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The Pink Lotus Flower
The [Pink] Lotus Flower, Nelumbo nucifera, also known as the “sacred lotus” or the “Indian lotus,” is often confused with true water lilies of the genus Nymphaea, in particular N. caerulea, the “blue lotus.” However, the lotus flower has historical, cultural and spiritual significance around the world. The lotus flower in Buddhism has…
Ingrates and Bathtubs
The White Rose of Turkey The Turkish mystery series on Netflix, Shahmaran (2023), is based partly on the Persian myth of the same name. [1] “Shah” is a title used for Persian kings, and “mar” or “maran” means “snake(s).” The Netflix…
Education in the 21st Century
The dream of sin. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as of the academic year 2016-2017, there are a total of 4,360 higher education institutions in the U.S., including both colleges and universities. Of the…
Where Hope Still Lives
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season…
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent…
Happiness
It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor’s wealth but gains not even half a coin. – On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime [Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1 p. 3]…
World Peace
True joy is found in working for world peace, in taking action for our own and others’ happiness. The term kosen rufu, often used interchangeably with world peace has its origins in the Lotus Sutra. The concept comes from a passage…
Earnest Resolve
Rather than giving our lives - the most valuable possession of all - for "shallow, worldly matters," we should dedicate them to "the Buddha's precious teachings."
Becoming Fearless
What is fear? It is an illusion created by one’s own mind. Cowards tremble with fear at shadows of their own making. “Do not fear!” Shakyamuni Buddha taught long ago. In our own age, Gandhi also called on the people…
Stones Into Jewels
Just as poison can be changed into medicine, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo can change evil into good. The Spring of Jewels is so called because, in this spring, stones are changed into jewels. The Daishonin likens the power of the…
Proof of the Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra
In judging the relative merits of Buddhist doctrines, I Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. Even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact. Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for…
