Volume 30. August 2, 2022
The Lotus Sutra is one of the world’s great religious scriptures. Its influence on the history of Buddhism, like an ancient river, has been wide and deep.
The Lotus Sutra proclaims the transcendental nature of the Buddha (the Buddha is not only man, but a god) and the doctrine of universal liberation (we can all become Buddhas).
It also spells out the bodhisattva path.
A bodhisattva is literally one whose “being is enlightenment.”
The way to enlightenment comes from perfecting six virtues: generosity, patience, diligence, morality, meditation and wisdom.
The Lotus Sutra is extensive, comprising twenty-eight chapters. One line from chapter five perhaps sums up the bodhisattva path, and distinguishes the character of a Buddha:
“Day and night he was at peace … meditating constantly.”
During the hottest, most uncomfortable dog days of summer, when the chirping grasshopper sits in the green grass and pours out his shrill song, when men are feeblest in the wearisome heat,
“Day and night he was at peace … meditating constantly.”
During times of war when men, born to misery, see pink flesh separate from white bones, and woman in agony bring forth children to live as wretched things,
“Day and night he was at peace … meditating constantly.”
During ceremonies condemning the treasonous, exposing the wicked for their greed, causing anger to rise in gentle hearts and eyes to burn with searing fire,
“Day and night he was at peace … meditating constantly.”
During treacherous storms, fatal floods, devastating droughts, furious fires scorching primordial trees, and terrible tornados tearing apart towns, while the innocent shed tears,
“Day and night he was at peace … meditating constantly.”
A Prayer
Oh Bodhisattva, Guan Yin, the hearer and answerer of prayers,
Oh Lord Buddha, the sweet Tathagata,
Give us the grace to truly see that we are you, and you are we.
Blessed be kindness. Blessed be love.
Blessed be virtue. Blessed be children.
Blessed be ignorance. Blessed be wisdom.
Blessed be bodhi. Blessed be peace.
Blessed be hearts overflowing with compassion.
Adoration to the big, blank mind of the Buddha,
The Lotus for troubled times.
Amen
The Buddha Times 