Tag: Nichiren Buddhism

• A 25-Year-Old Father with 100-Year-Old Sons: 3 Shocking Truths from an Ancient Buddhist Text

  

  Introduction: The Puzzle at the Heart of the Lotus Sūtra Ancient spiritual texts are often filled with baffling paradoxes. These seemingly impossible scenarios aren’t mistakes; they are deliberate puzzles designed to shatter our ordinary understanding and reveal a deeper, more profound truth. One of the most striking examples of this comes from the Lotus Sūtra,…

  William Altig

  September 24, 2025

  Chapter 15, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Analogy of the Young Father, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Chapter 15 Emerging from the Earth, Chapter 16 Life Span, Eternal Buddha, expedient means, Hōben, Lotus Sūtra, Mahayana Buddhism, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Nichiren Buddhism, Parable of the Skilled Physician, Paradox of the Young Father and Old Sons, Shakyamuni Buddha, Sincere Questioning, Superior Practices, Tendai school

• 5 Radical Ideas from an Ancient Buddhist Text That Will Change How You See the World

  

  Have you ever stumbled upon an ancient idea that feels shockingly modern? It’s a common experience when exploring the world’s great spiritual texts—finding concepts that resonate with a contemporary urgency, challenging our assumptions about reality, potential, and purpose. Hidden within complex philosophies are often profoundly simple and radical truths. The Lotus Sūtra is one such…

  William Altig

  September 23, 2025

  Chapter 19, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Altruism, attainment in the remote past, Avalokiteśvara, Bodhicitta, Bodhisattva Ideal, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Buddhist humanism, Chapter 14, Chapter 19, Devadatta, Dharma Master, Dharma Relic, egalitarian philosophy, Eternal Buddha, Five Practices of a Dharma Teacher, Great Compassion (Mahākaruṇā), Inherent Buddhahood, interconnectedness, Kumārajīva, Lotus Sūtra, Mahāyāna, Merits of the Six Senses, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Non-duality of Form and Mind (shiki-shin funi), One Vehicle (Ekayāna), peaceful practices, Pratyekabuddha, Provisional Teachings, purification of senses, skilled physician parable, Skillful means (Upāya), three carts and the burning house parable, three carts vs. four carts controversy, Tiantai Buddhism, transformation of perception, Universal Enlightenment, Śrāvaka, Śākyamuni Buddha

• The Immanence of the Eternal Buddha and the Practice of the Lotus Sutra

  

  This briefing document summarizes the core themes and essential facts from the provided scholarly analysis of the Lotus Sutra, particularly focusing on the “Encouragement of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva” chapter (Chapter 28) and its philosophical underpinnings in the “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapter (Chapter 16). It explores how practicing the sutra fosters a direct…

  William Altig

  September 19, 2025

  Chapter 28, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Altruism, Buddha land, Chapter 16, Chapter 28, Daheng, Ekayāna, Enlightenment, Eternal Buddha, Four Conditions for Obtaining Sutra, Fugen, Immeasurable Lifespan, kosen-rufu, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, One Vehicle, paramitas, Perfect-Sudden Precepts, practice, protection, Reciprocal relationship, Samantabhadra, Self-reformation, Six Perfections, Skillful Means, Spiritual Transformation, Tathagata’s room, Ten Great Vows, Tendai Buddhism, Universal Buddha-nature, Universal-Sage Bodhisattva, Upaya, World of conflict

• The Empowering Presence and Protection of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva in the Lotus Sūtra

  

  This briefing document reviews the main themes and important ideas surrounding Universal-Sage Bodhisattva (Samantabhadra/Fugen) as presented in the concluding chapter of the Lotus Sūtra, “Encouragement of Universal-Sage Bodhisattva.” It addresses the nature of his vow, the role of dhāraṇīs and “supernatural powers,” the significance of Jambudvīpa, and the enduring legacy of these teachings in various…

  William Altig

  September 17, 2025

  Chapter 28, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Abhijñā, Avalokiteśvara, Bhaiṣajyarāja, Bodhisattva, Buddha-nature, Dharma, Dhāraṇī, Divine Aid, Enlightenment, External Aid, Fugen, Higher Knowledges, Internal Cultivation, Jambudvīpa, karma, Kōsen-rufu, Lotus Sūtra, Mañjuśrī, Mahāyāna Buddhism, Meditative Aid, Mnemonic Device, Mount Meru, Nichiren Buddhism, Parinirvāṇa, Practice (Caryā), protection, Protective Incantation, Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, Samantabhadra, Six Perfections, Six Tusks, Skillful means (Upāya), spiritual energy, supernatural powers, Tendai school, Tiantai School, Universal-Sage Bodhisattva, vows, White Elephant, Śākyamuni Buddha

• The Wayward Son’s Realization and the Unveiling of the One Vehicle in the Lotus Sūtra

  

  Date: September 13, 2025 Subject: Analysis of Chapter Four of the Lotus Sūtra, focusing on the Parable of the Wayward Son and the disciples’ statement: “We were satisfied with the elimination of illusions within ourselves. What we accomplished was that elimination. We did nothing more.” I. Executive Summary Chapter Four of the Lotus Sūtra, “Belief…

  William Altig

  September 16, 2025

  Chapter 4, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  arhats, Attachment to limited self-identity, Belief and Understanding, Bodhisattva Ideal, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Buddha’s Disciples, Buddha’s pure land, Buddha-nature, Buddhahood, Cause-awakened ones (pratyekabuddhas), Chapter Four, Clearing away excrement, Delusion, Delusion of self-limitation, Diligent practice, Ekayāna, Elimination of illusions, Gradual cultivation, Greed, hatred, Humble outlook, Immeasurable riches and treasures, Individual liberation, Inherent Buddhahood, Limited self-view, Lotus Sutra, Maha-Katyayana, Maha-Maudgalyayana, Mahā-Kāśyapa, Mahāyāna pedagogy, Nichiren Buddhism, Nirvana, Non-Duality, One Vehicle, Parable of the Burning House, Parable of the Wayward Son, patient practice, Provisional milestone, Provisional truths, Saha world, Skillful Means, Socially Engaged Buddhism, Sorrow and suffering, Spiritual Maturation, Subhuti, Tiantai Buddhism, True Aspect of All Phenomena, Ultimate truths, Universal Enlightenment, Upaya, Urgent upaya, Voice-hearers (śrāvakas), Wayward son, Wealthy father, Śākyamuni

• Lotus Sūtra’s Hidden Enlightenment

  

  I. Executive Summary Chapter Eight of the Lotus Sūtra marks a profound turning point in Buddhist thought, where five hundred of the Buddha’s monks realize the limitations of their previous spiritual attainments. Their declaration, “The Nirvāṇa we attained was Only part of the immeasurable treasures of yours. We were like a foolish man with no…

  William Altig

  September 15, 2025

  Chapter 8, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  altruistic mission, Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, Arhat, awakening, Bodhisattva, Bodhisattvayāna, Buddha, Buddha-nature, Buddhist path, Chapter Eight, Compassion, devotional practices, Dharmakāya, Dukkha, Ekayāna, emptiness of all phenomena, emptiness of self, expedient means, foolish man, Hinayāna, immeasurable treasures, impartial compassion, Latter Day of the Law, Lotus Sūtra, Mahāyāna, monks, Mystic Law, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin, Nirvāṇa, non-dual, One Vehicle, Parable of the Burning House, parable of the jewel in the robe, Parinirvāṇa, personal liberation, Provisional Teachings, realization, recitation, revaluation, Samsara, spiritual complacency, Spiritual Journey, Suffering, Tendai, three vehicles, Tiantai, transcription, treasure tower, Universal Enlightenment, universal salvation, upāya, Zhiyi, Śrāvakayāna

• The Bodhisattva Never-Despising and the Embodiment of the Wonderful Dharma

  

  Executive Summary This briefing document analyzes Chapter Twenty of the Lotus Sūtra, focusing on the story of the Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta (Never-Despising Bodhisattva). The narrative serves as a foundational blueprint for Mahayana Buddhist practice, asserting that the “Wonderful Dharma” (Saddharma Puṇḍarıˉka) is not merely theoretical but an active, compassionate engagement with the world. The core message…

  William Altig

  September 13, 2025

  Chapter 20, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  active tolerance, Always Despised, Avichi hell, Bodhisattva Never-Despising, Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Buddha-nature, Buddhahood, Cháng bù qīng púsà, Constantly Abused, Ekayaˉna, Enlightenment, Internal Transformation, Jōfukyō Bosatsu, Karmic Transformation, King of Majestic Voices, Kumārajīva, Lotus Sūtra, Mahayana Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin, Non-duality of Self and Environment, One Vehicle, overcoming disparagement, poison-drum relationship, respect, reverence, Saddharma Puṇḍarıˉka, Sadāparibhūta, six senses, Skillful Means, Spiritual Practice, Universal Buddhahood, universal salvation, upaˉya, veneration, Wonderful Dharma

• The Bodhisattva’s Path to Clarity through Peaceful Practices in the Lotus Sūtra

  

  Executive Summary Chapter Fourteen of the Lotus Sūtra, focusing on “Peaceful Practices,” offers a profound blueprint for spiritual cultivation for Bodhisattvas, those committed to universal liberation. The teachings go beyond mere moral prohibitions against actions like jealousy, anger, arrogance, flattery, deception, and dishonesty. Instead, they reveal these unwholesome behaviors as symptoms of deeper mental afflictions,…

  William Altig

  September 8, 2025

  Chapter 14, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Anger, arrogance, Bodhicitta, Bodhisattva, Buddhahood, Chapter Fourteen, Compassion (Karuṇā), Deception, Delusion (Moha), Dishonesty, Emptiness (Śūnyatā), Equanimity, Flattery, Good Citizenship, Greed (Rāga), Hatred (Dveṣa), Honesty, humility, Internal Clarity, Jealousy, Kleshas, Lotus Sūtra, Loving-Kindness (Mettā), Mañjuśrī, Mahayana Buddhism, Mental Conduct, Nichiren Buddhism, Non-Duality, One Vehicle (Ekayāna), Original Enlightenment (Hongaku), peaceful practices, Physical Conduct, Seated Meditation (Dhyana/Shamatha), Skillful means (Upāya), Spiritual Cultivation, Tendai Buddhism, The Vow, Tiantai, True Nature of Reality, Unwholesome Actions, Verbal Conduct

• Maitreya’s Perplexity and the Eternal Buddha in the Lotus Sutra

  

  Date: August 27, 2025 Subject: Review of Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra, focusing on Maitreya’s inquiry and the revelation of the Eternal Buddha. Key Themes: I. Introduction: The Cosmic Unveiling and Maitreya’s Inquiry Chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra, “Welling Forth from the Earth,” sets a dramatic stage with a vast assembly of Bodhisattvas…

  William Altig

  September 5, 2025

  Chapter 15, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Bodhisattvas Welling Forth from Earth, Buddha-nature, Changing Poison into Medicine, Eternal Buddha, Inherent Buddhahood, Latter Day of the Law, Lotus Sutra Chapter 15, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Maitreya’s Verse, Mystic Law, Nichiren Buddhism, One Vehicle (Ekayana), Origin Teaching (Honmon), Original Enlightenment (Hongaku), Saha world, Shakyamuni Buddha, Sincere Questioning, Skillful Means (Upaya), Three Buddha Bodies, Tiantai School, Trace Teaching (Shakumon), Vulture Peak, Young Father Ancient Sons Analogy

• The Lotus Sūtra’s Ceremony in the Air and its Embodiment in Nichiren Buddhism

  

  Date: September 2, 2025 Purpose: This document provides a detailed review of the “Ceremony in the Air” as depicted in the Lotus Sūtra, its allegorical meanings, and its profound reinterpretation and practical application within Nichiren Buddhism. I. Overview of the Ceremony in the Air (Lotus Sūtra, Chapters 11-22) The “Ceremony in the Air” is a…

  William Altig

  September 4, 2025

  Chapter 11, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Bodhisattvas of the Earth, Buddhahood, Buddhism, Buddhist Allegory, Buddhist art, Buddhist Doctrine, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist practice, Ceremony in the Air, chanting, Enlightenment, Gohonzon, Heian Period, Human Potential, Ichinen Sanzen, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Many Treasures Buddha, Mystic Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Reality and Wisdom, Shakyamuni Buddha, Spiritual Transformation, Spiritual Virtues, Sutra Commentary, Tendai, Tiantai, Treasure Stupa, Universal Enlightenment