Tag: Buddha

• Nichiren’s Exaltation of the Lotus Sutra

  

  I. Executive Summary This briefing synthesizes key themes from the provided sources, which primarily review and present an essay titled “The Transcendent Dharma: An Examination of the Lotus Sutra’s Supremacy in Nichiren’s Teachings.” The central argument explored is Nichiren’s radical assertion of the Lotus Sutra’s preeminence over the historical Buddha, positioning the Dharma (Law) as…

  William Altig

  July 30, 2025

  Nichiren

  Buddha, Buddhism, Buddhism of harvest, Buddhism of sowing, daimoku, Dharma supremacy, Ever-Present Buddha, Faith Practice Study, Gojū-no-sōtai, Gongyo, Inherent Buddhahood, Kamakura period, Kosen-rufu., Latter Day of the Law, Law as True Buddha, Lotus Sutra, Mappō, Meditation, Mystic Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Offerings, One Vehicle, Philosophy, Religion, Shakyamuni Buddha, Sokushin Jōbutsu

• Nichiren’s Practical Path to Joy and Wisdom

  

  This briefing reviews the core tenets of Nichiren Buddhism, with a particular focus on its accessible, everyday approach to faith and practice, as exemplified in Nichiren’s “Letter to the Nun Myoichi.” It draws primarily from an essay titled “Unveiling Everyday Faith: Nichiren’s Practical Path to Joy and Wisdom in the ‘Letter to the Nun Myoichi’,”…

  William Altig

  July 27, 2025

  Nichiren

  “Letter to the Nun Myoichi”, “Winter Always Turns to Spring”, Absolute Happiness, Accessible Practice, Buddha, Buddha-nature, Buddhahood, Buddhism, daimoku, Delusion and Enlightenment, Everyday Faith, faith, Faith Practice Study, Harmonious Relationships, human revolution, Kamakura period, Karma Transformation, kosen-rufu, Lotus Sutra, Meditation, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, Nichiren, Nichiren Buddhism, Non-Duality, Nun Myoichi, Philosophy, Religion, Sado Island, SGI, Simultaneity of Cause and Effect, Tatsunokuchi Persecution

• The Conjured City Blues

  

  “The Conjured City Blues” is a soulful fusion of ancient Buddhist wisdom and the raw emotional power of the Blues. Inspired by Chapter Seven of the Lotus Sutra, the song journeys through the vastness of suffering, perseverance, and hope expressed by the Brahma Kings’ universal vow for enlightenment. With a slow, haunting melody rooted in…

  William Altig

  May 18, 2025

  Chapter 7, music, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  acoustic blues, Ancient Wisdom, Blues, Blues Guitar, Buddha, Buddhism, buddhist music, Cosmic Blues, Cosmic Journey, Deep Blues, Dharma, emotional music, Enlightenment, Folk Blues, Folk Music, hopeful blues, inspirational music, lotus flower, Lotus Sutra, Meditation, meditation music, mellow blues, Mindfulness, mystical blues, perseverance, reflective music, Religion, Soulful, soulful vocals, spiritual awakening, spiritual blues, Spiritual Journey, Suffering, universal vow

• The Universal Vow: Merit, Enlightenment, and the Legacy of the Brahma Kings in the Lotus Sutra

  

  I. Introduction: The Universal Aspiration for Enlightenment The human spirit often harbors a profound yearning for its endeavors to resonate beyond the personal sphere, contributing to a larger, universal good. The verses presented— May the merits we have accumulated by this offeringBe distributed among all living beings,And may we and all other living beingsAttain the…

  William Altig

  May 16, 2025

  Uncategorized

  Bodhicitta, Bodhisattva Path, Brahma Kings, Buddha, Buddhism, Chapter Seven, Daitsū Chishō Butsu, Dedication of Merit (Pariṇāmanā), Dharmapāla, Enlightenment, Great-Universal-Wisdom-Excellence Buddha, Inherent Buddha-Nature (Tathāgatagarbha), Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Meditation, Merit (Puṇya), Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, One Vehicle (Ekayāna), Parable of the Conjured City, Philosophy, Religion, Skillful Means (Upāya-kauśalya), The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings (OTT)., universal salvation, universal vow

• The Inconceivable Supernatural Powers of the Buddha in the Lotus Sūtra

  

  1. Introduction Overview This report undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the concept of “inconceivable supernatural powers” (acintya−ṛddhi) attributed to the Buddha, particularly as referenced in Chapter Six, “Bestowal of Prophecy,” of the Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra (Lotus Sūtra). The specific impetus for this investigation is the verse sung by Śākyamuni Buddha following his prophecy of future…

  William Altig

  April 30, 2025

  Chapter 6

  abhijna, acintya, asravaksaya, Buddha, Buddhahood, Buddhism, Dharma, Ekayana, Enlightenment, inconceivable, interpretation, jhana, karma, Kevatta Sutta, liberation, literal, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Meditation, Miracles, One Vehicle, prajna, Prophecy, psychic powers, psychological, rddhi, Rebirth, samadhi, Skillful Means, Subhuti, supernatural powers, symbolic, Theravada Buddhism, Upaya, wisdom

• An Analysis of Nichiren’s Metaphor: The Buddha, His Children, Gratitude, and the Calm Mind

  

  1. Introduction The writings of Nichiren Daishonin (1222–1282), the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, are replete with profound metaphors and analogies designed to convey the core tenets of his teachings, rooted firmly in the Lotus Sutra. One such evocative passage asserts: “Since time immemorial all the people on the earth have been the Buddha Śākyamuni’s beloved…

  William Altig

  April 27, 2025

  Nichiren

  Buddha, Buddha-nature, Buddhism, chanting, Confucianism, daimoku, Enlightenment, Eternal Buddha, filial piety, Four Debts of Gratitude, Gohonzon, Gratitude, Hokke Shuyo Sho, Lotus Sutra, mahayana, Metaphor, mind, Nichiren, peace, practice, Soka Gakkai

• 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…

  William Altig

  April 14, 2025

  Chapter 7

  arhats, Avalokiteśvara, Bodhi, Brahma King Great Compassion, Brahma Kings, Brahma Sahampati, Brahmaloka, Buddha, Buddha Dharma, Buddha Great-Penetrating-Wisdom-Victory, Buddhism, Buddhist cosmology, Buddhist deities, Buddhist meditation, buddhist parables, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Symbolism, Chapter Seven, Compassion, Dharma, Dharmapala, Eightfold Path, Enlightenment, ethical conduct, expedient means, Four Noble Truths, Great Compassion, Guanshiyin, hinduism, Ichinen Sanzen, Jhanas, Lotus Sutra, Lotus Sūtra, Magic City Parable, Mahayana Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Nirvana, one-eyed turtle analogy, Parable of the Magic City, Pratyekabuddhas, rare encounter with Buddha, religious study, Samsara, Samyaksambuddhas, Spiritual Journey, Spiritual Liberation, three thousand worlds, trichiliocosm, Upaya

• The Pedagogy of Awakening: Exploring Learning and Practice in Chapter Two of the Lotus Sutra

  

  Introduction: Setting the Stage with the Lotus Sutra and Chapter Two The Lotus Sutra, formally known as the Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra or the “Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma,” stands as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, holding a position of profound reverence and influence, particularly within East Asian traditions . This revered…

  William Altig

  April 2, 2025

  Chapter 2

  analogy, Bodhicitta, Bodhisattva, Buddha, Buddhism, Compassion, cultural context, Ekayāna, Engaged Buddhism, Enlightenment, experiential learning, historical context, karma, lotus flower, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Meditation, Nichiren Buddhism, Noble Eightfold Path, One Buddha Vehicle, parable, Philosophy, practice, Religion, Skillful Means, Spirituality, Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, upāya, wisdom, Zen Buddhism

• Share Your Blessings, Let ‘Em Shine

  

  A soulful folk blues rendition of a powerful story from the Lotus Sutra. “Share Your Blessings, Let ‘Em Shine” recounts the tale of Endless-Intent Bodhisattva’s generous offering and the Buddha’s teaching on the importance of compassion. Through heartfelt lyrics and a bluesy melody, the song reminds us that true wealth lies in sharing our blessings…

  William Altig

  March 22, 2025

  music

  asuras, Avalokiteshvara, blessings, Blues, Buddha, Buddhism, Buddhist, compassion., dragons, Endless-Intent Bodhisattva, Folk Blues, gandharvas, garudas, generosity, gods, Guanyin, human beings, kinnaras, Let ‘Em Shine, Lotus Sutra, mahoragas, Merit, nonhuman beings, Share Your Blessings, sharing, World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva, yakshas

• Daily Dharma Study

  

  He will be able to recognize All the sounds and voices Inside and outside the one thousand million Sumeru-worlds, [Each being composed of the six regions] Down to the Avīci Hell and up to the Highest Heaven. And yet his organ of hearing will not be destroyed. He will be able to recognize everything by…

  William Altig

  March 15, 2025

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

  active participation, Avīci Hell, Bodhisattva Path, Buddha, Buddha Dharma, Buddhism, Buddhist cosmology, Chapter Nineteen, Compassion, cosmic empathy, engagement with the world, enlightenment for all, guiding others, heightened awareness, Highest Heaven, Mahayana Buddhism, Meditation, Never Disparaging, peace and happiness, Religion, right practice, sharp ears, six regions, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality, Sumeru-worlds, teacher of the law, transforming suffering, universal awareness