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Chapter 7. The Parableof the Conjured City The Parable of the Conjured City In “The Parable of the Conjured City,” the Buddha continues to explain why he taught the Lesser Vehicle. He says: “Monks, you should know that the Tathagata, using his power of skillful means, deeply understands the nature of all sentient beings. He … Read more

Chapter 6. Bestowal of Prophecy The sixth chapter concerns the “bestowal of predictions,” which refers to the Buddha prophesying the future Buddhahood of his great disciples. Mahakashyapa, Subhuti, Mahakatyayana, and Mahamaudgalyayana all begin to receive their predictions of enlightenment here. We will set aside this discussion of predictions for now and return to it at … Read more

Chapter 4. Belief and Understanding During the assembly, after the Buddha finished speaking, several of his great disciples—such as the Elder Subhuti, Mahakatyayana, Mahakasyapa, and Mahamaudgalyayana—were filled with incomparable joy. They said to the Buddha: “O Buddha, let us also tell a parable so that the assembly may understand the meaning of the Dharma you … Read more

Chapter 3. Simile and Parable This chapter discusses the insights of Shariputra and other Hinayana disciples after hearing the Buddha’s teaching that even disciples of the Small Vehicle can ultimately attain Buddhahood. They were filled with joy and excitement. Shariputra, moved to tears and exceptionally joyful, said to the Buddha: “We thought that we, as … Read more

Chapter 2. Expedient Means The second chapter is titled “Expedient Means.” When the dialogue between Manjushri and Maitreya concluded, the World-Honored One rose serenely from his samadhi. Upon emerging, he addressed Shariputra, the foremost in wisdom among the ten great Shravaka disciples: The wisdom of the Buddhas is extremely profound and vast. The gateway to this … Read more

Chapter 1. the Introduction The first chapter is the Introduction. This chapter describes the time and location of the Lotus Assembly, the categories and numbers of the participants, and the origin of the assembly. “Origin” refers to the reason why the Buddha began teaching this sutra. For instance, most Mahayana scriptures begin with a disciple … Read more

Welcome, everyone, to the hearing of the Lotus Sutra. I also congratulate you on the successful completion of these two days of copying and reciting the scripture. Through these past two days of study, everyone has gained a deeper understanding and recognition of <the Lotus Sutra>. <The Lotus Sutra> is a vital scripture in Mahayana … Read more

All sentient beings can equally realize the fruit of Buddhood. The importance and significance of this insight for those practicing the Buddha Dharma is self-evident. Any practitioner who hears this Dharma, believes in it, and practices it will sooner or later become a Buddha. The fruit of Buddhood is not something we “create” through practice; … Read more

The Lotus Sutra teaches: In the Mahayana canon, the Lotus Sutra is known as the “King of Sutras” and the “Foremost of all Scriptures.” This is because the “original face” of every sentient being is the Buddha; all beings possess the Buddha-nature. By hearing the Dharma, breaking through attachments, and uncovering their inherent Buddha-nature, they … Read more