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 – Jan. 12, 2019
The period after the death of the Buddha is sometimes divided into three ages: in the Age of the True Dharma (the first ten-century period), the Buddha’s teaching is practiced and enlightenment can be attained; in the Age of the Semblance Dharma (the second ten-century period), the teaching is practiced but enlightenment is not possible; … Continue reading FAQ: Ages of the Buddha’s Teaching
Chapter 7: The Parable of the Magic City (Conclusion) “Thereupon the Brahman-heavenly-kings of the five hundred billion [worlds], having praised the Buddha with these gāthās, said to him, ‘World-Honored One! Turn the wheel of the Dharma so that all living beings may be peaceful, and that they may be saved!’ They said in gāthās: World-Honored … Continue reading Day 12
Chapter 6: Assurance of Future Buddhahood (Conclusion) Thereupon the World-Honored One, having understood the wishes of the great disciples, said to the bhikṣus: “In his future life, this Subhūti[1] will see three hundred billion nayutas of Buddhas, make offerings to them, respect them, honor them, praise them, perform brahma practices, complete the Way of Bodhisattvas, … Continue reading Day 10
Chapter 2: Expedients (Conclusion) Thereupon the World-Honored One, wishing to repeat what he had said, sang in gāthās: Some bhikṣus and bhikṣunīs Were arrogant. Some upāsakās were self-conceited. Some upāsikās were unfaithful. Those four kinds of devotees Were five thousand in number.[1,2] They could not see their own faults. They could not observe all the … Continue reading Day 4
Enjoyed attending Sunday’s Shodaigo service at Shoeizan Enkyoji Buddhist Temple of Rochester. Last week, Shami Kanyu Kroll commented on my great fortune to have opportunities to practice at home and my home away from home. It is my great fortune, indeed. Tomorrow, the wife and I leave for Sacramento. We are driving a 2009 Mitsubishi … Continue reading Shoeizan Enkyoji Buddhist Temple of Rochester
Day 2 completes Chapter 1, Introductory. Having last month considered the role of Wonderful-Light Bodhisattva, we conclude Chapter 1, Introductory. The ray of light of [Sun-Moon-] Light Buddha, That is, the good omen, was the same as what I see now. Judging from this, the present Buddha also will expound The Sūtra of the Lotus … Continue reading Day 2
On Sept. 2, 2018, Ven. Kenjo Igarashi held a followup lesson on Ichinen Sanzen, building upon what he discussed on Aug. 12. The first lesson dealt with the logic; this lesson the character. “What is our self, our character,” asked Rev. Igarashi. “Where does it come from?” To set the stage for his lesson, Rev. … Continue reading Our Inherent Character
Day 25 covers all of Chapter 20, Never-Despising Bodhisattva, and opens Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas. Having last month completed today’s portion of Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas, we begin again with Chapter 20, Never-Despising Bodhisattva. “Know this! Anyone who speaks ill of or abuses or slanders the bhikṣus, … Continue reading Day 25
Notes from Ven. Kenjo Igarashi‘s sermon following the July 29, 2018, Kaji Kito service. “What is the religion? What is the faith?” Rev. Igarashi began. When Rev. Igarashi first came to the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church he would visit the homes of each of the members at the end of the year. He recalled one … Continue reading One Spirit; One Religion