The Refutation of the Three Great Teachers Chapter7

The fourth volume of the Lotus Sutra states, “Among the sutras I have preached, now preach, and will preach, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand.”²⁰ And the sutra also says, “Among the sutras, it [the Lotus Sutra] holds the highest place.”²¹ And the “Medicine King” chapter gives ten similes [to illustrate how the Lotus Sutra is foremost among all the sutras].

The other sutras such as the Flower Garland Sutra, the Correct and Equal sutras, the Wisdom sutras, the Profound Secrets Sutra, the Great Cloud Sutra, the Secret Solemnity Sutra, and the Golden Light Sutra contain, among their teachings, certain passages relating to the relative superiority and inferiority of the various sutras. But these are merely saying that this particular sutra is foremost when compared with the Hinayana sutras; or that this sutra is foremost because it reveals the truth of the Middle Way as opposed to the spiritual truth, or the truth of non-substantiality, and the worldly truth, the truth of temporary existence; or that this sutra is foremost because it contains an explanation of mudras and mantras.

But these assertions are completely different from that contained in the Lotus Sutra, which covers all sutras preached in the past, present, or future. Despite this fact, however, the Buddhist scholars and teachers of this latter age go on year after year adhering to erroneous teachings, and they have many followers.