Tag: Sūtra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma
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Unlocking the Lotus Sūtra’s Promise

In an age of endless scrolling and 24-hour news cycles, our attention is pulled in a thousand directions. We seek meaning in fleeting headlines and momentary connections, yet often feel a deeper hunger for something that endures. It’s a common assumption that answers to our modern anxieties must be new and revolutionary, but what if…
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Why True Enlightenment Isn’t About Escaping the World, But Coming Back to It

For many on a spiritual path, the ultimate goal seems clear: to escape the endless cycle of suffering. We strive to purify our minds and remove our afflictions in the hope of achieving a state of permanent peace, like Nirvāṇa, often imagined as a tranquil, higher realm far removed from the difficulties of this world.…
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Four Pillars for Genuine Altruistic Practice

The very aspiration to benefit all beings is, as the ancient texts note, “rare and wonderful.” It is a profound impulse that speaks to the best of our nature. We want to help others, contribute to our communities, and make a positive impact. This noble path, sometimes called the “Way of Bodhisattvas,” stems from our…
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Why Fierce Demons Vowed to Protect a Sacred Text: A Surprising Lesson in Transformation

Introduction: The Unlikely Guardians We often think of demons as forces of harm and destruction, adversaries to be overcome. Yet, a remarkable chapter in the Lotus Sūtra presents a radical alternative: a group of fierce demons who willingly pledge to become guardians of a sacred teaching. What could possibly cause such a profound and unexpected…
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The Paradox of Slander in the Lotus Sūtra

Date: September 7, 2025 Subject: An Exegesis of the Lotus Sūtra’s Paradox on Slander: Why Slandering a Practitioner is Graver Than Slandering the Buddha 1. Introduction: The Core Paradox The Lotus Sūtra presents a profound paradox in Chapter 10, stating that “If for the space of an aeon, one were to harbor an unwholesome mind,…