See The Cause of My Life I am currently publishing here daily quotes taken from A Buddhist Kaleidoscope: Essays On The Lotus Sutra, an anthology edited by Gene Reeves. My 32 Days of the Lotus Sutra practice is currently using The Threefold Lotus Sutra: A Modern Translation for Contemporary Readers for my afternoon English recitation. … Continue reading Buddhism for Today
It is stated [in “Medicine King Bodhisattva” chapter] that this sūtra will spread widely in Jambudvīpa after 2,000 years. In this statement the Lotus Sūtra is likened to the third parable of the Moon. Grand Master Dengyō interprets this, “The Ages of the True Dharma and the Semblance Dharma have already passed, and the Latter … Continue reading The Lotus Sūtra’s Power of Divine Help
The three delusions (delusions arising from incorrect views and thoughts, delusions which hinder knowledge of salvation methods, and delusions which hinder knowledge of the ultimate reality) that exist in the mind of all people as well as the karma of committing the ten evil acts, and the five rebellious sins are like the darkness of … Continue reading The Moon that Brightens the Darkness of Night
Aniruddha, a disciple of Śākyamuni Buddha, was named Wish Fulfilling when he was a child. The reason why he was so named was due to his ability to send down treasures as he wished. Asked how he became such a person, Śākyamuni Buddha answered: “It was due to the merit of offering a bowl of … Continue reading Seed of Buddhahood in Donated Barley and Rice
The Lotus Sūtra is like the moon. The rays of light emitted by stars reach the distance of half a mile, 1, 10, or 20 miles at the most whereas the rays of the moon light reach as far as 1,000 miles or so. Even if all stars in the four continents and all the … Continue reading The Light of One Character of the Lotus Sūtra
The Lotus Sūtra, fascicle 2, the 3rd chapter on “A Parable” states: “He who does not put faith in this sūtra and slanders it, [will commit the sin of exterminating the seed of Buddhahood in all the people in the whole world. Or, suppose those who frown at and harbor doubt about the teaching of … Continue reading Believe These Words and Revere Them
Today I completed my recent project of adding old brochures found in the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church classroom to the church website’s collection of brochures. This final brochure is entitled Save the Earth. The roughly 4-inch by 6-inch pamphlet unfolds into a seven panel brochure with comic-book-like illustrations on one side and a text-only article … Continue reading Rissho Peace Movement
Attended the online service with Rev. Ryusho Jeffus and three other members of the Myoshoji sangha today. I haven’t been attending as often as I once did. And now, apparently, I will soon have even fewer chances to attend. Today, Rev. Ryusho Jeffus announced that he will be retiring on Oct. 13, 2019. He plans … Continue reading Retirement News from Myoshoji
By definition, a hagiography is an idealizing or idolizing biography. It’s not history. Threads of truth and threads of imagination are woven into a tapestry and pinned to the wall to encourage the faithful. But if the faithful recognize the hagiography for what it is, how are we to react? Nichiren Shōnin offers a history … Continue reading Hagiography and History
To see a Buddha is as difficult As to see an udumbara[-flower]. To avert a misfortune is also difficult. These verses are sung by two sons of a king in a story told by the Buddha in Chapter Twenty-Seven of the Lotus Sūtra. In the story, the boys have heard the Dharma from a previous … Continue reading Daily Dharma – Aug. 21, 2019