Tag: Latter Day of the Law
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Nichiren Buddhist Practice: A Detailed Briefing

This briefing document reviews the core tenets and essential practices of Nichiren Buddhism as outlined in the provided sources, focusing on Nichiren’s specific directions for practitioners in the Latter Day of the Law. I. Main Themes and Most Important Ideas The central theme running through Nichiren’s instructions is the primacy of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the sole…
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Maitreya’s Questions and the Revelation of Eternal Buddhahood in the Lotus Sūtra

Date: August 9, 2025 Subject: An analysis of Maitreya’s questions in Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sūtra, Shakyamuni Buddha’s response, and subsequent interpretations across various Buddhist traditions (Tiantai, Nichiren, Zen). 1. Executive Summary Maitreya’s profound questions in Chapter 15 (“Emerging from the Earth”) of the Lotus Sūtra serve as a pivotal narrative device, prompting Shakyamuni…
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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…
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Unlocking the Lotus Sutra: Insights from Chapter Fifteen

The Profound Revelations of Lotus Sutra Chapter Fifteen – “Emerging from the Earth” This briefing synthesizes the core themes, most important ideas, and factual points from the provided sources on Chapter Fifteen (“Emerging from the Earth”) of the Lotus Sutra. This chapter marks a pivotal transition in the Sutra, shifting from “provisional teachings” (shakumon) to…
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Navigating Adversity in Nichiren Buddhism – Persecution, Purification, and the Path to Buddhahood

This briefing examines the core themes within Nichiren’s teachings, particularly his understanding of persecution, the role of the “three poisons,” and the transformative power of the Lotus Sutra in the “Latter Day of the Law.” It highlights how adversity is not merely an obstacle but a crucial catalyst for spiritual growth and internal purification, ultimately…
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The Excellence of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s Interpretation of Universal Enlightenment in Chapter Ten

I. Introduction Chapter Ten of the Lotus Sutra, specifically the Buddha’s declaration of its preeminence and the interpretation offered by the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest Nichiren, particularly concerning the doctrine of universal enlightenment. The Lotus Sutra, revered as a foundational text within Mahayana Buddhism, holds a particularly significant position in the Tendai and Nichiren traditions.1…
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The Profound Encouragement of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva in Chapter 28 of the Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra, revered as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, presents a comprehensive vision of the path to Buddhahood, asserting that this supreme state is attainable by all beings without exception.1 Central to its teachings is the doctrine of the One Vehicle (Ekayana), which posits that all Buddhist paths ultimately converge on Buddhahood, and the…
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The Protective Vow of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva in the Lotus Sutra: Context, Interpretations, and Contemporary Relevance

Introduction: The Significance of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva’s Vow in the Lotus Sutra The Lotus Sutra, revered as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, articulates the profound principle of universal Buddhahood, asserting that all beings possess the inherent potential to attain enlightenment.1 Within this influential scripture, Universal-Sage Bodhisattva, also known as Samantabhadra, stands as an eminent figure embodying…
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The Needle on Sumeru’s Peak: An Analysis of Rarity and Merit in Nichiren Daishonin’s Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō

I. Introduction: The Rarity of Encountering the Mystic Law A. Presentation of the Core Passage Within the corpus of writings attributed to the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist reformer Nichiren Daishonin, a particularly striking passage appears in his Treatise on Chanting the Great Title of the Lotus Sūtra (Shō Hokke Daimoku-shō). It presents a vivid, almost fantastical…
