Tag: Treatise on Prayers

• 4 Surprising Lessons on Leadership from a 13th-Century Buddhist Monk

  

  Introduction: The Search for a Perfect Guide In a world rocked by uncertainty, we all search for reliable leaders, mentors, and guides. We crave authority that is wise, compassionate, and strong enough to help us navigate the complexities of modern life. But what if the most effective framework for leadership wasn’t forged in a contemporary…

  William Altig

  October 4, 2025

  Nichiren

  absolute spiritual authority, Amida Buddha rejection, Bodhisattva Practice, Compassion (Karuṇā), compassion without skill, debt of gratitude (Hōon), Dharma Body (Dharmakāya), Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha, frightening master, Gohonzon, human limitations, Kitō-shō, kosen-rufu, Latter Day of the Law, Lotus Sūtra, Manifestation Body (Nirmāṇakāya), Mappō, Mentor-Disciple relationship, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Daishonin, Non-Duality, Parent, Parent virtue (Shin), practice for oneself (Jigyō), practice for others (Keta), refutation (shakubuku), Reward Body (Sambhogakāya), Sahā world, Shu-Shi-Shin, Skillful means (Upāya), Sokushin Jōbutsu, Sovereign, Sovereign virtue (Shu), spiritual unfilial piety, teacher, Teacher virtue (Shi), Three Virtues, Treatise on Prayers, Trikāya correlation, Wisdom (Prajñā), wisdom without compassion

• Devadatta’s Enlightenment in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s Philosophy

  

  1. Executive Summary This briefing examines the paradoxical concept of Devadatta’s enlightenment, a central tenet in the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren’s philosophy. Devadatta, cousin and notorious adversary of Shakyamuni Buddha, committed two of the five “Anantarika-karma” (grave offenses) and was traditionally condemned to the Avīci Hell, a realm of incessant suffering. However, the Lotus Sutra,…

  William Altig

  August 7, 2025

  Chapter 12, Nichiren, The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law

  Adversaries as Teachers, Arhatship, Avici Hell, Bodhisattva Ideal, Buddha, Buddhahood, Buddhism, Changing Poison into Medicine, compassion., Devadatta, Dharma, Dragon King’s Daughter, Enlightenment, Ethical Implications, Final Dharma Age, Five Anantarika-karma, Grave Offenses, Heavenly King Buddha, Hell of Incessant Suffering, Ichinen Sanzen, Inherent Buddha-nature, Instantaneous Enlightenment, karma, Karmic Retribution, Kitō-shō, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, Mappo, Meditation, Nichiren, Non-dualistic Perspective, Philosophy, Religion, Schism in Sangha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Soteriology, Spiritual Growth, Theravada Buddhism, Treatise on Prayers, Universal Buddhahood, universal salvation

• 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…

  William Altig

  April 12, 2025

  Nichiren

  Buddhahood, Ekayana, Eternal Buddha, hobo, Kamakura period, Kitō-shō, kosen-rufu, Lotus Sutra, Mappo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, One Vehicle, Pure Land Buddhism, Risshō Ankoku Ron, Sairen-bo, Shingon Buddhism, slandering the Dharma, Ten Worlds, Tendai school, Treatise on Prayers, Universal Buddhahood, Zen Buddhism