A Buddha
consisted of 3 bodies, Dharmakaya, the dharma body which represent
the Ultimate truth to which he was enlightened; Sambhogakaya, the
reward body rewarded through the religious practice; and the
Nirmanakaya, the manifested body of buddha who appears to save the
unenlightened in this world. We believe as per Chapter 16 of Lotus
Sutra, Eternal Shayamuni Buddha is equipped with the 3 bodies. He
is the awaken one whom is free from ignorance and delusion. He able
to see things as they really are.
Hence,
when we look at Jesus Christ, we saw a man of compassion who came
to remind the people to manifest the God’s love in our live by
loving one another. Last time during a discussion, one of our
priests mentioned that perhaps Jesus Christ is a manifested body of
the Buddha. Because Lotus Sutra claimed that Buddha and
Bodhisattvas is able to manifest themselves in any form to teach
the Dharma.
Lotus
Sutra Chapter 25:
“…. he
appears in every such form and preaches to them the law”
“ In the
lands of the universe there is no place where he does not manifest
himself.”
Hence, we
should give due respect to Jesus when we walk into a church. By
placing our hand together to make a bow and chant daimoku 3 times
“Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” as a form of
respect.
At the
same time, we need to note that Jesus is a Nirmanakaya in Nichiren
Buddhist context. He is like a moon reflection on the surface of
the lake. It manifested itself when the sky is clear and the water
is calm. However, we need to look at the source which is the moon
in the sky and that is the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha.
Lastly in our human context, if we view our body
as a reward body. When we respond to needs of people by helping
them, we became the manifested body of Buddha and Bodhisattva too.
We became the hands of the Thousand Arms Kannon. It will make this
world a happier and brighter place.
Gassho
