The Lotus Sutra: The Parable of Medicinal Herbs

[Jungleheart]

The Parable of Medicinal Herbs

 

[dreamer042]

Reposting text for long-term preservation.

CHAPTER 5

The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Mahakashyapa and the other major disciples:

"Excellent, excellent, Kashyapa. You have given an excellent description of the true blessings of the Thus Come One. It is just as you have said. The Thus Come One indeed has immeasurable, boundless, asamkhyas of blessings, and though you and the others were to spend immeasurable millions of kalpas in the effort, you could never finish describing them.

"Kashyapa, you should understand this. The Thus Come One is king of the doctrines. In what he preaches, there is nothing that is vain. With regard to all the various doctrines, he employs wisdom and expedient means in expounding them. Therefore, the doctrines that he expounds all extend to the point where there is comprehensive wisdom. The Thus Come One observes and understands the end to which all doctrines tend. And he also understands the workings of the deepest minds of all living beings, penetrating them completely and without hindrance. And with regard to the doctrines, he is thoroughly enlightened, and he reveals to living beings the totality of wisdom.

"Kashyapa, it is like the plants and trees, thickets and groves, and the medicinal herbs, widely ranging in variety, each with its own name and hue, that grow in the hills and streams, the valleys and different soils of the major world system. Dense clouds spread over them, covering the entire major world system and, in one moment, saturating it all. The moisture penetrates to all the plants and trees, thickets and groves, and medicinal herbs equally—to their little roots, little stems, little limbs, little leaves, their middle-sized roots, middle-sized stems, middle-sized limbs, middle-sized leaves, to their big roots, big stems, big limbs, and big leaves. Each of the trees, big and small, depending upon whether it is superior, middling, or inferior in nature, receives its allotment. The rain, falling from one blanket of cloud, accords with each particular species and nature, causing it to sprout and mature, to blossom and bear fruit. Though all these plants and trees grow in the same earth and are moistened by the same rain, each has its differences and particulars.

"Kashyapa, you should understand that the Thus Come One is like this. He appears in the world like a great cloud rising up. With a loud voice, he penetrates to all the heavenly and human beings and the asuras of the entire world, like a great cloud spreading over the lands of the major world system. And in the midst of the great assembly, he addresses these words, saying:

'I am the Thus Come One, worthy of offerings, of right and universal knowledge, perfect clarity and conduct, well gone, understanding the world, unexcelled worthy, trainer of people, teacher of heavenly and human beings, Buddha, World-Honored One. Those who have not yet crossed over I will cause to cross over; those who have not yet understood I will cause to understand; those not yet at rest I will put at rest; those not yet in nirvana I will cause to attain nirvana. Of this existence and future existences, I understand the true circumstances. I am one who knows all things, sees all things, understands the way, opens up the way, preaches the way. You heavenly and human beings, asuras, and others, you must all come here so that I may let you hear the Law!'

"At that time, living beings of countless thousands, ten thousands, millions of species come to the place where the Buddha is, to listen to the Law. The Thus Come One then observes whether the capacities of these living beings are keen or dull, whether they are diligent in their efforts or lazy. And in accordance with what each is capable of hearing, he preaches the Law for them in an immeasurable variety of ways so that all of them are delighted and are able to gain excellent benefits therefrom.

"Once these living beings have heard the Law, they will enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences, where they will receive joy and again be able to hear the Law. And having heard the Law, they will escape from obstacles and hindrances, and with regard to the various doctrines will be able to exercise their powers to the fullest, so that gradually they can enter into the way. It is like the rain falling from that great cloud upon all the plants and trees, thickets and groves, and medicinal herbs. Each, depending upon its species and nature, receives its full share of moistening and is enabled to sprout and grow.

Verse

At that time, the World-Honored One, wishing to state his meaning once more, spoke in verse form, saying:

The Dharma King, destroyer of being,
When he appears in the world,
Accords with the desires of living beings,
Preaching the Law in a variety of ways.

The Thus Come One, worthy of honor and reverence,
Is profound and far-reaching in wisdom.
For long he remained silent regarding the essential,
In no hurry to speak of it at once.

If those who are wise hear of it,
They can believe and understand it,
But those without wisdom will have doubts and regrets,
And for all time will remain in error.

For this reason, Kashyapa,
He adjusts to the person's power when preaching,
Taking advantage of various causes,
And enabling the person to gain a correct view.

Kashyapa, you should understand,
That it is like a great cloud,
That rises up in the world,
And covers it all over.

The rain falls equally upon all,
Moistening every type of plant and tree,
Yet each absorbs it according to its own nature,
Growing in different ways.

Likewise, the Buddha's teachings,
Though one in essence,
Are received and understood uniquely,
By beings of various capacities.

What you are practicing,
Is the bodhisattva way,
And as you gradually advance in practice and learning,
You are all certain to attain Buddhahood.