One of the earliest (1-3rd Century CE) and longest 30-89 chapters, the Flower Garland Sutra is focusing on the time shortly after Shidhartha Gotoma became awakened– Buddha. Shortly after the First Turning of the Dharma or in Cosmic proportions shortly after the Big-Bang. Remember the earlier teaching was given to the five Asedics with whom Shidhartha had traveled before his visit to the Bodhi tree.
The sutra presents a cosmic vision wherein the nature of reality is presented as a means to show the integrated essence of the universe. No small feat, it lays out in parables, verse, metaphors, and specific examples the what, where, how, who, and when of everything everywhere and all the time.
“In every moment, the entire universe is present.
Each being is the whole, and the whole is each being.
To awaken is to see this directly, to act with boundless compassion.”
It was the center of the Huayan School in China (see Section 1.3).
While not approached as directly as the Lotus Sutra, Dogen seems to champion the Huayan School comprehensive study of the Avatamsaka Sutra:
The Huayan fourfold dharmadhatu is the direct inspiration and starting point for the important Zen teaching of the five ranks by Dongshan (806-869), the founder of the Caodong Chan lineage, later brought to Japan as Soto Zen by Dogen (1200-1253). The five ranks teachings, which detail the five aspects of unfolding of the relationship between the universal and particular, became the philosophical foundation for Zen. This was not only true in the Soto school; Linji (Rinzai in Japanese) also developed teachings that echoed the fourfold dharmadhatu. Hakuin (1686-1769), the great Japanese founder of modern Rinzai Zen, also commented on the five ranks, which remain one of the highest stages in the koan curriculum of modern Rinzai Zen.
I found a thorough summary of the Sutra that will allow us to explore the main points before looking at several of the key teachings. Some of these will be folded into other talks this month and next. Key points:
- Origin and History
- Main Teaching
- Nature of the World
- Nature of Buddhas
- Qualities of Bodhisattvas
- What is Learned and What happens In Practice and Awakening
Here is the portion of the Sutra we will chant
Honor and praise all Buddhas.
Make boundless offerings.
Repent all past karma.
Rejoice in all virtues.
Request the turning of the Dharma wheel.
Request the Buddhas to remain in the world.
Follow the teachings of all Buddhas.
Turn merits to all beings.
May all beings realize the Buddha way.
108 Bows,
Sangaku
Remember FSZS Community Appreciation Service September 27 from 11:00 AM – Noon at the Church of the Messiah, Woods Hole and on Zoom.