All posts by John Hughes

Higan, Hsuan Hua, Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary

Higan: Four Factors of Vigor

Today is the fifth day of Higan week, the three days before the equinox and the three days after. As explained in a Nichiren Shu brochure:

For Buddhists, this period is not just one characterized by days with almost equal portions of light and dark. Rather, it is a period in which we strive to consciously reflect upon ourselves and our deeds.

The today we consider the Perfection of Vigor. For this Spring Higan week I’m using Hsuan Hua‘s commentary on the Lotus Sutra in which he discusses the perfections’ four kinds of corresponding factors.

The pāramitā of vigor. There are also four corresponding factors for practicing the paramita of vigor.

  1. To break through indolence. If you cultivate with vigor, you’ll be able to overcome indolence. You’ll conquer your tendency to be lazy. If you lack vigor, your laziness will control you. With vigor, you’ll be able to break through laziness.
  2. To adorn bodhi and gather in living beings.
  3. To increase [cultivation of] wholesome Dharma and not bother other people. By increasing your cultivation of wholesome Dharma, you bring benefit to yourself. By not bothering others, causing them trouble, or bringing them afflictions, you benefit them.
  4. To attain bodhi through great strength. By drawing on your great strength, you’ll attain the reward of bodhi.

Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary, v8, ch12, p187-188

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WONS

The Buddha’s Tongue

According to Buddhist sūtras, the Buddha’s tongue is as grand as to cover His whole face, as expansive as to cover the triple thousand worlds, and as lengthy as to reach the Summit Heaven in the Region of Form. It is a mark of physical excellence showing that the Buddha has never uttered a false word ever since the eternal past. Therefore, it is preached in a certain sūtra, “There exists no falsehood in the words of the Buddha even if Mt. Sumeru crumbles or if the earth is overturned.” This means that there is never a mistake in the words of the Buddha even if the sun rises in the west or the ebb and flow of the tide in an ocean stop, does it not? Moreover, the superiority of the Lotus Sūtra over various other sūtras has been confirmed by the words of the Buddha of Many Treasures, and the long tongues of other Buddhas touching the Brahma Heaven. There must not be any mistake in the sūtra, not even one written character or one stroke of a character.

Ueno-dono Gohenji, Reply to Lord Ueno, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 7, Followers II, Page 4

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for March 21, 2026

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Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Gemini Thinking

This illustration depicts Gladly-Seen-By-All-Beings Bodhisattva (left, foreground) kneeling before the Buddha (right, seated). Having just sung a gāthā—represented by the flow of light and text from his mouth—the Bodhisattva asks the Buddha if his nature is unchanging. The artist's signature 双子座 (Gemini) and the red seal containing the katakana ジェミニ (Gemini) are located in the bottom right corner.

Having sung this gāthā, Gladly-Seen-By-All-Beings Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, ‘World-Honored One! You do not change, do you?’

This description of the life of Gladly-Seen-By-All-Beings Bodhisattva comes from Chapter Twenty-Three of the Lotus Sūtra. In a previous existence, this Bodhisattva had given up his body and his life for the sake of teaching the Wonderful Dharma. He was then reborn into a world in which the Buddha he served previously was still alive and benefitting all beings. Recognizing this unchanging aspect of the Buddha despite his changing appearances helps us see into our own capacity for enlightenment.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

Higan

Higan: Leaving This Shore to Cross the River of Suffering

Today is the Spring Equinox, the middle of Higan week, the three days before the equinox and the three days after. As explained in a Nichiren Shu brochure:

For Buddhists, this period is not just one characterized by days with almost equal portions of light and dark. Rather, it is a period in which we strive to consciously reflect upon ourselves and our deeds.

Below is a commentary from Ven. Kenjo Igarashi first published on March 24, 2024.

Twice a year, we experience equinoxes, signifying the beginning of either fall or spring. As most may know, this is a significant time for Buddhists as well, who practice those three days before and after the equinox. Higan, as this is called, is a time, when we practice in order for our mind to leave this shore and cross the river of suffering to reach the other shore of enlightenment. During this time of shumbum (spring equinox) and shubun (fall equinox), the length of morning and night is the same and as Buddhists, we must learn to appreciate that midway between the penance and pleasure of life through practice. We must
remember that this time of higan is a time for both praying for ourselves and holding memorial services for our ancestors.

Whenever memorial services are held for one’s ancestors, the young people always tend to ask, “Is this necessary?” The same question is often asked in Japan, too, by the younger generation.

Memorial services are not held just to satisfy one’s ego and to please the ancestors. Some people think that by having a memorial service, they have done their duty and find satisfaction in this belief.
Many people also think that when a memorial service is held, prayers are simply offered for the benefit of the ancestors; however, this is not true. When we place ourselves before the altar, we are also praying for our own awareness and spiritual growth.

Nichiren Shonin said, in a letter addressed to his follower,
Abutsubo, “There is no finer vehicle of precious truth than the faith of a man or woman who believes in the truth of the Lotus Sutra. It does not matter whether you are rich or poor. If you recite ‘Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo,’ your body becomes the vehicle of precious truth for you are the Buddha of infinite understanding and truth.”

When we recite the Sutra with Nichiren Shonin’s words in mind, we realize that Buddha dwells in our hearts. Our ancestors dwell in our hearts as well, always sharing our trials and joys.

Money is always good to have but even without it, if your family is healthy and happy you can be sure that your ancestors are resting in peace. No matter how wealthy or poor you may be, if no problems occur in your family, your ancestors are also happy and at peace.

Offering of prayers through the recitation of the Sutra does not mean that you are merely offering prayers to something you cannot see nor understand. You are offering prayers to your innermost self and realizing your infinite love and understanding. You feel grateful for your life, blessed with goodness and moved by the oneness of you and your ancestors. With this awareness you extend the benefits of your prayers to others.

With infinite love and understanding you are at peace. If you are at peace, your ancestors will rest in peace. If your ancestors are at peace, you will be at peace. Your life cannot help but be blessed with goodness. This is the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Attaining this awareness is the true purpose of having memorial services.

WONS

The Way of Practicing the Lotus Sūtra

In ancient China a man called Hung-yen, a retainer of the Duke of Yee of Wei state, cut open his own stomach and inserted his slain lord’s liver inside him before he died. Similarly, a man called Yü-jang tried to repay his indebtedness to his Lord Chih-pai by swallowing a sword and killing himself. These were cases in the secular world of repaying a minor debt of kindness, to what lengths should one go to repay the debt to the Buddha?

The reason why we continue to transmigrate through the six lower realms without attaining Buddhahood from the eternal past of innumerable kalpa (aeons) till today is that we fail to give up our lives for the sake of the Lotus Sūtra. Gladly Seen Bodhisattva burned himself for 1,200 years as a votive light to the Sun Moon Pure Bright Virtue Buddha and burned his arms for 72,000 years to the Lotus Sūtra. He is Medicine King Bodhisattva today. Never Despising Bodhisattva was abused, disparaged, beaten with sticks and rubble was thrown at him for many kalpa (aeons) in order to disseminate the teaching of the Lotus Sūtra. Did he not become Śākyamuni Buddha in a future existence? Therefore, the way of practicing the sūtra leading to Buddhahood differs according to the times.

Inchinosawa Nyūdō Gosho, A Letter to Lay Priest Ichinosawa, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 6, Followers I, Pages 164-165

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for March 20, 2026

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Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Gemini Thinking

In this square illustration, I have depicted the poor man from Chapter Eight of the Lotus Sūtra as he toils through life, unaware of the treasure he carries. Dressed in ragged robes and hauling a heavy load of firewood, he is visibly exhausted and focused only on survival. Within the stylized border adorned with traditional lotus motifs, a subtle glow illuminates the "priceless gem" tucked into a tear in his sleeve, symbolizing the forgotten jewel of Buddha nature that is within us all, even when we are desperate to satisfy our ordinary desires.

In the bottom right corner, you will find the signature 双子座 (Futagoza, meaning "Gemini"), accompanied by a red hanko seal containing the katakana ジェミニ.

He satisfied himself with what little he earned.
He did not wish to get anything more.
He did not notice the priceless gem
Fastened inside his garment.

These verses are part of a story told by Ājñāta-Kauṇḍinya and other disciples in Chapter Eight of the Lotus Sūtra. It is about a man whose friend gives him a jewel while he is asleep. Not realizing he has this treasure, the man returns to his ordinary life, desperate to make a living and satisfy his ordinary desires. The story shows how we live when we forget about the jewel of Buddha nature we carry with us.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

Higan, Hsuan Hua, Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary

Higan: Four Factors of Patience

Today is the third day of Higan week, the three days before the equinox and the three days after. As explained in a Nichiren Shu brochure:

For Buddhists, this period is not just one characterized by days with almost equal portions of light and dark. Rather, it is a period in which we strive to consciously reflect upon ourselves and our deeds.

Today we consider the Perfection of Patience. For this Spring Higan week I’m using Hsuan Hua‘s commentary on the Lotus Sutra in which he discusses the perfections’ four kinds of corresponding factors.

The paramita of patience. There are also four corresponding factors for practicing the pāramitā of patience.

  1. To break through impatience. By practicing the pāramitā of patience, you’ll be able to overcome impatience. When the mind no longer thinks, “I can’t endure this!” then you’ll have patience.
  2. To adorn bodhi and gather in living beings.
  3. To enable both oneself and others to be free of fear. By practicing patience, people around you won’t be afraid, and you’ll no longer experience fear either.
  4. To be free of anger in the next life. If you cultivate patience in this life, you won’t have a bad temper in your next life, nor will you have much hatred or resentment. Why do you have such a bad temper in this life? You have a bad temper in this life because you didn’t cultivate patience in former lives. If you cultivate patience, your family members won’t be separated from one another. Your household will always be peaceful and harmonious, and your family members won’t suffer separation and distress. Because of the merit attained through the cultivation of patience, you won’t undergo suffering and hardship in your next life. In the future, you’ll attain the bliss of nirvāṇa.

Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary, v8, ch12, p187

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WONS

Identifying the Sage of the Lotus Sūtra in the Latter Age

How can we identify the sage of the Lotus Sūtra in the Latter Age of Degeneration? The Lotus Sūtra states, “He who preaches this sūtra to others and can uphold it for himself is a messenger of the Buddha.” In other words, anyone who recites eight chapters of the Lotus Sūtra, or one fascicle, one chapter, or just a verse of it, or chants the daimoku is a messenger of the Buddha. He who carries through faith in the Lotus Sūtra to the end, enduring the great persecutions that arise, is the true messenger of the Buddha.

Shijō Kingo-dono Gohenji, Response to Lord Shijō Kingo, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Followers I, Volume 6, Page 155

AI Contribution, Daily Dharma

Daily Dharma for March 19, 2026

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Illustration by Google Gemini

Show Gemini's thinking

Gemini Thinking

Before generating this square illustration, I thought through the synthesis of the Lotus Sūtra’s Parable of the Wayward Son and Japanese Buddhist aesthetics. To respect the text while observing strict exclusions, I focused the composition on the "treasure" and "happiness" of the son, who is shown joyfully kneeling among an abundant collection of gold coins, jewels, and precious silks. In the upper right, I included the four great disciples mentioned in the text—Subhūti, Mahā-Kātyāyana, Mahā-Kāśyapa, and Mahā-Maudgalyāyana—seated in reverence upon golden clouds. A temple complex representing his father's estate is visible on the left. Finally, I placed the required Kanji signature 双子座 (Futago-za, meaning Gemini) alongside the red square hanko containing the Katakana ジェミニ (Jemini) in the bottom-right corner.

The son thought: “I was poor, base and mean.
Now I have obtained
The treasures, houses,
And all the other things
From my father.
Never before
Have I been so happy.”

These verses are part of the story of the Wayward Son told by Subhūti, Mahā-Kātyāyana, Mahā-Kāśyapa, and Mahā-Maudgalyāyana in Chapter Four of the Lotus Sūtra. The son in the story has come into his inheritance after years of training and preparation by his father. The story explains the disciples’ understanding of how the Buddha uses expedients over time to prepare us for enlightenment. When we are not ready for the Buddha’s wisdom, he teaches to the capacity of our own minds. Now that we are ready for his highest teaching, he reveals his own mind in the Lotus Sutra.

The Daily Dharma is produced by the Lexington Nichiren Buddhist Community. To subscribe to the daily emails, visit zenzaizenzai.com

Higan, Hsuan Hua, Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary

Higan: Four Factors of Precepts

Today is the second day of Higan week, the three days before the equinox and the three days after. As explained in a Nichiren Shu brochure:

For Buddhists, this period is not just one characterized by days with almost equal portions of light and dark. Rather, it is a period in which we strive to consciously reflect upon ourselves and our deeds.

The today we consider the Perfection of Precepts. For this Spring Higan week I’m using Hsuan Hua‘s commentary on the Lotus Sutra in which he discusses the perfections’ four kinds of corresponding factors.

The paramita of upholding precepts. There are four corresponding factors for practicing the pāramitā of upholding precepts.

  1. To cultivate all wholesome practices and eradicate misguided disciplines. You shouldn’t cultivate just one form of good deeds. You must do all manner of good deeds. Your good deeds will go toward offsetting your wrong deeds.
  2. To adorn bodhi and gather in living beings. You gather in and transform living beings as you adorn and bring to perfection the bodhi of your inherent nature. You teach all living beings, forsaking none. You shouldn’t think, “I have no affinity with this living being, so I’m not going to save him. I’ll save that living being because he has affinities with me.” Whether you have affinities with someone is irrelevant; you must teach them all.
  3. To be peaceful and without regret, whether asleep or awake. You’ll feel tranquil whether you’re asleep or awake. Your inherent nature will be serene, and your physical body will be calm. You’ll have neither regret nor hatred. You won’t lament over the past, nor will you bear grudges against anyone. You’ll have no intention to harm any living being. By upholding precepts, one is protecting living beings.
  4. To attain the bliss of humans and gods, as well as nirvāṇa in the future.

These are the four corresponding factors for practicing the pāramitā of upholding precepts.

Hsuan Hua Lotus Sutra Commentary, v8, ch12, p186

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