The Truth of Dharma Propagation and Decline

When the Dharma is about to perish, the Sangha will split and engage in mutual conflict. Arhats will be envied and first killed alive, and finally, all ordained monastics will be slain. From then on, the propagation of the Dharma will cease, and all Buddhist teachings will vanish. In other words, once the Sangha Jewel perishes, the Three Jewels perish, because in the Saha World, it is the monastic Sangha Jewel that transmits the Buddha's Dharma lineage. Without the Sangha Jewel, there are no transmitters for the Buddha Jewel and the Dharma Jewel, and Buddhism will inevitably perish. This is explained in the Sutra on the Total Extinction of the Dharma. As Buddhists, we should study the sutras extensively, as the Dharma expounded in the sutras covers the most comprehensive scope and is the most accurate. By reading the sutras diligently, we can better understand the history of Buddhism, its development, and trajectory, thereby enhancing our wisdom and fortifying our resolve on the path.

When the World-Honored One first came to the Saha World to propagate the Dharma, he first converted the five bhikkhus including Kaundinya, establishing the monastic Sangha. Next, he ordained the former adherents of other paths, such as Mahakasyapa, and finally, he ordained his own family members and relatives from his secular life, ordaining all who were willing to leave home. He then transmitted the Dharma step by step: first the Hinayana teachings of liberation, then the Mahayana Prajnaparamita, and finally the Vaipulya and Consciousness-Only teachings. After the Buddha's parinirvana, he instructed his ordained disciples to widely propagate the Dharma, appointing several great Arhats led by Mahakasyapa to remain in the world to protect the transmission of the Dharma. Some great Bodhisattvas, including those from other Buddha-lands, vowed to propagate the Dharma in the Saha World, but the Buddha did not consent. The Buddha stated, "In my Saha World, the ordained Sangha remains to propagate the Dharma. Bodhisattvas in the ten directions all have their own Dharma propagation responsibilities and are very busy. Thus, in the Saha World, let the ordained Sangha be the primary propagators of the Dharma." Therefore, from the time the Buddha established the Sangha until the final extinction of the Dharma, the ordained Sangha has been the primary propagators. The Buddha himself also counted as one who had left home. Once the ordained Sangha fractures and monastics are killed, Buddhism immediately perishes, with no one left to transmit the Dharma.

During the Dharma-ending age, Arhats are almost exclusively wisdom-liberated, possessing only the first dhyana concentration, and thus lack supernatural powers. Even if they possess such powers, when karmic obstacles manifest, none can escape and they can still be killed. Mahamaudgalyayana possessed the greatest supernatural powers among the Sravaka disciples, yet at the end of his life, he was beaten to death. Supernatural powers cannot overcome karma.

After the Dharma of Sakyamuni Buddha perishes, we can only await the advent of Maitreya Buddha to deliver sentient beings. Through three great Dharma assemblies, he will lead nearly thirty billion sentient beings to attain the fruits of enlightenment. At that time, we, as disciples remaining from Sakyamuni Buddha's era, will be taken over and delivered by Maitreya Buddha due to our roots of goodness and merit. Thus, no sentient being belongs exclusively to one Buddha. One must study the Dharma with countless Buddhas and learn alongside countless Bodhisattvas to master all Buddhist teachings. Studying under only one Buddha cannot lead to Buddhahood, and practicing under only one Bodhisattva or teacher is even less sufficient. Therefore, every sentient being should vow to make offerings to and protect all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions.