Chapter 20 “The Bodhisattva Never Despise” Hoza Discussion Chapter 20 “The Bodhisattva Never Despise” Read the chapter out of the Kyoten for the reading online since we do not chant it normally.

Setting the Stage In Chapter 19, Merits of the Preacher, the Buddha describes the merits received from the practices an advanced follower Practices: receiving and keeping the sutra, reading , reciting, expounding, and copying the sutra Merits obtained: Purification of the 6 sense organs Many disciples were afraid that they could not do what was being asked of them so he told the story of Never Despise In Chapter 19, Merits of the Preacher, the Buddha describes all of the merits that a teacher of the Dharma will gain by following the practices indicated in Chapter 10 Teachers of the Dharma. Practices: receiving and keeping the sutra, reading , reciting, expounding, and copying the sutra Merits obtained are the purification of the 6 sense organs: 800 merits of the eye, merits of the ears, 800 merits of the nose, 1200 merits of the tongue, 1200 merits of the mind. With these merits he/she will purify their 6 sense organs, making them all serene. The figures of 800 and 1200 indicate the idea of perfectly obtaining the merits. We do not have to take these numbers literally. Many disciples were afraid that they could not do what was being asked of them so he told the story of Never Despise

These groups include everyone Definitions Four Groups bhikshus – monks Bhikshunis – nuns Upakskas – laymen Upsikas – laywomen These groups include everyone

Definitions “…accepted it gracefully” Accepted others with compassion and sincerity, without hate or anger. “host of five hundred” – many people. “when his teaching drew near its end” – a time when the Dharma was being practiced as a matter of formalities. “…accepted it gracefully” Accepted others with compassion and sincerity, without hate or anger. “host of five hundred” – many people. Again these numbers in not intended to be taken literally but indicate a large quantity. “when his teaching drew near its end” – a time when the Dharma was being practiced as a matter of formalities. This was during the period called the “Counterfeit Law” (Righteous Law preceded it when the teachings were being practiced in earnest .) It was in the Counterfeit period that this buddha appeared to steer the followers away from materialism and false pride.

The Story of Never Despise Someone recap the story in your own words.

Main Theme The importance of becoming aware of one’s own Buddha – Nature We have to fine tune our awareness of what happens around us to see that both adversity and good fortune are evidence of the presence and compassion of the Buddha. Give examples of when you have did something that made you aware of your own Buddha-Nature. The bodhisattva practice begins with serving others, with recognizing and respecting their Buddha-Nature. However, in order to respect the Buddha-Nature in others, we must accept the buddha-nature in ourselves. In Chapter 16, “The Eternal Life of the Tathagata,” the Buddha’s compassion was revealed to be present in all phenomena. We have to fine tune our awareness of what happens around us to see that both adversity and good fortune are evidence of the presence and compassion of the Buddha. As we feel this compassion in all places and at all times, the teachings become an integral part of us. We understand we are connected to the Buddha and this life is indeed precious. We begin to recognize that our essence is the Buddha-Nature. Give examples of when you have did something that made you aware of your own Buddha-Nature.

Buddha - Nature “I cannot despise you (meaning I believe in you); you are practicing the Way and will all become buddhas.” By simply paying respect to the Buddha-Nature in others we grow spiritually. The bodhisattva Never Despise revered everyone. Even when others mocked him, jeered at him and treated him with contempt, he said, “I cannot despise you (meaning I believe in you); you are practicing the Way and will all become buddhas.” The bodhisattva Never Despise had realized his own Buddha-Nature, and was therefore able to clearly see the Buddha-Nature in others. The lesson of this chapter is that by simply paying respect to the buddha-Nature in others we grow spiritually.

What does “Gassho” mean? Why is it such an important concept in Japanese Buddhism? What does “Gassho” mean? Why is it such an important concept in Japanese Buddhism, so much so that President Obama bowed in gassho to the president of Japan. Time issue Nov 14, 2009

People have the potential to change as circum-stances change. It is important to understand that the behaviors we see in others exist on the outside. They are only temporary. People have the potential to change as circumstances change. Therefore, we have to look beyond these external actions to the essence within” the source of life, the Buddha-Nature When we do that we see that others are actually like us. They laugh, they cry, they make good choices, they make bad choices.

How can you make every encounter meaningful? All beings have he same potential, the same Buddha-nature. We bring light to our own lives when we bring light to others through paying respect to this Buddha-Nature. Likewise, ill-will directed towards others is ill-will directed toward ourselves because we are in reality part of the same life energy. If we encounter others with this realization ever present in our hearts, the ability to respect others will become second nature. This light of respect for ourselves and others will shine all the time, everywhere. How can you make every encounter meaningful? How can you show recognition of others Buddha-Nature in casual encounters? How can you make every encounter meaningful? How can you show recognition of others Buddha-Nature in casual encounters?