Functionalteaching expedients hoyu hoben are the various teachings expounded according to the differing capacities of the people. Oct 22, 2009 generally speaking it means to recite buddhist sutras in front of an object of worship. Reads is a retelling of the parable taught by the buddha in chapter 3 of the lotus sutra as translated by burton watson. Expedient means is a theme throughout the sutra, especially the 2nd, 7th and 16th, with increasing depth. Recitation of the sutra recite the expedient means chapter excerpt pages 15. The practitioners of nichiren shoshu have been carrying out the practice of gongyo since the time of nichiren daishonin and nikko shonin. It exemplifies the principle that earthly desires are identical with enlightenment, that the. Lotus sutra, expedient means chapter there are beings with little dust in their eyes who are falling away because they do not hear the dhamma. In the practice of nichiren buddhism it means reciting nammyohorengekyo, and portions of the second chapter expedient means and the sixteenth life span chapters of the lotus sutra in front of the gohonzon. By having the expedient or skillful means, the buddha is applying immeasurable ways to guide all people to the path of buddhahood. As the expedient means second chapter of the lotus sutra clearly explains, there is only one ultimate reason for the appearance of all buddhas. When completed, sound the bell as you begin chanting nammyohorengekyo. Nichiren shoshu buddhism gongyo sutra recitation myosenji temple official version duration. All the twentyeight chapters of the lotus sutra are nam.
Expedient means chapter jpn hobenbon the second chapter of the lotus sutra, in which shakyamuni buddha reveals that the purpose of a buddhas advent in the world is to lead all people to enlightenment. This book is a distillation of his decades of reflection about the lotus sutra in the most accessible way. Aug 05, 2015 hoben expedient means and juryo chapters life span of the thus come one of the lotus sutra 15. Another buddha resides in the tower, the buddha prabhutaratna who is said to have made a vow to make an appearance to verify the truth of the lotus sutra whenever it is preached.
The lotus sutra has been regarded for centuries as one. Here in chapter two, expedient means, the buddha more specifically, begins to explain why he used expedient means, moving the discussion on expedient means to new levels. Great book for for anyone interested in buddhism to read. The second chapter of the lotus sutra, in which shakyamuni buddha reveals that the purpose of a. Miao fa lian hua jing, which was translated from sanskrit into chinese by kumarajiva includes index introduction expedient means simile and parable belief and understanding the parable of the medicinal herbs bestowal of prophecy the parable of the phantom cry prophecy of enlightenment for five hundred disciples prophecies conferred on.
Lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters ebook. Since the chapter is entitled myohorengekyo hobenbon, the lotus sutra of the wonderful law, expedient means chapter, this indicates that delusion and enlightenment are not two different things. Throughout the proceeding discussions of each chapter of the lotus sutra emerge interpretations. Simply put, embracing the lotus sutra is not the only way toward buddhahood. Expedient means chapter jpn hobenbon the second chapter of the lotus sutra, in which shakyamuni buddha reveals that the purpose of a buddhas. Jun 01, 2001 the lotus sutra has been regarded for centuries as one of the most important teachings in mahayana buddhism. Generally speaking it means to recite buddhist sutras in front of an object of worship. The lotus sutra is one of the most popular and influential mahayana sutras, and the basis on. Lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters ebook written by daisaku ikeda.
Dec 10, 2017 the stories of the lotus sutra is a delightful introductory book of the lotus sutra explained through the many stories and parables found in the lotus sutra. This is the fundamental practice of nichiren buddhism. Gongyo translated the expedient means chapter the search. In this practice, the essence is to chant the mystic law using the words nam myoho renge. Expedient means chapter dictionary of buddhism nichiren. In the heart of the lotus sutra, lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters author. We recite the first part of the hoben expedient means2nd chapter and the entire juryo life span 16th chapter of the sutra and chant the daimoku nammyohorengekyo to the gohonzon. It provides a line by line explanation of these 2 amazing sutras and a great way to really deepen your understanding of buddhism. Read the heart of the lotus sutra by daisaku ikeda for free with a 30 day free trial. In nichiren daishonins buddhism, gongyo means to recite the expedient means or hoben 2nd chapter and the life span of the thus come one or juryo 16th chapter of the lotus sutra in front of the gohonzon. Here, lopez provides what he calls the plot summary of the lotus sutra. Since its appearance in china in the third century, the lotus sutra has been regarded as one of the most illustrious scriptures in the mahayana buddhist canon.
The portions of the expedient means and life span chapters of the lotus sutra recited in the practice of gongyo. Expedient methods why it is not the ten factors emphasized by nichiren buddhism while all chapters of the lotus sutra are equally enlightening, chapter 2 is particularly illuminating. The concept of skillinmeans is expounded upon in the lotus sutra where the buddha states that he has used countless expedient means to guide living beings and cause them to renounce attachments. The expedient means chapter chapter 2 of the lotus sutraexpounds the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, making it clear that persons of the two vehicles can achieve buddhahood. The sutra of the lotus flower of the wonderful law chapter 1 introductory chapter 2 tactfulness 15 chapter 3 a parable 18 chapter 4 faith. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the heart of the lotus sutra. The object of intense veneration among generations of buddhists in china, korea, japan, and other parts of the world, it has had a profound impact on the great works of japanese and chinese literature, attracting more commentary. The stories of the lotus sutra is a delightful introductory book of the lotus sutra explained through the many stories and parables found in the lotus sutra.
Lotus sutra, chapter on expedient means chikubushima sutra. Containing profound truths for all people from every culture, it reveals. Prophecy of enlightenment for five hundred disciples 9. The wisdom of the lotus sutra i vi daisaku ikeda website. This means that of all the myriad phenomena and the three thousand realms, there are none that are not part of the expedient means of myoho. This has helped me to understand the lotus sutra better, as, daisaku ikeda has written about the expedient means and life span chapters, translated them and explained what they each mean and how they affect those off us who adhere to the buddhas last sutra, which was the lotus sutra.
May, 2014 nichiren shoshu buddhism gongyo sutra recitation myosenji temple official version duration. The lotus sutra2 expedient means nichiren buddhism. It is thought that the temple originally possessed a full copy of kumarajivas translation of the lotus sutra, but today hogonjis collection retains only this handscroll of the expedient means chapter j. Explain the concept of the replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle. What are your thoughts on and your interpretation of the. Nichiren shoshu myosenji buddhist temple 350,063 views. At one time the buddha was in rajagriha, staying on mount gridhrakuta. Gongyo project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. In the practice of nichiren daishonins buddhism it means reciting nammyohorengekyo, and part of the second chapter hoben and the entire sixteenth juryo chapter of.
Rajagriha was a city on the site of presentday rajgir, in northeastern india, and gridhrakuta, or vultures peak, is nearby. The heart of the lotus sutra by daisaku ikeda, president of the soka gakkai international, is a splendid book that explains essence and applications of the lotus sutra as expounded by nichiren in the two chapters. The remaining chapters are all in a sense the branches and leaves of these two chapters. Because the thus come one is fully possessed by both expedient means and the paramita of wisdom. This book goes beyond theory to show how to bring these teachings into practice in daily life. Table of contents contents table of contents preface 2 4 part one. The sutra of innumerable meanings background 6 6 chapter 1 virtues 7 chapter 2 preaching 9 chapter 3 ten merits 11 part two. Recite the excerpt from the verse section of the life span of the thus come onechapter pages 617. Feb10 shakyamuni buddha preached for more than 40 years but when he started to preach on the lotus sutra, he claimed that for his past 40 years he had yet to reveal the truth. Samadhi, or meditative concentration, means to focus ones mind on one point so that it becomes perfectly tranquil and still like a clear mirror and thereby enter a state of inner serenity. So, the lotus sutra begins by making a connection to a real place associated with the historical buddha. City of 10,000 buddhas the wonderful dharma lotus flower sutra. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that.
Chapter 8 five hundred disciples receive predictions. This is known as gongyo or chanting the buddhist sutras in front of the object of devotion gohonzon. Mar 30, 2015 1 myohorengekyo is the lotus sutra of the latter day the lotus sutra of the former, middle and latter days presently, in the latter day, however, even if you should carry out the practices of the former day of reading and reciting this sutra and copying it, you will gain no benefit. The lotus sutra is a class of its own among other mahayana sutras. The coauthors examine and expand upon the lotus sutra from the perspective of the thcentury founder of their faith, the buddhist sage and reformer nichiren, based on the record of the orally transmitted teachings in which nichiren reveals that the mystic law, the theme of the lotus sutra, is an expression of life itself. Samadhi, or meditative concentration, means to focus ones mind on one point so that it becomes perfectly tranquil and still like a clear mirror and thereby enter a. Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Expedient means are words of wisdom for raising people up. Though no chapter of the lotus sutra is negligible, among the entire twentyeight chapters, the expedient means chapter and the life span chapter are particularly outstanding. In the expedient means chapter of the lotus sutra, how is the one vehicle expounded. May 05, 2014 though no chapter of the lotus sutra is negligible, among the entire twentyeight chapters, the expedient means chapter and the life span chapter are particularly outstanding. Chapter 11, the treasure stupa a great jeweled stupa rises from the earth and floats in the air. The mahayana authors of this influential sutra believed that the buddha taught using expedient means in the form of similes, parables and other expressions to present his.
Lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters. Both chapters are recited in chinese, so unless you are fluent, the meaning may be lost. It is a translation of the lotus sutra expedient means and life span chapters. This is the supporting practice of all nichiren buddhists and is performed together with the chanting of nammyohorengekyo. Ways and means shakyamuni explains his use of skillful means to adapt his teachings according to the capacities of his audience. The heart of the lotus sutra lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters ebook. Apr 28, 2019 the lotus sutra begins, thus i have heard. It exemplifies the principle that earthly desires are identical with enlightenment, that the sufferings of birth and death are identical with nirvana.
This book goes beyond theory to show how to bring these teachings into practice in daily. Lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters of. Expedient means chapter the expedient means chapter of the lotus sutra explains to us that, for the first time in his life, after teaching for 40 years, shakyamuni was going to finally teach the highest, truest and most powerfully effective teaching of his lifetime. This is what it means to have read the expedient means chapter of the lotus sutra with ones entire being.
In the practice of nichiren daishonins buddhism it means reciting nammyohorengekyo, and part of the second chapter hoben and the entire sixteenth juryo chapter of the lotus sutra in front of the gohonzon. Nichiren ranked prelotus teachings as equivalent to the light of the stars shining in a night sky, but which will not match the light of the sun, being the lotus sutra. At the outset of expedient means, shakyamuni arises serenely from samadhi and begins expounding the lotus sutra. This is because the key teaching begins in chapter 2 and the buddha is essentially revealing the truth by opening the gateway. The wisdom of the buddhas is infinitely profound and immeasurable. The concept of skillin means is expounded upon in the lotus sutra where the buddha states that he has used countless expedient means to guide living beings and cause them to renounce attachments. He then had to explain why he hadnt taught the truth before and.
The heart of the lotus sutra ebook columbus metropolitan. Jul 24, 20 this is known as gongyo or chanting the buddhist sutras in front of the object of devotion gohonzon. The secret and mystic expedients correspond to the expedient means of the lotus sutra, the expedient means of the expedient means chapter. A cyber reading friend told me he could not even understand the title of this book. Expedient means chapter chinese buddhist encyclopedia. Lectures on the expedient means and life span chapters 16pt large. The lotus sutra translated by burton watson chapter two.
The japanese word gongyo literally means assiduous practice. The expedient means chapter extols the wisdom of the buddhas to thus. But then again, i love every book written by daisaku ikeda. At that time the worldhonored one calmly arose from his samadhi and addressed shariputra, saying. Again, the expedient means chapter represents the ten worlds, or in another sense it represents ignorance or darkness.
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