Tag: One Vehicle (Ekayana)

• 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: Joyful Perseverance and the Unwavering Path

  

  I. Executive Summary This briefing document examines the core teachings of the Lotus Sūtra, focusing on the apparent paradox between the promise of “non-returning” and the Bodhisattva’s commitment to “returning” to the world for the benefit of all beings. It elucidates how the Lotus Sūtra reinterprets “non-returning” not as an escape from saṃsāra, but as…

  William Altig

  August 30, 2025

  Chapter 3, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Anāgāmin, Avinivartaniya (Non-Regression), Bodhisattva Path, Bodhisattva vow, Buddhahood, Devadatta, Dragon King’s Daughter, Joyful Resolve, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Non-Duality, Non-Returning, One Vehicle (Ekayana), Parable of the Burning House, Perseverance (Virya), Saha world, Skillful Means (Upaya), Spiritual Maturation, Theravada Buddhism, Universal Liberation, Śāriputra

• The Lotus Sūtra and Assured Buddhahood

  

  Executive Summary This briefing document provides a comprehensive analysis of the Lotus Sūtra, particularly focusing on Chapter Two, “Expedient Means,” as a foundational text for understanding inherent purpose and cultivating perseverance. The Lotus Sūtra challenges conventional Buddhist thought by asserting the universal potential for Buddhahood, emphasizing that innate wisdom and compassionate purpose are eternal realities,…

  William Altig

  August 28, 2025

  Chapter 2, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Attainment of Buddhahood in one’s present form, Bodhisattva, Buddhahood, Chapter Two, Compassion and Perseverance, compassion., Daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo), expedient means, Ichinen Sanzen of Ji, Ichinen Sanzen of Ri, Inherent Buddha, Juki, Lotus Sutra, Nichiren, One Great Reason, One Vehicle (Ekayana), Parable of the Burning House, Persecution prophecies, Profound and Wonderful Teachings, Provisional Teachings, Real Dharma, Shakyamuni, Skillful Means (Upaya), Strategy of the Lotus Sūtra, T’ien-t’ai, Ten Factors of Life, Ten Worlds, Three Thousand Realms in a Single Moment of Life (Ichinen Sanzen), three vehicles, True Aspect of All Phenomena, Universal Enlightenment, Voluntarily assuming appropriate karma, votary of the Lotus Sutra, wisdom, Śāriputra

• The Illusory Oasis: An Analysis of the Parable of the Magic City in the Lotus Sutra

  

  The Lotus Sutra, a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism, holds a prominent position in East Asian Buddhist traditions.1 Revered as the final and complete teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha by many, it presents profound concepts such as the One Vehicle (Ekayana) and skillful means (Upaya).1 These doctrines underscore the Mahayana understanding that all Buddhist paths ultimately converge…

  William Altig

  May 10, 2025

  Chapter 7, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Buddhahood, Buddhist Symbolism, Buddhist teachings, Chapter Seven Lotus Sutra, Conjured City Parable, Lotus Sutra, Magic City Parable, Mahayana Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Nirvana, One Vehicle (Ekayana), Phantom City Parable, Skillful Means (Upaya), Tiantai School, Zen Buddhism

• The Buddha’s Proclamation in the Lotus Sutra: An Analysis of Chapter Five

  

  I. Introduction The Lotus Sutra, a foundational text within Mahayana Buddhism, holds a position of paramount importance for its comprehensive revelation of the Buddha’s ultimate teachings. Esteemed across various Buddhist traditions, particularly in East Asia, the Lotus Sutra articulates the profound principle of universal Buddhahood and the compassionate strategies employed by the Buddha to guide…

  William Altig

  April 1, 2025

  Chapter 5

  Buddha’s Proclamation, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist teachings, Chapter Five, Cravings, Desire for Enlightenment, Destroyer of the Bonds of Existence, Enlightenment, King of the Dharma, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Nirvana, One Vehicle (Ekayana), Parable of the Medicinal Herbs, Samsara, Scholarly Interpretations, Skillful Means (Upaya), Universal Buddhahood, Varied Expounding of the Dharma