Lotus Sutra Study Program - Chapter Twenty-Six: Dharanis

Chapter Twenty-Six: Dharanis
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-Six: Dharanis Themes:
SOUND
Amulets, Talismans, Spells, Incantations - The Dharma Personified
Dharani are transcendent incantations for those who practice accept and teach the Lotus sutra
Dharani are functions or activity of Daimoku
What does Chapter Twenty-Six mean to us in our daily life and practice?
Chanting is incredibly powerful
Our practice is sound-based, focus your whole body on the sounds
Have trust and confidence that your practice will protect you
Protection and protectors comes is all sizes, shapes and forms; sometimes where you least expect it
Open your senses to the sounds in and around you.
Spiritual growth is hard, and sometimes painful
Be cautious externalizing or personifying your power
Self Power and Other Power

[@oskarmisiak6290]

Great, great videos, buddhists need it. I hope that Chapters 1-9 are on the way 🤍

[@TwoBuddhasMeditation]

So glad to hear you like them! Unfortunately we did not start recording the series until the 10th episode. Someday we hope give the entire series again.