Tag: Latter Day of the Law (*Mappō*)

• How a Priest “Like a Monkey” Became a Buddhist Hero: A 13th-Century Lesson on Faith Over Flaws

  

  In our modern world, we are often pressured to present a flawless version of ourselves. We curate our lives, polish our resumes, and strive for an ideal of personal perfection. It is therefore deeply puzzling to encounter a historical example that turns this entire value system on its head. Consider a letter written in 13th-century…

  William Altig

  October 31, 2025

  Nichiren

  derived sanctity, dragon holding relics, faith in Mappō, flawed vessel, ishin-daie, Jibu-bō, Kamakura Buddhism, Latter Day of the Law (*Mappō*), Lord Jibu, Lotus Sutra supremacy, Maudgalyayana reinterpretation, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren’s polemics, paradox of praise, single vehicle (ekayāna), snake holding a gem symbolism, substituting faith for wisdom, Supreme Jewel, theological analysis of Jibu, Treatise on the Ullambana Service, Urabon Gosho, Wonderful Dharma (Myōhō)

• Three Revolutionary Ideas from a 13th-Century Buddhist Monk About Human Potential

  

  Introduction: The Challenge of Unlocking Our Full Potential In our daily lives, we constantly fall into the habit of placing limiting labels on people, including ourselves. We categorize others as “good” or “bad,” “smart” or “stupid,” or decide that certain individuals are simply lost causes, incapable of meaningful change. This tendency to see human potential…

  William Altig

  September 27, 2025

  Nichiren

  Arhatship, arrogance, Buddha-nature, Buddhahood, Compassion, daimoku, Devadatta, Dragon King’s daughter, ekayāna (one vehicle), Icchantika (incorrigible unbeliever), Ichinen Sanzen, Kamakura period, Latter Day of the Law (*Mappō*), Latter Day of the Law (Mappō), Lotus Sutra, Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds, Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō, Nichiren Daishonin, Persecution, Pure Land Buddhism, Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō, Three Great Secret Laws, universal salvation, women’s enlightenment