The Drama of Cosmic Enlightenment, White Lotus Sutra

Whose eyes betray distinguished wisdom-knowledge;
Whose eyes are pitiful, whose eyes are pure,
O you, so lovable, with beautiful face, with beautiful eyes!
Your lustre is spotless and immaculate,
Your knowledge without darkness, your splendour like the sun,
Radiant like the blaze of a fire not disturbed by the wind,
Warming the world you shine splendidly.
Eminent in your pity, friendly in your words,
One great mass of fine virtues and friendly thoughts,
You appease the fire of defilements which burn beings,
And you rain down the rain of the deathless Dharma.‖
Then read Chapters 7-10, and 25 of the Sūtra in one or another of its full translations, as
well as Edward Conze‘s translation of the Bodhisattva Akśayamati‘s famous paean of
praise to Avalokiteśvara, reproduced below. As you read reflect on one or more of the
questions below:
1. What are the significant different emphases between the ‗Parable of the Drunkard
and the Jewel‘ and the ‗Myth of the Return Journey‘? Which elements of the
parable do you most identify with, and why? What kind of spiritual issues do they
pose for you? Do they bring out any fresh perspectives on how to envisage the
notion of ‗lower‘ and ‗higher‘ self?
2. As symbols, what do you make of ‗sleep‘ and ‗drunkenness‘? How do you relate
to them personally?
3. In what ways does the symbolism of the jewel appeal to you?
4. What are your personal responses to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara? Is a
Bodhisattva particularly associated with compassion meaningful to you? Explore
your personal responses to the myth of Avalokiteśvara‘s birth (attached in the
Appendix) – what do you make of the 11 headed, 1000-armed form?
5. Avalokiteśvara‘s mantra can be literally translated as ‗The Jewel in the Lotus‘ -
what does this suggest to you? Can you explain how a mantra works? How do you
respond to the idea that symbols are not necessarily visual? What place do you see
for music?
Triratna Dharma Training Course for Mitras
Year Four – Module 4: The Drama of Cosmic Enlightenment
Parables, Myths and Symbols of the Saddharma-puṇḍarīka Sūtra
http://freebuddhistaudio.com/study
Page 28 of 150