Tag: Meditation
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Chapter 14–The Warrior of Virtue: A Guide to Bodhisattva Living
Mañjuśrī, a noble prince, asked the Lord: “It seems a tough task, Lord, very tough, what these Great Spiritual Seekers (Bodhisattvas Mahāsattvas) will attempt out of respect for You. How will they spread this Spiritual Teaching (Dharmaparyāya) in the future, at the end of time?” The Lord replied to Mañjuśrī: “A Great Spiritual Seeker (Bodhisattva…
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Chapter 12–The Future Enlightenment of Devadatta
So, monks, what do you think? Was it someone else who was the king at that time? You must not believe that, for I was the King then. And what about the Seer? Do you think it was someone else who was the Seer at that time? No, you must not believe that either, for…
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Chapter 11–The Revelation of the Stūpa of Abundant Jewels
At that moment, a wise and compassionate being known as Mahapratibhana, or “Great Eloquence,” turned his gaze to the world—filled with gods, men, and mystical beings—and asked the Lord, “O Master, what has brought forth this stunning tower of precious gems? What is the reason for its magnificent appearance? Whose voice resonates from within its…
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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,…
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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,…
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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,…
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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,…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
Buddhist Wisdom for the Long Night 