Tag: Meditation
-
Chapter 11–The Call
Then there arose a Stūpa, a sacred symbol of the Buddhist path, from the place of the earth opposite the Lord, with the assembly gathered in the middle. This Stūpa, constructed of seven precious substances, reached a majestic height of five hundred yojanas and was proportionally vast in circumference. Its structure, imbued with spiritual significance,…
-
Chapter 9–The Prophesy of the Enlightenment of the Two Thousand Disciples
The Lord looked once more at those two thousand disciples, some still on their journey and others fully realized, all gazing up at him with calm, gentle, and peaceful minds. Then he spoke to the venerable Ānanda: “Do you see, Ānanda, these two thousand monks, some still learning and some who have arrived?” “I do,…
-
Chapter 9–Rāhula’s Destiny: A Reflection of the Lotus Sutra
Then the Lord turned to the venerable Rāhula-Bhadra and spoke: “Rāhula, in the future, you shall become a Tathāgata, an enlightened one, known by the name ‘The One Going with the Striding Seven-Jeweled Lotus’11[1], an Arhat, endowed with wisdom and virtuous conduct. After honoring and venerating several Tathāgatas equal to the atoms of ten worlds,…
-
Chapter 9–Prophecies of Enlightenment: The Destined Path of Ānanda, Rāhula, and the Two Thousand
At that moment, the venerable Ānanda (Joy/Bliss) was filled with anticipation, wondering if he and the others would receive a similar prophecy. Driven by this thought, he stood, bowed at the Lord’s feet, and spoke these heartfelt words. The venerable Rāhula (Fetter/Bond) also, feeling the same stirrings of hope, bowed before the Lord and pleaded,…
-
Chapter 7–The Profound Impact of the Sixteen Novices: Spreading the Lotus of the True Law
After twenty thousand ages had passed, the Tathagata, seeing the earnest prayer of these novices, revealed a profound teaching known as ‘the Lotus of the True Law.’ This extensive text was a guide for those aspiring to become Bodhisattvas and was considered suitable for all enlightened beings. The teaching was shared with a diverse audience,…
-
Chapter 7–The Ascendancy of Tathagata Mahabhignagnanabhibhu: A Journey to Perfect Enlightenment
The enlightened being, Tathagata Mahabhignagnanabhibhu (Great-Knowledge-and-Dominance), had a lifetime that spanned fifty-four hundred thousand myriads of countless eons. In the beginning, before he had achieved supreme enlightenment, he reached the summit of the terrace of enlightenment. There, he defeated the forces of Mara, the embodiment of worldly temptation and desire. He knew he was on…
-
Chapter 6–The Epoch of Tamalapatrakandanagandha: Maha-Maudgalyayana’s Journey to Buddhahood
The Master once again addressed the gathered monks: I want to share with you, monks, that the senior Maha-Maudgalyayana, my disciple here, will pay homage to twenty-eight thousand Buddhas. He will show them various kinds of respect, honor, reverence, veneration, and devotion. After passing these enlightened ones, he will erect stupas—monumental towers made from seven…
-
Chapter 6–Subhuti’s Cosmic Pilgrimage to Enlightenment
Understanding the thoughts burgeoning in the minds of his senior disciples, the Master once more spoke to the gathered monks: This eminent disciple of mine, monks, the senior Subhuti, will also embark on a spiritual journey. He will pay homage to countless Buddhas, numbering into the trillions; he will show them respect, honor, reverence, veneration,…
-
Chapter 5–Verses on the Equality of Wisdom’s Light
And in this moment, to further clarify this subject matter, the Lord expressed these verses: Just as the sun and moon shine bright,On every soul, in day and night.No matter if you’re wrong or right,Their light is shared with equal might. Just as the wisdom, pure and grand,Of Tathagata, across the land,Guides every being, every…
-
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…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 