The Lotus Sutra is a revered scripture that holds great importance for Buddhists worldwide. It contains profound lessons that are intended to help people understand the true essence of Buddhism. However, many individuals fail to comprehend the bodhicitta, or profound lesson, in it. This is often because they lack the necessary wisdom and knowledge to uncover the true meaning behind the quotes and teachings in the scripture.
To illustrate this point, let us consider the example of a monk who reads a scripture and simply likes some quotes in it because they relate to forgiving kindness. In doing so, they are missing the point entirely. It is crucial to take the time to delve deeply into the teachings and comprehend the connections between various concepts by using our bodhicitta. Failure to do so will result in a shallow understanding of the scripture, which can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstanding.
Many monks misinterpret the meaning of the scripture by focusing more on a quote they like rather than the real lesson or story that the scripture intends to convey. This turns the scripture into a mere religious text that is misunderstood and misinterpreted by many. To avoid this mistake, it is essential to avoid confusion and misguidance for new monks who are trying to learn the true essence of Buddhism.
As mentioned in the previous chapter, a monk should never share something without fully understanding it. It is not helpful to others, and it could lead to the spread of wrong information and misguided beliefs. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a deep understanding of the teachings in the scriptures through careful study and reflection. Afterward, share this knowledge with others only when fully confident in its accuracy and relevance.
It is also important to note that making a profit from this or using it for funeral purposes is not the right way to go since it changes the intended meaning of the scripture, creating more struggles for monks who are trying to learn and understand from it. In conclusion, taking a thoughtful and considered approach to the study of the Lotus Sutra can help to ensure a deep understanding of its teachings and avoid misinterpretation.