Propagation of the Lotus Sutra and the benefits of one who propagates it.

The word "propagate" is found, twice in three chapters (13, 14, and 22) of the Lotus Sutra: The Lotus Sutra doesn’t teach us to propagate Ikadaism, Nikkenism, Value Creationism, Holy Waterism, Kuan Yinism, nor even Nichirenism. It teaches us to propagate the Lotus Sutra.

“World-Honored One, leader and teacher, you bring tranquility to heavenly and human beings. We have heard these prophecies and our minds are peaceful and satisfied. The nuns, having recited these verses, said to the Buddha, “World-Honored One, we too will be able to go to lands in other regions and broadly propagate this sutra.”(Chapter 13)

“They rose from their seats, advanced before the Buddha and, pressing their palms together with a single mind, thought to themselves, if the World-Honored One should order us to embrace and preach this sutra, we would do as the Buddha instructed and broadly propagate this Law. And then they thought to themselves, But the Buddha now is silent and gives us no such order. What shall we do?”(Chapter 13)

“If a bodhisattva will at times enter a quiet room and with the correct mental attitude will view phenomena according to the doctrine, and then, rising from his meditation, will for the sake of the ruler, the princes, ministers and people,

the Brahmans and others, unfold, propagate, expound and preach this sutra, then his mind will be tranquil, free of qualing and timidity (Chapter 14) 

“Manjushri this Lotus Sutra is the secret storehouse of the Buddhas, the Thus Come Ones. Among the sutras, it holds the highest place. Through the long night I have guarded and protected it and have never recklessly propagated it. But today for the first time I expound it for your sake.”(Chapter 14)

“At that time Shakyamuni Buddha rose from his Dharma seat and, manifesting his great supernatural powers, with his right hand patted the heads of the immeasurable, Bodhisattvas and mahasattvas and spoke these words: “For immeasurable hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of asamkhya kalpas I have practiced this hard- to-attain Law of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Now I entrust it to you. You must single-mindedly propagate this Law abroad, causing its benefits to spread far and wide.”(Chapter 22)

“Three times he patted the bodhisattvas and mahasattvas on the head and spoke these words:"

“For immeasurable hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of asamkhya kalpas I have practiced this hard-to-attain Law of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Now I entrust it to you. You must accept, uphold, recite, and broadly propagate this Law, causing all living beings everywhere to hear and understand it. Why? Because the Thus Come One has great pity and compassion. He is in no way stingy or begrudging, nor has he any fear. He is able to bestow on living beings the wisdom of the Buddha, the wisdom of the Thus Come One, the wisdom that comes of itself. The Thus Come One is a great giver of gifts to all living beings. You for your part should respond by studying this Law of the Thus Come One. You must not be stingy or begrudging.”(Chapter 22)

and in Chapter 18 we read,

If in the place where the Law is expounded

one encourages someone to sit and hear the sutra,

the blessings one acquires will enable one

to gain the seat of Shakra, Brahma, and the wheel-turner.

How much more so if one listens single-mindedly,

explains and expounds the meaning,

and practices the sutra as the sutra instructs—

one’s blessings will know no bounds!