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The Guiding Hand of Teachers: An Analysis of Chapter Twenty-Seven of the Lotus Sūtra
The Lotus Sūtra, revered as one of the most influential scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism, holds a significant place in the spiritual landscape of East Asia.1 For many, it represents the culmination of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, offering a path to complete and sufficient salvation.1 This venerated text presents a profound re-evaluation of the Buddhist path and…
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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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The Quest for Enlightenment: An Analysis of the Brahma King’s Verses in the Lotus Sūtra
I. Introduction The Lotus Sūtra, revered as one of the most influential texts in Mahayana Buddhism, is celebrated for its profound teachings on the inherent potential for Buddhahood in all beings and its skillful use of parables to illuminate complex Buddhist principles.1 Central to its message is the concept of expedient means (upaya), where the…
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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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🌸 “Rare as the Moon in Still Waters”
I awakened once,when vinyl spun hymns and headlines burned,when the future whispered through wiresand Dharma hid in dusty books.The 70s cracked open my soul—and the 21st century blinked back. Now, here I am,older, stranger, truer—and the Buddha’s words ring louder than ever. He said:“Like a blossom seldom seen,this Teaching blooms once in countless eons.”And I…
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The Enduring Example of the Never-Despising Bodhisattva in the Lotus Sūtra
I. Introduction: The Lotus Sūtra stands as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, revered for its profound teachings on the nature of enlightenment and the path to Buddhahood.1 This influential scripture utilizes a rich tapestry of parables and narratives to convey complex philosophical ideas in an accessible manner.2 A central theme within the Lotus Sūtra is…
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🪷 Muddy Waters, Silent Mind — A Song, A Sutra, A Stillness
This song came to me in the quiet of morning practice, while reading Nichiren’s treatise Shishin Gohon-Shō. He writes: “Muddy water has no mind but it still catches the moon’s reflection and naturally becomes lucid. Plants and trees catch the rain in order to blossom, but can we say they do this deliberately?” That line…
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An Examination of Nichiren’s Assertions on Attaining Buddhahood and Societal Well-being in his Treatise on Prayers
1. Introduction: Nichiren Buddhism, a significant school within the Mahayana tradition, centers its teachings and practices on the Lotus Sutra, revered as the culmination of Shakyamuni Buddha’s fifty years of teachings.1 Founded in 13th-century Japan by Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282), this school emphasizes the inherent Buddha-nature within all individuals and the possibility of attaining enlightenment in…
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Flowers for the Truth
Flowers for the Truth is a hauntingly beautiful duet where two voices meet on an empty city street, offering radiant, glowing flowers to something greater than themselves. This folk-blues ballad weaves the sacred and the ordinary into a single moment of grace. With a painterly sound and mystical undertones, it evokes the hush of twilight,…
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The Profound Implications of Hearing the Dharma: An Analysis of Lotus Sūtra Chapter Seven Verses
The Lotus Sūtra, revered as one of the most significant scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism, holds a central place in the spiritual lives of countless practitioners across East Asia. Its teachings, often considered the final and most complete exposition of Shakyamuni Buddha’s wisdom, articulate the profound principle of universal Buddhahood, asserting that all beings possess the…
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Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 