SUMMARY

In Chapter 1, Sakyamuni Buddha is sitting in deep meditation at the top of Mt. Sacred Eagle in Rajgir, India. There were gathered gods, the rich and the poor, men and women, and also non-human beings such as deities in forms of beasts, birds, and fishes. This denotes that the Lotus Sutra is for all beings, not only human beings, but also for animals and plants. It symbolizes equality and compassion.

Suddenly the Buddha emitted a ray of light from the white curls between his eyebrows and illuminated the universe throughout the east quadrant. This means the Buddha is about to expound the sutra of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana) called the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma. 

EXPLANATIONS

* NOTE: Page number and line references are to Senchu Murano's translation of the Lotus Sutra.

THUS have I heard *(P.1, L.1)

All sutras start with this phrase. The sutras are not books written by Sakyamuni Buddha nor recorded by someone else. They are sacred words, phrases, parables transmitted from mouth to mouth for 100 to 200 years, then written down as sutras in later years. There was probably no method to write at the time of the Buddha. At that era, writing may be considered to be disrespectful to the Buddha.

The Buddha (P.1, L.1)

There are many Buddhas such as Sakyamuni, Taho, Amitabha, Mahavairocana and others. In this chapter, the Buddha is Sakyamuni. The Sakyamuni Buddha is the only one who was born from parents as we were, drank milk as we did, ate as we did. Other Buddhas were revealed by the Sakyamuni Buddha. Without him, we do not know anything about other Buddhas.

Mt. Gradharkuta (P.1, L.1)

It is also called Mt. Sacred Eagle or Vulture Peak. The top of the mountain looks like a head of an eagle.

City of King-House (P.1, L.2)

Present Rajgir, Behar, India

twelve thousand great bhiksus (P.1, L.2)

Hindu often uses numbers like 4, 8, 9 as perfect numbers. Four represent front, back, left, and right; 8 means the preceding four plus the four corners; and 9 symbols the preceding eight plus the center. A number multiplied by 4, 8, or 9 means a lot of ...

Arhats (P.1, L.3)

One who is free from all sufferings and illusions. Those who have listened to the Buddha for over 40 years and improved themselves spiritually. It is now ready for them to step farther to listen to the Lotus Sutra. Although they are awaken from illusions, they do not know how to lead others to the supreme teachings of the Lotus Sutra.

Maha-(Kasyapa, Katyayana, Kausthila) (P.1, LL.7 - 9)

Maha - means great, chief, representative of the group)

Nanda (P.1, L.10) = Sakyamuni Buddha's half younger brother

Ananda (P.1, L.11) = Sakyamuni Buddha's cousin

Rahula (P.1, L.11) = Sakyamuni Buddha's son

Maha-Prajapati Bhiksuni (P.1, L.14) = Sakyamuni Buddha's adoptive mother

Yasodhara Bhiksuni (P.1, L.15) = Sakyamuni Buddha's wife

Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (P.1, L.18) = Buddha's Wisdom

Wheel of Dharma (P. 1, L.19)

The Wheel of the Dharma signifies the Buddha's teachings, the Dharma is transmitted from the Buddha to A, from A to B, from B to C, and so on. The teachings are transmitted from one to another just like an eternally turning wheel.

The Wheel of the Dharma is a symbol of Buddhism. The wheel has eight spokes which represent:

Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right livelihood, Right Endeavor, Right Mindfulness and Right Meditation.

The Other Shore (P.2, L.5)

This Shore represents the Saha World - here sentient beings live, here life is filled with suffering. There is an endless cycle of birth and death in this world. On the other hand, the other shore denotes the Buddha-land where there is no suffering. It also refers to the land of Nirvana where the cycle of birth and death does not exist.

The other shore is Hi-gan in Japanese. Higan is a memorial service in which we express our appreciation to our ancestors. It is held twice a year at the time of spring and autumn equinoxes. It denotes the Buddha's teaching of the MIDDLE WAY (chu - not to exceed one way or the other).

The following are the names of the representative groups who gathered to listen the Lotus Sutra:

Bodhisattva (P.2, L.8)

A Bodhisattva is a person who seeks enlightenment not only for himself but also for others. A Bodhisattva is a future Buddha.

gods

gods (P.2, L.17)

In Buddhism, gods are subject of cycle of birth and death. They are protective deities that must follow the law of the Dharma (Myo-ho), they also support the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra.

dragon-kings (P.2, L.25)

All beings living in the oceans, rivers and water; such as fish.

kimnara-kings (P.2, L.30)

Practitioners of Dharma

gandharva-kings (P.2, L.33)

Musicians who serve the protective gods asura-kings (P.3, L.3). Demons who fly in the sky and harm human beings. Even demons adore the teachings of the Buddha.

garuda-king ( P.3, L.6)

All beings who fly in sky like birds

King Ajatasatru (P.3, L. 9)

The son of King Bimbisara and Queen Vaidehi. When King Ajatasatru was the crowned prince, he imprisoned his father and mother. Through the instigation of Devadatta (who was the cousin of Sakyamuni Buddha), Ajatasatru later killed his father and took the throne of the Kingdom. Ajatasatru represents evil human beings together with Devadatta. However, King Ajatasatru repented his wrong behavior and eventually embraced faith in the Lotus Sutra.

worshipped the feet of the Buddha (P.3, L.11)

It is one of customs in India to show respect to the nobility. During Buddhist services, priests and monks bow deeply touching their foreheads on the floor and their palms of hands facing up. This action is to receive Buddha's feet on their palms indicating high respect to the Buddha.

the four kind of devotees (P.3, L.12)

They are bhiksus (priests), bhiksunis (nuns), upasakas (laymen), and upasikas (lay-women)

the Buddha emitted a ray of light from the white curls between his eyebrows... (P.3, L.30)

"Why is he displaying such a ray of light from his forehead?" thought Maitreya Bodhisattva.

"I think that the Buddha ... wishes to expound a great teaching ... ," Manjusri Bodhisattva answered. (P.13, L.15)

"In my previous existence, I saw the same good omen as this." (P.13, L.20)

"Therefore , I think that Tathagata of today also will expound the sutra of the Great Vehicle called the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma." (P.16, L. 28)

THE TEN EPITHETS OF THE BUDDHA (P.13, L.L.28-32)

THE THREE VEHICLES

1. Sravakahood (Sho-mon) (P.14, L.3): in which one understands Buddhism by listening, or one who understands Buddhism by reasoning.

2. Pratyekabuddhahood (En-gaku) (P.14, L.6): in which one understands Buddhism by oneself or one who can apply Buddhism in daily life.

3. Bodhisattvas (Bo-satsu) (P.14, L.9) : in which one who seeks Enlightenment and tries to help other to attain Buddhahood.

THE FOUR (NOBLE) TRUTHS (P.14, L.4) :

A basic concept in Buddhism which explains the cause of suffering and the way of freedom from them.

1. ALL EXISTENCE IS SUFFERING :

This world is full of sufferings. Life is full of dissatisfaction; if we do not have enough money, we suffer; if we have more than enough money, we still worry about not losing it.

2. THE CAUSE OF SUFFERING IS ILLUSION AND DESIRE:

There are so many people dying everyday. If we do not know them, we do not feel sad but if we know them, we grieve. It is because we have desire for them to live long.

3. NIRVANA IS THE REALM FREE FROM SUFFERINGS:

Peace of mind can be attained after we eliminate all sufferings or dissatisfactions.

4. THE WAYS FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF NIRVANA IS TO PRACTICE EIGHT FOLD PATHS:

They are: 

(More detail will be explained in Chapter 3.)

TWELVE CAUSES (P.14, L.7)

(the Twelve-linked chain of dependent origination) :

(More details will be explained in Chapter 7.)

Six Paramitas (P.14, L.9):

The six kinds of practice by which Bodhisattvas are able to attain Enlightenment.