The
Ten Wonders
&
The Manfestation of Enlightenment
Part Two:
6. The Wonderful Manifestation of Sympathetic Response - With the wonderful effect of the Threefold Dharma, there is serenity (Calm) and illumination (Observation), and there is a dynamic in one’s relationships with others that is called sympathy and response.
This is the relationship between living beings and the Buddha. As Chih-I said in The Hidden Meaning of the Lotus Sutra, "The waters do not rise up and moon does not descend, but in a single moment the one moon is manifested everywhere in the multitude of waters. The Buddhas do not come down and living beings do not go up, but with the power of mercy (from the Buddhas) and the good spiritual roots (of living beings) it seems to be like this. Therefore it is called sympathy and response." The Lotus Sutra says:
7. The Wonderful Manifestation of Spiritual Penetration - With the six spiritual penetrations1 one turns the wheel of the body, the mouth & the thinking mind and is able to get through, reach and influence the minds of others, helping lead them towards spiritual transformation and enlightenment. This is not just a technique devised to suit one’s immediate needs, but rather it is creating the conditions for spiritual transformation. Whether living beings are far from or near to the goal, and whether one is at the point of the seed, the ripening, or the harvest, all are part of the One Vehicle. The Lotus Sutra says:
8. The Wonderful Manifestation of Teaching the Dharma - Although the Wonderful Dharma is inconceivable and beyond the way of words and language, one uses the power of the word to teach and guide living beings to the Wonderful Dharma. This refers the teaching of Buddhism and the twelve parts of the Sutra. The total (perfect) teaching is in accordance with the principle of the true spiritual aspect of reality, and everywhere it makes people open up, reveal, awaken and enter into the knowledge and vision of enlightenment. This is called the wonderful teaching of the Dharma. The Lotus Sutra says:
9. The Wonderful Manifestation of Followers - Upon hearing and believing in the Dharma, followers are attracted to the Buddha, and they repeat the process of these ten wonders. This refers to the followers that are the vows, the practices, the responses, the penetrations, etc etc. They are like the shade of clouds that conceal the moon and like the crowds of subjects that are gathered around the King. The Sutra says:
10. The Wonderful Manifestation of Benefits - These are the benefits of happiness, inspiration, awakening and enlightenment. They are like a great ocean that is able to withstand the downpour of rain from the Dragon-King. The Lotus Sutra says:
Footnotes:
The Six
Spiritual Penetrations:
1. The Divine Eye (that sees what others cannot
see)
2. The Divine Ear (that hears what others cannot hear)
3. The ability to penetrate and know the
minds of others
4. The ability to see past lives
5. The ability to be or to go
anywhere at will
6. The ability to penetrate all afflictions
Copyright © Peter Johnson 2001 - All rights reserved
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Since July 9, 2001