Chapter Twenty: Bodhisattva Never Unworthy of Respect

Chapter Twenty: Bodhisattva Never Unworthy of Respect
These sessions are a different approach to studying the Lotus Sutra, they are a personal approach to the Lotus Sutra and not academic, theoretical, or dogmatic. The Lotus Sutra is best viewed as stories and parables, never to be taken literally. The Lotus Sutra is a living breathing sutra. Seek insight into what does the Lotus Sutra say to you? It may be different for each or us. And it may change for you over time.
What does the Lotus Sutra mean to you, me, us, our practice?
I use four texts as guides for these presentations to help triangulate the meaning:
1) Two Buddhas Side by side - Stone/Lopez representing an academic viewpoint,
2) Buddhism for Today - Niwano representing a Lay Nichiren perspective,
3) Open Heart, representing a different sect of Buddhism’s viewpoint and
4) Ongi Kuden allegedly recorded from Nichiren oral lectures on My. Minobu.
I augment these four texts with with Nichiren Shu's Nichiren Buddhist Dictionary, Nichiren’s Gosho, Zhiyi’s Clear Serenity, Quiet Insight and SGI’s Nichiren Buddhist Library.
Buddha was just a human; like us! Given to mortal processes of birth, aging, sickness and death. As was Nichiren. They both found meaning and purpose in life through helping relieve suffering and guide people to happiness.
In their example we can find our own True Purpose.
Chapter Twenty Themes
The Emotional Core of the Lotus Sutra
Bodhisattva Never Unworthy of Respect is a model
Transformation
Self-image determines reality
Planting Seeds
Patience
One moment of suffering feels like a eon (lifetime)
All these people are us
Caring is sharing - not “telling”
What Chapter Twenty means to us:
Respect yourself
Put your practice first (Strategy of the Lotus Sutra)
Plant Seeds - trust the process of Myoho
Share your heart with others
Be patient with yourself and others
Transformation and healing takes time and practice
Don’t take what others think, say or do personally
You can’t change other people
You can only change yourself

[@barbaragordon9158]

Keep on listening to Pops singing "We have all the Time in the World for Love". GREAT! - what a great and understandable way to convey the core emotional message of the Lotus Sutra.

[@TwoBuddhasMeditation]

❤🪷🙏 Thank you so much!