Tag: buddhist parables

• An Ancient Text’s Surprising Diagnosis for Modern Unhappiness

  

  We are all engaged in a lifelong pursuit of happiness. It’s a fundamental human drive, yet for many, it remains an elusive goal, always just over the horizon. We follow the prescribed paths—career success, new experiences, material comfort—only to find ourselves back where we started, with the persistent feeling that we’re missing something obvious, as…

  William Altig

  December 27, 2025

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

  Ancient Wisdom, Buddhism, buddhist parables, Buddhist Philosophy, emancipation, ending suffering, Great-Universal-Wisdom-Excellence Buddha, Lotus Sutra, Mindfulness, path to happiness, spiritual enlightenment, Spiritual Guidance, the long night, universal suffering, wisdom of the Buddha, Śākyamuni Buddha

• The Secret to Deeper Relationships Is an Ancient Act of ‘Summoning’

  

  We’ve all said it, or at least thought it, about someone we know: “They live in their own world.” It’s a common phrase, a shorthand to describe someone who seems distant, preoccupied, or tuned into a different frequency than our own. We usually mean it as a casual observation, a way to explain a gap…

  William Altig

  December 25, 2025

  Chapter 11, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Buddha-nature, buddhist parables, Empathy, human connection, Lotus Sutra, Many-Treasures Buddha, overcoming isolation, Personal Growth, Shakyamuni Buddha, spiritual awakening, spiritual connection, summoning the Buddha, Universal Buddha-nature, unlocking potential, wisdom and compassion

• 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 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…

  William Altig

  April 13, 2025

  Chapter 20

  Bodhisattva Path, Buddha-nature, buddhist parables, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist practice, Buddhist psychology, Buddhist storytelling, Chapter 20, Compassion, contemporary Buddhism, Dharma teaching, Ekayana, Four Siddhantas, humility, impure mind, karma, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Never-Despising Bodhisattva, Nichiren, non-discrimination, One Vehicle, respect, reverence, Sadāparibhūta, Shakyamuni Buddha, Spiritual Perseverance, Thich Nhat Hanh, three poisons, Universal Enlightenment, zen

• Chapter 8–The Parable of the Hidden Gem: Awakening to the Supreme Path

  

  Upon hearing the Lord’s proclamation of their future destiny, the five hundred enlightened disciples (Arhats) were filled with contentment, joy, and delight. They approached the Lord’s place of sitting, humbly bowed to his feet, and confessed:”We acknowledge our mistake, O Lord. We believed we had reached the ultimate state of Nirvana, but we were mistaken.…

  William Altig

  December 4, 2023

  Chapter 8, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Ancient Eastern Philosophy, arhats, Buddha’s Teachings, Buddhist Enlightenment Scenes, buddhist parables, Buddhist Wisdom, Chapter 8, Disciples’ Realization, Enlightenment, Journey of Understanding, Lotus Sutra, Lotus Sutra Storyboard, Metaphor in Buddhism, Nirvana, Parable of the Hidden Gem, spiritual awakening, Spiritual Journey, Supreme Path, Transformative Wisdom, Visualization of Buddhist Teachings

• Chapter 5–The Parable of the Plants

  

  “To further clarify this matter, the Enlightened One shared the following verses:” “Born from a passion for sacred truth,I break the bounded loop,to all I teach, discerning well,their hearts where different dispositions dwell. The wise protect these words divine,guard the mystery, keep it in line,revealing not to those alive,the understanding they might derive. This knowledge…

  William Altig

  November 9, 2023

  Chapter 5, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  arhats, art, Bodhisattvas, Buddha, Buddhism, buddhist parables, Buddhist teachings, clouds, Dharma, Enlightenment, hermit buddhas, illustrations, impartiality, Lotus Sutra, Meditation, nature, plants, rain, Storytelling, universality, visualization