不輕菩薩流通法華
Never-Disparaging Bodhisattva Spreads the Lotus Sutra
乃往古昔最初威音王如來像法之中增上慢比丘。有大勢力。爾時有一比丘名常不輕。是比丘凡見四眾皆悉禮拜讚嘆而作是言。我深敬汝等。不敢輕慢。汝等皆行菩薩道。當得作佛。而是比丘不專讀誦經典。但行禮拜。四眾之中有生瞋恚心不淨者。惡口罵詈言。是無智比丘。從何所來。我等不用如是虗妄授記。眾人或以杖木瓦石而打擲之。避走遠住。猶高聲唱言。我不敢輕於汝等。汝等皆當作佛。以其常作是語。故號之為常不輕。是比丘臨欲終時。於虗空中具聞威音王佛先所說法華經。悉能受持。即得六根清淨。廣為人說是法華經。時不輕者。釋迦文是。若我宿世不受持此經為他人說者。不能疾得菩提。法華文句問曰。釋迦出世。踟躕不說。不輕一見。造次而言。何也。答。本已有善。釋迦以小而將護之。本未有善。不輕以大而強毒之。南屏清辯蘊齊頌曰。寶劒未施藏玉匣。七星寒影已熒熒。殷勤說向傍人道。內有龍泉不可輕。
In ancient times, during the age of the semblance Dharma of the Buddha Majestic Voice King, there were arrogant monks with great influence. At that time, there was a monk named Never Disparaging. Whenever he encountered members of the fourfold assembly, he would bow to them and praise them, saying: "I deeply revere you all, I dare not look down on you. You are all practicing the Bodhisattva path and will attain Buddhahood."
This monk did not focus on reciting scriptures but simply practiced bowing. Some in the fourfold assembly, with anger and impure minds, cursed him: "This ignorant monk—where does he come from? We don't need such false predictions!" Some struck him with sticks, tiles, or stones. He would run away and stand far off, yet still call out loudly: "I dare not disparage you—you will all become Buddhas!"
Because he always said this, he became known as Never Disparaging. When this monk was about to pass away, he heard the voice of the Buddha Majestic Voice King from the sky, teaching the Lotus Sutra exactly as it had been proclaimed before. He was able to fully receive and uphold it, thereby purifying his six senses, and then widely taught the Lotus Sutra to others.
The one known as Never Disparaging was Shakyamuni himself. If in my past lives I had not upheld this Sutra and taught it to others, I could not have attained enlightenment so quickly.
**Question on the Lotus Sutra:** When Shakyamuni appeared in the world, he hesitated and did not immediately teach. Yet Never Disparaging, upon first meeting people, directly addressed them. Why was this?
**Answer:** For those who already had good roots, Shakyamuni used gentle methods to protect them. For those who lacked good roots, Never Disparaging used the Great Dharma to forcefully awaken them.
**Verse by Qingbian Yinqi of Nanping:**
> The precious sword, yet unsheathed, rests in its jade box; > Its seven-star cold gleam already shines bright. > He earnestly tells the people gathered round: > "Within lies the Dragon Spring—do not take it lightly!"