Most people would say that everything we do is driven by some motive or goal. My only reason for writing down my experiences of spiritual cultivation is love — a kind of love that has no beginning and no end, that will never disappear from anywhere, because it simply is. In this love, the self … Read more
Part I: My Journey of Spiritual Cultivation I. The Origin of My Path II. The Journey of Spiritual Cultivation Part 2: Reflections on Practice for Laypeople Part 3: Methods of Cultivation and Realization Postscript: Reflections on the Spiritual Journey
Hi, everyone. Today let’s begin the study of “The Immeasurable Life Sutra”. Before our commencement, let’s explore the general idea of the text and what to be mindful of while reading this sutra. Initially, the order in which we study the sutras are “The Lotus Sutra”, “The Diamond Sutra”, and “The Shurangama Sutra”, together with … Read more
Chapter 20. Never Disparaging Bodhisattva This chapter tells the story of Never Disparaging Bodhisattva, a previous incarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha. At that time, he practiced a specific method: whenever he saw someone, especially a disciple of the Buddha practicing the Lesser Vehicle, he would bow to them and say: “I do not dare to slight … Read more
What is the Lotus Sutra about? The status and value ofthe Lotus Sutra in Buddhism The significance of the Lotus Sutra for modern sentient beings Preface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Expedient Means Chapter 3: Simile and Parable Chapter 4: Belief and Understanding Chapter 5: The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs Chapter 6: Bestowal of … Read more
Chapter 28. Encouragement of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (part 2) We have finished discussing the twenty-eight chapters, but a few chapters in the middle were skipped: the predictions of enlightenment for all the Bodhisattvas and all the Sravaka disciples, as well as the merits we gain from studying the Lotus Sutra. Let us look at these merits … Read more
Chapter 28. Encouragement of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (part 1) We have now reached the final chapter of the Lotus Sutra, where Samantabhadra Bodhisattva appears. A great Bodhisattva and a great protector, Samantabhadra is renowned among the great Bodhisattvas for his supernatural mastery and majestic virtue. He possesses Ten Great Vows, which serve as a model for … Read more
Chapter 27. Former Affairs of King Wonderful Adornment This chapter recounts the story of King Resplendent’s cultivation. During the era of a Buddha named King Cloud-Thunder-Sound- Constellation-Flower-Wisdom, there lived a king named Resplendent. At that time, he practiced non-Buddhist paths and was not a follower of the Buddha. He had two sons who were believers … Read more
Chapter 26. Dharani “Dharani” means “total retention” or “summary.” All eighty-four thousand Dharma gates can be called Dharani gates. In esoteric Buddhism, all mantras are generally called Dharani mantras; they signify holding the good and suppressing the evil. This chapter primarily features the Bodhisattvas in the assembly reciting mantras to protect the Dharma teachers who … Read more
Chapter 25. The Universal Gateway of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Following the causal conditions of the previous chapter, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara makes his appearance. At that time, Bodhisattva Infinite Intent rose from his seat and asked Shakyamuni Buddha, “World-Honored One, by what causes and conditions is Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara so named?” Shakyamuni Buddha replied to Bodhisattva Infinite Intent: “Good … Read more