I am not sure if the Buddha himself ever spoke of a Dharma Ending Age. But the idea definitely exists in all of the sutras and sastras, so the authors and compilers obviously noticed that interest in Buddhadharma waned as time passed. To have an idea of a Dharma Ending Age is, in fact, good. It makes us vigilant. It keeps us alert to the fact that, unless we are serious and dedicated, our attainment will be small or nonexistent. And if we do not practice diligently, the next time we are born we may find ourselves in an environment with no Dharma.

STUDENT:

What about the icchanti. or beings who cannot get enlightened? I thought Buddhism stated that all sentient beings can get enlightened.

SHIH-FU:

Icchanti are people who have not planted any seeds in Buddhadharma. If they have not done so yet, then their chance of doing so later, when the Dharma Ending Age is further along, is highly unlikely. On the other hand, if you look into the infinite future and acknowledge the infinite number of worlds, than I suppose anything is possible. Since all things change, then perhaps all beings do have a chance to attain Buddhahood.

In the Mahaparanirvana Sutra, it is said that all sentient beings can attain Buddhahood. In some earlier sutras, it is written that there are some beings who are incapable of becoming enlightened. Some beings have certain characteristics that make it impossible for them to learn and practice Buddhadharma successfully. Even though the sutra says that all beings can attain Buddhahood, I believe this was spoken by the Buddha more out of compassion than anything else ─ to encourage every sentient being to study and practice Buddhadharma. The Buddha's words were meant for practitioners as well as teachers and the Sangha. If the Sangha believed in icchanti, they might begin to prejudge people as to whether they were worthy of being taught Buddhadharma.