1. Deep Compassion of Shakyamuni Buddha
“Every day, I am thinking:
‘How can I lead all living beings
to enter the unsurpassed Way
so as to quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?’” (Lotus Sutra 16: 3.23)
2. Law of Emptiness
“Why is this so? Because Tathagata completely perceives the true characteristics of the Threefold World as they are: there is no birth or death, no ebbing or arising. Neither is there present existence and subsequent extinction, substantial reality or fictitious imagination, same or different. These characteristics of realities are not what one perceives them to be while living in the Threefold World. Tathagata has clearly and unmistakably seen all these.” (Lotus Sutra 16: 1.10)
3. Buddha is Eternal; Life is Eternal
“It has been an immensely long period of time since I became a Buddha. My lifespan is immeasurable asamkhya kalpas. Eternal and immortal, I have always been dwelling here without ever entering parinirvana.” (Lotus Sutra 16: 1.12)
4. The Buddha as a Supreme Being
“ ‘For those who have not gained deliverance, I will deliver them. For those who have not been enlightened, I will enlighten them. For those who have not been peaceful, I will bestow peace for them. For those who have yet to attain nirvana, I will lead them to nirvana. I understand the present and future lifetimes just as they are. I am the Omniscient. I am the Omnispective. I know the Way, I open the Way, and I expound the Way. All of you heavenly gods, humans, and asuras, come to me and listen to my Law!’” (Lotus Sutra 5: 1.7)
5. Deep Compassion of Bodhisattva Avalokitasvara (Guan Yin)
“Do not have doubts!
Always keep in mind
the holy and pure Bodhisattva Avalokitasvara.
He is the one in whom you can take refuge
in the midst of suffering, agony, death, and calamity.” (Lotus Sutra 25: 2.23)
6. Joy Towards Buddhahood
“Since all of you are awakened to the fact that
all Buddhas, the Teachers of the Worlds,
apply the expedient methods to teach the Law,
have no further doubts and
let your hearts be filled with immense joy!
For you know you will also become Buddhas!” (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.100)
7. Be Kind and Gentle, You Will Attain Buddhahood
“After the parinirvana of Buddhas,
if there are people who are
kind-hearted, gentle, and charitable,
all these living beings
have already attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.39)
8. The Buddha lives within us
“Places in which children of the Buddha dwell
belong to the Buddha himself.
Whenever they are walking, sitting, or resting,
the Buddha lives within them.” (Lotus Sutra 17: 3.26)
9. Lotus Sutra is the King of all Sutras
“Among all shravakas and pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas are the foremost. So is the Lotus Sutra; among all sutras, it is the foremost! Just as the Buddha is the King of the Law, so is the Lotus Sutra; it is the King of all Sutras!” (Lotus Sutra 23: 2.8)
10. The Lotus Sutra is a Wish-Granting Jewel
“The Lotus Sutra is able to save all living beings. The Lotus Sutra is able to deliver all living beings from excruciating pains and bitter suffering. The Lotus Sutra is able to bring abundant benefits and blessings to all living beings, fulfilling all their desires, hopes, and dreams.” (Lotus Sutra 23: 2.9)
Related: Lotus Sutra Quotes Part 2
More quotes are available in the Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras
