“‘The monks [whom you are speaking of] preach various teachings, but still they are not able to utter “the lion’s roar.”... Nor are they able to refute and convert evil persons who go against the correct teaching. Monks of this kind can bring no benefit either to themselves or to the populace. You should realize that they are in fact shirkers and idlers. Though they are careful in observing the precepts and maintain spotless conduct, you should realize that they cannot achieve anything. [Then a monk raises “the lion’s roar.”...] Those who break the precepts, upon listening to his preaching, are all enraged to the point where they attack him. This preacher of the Law, though he may in the end lose his life, is still worthy of being called a person who observes the precepts and brings benefits to both himself and others.’” - Opening of the Eyes
Dear Mark Rogow,
ReplyDeleteThis quote does not justify persecution of your name and beliefs, nor would I believe that imitating a Lion could ever be a more useful skill than perseverance. The lotus sutra is above my means, but I am not stupid enough to believe it should make virtual mauling an easy sport.
Best wishes and please don't forget to turn off the computer to enjoy nice spring weather when it happens.
Your friend,
--Brad
Hi Brad. What do you mean, "The Lotus Sutra is above my means?" I'll send you 13 dollars if you can't afford a copy.
ReplyDelete"At that time the bodhisattvas, respectfully complying with the Buddha’s will and at the same time wishing to fulfill their own original vows, proceeded in the presence of the Buddha to roar the lion’s roar and to make a vow, saying: “World-Honored One, after the thus come one has entered extinction we will travel here and there, back and forth through the worlds in the ten directions so as to enable living beings to copy this sutra, to receive, embrace, read, and recite it, understand and preach its principles, practice it in accordance with the Law, and properly keep it in their thoughts. All this will be done through the Buddha’s power and authority. We beg that the world-honored one, though in another region, will look on from afar and guard and protect us.” LS Chapter 13, Exhortation to Hold Firm
There are more than 2 dozen references to the Buddha as "Lion of the Law" in the the Lotus and hundreds of references in the various Sutras. Here are the references in the Lotus Sutra:
https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/lsoc/search?languageNavi=English&bookTypeNavi=LSOC&resultFlgNavi=1&searchFrom=search&searchInputNavi=lion&searchSubmit=Navi&findtext=&languageNavSp=English&bookTypeNavSp=LSOC&resultFlgNavSp=1&searchFrom=search&searchInputNavSp=&findtext=
I use the computer for work, practicing Telemedicine when not feeling up to coming to the clinic and my Buddhist practice is both virtual and life to life. Spring is in my heart and my love for people. Thank's for your concern but it is misplaced. Hope you too are well.