Tag: mahayana
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The Hidden Chapters: How a Textual Detective Story Is Reshaping a Sacred Buddhist Scripture
The Dhammapada is one of Buddhism’s most beloved, accessible, and widely-translated texts. For over two millennia, its 423 verses, neatly organized into twenty-six chapters, have offered profound wisdom in a simple and memorable format. Practitioners and scholars alike have revered this structure as a definitive presentation of the Buddha’s core teachings. But what if the…
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The Dewdrop and the Sea
A stripped-down folk-blues meditation for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of the world on their shoulders. “The Dewdrop and the Sea” is a story about moving from the burnout of trying to fix everything to the quiet hope found in small, meaningful action. It’s a song about a simple truth: our individual acts of…
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The Lotus Sutra, the One Vehicle, and Nichiren’s Embodiment of Buddha’s Mind
I. Executive Summary This briefing document examines the profound doctrinal shift introduced by the Lotus Sūtra within Mahayana Buddhism, particularly its declaration of the “One Vehicle” (Ekayāna) as the ultimate path to universal enlightenment, transcending prior teachings as “expedient means” (upāya). It highlights the pivotal narrative in Chapter Six where the Buddha’s foremost disciples, representing…
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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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Cosmic Cycles and the Path of Awakening: A Comparative Study of the I Ching and the Lotus Sutra
I. Introduction: Bridging Ancient Wisdom Streams A. Overview of the I Ching and Lotus Sutra Two monumental texts stand as pillars within the vast landscape of East Asian thought: the I Ching (易經, Yijing) or Classic of Changes, and the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra, commonly known as the Lotus Sutra. The I Ching, originating in ancient China, began…
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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…
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The Profound Implications of Hearing the Dharma: An Analysis of Lotus Sūtra Chapter Seven Verses
The Lotus Sūtra, revered as one of the most significant scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism, holds a central place in the spiritual lives of countless practitioners across East Asia. Its teachings, often considered the final and most complete exposition of Shakyamuni Buddha’s wisdom, articulate the profound principle of universal Buddhahood, asserting that all beings possess the…
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Once I Was Fame Seeker
“Once I Was Fame Seeker” is a folk-blues reflection on the ancient path of transformation and purpose. Inspired by Chapter 1 of the Lotus Sūtra, this song gives voice to the past life of Maitreya Bodhisattva—when he was known as Yaśaskāma, the Fame Seeker. Blending timeless Buddhist wisdom with modern soul, the song explores how…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 