1 00:00:00,384 --> 00:00:01,054 The Lotus Sutra 2 00:00:01,463 --> 00:00:03,115 Three paths argued for five hundred years 3 00:00:03,144 --> 00:00:04,094 It said there was only one 4 00:00:04,944 --> 00:00:07,355 Previously we discussed Asanga and Vasubandhu 5 00:00:07,783 --> 00:00:12,515 The brothers used Yogacara to complement Nagarjuna with a constructive account 6 00:00:12,903 --> 00:00:13,894 Madhyamaka dismantles 7 00:00:14,343 --> 00:00:15,714 Yogacara builds 8 00:00:16,064 --> 00:00:18,303 The two philosophical pillars of Mahayana Buddhism 9 00:00:18,303 --> 00:00:20,195 Were now firmly in place 10 00:00:20,504 --> 00:00:21,495 But a settled philosophy 11 00:00:21,864 --> 00:00:22,815 Does not mean settled hearts 12 00:00:23,908 --> 00:00:24,259 Hello 13 00:00:24,349 --> 00:00:24,820 Everyone 14 00:00:24,948 --> 00:00:25,960 I am Leo Wang 15 00:00:26,366 --> 00:00:28,578 Imagine the Buddhist world back then 16 00:00:28,807 --> 00:00:30,857 The Buddha had been gone for about five hundred years 17 00:00:31,006 --> 00:00:31,717 After his passing 18 00:00:32,046 --> 00:00:33,458 His disciples began to split apart 19 00:00:33,726 --> 00:00:36,217 Disagreements arose as early as the First Council 20 00:00:36,287 --> 00:00:37,698 Then the divisions multiplied 21 00:00:37,927 --> 00:00:39,086 Around the beginning of the Common Era 22 00:00:39,086 --> 00:00:41,897 More than a dozen schools had established their own camps 23 00:00:42,046 --> 00:00:46,338 Each had its own Abhidharma monastic community and temples 24 00:00:46,607 --> 00:00:48,198 Some said all things truly exist 25 00:00:48,486 --> 00:00:50,406 Some said there is only consciousness 26 00:00:50,406 --> 00:00:52,177 Some said everything is empty 27 00:00:52,446 --> 00:00:54,778 Even the question of whether an arhat could regress 28 00:00:54,887 --> 00:00:56,497 Could spark fierce arguments 29 00:00:56,887 --> 00:00:59,366 How these schools gradually emerged 30 00:00:59,366 --> 00:01:01,286 Was the subject of an earlier episode 31 00:01:01,287 --> 00:01:02,378 We will not repeat that here 32 00:01:03,506 --> 00:01:04,956 Then Mahayana arrived 33 00:01:05,346 --> 00:01:06,217 The emergence of Mahayana 34 00:01:06,545 --> 00:01:08,197 Is something we have already discussed 35 00:01:08,506 --> 00:01:09,656 From the Prajnaparamita sutras 36 00:01:09,986 --> 00:01:11,357 To the Madhyamaka of Nagarjuna 37 00:01:11,385 --> 00:01:13,277 Then the Yogacara of Asanga and Vasubandhu 38 00:01:13,506 --> 00:01:16,117 Mahayana philosophy grew ever deeper 39 00:01:16,585 --> 00:01:18,076 But philosophical depth 40 00:01:18,105 --> 00:01:20,757 Did not automatically create institutional unity 41 00:01:21,537 --> 00:01:24,015 Followers of the disciple path looked down on Mahayana practitioners 42 00:01:24,017 --> 00:01:25,895 Saying your sutras were invented later 43 00:01:25,896 --> 00:01:27,668 The Buddha never taught any of this 44 00:01:27,856 --> 00:01:30,095 Mahayana practitioners in turn dismissed the older schools 45 00:01:30,097 --> 00:01:32,175 Saying you only care about escaping birth and death yourselves 46 00:01:32,177 --> 00:01:32,887 Your vision is too narrow 47 00:01:33,177 --> 00:01:35,267 All that practice just to save yourselves 48 00:01:35,657 --> 00:01:38,788 This was no polite exchange at an academic conference 49 00:01:39,177 --> 00:01:41,428 It was a bitter struggle over the right path 50 00:01:41,737 --> 00:01:43,127 You follow your arhat path 51 00:01:43,377 --> 00:01:44,827 I follow my bodhisattva path 52 00:01:45,216 --> 00:01:46,648 You practice your Four Noble Truths 53 00:01:46,856 --> 00:01:48,508 I teach the emptiness of Prajnaparamita 54 00:01:48,976 --> 00:01:51,015 You say my sutras are not the words of the Buddha 55 00:01:51,017 --> 00:01:53,068 I say your attainment is not the final goal 56 00:01:53,416 --> 00:01:56,588 Everyone claimed to be the true heirs of the Buddha 57 00:01:56,896 --> 00:01:57,788 This battle 58 00:01:57,856 --> 00:02:00,788 Had been brewing since the day he passed away 59 00:02:01,496 --> 00:02:03,267 By the period we are discussing today 60 00:02:03,377 --> 00:02:05,228 It had lasted nearly five hundred years 61 00:02:05,841 --> 00:02:06,832 At just this moment 62 00:02:07,282 --> 00:02:09,213 A sutra quietly appeared 63 00:02:09,522 --> 00:02:11,132 It took neither side 64 00:02:11,561 --> 00:02:12,692 It made one statement 65 00:02:13,161 --> 00:02:14,072 And with those words 66 00:02:14,561 --> 00:02:16,092 The entire situation changed 67 00:02:16,602 --> 00:02:16,993 It said 68 00:02:17,441 --> 00:02:19,572 Every path you are following is right 69 00:02:19,881 --> 00:02:22,012 But none of you has reached the destination 70 00:02:22,482 --> 00:02:24,312 This was the Lotus Sutra 71 00:02:25,238 --> 00:02:27,837 The Lotus Sutra gradually took shape from roughly the first century BCE 72 00:02:27,838 --> 00:02:30,689 To the second century CE 73 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,277 It was not written all at once by one person 74 00:02:33,278 --> 00:02:36,490 It underwent several stages of additions and editing 75 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:39,089 Eventually becoming the text we know today 76 00:02:39,319 --> 00:02:41,490 But its central idea is very clear 77 00:02:41,599 --> 00:02:42,710 It can be summed up in one phrase 78 00:02:43,118 --> 00:02:44,369 Uniting the three in the one 79 00:02:44,759 --> 00:02:45,869 What does that mean 80 00:02:46,449 --> 00:02:50,020 The Buddhist world recognized three paths of practice 81 00:02:50,209 --> 00:02:51,680 The first was the disciple vehicle 82 00:02:52,090 --> 00:02:53,249 Listening to the teachings of the Buddha 83 00:02:53,250 --> 00:02:56,501 Practicing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path step by step 84 00:02:56,569 --> 00:02:58,328 The goal was to attain arhatship 85 00:02:58,329 --> 00:03:00,300 And gain freedom from rebirth 86 00:03:00,449 --> 00:03:02,001 The second was the solitary buddha vehicle 87 00:03:02,329 --> 00:03:03,541 Without relying on a teacher 88 00:03:03,650 --> 00:03:06,249 One observes the workings of the twelve links of dependent origination 89 00:03:06,250 --> 00:03:07,900 And awakens in solitude 90 00:03:07,970 --> 00:03:09,520 The third was the bodhisattva vehicle 91 00:03:09,850 --> 00:03:11,261 This was the Mahayana path 92 00:03:11,329 --> 00:03:12,688 Seeking awakening for oneself 93 00:03:12,690 --> 00:03:14,740 And helping all beings awaken as well 94 00:03:14,850 --> 00:03:16,161 The goal was not arhatship 95 00:03:16,449 --> 00:03:17,460 But Buddhahood 96 00:03:17,769 --> 00:03:18,360 Three paths 97 00:03:18,609 --> 00:03:19,281 Three goals 98 00:03:19,609 --> 00:03:21,140 Three sets of standards for practice 99 00:03:21,250 --> 00:03:22,080 Following a different path 100 00:03:22,289 --> 00:03:23,821 Meant belonging to a different camp 101 00:03:24,009 --> 00:03:28,280 The Lotus Sutra said these three paths were actually one 102 00:03:28,628 --> 00:03:30,680 It explained this through a parable 103 00:03:30,749 --> 00:03:31,720 A very famous one 104 00:03:31,749 --> 00:03:33,160 The burning house and the three carts 105 00:03:33,709 --> 00:03:35,919 The great house of a wealthy man caught fire 106 00:03:36,309 --> 00:03:37,660 Flames rose from the corners 107 00:03:37,869 --> 00:03:38,880 And grew ever larger 108 00:03:39,269 --> 00:03:40,947 The children inside were playing 109 00:03:40,948 --> 00:03:42,359 Completely unaware of the danger 110 00:03:42,908 --> 00:03:45,600 Their father stood outside desperately calling them out 111 00:03:45,709 --> 00:03:46,720 The children would not listen 112 00:03:46,749 --> 00:03:48,759 They were too absorbed in their toys 113 00:03:49,068 --> 00:03:49,739 Their father grew desperate 114 00:03:50,029 --> 00:03:51,000 And came up with a plan 115 00:03:51,269 --> 00:03:54,000 He said outside are the three kinds of carts you have always wanted 116 00:03:54,269 --> 00:03:55,588 One drawn by a goat 117 00:03:55,589 --> 00:03:56,747 One drawn by a deer 118 00:03:56,749 --> 00:03:57,820 One drawn by an ox 119 00:03:58,188 --> 00:03:59,359 Come out quickly and choose 120 00:03:59,668 --> 00:04:00,380 When the children heard this 121 00:04:00,709 --> 00:04:01,880 They all ran outside 122 00:04:02,938 --> 00:04:03,569 But once they were out 123 00:04:03,897 --> 00:04:05,708 Their father did not give them three kinds of carts 124 00:04:06,218 --> 00:04:08,509 He gave every child the same kind 125 00:04:08,697 --> 00:04:10,708 A magnificent cart drawn by a great white ox 126 00:04:11,378 --> 00:04:13,069 The three carts were only a lure 127 00:04:13,378 --> 00:04:14,289 What he truly intended to give them 128 00:04:14,538 --> 00:04:16,308 Had been this one cart all along 129 00:04:16,938 --> 00:04:19,189 For a full analysis of this parable 130 00:04:19,338 --> 00:04:21,668 There is a dedicated episode in our scripture series 131 00:04:22,257 --> 00:04:24,749 Today we will not delve into the parable itself 132 00:04:24,898 --> 00:04:27,788 Let us see what it actually did in history 133 00:04:28,941 --> 00:04:33,672 The Lotus Sutra says the disciple solitary buddha and bodhisattva vehicles 134 00:04:33,740 --> 00:04:35,511 Work exactly like this story 135 00:04:35,821 --> 00:04:38,352 They are not three paths to three destinations 136 00:04:38,540 --> 00:04:40,552 The Buddha saw that people had different capacities 137 00:04:40,660 --> 00:04:43,031 And used different teachings to get them started 138 00:04:43,261 --> 00:04:45,252 But ultimately there is only one destination 139 00:04:45,660 --> 00:04:46,711 Buddhahood 140 00:04:47,060 --> 00:04:49,271 There is nothing wrong with following the arhat path 141 00:04:49,701 --> 00:04:51,552 You truly have attained arhatship 142 00:04:51,620 --> 00:04:53,112 You truly have escaped birth and death 143 00:04:53,180 --> 00:04:54,552 But this is not the end 144 00:04:54,740 --> 00:04:56,672 You have paused here to catch your breath 145 00:04:56,821 --> 00:04:58,511 And must keep moving forward 146 00:04:58,581 --> 00:05:00,752 Because there is still further to go 147 00:05:00,941 --> 00:05:02,591 This is called the One Buddha Vehicle 148 00:05:02,740 --> 00:05:03,451 Not three vehicles 149 00:05:03,740 --> 00:05:04,929 But one 150 00:05:05,278 --> 00:05:07,169 Step back and look at this 151 00:05:07,198 --> 00:05:10,049 And you see more than a philosophical proposition 152 00:05:10,518 --> 00:05:13,888 It is also an extraordinarily clever organizational strategy 153 00:05:14,237 --> 00:05:15,249 You could even say 154 00:05:15,318 --> 00:05:19,729 It was the most successful plan for internal integration in two thousand years of Buddhism 155 00:05:20,158 --> 00:05:20,908 Why do I say that 156 00:05:21,990 --> 00:05:24,082 Think back to the earlier episodes 157 00:05:24,351 --> 00:05:26,221 What characterizes the Prajnaparamita sutras 158 00:05:26,836 --> 00:05:27,635 Dismantling 159 00:05:28,070 --> 00:05:31,361 The Diamond Sutra says all appearances are illusory 160 00:05:31,711 --> 00:05:34,721 Nagarjuna says all phenomena lack intrinsic nature 161 00:05:35,271 --> 00:05:37,202 This philosophy is razor sharp 162 00:05:37,231 --> 00:05:39,082 Every stroke cuts to the bone 163 00:05:39,510 --> 00:05:41,142 But a sharp blade has a problem 164 00:05:41,750 --> 00:05:42,921 It does not distinguish friend from foe 165 00:05:43,231 --> 00:05:45,481 If even arhatship is emptied out 166 00:05:45,671 --> 00:05:48,402 Lifelong followers of the disciple path will naturally object 167 00:05:48,830 --> 00:05:50,882 So in its early days the Mahayana movement 168 00:05:50,911 --> 00:05:53,481 Had tense relations with the older schools 169 00:05:53,911 --> 00:05:56,002 Mahayana called the older schools the Lesser Vehicle 170 00:05:56,190 --> 00:05:58,402 The older schools called Mahayana counterfeit Buddhism 171 00:05:58,791 --> 00:06:02,642 Each side had its own communities temples and sources of support 172 00:06:02,750 --> 00:06:04,520 Neither recognized the other 173 00:06:05,229 --> 00:06:07,721 The Lotus Sutra adopted a completely different strategy 174 00:06:08,029 --> 00:06:09,560 It did not say you are wrong 175 00:06:09,589 --> 00:06:11,880 It said your path is entirely correct 176 00:06:12,029 --> 00:06:14,721 There are just vistas ahead that you have not yet seen 177 00:06:15,149 --> 00:06:16,880 This was an ingenious move 178 00:06:17,109 --> 00:06:19,000 I sometimes experience this myself 179 00:06:19,229 --> 00:06:21,269 If someone tells me I did something wrong 180 00:06:21,270 --> 00:06:23,640 My first reaction is usually to defend myself 181 00:06:24,029 --> 00:06:26,560 But if someone says I did well 182 00:06:26,589 --> 00:06:28,200 And could do even better 183 00:06:28,349 --> 00:06:30,041 I am more willing to listen 184 00:06:30,310 --> 00:06:33,080 The Lotus Sutra drew on this human vulnerability 185 00:06:33,691 --> 00:06:36,782 It denied none of the spiritual achievements of any school 186 00:06:37,131 --> 00:06:39,821 It acknowledged arhatship as a real attainment 187 00:06:40,051 --> 00:06:42,941 And the disciple path as effective practice 188 00:06:43,330 --> 00:06:47,902 But it placed all these achievements within a larger story 189 00:06:48,291 --> 00:06:50,181 You are all walking the same path 190 00:06:50,330 --> 00:06:52,462 Some a little faster and some a little slower 191 00:06:52,530 --> 00:06:53,642 There is only one destination 192 00:06:54,051 --> 00:06:56,342 And everyone will eventually arrive 193 00:06:56,650 --> 00:06:57,642 It is not a blade 194 00:06:58,010 --> 00:06:59,422 That cuts anyone away 195 00:06:59,650 --> 00:07:00,681 It is a great net 196 00:07:01,051 --> 00:07:02,982 That gathers everyone in 197 00:07:03,203 --> 00:07:05,734 This narrative had two historical consequences 198 00:07:05,883 --> 00:07:07,734 The first was conceptual 199 00:07:08,123 --> 00:07:10,213 All beings can attain Buddhahood 200 00:07:10,482 --> 00:07:12,893 At the time this was an explosive claim 201 00:07:13,243 --> 00:07:14,693 Before the Lotus Sutra 202 00:07:14,842 --> 00:07:18,333 Buddhahood seemed almost too remote to imagine 203 00:07:18,722 --> 00:07:21,773 The bodhisattva path required three incalculable eons 204 00:07:21,922 --> 00:07:24,734 A span of time beyond human reckoning 205 00:07:24,962 --> 00:07:28,573 For ordinary practitioners arhatship was the realistic goal 206 00:07:28,602 --> 00:07:30,094 And that was already extraordinary 207 00:07:30,323 --> 00:07:31,273 As for Buddhahood 208 00:07:31,643 --> 00:07:33,534 It sounded like a legend from another universe 209 00:07:34,257 --> 00:07:35,829 The Lotus Sutra said otherwise 210 00:07:36,218 --> 00:07:39,548 It said arhatship was only a pause to catch your breath 211 00:07:40,017 --> 00:07:41,868 Once rested you must keep walking 212 00:07:42,257 --> 00:07:44,428 The destination of this path is Buddhahood 213 00:07:44,897 --> 00:07:46,748 Not a privilege reserved for a gifted few 214 00:07:46,817 --> 00:07:49,108 But the shared destination of all beings 215 00:07:49,538 --> 00:07:50,449 What does that mean 216 00:07:50,897 --> 00:07:53,589 It removes the ceiling on spiritual practice 217 00:07:53,897 --> 00:07:55,908 You need not think you are unworthy 218 00:07:56,218 --> 00:07:58,617 You need not first become someone special 219 00:07:58,618 --> 00:08:00,829 To be entitled to speak of awakening 220 00:08:01,257 --> 00:08:03,908 The Buddha is not a genius you can only look up to 221 00:08:03,978 --> 00:08:05,428 He is your own future 222 00:08:05,778 --> 00:08:06,608 Every living being 223 00:08:06,978 --> 00:08:08,776 Wherever they stand right now 224 00:08:08,778 --> 00:08:10,389 However many mistakes they have made 225 00:08:10,457 --> 00:08:13,269 Whether they have practiced for years or never practiced at all 226 00:08:13,457 --> 00:08:15,753 Has awakening as their ultimate destination 227 00:08:16,022 --> 00:08:17,873 Think carefully about the weight of that statement 228 00:08:18,301 --> 00:08:19,272 Before this 229 00:08:19,462 --> 00:08:21,952 The Buddhist worldview had a hierarchy 230 00:08:22,341 --> 00:08:23,452 Buddhas at the top 231 00:08:23,781 --> 00:08:25,032 Then bodhisattvas 232 00:08:25,062 --> 00:08:26,092 Then arhats 233 00:08:26,462 --> 00:08:28,553 Below them ordinary practitioners 234 00:08:28,622 --> 00:08:30,673 And at the bottom beings of the six realms 235 00:08:31,022 --> 00:08:33,152 The Lotus Sutra did not abolish these ranks 236 00:08:33,262 --> 00:08:35,353 But it made a more fundamental statement 237 00:08:35,661 --> 00:08:37,940 These ranks are only scenery along the road 238 00:08:37,941 --> 00:08:39,365 Not different destinations 239 00:08:39,674 --> 00:08:41,726 The second consequence was organizational 240 00:08:42,075 --> 00:08:45,405 Buddhism has never been pure philosophy operating in a vacuum 241 00:08:45,674 --> 00:08:49,566 It has institutions monastic communities temples and funding 242 00:08:49,875 --> 00:08:51,846 With more than a dozen schools plus Mahayana 243 00:08:51,914 --> 00:08:54,446 Longstanding division took a toll on everyone 244 00:08:54,634 --> 00:08:56,605 Followers did not know which temple to visit 245 00:08:56,634 --> 00:08:58,966 Royal patrons did not know which school to support 246 00:08:59,075 --> 00:09:01,714 The social influence and reach of Buddhism as a whole 247 00:09:01,715 --> 00:09:04,405 Were gradually worn down by internal conflict 248 00:09:05,244 --> 00:09:06,934 By uniting the three in the one the Lotus Sutra 249 00:09:06,963 --> 00:09:08,575 Gave everyone a way forward with dignity 250 00:09:08,884 --> 00:09:10,975 You need not admit you took the wrong path 251 00:09:11,083 --> 00:09:13,855 Only acknowledge that there is more road ahead 252 00:09:14,124 --> 00:09:15,735 Everything you practiced before 253 00:09:15,843 --> 00:09:17,294 Not a word of it was wasted 254 00:09:17,563 --> 00:09:19,014 It all counts 255 00:09:19,364 --> 00:09:20,975 The account is simply not yet complete 256 00:09:21,644 --> 00:09:24,255 This strategy worked within Mahayana 257 00:09:24,284 --> 00:09:26,855 Because it let every side retain its dignity 258 00:09:27,163 --> 00:09:28,434 You did not need to change allegiance 259 00:09:28,803 --> 00:09:30,255 Or deny your past 260 00:09:30,443 --> 00:09:33,015 You only needed to look a little further ahead 261 00:09:33,404 --> 00:09:36,334 This approach later bore tremendous fruit in China 262 00:09:36,684 --> 00:09:39,043 During the Sui dynasty a monk known as Master Zhiyi 263 00:09:39,044 --> 00:09:40,574 Founded the Tiantai school 264 00:09:40,603 --> 00:09:44,454 And placed the Lotus Sutra at the pinnacle of the Buddhist canon 265 00:09:44,764 --> 00:09:48,375 He brought doctrinal classification to its fullest form 266 00:09:48,483 --> 00:09:52,934 Ranking and ordering all the scriptures taught during the life of the Buddha 267 00:09:53,164 --> 00:09:54,443 In his system 268 00:09:54,444 --> 00:09:57,454 The Lotus Sutra was the final and most complete teaching 269 00:09:57,603 --> 00:10:00,415 All other scriptures prepared the way for it 270 00:10:00,804 --> 00:10:03,642 When we reach the story of Buddhism entering China 271 00:10:03,644 --> 00:10:05,966 We will explore this in detail 272 00:10:06,194 --> 00:10:08,045 For now remember one thing 273 00:10:08,475 --> 00:10:12,685 In India the Lotus Sutra was one important Mahayana scripture among many 274 00:10:12,995 --> 00:10:13,866 But in China 275 00:10:14,194 --> 00:10:15,886 It became the king of sutras 276 00:10:16,194 --> 00:10:18,326 Not through the most abstruse philosophy 277 00:10:18,434 --> 00:10:22,045 But through a narrative that welcomed everyone in 278 00:10:22,934 --> 00:10:24,505 Now let us take our bearings 279 00:10:24,853 --> 00:10:26,293 At every historical turning point 280 00:10:26,294 --> 00:10:28,025 I pause to ask the same question 281 00:10:28,454 --> 00:10:29,372 Does this development 282 00:10:29,373 --> 00:10:32,145 Bring us closer to what the Buddha saw beneath the Bodhi tree 283 00:10:32,333 --> 00:10:33,724 Or take us further away 284 00:10:34,213 --> 00:10:35,765 What was the central insight of the Buddha 285 00:10:36,213 --> 00:10:36,724 Dependent origination 286 00:10:37,054 --> 00:10:37,704 Nonself 287 00:10:37,894 --> 00:10:39,944 No phenomenon has a fixed intrinsic nature 288 00:10:40,174 --> 00:10:43,053 Before his passing he repeatedly urged his disciples 289 00:10:43,054 --> 00:10:44,132 Be an island unto yourself 290 00:10:44,133 --> 00:10:45,265 Let the Dharma be your island 291 00:10:45,654 --> 00:10:47,892 Meaning you are your own island 292 00:10:47,894 --> 00:10:49,625 You are your own refuge 293 00:10:49,934 --> 00:10:51,005 The answer is not outside 294 00:10:51,253 --> 00:10:53,289 It lies within you 295 00:10:53,718 --> 00:10:57,010 The Lotus Sutra says all beings can attain Buddhahood 296 00:10:57,279 --> 00:10:59,890 Viewed through the perspective of the Buddha 297 00:10:59,999 --> 00:11:02,049 It is really saying the same thing 298 00:11:02,359 --> 00:11:05,370 The seed of awakening is not in some heavenly buddha realm 299 00:11:05,479 --> 00:11:07,169 It is in your own life 300 00:11:07,318 --> 00:11:09,237 You need not wait for someone to save you 301 00:11:09,239 --> 00:11:11,649 Because you are already on that path 302 00:11:11,879 --> 00:11:13,090 From this perspective 303 00:11:13,159 --> 00:11:16,370 The Lotus Sutra accords with the original insight of the Buddha 304 00:11:16,558 --> 00:11:19,289 It does not depart from the discovery beneath the Bodhi tree 305 00:11:19,479 --> 00:11:22,090 It uses a more inclusive approach 306 00:11:22,119 --> 00:11:24,370 To retell that same discovery 307 00:11:25,243 --> 00:11:27,535 But the Lotus Sutra also left a crack 308 00:11:27,924 --> 00:11:29,334 A very subtle crack 309 00:11:29,684 --> 00:11:32,255 If all beings will eventually become buddhas 310 00:11:32,404 --> 00:11:34,434 Is practice still a free choice 311 00:11:35,003 --> 00:11:35,554 If you do not practice 312 00:11:35,924 --> 00:11:37,194 Will you arrive sooner or later anyway 313 00:11:37,764 --> 00:11:38,875 And if you will arrive eventually 314 00:11:39,203 --> 00:11:39,954 Why hurry 315 00:11:40,603 --> 00:11:40,915 You see 316 00:11:41,324 --> 00:11:43,734 The statement that all beings can attain Buddhahood 317 00:11:43,804 --> 00:11:44,755 Can be liberating 318 00:11:45,243 --> 00:11:46,655 There is hope for everyone 319 00:11:46,804 --> 00:11:48,495 But it can also become an excuse 320 00:11:48,684 --> 00:11:51,043 Some will use it as a reason not to practice 321 00:11:51,044 --> 00:11:55,216 In China this crack later opened into two very different paths 322 00:11:55,566 --> 00:11:56,816 One was Chan Buddhism 323 00:11:57,085 --> 00:11:58,316 It said you are already a buddha 324 00:11:58,646 --> 00:12:00,056 You can awaken suddenly right now 325 00:12:00,125 --> 00:12:00,997 No need to wait for another life 326 00:12:01,245 --> 00:12:03,137 No need for three incalculable eons 327 00:12:03,205 --> 00:12:05,056 A single turn of mind can let you see 328 00:12:05,245 --> 00:12:09,456 It pushed the promise of Buddhahood to its most radical limit 329 00:12:09,725 --> 00:12:10,236 Not that you can become one 330 00:12:10,646 --> 00:12:11,816 But that you already are one 331 00:12:12,522 --> 00:12:14,253 The other was Pure Land Buddhism 332 00:12:14,563 --> 00:12:16,602 It said practicing on your own is too difficult 333 00:12:16,603 --> 00:12:18,414 But if you have faith in Amitabha Buddha 334 00:12:18,443 --> 00:12:19,274 And recite his name 335 00:12:19,522 --> 00:12:20,774 He will come to receive you 336 00:12:20,963 --> 00:12:25,774 It extended the promise to all beings as widely as possible 337 00:12:26,083 --> 00:12:27,921 Whether or not you have the capacity to practice 338 00:12:27,923 --> 00:12:29,253 You can still be welcomed 339 00:12:29,443 --> 00:12:31,122 One emphasizes your initiative 340 00:12:31,122 --> 00:12:32,853 The other your trust 341 00:12:33,203 --> 00:12:35,454 Two apparently opposite paths 342 00:12:35,482 --> 00:12:38,013 Both trace their roots to this statement in the Lotus Sutra 343 00:12:38,522 --> 00:12:41,253 They unfold the same statement in two extreme directions 344 00:12:41,794 --> 00:12:43,165 Looking back now 345 00:12:43,194 --> 00:12:44,824 Does the Lotus Sutra not seem remarkable 346 00:12:45,273 --> 00:12:48,005 It brought together the three existing paths 347 00:12:48,034 --> 00:12:51,964 And planted seeds for two major paths of Chinese Buddhism 348 00:12:52,233 --> 00:12:54,553 The scope of a sutra 349 00:12:54,554 --> 00:12:56,444 Is measured not by how much it says 350 00:12:56,473 --> 00:12:59,392 But by how much grows from it 351 00:12:59,641 --> 00:13:00,421 At this point 352 00:13:00,421 --> 00:13:02,912 You may feel Mahayana Buddhism has reached its peak 353 00:13:02,982 --> 00:13:04,012 From the dismantling of Prajnaparamita 354 00:13:04,301 --> 00:13:05,512 To the emptiness of Madhyamaka 355 00:13:05,541 --> 00:13:06,453 To the construction of Yogacara 356 00:13:06,742 --> 00:13:08,233 Then the gathering together of the Lotus Sutra 357 00:13:08,342 --> 00:13:09,861 Over several centuries Mahayana 358 00:13:09,862 --> 00:13:12,060 Completed a journey from dismantling to rebuilding 359 00:13:12,061 --> 00:13:14,152 And then to unification 360 00:13:14,541 --> 00:13:16,593 But Mahayana still had one final step 361 00:13:16,822 --> 00:13:19,473 The Lotus Sutra says all beings can attain Buddhahood 362 00:13:19,702 --> 00:13:21,193 Notice the word can 363 00:13:21,342 --> 00:13:22,412 It speaks of potential 364 00:13:22,702 --> 00:13:23,792 Of the future 365 00:13:23,982 --> 00:13:24,813 You are still on the road 366 00:13:25,061 --> 00:13:26,553 The destination lies ahead 367 00:13:26,912 --> 00:13:27,983 After the Lotus Sutra 368 00:13:28,311 --> 00:13:29,363 Another sutra 369 00:13:29,552 --> 00:13:31,322 Made an even bolder claim 370 00:13:31,711 --> 00:13:34,442 It said you are not merely capable of future Buddhahood 371 00:13:34,951 --> 00:13:35,702 Right now 372 00:13:36,111 --> 00:13:37,403 At this very moment 373 00:13:37,591 --> 00:13:39,682 You are already within the world of the Buddha 374 00:13:40,231 --> 00:13:42,162 You think you are still walking the path 375 00:13:42,471 --> 00:13:45,042 But you have never left the destination 376 00:13:45,432 --> 00:13:47,243 You simply have not seen it 377 00:13:47,591 --> 00:13:49,103 This is the Avatamsaka Sutra 378 00:13:49,915 --> 00:13:52,405 It constructed the most magnificent 379 00:13:52,474 --> 00:13:55,606 And most dazzling cosmic vision in Mahayana history 380 00:13:55,834 --> 00:13:56,346 In the next episode 381 00:13:56,675 --> 00:13:58,766 We will explore that vision together 382 00:13:58,915 --> 00:13:59,665 I am Leo Wang 383 00:13:59,995 --> 00:14:00,895 See you next time