Tag: Spiritual Maturation

• 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 Sutra: Aspiration and Teaching” – Chapter Four Analysis

  

  Date: September 8, 2025 Subject: Main Themes and Key Insights from Chapter Four of the Lotus Sūtra, focusing on Aspiration and Expedient Means. Executive Summary This briefing document summarizes the core themes and most important ideas presented in the analysis of Chapter Four of the Lotus Sūtra, often titled “Faith Discernment” or “Belief and Understanding.”…

  William Altig

  September 11, 2025

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

  Arhatship, Aspiration, Awakened Mind, Belief and Understanding, Bodhicitta, Bodhisattvayāna, Buddha, Chapter Four, Compassion, Dharma King, Ekayāna, Faith Discernment, grace, Hinayana, Inner Capacity, Karma Purification, Lesser Vehicle, Lotus Sūtra, Mahayana Buddhism, Mahā-Kātyāyana, Mahā-Kāśyapa, Mahā-Maudgalyāyana, Nirvana, One Vehicle, Parable of the Prodigal Son, Parable of the Wayward Son, Pratyekabuddhayāna, Provisional Teachings, Self-Cultivation, Skillful Means, Soteriology, Spiritual Inheritance, Spiritual Maturation, Storehouse of Dharma, Subhūti, Universal Buddhahood, upāya, Willing Acceptance, Śrāvakayāna, Śāriputra

• 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