塔供養の図

今、日月燈明佛の眉間から光が放たれると、東方一萬八千の佛國土が照らし出されます。それらの佛國土では、さかんに塔供養が行われているのが見えます。このような光景が見られることは、「法華経」が演説される前ぶれです。

金子光清 作

The Offering of a Stupa

At this time, Sun-Moon-Light Buddha (Chandrasuryapradipa) released a bright ray of light from his forehead and illuminated eighteen thousand Buddha worlds to the East. And in those Buddha worlds, it is clearly visible that offerings of stupas are practiced. That this kind of spectacle can be observed, signals that the "Lotus Sutra" would soon be expounded.

Sculptor: Kosei Kaneko

三車火宅の図

三車とは、羊・鹿・牛がひく三種の車のことで、火宅とは、燃える家のことです。われわれ凡人は、火宅の中で遊びたわれる子供と同じで何のおそれも感じません。父親は、子供たちを救出するために三つの車を用意したのです。

木嶋江運 作

Three Carts and a Burning House

The three carts are respectively drawn by a sheep, a deer, and a cow, and the burning house represents our troubled world. We people are like children busily playing in what is a burning house, without any fears. The three carts were readied by their caring farther to rescue them.

Sculptor: Koun Kijima

慈雨等潤の図

佛の慈悲深い教えは、あまねく地上を潤す慈雨と同じです。今、雷神と風神が現れて、雨を降らし、大地には、緑があふれ、さまざまな花々が咲きほこります。天人たちも地上の楽園に舞いおりて来ました。

石川信光 作

Thoughtful Rain, Equal Moisture

The deeply benevolent teaching of the Buddha similar to the gentle rain that everywhere dampens soil. Here, the God of lightning and the God of wind appear, and together they let it rain. The great earth is then embraced with a blanket of foliage in which varieties of flowers proudly bloom. With this, the heavenly beings also joyfully dance down to the paradise below.

Sculptor: Shinko Ishikawa

法師修行の図

インドでは、法師たちは森の中や洞窟の中で独り静かに修行しています。しかし、虎や狼の危険があり、心淋しく、修行はきびしいものです。その修行者を励ますために、佛が立ち現われたり、象に乗った普賢ぼさつが姿を現わすのです。

横谷光一 作

The Practices of the Keepers of the Teaching

In India, keepers of Buddha's teaching practiced austerities in the forest and in caves. But with the lurking danger of tigers and the loneliness of solitude, continuing one's austerities wad difficult. So, to encourage the practitioners there would be occasions where Buddha would suddenly appear standing before them or Universal-Sage Bodhisattva (Samantabhadra) would appear riding a white elephant.

Sculptor: Koichi Yokoya

多宝塔出現の図

「法華経」を信仰するところでは、多宝塔(多宝如来の塔)が、地面から湧き出してきて人々の信仰をほめたたえます。人々は歓喜にふるえ、一心にその塔を礼拝します。人々の顔には、法悦のほほえみが浮かんでいます。

石川銀次朗 作

The Appearance of the Tower of Treasures

Where there exists faith in the "Lotus Sutra", the Tower of Treasures, that of Many-Treasured Buddha (Prabhutartans) is said to rise up from under the ground, and applaud the people's faith in the teaching. People's would be around with enthusiasm, and all would respectfully bow towards the tower, with their faces radiating blissfully.

Sculptor: Ginjiro Ishikawa

千載給仕の図

阿私仙という仙人が、「法華経」という尊い教えを持っていました。この仙人について私は千年の間、給仕のまことを捧げ、水を、汲み、薪を拾い、果の実を採り、ある時には仙人の腰掛けになりました。法華経を知りたいための修行でした。

加府藤正一 作

A Rare Opportunity to Serve

There once was a sage by the name of Asita who retained the sacred teaching of the "Lotus Sutra". "For a thousand years, I dedicated myself to the service of this sage, drawing water, gathering firewood, picking fruits, and at times, I even offered myself as this man's seating. All these austerities, I have done, just for the sake of learning the "Lotus Sutra".

Sculptor: Shoichi Kabuto

龍女成佛の図

「法華経」では、女性が成佛できることを説示します。今、龍王の娘で、八才になる智慧にすぐれ弁舌さわやかなこの娘は、多くの教えを理解し、不動の境地に達しました。波の上にあって龍女が宝珠を佛に献げています。

山本一芳 作

Attainment of Buddhahood by the Daughter of a Dragon-king

The "Lotus Sutra" claims that women can attain Buddhahood. Here, a daughter of a dragon-king, just eight years of age, superior in wisdom, and eloquent in her utterances is said to have grasped many teachings, and to have reached a state of unshakable presence. As they meet upon a wave, the Dragon-King's daughter respectfully offers the Buddha a jewel.

Sculptor: Ippo Yamamoto

病即消滅の図

「法華経」は、全世界の人びとの病いの良薬です。もしある人が病いにかかり、この「法華経」を聞く幸運に恵まれたら、たちどころに病いはなおり、不老不死の境地を得ることができるのです。

今関光次 作

Immediate Recovery From Illnesses

The "Lotus Sutra" is the remedy for the illnesses of all the people in this world. When and if one falls ill, and should he fortunate enough to hear this "Lotus Sutra", that individual would be cured instantly, and would assume a state of enduring youth and boundless existence.

Sculptor: Koji Imazaki

常不軽菩薩受難の図　法華経功徳の図

常不軽ぼさつは、「常に人を軽べつしない」という修行をしていましたが、却って迫害を受けました。又、「法華経」は、寒さに火を得たように、子のところに母親が来たように、渡りに舟を得たように、闇に灯りを得たように救いの道を示すのです。

小林直光 作

The Tribulations of Never-Despising Boddhisattva (Sadaparidhuta), The Merits of the "Lotus Sutra"

Despite Never-Despising Boddhisattva's endeavor is the practice of "Never Belitting anyone", he was often ironically met with persecution as he is here. Separately, much as fire is kindled during the cold, as a parent returns, to be with their child, as a vessel is provided for a crossing, or as light brightens the darkness the "Lotus Sutra" points to the path of salvation.

Sculptor: Naomitsu Kobayashi

法師守護の図

「法華経」を受持・読・誦・解説・書写することを、法師の五種の修行と言います。まず、経をたもつことを誓い、読み、あるいは誦して、説き明かし、経文を書写して法華経をひろめます。修行をする法師を天人も阿修羅も協力して守護するのです。

加藤寅之助 作

Guardians of Keepers of the Teaching

To retain, read, memorize, teach, and copy the "Lotus Sutra" is referred to as the five essential austerities of keeper of Buddha's teachings. First, one must pledge to preserve the teachings, read it, memorize it, preach and reveal it, and copy it. In so doing, the "Lotus Sutra" is disseminated. The keepers of Buddha's teachings, these who practice these austerities, are protected by the heavenly beings and demons (Asura) alike.

Sculptor: Toranosuke Kato