Tag: Spiritual Journey
-
Chapter 14–Guidelines for the Bodhisattva’s Conduct in Adversity
To elaborate on this subject in more depth, the Lord recited the subsequent verses: In times to come, dreadful and vast,The Bodhisattva, firm and steadfast,Wishes to share this Sūtra’s lore,Undaunted, unabashed, forevermore. His course and sphere he must embrace,With purity and retired grace,Kings and princes he must evade,His spiritual path must not be swayed. No…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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 10–Verses on the Unfolding Path to Enlightenment
And so, the Lord expressed these truths in the following verses: Listen to this sacred Sūtra with focused heart and mind,For rare is the chance to hear, and rarer still to find belief in kind. Like a man in search of water, digging in an arid land,Finding only dry and white sand, in his desperate,…
-
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–Ānanda’s Revelation: Recollecting the Path to Supreme Enlightenment
In the gathering were eight thousand Bodhisattvas, new to the path, and a thought arose within them: “We’ve never before witnessed such an extraordinary prophecy for Bodhisattvas, let alone disciples. What could be the reason? What drives this moment?” Sensing their thoughts, the Lord addressed them: “Young seekers of truth, both Ānanda and I conceived…
-
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 8–The Parable of the Hidden Gem: Awakening to the Supreme Path
Upon hearing the Lord’s proclamation of their future destiny, the five hundred enlightened disciples (Arhats) were filled with contentment, joy, and delight. They approached the Lord’s place of sitting, humbly bowed to his feet, and confessed:”We acknowledge our mistake, O Lord. We believed we had reached the ultimate state of Nirvana, but we were mistaken.…
Mr. Altig’s Overview of the Wonderful Dharma of the Lotus Sutra 