Wonderful - The Wonder of Spiritual Enlightenment
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- See also :
- See also :
The term ‘Wonderful’ (C. Miao, J. Myo) refers to the Buddha’s ultimate intent, the Buddha’s last will and testament. It refers to the highest truth (S. Sat), the teaching of the highest significance and the absolute reality, which is inconceivable and unconditional, ineffable and inexpressible. It is also described as the perfect blending of the three truths (emptiness, that which is temporary, and the mean).
It is explained by Chih-I as the 'Four Unities' of purpose.
- Unity of Principle, which is revealed in the Ten Spiritual Realms
- Unity of Doctrine, which is revealed in the Five Periods of Doctrine
- Unity of Practice, which is revealed in the Observation of the Mind
- Unity of Person, which is revealed in the Six Identities with Enlightenment
Chih-I goes to considerable length to reveal the meaning of the term ‘Wonderful’ in The Hidden Meaning of the of the Lotus Sutra (C. Fa-Hua Hsuan-I, J. Hokke Gengi), explaining it on two levels:
The Door to the Manifestation (C. Chi-men, J. Shakumon) describes the manifestation of enlightenment.
- This is the subject of the first half of The Lotus Sutra (Chapters 1-14), which explains the intent and will of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni, who first attained enlightenment in deep meditation in Bodh-Gaya and taught Buddhism as we know it.
- This is the Buddha that manifested himself in response to the needs of this world, the Body of Response or Manifestation (Nirmana-kaya) that came into this world to enlighten all living beings.
- Here also the trinity or three bodies of The One That Has Come (S. Tathagata) are explained to be the revealed embodiment of enlightenment.
The Door to the Origin (C. Pen-men, J. Honmon) describes the source of enlightenment.
- This is the subject of the second half of The Lotus Sutra, (chapters 15-28), which describes the intent and will of the eternal Buddha, who attains enlightenment and comes into the world beyond the limitations of space and time.
- This is the original Buddha that is innate within all living beings and is the Spiritual Body (Dharma-kaya) that is everywhere and illuminates all.
- Here also the unity of the threefold body or life of The One That Has Come (S. Tahagata) is explained to be the eternal embodiment of enlightenment.
In The Hidden Meaning of The Lotus Sutra these two levels of the will and intent of the Buddha are each described in ten parts in an effort to reveal the meaning of the term Wonderful (C. Miao, J. Myo).