In Mahayana Buddhism there is a beautiful teaching called the Lotus Sutra, or Saddharma Pundarīka Sūtra. It is translated as the ‘rule of good dharma,’ like a golden rule to follow for a more prosperous and enjoyable life. It is practiced all over Asia, from China to Japan, Vietnam, Bhutan, and Tibet. It later spread to western countries well after its suggested origin of around 100 BC to 22 AD (since it was written in sections). The original sutra was written in Sanskrit.Sutra means ‘thread’ in the Sanskrit language and usually refers to an aphorism or teaching, which aims at piecing together the great fabric of existence. There have been many different translations, and many great teachers offer that the subtle meaning inherent in the transmission of the sutra from one to another is the most important aspect of the ‘thread.’
One of the greatest teachings of the Lotus Sutra is indicated in the fourth chapter. It suggests that emptiness, called Sunyata, is not the final vision, which should be aimed for by the aspiring Bodhisattva (a person who is ready to reach full enlightenment but chooses to delay it in order to help others achieve their own liberation from Maya, or illusion.) Buddha Wisdom is the ability to see the great emptiness, which is not a nihilistic absence of all, but a pureness of consciousness which does not need to label anything – like good or bad, right or wrong, etc. Within the entire Buddhist Canon, there are said to be more than 84,000 different teachings, but the Lotus Sutra encapsulates the Great Wisdom succinctly. The Buddha treated every individual as a separate personage with their own proclivities, and would prescribe different spiritual ‘medicine’ depending upon the ailment of the person.
In order to understand the Lotus Sutra, it helps to become familiar with a few terms, including those associated with the heart chakra:
Anahata – Anahata is the Sanskrit word meaning ‘un-struck note.’ It symbolizes the way the open heart manifests energetically. When we have an un-struck or unwounded heart, we act with utter concern for others, instead of simply trying to protect ourselves. The fourth charka is responsible for supporting our vocation in a loving manner. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali also compel us toward ‘right livelihood,’ along with ‘right view, speech, action. etc.,” as important vehicles for spiritual transformation. It is no wonder that there is so much disease and distress in the modern world, because often our means of ‘filling our rice bowl’ is in non-agreement with the heart’s higher purposes for us. When we are constantly at odds with our heart’s desires in our daily ‘work,’ then we create mental fluctuations (i.e., guilt, anger, frustration, sadness, etc. which are not supportive of maintaining equilibrium.)
The Anahata chakra is considered the first ‘spiritual’ chakra, the lower three being base or physical chakras associated with our most rudimentary purposes while on this planet. Once our energy is clear and rises to the heart, it becomes concerned with living by ‘right livelihood,’ a Buddhist term, but also one that shows up in other religions, including Christianity, for example, “God will take care of those who put Him first.” It is also evidenced in the awarding of the Alternative Nobel Prize every year, which goes to individuals who work on the ‘practical and exemplary solutions’ to global problems.
Wangari Maathai would be a shining example of someone who has incorporated an open and awakened heart into her life’s work. She won the aforementioned prize, as well as the Nobel Peace Prize, for her work in planting trees throughout Africa as both an environmental act and as a means to empower villages as a means to support women’s rights.
As you read the Lotus Sutra below, it will become apparent that ‘right livelihood’ is one in which we can affect the most loving change in the world. For some it will be teaching children, for others building green-infrastructure. For some it will be teaching others through their own loving actions, in simple ways, on a daily basis, in jobs as simple as serving coffee, or sweeping up a store-front. When we complete each action with love, then we are acting from the heart. Instead of being consumed with getting more, we are instead enthusiastic with sharing the abundance of our own loving attitude with others. This simple act can incite a transformative ripple into the world until we live at Holy Eagle Peak at all times.
Other terms that are helpful to understand when reading and interpreting the Lotus Sutra are:
Dependent Origination (pratDtyasamutpCda): The Buddhist doctrine, which holds that all phenomena (dharmas) arise in relation to causes and conditions, and in turn are the causes and conditions for the arising of other phenomena. Nothing exists autonomously, it is always the result of causes and conditions. The notion of independence, therefore, is a fallacy.
Kalpas – a manifestation and dissolution of the numerous universes, which goes on into infinity. Kalpas in relationship to our own human ‘universe,’ called Asamkhiya kalpas (the metaphysics of time), include childhood, maturity, old age an then death. As above so below. Just as stars are born and reborn, so are we. This is a cycle, which is divinely orchestrated and unavoidable.
Asamkhyas – Philosophy of the great Indian sage Kapila, who founded the Samkyha school. The school outlines the notion of duality, circa 4th century CE, stating that on the one hand, exists Prakritit (nature or matter, gross physical form), and on the other, there is Purusha, (consciousness or soul, unbounded materialism.)
Mandarava – female guru-deity often seen in Buddhist texts, but also the Coral Tree, one of the five trees fabled to grow in paradise.
Buddha Way – Middle Way or Middle Path encompassing the insights, which lead to an understanding of a world without opposites.
Holy Eagle Peak – a sacred and venerable place where Shakyamuni Buddha was said to expound the Lotus Sutra. It is located where the present city Rajgir exists, surrounded by five mountains, making it a natural fortress and place of contemplation in the Buddha’s time. It is a metaphoric place, however, more than physical. It is where ever people practice nam-myoho-renge-kyo. A place of enlightened tranquility that exists within each of us, and is not only available to those living in Rajgir.
Five Desires – Also called the five hindrances to insight or enlightenment, they are: craving for sensual pleasure (this does not mean you cannot have sex, just that your life should not be ruled by it), anger or ill-will (a feeling of ill-concern for others), sloth (half-hearted, unfocused attention), worry (an inability to self-soothe or calm the mind), doubt (conviction and trust in the divine nature of all things).
No comments:
Post a Comment