Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Lotus Sutra Is Foremost among All Sutras (諸經教法 法華第一)
Date: November 20.2017
“The Buddha has completely eliminated delusions, so neither praise nor slander can move Him. Those who praise Him only benefit themselves while bringing no benefit to the Buddha. “Those who slander Him only harm themselves while bringing no harm to the Buddha. Whether it is the offense of slandering or the blessing of praising the Buddha, the merits or wrongdoings are truly considerable.”
Latterly it seems like I have been emphasizing to everyone over and over again that as we safeguard and uphold the sutras, we absolutely must be vigilant. We must not bring harm to those who protect and uphold the sutras by defaming or slandering then etc. We must not do any of this! I hope everyone will be very mindful and vigilant. In the Chapter on Dharma Teachers, the most important thing we need to know is that the Dharma helps us develop our wisdom-life. By mindfully accepting the Dharma, our own wisdom-life will grow. The Buddha-Dharma in the world brings harmony. When we apply the Buddha-Dharma in the world, the four elements will be in harmony, everyone will create blessings and disasters will be averted. With the Buddha-Dharma in the world, every family can be harmonious and uphold the principles of proper relationships. This is why we need the Buddha-Dharma in this world. The world is inseparable from the worldly Dharma, and the Buddha-Dharma must be applied in this world; they are inseparable from one another. We must all protect the Buddha-Dharma and spread it throughout the world. This is very important!
Look at this world. The population is already so high. With all the people in the world, people’s ways of thinking and living and so on come in every shape and form and are constantly changing. Our moral principles are constantly weakening. This is truly worrisome.
And so we see, hear about and encounter so many calamities in this world.
Recently, in the world, how many times have we helped with international disaster relief? In so many countries, Tzu Chi volunteers are mobilizing to provide disaster relief and emergency services, or they go to places of poverty and hardship to hold winter distributions; there are so many! We hear about many particularly worrisome things. For example, yesterday (July 15, 2016) the news constantly covered the coup attempt in Turkey. All of a sudden, a coup took place, with artillery fire from both sides and bombs both dropped from the air and shot from the ground. Of course, it is unsettling to hear this. moreover, among our Da Ai Tv [staff], there is a husband and wife who have both formed great aspirations. whether it is their vacation time or their work time, they dedicate all their time to truthful and accurate reporting. When it comes to natural disasters, they take it as their duty. In this way, they take the initiative to go to very dangerous places where people are suffering the most to report on what is happening there.
Right now, these two have just gone to Turkey to interview refugees about their lives in Turkey and talk to Tzu Chi volunteers in Turkey about how they help [refugee] children go to school, their education methods and [the children’s] living situation. They have been there for over half a month already and hope to return with complete interviews. They are still there. Early in the morning, they went out and started to cross the long bridge between Europe and Asia (the Bosporus Bridge). Early [yesterday] morning, they passed over this bridge. As they were conducting interviews, the coup suddenly occurred, and this bridge was blocked off. They wanted to return to their hotel but had no way to get back to the place they were staying at. Still, they [continued their work], sending eyewitness interviews back [to Taiwan]. They were still doing their jobs as usual; this is their duty, their mission and their responsibility. Everywhere they looked, they were surrounded by chaos, with both sides firing at one another and bombs falling from the air. This was a manmade calamity.
Why would people do something like this? [People there] had such a safe and happy life; everyone was able to live peacefully. What happened? Suddenly so many things happened, causing people injury or death; this was something very tragic. It was due to people’s minds. One thought went astray, causing this group and that group of people to clash together. “You’re on this side and I’m on the other.” When groups of people draw boundaries, “You are in that party, I am in this,” mutual [tensions] like these give rise to conflict and fighting. Why is this? If we live according to nature, if we can uphold the laws of nature and focus on fulfilling our own duties, then we can live in peace. They only [problem] is people’s minds. On this track in life, what state of minds causes them to go off the rails like this? They are unable to clearly discern right from wrong. This is truly worrisome.
However, yesterday, here [at the Abode], 20 to 30 volunteers returned from the Philippines. They came to make a presentations to report about last year and this year, letting me know what they have been doing during this time. Each person reported on their own areas of work, on behalf [of their teams]. After each person reported, I told them that I was shaken and touched. I am very grateful. In the Philippines, people have no relationship at all with Buddhism. Most people there are Catholics or Protestants. However, three or four years ago （Nov 2013）, Typhoon Haiyan brought tremendous devastation. Over 40 countries started [fundraising] campaigns. Those with money gave money, and those with strength gave their strength. Tzu Chi volunteers from over 10 countries joined in the disaster relief work. Thus, in the short span of three to four years, the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban and the township of Palo have all completely [recovered]. The economy recovered quickly, and is now better than it was before the disaster. In the past, in their interpersonal relations, there was still ethnic discrimination between locals and people of Chinese descent. They would still have conflicts, and public safety was not very good. After the disaster, the government announced that the entire city [should be abandoned]. But [with support] from so many countries, Tzu Chi volunteers from the Philippines took on responsibility [to help the city]. With so many countries supporting them, they continued to provide care for the long run. Even now, they have not abandoned them; they continue to accompany them, helping the people there to rebuild. Because after [the disaster] those impoverished people were unable to rebuild, in Ormoc, the mayor provided 50 acres of land. On this land, we have already finished building 1500 prefabricated homes. We have finished them all, and they are very neat. I kept thinking, “Aren’t prefabricated houses very simple? Can they withstand typhoons? This can only provide temporary accommodation.” However, [volunteers] returned yesterday to report that these temporary prefabricated homes which had been constructed so simply have already become a big village. Using prefabricated buildings, not only can the children go to school, but most importantly, they are given professional training in handicrafts. In this way, we teach them how to sew, how to embroidered and how to make bags and women’s purses, very beautiful ones. They come in every shape and color. They are all embroidered, made from different fabrics and so on. These are all made expertly by hand. Now [the residents there] are able to take orders to make uniforms for government [employees]. They are able to make these uniforms to sustain their livelihood and improve their life. In the past, they did not have these skills, so their families lived very difficult lives. Now they can make various kinds of handicrafts in very shape and color, allowing them to sustain their family. There is also the making of food products, baking bread and so on; we also train them in this. When they make food products, they also do it very well. Both men and women have developed the skills they need to do things. So, because the entire [village] is like this, it had flourished into a very beautiful village.
[The volunteers] also brought up this year’s Buddha Bathing ceremony. They have truly brought the Buddha-Dharma [to the Philippines]. How do we do the Buddha Bathing in Taiwan? How do we arrange people in different patterns? Over there, they arranged even more patterns than Taiwan. Looking down from above, it was very beautiful, very well organized. In three locations, over 14,000 people bathed the Buddha on the same day. Aside from arranging the patterns so well, they also held a sutra adaptation performance. The rehearsals for the sutra adaptation began in March. Everyone took the initiative to sign up and attend rehearsals to learn [the choreography]. They also put up a stage, but they did not need to build it; the government provided a flatbed truck. Thus, they could decorate the truck bed and use it as a stage. On this stage, they performed the Sutra of Profound Gratitude toward Parents. Their acting was such that it truly [felt like] the interactions between a rebellious child and his parents. The parents’ helplessness, the son’s rebellious behavior, even [the scenes where] he joins a gang, gets locked in jail and his parents visit him in prison, were all expertly preformed. This was truly a praiseworthy [performance].
They also [performed] sections from the Sutra of Infinite Meanings [adaptation]. They did all this in all three places. Seeing it, I was very impressed and also very touched; it is truly praiseworthy. There was even a filial piety activity where children washed their parents’ feet off stage. [The children] were very touched themselves. They had never been taught these things before. They had never encountered the Buddha-Dharma. As it turns out, the principles of the Buddha-Dharma are very applicable. When we take its teachings to heart, it has a profound [effect on us]; it is deeply moving. This is what [the volunteers] reported yesterday. Though everything was very simple, every single picture we saw was very impressive. This is what it means to spread the Dharma and to teach the Dharma.
Moreover, in the course of a single year, the Philippines experienced several typhoons and floods. The volunteers in charge of charity work [reported on] how they went to dedicate themselves and serve. They had to travel a very long distance to do disaster relief and provide emergency care. In particular, on Bohol Island, a week prior to the disastrous [typhoon] in Ormoc, a big earthquake struck, causing severe damage. We were originally preparing to help there, but then the [typhoon] in Ormoc caused such large-scale [devastation]. So, a large number of [volunteers] went to Ormoc. But we still did not abandon Bohol Island. In that place as well, over these three or four years, we have continually been accompanying them. There too, the local people are very grateful. Now, over 20,000 people have started to [save money for donations] in bamboo banks. We gave them prefabricated classrooms. As their regular school is gradually being. As their regular school is gradually being repaired and equipped, our prefabricated classrooms are being recycled. We are bringing them to rundown places where they are put up again for others to use. We have already set up over 40 classrooms. The parents and villagers are all very grateful. So, in [Bohol Island], Tzu Chi has already become indispensable. The people there hope for Tzu Chi to take root and sprout there. We have already started both introductory and advanced volunteer training, with many people [attending]. Every month, they hold a Tzu Chi day. This day is now held all over the Philippines. They call it “Charity Day”. Whether in Ormoc or on Bohol Island, the Charity Day practice has spread all across the Philippines. Everyone gathers on the same day and “brings the bamboo banks home”. I am truly very grateful. Bodhisattvas use the Dharma to serve others and provide disaster relief. Moreover, “Having relieved them from suffering, they expound the Dharma for them”. Everyone knows that this is the Buddha-Dharma. They have accepted the Buddha-Dharma and dedicate themselves with the spirit of Tzu Chi, bringing together the power of each person’s love. Most importantly, it has changed them. Their [habits of] smoking, drinking and gambling have all been reformed. They have been greatly influenced. This is the Buddha-Dharma; the Buddha-Dharma is the principles. It does not matter what religion you believe in; it will not obstruct the way you ordinarily practice your religion. However, it changes people’s minds and behavior, turning their lives around. There are so many people in suffering, people with sever illnesses or tumors who have also received help.
In any case, our help influences [people at] the hospitals. In order to save their child’s life, [one family] needed to take a high-interest loan. However, Tzu Chi volunteers found out and wanted to help. When the doctor heard about this, [he said], “Oh, the Tzu Chi volunteers want to help him? As for my doctor’s fee, I’ll perform this surgery for him without charge”. So, there was no need for a high-interest loan. The doctor did not ask for money from them. When something like this happens, we all feel uplifted by this mutual love. This doctor even joined Tzu Chi and was willing to be part of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association. There are so many touching stories. This is why the Dharma needs to be spread.
To slander the Buddha and harm the Dharma produces very severe karma. But as far as the Buddha is concerned, He suffers no loss; He remains unwavering. Those who praise Him benefit themselves, but this has no effect on the Buddha. However, those who slander Him will bring severe karmic obstructions upon themselves. So, where it talks about “the offense of slandering” and “the blessing of praising the Buddha” the karma from slandering the Buddha is very severe for the individual, yet to the Buddha, it makes no difference. In the same way, when we praise the Buddha, He is not impacted at all. Yet for us, what we attain from this is joy; we become filled with Dharma-joy. Moreover, when we encounter the Dharma, if we give rise to a joyous heart, we can all turn from evil to good. When we all do such joyful things, society will be at peace, families will be harmonious and people will get along together very happily. Just think, this is what it means to be able to praise the Buddha-Dharma. by practicing according to the Buddha-Dharma’s teachings, we will help our society and our world to become joyful, harmonious, peaceful and at ease. This is the benefit of having the Buddha-Dharma in this world. We absolutely most not slander [the Dharma].
Some people will deliberately slander it. Others who do not know anything about it will hear [this slander] and spread it further. This is something we must never do. We must clearly discern right from wrong. The Buddha-Dharma is in this world for the purpose of creating blessings in the world and bringing peace to the world. Irrespective of religion, it has something to teach everyone in the world. These are very good principles. We should advance them, not slander them.
Let us look at the previous sutra passage. “For eight billion kalpas, they can use the most wondrous object of form and sound, as well as smell, taste and touch to make offerings to those who uphold this sutra. Having made such offerings, if they can hear this sutra even for a moment, they should feel happy and fortunate that today they attain great benefits.”
I explained yesterday about the eight billion kalpas. We must remember the Eight Consciousnesses. We use the Eight Consciousnesses to explain that in our daily life our eyes see, our ears hear, our mouth and tongue [produce sounds] and so on. In the actions of our body and the thoughts of our mind, we should mindfully [uphold the teaching of]. Refrain from all evil and do all that is good. If we can do this, all this goodness will return to our Eighth Consciousness, and within our Eighth Consciousness, nothing but seeds of goodness will be planted. When it comes to the Buddha-Dharma, we will use the tangible things of this world to bring [our spiritual practice] to fruition. This is all making offerings, practicing giving. Upholding the sutra is putting it into practice or praising those who uphold the sutras. Listening to the sutras and the teachings will inspire our minds so that we feel very happy, very fortunate.
Just look at the Philippines. Because of Typhoon Haiyan, they have now attained so much joy. Everyone joined in the musical adaption together. Over 10,000 people could join in the musical adaption together like this. that kind of joy is Dharma-joy. This is something they never had before. It is because of these causes and conditions that Tzu Chi volunteers could take these teachings and spread them to that place. Think about it, isn’t this benefiting the people?
The next sutra passage says, “Medicine King, now I tell you that, among all the sutras I have taught, the Lotus Sutra is foremost.”
Our of compassion, the Buddha specifically called out once again, calling our Medicine King’s name.
Medicine King, now I tell you that among all the sutras I have taught: The Buddha loving called to Medicine King and said to him, “Today I tell you that since I have attained enlightenment, among all the sutras and teachings that I have taught….”
“Medicine King Bodhisattva, I now tell you that among all the sutras I have taught this sutra, the Lotus Sutra, is foremost. Today I tell you mean “I am now telling you that since attaining Buddhahood, I have taught many sutras. For over 40 years, I have taught so many sutras.” Among all these teachings, among all the sutras, the Lotus Sutra is foremost. It is this sutra, the Lotus Sutra, that is foremost. There are no other sutras that can compare with the Lotus Sutra. None of them matches the level of the Lotus Sutra.
Among all the sutras [I have taught], the Lotus Sutra is foremost: this Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra has no match. This sutra is the foremost.
This means that this sutra encompasses all sutras; it is the king of all sutras. Because this sutra is foremost among all sutras, it is also the king of all sutras. Thus, when it comes to the Lotus Sutra, people generally call it “the kind of sutras,” because it shows the path to attaining Buddhahood.
Among all the sutras: This means that this sutra is the kind of all sutras. The teachings of all sutras, whether great or small, whether on the illusory or the real, were all taught in accordance with the capabilities of sentient beings, teaching each with distinct methods. Only this sutra’s wondrous Dharma, when revealed, can be understood by all. Thus the Buddha bestowed predictions for humans, heavenly beings and the eight classes of Dharma-protectors. He bestowed predictions for practitioners of the Two Vehicles and for Bodhisattvas. He helped them all realize this wondrous One Vehicle Dharma.
“The teachings of all sutras, whether great or small, whether on the illusory or the real….” The Buddha taught all the sutras in accordance with sentient beings’ capacities. He taught very extensive sutras such as the Prajnaparamita sutras. Several hundred volumes long, the Prajnaparamita sutras all teach about wisdom. “Or small [teachings],” like the Agama Sutra, which contain passage after passage that teach about causes and conditions by telling stories. There is also “the illusory”. The Prajna teachings explain that everything is emptiness. “Or the real”. There is also the suffering of people in the world. There are all kinds of suffering, so the Buddha had to think of ways to liberate sentient beings from life’s suffering.
Whether great or small, whether on the illusory or the real, all the various teachings were, in fact, “all taught in accordance with the capabilities of sentient beings”. He looked at sentient beings’ capabilities, and according to the scope of what sentient beings were capable of accepting, the Buddha taught [the Dharma] for them. So, He “taught each with distinct methods.” According to each person’s unique capabilities, [He gave them] distinctly different teachings. “Only this sutra….” This [refers to] this sutra, to the wondrousness of the Lotus sutra. Where does its wondrousness lie? “when revealed….” After He began to expound the Lotus Sutra, it began to be “understood by all”. After finishing teaching the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, the Buddha immediately entered Samadhi and started emitting light. Manjusri Bodhisattva and Maitreya Bodhisattva then started to provide an introduction. Everyone had questions, looking at each other. This continued until Sariputra requested teachings. The Buddha refused three times before He began teaching this sutra. This is how difficult it was. Teaching this sutra is truly not easy. Some, if they are unable to accept it, will begin to slander [this sutra]. Or those with deviant views and understanding misinterpret it, and so on and so forth. Already at the start of the sutra, [the Buddha] explained this very clearly. Indeed, He used all kinds of parables on faith and understanding and so on. There is also the Chapter on Medicine Plants, the Chapter on Bestowing Predictions and the Parable of the Conjured City and so on where He bestowed predictions upon human and heavenly beings, Dharma-protections, Two Vehicle practitioners and Bodhisattvas. He continued on like this. this is all True Dharma. He taught it to us very clearly. “He helped them all realize….” Whether we are humans of heavenly beings, the eight classes of Dharma-protectors, Two Vehicle practitioners or Hearers, we can all [attain Buddhahood]. The Buddha taught the True Dharma for them, the wondrous Dharma of the One Vehicle. Thus, “The Dharma of this sutra is so wondrous that it can encompass the wondrousness of the Dharma of all sutras. Its wondrousness is that it encompasses the strong points of all sutras. They are all present within the Lotus Sutra. It is complete; it lacks nothing. while each of the other sutras are wondrous in their own way, the Lotus Sutra takes the wondrousness of all other sutras and completely encompasses it within the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra.
In actuality, all those many sutras paved the way for the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra. And so, “it encompasses the wondrousness of all.” All their wondrousness and all the paths they paved, this grounded, wondrous Dharma, is united within this one place. Thus, “It can encompass the wondrousness of the Dharma of all sutras.”
The Dharma of this sutra is so wondrous that it can encompass the wondrousness of the Dharma of all sutras. Without this sutra, the wondrousness of the Dharma of all other sutras is only relative; their wondrousness is not ultimate. Because of this sutra, the teachings of all other sutras can all reach absolute wondrousness. This is the reason why the Dharma of this sutra is so wondrous. So, among all sutras it is the foremost.”
“Without this sutra, the wondrousness of the Dharma of all other sutras….” If there were no Lotus Sutra, then the wondrousness of all the other sutras would be dispersed, without ever reaching the ultimate. So, it is not that past sutras were not good, they were just not the ultimate. “All other sutras [are] only relative.” Each sutra its differences and its relative wondrousness. The illusory has the wondrousness of the illusory, the real has the wondrousness of the real, the great has the wondrousness of the great and the small has the wondrousness of the small. This is because each sutra contains its own wonders. But if we were to use the Small Dharma to teach those of great capabilities, this would not be suited to their capabilities; if we were to use the Great Dharma to teach those of limited capabilities, they would be even less capable of understanding. And so, we must teach the Dharma according to capabilities. This is also wondrousness, yet “their wondrousness is not ultimate”; [other sutras] are not ultimate. Because of this sutra, “Because of this the teachings of all other sutras can all reach absolute wondrousness.” By taking all the wondrousness of these sutras, He paved the path step by step. Steadfast and grounded, we must walk this path. Then, the place we arrive at will be the ultimate. What [this sutra] has to give us is perfect, ultimate and absolutely wondrous. Therefore, it is called “the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Lotus Flower Sutra. This is the reason why the Dharma of this sutra is so wondrous.” Because of this, it says that this sutra, the Wondrous Dharma Lotus sutra, is called “Wondrous Dharma”. So, among all sutras, it is the foremost. It is often said that among all the sutras, the Lotus Sutra is the foremost; the Lotus Flower is the king of all sutras.
So, “Since the wondrous Dharma is worthy of respect, those who accept and uphold the teachings of this sutra. The meaning of this is very clear.”
This Dharma is so subtle is so subtle and wondrous; we must respect the Dharma. we must also respect those who uphold the Dharma. if there were no upholders of the Dharma, no one to read of recite or transcribe, no one to teach or listen to this sutra, if there was no one to take this sutra and apply it in their daily lives and implement it throughout the world, of none of these existed, then how could the Dharma be passed on? So, we must respect the Dharma. Ever since ancient times, the sutras have been passed on to this day. We can listen to them, we can teach them and we can make use of them. We can apply them to save people in this world and to save people’s minds. This is all because the Dharma has been passed down.
So, when it comes to people who uphold the sutras, we must truly respect them. Everyone should understand this clearly. As Buddhist practitioners, we must study the Dharma and learn to apply it. Otherwise, how will we attain Buddhahood? Take the Philippines as example. Helping people improve their lives and transform poverty into wealth is not just about making an economic recovery. We still need to help them financially, but we also need to give them spiritual riches. And so [the volunteers] have never left them. Bodhisattvas, do you know how far it is from Manila to Tacloban city? You need to take a plane, go by boat or by plane; it is very far. Still, they were all willing to do this, going in shifts. They have never abandoned that place; this is how they could bring the Buddha-Dharma and spread it throughout that province and the cities and townships there. They spread it so widely. After receiving the Buddha-Dharma,[the locals] are all so full of joy and harmony. The [volunteers] even taught them skills. They brought those skilled in labor to Manila so they could learn welding and construction skills. Some young and middle-aged people were brought to Manila to study at Tzu Chi’s campus there. And what about the women? They taught them how to make handicrafts. Now they know how to sew and are even able to take orders for uniforms from the government.
Think about it; the worldly Dharma is inseparable from the world-transcending Dharma. The Buddha took the spirit of the world-transcending Dharma and applied it in the world, educating people in this world to be able to live peaceful and settled lives and purifying their hearts. In this way, they could get an even better understanding of the Buddha-Dharma, which is world-transcending Dharma. The Buddha taught us to start from doing good deeds. He then taught us to abide by the precepts, “refrain from all evil and so all that is good.” He taught us how to uphold the Dharma. we must uphold this Dharma, continue to sustain it and constantly pass it on. He very carefully taught this to us. those who wish to focus on spreading the Dharma give up limited love for great love. As for the matters of this world, they focus on realizing and understanding them, on understanding how to take the Dharma to heart and on implementing it in the world. This requires us to focus on the Dharma. this is what it means to spread the Dharma. and so the Buddha’s renouncing of the lay life is a model to those who spread the Dharma. he came to this world born by his parents. He was the prince of a kingdom, but he gave up his royal position and family. He endured a great amount of suffering. Then, single-mindedly and whole-heartedly, He delved into the principles. He attained enlightenment and understanding. After that, He spread the Dharma in the world. This was all to serve as model for us. to attain Buddhahood, we must be focused. We must focus on going among people. When people receive teachings, the world will be at peace. We must lowly guide others to gradually enter the Dharma, to enter this true and wondrous Dharma and transcend cyclic existence in the Six Realms on this world. This is world-transcending Dharma, accepting the world-transcending Dharma. this is what it means to apply the world-transcending Dharma in worldly matters. This is the goal of a monastic, the principles of spiritual practice. To practice purity, this is how we must practice. So, we must use a heart of gratitude. We must be grateful to the Buddha for coming to this world and be grateful to generations of great teachers who have passed on the Dharma like this. We must also have strong aspirations and vows and always be mindful in spreading the Dharma. we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
首頁 
