Even if it is said that everything is Buddha

No. 287 "Even if it is said that everything is Buddha" 2021/10/20

1)

In the Nirvana Sutra, we find the following words: Every living thing has Buddha nature.

In the Lotus Sutra, it was preached that everyone has the potential to become a Buddha.

The Nirvana Sutra preaches that all living things are endowed with the mind of Buddha.

This kind of teaching is also called Nyoraizo(=Tathagata storehouse).

2)

According to the Dictionary of Buddhism, Nyoraizo means holding the Nyorai in the womb.

It explains that our current state is simply wrapped in worldly desires, so it is in a state where it is not yet able to demonstrate the work of the Tathagata.

3)

There are various examples in the Tathagata.

It is like honey surrounded by bees.

It is like grain in a fir.

It is like gold that has fallen into a pool of unclean.

4)

From the preaching that all things have the Buddha, it further developed into the teaching of Kegon.

Let me quote Shigeo Kamata's book "Kegon's thinking way."

5)

"Buddha-nature" means the possibility of becoming a Buddha, but since any person has the potential to become a Buddha, we must express it through training.

7)

Since the Kegon Sutra emphasizes originality, everything shines as a manifestation of Buddha nature, and there is no such thing as evil or confusion.

Everything can be seen as Budda, and everything can be seen as enveloped in the light of Buddha.

8)

In other words, it sees anything as a manifestation of Buddha's nature.

9)

In the case of Kegon, evil, earthly desire, and pollution are all temporary existences, and they all disappear because they are wrapped up in the Buddha.

This is why Kegon could not have a life as a religion. It can be a philosophy, but it can't save people.

10)

With the idea that buddha nature is occurring as a present existence, mountains and rivers also manifest buddha nature.

11)

This way of thinking is closely related to the ancient Chinese thinking that they are one with nature.

12)

Kegon enters, and it flows into Zen, and when that happens, the mountains, rivers, plants, and trees also become Buddhas.

The idea that the mountain is Buddha was born, and the sound of the river is the Buddha's preaching.

Therefore, mountains and rivers are buddhas, and humans are Buddha's buddhas.

The idea that everything will become Buddha has been born.

This teaching is the basis of Zen.

14)

He preaches that Buddha nature is abundant everywhere.

Professor Kamata is concerned that this kind of teaching will lead to an optimistic view of the world that does not recognize human suffering.

He preached that no matter what kind of adversity he faced, it was also a manifestation of the Buddha, and he took it as a trial.

15)

Adversity is a trial of Buddha's grace.

I want to accept it and live with Buddha.

However, I learned from a young person that there is also a word "Parent Gacha" nowadays.

16)

I am not sure, but it seems to indicate that your life is determined by what kind of parents you are born to.

It has long been said that children cannot choose their parents, but it is not just about being thankful.

17)

When disparities like the present are becoming a problem, I think it is difficult to accept that everything is a manifestation of Buddha.

Let us live while suffering in such a situation.

I just hope that you do not get discouraged and do not give up.

I believe the day will come when we can accept everything is a manifestation of Buddha.