Equally along with me . . .

  The Buddha in the Lotus Sutra offers many instances for “following the Buddha-way.” His desire is to fulfill a vow made long ago:

Long ago I made a vow,
wishing to cause all creatures
to rank equally without difference with me.
According to the vow I made of old,
now all has been perfectly fulfilled
for converting all living beings
and leading them to enter the Buddha-way.
Whenever I meet any creatures
I teach them all by the Buddha-way.
The unwitting remain confused
and going astray, never accept my teaching.

  Following the path of the Buddha is quite simple. It’s not to stand outside his offerings of mindfulness, but to instill them within our hearts and minds and practice them. Here, a stunning example resonating to our lives in today’s world:

  With one transcendent voice I proclaim this meaning, constantly taking the Great-vehicle as my subject. I look upon all living beings everywhere with equal eyes, without distinction of persons, or mind of love or hate. I have no predilections nor limitations nor partiality; ever to all beings I preach the Law equally; as to one person, so to all. Constantly I proclaim the Law, never occupied with aught else; going or coming, sitting or standing, I never weary of pouring it abundantly upon the world, like the rain enriching universally. Honored and humble, high and low, law-keepers and law-breakers, those of perfect character and those of imperfect, orthodox and heterodox, quick-witted and dull-witted, with equal mind I rain the rain of the Law unwearyingly.