Day 25 covers all of Chapter 20, Never-Despising Bodhisattva, and opens Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas. Having last month begun Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas, complete today’s portion of the chapter. At that time the gods in the skies [of the worlds of the ten quarters] said loudly: “There … Continue reading Day 25
You have a grandson, Lord Jibu, who is a Buddhist priest. This priest is neither an upholder of precepts nor especially rich in wisdom. He neither observes even one of the 250 precepts nor maintains even one of the 3000 solemn rules of conduct. In wisdom he is like a horse or a cow while … Continue reading Daily Dharma – July 27, 2018
Day 25 covers all of Chapter 20, Never-Despising Bodhisattva, and opens Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas. Having last month completed Chapter 20, Never-Despising Bodhisattva, we begin Chapter 21, The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas. Chapter 21: The Supernatural Powers of the Tathāgatas Thereupon the Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas as many as the particles of dust … Continue reading Day 25
Day 9 covers Chapter 5, The Simile of Herbs, and introduces Chapter 6, Assurance of Future Buddhahood. Having last month concluded Chapter 5, The Simile of Herbs, we begin Chapter 6, Assurance of Future Buddhahood and the prediction of future Buddhahood of Mahā-Kāśyapa. Thereupon the World-Honored One, having sung these gāthās, said to the great … Continue reading Day 9
Grand Master T’ien-t’ai states in his Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sūtra, “The wonderful way of the Lotus Sūtra will spread benefit far into the fifth 500-year period!” Grand Master Miao-lê explains it in his Annotations on the Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sūtra: “Not necessarily will there be no divine favor of … Continue reading Day 96 of 100
Day 2 completes Chapter 1, Introductory. Having last month considered the ray of light from Sun-Moon-Light Buddha illumining 18,000 Buddha worlds in the east, we consider the reaction of the four kinds of devotees. The four kinds of devotees Of the world of Sun-Moon-Light Buddha Also saw the Buddha displaying this great wonder. They had … Continue reading Day 2
THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM IN THE FIFTH 500-YEAR PERIOD The fifth 500-year period, the period of destruction of the pure dharma referred to in the Sutra of the Great Assembly, is without doubt today. After the destruction of the pure dharma, however, the great pure dharma of “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō,” the gist of the … Continue reading Day 95 of 100
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 Day 92 of 100
VI. APPEALING TO THE AUTHORITIES HAVING CALMED DOWN SOMEWHAT, THE TRAVELLER STATED: Though I am unable to understand you completely, I think I understand what you mean roughly. However, from Kyoto, the seat of the imperial court, to Kamakura, the capital of the shogunate, none of the eminent priests and able leaders of the Buddhist … Continue reading Day 91 of 100
QUESTION: What proof do you have to say that the five virtues prior to the introduction of Buddhism into China were the “five precepts” of Buddhism? ANSWER: The Sūtra of the Golden Splendor states, “All the teachings in the world encouraging to do good, stem from this sutra;” the Lotus Sūtra, chapter 19 on the … Continue reading Day 90 of 100