Excerpt from the The Stories of the Lotus Sutra Reading: Excerpt from the The Stories of the Lotus Sutra The Dragon Princess pps. 158-159

Hoza Discussion Chapter 12 “Devadatta” Dragon Girl Second half of 12

Dragon King’s Daughter Wisdom Accumulation and Abundant Treasures think that the teaching is finished. As they were heading home, Shakyamuni invited them to stay and meet Manjushri who has been teaching the Supreme Dharma to beings under the sea, in the palace of the Dragon King.

After introductions, Wisdom Accumulated asked Manjushri, “Since you have been teaching in the dragon palace how many beings have you liberated?” Manjushri said, “Immeasurable numbers.”

Wisdom Accumulated then asked, “Is there any being who has attained buddhahood?” Manjushri answered: “ Yes, the eight year old daughter of the Dragon King.” As Wisdom Accumulated expressed his doubt, the Dragon King’s daughter suddenly appeared.

Shariputra said to the girl – “A woman is not qualified to become a buddha.” (It takes incalculable time, diligent practice, mastering the Six Perfections and no obstacles like females have…) “Mind-blowing” for Accumulated Wisdom and Shariputra: - a female? - a young girl? - instant Enlightenment? The thirty-two marks of a buddha always include references to the male sex organ, therefore, it was always assumed that a buddha must be male. This thought went unchallenged in India and most of East Asia. The exception to this was in China where the Indian bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was transformed into Kwan Yin or Kazeon in Japanese, the bodhisattva Regarder of the Cries of the World, who is both male and female and widely recognized in East Asia not only as a bodhisattva but also a buddha. It is not surprising that the listeners to this story were astounded that the buddha was a girl.

She gave no answer except to present the Buddha with a pearl worth the 3,000 great thousand fold world. The Buddha joyfully accepted her gift

She asked Wisdom Accumulation and Shariputra: “Did the Buddha accept this jewel?” They answered: “Yes, immediately.” She then tells them that as quickly as he took the pearl, she will become a buddha. At once, she appeared in masculine form, and as a buddha, presented the Lotus Sutra to beings in a spotless southern realm.

First Interpretation This is a cultural and historical reference In ancient India, women were not well respected. Since this was a “revolutionary” idea; having her change from a woman into a man was the most believable way to introduce the Enlightenment of women in this teaching. Buddha’s Tactful Method

The Lotus Sutra The only Buddhist sutra to address the Enlightenment of women In all of world history, perhaps this is the earliest, clear call for equality of men and women

Second Interpretation Buddhism requires both Wisdom and Compassion To most women, compassion comes naturally (nurturers). To most men, reasoning and discernment comes naturally. For enlightenment to occur, there must be a balance of both. Men develop more “heart”, and women develop more “mind.” When the Dragon King’s daughter changed into a man – she symbolically gained the male aspect to achieve balance, and therefore was easily able to achieve Enlightenment. Buddhism requires both Wisdom and Compassion To most women, compassion comes naturally (nurturers). To most men, reasoning and discernment comes naturally. For enlightenment to occur, there must be a balance of both. Men develop more “heart”, and women develop more “mind.” When the Dragon King’s daughter changed into a man – she symbolically gained the male aspect to achieve balance, and therefore was easily able to achieve Enlightenment. We should consider that this story comes to us as a gift from the Buddha – is an opportunity for us to become more awakened, especially with respect to gender issues.

Symbolism Eight year old girl = direct mind and heart of a child Dragon palace = people of a lower (under the sea) cultural level The princes left the palace = Palace is a symbol of luxury and comfort – in order to come into the world to help others by becoming a buddha, she had to leave it The Pearl = Faith

Buddha’s immediate acceptance of the pearl: By and through faith, one can directly go to the mind of the Buddha (Reasoning alone, has never led to transformation that comes from sudden perception in the depths of the spirit) The immediacy of the child and a dragon child no less becoming a buddha is really more astounding than the fact that the child was female. All throughout the teachings, it is often repeated that the way to becoming a buddha is long and arduous. There was great controversy in Japan and China whether or not sudden awakening is possible. What we find in the Dharma Flower Sutra can be taken as another example of its tolerance of diverse views. Taken as a whole, we can say that it usually a long and difficult path, but there can be exceptions. Rather than making a big doctrinal statement, a simple story is offered to get us thinking. We have to remember that the dragon princess had already attained – she was already a bodhisattva who aspired to become a buddha. So she had already make considerable progress on the Way and demonstrated great compassion become becoming a buddha suddenly.. Therefore she was especially ready to become a buddha.

With the advance of civilization, people tend to manipulate religious teachings solely in the light of reason. “Reason” is vitally important, and along with “Faith”, creates the proper balance on the Path. But the lesson of this story is : Though the girl didn’t have an advanced mind, she did have a selflessness of heart, and pure faith in the Buddha, which caused her to enter the state of True Perception.

Although the second important lesson of this chapter is the acknowledgment of a female’s ability to attain Enlightenment … Perhaps what is even more remarkable is the change of heart/mind that occurred in Wisdom Accumulated and Shariputra. Prejudice was eliminated

What Does This Mean For Us? To confirm the vastness and perfection of the Buddha’s teachings Know that ALL living beings EQUALLY possess the Buddha-Nature With a pure and sincere mind/heart, anyone can attain buddhahood immediately

Important Points from Devadatta Evil people can become buddhas (if freed from illusion by deep practice) We can transform set backs into advantages Do not return hatred for hatred (How? Raise compassion for their suffering) Buddha showed appreciation for Devadatta (We are always an example: Good? Bad?)

Devadatta and the Dragon King’s daughter are concrete examples of Buddha’s teaching – “All beings have Buddha-Nature” Confirms previous life experiences Positions can switch in lifetimes

Discussion Male and female – different but equal? How do we meet, accept, and practice to overcome negative feelings? Use Buddha’s eyes

Final Thought Your practice should involve developing the ability to see the Buddha-Nature in everyone!