will penetrate all the doors to wisdom & insight like the wind blowing through empty space. This is called The Signs of Pure Insight in the Medium Grades of Practice.
3. The Signs of Pure Insight in the Higher Grades of Practice
Again, whether walking, seated, chanting or thinking, the body and mind are all of a sudden pure, entering into deep meditative concentration. With awakened insight, the mind does not stir or shake. In one's meditative concentration, one sees the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue, the Buddha Sakyamuni, the Buddha Abundant Treasures, all the Spiritual Emanations of the Buddha and all of the Honored Ones of the Ten Directions. Without hesitation one attains the Great Dharani as well as the purification of the six senses. Everywhere one presents oneself, one opens up the knowledge and vision of enlightenment and enters into the rank of the Bodhisattvas, as elaborated in the Sutra on the Observation of the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue. This is called The Signs of Pure Insight in the Higher Grades of Practice.
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Footnotes:
1. The Twelve Parts of the (Mahayana) Scriptures: #1 Sutras - prose discourse of the Buddha #2 Geyas – verses reiterating the prose discourses #3 Gathas – verses that stand by themselves #4 Nidanas – historical narratives #5 Itivrittakas – past lives of the Buddha’s disciples #6 Jatakas – past lives of the Buddha #7 Adbhuta Dharmas – miracle stories #8 – Avadanas – Allegories or Parables #9 Upadesas – doctrinal expositions, often in question & answer form #9 Udanas – teachings of the Buddha unprompted by disciples’ questions #11 Vaipulyas – Sutras that deal with broad topics #12 Vyakaranas – the Buddha’s prophecies of the disciples’ enlightenment
2. The Dharani: ‘That which is focused on’, ‘the all embracing’; The dharani is a prayer-spell that is recited over and over. It is the Great Secret Essence, the all-embracing incantation that intercepts evil, embraces good and includes all teachings, meanings, and practices. It is the secret essence of the Middle Way and the True Spiritual Aspect of Reality. The Dharani of the Lotus Sutra is devotion to its title, which Chih-I explained to include the entire meaning and intent of the Sutra. Nichiren revealed this to be ‘Nam-Myoho Renge Kyo’.
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