Category: The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law
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Chapter 7–The Ascendancy of Tathagata Mahabhignagnanabhibhu: A Journey to Perfect Enlightenment
The enlightened being, Tathagata Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance), had a lifetime that spanned fifty-four hundred thousand myriads of countless eons. In the beginning, before he had achieved supreme enlightenment, he reached the summit of the terrace of enlightenment. There, he defeated the forces of Mara, the embodiment of worldly temptation and desire. He knew he was on…
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Chapter 6–The Epoch of Tamalapatrakandanagandha: Maha-Maudgalyayana’s Journey to Buddhahood
The Master once again addressed the gathered monks: I want to share with you, monks, that the senior Maha-Maudgalyayana, my disciple here, will pay homage to twenty-eight thousand Buddhas. He will show them various kinds of respect, honor, reverence, veneration, and devotion. After passing these enlightened ones, he will erect stupas—monumental towers made from seven…
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Chapter 6–The Glorious Destiny of Maha-Katyayana: Homage, Stupas, and Buddhahood
The Master once more addressed the gathered monks: I want to share with you, monks, that the senior Maha-Katyayana, my disciple here, will pay homage to eighty billion Buddhas. He will show them respect, honor, reverence, veneration, and devotion. After the passing of these enlightened ones, he will erect stupas—monumental towers that are a thousand…
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Chapter 6–Subhuti’s Cosmic Pilgrimage to Enlightenment
Understanding the thoughts burgeoning in the minds of his senior disciples, the Master once more spoke to the gathered monks: This eminent disciple of mine, monks, the senior Subhuti, will also embark on a spiritual journey. He will pay homage to countless Buddhas, numbering into the trillions; he will show them respect, honor, reverence, veneration,…
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Chapter 6–Jewels of Destiny
After sharing these poetic lines, the Master turned to the gathered spiritual seekers: I have something important to tell you all. In a distant spiritual dimension known as ‘Manifestation,’ during an era named the ‘Grand Arrangement,’ our seeker named Kassapa will embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. Over time, he encounters many enlightened beings,…
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Chapter 5–Verses on the Equality of Wisdom’s Light
And in this moment, to further clarify this subject matter, the Lord expressed these verses: Just as the sun and moon shine bright,On every soul, in day and night.No matter if you’re wrong or right,Their light is shared with equal might. Just as the wisdom, pure and grand,Of Tathagata, across the land,Guides every being, every…
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Chapter 5–The Unity of Wisdom: Parables of the Pot, the Blind Man, and the Single Vehicle
“Moreover, Kassapa, the Tathagata’s guidance of beings is impartial, free from bias. Just as the sun and moon shine equally upon the virtuous and wicked, high and low, fragrant and foul, their light indiscriminately illuminating all, so too does the enlightening wisdom of the Tathagatas, the omniscient ones, illuminate the true law for all beings…
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Chapter 5–The Parable of the Plants
“To further clarify this matter, the Enlightened One shared the following verses:” “Born from a passion for sacred truth,I break the bounded loop,to all I teach, discerning well,their hearts where different dispositions dwell. The wise protect these words divine,guard the mystery, keep it in line,revealing not to those alive,the understanding they might derive. This knowledge…
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Chapter 5–Radiant Wisdom: The Gathering and Grace of the Tathagata
Then the Enlightened One turned to the respected Mahakassapa and the other senior disciples and said: “Kassapa, your declaration of the Tathagata’s true qualities is admirable. Indeed, these are the real qualities of the Tathagata. Yet, there are many more qualities of the Tathagata, too numerous and vast to count. Even if one were to…
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Chapter 4–The Prodigal’s Return: A Tale of Lost and Found
For this occasion, the wise Mahakassapa shared this tale, a story in verse with details so rich and frail: Struck with amazement, rapture, and wonder, we hear a voice so sweet,A leader’s whisper, soothing and tender, unexpectedly we meet.In just a brief moment, a treasure trove we’ve acquired,A wealth unthought of, undesired, leaves us truly…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 