Buddhist Wisdom for the Long Night

The Buddha spoke, “Those who embrace, The name of Bodhisattva’s grace, Their blessings will be just the same, As those who rarely praise his name. For millions of kalpas on end, Their blessings will not reach their end. The blessings, merits, benefits, Immeasurable and infinite. So, O Infinite Intention, see, The power of this name…

In realms beyond our reach, lies a landAdorned with Pure Light divine, so grandA Buddha resides there, with a noble nameWise King of Pure, Gorgeous Constellation Tathagata, of great fame Worthy of offerings, with perfect sightTrue wisdom and enlightenment, his mind so brightHis knowledge pure, his conduct rightHis mind encompasses all, with knowledge vast and…

Though treasure-laden worlds are offered,To Buddhas, bodhisattvas, arhats,Their merits fall short of the one,Who embraces the Lotus Sutra’s arts. Even if a single stanza,Of four lines, is held in one’s hand,Its blessings surpass all that’s given,In this and other worlds’ expanse. For the Lotus Sutra reigns supreme,Its power to enlighten and guide,The one who embraces…

The Lotus Sutra, a Buddhist text, Teaches of Shakyamuni’s sect. Chapter 22, Entrustment, is key, Signaling the end of the Vow’s decree. Shakyamuni touches the bodhisattvas’ crown, Passing the Dharma’s authority down. Three times he touches, signifying A complete transfer, an entrustment abiding. The bodhisattvas, upon this act, Rejoice and express their grateful fact. Vowing…

For countless eons, beyond mortal’s thought, I’ve practiced this Law that’s hard to be sought. The Supreme Perfect Enlightenment it’s called, Rare and precious, yet it’s not for the walled. To you, now, I entrust this great Law, Wholeheartedly focus, spread it without flaw. For the benefit of all, let it be known, Blessings, and…

Esoteric experiences are the stuff of legends, a fascinating phenomenon that practitioners of the Lotus Sutra or other Buddhist traditions encounter during spiritual practices. These subjective experiences are diverse and range from profound insights and realizations to vivid visions, inner voices, and a sense of connectedness with the universe. Kensho, a Japanese term that means…

Esoteric experiences can play a significant role in the study of the Lotus Sutra, a central text in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. The Lotus Sutra contains esoteric teachings that are intended to create transformative experiences for those who study and practice them. These teachings are often conveyed through symbolic imagery, ritual practices, and other…

Buddhism is a vast and diverse tradition with many different schools of thought and practice. In particular, there are different perspectives on the relationship between esoteric experiences and teachings. Japanese monks Dogen and Nichiren, who lived in the 13th century, provide contrasting perspectives on this topic. Dogen emphasized the importance of understanding Buddhist teachings and…

Oh Lotus Sutra, divine and grand, A guide to help us understand, The path to peace and pure delight, And bring us into Buddha’s light. Bodhisattvas-mahasattvas vow, To spread your teachings here and now, To share the way to enlightenment, With all, without discrimination. The Buddha’s divine powers are shown, By extending tongue and light,…

The Lotus Sutra is a central text in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. Within this sutra, there is a chapter entitled “Divine Powers of Tathagata,” which contains two sections. Section 1, comprising of paragraphs 1─9, outlines the vow made by bodhisattvas-mahasattvas to uphold and propagate the Lotus Sutra, the manifestation of divine powers by the…