Because he said this
to people, he was given the name Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. A bodhisattva
is a person who practices Buddhism for the sake of others.
And he was called “Never Disparaging”
because of what he would say to people. To disparage means to look down
on someone, to think ill of that person.
When people heard Bodhisattva
Never Disparaging say this to them, some of them realized what a good person
he was. Some of them bowed in return and thanked him.
But others yelled at him and
cursed him. Some of them said “Who are you to say that to me?” Some of
them said “I don't remember asking anyone to worship me!" Some of them
threw rocks and sticks at him.
People often made fun of Bodhisattva
Never Disparaging. Sometimes he was even beaten. But he never gave up his
way of practice. He really believed that each person he met was a potential
Buddha. No matter how much people spoke ill of him or hated him, he never
doubted this.
And he thought it was only
right to tell people about being a Buddha. He thought they should know
this.
Before he died, Bodhisattva
Never Disparaging was able to hear the Lotus Sutra. His behavior throughout
his life showed great respect for all people. And, in telling people that
they have Buddhahood inside, he saved them from suffering. He was a great
Buddhist teacher.
Eventually, Bodhisattva Never
Disparaging was reborn as Shakyamuni himself.
