Category: Nichiren
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Beyond Merit and Miracles: A 13th-Century Monk’s Radical Guide to True Power and Purpose
What if a lifetime of accumulated good deeds didn’t guarantee you a life of ease and privilege? Most spiritual traditions suggest a direct link between merit and reward, but the profound wisdom of an unlikely figure—the 13th-century Japanese monk Nichiren—offers a far more challenging and insightful perspective. Though centuries old, his teachings contain revolutionary takeaways…
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One Buddhist Teaching That Redefines Your Daily Grind
Introduction: Bridging the Gap Between Work and Worth In our modern lives, it’s easy to feel a profound split between who we are and what we do. On one side, there is our inner world—the part of us that seeks peace, meaning, and personal growth. On the other, there is the daily grind of our…
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The Ancient Secret to Finding Wisdom in Everyone You Meet
In our modern world, we are constantly navigating a sea of information and advice. From experts and influencers to friends and family, everyone has an opinion on how we should live, work, and find happiness. This endless stream of conflicting guidance can leave us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. Who should we trust? Where can we…
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This Ancient Sutra Isn’t a Book—It’s a Voice. Here’s What It Says.
In our modern world, how can we truly access the wisdom of great teachers who lived thousands of years ago? It has been 2,500 years since the Buddha Śākyamuni walked the Earth, a gap of time so vast it can feel like an unbridgeable silence. How can a voice that has long since disappeared continue…
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An Ancient Monk’s Warning: Why Rejecting Old Wisdom Could Unravel Society
If there’s one piece of modern spiritual advice, it’s this: find your own truth. Question authority, discard the old books, and listen to the voice within. This approach feels empowering and authentic, a way to cast off rigid dogma and connect with something real and immediate. But what if this rejection of structured wisdom, even…
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The Art of Refuting Ideas Without Attacking People
Introduction: The Challenge of Meaningful Disagreement In our modern world, it often feels impossible to disagree on important topics without the conversation descending into personal attacks. We encounter ideas we believe are genuinely harmful, yet we are urged to be tolerant. This leaves us with a piercing question: How can we challenge ideas we find…
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Your Beliefs Are More Powerful Than Politics: An Ancient Idea for Modern Times
Introduction: The Unseen Force Shaping Our World In an age of constant headlines about political division, economic instability, and social unrest, it’s easy to feel powerless. We are often led to believe that the solutions to our collective problems lie in external forces—a new political system, the right leaders, or a different distribution of wealth.…
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A Surprising Parable: How Compassionate Deception Can Lead to Truth
Introduction: The Paradox of a Perfect Teacher What makes a truly compassionate teacher? Our first instinct might be to say it’s someone who tells us the unvarnished truth, directly and immediately. We often believe the quickest path to growth is a straight line. But what if the most loving and effective guidance doesn’t demand immediate…
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How a Priest “Like a Monkey” Became a Buddhist Hero: A 13th-Century Lesson on Faith Over Flaws
In our modern world, we are often pressured to present a flawless version of ourselves. We curate our lives, polish our resumes, and strive for an ideal of personal perfection. It is therefore deeply puzzling to encounter a historical example that turns this entire value system on its head. Consider a letter written in 13th-century…
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The 13th-Century Monk Who Said ‘Ignore Everyone’—And Why It’s the Secret to Deeper Listening
Introduction: The Practitioner’s Paradox In any spiritual path, a fundamental tension exists between two essential guides: the wisdom of others and the truth of our own experience. On one hand, we have sacred texts, traditions, and teachers—a map charted by those who have already walked the path. To ignore this map is to risk getting…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 