DESCRIPTION

Chapter Eighteen continues the theme of merit acquisition introduced in the previous chapter. Maitreya Bodhisattva inquires about the merit obtained from hearing and enjoying the Lotus Sutra. Then a ‘chain of giving’ is described wherein: “after people hear and enjoy the sutra, according to what they have heard, they expound it as best they can to their parents, relatives, good friends, and acquaintances. These people, having heard it, will rejoice in turn and teach others; those others will also rejoice and teach further. In this way, it will be passed on until it reaches fifty people.”

The Buddha then explains the merit attained by the final, fiftieth person from their rejoicing at hearing the Dharma, comparing it to a wealthy benefactor who spends their entire life giving material needs to people and then, when they are old and suffering, he gives them the Dharma for their attainment of arhatship.

In a summarizing verse, the Buddha describes the teaching of the True Dharma of Nirvana by the wealthy benefactor thus:

世皆不牢固，　　 如水沫泡焰，　 汝等咸應當，　　 疾生厭離心。　

"The world is not stable, Like foam, bubbles, or flames. You should all Quickly develop a mind of renunciation."