Category: Chapter 14
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The Bow That Sees
I bow to the wanderer, ragged and worn,To the scornful eye, to the heart forlorn.For within your silence, within your pain,The seed of the Dharma sings its refrain. I will not call you lazy, nor lost,For the lotus blooms where the waters are tossed.Your path may stumble, your steps may fall,But the One Great Vehicle…
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The Bow That Sees
The Bow That Sees is a bluesy folk anthem inspired by the Lotus Sūtra’s teaching of non-contempt. With gritty guitar, mournful harmonica, and gospel warmth, it tells the story of bowing in reverence—even when the world throws stones. This song carries the spirit of Bodhisattva Never Disrespectful: humility in the face of pride, compassion in…
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The Ancient Secret to True Influence: Why Not Judging Others is a Superpower
Have you ever felt the frustration of trying to share an important idea or a deeply held belief, only to be met with conflict and disagreement? In what often feels like an age of quarrels, it’s easy to assume the biggest obstacle is external opposition. But ancient Buddhist wisdom identifies this era with a specific…
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The Lotus Light of Non-Classification
Beyond the walls of what is fixed and named, The Bodhisattva finds the quiet path. No “superior” or “inferior” is proclaimed, No vehicle to stoke the ego’s wrath. The ultimate truth is Ekayāna’s Single Flow, Where doctrines are but skillful, timely tools, And sectarian pride is simply seen to grow From clinging to the provisional, and not the rules. The Vihāra…
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Walk On Easy
Walk On Easy is a warm, blues-folk song about traveling light in a world that’s all connected. Inspired by the Lotus Sūtra’s teaching of peaceful conduct, it tells a simple story: no gate to guard, no crown to wear—just one wide river of life where everyone belongs. With finger-picked guitar, gentle harmonica, and a slow…
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The Counter-Intuitive Path to Peace: A 2,000-Year-Old Guide to Not Judging the World
When we think of peace, we often imagine a quiet room, a tranquil landscape, or a life free from conflict. We see it as an external condition—something to be found by arranging the world around us in a pleasing way. But what if this entire understanding is a misconception? A profound teaching from the ancient…
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The Bodhisattva’s Path to Clarity through Peaceful Practices in the Lotus Sūtra
Executive Summary Chapter Fourteen of the Lotus Sūtra, focusing on “Peaceful Practices,” offers a profound blueprint for spiritual cultivation for Bodhisattvas, those committed to universal liberation. The teachings go beyond mere moral prohibitions against actions like jealousy, anger, arrogance, flattery, deception, and dishonesty. Instead, they reveal these unwholesome behaviors as symptoms of deeper mental afflictions,…
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The Patient Vow in the Lotus Sūtra
I. Executive Summary This briefing document synthesizes the core themes and critical insights from “The Patient Vow: A Theological and Psychological Analysis of Compassion in Chapter 14 of the Lotus Sūtra” and its review. The central argument is that Chapter 14 of the Lotus Sūtra, particularly the teachings on “Peaceful Practices” (Anrakugyō), provides a sophisticated…
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Understanding Existence and Non-Existence in the Lotus Sutra: A Path to Inner Peace
The Lotus Sutra, a revered scripture within Mahayana Buddhism, holds a significant place due to its teachings on the universal potential for enlightenment. It proclaims that Buddhahood, the highest state of wisdom and compassion, is inherent in all beings, irrespective of their social standing or personal history.1 This inclusive message forms the foundation for understanding…
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Safe and Peaceful Practices
This chapter from The Great Teachings of The Lotus of the True Law highlights the importance of charity. It also emphasizes compassion and upholding the law (dharma). These are presented as a pathway to enlightenment. It uses rich metaphors and imagery to illustrate these concepts. Main Themes: Key Facts and Ideas: Notable Quotes: Overall: This…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 