Chapter 10
The TEACHER of the DHARMA

SUMMARIES

A teacher of the Dharma is any person who propagates the Buddha's teachings regardless if they are ordained or not. This chapter explains who the teacher of the Dharma is and what the teacher must do. Also this chapter tells that it is very important to support the teacher.

In the preceding chapters, Sakyamuni Buddha talks to shomon or 'hearers" like Shariptura and Maudgalyayana, but from this chapter, he talks to Bodhisattvas. The physical body of the Buddha will die. After his death, the teachers of the Dharma are necessary. They must practice compassion, gentleness, patience and equality to all living beings.

EXPLANATIONS

"If after my extinction anyone rejoices, even a moment's thought, at hearing even a gatha or a phrase of the sutra, I also will assure him of his future attainment of Buddhahood." (P.171, L. 16 - L.19):

In the era of the Latter Law, a lot of unbelievable crimes are happening, but if there are some people who rejoice at hearing a phrase of the Lotus Sutra, they are the people who will eliminate the darkness of this world. For such people, Buddha assure their future Buddhahood. You who rejoice in this study class of the Lotus Sutra are the persons to be assured attainment of Buddhahood.

The Five Practices for the Teacher of the Dharma:

Among the five practices, to keep the sutra is the most important. Other practices are supporting methods to keep the sutra.

"I have expounded many sutras." (P.175, L.24):

All sutras before the Lotus Sutra revealed are in this group.

"I am now expounding this sutra." (P.175, L.24):

This phrase refers to the Lotus Sutra.

"I also will expound many sutras in the future." (P.175, L.25):

The Meditation Sutra and the Nirvana Sutra are in this group.

Among all sutras the Buddha Sakyamuni says, "The Lotus Sutra is the most excellent and the store of the hidden core of all the Buddhas.

"Many people hate it with jealousy even in my lifetime. Needless to say, more people will do so after my extinction.' (P.175, Last line to the next page.):

A person tends to be jealous towards those superior to himself. By hearing the Lotus Sutra that the teacher of the Dharma will become a Buddha, some people may hate it with jealousy. That is one of many reasons why Nichiren Daishonin was persecuted so many times.

"You need not enshrine my sariras (ashes - death remnants) in the stupa. Because it (the Sutra) will contain my perfect body." (P.176, L.11.):

This does not mean that it is all right for us to neglect the ashes of the Buddha Sakyamuni but do not need to attach to enshrine the ashes. Rather we must consider the words and characters of the Lotus Sutra are the Buddha himself. Therefore in "Kaikyo-ge," we read, "The letters that compose the sutra are all in all the Buddha in his Manifestation."

"This sutra opens the gate of expedient and reveals the seal of the truth." (P.177, L. 5.):

During a funeral service in Nichiren-Shu, this phrase is always read by an Officiant or his assistant to lead the soul of the dead to the spiritual Buddha realm after knocking an edge of a casket to make sure to awaken them to the truth.

"They should enter the room of the Tathagata, wear the robe of the Tathagata and sit on the seat of the Tathagata." (P.177, L.18.):

The Buddha Sakyamuni advises to the people who expound the Lotus Sutra that they should have great compassion towards all living beings, should be gentle and patient, and to see equality of all things without attachment to one thing.

The Buddha also encourages the teacher of the Dharma saying, "If he is hated and threatened with swords, sticks, tile-pieces or stone, I will manifest men and dispatch them to him in order to protect him."

Nichiren Daishonin is a good proof of the Buddha's vow which is revealed in the above sentence.

~ Namu Myohorengekyo ~