Wait! There might be still hope for those scorners or future
scorners:
This excerpt is from the Lotus Sutra, Chapter 20: Never-Slighting
Bodhisattva
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BTTStexts/Lotus20.htm
Sutra
"Great Strength, what do you think? At
that time, could the Bodhisattva Never-Slighting have been anyone
else? He was none other than myself! Had I not in former lives
received, upheld, read, and recited this Sutra and explained it to
others, I would not have been able to gain Anuttarasamyaksambodhi
so quickly. Because in the presence of former Buddhas I received,
upheld, read, and recited this Sutra and explained it to others, I
quickly gained Anuttarasamyaksambodhi."
Commentary:
Shakyamuni Buddha calls out, "Great Strength, what do you think? At
that time, could the Bodhisattva Never-Slighting have been anyone
else? He was none other than myself, when I was practicing the
Bodhisattva Path as a Bodhisattva. Had I not in former lives
received, upheld, read, and recited this Sutra and explained it to
others, I would not have been able to gain
Anuttarasamyaksambodhi-the utmost, proper and equal, right
enlightenment-so quickly. Because in the presence of former Buddhas
I received, upheld, read, and recited this Sutra and explained it
to others, I quickly gained Anuttarasamyaksambodhi."
Sutra
"Great Strength, because at that time
the four assemblies of Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Upasakas, and Upasikas
hatefully reviled me, for two hundred kotis of
eons they did not encounter a Buddha or hear the
Dharma or meet the Sangha.
For a thousand
eons they suffered great torment in the Avici Hell.
Having received their punishment, they once again encountered
Never-Slighting Bodhisattva, who taught and transformed them to
Anuttarasamyaksambodhi."
Sutra
"Great Strength, what do you think? At
that time could the four assemblies who constantly slighted this
Bodhisattva have been anyone else? They were just Bhadrapala
Bodhisattva and the five hundred Bodhisattvas in this assembly,
Lion Moon and the five hundred Bhikshus, and Ni Sz Buddha and the
five hundred Upasakas, all of whom are irreversible from
Anuttarasamyaksambodhi."
Commentary:
Great Strength, what do you think? At that time could the four
assemblies who constantly slighted this Bodhisattva have been
anyone else?
They were just Bhadrapala Bodhisattva and the five hundred
Bodhisattvas in this assembly. "Bhadrapala" means "good
protection."
In the past he slighted the Bodhisattva, but having been taught and
transformed by him, he is now one of his good protectors, and he
conscientiously follows the rules as well.
That assembly in the past also included Lion Moon and the five
hundred Bhikshus-he spoke the Dharma like a lion and his wisdom was
as bright as the moon. And Ni Sz Buddha and the five hundred
Upasakas, all of whom are irreversible from Anuttarasamyaksambodhi
were there. They have cultivated the Way to the level of
nonretreat. They won't fall back again.
By inference from the above excerpt in Lotus sutra, all those
who slandered/laughed/teased, be it through their expressions,
behaviour or thoughts at those who worship Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
will EVENTUALLY be delivered by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
himself.
But the thing is, are you sure you are willing to suffer so long in
3 evil realms?
There is also light of hope, wisdom and compassion even in the
darkest and deepest of all hells. If not, Amitabha Buddha would
never have attained Buddhahood in the first place.
Amituofo!
