In Present Lifetime
From the perspective of the Lotus Sutra we believe that enlightenment is possible in this lifetime, in this moment. Yet to many people this just seems so difficult to believe, perhaps even impossible to believe.
In the lifetime of the Buddha while it was true that some people were told they could never attain enlightenment, such as the Sravakas, it was still generally believed that eventually it would be possible. Within the narrative of the Lotus Sutra we learn that all of the Buddha’s contemporary disciples would eventually attain the final enlightenment of Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi, whereas Nirvana had previously been the goal.
We might think that it was easier for those people present during the lifetime of the Buddha and shortly afterwards to attain enlightenment. We might believe that it was much easier for them than for us. We might think that it might be next to impossible for us, some 3000 years after the life of the Buddha to attain enlightenment.
So, if we believe that it was easier for those present when the Buddha was alive to attain enlightenment, what would be some of the factors that might lead us to think this way?
One factor might be the presence of the Buddha to always be encouraging his disciples. We might think that because the Buddha was present he could answer questions, guide his followers in their journey on the path. In other words we might think that his presence was a constant encouragement.
Another factor might have been his ever present example of just how to live, how to handle life’s constant challenges. His presence would then be a constant reminder of a good role model.
Another factor might be just the strength of or power of his life and it’s influence on those who associated with him. Even today, just seeing a statue or picture representing the Buddha encourages many people.
We might think that because we live in an age so far removed from the Buddha that we are lacking these influencing factors in our lives. And this is a challenge for many people practicing today.
Part of what we talk about when we refer to having faith in the Lotus Sutra is to develop a living personal connection to the truth of the Lotus Sutra, that one the Buddha is eternal and constantly present another is that we potentially can manifest the infinite relationship between ourselves as Bodhisattvas from Underground and the Eternal Buddha.
Through our faith and practice we are able to manifest the infinite, immediate, continuing relationship with our teacher, our example, our encourager, the Eternal Buddha revealed in Chapter 16.
“I taught these Bodhisattvas, led them, trained them, and caused them to aspire for enlightenment. They lived in the sky below this Saha world. When they were there, they read many sutras, recited them, understood them, thought them over, evaluated them, and remembered them correctly.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XV)
“I always live here. I shall never be extinct. I show my extinction to you expediently although I never pass away. I also expound the unsurpassed Dharma to the living beings of the other worlds if they respect me, believe me, and wish to see me. You have never heard this; therefore, you thought that I pass away.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XVI)
