Tag: Mahayana Buddhism

• The Merits of Encouraging Others to Hear the Lotus Sutra: An Expert Analysis of Chapter Eighteen

  

  Key Phrase Translation from Buddhist Text Translation Society Translation from Nichiren Information Translation from 500 Yojanas Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma Dharma Flower Sutra sutra called the Lotus sūtra called the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma dhāraṇīs Dharani Bodhisattva dharani bodhisattvas Bodhisattvas who obtain dharanis living with the Bodhisattvas who obtain dhāraṇīs born…

  William Altig

  April 25, 2025

  Chapter 18

  Ajita, Bodhisattva, Buddhahood, Buddhist teachings, Chapter Eighteen, Dharanis, Dharma, Ekayana, Enlightenment, karma, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Maitreya, Merit, One Vehicle, Pure Land, rejoicing, Samsara, Shakyamuni Buddha, Skillful Means, Upaya

• The Indestructible Pure World and the Perceptions of Suffering in the Lotus Sutra

  

  The Lotus Sutra, a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, stands as one of its most influential scriptures, revered across diverse East Asian Buddhist traditions.1 Within this extensive text, Chapter Sixteen, entitled “The Life Span of the Thus Come One,” holds a particularly significant position, often regarded as containing the essential message of the sutra, especially within…

  William Altig

  April 24, 2025

  Chapter 16

  Buddha Śākyamuni, Buddha-nature, Chapter Sixteen, Enlightenment, indestructible, Life Span of the Thus Come One, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, perverted views, pure world, Skillful Means, Spiritual Practice, Suffering, Tathagatagarbha, viparyasa

• The Revelation of Eternity: An Analysis of Chapter Sixteen of the Lotus Sūtra and the Nature of the Eternal Buddha

  

  I. Introduction: The Pinnacle of the Lotus – Unveiling the Eternal Buddha A. Significance of the Lotus Sūtra in Mahāyāna Buddhism The Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, or Lotus Sūtra, stands as a monument within Mahāyāna Buddhist literature, widely regarded as one of the most famous, influential, and revered scriptures.1 It presents what many scholars consider a…

  William Altig

  April 23, 2025

  Chapter 16

  Buddha Nature, Chapter Sixteen, Dharmakaya, Ekayana, Enlightenment, Eternal Buddha, faith, Honbutsu, Lifespan of the Thus Come One, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Merit, Nichiren Buddhism, Nirmanakaya, parinirvana, Sambhogakaya, Skillful Means, Tendai, Tiantai, Trikaya, Upaya

• Unveiling the Eternal Ground: An Analysis of Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sūtra

  

  I. Introduction A. The Lotus Sūtra: Pinnacle of Mahayana Teaching The Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, or Lotus Sūtra, stands as a monument in the landscape of Mahayana Buddhist literature. Revered across East Asia and beyond, it is celebrated for its profound doctrines, dramatic narrative style, and its transformative message of universal liberation.1 Often characterized by its…

  William Altig

  April 18, 2025

  Chapter 15

  Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Buddha Nature, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Scripture, Ceremony in the Air, Chapter 15, Dharma, Doubt, Ekayana, Emerging from the Earth, Enlightenment, Essential Teaching, Eternal Buddha, Four Leaders, Honmon, inquiry, Jeweled Stupa, Jogyo, Kuon Jitsujo, Latter Day of the Law, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Maitreya, Mappo, Narrative Analysis, Nichiren Buddhism, Religious Text, Shakumon, Shakyamuni Buddha, Skillful Means, Superior Practices, Tendai, Theoretical Teaching, Tiantai, Universal Liberation, Upaya

• The Profound Significance of Respecting the Keeper of the Lotus Sutra: An Analysis of the Buddha’s Instruction to Universal-Sage Bodhisattva

  

  The Lotus Sutra, revered as the “king of sutras” within Mahayana Buddhism 1, holds a central position due to its revolutionary teaching that all beings, without exception, possess the inherent potential to attain Buddhahood.2 This profound scripture culminates in Chapter 28, titled “The Encouragement of Bodhisattva Universally Worthy,” where the Buddha imparts crucial instructions regarding…

  William Altig

  April 16, 2025

  Chapter 28

  Bodhisattva Ideal, Buddha-nature, Buddhahood, Chapter 28, Compassion, Dharma, Enlightenment, ethics, karma, keeper of the sutra, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Merit, Nichiren Buddhism, non-violence, parinirvana, respect, Shakyamuni Buddha, spiritual community, teachings, Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Universal-Sage Bodhisattva, virtue, vows, Zen Buddhism

• The Guiding Hand of Teachers: An Analysis of Chapter Twenty-Seven of the Lotus Sūtra

  

  The Lotus Sūtra, revered as one of the most influential scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism, holds a significant place in the spiritual landscape of East Asia.1 For many, it represents the culmination of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, offering a path to complete and sufficient salvation.1 This venerated text presents a profound re-evaluation of the Buddhist path and…

  William Altig

  April 15, 2025

  Chapter 27

  Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi, Bodhisattva, Buddha Cloud-Thunderpeal-Star-King-Flower-Wisdom, Buddhadharma, Buddhahood, Buddhism, Buddhist teachings, Chapter Twenty-Seven, Dharma, Enlightenment, faith, family, Gratitude, King Wonderful Adornment, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, practice, roots of good will, Skillful Means, spiritual awakening, Spiritual Guidance, spiritual teacher, wisdom

• 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

• 🌸 “Rare as the Moon in Still Waters”

  

  I awakened once,when vinyl spun hymns and headlines burned,when the future whispered through wiresand Dharma hid in dusty books.The 70s cracked open my soul—and the 21st century blinked back. Now, here I am,older, stranger, truer—and the Buddha’s words ring louder than ever. He said:“Like a blossom seldom seen,this Teaching blooms once in countless eons.”And I…

  William Altig

  April 13, 2025

  poems

  21st century Buddhism, AI collaboration, awakening poem, Buddhist blogger, Buddhist Poetry, Dharma poetry, digital Dharma, Enlightenment, fig flower, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, moon in water, poetry of faith, rare Dharma, rare teaching, sacred verse, spiritual awakening, Spiritual Insight, sutra reflections, Tathagata, timeless truth, udumbara, william altig

• 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

• The Encouragement of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva: An Analysis of a Pivotal Vow in the Lotus Sutra

  

  The Lotus Sutra, revered across East Asia, stands as a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, distinguished by its profound teachings on the inherent potential for Buddhahood in all beings and the skillful means employed by Buddhas to guide them.1 This influential scripture emphasizes that the supreme state of enlightenment, characterized by boundless compassion, wisdom, and courage,…

  William Altig

  April 9, 2025

  Chapter 28

  Bodhisattva Path, Bodhisattva Vows, Buddhist Commentary, Buddhist Imagery, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist practice, Buddhist Symbolism, Chapter 28, Dharma Flower Sutra, Dharma Protection, Encouragement Chapter, Enlightenment, Harmony with Reality, Interdependence, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, One Vehicle, Samantabhadra, Six Paramitas, Six Tusked Elephant, Skillful Means, Sutra Recitation, Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, White Elephant