[One Thousand Characters a Day] The Lotus Sutra for Humanities Readers <2> - May You Attain Enlightenment

Editor's NoteThe Lotus Sutra, a representative early Mahayana scripture and the prototype of the widely popular in East Asian Buddhist circles, has long been called "the king of all sutras." It expounds teachings that connect not only with the early Buddhist scriptures such as the but also with the philosophies of Prajnaparamita, Pure Land, and Avatamsaka, making it a scripture that synthesizes existing Buddhist thought. Just as all waters flow and gather into the sea, it embraces all Buddhist teachings, earning it the title "the starting point and the destination of the Buddha's teachings." Professor Ha Young-su, author of , completed his undergraduate and master's degrees at Komazawa University in Japan and earned his doctorate on the Lotus Sutra at Geumgang University. While exploring the original philosophy of the Lotus Sutra, he also contemplates what meaning this scripture can offer to our contemporary era. Word count: 772.

Korean Buddhists always conclude their Dharma assemblies by saying "Seongbul haseyo" (成佛, "May you attain Buddhahood") as a customary greeting. These days, this phrase is also used on social media. When you think about it, this is quite an extraordinary expression. In religions founded by a specific individual, the founder is usually revered and worshipped, but it is generally not accepted that followers can reach the same level as the founder.

However, the phrase "Seongbul haseyo" means that we all should reach the same state as the founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha, who lived on this land about 2,500 years ago. Using this as a casual greeting is truly astonishing.

Did you know that a similar expression appears in the ?

The features a bodhisattva called "Sangbulgyeong" (常不輕, "Never Disparaging"). This bodhisattva, whenever meeting anyone, would say, "You too should practice the bodhisattva path. Then you can attain Buddhahood." His actions embody the philosophy of the , and this is essentially the same as Buddhists wishing each other "Seongbul haseyo" during Dharma assemblies.

Indeed, the teaches that all sentient beings can attain Buddhahood. It is the "Buddhahood of all beings." This is the truth that the speaks of, as opposed to expedient means, as mentioned earlier.

Along with this, the "Four Great Vows" (Sahong Seowon, 四弘誓願) recited during Dharma assemblies also originate from the . A vow is a firm determination to live an altruistic life. These vows and the attainment of Buddhahood are fundamental to Mahayana Buddhism. It would not be an exaggeration to say they constitute the entirety of Mahayana Buddhism.

- Ha Young-su, , Bulgwang Publishing, 16,000 KRW