“buddhahood in three dimensions” by thich nhat hahn – Summary (2) continues, again noting all quotations from the sutra are from daily morning meditation, many of which have been memorized over the years—a method followed by others devoted to the Lotus Sutra to relive and celebrate the life and teachings of the Buddha on a daily basis.] Also that “Buddhahood in Three Dimensions” is a copyrighted article published by Lion’s Roar Magazine / newsletter at lion's roar.  

In order to understand the great importance of this teaching, the assembly that had gathered in this historical dimension had to be introduced to the ultimate dimension. In the past, in another cosmic realm, the Buddha Sun Moon Light had also given the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. So the miraculous events that were happening that day were only a repetition of something that had already occurred in another dimension of reality—the ultimate dimension, which is unbounded by our ordinary perceptions of time and space.

  As far as the historical dimension is concerned, Shakyamuni was the buddha who was giving the dharma talk that day. From this perspective, the Buddha gave teachings for forty years, and then only at the end of his life did he give the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. But in terms of the ultimate dimension, Buddha Shakyamuni and Buddha Sun Moon Light are one and the same. In the ultimate dimension, never for a moment has the Buddha ceased to deliver the Lotus Sutra.

  Thus does Nhat Hahn greatly enhance morning meditation with the Lotus Sutra; as this morning contemplating the passages alluded to in the first entry of this summary, and here, also from Chapter 1, Introductory, we instinctively realize we are functioning in our mindfulness in more than with just the history contained in the Lotus Sutra, but dwelling in the ultimate dimension with the Buddha:

  “All ye good sons and daughters! in time of yore, infinite, boundless, inconceivable asankhyeya kalpas ago, there then was a buddha styled Sun Moon Light Tathagata, Worshipful, All Wise, Perfectly Enlightened in Conduct, Well Departed, Understander of the World, Peerless Leader, Controller, Teacher of Gods and Living Beings, Buddha, World-honored One. He proclaimed the Right Law, which is good at its commencement, good in its middle, and good at the end; which is profound in its meaning, subtle in its terms, pure and unadul­terated, perfect, flawless, and noble in practice. For those who sought to be shravakas he preached response to the Law of the Four Noble Truths for the overcoming of birth, old age, disease and death, and finally leading to nirvana; for those who sought pratyekabuddhahood he preached response to the Law of the Twelve Causes; for the bodhisattvas he preached response to the Six Paramitas to cause them to attain Perfect Enlightenment and to accomplish perfect knowledge . . .”

Further I see tathagatas who of themselves
have accomplished the Buddha-way,
their appearance like mountains of gold,
very wonderful in their majesty
As within pure lapis lazuli a real golden image is made apparent,
so the world-honored one in the great assembly
expounds the meaning of the profound Law.
In each of the buddha-lands are shravakas innumerable;
by the shining of the Buddha's ray
their great host is completely visible.
Besides there are the bhikshus who, dwelling in the mountain forests,
zealously advance and keep the pure commandments
as if they are protecting bright jewels.
And I also see bodhisattvas who practice donations and perseverance,
as the sands of the Ganges in number
by the radiance of the Buddha's ray.

Now the Buddha sends forth a ray
to help reveal the Truth of Reality.
Be aware, all of you!
Fold your hands and with all your mind await!
The Buddha will pour the rain of the law
to satisfy those who seek the Way.
If those who seek after the three vehicles
have any doubts or regrets,
the Buddha will rid them of them
so that none whatever shall remain.

  Continuing with our meditation / contemplation, we embark upon a great adventure with the Buddha in Chapter 2, “Tactfulness” or “Expedient Means,” as he delineates for his followers the difference between the “tactful method” of preaching the Lotus Sutra only for those who in dwell in worlds of “learning” and “self-attained enlightenment,” although he is really preaching only for bodhisattvas, and that all enlightened ones who preceded him and “presently in the world in all directions” teach only the One Buddha vehicle, as Nhat Hahn has explained: In the ultimate dimension, never for a moment has the Buddha ceased to deliver the Lotus Sutra. In words of the sutra:

All existences from the beginning are ever of the nirvana-nature. When sons or daughters of the Buddha have fulfilled their course, in the world  to come they become buddhas. . . Only by my powers of tactfulness do I manifest the three-vehicle Law. All the world-honored ones expound the One-vehicle Way.