For example, in chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra, “A Parable,” when Shakyamuni gave an assurance of buddhahood to Shariputra, one of the ten great disciples, who was called the “foremost in wisdom,” he explained the karmic connection with Shariputra from past lives: “Shariputra, long ago I instructed you to aspire to the Buddha Way.”
Also, in the passage about the assurance of buddhahood given to Ananda, who served as Shakyamuni’s attendant for many years, Shakyamuni says:
“Good children, Ananda gave rise to the aspiration to Supreme Perfect Awakening at the very same time as I did, when we were together in the presence of the buddha King of Emptiness. Ananda always took pleasure in listening and learning, while I was always making diligent effort in practice. For this reason, I have already attained Supreme Perfect Awakening” (the Lotus Sutra, chapter 9, “The Assurance Given to Those Trained and Still in Training”).
Upon hearing these words, Ananda immediately recalls the great vow he made in his past life.
It’s not only great disciples like Shariputra and Ananda who are bound to the Buddha like this by precious “karmic connections” from past lives. It’s the same for us. We, too, have always harbored a wish to meet the Buddha every time we have been reborn.
In the “Dharma Teachers” chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha explains it in the following way:
“You should know, Medicine King, that such people have already paid homage to ten thousand million buddhas and have completed a great vow in the presence of those buddhas. Out of compassion for living beings, they will be born in this human realm.”
This is an extremely important passage.
“Such people” (meaning, us) are those who, in their past lives, made the bodhisattva vow to honor infinite numbers of buddhas and liberate countless living beings. Though they could be reborn in a pure land, Shakyamuni explains that out of compassion for the suffering beings in this world filled with hardship, they have been born into this human realm filled with hardship.
In reality, we have completely forgotten about such past lives. However, even though we may have forgotten, memories of those past lives are inscribed somewhere in our hearts.
In a familiar example, since birth, we have learned all sorts of things from many people. It’s likely that we learned many things not only from our parents but also from elementary and middle school teachers as well as elderly members of the community. It’s normal for us to have completely forgotten those teachings, but on occasion, we might recall, Ah, I remember being taught such a thing by such a person.
Our karmic connection with the Buddha is similar, but it’s something even deeper. And even if you happen to forget it, there comes a time when the conditions come to fruition, and you realize that you are connected to the Buddha through a precious karmic bond.
Viewed in this way, the reason you are now encountering the Buddha’s teachings and diligently practicing the Buddhist path is because of the karmic connection you had with the Buddha in a past life. You are individuals who have accumulated such merit. I hope you can deeply appreciate this from the bottom of your heart.
And if you do, you will undoubtedly feel an indescribable peace of mind knowing that, as I continually say, “The Buddha is always by your side, watching over you.”
Bodai no me o okosashimu [Germinating the Seeds of Awakening] (Kosei Publishing, 2018), pp. 55–57
Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, in 1906. A longtime advocate of cooperation and dialogue between the world’s religious faiths, Rev. Niwano promoted interreligious understanding as honorary chairman of Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan), honorary president of Religions for Peace, and in various other capacities. He is the author of several books on Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, and spirituality, such as Buddhism for Today, Lifetime Beginner, Buddhism for Everyday Life, and more. Rev. Niwano passed away in 1999 at the age of 92.
