This study examines the Predictions [授記] granted to the Śrāvakas in Training [學人] and the Adepts [無學人] who appear in the first half of the Lotus Sutra [迹門], with particular focus on the chapters where they receive such Predictions: Chapter 9, “Prediction for the Śrāvakas in Training and the Adepts” [「第九授學無學人記品」], which belongs to the Main Section [正分], and Chapter 13, “Encouragement to Uphold the Sutra” [「第十三勸持品」], which is part of the Dissemination Section [流通分]. In order to clarify the differences in their Predictions, the study first analyzes the structural distinction between the Main Section [正分] and the Dissemination Section [流通分], and then compares the content of the Predictions in the two chapters.
In the Main Section, Śākyamuni Buddha teaches the Dharma of the One-Buddha Vehicle [一佛乘] to lead the Śrāvakas into the same path of practice as the Bodhisattvas. This is carried out through the Three Rounds of Teaching [三周說法]: Direct Teaching of the Dharma [法說], Teaching through Parables [譬說], and Teaching based on Past-life Causal Relations [因緣說]. Although this teaching is primarily directed toward the Bodhisattvas, the Śrāvakas in Chapter 9 come to an Understanding [領解] of it through the True Teaching [正說]. On this basis, they receive Affirmation [述成] and Prediction [授記] from Śākyamuni Buddha. By contrast, in the Dissemination Section of the first half of the Lotus Sutra, Śākyamuni Buddha emphasizes the Dharma Expounder’s practice and its benefits. The Śrāvakas who appear in Chapter 13 receive Predictions only after Vowing [誓願] to undertake this practice. As such, the premise of the Śrāvakas Predictions in the Main Section consists of the True Teaching [正說], Understanding [領解], Affirmation [述成] and the Prediction [授記], whereas in the Dissemination Section, the premise comprises the True Teaching [正說], Vow [誓願], and Prediction [授記], thereby showing a structural difference between the two. Based on these premises, this study analyzes the grounds upon which the Śrāvakas in Training [學人] and the Adepts [無學人] receive Predictions from Śākyamuni Buddha, as well as the content of those Predictions, as presented in Chapter 9 and Chapter 13 of the Lotus Sutra.
In Chapter 9 of the Main Section, the Śrāvakas in Training [學人] and the Adepts [無學人] come to an Understanding [領解] of the One-Buddha Vehicle through the Parable of the Apparitional City [化城喩], presented as the True Teaching [正說]. Following this, they receive Affirmation [述成] and Prediction [授記] from Śākyamuni Buddha. In Chapter 13 of the Dissemination Section, the Śrāvakas in Training [學人] and the Adepts [無學人] receive the teaching on the Practices of the Dharma Expounder [法師行] as the True Teaching[正說], make Vows [誓願], and receive Prediction [授記]. However, explicit expressions of Understanding [領解] are difficult to identify in this chapter. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that their Predictions are based on such Understanding [領解].
The Śrāvakas in Training [學人] and the Adepts [無學人] in both chapters, commonly make Vows to engage in the practices of the Dharma Expounder upon entering Chapter 13. When the Śrāvakas in Training and the Adepts in Chapter 9 made their Vows, Śākyamuni Buddha gave no explicit response. This suggests that their Vows were accepted. However, upon examining the content of the Predictions [授記] received by the Śrāvakas in Training and the Adepts in Chapter 13, they are predicted to become Dharma Expounders in a future life and subsequently attain Buddhahood. This raises questions as to whether they truly realized the teaching of the One Buddha Vehicle [一佛乘]. Therefore, their Predictions [授記] are more appropriately understood as being based on their Vows [誓願]. Thus, although the Śrāvakas in Training and the Adepts in both chapters receive the same teaching, their Predictions [授記] can be distinguished as either being based on Understanding [領解] or based on Vows [誓願].