In the previous chapter, "The Variety of Merits No.17", the merit of spreading the teachings to others was explained in general, so from now on, the merit of spreading the teachings of the Lotus Sutra in "Chapter 18" and "Chapter 19" Will be explained in detail.

In "The merits of a person who rejoices at the hearing this sutra", the merit of the first joy is explained in detail. It is  "THE MERITS" that explains how important it is to listen to the teachings and be truly pleased.

Underlying the teachings of the Lotus Sutra is that one must not live on his own small interests, but must always do his best for others. And what is the first thing to reach such a situation is the first joy.

Maitreya Bodhisattva, who heard the teachings of the four beliefs that the Buddha is in life and five ways after the disappearance of the Buddha in the previous chapter17, asked Sakyamuni Buddha what the merit would be if there was something that would make him happy to hear this Lotus Sutra after the extinction of Tathagata. In response, Sakyamuni Buddha replied:

If a person is happy to hear the Lotus Sutra, tell it to others. Others are also happy to tell the next person. In this way, tell one after another, and suppose that the fiftyth person was pleased to hear. The merit of that joy is greater than the merit of those who have given gold and silver treasures to many people for eighty years, and even greater than the enlightenment of the Arahan by preaching the impermanence of life to them. It says.

It is more important to guide people by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra than the endless material application of the elders. In addition, the position of the Lotus Sutra as Mahayana Buddhism is shown in the fact that it is necessary to wish for the happiness of everyone, not to seek salvation only for oneself.

The first joy is, so to speak, a beginner who is only willing to accept the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Nonetheless, the merit gained is many times greater than the merit of offerings, which the elders practiced throughout their lives, or the enlightenment (Buddhist deliverance) that has reached the end of their rigorous training.

 In other words, even if you are a beginner who is just happy to hear the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, if you go straight ahead, you will surely have entered the path of becoming a Buddha. It is clearly stated here that even if the rank is lifted, as long as it is the salvation of oneself, it is not in the position of praying for the happiness of many people, that is, the position of Mahayana Buddhism. It is.

The first joy is, so to speak, a beginner who is only willing to accept the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Nonetheless, the merit gained is many times greater than the merit of offerings, which the elders practiced throughout their lives, or the enlightenment (Buddhist deliverance) that has reached the end of their rigorous training.

 In other words, even if you are a beginner who is just happy to hear the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, if you go straight ahead, you will surely have entered the path of becoming a Buddha. It is clearly stated here that even if the rank is lifted, as long as it is the salvation of oneself, it is not in the position of praying for the happiness of many people, that is, the position of Mahayana Buddhism. It is.

From Saint Nitijun Tanaka's lecture "Lotus Sutra Lecture, Below"