Study Of The "Equality Aspect" In The Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika Sutra) is one of important cannons of Mahayanan Buddhism. The Sutra emphasizes the Unity of the Three Vehicles which are then equally encompassed into the One Vehicle In other words, it states the equality of all beings being able to attain Enlightenment. Thus, followers of the Two Vehicles which were labeled as "impossible to attain Enlightenment as it is for burnt seeds to sprout " will ultimately be conferred the prediction of their future Enlightenment during the Assembly when the Lotus sutra was preached. In the Sutra, starting with Sariputra, the Buddha predicts the future Enlightenment of numerous Svaraka disciples.Through the Sutra's themes of unification and equality, it shows the spirit of all-encompassing which means that it supports the ideal of the equal Enlightenment of all beings (humans). It also expounds the Buddha's teaching of Inter-dependence, the Middle Path; and opposes the Caste system of feudal India. The Sutra holds the view that all beings are equal before Buddha and the relationship between Buddha and beings is likened to a rotating wheel. As long as evil...