Chapter IV is written from the voice of the Pratyekabuddhas, the elders of the Sangha. This group of people and the World, in the Ten Worlds, it represents is sometime called the self-enlightened or the contemplatives. In both of my art pieces for this chapter I used translucent layers in a variety of ways. The idea was to show how even though our appearance or behavior at times seems to not be that of the…
Chapter III provides me with many different inspirational passages which have defined my practice of the Lotus Sutra and how I have tried to encourage others. I am using page 81 from the Murano 3rd edition translation of the Lotus Sutra. You may have by now noticed a trend or theme in my choices so far. Mostly I have selected passages which have allowed me to highlight my joy of practice. This is perhaps a…
In this passage we have Shariputra telling the Buddha about how confused he was, about how perplexed, and even afraid. He had begun to suspect that Mara was impersonating his beloved teacher, his doubt had become so great. As a teacher I have had people react to me in similar and even harsher ways when I’ve not made myself clear and my message has become confusing. There have been times too, as a student when…
The first time I heard a recounting of this chapter from the Lotus Sutra the story teller had Shariputra leaping with joy upon learning that he too would become a Buddha. That image up leaping joyfully has stayed with me through many years. Those exact words do no appear in any translation of the sutra, yet I don’t feel it is inaccurate. Some of the words used to describe the emotional condition of Shariputra are,…
Favicon Plugin made by Cheap Web Hosting