Quotes

Lecture on Lotus Sutra

The Teachings of Nirvana

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In the Parable of the Magic City, the Buddha continues with his message explaining that all he had taught before the Lotus Sutra was only designed to get folks to the place where they would be able to understand and follow the Lotus Sutra. Because the Lotus Sutra is being taught the other teachings are not invaluable, nor are they to be discarded.

The teachings of Nirvana are not the final objective of Buddhist practice; it can be compared to the magic city the guide conjured in the Parable of the Magic City. If the Buddha had not taught Nirvana and instead opened his teaching career with the Lotus Sutra then people would have thought it was impossible and not have made the effort. The Buddha knew the road to the enlightenment equal to all Buddhas is a long and difficult path and he knew that the people of his time, his disciples, would not be able to complete the journey if he had started with that as the objective. As it is, even in their own lifetime his disciples could not attain enlightenment, they are only able to attain this after several lifetimes and only in places other than this Saha World.

Lecture on the Lotus Sutra

Awakening to the Lotus

The Lesson of Bodhisattva Never Despise

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Because all human beings have the potential to become Buddhas – their lives contain the world of Buddhahood because of ichinen sansen – we should treat all other people was we wish to be treated ourselves. We should keep in mind the lesson of Bodhisattva Never Despise in Chapter 20 of the Lotus Sutra, who told everyone that he met that he respected them because they would become Buddhas one day.

Awakening to the Lotus

Basics

A Common-Sense Religion

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A common-sense religion, Buddhism is concerned first not with abstracts beyond human ken but with the world of actual experience and with enabling human beings to live well in it. To this end the Buddha presented the teachings of the seals of the Law, dependent origination, and the Four Noble Truths.

Basic Buddhist Concepts

buddhaseed

Equal to the Whole Lotus Sutra

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[T]he Lotus Sutra was expounded in accordance with the Buddha’s true heart and intention. In Chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra is says:

“All the teachings of the Tathāgata, all the unhindered, supernatural powers of the Tathāgata, all the treasury of the hidden core of the Tathāgata, and all the profound achievements of the Tathāgata are revealed and expounded explicitly in this sutra.” (Murano, p.294)

Thus, the Lotus Sutra is equal to the Buddha himself.

The Buddha is also included in the five characters of Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo, which is the Chinese title of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren Shōnin said:

“A name has virtue representing its body.” (Jissh ō-shō, WNS2, p.4).

Therefore, the five [Chinese] characters of the Odaimoku are equal to the whole Lotus Sutra.

Buddha Seed: Understanding the Odaimoku

Doctrines of Nichiren

The Mission of the Sect of Nichiren

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The first and greatest mission of Sakyamuni in this world is to help the multitude to unfold and develop their Buddha-intellect, and cleanse and purify their nature. When they are once able to unfold this Buddha-intellect of theirs, they will perceive the real nature of this world of evils, that is, the glory of that eternal reality which underlies the world of outward sense. Hence, to proclaim the identity of the evil or phenomenal world with the glorious underlying reality, or noumenon; to point out the way to Buddhahood; to open the path of salvation; above all, to convince the people that one and all of them may become Buddhas, here and now. This is the mission of the sect of Nichiren.

Doctrines of Nichiren (1893)

Lotus Path

Slowly and Deliberately

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When we really take the time to engage our whole life into our practice, a quality practice, we truly benefit more than if we approach our practice from a point of accumulating quantity. This also has a spillover effect into all areas of our life. Give it a try; go slowly and deliberately.

Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1

Physicians Good Medicine

Possible Joy

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Illness is not just the sicknesses that lead us to medical practitioners. It is also the many illnesses that rob us of the joy that is possible in each of our lives.

Physician's Good Medicine

Lotus World

The Focus of Devotion

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[The Gohonzon,] the physical form of such a focus of devotion, also serves as a reminder that the Buddha Dharma is not about abstract principles and theories. Instead, the Dharma is a living reality. It awakens us through the vast network of interrelationships within the real world that affects the unfathomable inner workings of our own minds and hearts. The focus of devotion, therefore, is not to be worshiped as an idol, something outside of ourselves and separate from daily reality. Rather, it is an expression of enlightenment, presented in such a way that it warmly and intimately engages our whole being with the living reality of Buddhahood.

Lotus World: An Illustrated Guide to the Gohonzon

Spring Writings

Wondrous

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“Myo” basically has two meanings: “A wondrous function, too microscopic to discern” and “Mysterious circumstance.” Originally, “Myo” comes from the Sanskrit “Sat,” which means “Right, virtuous and true.” When “Sat” connects to the next word, “Dharma” (Ho), it becomes “Saddharma.” Then, all of a sudden, “Myo” has an amazing meaning. It means to “open all mysterious gates in the universe, and awaken hidden power; to develop and resuscitate life.” This implies that the teaching of the Lotus Sutra has wonderful mysterious powers to engender a life from sterile land, cause growth and regenerate all, just like the sun. “Myo is to resuscitate life,” said Nichiren Shonin, in one of his letters.

Spring Writings

Lecture on Lotus Sutra

All Together Now

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Concerning the Simile of the Herbs, it should be pointed out that all the plants live in harmony with each other. They are grouped together, even as they each grew according to their unique nature. Some would grow near mountains, some near the river, some in between. Yet they all grew together. Over and over in the Lotus Sutra the Buddha either refers to groups of people, alludes to groups of people or addresses groups of people. Even when he addresses specific individuals he does so as representatives for people of similar capacities. We each are important to the greater whole that makes up the entire universe as well as our local Sangha. Every person brings a unique perspective and understanding to the practice of Buddhism. The entire Sangha grows stronger by the contributions of each person, just as society is made stronger when all people actively participate.

It takes the combined efforts of many people to ensure that our society reflects the ideas and beliefs of Buddhism, which in turn will help eliminate the suffering that is around us in the world today.

Lecture on the Lotus Sutra