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[[Nichiren]] Buddhists regard the 15th ("Emerging from the Earth") chapter as the opening of the Lotus Sutra's essential teachings (chapters 14-28). The emergence of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth thus holds great significance. Nichiren (1222–1282) self-identified himself as Bodhisattva Superior Practices in several of his writings such as "The Opening of the Eyes." He claimed to qualify for this designation as the one who first grasped and taught the Mystic Law of [[Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]] in the Latter Day.
[[Nichiren]] Buddhists regard the 15th ("Emerging from the Earth") chapter as the opening of the Lotus Sutra's essential teachings (chapters 14-28). The emergence of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth thus holds great significance. Nichiren (1222–1282) self-identified himself as Bodhisattva Superior Practices in several of his writings such as "The Opening of the Eyes." He claimed to qualify for this designation as the one who first grasped and taught the Mystic Law of [[Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]] in the Latter Day.


In his letter "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," Nichiren clearly stated that followers of his who spread and promote his teachings are fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth: "There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku. At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify 'emerging from the earth'?"<ref>Nichiren Daishonin, Soka Gakkai International (ed) (1999). The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol-1, p. 385.</ref>
In his letter "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," Nichiren clearly stated that followers of his who spread and promote his teachings are fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth: "There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku. At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify 'emerging from the earth'?"<ref>Nichiren Daishonin, Soka Gakkai International (ed) (1999). The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol-1, p. 385.</ref>


The importance of the appearance of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is underscored in most Nichiren schools: Soka Gakkai, [[Nichiren Shū]], and [[Nichiren Shoshu]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bodisattvas of the Earth|url=http://www.nst.org/articles/bodhisattvas-of-the-earth/|website=Nichiren Shoshu Temple|publisher=NST|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref>
The importance of the appearance of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is underscored in most Nichiren schools: Soka Gakkai, [[Nichiren Shū]], and [[Nichiren Shoshu]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bodisattvas of the Earth|url=http://www.nst.org/articles/bodhisattvas-of-the-earth/|website=Nichiren Shoshu Temple|publisher=NST|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref>

Each of these movements have differing interpretations of how the Bodhisattvas of the Earth correspond to contemporary people. Nichiren Shu claims that its current members aspire to the status of Bodhisattvas of the Earth.<ref>{{cite web|title=First International Lay Retreat ‘Determined to Be Bodhisattvas of the Earth’|url=www.nichiren-shu.org/newsletter/nichirenshu_news/NichirenSN175.pdf|website=Nichiren Shu News|publisher=Published by the Head Office of Nichiren-shu Buddhism & NOPPA|date=Dec. 1, 2009}}</ref> The Soka Gakkai International holds that all people who propagate the ideals of the Lotus Sutra are Bodhisattvas of the Earth.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ikeda|first1=Daisaku|title=The Heart of the Lotus Sutra: The Mahayana Classic from Theory to Practice|date=2001|publisher=Middleway Press|isbn=0967469759|page=133|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kH87BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA133&dq=bodhisattvas+of+the+earth&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAWoVChMIzdzjrf_vxgIViG0eCh2IPwlZ#v=onepage&q=bodhisattvas%20of%20the%20earth&f=false|quote=All those who spread Buddhism in the defiled world of the Latter Day of the Law are, without exception, Bodhidattvas of the Earth. this day and age, SGI members match the description of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth perfectly.}}</ref> Nichiren Shoshu is mute on this point.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bodhisattvas of the Earth|url=http://www.nst.org/articles/bodhisattvas-of-the-earth/|website=Nichiren Shoshu Temple|publisher=Nichiren Shoshu Temple|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref>


==Interpretation in Soka Gakkai Buddhism==
==Interpretation in Soka Gakkai Buddhism==

Revision as of 00:54, 23 July 2015

Bodhisattvas of the Earth [地涌の菩薩] (Jpn jiyu-no-bosatsu) are the infinite number of bodhisattvas who, in the 15th ("Emerging from the Earth") chapter of the Lotus Sutra, emerged from a cleft in the ground during the grand "Ceremony in the Air" which had commenced in the 11th ("Emergence of the Treasure Tower") chapter. Later, in the 21st ("Supernatural Powers") chapter, Shakyamuni passes on to them the responsibility for to the suffering people in the feared future era of the Latter Day of the Law (see Three Ages of Buddhism).[1]

Description

In the 15th ("Emerging from the Earth") chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the vast number of bodhisattvas who had appeared to hear Shakyamuni preach in the "Ceremony in the Air" hoped to receive the Buddha's permission to be the ones to propagate the Dharma to suffering people in the perilous era to come. To their great chagrin, Shakyamuni refused their request, deferring this honor to unnamed bodhisattvas who already existed in the empty space underneath the saha world [tr: "the world of pain and endurance where humans live"]. Right after he made this statement the earth shook and a mighty fissure appeared. Dramatically and in a single instant, bodhisattvas whose numbers are described in the sutra as "immeasurable, boundless, beyond anything that can be known through calculation, simile or parable".[2] Each one "has a retinue equal to the sands of sixty thousand Ganges Rivers," all of them "golden in hue, with the thirty-two features [of the Buddha] and an immeasurable brightness."[3]

These bodhisattvas had four leaders and guiding teachers: Superior Practices (the leader of the four), Boundless Practices, Pure Practices, and Firmly Established Practices.[1][4]

Interpretation in Nichiren Buddhism

Nichiren Buddhists regard the 15th ("Emerging from the Earth") chapter as the opening of the Lotus Sutra's essential teachings (chapters 14-28). The emergence of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth thus holds great significance. Nichiren (1222–1282) self-identified himself as Bodhisattva Superior Practices in several of his writings such as "The Opening of the Eyes." He claimed to qualify for this designation as the one who first grasped and taught the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day.

In his letter "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," Nichiren clearly stated that followers of his who spread and promote his teachings are fellow Bodhisattvas of the Earth: "There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku. At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify 'emerging from the earth'?"[5]

The importance of the appearance of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is underscored in most Nichiren schools: Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Shū, and Nichiren Shoshu.[6]

Each of these movements have differing interpretations of how the Bodhisattvas of the Earth correspond to contemporary people. Nichiren Shu claims that its current members aspire to the status of Bodhisattvas of the Earth.[7] The Soka Gakkai International holds that all people who propagate the ideals of the Lotus Sutra are Bodhisattvas of the Earth.[8] Nichiren Shoshu is mute on this point.[9]

Interpretation in Soka Gakkai Buddhism

While imprisoned during World War II under the charge of lese-majeste, Josei Toda, who was to become the second president of the Soka Gakkai, experienced an awakening in which he understood himself as one of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Daisaku Ikeda, the third president of the Soka Gakkai, often describes Soka Gakkai members as the present-day Bodhisattvas of the Earth.[10]

Interpretation in Lotus Sutra Schools

According to the Risshō Kōsei Kai, the appearance of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth represent a shift from teachings of theory in the first half of the Lotus Sutra to teachings about conduct and human action, teachings that are applicable to life today.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b Soka Gakkai International. "Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism". SGI Library.
  2. ^ Watson, translated by Burton (2009). The Lotus sutra : and its opening and closing sutras. Tokyo: Soka Gakkai. p. 253. ISBN 978-4-412-01409-1.
  3. ^ Watson (2009), p. 252
  4. ^ Niwano, Nikkyo (1981). A Guide to the Threefold Lotus Sutra. Rissho Kosei-kai. ISBN 9784333010257. This host of bodhisattvas is led by four outstanding ones - by name, Eminent Conduct, Boundless Conduct, Pure Conduct, and Steadfast Conduct - who come forward to salute the Buddha and are in turn addressed in a free and familiar fashion.
  5. ^ Nichiren Daishonin, Soka Gakkai International (ed) (1999). The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol-1, p. 385.
  6. ^ "Bodisattvas of the Earth". Nichiren Shoshu Temple. NST. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  7. ^ [www.nichiren-shu.org/newsletter/nichirenshu_news/NichirenSN175.pdf "First International Lay Retreat 'Determined to Be Bodhisattvas of the Earth'"] (PDF). Nichiren Shu News. Published by the Head Office of Nichiren-shu Buddhism & NOPPA. Dec. 1, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Ikeda, Daisaku (2001). The Heart of the Lotus Sutra: The Mahayana Classic from Theory to Practice. Middleway Press. p. 133. ISBN 0967469759. All those who spread Buddhism in the defiled world of the Latter Day of the Law are, without exception, Bodhidattvas of the Earth. this day and age, SGI members match the description of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth perfectly.
  9. ^ "Bodhisattvas of the Earth". Nichiren Shoshu Temple. Nichiren Shoshu Temple. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  10. ^ Daisaku Ikeda, The Heart of the Lotus Sutra. (2014). Middleway Press. p. 169: “President Toda said, ‘In terms of the surface meaning of the sutras, or in terms of our external function, we are Bodhisattvas of the Earth. But from the standpoint of faith, we are followers and later disciples of Nichiren Daishonin. This conviction, he went on to say, is the ‘central idea of the Soka Gakkai.’”; p. 337: "The SGI is a gathering of Bodhisattvas of the Earth who, just as in the ceremony on Eagle Peak, have appeared to lead all people of the Latter Day to enlightenment and so fulfill their eternal vow. We are eternal comnrades advancing together over the three existences toward kosen-rufu."
  11. ^ Niwano, Nikkyō (1982). A guide to the Threefold Lotus Sutra (2. print. ed.). Tokyo: Kosei Publ. Co. ISBN 978-4333010257. The first half of the Lotus Sutra was given over largely to the teaching of reason and truth, the teaching of wisdom. But upon completion of that half of the sutra, we had the abrupt appearance of a countless throng of bodhisattvas who were doers. Any teaching without application in practice, in conduct, is nothing. It must move on to the stage of action. True bodhisattvas are the doers who apply their knowledge of the true aspect of all reality, the statement of which truth is the theme of the first half of the Lotus Sutra. They are the doers who, in their compassionate conduct, exemplify the truth of the buddha-nature identity: the kind of persons who make the teaching of the Buddha meaningful in this world. Since this so precisely applies to us who are alive today, it is important to take the message to heart.

Sources

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