Chapter 9. Prophecies Transmitted to Those Who Have Nothing More to Learn and Those Who Still Have More to Learn
“Those who have no more to learn” refers to Arhats ofthe fourth stage who have entered the phase where there is nothing further to study. “Those who still have more to learn” refers to those from the first stage upward who are still progressing. The Buddha bestows prophecies upon all these disciples—from those who have just begun their practice to those who have attained the fourth stage—declaring that they will all become Buddhas in the future. He describes what their future Buddha-lands will be like, what their Buddha-names will be, and how they will be fully endowed with the ten titles of a Buddha. This chapter serves as a guarantee of their future enlightenment, providing prophecies for all remaining disciples.
Chapter 10: The Teacher of the Law
This chapter continues the theme of prophecy, but these prophecies include us as well. Here, the Buddha bestows prophecies of Buddhahood upon everyone who hears even a single verse of the Lotus Sutra, so we all have a part in this. In this chapter, the Buddha also discusses the karmic retribution for disparaging the Lotus Sutra. Addressing Medicine King Bodhisattva, he says: “Medicine King, if an evil person with an unwholesome heart were to appear before a Buddha for an entire kalpa and constantly slander the Tathagata, that person’s sin would still be relatively light.
However, if someone uses even a single evil word to slander or mock a layperson or a monk who reads and recites the Lotus Sutra, their sin is extremely heavy. Medicine King, you should know that those who can read and recite the Lotus Sutra are adorned with the same merit as the Buddha Himself. It is as if the Tathagata were carrying such a person on His own shoulders. Wherever they go, all beings should pay them homage, join their palms in reverence, and offer them various perfumes, music, clothing, and the finest offerings. They should scatter celestial treasures upon them. Why? Because such a person delights in teaching the Dharma, and even if beings hear their teaching for only a short time, they will ultimately realize Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment.” This is the Buddha’s instruction regarding teachers of the Dharma and those who disparage them.
Furthermore, in this chapter, the Buddha declares the Lotus Sutra to be the head of all scriptures. Wherever the scripture is found, the Dharma-body of the Tathagata is present; one should worship and make offerings there, even building a stupa. He also explains that if a Bodhisattva has not yet heard the Lotus Sutra, their cultivation of the Bodhisattva path is not yet complete. He tells Medicine King Bodhisattva: “Whether lay or ordained, those who practice the Bodhisattva path but cannot see, hear, read, recite, write, uphold, or make offerings to this Lotus Sutra, you should know that they have not yet perfected the Bodhisattva path. If they can hear this scripture, then they are truly capable of practicing the perfected Bodhisattva path. Those who aspire to the Buddha-way and hear this Lotus Sutra with deep understanding and acceptance, you should know that they are approaching the realm ofUnexcelled Complete Enlightenment.”
He uses the Parable of Digging a Well: “Medicine King, suppose a person is thirsty and hungry and desperately needs water. He begins digging a well on a high plateau. When he sees that the excavated earth is completely dry, he knows that water is still far away. He continues to dig until he reaches moist soil, and eventually mud. At that point, he knows in his heart that water must be near.”
Bodhisattvas are the same. If they have not heard, understood, or practiced the Lotus Sutra, you should know that they are still far from the realm of Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. If they can hear, understand, contemplate, and practice this scripture, then you surely know they are not far from that supreme state. Why? Because the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment of all Bodhisattvas is contained within this Lotus Sutra. This scripture opens all doors of skillful means and reveals the wonderful principle of the true reality of all phenomena. The treasury of the Lotus Sutra is so profound and far- reaching that none can fully exhaust its meaning. Now, the Buddha specifically explains it to transform and perfect the Bodhisattvas. This is the Buddha’s praise for the Lotus Sutra, stating that all beings practicing the Great Vehicle Bodhisattva path should hear, recite, contemplate, and realize this scripture.
Finally, the Buddha explains that those who wish to preach the Lotus Sutra to the fourfold assembly should enter the Tathagata’s room, wear the Tathagata’s clothes, and sit on the Tathagata’s seat. What does it mean to “enter the Tathagata’s room”? It means to give rise to a heart of great kindness and compassion for all sentient beings. To “wear the Tathagata’s clothes” means to be endowed with a heart of gentle patience and forbearance. Forbearance is one of the Six Paramitas. Many people practice forbearance, but they do so with a cold heart.
If someone insults or strikes you, you might not retaliate or feel anger due to your practice of forbearance, but many people become indifferent or cold. Because “enduring” can be painful, some practitioners gradually become icy and detached. However, here we are told to practice with a gentle heart of forbearance, using compassion as the basis. We endure because we recognize that sentient beings harm us only because they do not know what they are doing.
The “Tathagata’s seat” refers to the realization of the true reality that all phenomena are empty. This means realizing the principle of emptiness within the Buddha-Dharma and dwelling within that state. Then, with a heart free from all laziness, one should widely proclaim this Lotus Sutra for the sake of Bodhisattvas and the fourfold assembly. The Buddha also expresses his hope that everyone will hear the Lotus Sutra and stay close to its teachers. As the text says: “If one stays close to a teacher of the Dharma, one quickly attains the Bodhisattva path; by following and learning from such a teacher, one sees Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.” This means that when you study the Lotus Sutra, the Buddhas of the numberless sands of the Ganges are right here—this is the heart of all Tathagatas! All Buddhas of the past, present, and future are present within this teaching, and through it, you may behold them all.