Tag: Tendai school
-
The Savior You’re Waiting For Is You: An Ancient Buddhist Text’s Radical Message

Introduction: Who Will Save Our World? In times of turmoil, it’s a deeply human response to feel overwhelmed by the world’s problems. We look at widespread conflict, suffering, and uncertainty and hope for a hero—a brilliant leader, a revolutionary movement, or even a divine savior—to arrive and set things right. We wait for someone else…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
An Examination of Nichiren’s Assertions on Attaining Buddhahood and Societal Well-being in his Treatise on Prayers

1. Introduction: Nichiren Buddhism, a significant school within the Mahayana tradition, centers its teachings and practices on the Lotus Sutra, revered as the culmination of Shakyamuni Buddha’s fifty years of teachings.1 Founded in 13th-century Japan by Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282), this school emphasizes the inherent Buddha-nature within all individuals and the possibility of attaining enlightenment in…