Category: Nichiren
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Nichiren’s Exaltation of the Lotus Sutra
I. Executive Summary This briefing synthesizes key themes from the provided sources, which primarily review and present an essay titled “The Transcendent Dharma: An Examination of the Lotus Sutra’s Supremacy in Nichiren’s Teachings.” The central argument explored is Nichiren’s radical assertion of the Lotus Sutra’s preeminence over the historical Buddha, positioning the Dharma (Law) as…
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The Lotus Sutra’s Enduring Call in the Latter Day of the Law
This briefing document summarizes the core themes and most important concepts presented in the provided sources, focusing on the Lotus Sutra’s significance, particularly through Nichiren’s interpretation, and its role in personal and societal transformation. 1. The Lotus Sutra: A Foundation for Universal Enlightenment The Lotus Sutra, or Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, is a foundational text in…
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Nichiren’s Practical Path to Joy and Wisdom
This briefing reviews the core tenets of Nichiren Buddhism, with a particular focus on its accessible, everyday approach to faith and practice, as exemplified in Nichiren’s “Letter to the Nun Myoichi.” It draws primarily from an essay titled “Unveiling Everyday Faith: Nichiren’s Practical Path to Joy and Wisdom in the ‘Letter to the Nun Myoichi’,”…
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Navigating Adversity in Nichiren Buddhism – Persecution, Purification, and the Path to Buddhahood
This briefing examines the core themes within Nichiren’s teachings, particularly his understanding of persecution, the role of the “three poisons,” and the transformative power of the Lotus Sutra in the “Latter Day of the Law.” It highlights how adversity is not merely an obstacle but a crucial catalyst for spiritual growth and internal purification, ultimately…
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Concepts of Universalism in Religious Thought
This briefing document reviews the main themes and most important ideas or facts regarding universalism, drawing from excerpts concerning Swedenborg’s reflections, the Lotus Sutra, and Catholicism. Overall Theme: The sources explore the concept of universalism in different religious contexts, specifically focusing on the potential for salvation or enlightenment for all beings. While the terminology and…
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Nichiren’s Interpretation of the Mutual Possession of Ten Realms in the Kanjin Honzon-Shō
Nichiren Buddhism, a significant school within the landscape of East Asian Buddhist thought, holds the Lotus Sutra in paramount esteem, considering it the ultimate and complete teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha.1 Among its core tenets is the doctrine of the “mutual possession of ten realms” (jikkai gogu), a concept that, while originating in the philosophical system…
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The Needle on Sumeru’s Peak: An Analysis of Rarity and Merit in Nichiren Daishonin’s Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō
I. Introduction: The Rarity of Encountering the Mystic Law A. Presentation of the Core Passage Within the corpus of writings attributed to the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist reformer Nichiren Daishonin, a particularly striking passage appears in his Treatise on Chanting the Great Title of the Lotus Sūtra (Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō). It presents a vivid, almost fantastical…
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The Lotus Sutra as the Buddha’s True Mind: An Analysis of Nichiren’s Interpretation in the Zui-jii Gosho
I. Introduction: Setting the Context – The Lotus Sutra, Nichiren, and the Zui-jii Gosho A. Overview The Saddharma Puṇḍarıˉka Suˉtra, or Lotus Sutra, stands as a cornerstone scripture within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, revered for its profound doctrines and expansive vision of salvation. Its influence has permeated Buddhist thought, practice, and culture across Asia for centuries. Among…
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An Analysis of Nichiren’s Metaphor: The Buddha, His Children, Gratitude, and the Calm Mind
1. Introduction The writings of Nichiren Daishonin (1222–1282), the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, are replete with profound metaphors and analogies designed to convey the core tenets of his teachings, rooted firmly in the Lotus Sutra. One such evocative passage asserts: “Since time immemorial all the people on the earth have been the Buddha Śākyamuni’s beloved…
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The Preciousness of Mind: An Analysis of Nichiren’s Guidance in the “Emperor Shushun” Letter
Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282) stands as a towering figure in the history of Japanese Buddhism, primarily recognized for his unwavering devotion to the Lotus Sutra as the supreme teaching for attaining enlightenment in the Latter Day of the Law.1 His extensive body of work, collectively known as the Gosho, comprises a rich tapestry of doctrinal treatises,…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 