Deciphering the Lotus Sutra: Commentary by Nichiren Daishonin (Chapter 1 – ND 1.1) Point One, regarding the words “This is what I heard:” The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, volume one, says, “The words ‘This is what’ indicate the substance of the doctrine heard from the Buddha. ‘I […]
Buddhism
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Mahakashyapa is Still Live Today! Venerable Mahakasyapa is one of the Buddha’s disciples who is foremost in ascetic practice. Before the Buddha entered parinirvana, he preferred to practice alone, away from the Sangha community. After the Buddha entered parinirvana, he took it upon himself to lead the Sangha by presiding […]
Tantric Practice in Cultivation Dharma of Tantra Buddhism The profound mystical Dharma of Tantra Buddhism is to coordinate mutually and harmoniously the triple activities of the mouth reciting the True Word, the hands posting the symbol of a manta, and the mind entering into profound meditation on mandalas with Form […]
Understanding Chen Yen Sect (Part 5/5) Five Kinds of Dharma Body In Cheng Yen sect, all teachings are established on the ground of Buddhas, i.e. the manifestations of the Dharma Body of Buddhas as the results of the cultivation of Buddhahood. There are five kinds of Dharma Body, which are all incorporated […]
Gosho Study #5: On Reprimanding Hachiman Now for the past twenty-eight years, since the fifth year of the Kencho era [1253], cyclical sign mizunoto-ushi, the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month, until the present, the twelfth month of the third year of the Koan era [1280], cyclical sign kanoe-tatsu, I, […]
What is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo? Nichiren, the 13th-century Japanese Buddhist monk, declared the daimoku of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo on 28 April 1253, which he termed as his First Turning of the Wheel of the Law. At the same time, he also changed his Dharma name to Nichiren, which […]
Zen Practice in Cultivation What is Ch’an (Zen) Ch’an Buddhism is the core of Buddhism. Once, after a sermon, Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) held up a flower before the assembly and the only person who understood the profound meaning of this gesture was Mahakasypa; he responded with a smile. Subsequently, the […]
Understanding Chen Yen Sect (Part 4/5) Three Kinds of Attainment of Buddhahood Cheng Yen sect advocates the direct attainment of Buddhahood with the present life. Attainment of Buddhahood by the wholly noumenal and intrinsic nature [理具成佛]– For all living beings, the body in motion is classified as the first five elements, […]
Gosho Study #4: On Repaying Debts of Gratitude If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity, for it has the beneficial power to open the blind eyes of every living being in the country of Japan, and […]
Tien Tai Method in Cultivation Looking into the Mind As said in all Mahayana Scriptures, Prajna is where there is awareness, therefore the practice of looking into the mind is of fundamental importance for disciplining the mind. Because we are not used to revert ourselves to awareness of the mind […]
