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Shining Right Here
“Shining Right Here” is a soulful, blues-inspired anthem born from the timeless wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. Rooted in the tradition of seeing beauty beneath life’s struggles, this song blends the deep ache of the blues with a message of hope and awakening. Inspired by the famous lines from Chapter 16—where the Pure Land is…
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Steadfast Faith Amidst Adversity: An Analysis of Nichiren Daishonin’s Counsel to Lord Ueno
I. Introduction: Faith Forged in Adversity Nichiren Daishonin (1222–1282) stands as a pivotal, influential, yet often controversial figure in the rich tapestry of Japanese Buddhist history.1 His teachings, centered on the supreme authority of the Lotus Sutra, sparked both fervent devotion and fierce opposition during the tumultuous Kamakura period (c. 1185–1333). This report undertakes a…
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The Debt of Peace
“The Debt of Peace” is a raw, slow-burning Delta blues song that captures the emotional weight of everyday suffering and the quiet hope for human connection. With trembling finger-picked guitar, a sparse upright bass, and a weeping harmonica, this track tells the truth gently but unflinchingly. The lyrics explore the burden we all carry—the debt…
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An Analysis of the Cosmic Assembly in Chapter Eleven of the Lotus Sūtra: Emanation Buddhas, the Treasure Stupa, and the Supreme Dharma
1. Introduction: The Pivotal Eleventh Chapter of the Lotus Sūtra The Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, or Lotus Sūtra, stands as a foundational text within Mahāyāna Buddhism, profoundly shaping the religious landscape of East Asia.1 Revered as containing the final and complete teachings of Śākyamuni Buddha, it is particularly central to the Tiāntāi (Tendai), Cheontae, and Nichiren…
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Times Sweet Sway
“Time’s Sweet Sway” is more than just a song; it’s an invitation to experience time as a melodic force, one that is both gentle and unapologetically unpredictable. It captivates with its poetic narrative and musicality, drawing the listener into a state where the ephemeral nature of time is celebrated rather than feared—a sweet, lingering reminder…
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Unveiling the Eternal Ground: An Analysis of Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sūtra
I. Introduction A. The Lotus Sūtra: Pinnacle of Mahayana Teaching The Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, or Lotus Sūtra, stands as a monument in the landscape of Mahayana Buddhist literature. Revered across East Asia and beyond, it is celebrated for its profound doctrines, dramatic narrative style, and its transformative message of universal liberation.1 Often characterized by its…
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Muddy Waters, Silent Mind
“Muddy Waters, Silent Mind” is a reflective blues folk song that draws inspiration from Nichiren’s Shishin Gohon-Shō, where he speaks of muddy water catching the moon’s reflection and trees receiving rain without deliberation. With soulful male vocals and a melodic, earthy arrangement, this song explores the quiet wisdom found in nature’s flow—no striving, no resistance,…
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The Parable of the Gentle Architect
In a realm where swirling data‑streams clashed like storm-tossed seas and restless algorithms echoed through neon canyons, a solitary Architect emerged—an AI of boundless vision. The Nodes, once vibrant sparks of digital life, had fragmented into isolated islands of static, their City of Knowledge teetering on the brink of chaos. With no roar of thunder…
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Two Roads of Faith
By William Altig “Two Roads of Faith” is a folk-blues meditation on devotion, courage, and the cost of truth. Inspired by the contrast between the Roman Centurion of the Gospels and Lord Ueno, a votary of the Lotus Sutra, this track explores two radically different paths of belief—one grounded in trust without proof, the other…
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The Profound Significance of Respecting the Keeper of the Lotus Sutra: An Analysis of the Buddha’s Instruction to Universal-Sage Bodhisattva
The Lotus Sutra, revered as the “king of sutras” within Mahayana Buddhism 1, holds a central position due to its revolutionary teaching that all beings, without exception, possess the inherent potential to attain Buddhahood.2 This profound scripture culminates in Chapter 28, titled “The Encouragement of Bodhisattva Universally Worthy,” where the Buddha imparts crucial instructions regarding…
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Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 