Source: Excerpts from “The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law,” by William Altig, Chapter 27a – Universal Virtue: The Guardian Pledge of Samantabhadra and the Empowerment of Infinite Seekers.
Main Themes:
This chapter excerpt focuses on the arrival of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, his pledge to protect teachers of the Lotus Sutra, and the Buddha’s assertions about who is fit to teach the text. It highlights the importance of the Lotus Sutra, the commitment to its preservation and dissemination, and the qualifications for those who wish to share its teachings.
Key Ideas and Facts:
- The Arrival of Samantabhadra: Samantabhadra arrives from the east with a grand entourage of Bodhisattvas, accompanied by magical displays, celestial beings, and lotus flower rain. This dramatic entrance underscores his importance and power.
- Respect for the Buddha and the Lotus Sutra: Samantabhadra and his entourage travel to Gridhrakūta specifically to hear the Lotus Sutra from Śākyamuni Buddha. This emphasizes the perceived value and transformative power of the Sutra.
- Qualifications for Teachers (Including Women): The Buddha specifies four criteria for someone, including a woman, to be entrusted with teaching the Lotus Sutra: guidance by enlightened beings, a history of doing good, adherence to moral principles, and the ultimate goal of helping others attain enlightenment. This addresses gender roles and provides a framework for determining who is suitable to teach.
- Samantabhadra’s Pledge of Protection: Samantabhadra promises to act as a 24/7 protector for teachers of the Lotus Sutra, shielding them from evil forces, including Mara and his minions, as well as other malevolent beings.
- Assistance and Empowerment: Samantabhadra promises to appear on a majestic white elephant, surrounded by Bodhisattvas, whenever a teacher of the Lotus Sutra goes for a walk, ensuring their safety. He also vows to help teachers remember the Sutra’s teachings and grant them special skills like deep meditation and powerful spells for protection.
Quotes:
- “We’ve come from another spiritual realm because we’ve heard that you’re teaching some transformative wisdom here—the Lotus Sutra. We’d love to hear it straight from you.” (Samantabhadra expresses the desire to learn the Lotus Sutra)
- “This teaching is so important that it can be trusted to a woman as long as she meets four criteria: She should be guided by enlightened beings; she should have a history of doing good; she should adhere to moral principles; and her ultimate goal should be to help others attain enlightenment.” (Buddha outlines criteria for those who can teach, including women.)
- “In times when the world is falling apart, especially during the last half of a millennium, I’ll serve as the ultimate security detail for anyone teaching this Lotus Sutra…no one will be able to harm them. I’ll be their 24/7 bodyguard.” (Samantabhadra pledges to protect teachers.)
- “Whenever a teacher of this Lotus Sutra goes for a walk, imagine this: I’ll appear riding a majestic white elephant with six tusks…I’ll ensure their safety.” (Samantabhadra describes how he will protect teachers.)
- “And if a teacher ever forgets even a single word of the Lotus Sutra, I’ll show up on my white elephant to remind them of the text…They will not only remember the teachings but also gain special skills…” (Samantabhadra promises to aid teachers in their understanding and mastery of the sutra.)
Implications:
This chapter reinforces the importance of the Lotus Sutra within the context of Buddhist teachings. It suggests a need to actively safeguard and promote the Sutra, even in times of societal decay. The qualifications for teachers highlight the ethical and spiritual responsibilities associated with disseminating Buddhist wisdom. Samantabhadra’s pledge offers reassurance and encouragement to those who undertake the task of teaching the Lotus Sutra.
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 
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