Hope & The Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is the supreme teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha and the foundation of the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. 

The Lotus Sutra introduced the concept that we can all (every one of us) achieve Buddhahood in this lifetime – we don’t need to wait for some unspecified time in a future life.  We don’t even need to have dealt with all of our negative karma from past life-times before we can achieve it.  As imperfect and unworthy as we may sometimes think we are, we all have Buddhahood within us at this very moment waiting to be accessed. 

Nichiren’s understanding of The Lotus Sutra, led him to realize that by chanting “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” we can gain access to this fountain of Buddhahood that lives within us and within the universe and awaken our Buddha nature and Buddha wisdom.

Reading through the Lotus Sutra there are many beautiful passages, but one of my favourites that always fills me with hope, especially if I’m feeling overwhelmed by problems in my life is an extract from Chapter 23 – Former Affairs of the Bodhisattva Medicine King.

“…This sutra is foremost among all the sutra teachings.

As the Buddha is king of the doctrines, so likewise this sutra is king of the sutras.

"Constellation King Flower, this sutra can save all living beings.

The sutra can cause all living beings to free themselves from suffering and anguish.

The sutra can bring great benefits to living beings and fulfil their desires,

as a clear pond can satisfy all those who are thirsty.

It is like a fire to one who is cold,

a robe to one who is naked,

like a band of merchants finding a leader,

the child finding its mother,

someone finding a ship in which to cross the water,

a sick man finding a doctor,

someone in darkness finding a lamp,

the poor finding riches,

the people finding a ruler,

a traveling merchant finding his way to the sea.

It is like a torch that banishes darkness,

Such is this Lotus Sutra.

It can cause living beings to cast off all distress, all sickness and pain.

It can unloose all the bonds of birth and death.

If a person is able to hear this Lotus Sutra, if he copies it himself or causes others to copy it,

the benefits he gains thereby will be such that even the Buddha wisdom
could never finish calculating their extent.

("The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras” translated by Burton Watson, p327-328)

Talking about this chapter of the Lotus Sutra in the letter “The Essence of the ‘Medicine King’ Chapter”, Nichiren Daishonin says:

The Lotus Sutra is like the moon [on a dark night]. For those who have faith in the Lotus Sutra, but whose faith is not deep, it is as though a half moon were lighting the darkness. But for those who have profound faith, it is as though a full moon were illuminating the night.    (WND-1, 94)

Embrace Shakyamuni’s Lotus Sutra with profound faith and joyfully chant the Daishonin’s mantra, to create a path of moonlight through your darkness towards a hope-filled future.