Actual Proof [現証]
"So, as I said, Kalamas: 'Don't go by reports, by legends, by
traditions, by scriptureby logical conjecture, by inference, by
analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability,
or by the thought, "This contemplative is our teacher." When you
know for yourselves that, "These qualities are unskillful; these
qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are criticized by the
wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to harm
& to suffering" — then you should abandon them.' "
-- Kalama Sutta Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
"Nothing is more certain than actual proof." -- Nichiren
The final test of a Sutra is a practical one, does it actually work? In other words, does the teaching actually produce Enlightened human beings? Also, since the Buddha's intent is that everyone attain enlightenment, is the teaching universally accessible? From what I can gather, prior to Nichiren, the general attitude was that the Lotus Sutra was superior in theory, because it proposed Universal Enlightenment. However, the esoteric methods of Shingon or Mikkyo, based on the Dainichi Sutras, were viewed as superior in practice.
Nichiren's contribution was to tease out the practice of the Three Great Hidden Dharmas or 三大秘法 (sandai hiho) from the text of the Lotus Sutra. This practice is simple and accessible to all; whereas Mikkyo, by definition, is only available to initiates who take the vows of the Samaya. Therefore, thanks to Nichiren Shonin, we can say that the Lotus Sutra is superior to Mikkyo both in theory and practice.
This is not to say other practices in Buddhism have no value at all. Practices such as observation of the ethical code known as the Vinaya, as well as the loving kindness & compassion cultivation (metta-karuna bhavana), and the concentration meditations (samatha), among others, are quite useful. Mindfulness meditation (satipatthana) is particularly a valuable supplement. This is not to say that the primary practice is in any way lacking, or needs supplementation. If I recall correctly (iirc), Nichiren compared the primary practice of the Three Great Hidden Dharmas (sandaihiho) to rice, and the supplementary practices to seasoning.
However, if they do not lead all people directly to awakening; they are provisional or supplementary practices, and, as such, are not prerequisites or requirements for practice. On the one hand, those practices do provide skills that enhance one's practice of the Lotus Sutra. On the other hand, becoming attached to them, becoming confused by them, or feeling they are necessary, can be an impediment to the primary practice, which is cultivating reverent faith in the Wondrous Dharma of the Lotus Sutra.
In the next segment, I plan to discuss another set of threes -- the Three Kinds of Wisdom. This is a concept I sort of came up with on my own. While it is implicit in the way terminology of the Dharma is employed, in at least some texts; I have never seen the concept elaborated. In fact, commentators tend to either ignore or gloss over the distinction between three main terms translated as wisdom. They are commonly given as synonyms, with no further explanation..
Nichiren's contribution was to tease out the practice of the Three Great Hidden Dharmas or 三大秘法 (sandai hiho) from the text of the Lotus Sutra. This practice is simple and accessible to all; whereas Mikkyo, by definition, is only available to initiates who take the vows of the Samaya. Therefore, thanks to Nichiren Shonin, we can say that the Lotus Sutra is superior to Mikkyo both in theory and practice.
This is not to say other practices in Buddhism have no value at all. Practices such as observation of the ethical code known as the Vinaya, as well as the loving kindness & compassion cultivation (metta-karuna bhavana), and the concentration meditations (samatha), among others, are quite useful. Mindfulness meditation (satipatthana) is particularly a valuable supplement. This is not to say that the primary practice is in any way lacking, or needs supplementation. If I recall correctly (iirc), Nichiren compared the primary practice of the Three Great Hidden Dharmas (sandaihiho) to rice, and the supplementary practices to seasoning.
However, if they do not lead all people directly to awakening; they are provisional or supplementary practices, and, as such, are not prerequisites or requirements for practice. On the one hand, those practices do provide skills that enhance one's practice of the Lotus Sutra. On the other hand, becoming attached to them, becoming confused by them, or feeling they are necessary, can be an impediment to the primary practice, which is cultivating reverent faith in the Wondrous Dharma of the Lotus Sutra.
In the next segment, I plan to discuss another set of threes -- the Three Kinds of Wisdom. This is a concept I sort of came up with on my own. While it is implicit in the way terminology of the Dharma is employed, in at least some texts; I have never seen the concept elaborated. In fact, commentators tend to either ignore or gloss over the distinction between three main terms translated as wisdom. They are commonly given as synonyms, with no further explanation..
1 comment:
Nice!
Mark
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