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Faith, Eternal Buddhahood, and the Attainment of Supreme Enlightenment in the Lotus Sūtra (Chapter Seventeen)

Date: June 3, 2025 Subject: Analysis of Lotus Sūtra Chapter Seventeen, focusing on the declaration of the Buddha’s eternal lifespan and its implications for attaining supreme enlightenment. Sources: Excerpts from “Lotus Sūtra Chapter Seventeen Analysis,” with specific references to cited texts. Key Takeaways: This briefing document analyzes the profound teachings presented in Chapter Seventeen of…
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The Conjured City Blues

“The Conjured City Blues” is a soulful fusion of ancient Buddhist wisdom and the raw emotional power of the Blues. Inspired by Chapter Seven of the Lotus Sutra, the song journeys through the vastness of suffering, perseverance, and hope expressed by the Brahma Kings’ universal vow for enlightenment. With a slow, haunting melody rooted in…
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The Universal Vow: Merit, Enlightenment, and the Legacy of the Brahma Kings in the Lotus Sutra

I. Introduction: The Universal Aspiration for Enlightenment The human spirit often harbors a profound yearning for its endeavors to resonate beyond the personal sphere, contributing to a larger, universal good. The verses presented— May the merits we have accumulated by this offeringBe distributed among all living beings,And may we and all other living beingsAttain the…
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The Excellence of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s Interpretation of Universal Enlightenment in Chapter Ten

I. Introduction Chapter Ten of the Lotus Sutra, specifically the Buddha’s declaration of its preeminence and the interpretation offered by the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest Nichiren, particularly concerning the doctrine of universal enlightenment. The Lotus Sutra, revered as a foundational text within Mahayana Buddhism, holds a particularly significant position in the Tendai and Nichiren traditions.1…
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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 Auspicious Dawn of Wisdom: An Analysis of Great-Universal-Wisdom-Excellence Buddha’s Enlightenment in the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra stands as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, deeply revered across various East Asian Buddhist traditions. Many consider it to encapsulate the ultimate and complete teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, offering a path to salvation for all. Its narratives and parables present a transformative perspective on the Buddhist path and the very essence of…
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The Profound Encouragement of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva in Chapter 28 of the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra, revered as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, presents a comprehensive vision of the path to Buddhahood, asserting that this supreme state is attainable by all beings without exception.1 Central to its teachings is the doctrine of the One Vehicle (Ekayana), which posits that all Buddhist paths ultimately converge on Buddhahood, and the…
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The Illusory Oasis: An Analysis of the Parable of the Magic City in the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra, a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, holds a prominent position in East Asian Buddhist traditions.1 Revered as the final and complete teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha by many, it presents profound concepts such as the One Vehicle (Ekayana) and skillful means (Upaya).1 These doctrines underscore the Mahayana understanding that all Buddhist paths ultimately converge…

