Lotus Sutra Chapters Chapter Twenty-Four and Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Bodhisattva Wondrous Sound and Chapter Twenty-Five: The Bodhisattva Regarder of the Sounds of the World as Universal Gateway
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.
Chapters Twenty-Four and Twenty-Five Themes:
The Ideal and the Actual
Listening
Sound
Play
It’s OK to ask for help
Bodhisattvas (help) appear in many forms
Bodhisattvas rendering service to others
Be of service to others
What these chapters mean to us:
Do not think of yourself as inferior or insignificant
It’s OK to ask for help
Have trust and confidence that your Odaimoku-sound permeates the entire universe and through the quantum links does affect reality
Practice body awareness
Practice Deep Listening
Open your heart and mind to what is around you - help appears in many forms and sometimes where you least expect it. If you’re not open you my miss it
Be playful in your practice and your life
Find hobbies and ways to be creative: sing, dance, paint, knit, scrapbook, write, etc.
Find ways to offer service to others

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🤍🕉️ Namastè