Category: Nichiren
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Poison Into Medicine
“Poison Into Medicine” is a bluesy folk anthem about finding strength in struggle and transforming life’s hardships into wisdom. Inspired by the Buddhist teacher Nichiren’s teachings, this song weaves ancient philosophy with raw, soulful blues to remind us that our greatest challenges can become our greatest teachers. Like the lotus that blooms from muddy water,…
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Firewood and Flame
From the heart of the struggle comes a song of profound hope. “Firewood and Flame” is a raw, bluesy folk anthem for anyone who has ever felt weighed down by their own imperfections. With a sound that feels like it was born on a dusty porch at twilight, this track weaves a timeless story of…
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Why Your Worst Day Is Sacred: 4 Ancient Ideas That Will Change Your Life
Most of us live with a quiet assumption: that peace, spiritual awakening, or enlightenment requires an escape. We feel we must get away from our anger, our greed, our fear, and the challenging circumstances that trigger them. We search for an escape hatch from the messy, frustrating reality of our lives, believing that tranquility lies…
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The Open Gate
Inspired by a timeless spiritual paradox, “The Open Gate” is a blues-folk story that suggests the most profound truth isn’t hidden away for the chosen few—it’s accessible to everyone. Using the ancient parable of a loving father saving his children from a burning house, the song explores the idea that the greatest wisdom doesn’t require…
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A 13th-Century Monk’s Paradox That Reimagines Enlightenment
We often picture spiritual wisdom as a distant peak, accessible only to the most dedicated climbers. The common cultural image suggests that the deepest truths are complex, abstract, and reserved for an elite few—monks, scholars, or gurus who have spent decades in seclusion and study. We assume that the path to enlightenment is an arduous…
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The Sky of Merit
A grounded folk-blues inspired by Chapter 17 of the Lotus Sutra and the Eightfold Path “The Sky of Merit” is a grounded folk-blues meditation on wisdom, merit, and the Eightfold Path. Inspired by Chapter 17 of the Lotus Sutra, this song strips away superstition to reveal the true heart of practice: seeing clearly and walking…
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What a 13th-Century Monk, Exiled and Sentenced to Die, Knew About Resilience That We’re Just Rediscovering
We all know the feeling. Life is moving along, and then, without warning, a challenge appears that knocks us off our feet. It could be a professional setback, a personal crisis, or a wave of obstacles that leaves us feeling powerless and wondering what we did wrong. We strive, we hope, we pray, but sometimes…
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The Threefold Crown
A parent’s heart, warm as dawn,But lacking skill, the path goes wrong.A teacher’s mind, sharp as flame,Without compassion, it twists to blame. A ruler’s hand, strong and sure,But without wisdom, power is cruel.Each fragment shines, yet none complete—The fractured crown leaves souls in need. But here within this world of pain,The Buddha walks, the bond…
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The Threefold Crown Blues
The Threefold Crown Blues is a soulful folk-blues track inspired by Nichiren’s teaching of the Three Virtues — Sovereign, Teacher, and Parent. The song weaves together raw acoustic blues with gospel-style call-and-response, capturing the struggle of human authority and the wholeness found only in the Buddha’s integrated wisdom, compassion, and protective vow. With slide guitar,…
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4 Surprising Lessons on Leadership from a 13th-Century Buddhist Monk
Introduction: The Search for a Perfect Guide In a world rocked by uncertainty, we all search for reliable leaders, mentors, and guides. We crave authority that is wise, compassionate, and strong enough to help us navigate the complexities of modern life. But what if the most effective framework for leadership wasn’t forged in a contemporary…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 