Lotus Sutra Study Questions 24

Chapter 24 of the Lotus Sutra tells the story of someone named Wonderful Voice bodhisattva (Gadgadasvara in Sanskrit, Myo-on in Japanese).  Much of the chapter gives an elaborate frame narrative that describes Wonderful Voice's intentions toward and relationship with Shakyamuni Buddha.  The portion of this chapter that is likely of most relevance to our sangha's current survey of the sutra overall is this one, in the words of Shakyamuni Buddha:

"This Wonderful-Voice Bodhisattva protects all living beings in this Saha-World.  He transforms himself into one or another of these various living beings in this Saha-World and expounds this sutra to all living beings without reducing his super-natural powers, [his power of] transformation, and his wisdom.  He illumines this Saha-World with the many [rays of light] of his wisdom, and causes all living beings to know what they should know.  He also does the same in the innumerable worlds of the ten quarters, that is, in as many worlds as there are sands in the River Ganges.  He takes the shape of a Sravaka and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Sravaka.  He takes the shape of a Pratyekabuddha and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Pratyekabuddha.  He takes the shame of another Bodhisattva and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Pratyekabuddha.  He takes the shape of a Buddha and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Buddha.  He takes these various shapes according to the capacities of those who are to be saved" (page 313).

Does this recall to memory any themes you have encountered so far in your study of this sutra?  Is it directly in line with these themes, or does it introduce something new or unfamiliar to you? 

Keep an eye on this idea of a Bodhisattva appearing in different forms to suit the capacities of those who need help in future chapters of this sutra.