. . . “a great occurrence not to be missed.”

From Thich Nhat Hahn’s “Buddhahood in Three Dimensions” Historical, Ultimate, and Action. Inspired by this morning’s meditation with The Threefold Lotus Sutra 11/20/17:

  Chapter 1 of the Lotus Sutra takes us to Vulture Peak, near the city of Rajagriha in the kingdom of Magadha (present-day northeast India), where the Buddha has gathered with a large assembly of disciples . . . tens of thousands of great bodhisattvas in attendance . . . also present many thousands of gods, the ruler of Magadha, King Ajatashatru, his royal family and retinue. This vast multitude of many different kinds of beings is present in the assembly when the Buddha is about to deliver the Lotus Sutra.

  This not only sets the stage for the delivery of the sutra in the historical dimension, but also reveals the ultimate dimension. The vast numbers of shravakas and bodhisattvas, the presence of gods and mythical beings, give us our first taste of the ultimate dimension and show us that the opportunity to hear the Lotus Sutra delivered by the Buddha is something very special, a great occurrence not to be missed. . .

  The Buddha sends out a ray of light from his brows, symbolizing the cosmic openness of an enlightened being, illuminating various cosmic realms. The entire assembly is able to see these worlds appear very clearly, and everyone is most surprised and delighted at the wonderful event taking place around them. In all these worlds, buddhas could be seen giving dharma talks to great assemblies of bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas and upasikas—exactly like the Buddha’s disciples in this world.  / / /

  From meditation, a direction for fearless teachers, like lions: to cause living beings to rejoice in hearing, each in their own world, proclaiming the good Law by various reasonings and innumerable illustrations, revealing the Buddha-law and open the understanding of all creatures. Chapter One, Introductory, The Lotus Sutra:

I see also the buddhas,
the holy masters, fearless in teaching the Law, the lions,
expounding the sutra,
mystic and supreme;
their voices clear and pure
send forth softly, sounding tones,
teaching the bodhisattvas
in numberless countless myriads;
their sacred voices, deep and mystic,
cause living beings to rejoice in hearing;
each in their own world,
proclaiming the good Law
by various reasonings
and innumerable illustrations,
reveal the Buddha-law
and open the understanding of all creatures. . .