HONGAKU – ORIGINAL ENLIGHTENMENT Original Enlightenment, although related to Buddhanature (Tathagata-garbha) is a different teaching. Original Enlightenment (also innate enlightenment) is the view that Enlightenment is not something to be gained, but rather we are already enlightened, we just need to realise it. The reason we can’t see this is because there is a veil… Continue reading Hongaku
The Lotus Sutra, or Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra in Sanskrit, is probably the most influential Sutras of South East Asian Buddhism. Its name is sometimes translated as ‘The Sutra of the Dharma-Flower of the Wonderful Law’, or ‘The Wonderful Dharma-Flower Sutra’. The earliest form of this Sutra was probably written down in the 1st and 2nd… Continue reading Lotus Sutra
Ekayāna is a Sanskrit word that means ‘One Vehicle’ or ‘Single Vehicle’. This idea features prominently in Tendai (Tientai) doctrine and comes from the Lotus Sutra. Buddhism is made up of many different ‘vehicles’ or ‘yanas’ – Śravakayāna, Mahayāna, Vajrayāna etc. The Ekayāna principle claims that all these different paths or ‘vehicles’ are expedient means… Continue reading Ekayāna
