8 Expedient Ways to Attain Buddhahood as Expounded in the Lotus Sutra

8 Expedient Ways to Attain Buddhahood as Expounded in the Lotus Sutra

There is only one Buddhahood but immeasurable gateways to attain the same goal.

In Chapter 2: Expedient Methods, the Buddha declares that all his teachings, be it early, middle or latter teachings, derive from the One Buddha-Vehicle. This means that people who embrace Buddhism – regardless of whether it is Theravada, Mahayana or Vajrayana – will eventually reach the shore of Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. This declaration of universal enlightenment is wonderfully illustrated in the Parable of the Blazing House.

As a result of the Buddha’s skillful means of delivering the Law of Buddhahood, immeasurable living beings of different natures, desires, and capacities are able to eventually become a Buddha.

Here are the 8 expedient ways to attain Buddhahood as expounded in Chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra:

Quote #1

“After the parinirvana of the 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)

Quote #2

If there are people who live in the wilderness

and build a temple for the Buddha using the earth,

or even children who, in their play,

gather sands to build a Buddha tower,

these people have already

attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.42)

Quote #3

“If there are people who, for the sake of the Buddha,

create images and forms

through carving, engraving, and sculpturing into statues,

they have already attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.43)

Quote #4

“Some use the seven treasures

such as precious metals, red and white copper,

pewter, lead, or tin,

iron, wood, or clay;

some use clothes soaked in resin or paint

to adorn the Buddha’s images.

These people have already

attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.44)

Quote #5

“Some draw and paint the Buddha’s images

that are adorned with forms of a hundred blessings;

irrespective of whether it is a self-painting or by commission,

they have already attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.45)

Quote #6

“If there are people with joyful hearts

who sing songs to praise the Buddha’s virtues,

even if they sing softly,

they have already attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.50)

Quote #7

“If there are people with troubled minds

who enter the pagodas or temples,

and utter but one single phrase of devotion:

‘Homage to the Buddha!’

they have already attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.54)

Quote #8

“If there are people who hear this teaching,

from one of the present or former Buddhas,

or the Buddhas who have entered parinirvana,

they have already attained Buddhahood. (Lotus Sutra 2: 5.55)