Observations placeholder

The Lotus sutra – translated by Burton Watson

If after I have entered extinction
a person can honour and uphold this sutra,
his blessings will be immeasurable,
as I have described above.
It is as though he had supplied
all manner of alms,
erecting a tower for the Buddha's relics
adorned with the seven treasures
and with a central pole very tall and wide
that tapers gradually as it reaches the Brahma heaven.

Jeweled bells by the thousand, ten thousand, million,
move in the wind, emitting a wonderful sound.

And for immeasurable kalpas
he offers alms to this tower,
flowers, incense, various kinds of necklaces,
heavenly robes and assorted musical instruments,
and burns fragrant oil and lamps of butter oil
that constantly light up the area around.

In the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law
if there is someone who can uphold this sutra,
it will be as though he supplied all the alms
described above………………

How much more so if one upholds this sutra
and at the same time dispenses alms, keeps the precepts,
is forbearing, delights in meditation,
and never gives way to anger or evil speaking.

If one displays reverence toward memorial towers,
humbles himself before monks,
gives a wide berth to an arrogant mind,
constantly ponders upon wisdom
and is never angry when asked difficult questions
but responds compliantly with an explanation-
if one can carry out such practices,
his merits will be beyond measure.