Highlights of the September 2024 Study Material

• The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, pp. 252–64 
• The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, pp. 117–20

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Chapter Overview

The Emergence of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth

“Emerging from the Earth” is the Lotus Sutra’s 15th chapter and the beginning of its last 14 chapters, known as the essential teaching. This chapter opens with innumerable great bodhisattvas assembled from other worlds vowing to propagate this sutra after Shakyamuni Buddha’s passing. But Shakyamuni stops them, saying they do not need to because there are already great bodhisattvas who will carry out this task. 

With this, the earth trembles and splits open, and countless bodhisattvas emerge, each with their entourage. 

Astounded at this sight, Bodhisattva Maitreya asks on the assembly’s behalf who these bodhisattvas are, where they come from, for what purpose, what Buddha they follow and what teaching they practice. Shakyamuni replies that they are his original disciples, whom he has taught for a long time. 

Maitreya beseeches Shakyamuni to explain how, in the mere 40-odd years since his awakening, he has managed to teach these countless bodhisattvas. The “Emerging from the Earth” chapter ends here. Shakyamuni answers Maitreya’s question in the next chapter, “Life Span of the Thus Come One,” saying that countless kalpas have passed since he first attained enlightenment. (Adapted from The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, p. 156)

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Key Concept

Upsetting Attachments and Arousing Doubts

In the Lotus Sutra’s “Emerging from the Earth” chapter, when the Bodhisattvas of the Earth emerge onto the scene, it causes the assembly to doubt and question when the Buddha attained enlightenment. The crux of their confusion lay in their misperception about the origin of their own lives. 

The concept of “upsetting attachments and arousing doubts” found in this chapter means upsetting people’s attachments to beliefs that cause them to suffer, prompting them to open their eyes to a greater awareness about themselves, others and life in general. Ikeda Sensei says: 

The greater the degree to which attachments are upset and doubt aroused, the greater the difficulties that will arise. Since we are upsetting attachments and arousing doubts in order to fundamentally improve the lives of all people, it is impossible for us not to face tremendous obstacles. (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 3, p. 213)

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The “Emerging from the Earth” chapter breaks through the frozen earth of resignation, the sense that “this is the way it has to be.” It is a struggle to reveal before the entire world the underlying power and towering dignity of humanity and of the people. (WLS-3, 214)

Our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, “eternal activists who base themselves on the Mystic Law” (WLS-3, 215), is to upset attachments and arouse doubts by fully believing in the potential of those around us and helping them transform their lives. 

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

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Guidance

The Symbolism of the Lotus Flower in Buddhism

Ikeda Sensei: The simultaneity of cause and effect is an extremely profound doctrine … the causality referred to here specifically indicates the causes and effects pertaining to the attainment of Buddhahood. The state of Buddhahood is the effect, and the practice to attain that state is the cause. The idea that these two could coincide seems counterintuitive; the usual assumption is that by carrying out Buddhist practice (the cause), a person later attains Buddhahood (the effect). 

But when we practice Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (the true cause for attaining Buddhahood), our practice already encompasses the world of Buddhahood (the true effect). Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is at once the true cause and the true effect of attaining Buddhahood. This marvelous teaching of the Mystic Law embodying the simultaneity of cause and effect is compared to the lotus flower [in which the flowers and the fruit develop at the same time]. The important point here is that the Bodhisattvas of the Earth manifest this simultaneity of cause and effect in their lives. (WLS-3, 227)

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Wisdom Into Action

A Positive Feedback Loop

Sachie Kuwano
Honolulu

Q: How does participating in Ikeda Wisdom Academy impact your daily life?

When I first joined Ikeda Wisdom Academy, I had no idea what it was about. I just went because my leader asked me to go.

I have a hard time talking with other people about Buddhism. Maybe because I grew up practicing Buddhism, usually I just feel it. So, explaining it is tough. Ikeda Wisdom Academy meetings have helped me verbalize what I feel about important aspects of Buddhism, and I’m inspired to study more. When I am encouraged by something, if I study to understand it clearly, I can encourage others, too. It is like a positive feedback loop. 

I’d been struggling to talk with my boyfriend about Buddhism. He has come to meetings and even seems to enjoy it, but it’s hard to ask him to chant with me. 

The May academy meeting talked about devilish functions, and it helped me understand that my obstacles are just devilish functions. If that’s the case, I can totally overcome this! Chanting about my relationship, I’m now determined to take responsibility to change it for the better. 

Every month, the Ikeda Wisdom Academy connects so much to whatever I am going through, and I always leave thinking, I needed to hear this! Just getting all this knowledge about Buddhism is a benefit that I can feel in my heart, and it’s so fun getting together with all the youth in our area and hearing others’ perspectives. Sometimes, it feels like we’re just reminding ourselves of what we already know.

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Looking Forward: October Syllabus

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 3, pp. 249–76

Part Five: “Emerging from the Earth” Chapter
• “I Am a Bodhisattva of the Earth”: The Discovery of the Eternal Self

From the September 2024 Living Buddhism