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Compassion and the Bodhisattva
by Rev. Shoryo Tarabini
Good morning everyone. Thank you all very much
for coming out to the temple this morning. Today, I would like to
talk about compassion and Bodhisattvas.When we look at statues of
the Buddha, we can see that the hair is short and curly, while statues
of Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, have long hair. You will also
notice that most statues of Bodhisattas are finally clothed, have
jewellery and sometimes elaborate crowns, hats or head dressings,
demonstrating that they are not monks who have renounced their ties
to the Saha World, but are instead common everyday people. In other
words, Bodhisattvas can be everyday people just like ourselves.
As you all are aware of, the Lotus Sutra not only reveals the enlightenment
of the Eternal Buddha, Sakyamuni, but also explains the great desire
and compassion of the Buddha to embrace all living beings in order
to lead them to enlightenment, and thus happiness. This all-embracing
compassion is the fundamental basis of Buddhism, no matter which
school or whether it be Theravada (also sometimes referred to as
Hinayana Buddhism, but it is preferable to use the prior term),
Mahayana or Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism.
The concept of Bodhisattva, however, varies according to the school
of Buddhism. In Theravada Buddhism for example, a Bodhisattva is
only Sakyamuni Buddha in one of his previous existences when he
strove to attain the path to enlightenment. However, Mahayana Buddhism
teaches and emphasizes, that a Bodhisattva is anyone who aspires
for enlightenment.
A Bodhisattva carries out his/her austerities or practices called
the Six Paramitas (or Six Perfections) and upon successful completion
of these practices, a Bodhisattva becomes a Buddha, or one who has
attained enlightenment. However, upon embarking on his/her path
towards enlightenment, all Bodhisattvas make four universal vows
which are: 1) pledging to save innumerable beings from suffering;
2) pledging to eradicate earthly (common) and selfish desires; 3)
mastering the immeasurable amount of Buddhist teachings and doctrine;
and 4) praying to attain supreme enlightenment.
Don't these vows of the Bodhisattva sound familiar? Yes, they are
the vows we all pledge to the Buddha during the The Four Great Vows,
after we have finished offering the Sutra, Odaimoku and prayers
which can be seen on page 59 in the green coloured Dharma book in
the temple and in your own personal sutra books:
Shujo Muhen Seigan Do, (I pray for all living beings throughout
the universe and vow to lead them on the path to enlightenment.)
Bonno Mushu Seigan Dan, (I pray for and vow to achieve the freedom
from innumerable selfish and mortal desires.)
Homon Mujin Seigan Chi, (I pray and vow I will strive to gain knowledge
of all the vast Buddhist doctrines.)
Butsudo Mujo Seigan Jo. (I pray and vow to journey upon the road
of the Buddha and attain enlightenment.)
A Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism is, therefore, characterized
by compassion. However, what exactly does this "compassion"
in Buddhism mean? Does it mean to just feel sorry for someone? Or
does it mean the desire to help someone? Well, these are both underlying
funfamental spirits of compassion. The word "compassion"
in the Buddhist sense, comes from the Japanese term Jihi. The "Ji"
in Jihi indicates "giving pleasure and happiness" while
"Hi" is meant to signify "removing pain and suffering".
It is through this spirit we can see how the Buddha's and Bodhisattva's
compassion saves all suffering people from the agony and pain they
have had to endure life after life, and lead them to the indestructible
condition of happiness.
There are many religions throughout the world. Some of them are
concerned only about helping other people and do not address one's
own personal salvation. Furthermore, there are other religions which
are the opposite. They worry primarily about themselves and do not
concern themselves much about others. But the compassion of the
Buddha, as seen in the Lotus Sutra, is about balance. It is not
sufficient to practice merely for oneself, nor is it satisfactory
to practice one's faith solely for others and forget about oneself.
Nichiren Shonin has taught us we must keep a balance, by practicing
our faith for both ourselves and for others. We must try our best
to learn and study the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and all of Buddhism
together with Nichiren Shonin's Gosho and chant the Odaimoku of
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. In this way, we can better understand and
deepen our faith, and attain enlightenment while at the same time
lead our family, friends and others to the ultimate happiness of
Buddhahood by teaching them the benefits of chanting the Odaimoku.
There is a passage from Nichiren Shonin's Gosho, from the Hokke
Shoshin Jobutsu Sho, or the Appearance of the Buddha-Nature, which
states,"A singing bird in a cage attracts uncaged birds, and
the sight of uncaged birds will make the caged bird want to be free.
Likewise, the chanting of the Odaimoku will bring out the Buddha
nature within ourselves." The singing bird in this analogy
is ourselves, when we chant the Odaimoku to the Gohonzon we attract
the Buddha's power, compassion and merit. At the same time, when
we see the Buddha, our desire to attain enlightenment is awakened
deep within our lives.
In a similar vein, we can also be like that beautiful bird bringing
a feeling of joy and inspiration to all those around us. Spread
your wings! Through our own sincere Odaimoku, we can also become
shining examples of faith in the Lotus Sutra which will undoubtedly
encourage others. Every time we sit in front of the Gohonzon at
the temple or even at home and chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, the spirit
of the Buddha grows within our own hearts as the Buddha's enlightenment
becomes manifested within our lives. Nichiren Daishonin further
stated in Myoichi-ama Gozen Goshosoku, or Reply to the Nun, Lady
Myoichi,"Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are like winter.
Winter never fails to turn into Spring. I have never heard of Winter
turning into Fall nor have I ever heard of believers in the Lotus
Sutra remaining as mere common mortals. The Lotus Sutra states,
'there is not a single person who hears this sutra that does not
attain Buddhahood.'"
Isn't it, therefore, marvelous that we have such great fortune to
able to encounter the Lotus Sutra and chant Odaimoku in this lifetime?
As I mentioned earlier, we are all Bodhisattvas. With the determination
that each and every one of us is a disciple of the Buddha and of
Nichiren Shonin while recalling the spirit of The Four Great Vows
of the Bodhisattvas, let's strive every day to recite the Sutra
and chant the Odaimoku, and study the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Shonin's
teachings. But at the same time, let's be like the bird that inspires
joy and hope in others' hearts as we strive to make ourselves and
others happy. Let's also try to share our great fortune with others,
bringing even one person, closer to faith in the Lotus Sutra so
that they too may strive to attain Buddhahood in their lives and
become truly happy. Thank you very much.
Gassho,
Rev. Shoryo Tarabini
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