Click

Click-a-Sermon 5: "End of the Dharma and the Other Power"

In Buddhism, the concept of mappo is equivalent to the concept of Armageddon in other religions. It signifies that the True Dharma (or teachings) would decline and eventually become extinct. In India this thought began to arise during the early sixth century with various government persecutions of Buddhism. Buddhists attributed the persecutions to various causes but among certain monks it was believed to have happened due to the entrance of women to the Buddhist Order. The majority of the monks did not consider the entrance of females a hazard except for the fact that they tended to be extremely vocal. What concerned the majority was the decline of society and moral values in the nation which accompanied the persecutions.

The notion of the end of the teachings quickly spread to China and Hui-Szu (515-77) of the T'ien T'ai sect attempted to calculate precisely the decline and arranged the years as follows:

True Teaching (Shobo)

500 years after the death of the historical Buddha when the teaching, practice and attainment of Buddhist doctrine was possible.

Simulated teachings (Zobo)

1,000 years following the period of the True Teaching, when only teaching and practice remained, while attainment became impossible.

Degeneration (Mappo)

After the Zobo period, age of degeneration will last 10,000 years during which there would be no longer any proper practice or attainment.

This theory became an explanation for nations facing various forms of chaos. In China during the Northern Chou dynasty severe persecutions had also developed in accompaniment with natural catastrophes.

The notion spread quickly to Japan and during the 12th century seemed to reach its apex. The government was beset by civil wars eventually leading to an oppressive shogunate, fire destroyed the capital and famine struck the land in company with earthquakes and other catastrophes. Indeed the world seemed to be ending and for once the aloof aristocracy were shaken to the core and forced to become aware of the absurdity of the values they held. Rituals, clever poetry, fine calligraphy, proper dress and styles became meaningless as the world around them dissolved into turmoil. The masses, who had not previously been allowed to listen to the teachings of Buddhism since they were considered too inferior to comprehend the doctrines that might stir them to rebellion, were pawns tossed hither and thither by this seemingly convoluted world. They sought to learn Buddhism as they believed that with the obvious collapse of the social order, a more perfect life could only be attained by spiritual goals.

During the 12th century Japanese Buddhism itself faced drastic changes. From being a religion safely ensconced with aristocratic and government protection and wealth, the vast temples began to see their political patronage falter and as governments fell the idealistic members of the clergy sought true goals and purity. Thus Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) Buddhism evolved and became a religion for the masses and all sentient beings.

The emphasis in this new form of Buddhism took into consideration the needs of the masses who sought a spiritual life while facing the necessity of working in the world and caring for families. Also, considering the decline of the Dharma and social order, the concept of the Other Power rather than Self Power was stressed or the belief that the individual needed help of all other sentient beings and the universe to attain Enlightenment.

The weakness of the individual became obvious during this time of social upheaval and even those devoted solely to religious practice realized that few of them ever could succeed in attaining Enlightenment by their own merits. This was obvious in the sacrosanct monasteries where wealth led to corruption and also in dealing with the laity forced to live and work in a highly imperfect world.

Faith in Amida Buddha (the Other Power) became the helping hand to live a spiritual life. The individual does not walk alone but learns to lean upon all other sentient beings and the flow of life itself--thus personal failings and weaknesses can be overcome. We try our best but join ourselves to the Whole of Reality in the countless universes.

Today we face another change of time. Calamities, crime and suffering seem to encompass the whole world. Yet, if we reflect, it has always been so. Medieval times were corrupt, the serfs suffered in misery and national injustices and inquisitions in the name of politics and religion were not reported by a mass media. Today we see our world in a far clearer perspective and it is not a pretty sight. Yet, we miss a great deal of the goodness of this world as it is not always considered newsworthy.

This current world is no better or worse than past ages, we are merely bombarded by it in all directions. A murder in Colorado is reported to the entire nation as are floods and fires. Still there is so much good present around us that if we combine our feeble efforts with the Other Power-- the force and being of the universe, we can make our lives complete and harmonize with the goodness. Self Power and Self-Enlightenment are still available for those of us who are strong enough to stand alone as spiritual giants and walk our own paths. For the rest of us, who stumble and try our best, it is comforting to turn to the Other Power or the rest of existence to assist us over our personal failures and boost us along on our path towards spiritual freedom.