Then the store of truths (Buddha’s teachings), eighty-four thousand in the number of its gateways, is nothing but the record and diary of our own life. Everybody reads and embraces this store of truths in his own soul. Illusion occurs when we seek the Buddha, the Truth, and the Paradise outside of our own self. One who has realized this soul is called the Tathagata. When this state is once attained, (we realize that) the cosmos in ten directions is our own body, our own soul, and our manifestation, because the Tathagata is our own body and soul.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetQuotes
Learning from Devadatta
The Buddha had a cousin named Devadatta. He was jealous of the Buddha’s fame, and he desired to take over the Buddha’s community. He tried to assassinate the Buddha many times, but always failed. In the end, he died by falling into a valley. Afterwards, the Buddha thought back on his cousin’s behavior and said, “He always caused me trouble, but if he had not, I would not have attained enlightenment by now. He was my teacher. He will be reborn as a Buddha in the future.” Learning is enlightening. Please keep a modest attitude in order to learn, and to become an Enlightened One.
Spring WritingsStudy Fun
As I think back on my first exposure to the Lotus Sutra, what really fascinated me was not the parables. It was the treasure tower, the bodhisattvas from beneath the ground and all of that part. It wasn’t until much later when I became aware of the many parables in the Lotus Sutra. I guess you could say that I only had a casual relationship with the Lotus Sutra when I began practicing. I could chalk it up to being young, enamored of the drama, lazy, and probably some others that 45 or so years have blurred.
I will say in my defense there wasn’t a lot of easily available English literature. It is partly that which is motivating me to write this. I would like for others to share in the joy I experience in practicing the Lotus Sutra. One way to do that is to try to make the Lotus Sutra more approachable to readers, I believe the Lotus Sutra can be fun to study.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraFreedom and Selflessness
The ideal of the Middle Way is to live a life of harmony and equilibrium, free of self-centeredness and awkward self-consciousness. Following the Middle Way, we avoid fanaticism, fundamentalism, or legalism, and act with genuine insight and compassion in every situation. Ultimately, every aspect of our lives becomes an expression of the freedom and selflessness enjoyed by the Buddha.
Lotus SeedsThe Nourishment of the Lotus Sutra
[T]his seed of potential (or latent) Buddhahood must be fed, watered and cared for just like any other living thing. This can be done only through the nourishment of the Lotus Sutra, that is, reciting the Sutra and Namu Myoho Renge Kyo while dedicating ourselves to the Buddha. Without sincere faith and practice, the seed of enlightenment hidden in our lives cannot receive nourishment and, therefore, cannot blossom and grow, much less flourish.
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge KyoEmptying the Teacup
Frequently in Buddhism teachers and others will use the analogy of emptying the teacup. It is a good image when you consider that before you can receive more tea, fresh tea, hot tea, different tea you need to first empty your cup. If your cup remains full then there is no space for more. The same goes with our lives. If we cling tightly to what we have and do not seek to give it away then we have no space for more. If we are feeling good and have received merit from our practice of Buddhism what good does it do us to cling tightly?
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1The Entry Way
Those who avoid the truth and wisdom of the story and believe the entry into enlightenment lies solely in rationality or intellectual understanding have ignored or failed to take to heart the countless times the Buddha says enlightenment is by faith alone. The stories are the entry way to the heart of the sutra, the heart of the Buddha.
Physician's Good MedicineThe Realization
The individual, the nation, the world, and the Kingdom of Buddha — these terms stand for different aspects of the one ideal. The Holy Catholic Church of Buddhism is to have the world, the whole cosmos, as its stage; while the cosmos is not to be conceived as a mere universe in space, but essentially exists in the heart of every true Buddhist. Buddha is the Father and Lord of the Kingdom, and his children should strive for the realization of the Kingdom both in their own lives and in the community of all beings.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetFor a Spiritual World and a Peaceful Mind
As our desires develop into deep grasping, our troubles also develop into spiritual suffering. We need a spiritual teaching to bring spiritual peace, hope and guidance to our life. This teaching is called “religion.” For a spiritual world and a peaceful mind, Buddhism is the specialty, and the Lotus Sutra the specialist. This teaching makes an analysis of the poison of suffering, explains the cause of suffering, and prescribes a good medicine for us to make harmony in body, mind and nature. That is the teaching of “Enlightenment.”
Spring WritingsHaving Joy
As we begin to wander into the Lotus Sutra, I think the most important thing is to understand those things that in this moment enhance your practice, encourage you, and deepen your relationship with the Lotus Sutra. In all things I believe that joy should be at the root. While the Lotus Sutra may at times seem perplexing or impossible to understand I do think that joy is possible to establish. Having joy well up from within your life and manifest in actuality is very important. When you have joy then you will have greater praise, which leads to further joy. The message of joy and gratitude are as much at the heart of the Lotus Sutra, as is any complex doctrinal message.
Lecture on the Lotus Sutra