“Suppose the various trees and grasses… including herbs growing in the thickets, forests, mountains, ravines, and valleys, on the ground, and by the rivers –
All these plants being different in names and forms –
Were covered with a dark cloud, and then watered by a rainfall at the same time. “Simile of Herbs chapter Lotus Sutra
Been thinking a lot recently about how the Lotus Sutra invites us to not simply respect our differences it celebrates them as well as calls on each of is to more deeply understand and grow together.
We are all differently abled. We have different natures, appearances, entities, powers and causes as we are taught in the Junyoze or Ten Suchnesses found in chapter II. These differences are not greater, more important or less so, than those of others. These are not permanent unchanging and it is up to each of us to grow with them and understand them as they relate to our own enlightenment.
Before any teacher, coach, guide, or friend can truly assist us they first need to respect us as we are.
This is one of the beautiful things about the Lotus Sutra. It names and lifts us the infinite variety of labels, classifications, differences which make each of us truly unique live forms. Even animals and plants are different yet in all of these differences we share equally the enlightenment of the Buddha.
No place in the Lotus Sutra do we find a requirement to ignore, suppress, or be rid of our unique differences. Yet in no place do we find that each of our identities is more important or better or worse than those of others. No place does it teach us to cast off our identity. Rather we are exhorted to reveal our true nature our true identity as uniquely different Buddhas with uniquely different abilities to teach and lead others who may find similarities with us.
Be the Buddha you are, not the Buddha others demand, expect, or say you must be.
