Tag: Bodhisattvas
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Are You Playing in a Burning House? A Buddhist Parable on the Danger of Blissful Ignorance
Modern life is a masterclass in distraction. Our days are filled with ambitions to chase, desires to satisfy, and an endless stream of entertainment to keep us occupied. We run from one goal to the next, building careers, seeking pleasure, and accumulating experiences, all while feeling productively engaged with the world. We are, by all…
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Your Existence is Infinite: Three Liberating Truths from the Lotus Sūtra
We move through our days shadowed by the sense that time is running out, that the clock is always ticking toward an inevitable end. But what if this perception of a single, fleeting lifetime is a profound misunderstanding? An ancient passage from the Lotus Sūtra offers a radically liberating perspective on the true nature of…
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Your Beliefs Are More Powerful Than Politics: An Ancient Idea for Modern Times
Introduction: The Unseen Force Shaping Our World In an age of constant headlines about political division, economic instability, and social unrest, it’s easy to feel powerless. We are often led to believe that the solutions to our collective problems lie in external forces—a new political system, the right leaders, or a different distribution of wealth.…
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A Surprising Parable: How Compassionate Deception Can Lead to Truth
Introduction: The Paradox of a Perfect Teacher What makes a truly compassionate teacher? Our first instinct might be to say it’s someone who tells us the unvarnished truth, directly and immediately. We often believe the quickest path to growth is a straight line. But what if the most loving and effective guidance doesn’t demand immediate…
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Why True Enlightenment Isn’t About Escaping the World, But Coming Back to It
For many on a spiritual path, the ultimate goal seems clear: to escape the endless cycle of suffering. We strive to purify our minds and remove our afflictions in the hope of achieving a state of permanent peace, like Nirvāṇa, often imagined as a tranquil, higher realm far removed from the difficulties of this world.…
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4 Shocking Lessons on Conviction from the Lotus Sutra
Introduction: More Than Just a Promise We’ve all made promises. Some are small, but others are profound vows that shape the course of our lives—a commitment to a person, a cause, or a belief. We tend to think of conviction as a straightforward matter of sincerity and willpower. If you believe strongly enough and are…
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The Catalytic Power of Inquiry and the Eternal Buddha in the Lotus Sūtra
Date: July 28, 2025 Subject: Review of “Lotus Sūtra: Questioning and Faith” essay, focusing on key themes and insights from the Lotus Sūtra, particularly Chapters 15 and 16. Source Documents: Executive Summary: The reviewed essay, “Lotus Sūtra: Questioning and Faith,” is highly commended for its “thoroughly researched, textually accurate, and philosophically sophisticated” analysis of Chapters…
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Chapter 13–The Resolve of the Magical Bodhisattvas
Thereafter the Lord looked towards the eighty hundred thousand Bodhisattvas who were gifted with magical spells and capable of moving forward the wheel that never rolls back. No sooner were those Bodhisattvas regarded by the Lord than they rose from their seats, raised their joined hands towards the Lord, and reflected thus: “The Lord invites…
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Chapter 11–The Buddha’s Luminous Gateway to Infinite Worlds
In response, the Lord released a radiant beam of light from his brow. Instantly, the eastern realms became visible, revealing countless Buddhas across vast worlds, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. These Buddha lands sparkled with crystal clarity, adorned with trees of jewels, and draped with fine cloth—canopies of gold and precious substances…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 