Bodhisattva Never Disparaging
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging
Who Was Bodhisattva Never Disparaging?
The practice of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging is described in the “Never Disparaging,” Chapter 20 of the Lotus Sutra .
His practice provides an example of how to propagate the correct teaching in the evil age after Shakyamuni's passing.
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging appears in the Lotus Sutra as Shakyamuni Buddha in one of his former lifetimes .
His fundamental practice was to respect and revere every person he encountered , regardless of who they were.
The Twenty-Four Character Lotus Sutra
Whenever Bodhisattva Never Disparaging met someone, he would bow respectfully to them and say:
“I have profound reverence for you. I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you will all practice the bodhisattva way and will then be able to attain Buddhahood.”
This is known as the Twenty-Four Character Lotus Sutra , because the phrase consists of twenty-four Chinese characters in the sutra's text.
These words express the essential philosophy of the Lotus Sutra:
Every person possesses Buddha nature and therefore deserves respect.
Never Disparaging's Perseverance
Not everyone accepted his teaching.
Arrogant people attacked Bodhisattva Never Disparaging by throwing rocks and hitting him with sticks .
Despite being attacked and persecuted, he did not abandon his practice.
He continued to respect and praise the people who opposed him.
The Lotus Sutra explains that through the benefit deriving from this practice, Never Disparaging ultimately attained Buddhahood .
Respect for Others and Human Behavior
The Latter Day of the Law is described as an age of contention and conflict.
The practice of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging shows that one important way to overcome conflict and create a society of humanity and peace is for people to:
Believe in their own Buddha nature.
Believe in the Buddha nature of others.
Respect every person.
Act consistently in accordance with that respect.
Buddhism therefore teaches that respecting others is one of the highest forms of human behavior .
The Purpose of Buddhism
Nichiren Daishonin emphasizes the importance of human behavior in The Three Kinds of Treasure :
“The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the ‘Never Disparaging’ chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being.”
— The Three Kinds of Treasure , WND-1, 851–52
The Daishonin is emphasizing that the purpose of Buddhism is manifested through our behavior as human beings .
Like Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, we should believe in the Buddha nature inherent in ourselves and others and act in accordance with that belief by respecting people .
Key Points to Remember
Chapter 20 of the Lotus Sutra = “Never Disparaging.”
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging represents Shakyamuni Buddha in a former lifetime .
His fundamental practice was to respect and revere every person .
He respected people regardless of whether they accepted or rejected his teaching.
His teaching is expressed through the Twenty-Four Character Lotus Sutra .
Key message: Every person possesses Buddha nature and can attain Buddhahood.
He was attacked with rocks and sticks but continued to respect those who persecuted him.
Through persevering in this practice, Never Disparaging attained Buddhahood .
The practice teaches us to believe in the Buddha nature of ourselves and others .
Respect for others is essential for creating a society of humanity and peace .
“The heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the ‘Never Disparaging’ chapter.”
The Three Kinds of Treasure teaches that “the purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha... lies in his behavior as a human being.”
Exam takeaway: The practice of Never Disparaging = respecting every person based on the belief that everyone possesses Buddha nature.