DDM Global News

CMC Led Followers to Read Lotus Sutra to Cultivate Wisdom

From June 24^th to June 28^th, 2024, Chan Meditation Center (CMC) of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) invited Ven. Guo Jiun (果竣法師) to conduct a 5-day "Introduction to the Lotus Sutra" course, in which Ven. Guo Jiun led about 70 participants both in person and online to read through "The Exquisite Dharma" (絕妙說法) by Master Sheng Yen. In the book, there were stories about Master Sheng Yen's early days at CMC, Nung Chan Monastery, and during the establishment of DDM, some of which even senior followers had never heard of. The participants all fondly remembered the founder of DDM, Master Sheng Yen, and were thankful for all the teachings he has given, both by example and by word.


Ven. Guo Jiun encouraged everyone to recite the Lotus Sutra, using it to practice sutra prostration, and even adopt the teachings in the sutra as their lifelong practice. According to many practitioners who took the Venerable's advice, they have gained a lot of beneficial insights from reciting the Lotus Sutra. In addition, Ven. Guo Jiun shared what he had learned while studying and making pilgrimages in India, as well as the wholesome karmic affinity built between virtuous friends along their paths of diligent cultivation. By telling these stories, he exhorted everyone to practice earnestly to repay the infinite compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the patriarchs, and Master Sheng Yen, all of whom allow us to learn the Dharma in this life.

One of the attendees posed the following question: there are many stories in the Lotus Sutra. In addition, it is also mentioned that all the Buddhas in the past have recounted the Lotus Sutra. In this case, which passages constitute the main body of the Lotus Sutra? Is the content of the Lotus Sutra that each Buddha imparted identical? Ven. Guo Jiun replied that those lines which relate to the concepts of "the three yanas direct towards one yana (ekayāna)" and "uniting three yanas into one," should be the narration of the Lotus Sutra. As their doubts were cleared by the Venerable's explanation, the participants were immersed in Dharma joy. They indicated that while being able to listen to the introduction to the Lotus Sutra in the U.S. during these few days, they felt as if they had been at a Vulture Peak assembly, and that they were grateful for this precious opportunity to learn the Dharma.



Photo and original Chinese text / Chan Meditation Center
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL