10 Fascinating Facts about Master Kukai Master Kukai, or Kobo Daishi, is an amazingly respectable Buddhist master by virtue of his balanced intelligence in both arts and sciences, his interpersonal mastery and dignity that gained him trust and respect in the Imperial courts, his leadership to manage the Sangha […]
Buddhism
294 posts
Understanding Chen Yen Sect (Part 3/5) The Fourfold Mandala The Fourfold Mandala indicates the efficacious power of the Three Mysteries. The painted or sculptured figures show the mystery of the body of the Buddha; the letters show the mystery of the speech of the Buddha; and the symbol shows the […]
Gosho Study #3: The Hero of the World Untempered iron quickly melts in a blazing fire, like ice put in hot water. But a sword, even when exposed to great fire, withstands the heat for a while, because it has been well forged. In admonishing you in this way, I […]
Buddhism Could Now Be the Second Largest Spiritual Path (with 1.6 Billion or 22% of the World’s Population According to Some Recent Studies) Buddhism has never been a “propagation” spirituality. Actively seeking out “converts” is discouraged for the most part. Individual spirituality is emphasized more than group activities. Some people […]
The Five Vehicles and One Buddha-Vehicle People vary in their background, interests, levels of understanding, sharpness in mind, and objectives in studying Buddhism. Therefore there is no single school of teaching to satisfy all. For those who cannot understand the sagely and ultimate Dharma, Buddha dharma provides them with the […]
Understanding Chen Yen Sect (Part 2/5) The Three Wheels of Buddhism The Buddha’s teachings are classified into three, known as the Three Wheels. The first wheel is Hinayana, which aims at personal liberation. The second is Mahayana, which extends Buddhist liberation to other people with universal compassion. The third wheel […]
Deciphering the Lotus Sutra Commentary by Master Hsuan Hua (Chapter 1 – HS 1.1) Quotes in the Lotus Sutra: Thus have I Heard Master Hsuan Hua’s Commentary: The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra contains twenty-eight chapters. The first chapter, “Introduction,” narrates the causes and conditions leading up to the speaking of […]
Shutei Mandala of Nichiren Shu Nichiren Buddhism is a school with great internal diversity. Within Nichiren Buddhism itself, there are numerous sub-sects, the most well-known of which are Nichiren Shu, Nichiren Shoshu, and Soka Gakkai. To understand more about differences among Nichiren Shu, Nichiren Shoshu, and Soka Gakkai, you may […]
Understanding Chen Yen Sect (Part 1/5) Names ‘Chen-yen’ [真言] is the pronunciation of two Chinese words [真] and [言], which means ‘true’ and ‘word’ respectively. Literally, Chen-yen means ‘words of truth’. It means it is the true words of the Buddha. This school is considered as the third and final […]
Gosho Study #1: The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other. “All others who bear you enmity or malice will likewise be wiped out.[1]” These golden words will never prove false. The heart of strategy and swordsmanship derives from the Mystic Law. […]
