For the next 12 days, I’ll be publishing excerpts from Easy Readings of The Lotus Sutra, a fascinating little book that is both “easy” to read and informative. It certainly meets its stated objective: “Although it is impossible to replace a teacher who could explain the liturgy, this book will be helpful for those who may have been chanting the Japanese without a clear notion of its meaning.”

An excellent example of this is the English translation of the Ten Suchnesses from Chapter 2

This true state of all things must be viewed from the following 10 kinds of perspectives: “sō” is the outside appearance; “shō” is the nature hidden inside; “tai” is the combination of the two. These three factors are the fundamentals of existence. “Riki” is the inner power; “sa” is the outside effect; “in” is the direct cause; “en” is the indirect cause; “ka” is the result; “hō” is a new interrelationship with the surroundings suitable to its effect. The factors of “hon”, which encompasses “sō” , “shō” and “tai”, and “matsu”, which encompasses the rest, are the factors existing in all things and always complement one another. This is “tō” or equality.

After I add this material I will incorporate it into my “Where to Begin” content.