#lotussutra

[joannelooling]

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo ✦ 南无妙法莲华经 🪷

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE TRUE ASPECT OF ALL PHENOMENA — (pt.8 of 8) . The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin . I am now in exile because I spread the five and seven characters of Myoho-renge-kyo. I spread this teaching because “This is what I heard”: SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA AND MANY TREASURES BUDDHA LEFT MYOHO-RENGE-KYO FOR THE FUTURE AND FOR ALL LIVING BEINGS in the country of Japan. . I cannot hold back my tears when I think of the great persecution confronting me now, or when I think of the joy of attaining Buddhahood in the future. Birds and crickets cry, but never shed tears. I, Nichiren, do not cry, but my tears flow ceaselessly. I shed my tears not for worldly affairs but solely for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. So, indeed, they must be tears of amrita. The Nirvana Sutra states that, while the tears one has shed in past existences at the death of one’s parents, brothers, sisters, wives, children, and other relatives surpass the quantity of water in the four great seas, ONE WEEPS NOT A DROP FOR THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS. . One becomes a votary of the Lotus Sutra by virtue of one’s practice in past existences. It is karmic relationships that determine which among the many trees are made into images of the Buddha. It is also because of karma that some become statues of Buddhas of the provisional teachings. . In this letter, I have written my most important teachings. Grasp their meaning firmly, and make them a part of your life. BELIEVE IN THE GOHONZON, THE SUPREME OBJECT OF DEVOTION IN ALL OF JAMBUDVIPA. BE SURE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH, AND RECEIVE THE PROTECTION OF SHAKYAMUNI, MANY TREASURES, AND THE BUDDHAS OF THE TEN DIRECTIONS. Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. . WITHOUT PRACTICE AND STUDY, THERE CAN BE NO BUDDHISM. . You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase. Nammyoho-renge-kyo,Nam-myoho-rengekyo. . With my deep respect, Nichiren . #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #meditation #Enlightenment #mindfulness #loveandlight #goodvibes #positvevibes #meditator #nichiren #nammyohorengekyo #lotussutra #lifeforce #art https://www.instagram.com/p/CDKBXDUFu-d/?igshid=7jos9zspeevy

[joannelooling]

King of Butterflies, King of Sutras ✦ 蝴蝶之王、佛经之王 🦋  Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo ✦ 南无妙法莲华经 🪷

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE TRUE ASPECT OF ALL PHENOMENA — (pt.2) . The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin . No one but Nichiren has ever revealed teachings like these. Though T’ien-t’ai, Miao-lo, and Dengyo knew about them in their hearts, they never put them into words. They went about their lives keeping this knowledge to themselves. And there was good reason for this. THE BUDDHA HAD NOT ENTRUSTED THEM WITH THE TASK, THE TIME HAD NOT YET COME, AND THEY HAD NOT BEEN THE BUDDHA’S DISCIPLES FROM THE DISTANT PAST. . Only Superior Practices, Boundless Practices, and the other foremost leaders and guiding teachers among the Bodhisattvas of the Earth can not only appear during the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law and spread the five characters of Myohorenge-kyo, the essence of all phenomena, but also give concrete form to the ceremony of the two Buddhas seated side by side in the treasure tower. The reason is that [what they are to spread and give concrete form to is none other than] THE TEACHING OF THE ACTUAL [THREE THOUSAND REALMS IN A SINGLE MOMENT OF LIFE] in the “Life Span” chapter of the essential teaching. . Therefore, the two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, are Buddhas who are functions [of Myohorenge-kyo]. IT IS MYOHO-RENGE-KYO THAT IS THE TRUE BUDDHA (4). This is what is described in the sutra as “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.” The “Thus Come One’s secret” refers to the entity of the Buddha’s three bodies, and it refers to the true Buddha. “His transcendental powers” refers to the functions of the three bodies, and it refers to provisional Buddhas. A COMMON MORTAL IS AN ENTITY OF THE THREE BODIES, AND A TRUE BUDDHA. A Buddha is a function of the three bodies, and a provisional Buddha. In that case, though it is thought that Shakyamuni Buddha possesses the three virtues of sovereign, teacher, and parent for the sake of all of us living beings, that is not so. On the contrary, IT IS COMMON MORTALS WHO ENDOW HIM WITH THE THREE VIRTUES. . #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #meditation #meditator #wisdom #Knowledge #awakening #Enlightenment #mindfulness #spiritual #loveandlight #om #nichiren #nammyohorengekyo #lotussutra https://www.instagram.com/p/CA57qoXFQz1/?igshid=14bnbm902e2ab

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE TRUE ASPECT OF ALL PHENOMENA — (pt.4) . The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin . Although not worthy of the honor, I, NICHIREN, WAS NEVERTHELESS THE FIRST TO SPREAD THE MYSTIC LAW entrusted to Bodhisattva Superior Practices for propagation in the Latter Day of the Law. I was also the first, though only Bodhisattva Superior Practices is so empowered, TO INSCRIBE [THE OBJECT OF DEVOTION AS] THE EMBODIMENT OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA from the remote past as revealed in the “Life Span” chapter of the essential teaching, of Many Treasures Buddha who appeared when the “Treasure Tower” chapter of the theoretical teaching was preached, and of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth who arrived with the “Emerging from the Earth” chapter. Though people may hate me, THEY CANNOT POSSIBLY ALTER THE FACT OF MY ENLIGHTENMENT. . Therefore, to have exiled me, Nichiren, to this remote island is, I believe, an offense that can never be expiated, even with the passing of countless kalpas. A passage from the “Simile and Parable” chapter reads, “IF I WERE TO DESCRIBE THE PUNISHMENTS [THAT FALL ON PERSONS WHO SLANDER THIS [LOTUS] SUTRA], I COULD EXHAUST A KALPA AND NEVER COME TO THE END.” . On the other hand, not even the wisdom of the Buddha can fathom the blessings that one will obtain by giving alms to Nichiren and by becoming his disciple and lay supporter. The sutra reads,“ [THE BENEFITS HE GAINS THEREBY WILL BE SUCH THAT] EVEN THE BUDDHA WISDOM COULD NEVER FINISH CALCULATING THEIR EXTENT.” . Image: Nichiren inscribed Gohonzon. The object of Devotion, or Object for Observing the Mind when chanting the Mystic Law for awakening the Buddha Mind — Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo . #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #meditation #Enlightenment #mindfulness #loveandlight #goodvibes #positvevibes #meditator #nichiren #nammyohorengekyo #lotussutra #lifeforce #lightworker #blogger #truth #om #namaste #yogalife #spiritualvibes #art #calm #vipassana #perfection #spiritual #gohonzon https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBiJ4clHVj/?igshid=1xfabvjhwqdx9

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE LIFESPAN OF THE TATHĀGATA — (pt.6) . The Lotus Sutra 🌸 - chapter 16 . “SEEING HIS CHILDREN SUFFERING in this way, THE FATHER SEARCHES FOR BENEFICIAL HERBS POSSESSED OF GOOD COLOR, AROMA, AND FLAVOR, ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL MANUAL. Blending them together after grinding and sifting, he gives the mixture to the children and says: THIS IS AN EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL MEDICINE with good color, aroma, and flavor. ALL OF YOU TAKE IT! IT WILL QUICKLY REMOVE YOUR PAIN AND YOU WILL NEVER BE AFFLICTED AGAIN. . “Then the children who have not become delirious see this beneficial medicine of good color and aroma, and immediately take it. The affliction is completely removed and they are cured. The remaining children, those who are delirious, seeing their father coming to them, rejoice and ask him to seek a cure for their illness. ALTHOUGH HE OFFERS THEM THE MEDICINE, THEY WILL NOT TAKE IT. Why is this? THE POISON HAS SO DEEPLY PENETRATED THEM THAT THEY HAVE BECOME DELIRIOUS. They do not think that the medicine with good color and aroma is good. . “The father thinks: These children are to be pitied. THE POISON HAS COMPLETELY WARPED THEIR MINDS. Although they rejoiced upon seeing me and sought a cure they will not take this beneficial medicine. I WILL NOW CAUSE THEM TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE THROUGH SKILLFUL MEANS. . “Then he says to them: You should know that I am now old and feeble, close to death. I will now leave this beneficial medicine here. YOU SHOULD TAKE IT. Do not worry about not recovering. . #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #meditation #meditator #wisdom #Knowledge #awakening #Consciousness #Spiritual #truth #om #namaste #vipassana #loveandlight #lotussutra #lifeforce #stupa #calm #medicine #goodvibrations #healing #father #wellness #mindfulness #photography #art #loveandlight #positvevibes https://www.instagram.com/p/B9XHW1VF4sJ/?igshid=13r375natqs2e

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE TRUE ASPECT OF ALL PHENOMENA — (pt.5) . The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin . Nichiren alone took the lead in carrying out the task of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. He may even be one of them. If Nichiren is to be counted among the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, then so must his disciples and lay supporters. The sutra states: “IF ONE [OF THESE GOOD MEN OR GOOD WOMEN IN THE TIME AFTER I HAVE PASSED INTO EXTINCTION] IS ABLE TO SECRETLY EXPOUND THE LOTUS SUTRA TO ONE PERSON, EVEN ONE PHRASE OF IT, THEN YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT HE OR SHE IS THE ENVOY OF THE THUS COME ONE. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One’s work.” Who else but us can this possibly refer to? . When praised highly by others, one feels that there is no hardship one cannot bear. Such is the courage that springs from words of praise. The votaries born in the Latter Day of the Law who propagate the Lotus Sutra will encounter the three types of enemies, who will cause them to be exiled and even condemn them to death. Yet SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA WILL ENFOLD IN HIS ROBE THOSE WHO NONETHELESS PERSEVERE IN PROPAGATING. Heavenly gods will make them offerings, support them with their shoulders, and carry them on their backs. They possess great roots of goodness and deserve to be great leaders for all living beings. . #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #meditation #Enlightenment #mindfulness #loveandlight #goodvibes #positvevibes #meditator #nichiren #nammyohorengekyo #lotussutra #lifeforce #lightworker #blogger #truth #om #namaste #yogalife #spiritualvibes #art #calm #vipassana #perfection #spiritual #photography #perfect #calm #Love https://www.instagram.com/p/CBGiq09l3Jz/?igshid=19w3g74lihloc

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE OBJECT OF DEVOTION FOR OBSERVING THE MIND — (pt.6) . The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin . Preparation, revelation, and transmission also exist in the fourteen chapters of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra. The first half of the “Emerging from the Earth” chapter is preparation. The latter half of this chapter, the “Life Span” chapter, and the first half of the following “Distinctions in Benefits” chapter—one chapter and two halves—are revelation. The remainder is transmission. . The BUDDHA OF THE ESSENTIAL TEACHING DENIES THAT HE FIRST ATTAINED BUDDHAHOOD [IN THIS LIFE]. The difference between the THEORETICAL and the ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS is as great as that between heaven and earth. THE LATTER REVEALS THE ETERNITY OF THE TEN WORLDS AND , further, THE REALM OF THE ENVIRONMENT. . THE THEORETICAL TEACHING, the first four flavors of teachings, the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra, and the Nirvana Sutra WERE ALL PREACHED ACCORDING TO THE CAPACITIES OF THE PEOPLE. [All these teachings] that fall into the three categories of preaching (66) [are THEREFORE EASY TO BELIEVE and EASY TO UNDERSTAND]. . In contrast, THE ESSENTIAL TEACHING, which TRANSCENDS THE THREE CATEGORIES, IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE AND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND, FOR IT DIRECTLY [REVEALS THE BUDDHA’S OWN ENLIGHTENMENT]. Nevertheless, even the difference between the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life of the theoretical teaching and that of the essential teaching pales into insignificance [before the ultimate teaching contained in the depths of the “Life Span” chapter]. . [Footnote (66) in comment section below] . #Buddha #Buddhism #dharma #Enlightenment #meditation #meditator #wisdom #Knowledge #awakening #Consciousness #mind #truth #mindfulness #spiritualvibes #loveandlight #positvevibes #goodvibes #lotussutra #nammyohorengekyo #nichiren #art #photography #calm #mastery #power #blogger #lifeforce #vipassana #namaste #yogalife https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VMmcOlBqC/?igshid=w3m75e4c8b1t