Praise
I’ll bet that generally you enjoy being complimented or praised. It is a good feeling knowing that someone noticed something you did and took the time to acknowledge your effort. It may even make you smile for a moment.
I counted the number of times the word praise appears in the Lotus Sutra. Yes I know that sounds crazy, but that’s the way I am. I love numbers; they make me feel warm and fuzzy. The word praise appears 73 times in the Lotus Sutra, by my count.
It’s true many of those uses refer to other praising the Buddha. Consider this for a moment though, before you write those off. When you praise someone they not only appreciate your compliment, but they also are aware that you noticed, you understood, you connected with their effort. So those praises given to the Buddha also communicated the connection his disciples made with his teachings.
“She worshipped his feet with her head, retired, stood to one side, and praised him with gathas: You know the sins and merits of all living beings. You illumine the worlds of the ten quarters.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XII)
A lot of the use of praise is also the Buddha praising the effort of some person or group of people for their actions. When someone likes what you do and says so it encourages you to continue doing that same thing, it also gives you courage to continue.
“Do you see this Purna, the son of Maitrayani? I always praise him, saying that he is the most excellent expounder of the Dharma. I also praise him for his various merits.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter VIII)
“The Buddhas of those worlds praised him, saying simultaneously, ‘excellent, excellent, good man! All you did was a true endeavor. You made an offering to us according to the true Dharma.’” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XXIII)
Then there are the uses where praise is given to the Dharma, the teachings. This sort of praise awakens within us the joy and confidence that what we believe in is beneficial in our lives.
“Anyone who rejoices at hearing the Dharma and utters even a single word in praise of it should be considered to have already made offerings to the past, present, and future Buddhas.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter II)
When we can offer sincere and honest praise for something it has the positive effect of encouraging a joyful heart in ourselves as well. Praise given is like a precious gift we may give to our most cherished love.
