Immeasurable Meanings

The Immeasurable Meanings Sutra is an introductory sutra to the Lotus Sutra.  It starts by setting the scene in preparation for the Lotus Sutra, and this blog will focus on the first part of Chapter 2 – Preaching the Law – which outlines that there is a Sutra which will help you to gain enlightenment quickly, that different people learn and understand in different ways and that teaching people about the one true Law will lead you to enlightenment quickly.

After introducing the cast of characters (devils, animals, people, bodhisattvas, etc.) that are attending the lecture and outlining some of the previous teachings in Chapter 1, this extract from Chapter 2 Preaching the Law contains an outline of what is to follow (and also introduces us to the Ten Worlds).  Extracts from the sutra are in bold.

It begins with the assembly asking Shakyamuni if there is a teaching that will lead them to enlightenment quickly and his response that there is:

Bodhisattva Great Adornment and the others of the eighty thousand bodhisattvas, speaking in a single voice, then addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, if bodhisattvas mahasattva wish to succeed quickly in gaining supreme perfect enlightenment, what sort of doctrines should they practice? What sort of doctrines can cause bodhisattvas mahasattva to succeed quickly in gaining supreme perfect enlightenment?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Great Adornment and the others of the eighty thousand bodhisattvas, “Good men, there is a single doctrine that can cause bodhisattvas to succeed quickly in gaining supreme perfect enlightenment. If bodhisattvas study this doctrine, then they will be able to gain supreme perfect enlightenment.”

 They then ask him to tell them the name and how to practice it:

“World-Honored One, what is the name of this doctrine? What is its meaning? What practices does it prescribe for bodhisattvas?”

He gives them the name “the doctrine of immeasurable meanings” and explains that they need to see the reality of all phenomena:

The Buddha said: “Good men, this single doctrine is called the doctrine of immeasurable meanings. If bodhisattvas wish to practice and study these immeasurable meanings, then they should observe and perceive how all phenomena, from the beginning down to the present, are in nature and aspect empty and tranquil, without bigness or littleness, without birth or extinction, not abiding, not moving, neither advancing nor retreating, but like vacant space, without any dualism.”

He continues that most people are deluded in their understanding of life and follow the six paths of existence (Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Humanity and Rapture) which causes them to suffer the effects of their actions:

“But living beings in their vain delusions make wild calculations, saying, this is one thing, that is another, this brings gain, that brings loss, and give rise to thoughts that are not good, carrying out evil acts, transmigrating through the six paths of existence and undergoing sufferings and bitterness for immeasurable millions of kalpas without ever being able to escape.”

He then states that when bodhisattvas can see this reality which causes the suffering of others, they are compelled to act and help others who are living deluded lives:

“Bodhisattvas mahasattva, clearly perceiving that this is so, are moved to pity in their minds, and inspired by great compassion, wish to rescue these beings from their plight.”

To be able to see this reality though, the World-Honored-One explains that bodhisattvas need to study and learn about the reality of life, such as the laws of appearance (birth), existence, change and disappearance (death):

“They should then once more enter deeply into the study of all phenomena. If the aspects of phenomena are such, then such-and-such phenomena will be born. If the aspects of phenomena are such, then such-and-such phenomena will abide. If the aspects of phenomena are such, then such-and-such phenomena will change. If the aspects of phenomena are such, then such-and-such phenomena will undergo extinction. If the aspects of phenomena are such, this can lead to the birth of bad phenomena. If the aspects of phenomena are such, this can lead to the birth of good phenomena. And the same applies in the case of the abiding, changing, and extinction of phenomena.”

These studies will lead them to a true realization of the law:

“When bodhisattvas have in this manner observed the beginning and end of these four aspects and have understood them in their entirety, then they will clearly perceive that all phenomena, never abiding from one instant to the next, are constantly being born anew and passing into extinction, and then they will immediately perceive the true aspect of birth, abiding, change, and extinction.”

And they will then be able to teach others of this Law.  They will also have awareness that people have different capabilities and states of life and so may need to teach in different ways to help people understand this one true Law.

“Once they have gained this perception, then they must turn to the capacities, natures, and desires of living beings. Because such natures and desires are immeasurable in variety, the ways of preaching the Law are immeasurable; and because the ways of preaching the Law are immeasurable, its meanings are likewise immeasurable. These immeasurable meanings are born from a single Law, and this Law is without aspect. What is without aspect is devoid of aspect and does not take on aspect.  Not taking on aspect, being without aspect, it is called the true aspect.”

By Learning and through Realization of the truth of this law, they can then teach others compassionately (Bodhisattva) who will then go on to teach others as well.

“When bodhisattvas mahasattva rest and abide in this understanding of the true aspect of all phenomena, then the pity and compassion that they put forth will be based on clear understanding and not groundless, and they will be truly capable of rescuing living beings from the sufferings that they undergo. And once they have rescued them from suffering, they will preach the Law for them and enable living beings to enjoy ease and delight.”

Finally, The World-Honored-One concludes his response to the question by saying that if bodhisattvas practise in such a way they will achieve enlightenment (Buddhahood) quickly and he reassures them that this one true Law is protected by all Buddhas and cannot be disproved by devils or non-believers:

“Good men, if bodhisattvas are able in this manner to practice the immeasurable meanings of this all-embracing doctrine, then they are certain to succeed quickly in attaining supreme perfect enlightenment. Good men, this profound, unsurpassed great vehicle Immeasurable Meanings Sutra is true and correct in word and principle, worthy of unsurpassed veneration. It is guarded and protected by all the buddhas of the three existences. There is no devil host, no congregation of non-Buddhist believers who can invade it, nor can it be destroyed by any erroneous views or accidents of birth and death. Therefore, good men, if bodhisattvas mahasattva wish to gain unsurpassed enlightenment quickly, they should practice and study this profound, unsurpassed great vehicle Immeasurable Meanings Sutra.”

 All extracts are taken from pages 11 – 13 of Burton Watson’s “The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras”