Tag: Avici Hell

• Slander of the True Dharma (Hōbō) in Nichiren Buddhism

  

  This briefing document analyzes the concept of “slander of the True Dharma” (hōbō) as a cornerstone of Nichiren’s teachings, drawing on the provided source material. It explores the multifaceted nature of slander, its historical and doctrinal context, karmic consequences, the paradox of compassionate condemnation, and its modern interpretations. Executive Summary The doctrine of hōbō is…

  William Altig

  August 11, 2025

  Nichiren

  Avici Hell, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, Buddha-nature, Buddhist Doctrine, compassionate condemnation, expiation of past slander, faith, Fourteen Slanders, Hell of Incessant Suffering, hobo, Hōnen, interpersonal ethics, Japanese Buddhism, Karmic Retribution, lack of faith, Latter Day of the Law, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana sutras, Mappo, Mystic Law, nenbutsu, Nichiren, Nichiren’s teachings, Nichiren’s thought, Persecution, personal faith, Pure Land Buddhism, Shingon Buddhism, Slander of the True Dharma, spiritual enlightenment, Three Jewels, Zen Buddhism

• Devadatta’s Enlightenment in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s Philosophy

  

  1. Executive Summary This briefing examines the paradoxical concept of Devadatta’s enlightenment, a central tenet in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s philosophy. Devadatta, cousin and notorious adversary of Shakyamuni Buddha, committed two of the five “Anantarika-karma” (grave offenses) and was traditionally condemned to the Avīci Hell, a realm of incessant suffering. However, the Lotus Sutra,…

  William Altig

  August 7, 2025

  Chapter 12, Nichiren, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Adversaries as Teachers, Arhatship, Avici Hell, Bodhisattva Ideal, Buddha, Buddhahood, Buddhism, Changing Poison into Medicine, compassion., Devadatta, Dharma, Dragon King’s Daughter, Enlightenment, Ethical Implications, Final Dharma Age, Five Anantarika-karma, Grave Offenses, Heavenly King Buddha, Hell of Incessant Suffering, Ichinen Sanzen, Inherent Buddha-nature, Instantaneous Enlightenment, karma, Karmic Retribution, Kitō-shō, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Mappo, Meditation, Nichiren, Non-dualistic Perspective, Philosophy, Religion, Schism in Sangha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Soteriology, Spiritual Growth, Theravada Buddhism, Treatise on Prayers, Universal Buddhahood, universal salvation

• Chapter 19–Hearing the Universe: The Twelve Hundred Sensory Qualities

  

  Moreover, Satatasamitabhiyukta (Ever and Constantly Strenuous), whether a young man from a noble family or a young woman who shares and teaches this Sacred Teaching to others, will possess twelve hundred fine qualities of the ear. They will hear all the sounds produced in the universe, from the depths of the great hell known as…

  William Altig

  January 19, 2024

  Chapter 19, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Ancient Indian Tradition, Animal Sounds, Avici Hell, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Wisdom, celestial beings, Compassion, Cosmic Awareness, Cosmic Unity, Deep Listening, Empathy, Enhanced Auditory Perception, Ethereal Sounds, Ethical Living, Hearing Universe, Human Voices, Lotus Sutra Chapter 19, Mindful Awareness, Mythical Creatures, Nature’s Symphony, Noble Family, Satatasamitabhiyukta, Sensory Gifts, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Insight, Spiritual Practice, Spiritual Teachings, Teaching Sutra, Twelve Hundred Qualities, Universal Sounds

• Chapter 19–The Sensory Gifts of the Virtuous Bodhisattva

  

  The Lord then spoke to the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Satatasamitabhiyukta, meaning “Ever and Constantly Strenuous.” He declared that anyone, whether a young man or a young woman from a noble family, who shall preserve, read, teach, or write this Teaching, or have it written, will gain extraordinary qualities. They will receive eight hundred fine traits of…

  William Altig

  January 18, 2024

  Chapter 19, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Ancient Indian Scriptures, Ancient Teachings, Avici Hell, Bodhi Tree, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Satatasamitabhiyukta, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist teachings, Cosmic Insight, Cosmic Order, Divine Eye, Enhanced Senses, Enlightenment, Ethereal Vision, Ethical Living, Lotus Sutra, Meditation, Mystical Universe, Noble Family, Religious Texts, Sensory Gifts, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Engagement, Spiritual Insight, Spiritual Perception, Spiritual Practice, Spiritual Qualities, Spiritual Wisdom, Sutra Study, Traditional Buddhism, Transcendence