A Lay Buddhist's Dharma Musings, #5 (Reason the Buddhas Appear in the World)

[@jacob6515]

I want to thank you personally very much for your recordings of the sutras, they have helped me in incredibly dark periods of my life, in times when i didnt have the strength to read without a headache, and especially because of your very relaxing and calm voice. ❤

[@namoamidabuts]

Your feedback is very meaningful to me, Jacob - it touches my heart. May you experience less and less "darkness" as the future unfolds. -John

[@sifurayshepard5254]

This is a pointedly thought provoking offering, John. The 2nd and 3rd chapters of the Lotus Sutra are full of foot paths and cart paths leading to small but significant insights and revelations. Miss or ignore these pathways and the reader will miss the depth and scope of the teachings. I've yet to fully understand all that's packed in there. Of course -- let us remember … I am still a raggamuffin, flawed in understanding ( amongst a good many other things). Nam Myoho Renge Kyo Gassho Ray

[@namoamidabuts]

I think the key to understanding and appreciating the Lotus Sutra is to immerse oneself in it. I like to think of myself as being in the assembly. Much wisdom to absorb. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo....Thanks as always, Ray, for your raggamuffinesque comments. -John

[@mukhya]

Thank you so much Sir, and yes Buddhism has many mythical sounding stories, but it’s only a skilful means or a device a teacher uses to teach. All the bodisattvas, Taras and many deities are all born out of Buddhas meditation itself and they are mere symbolic representation of certain aspects of enlightenment to be meditated upon as to invoke those qualities. And hence most of the Mahayana and vajrayana teachings were esoteric or hidden to the lay in those times as to not mistakenly taken quite literally by the lay people. Similarly to the west, when Jesus said he walked through the ocean. (This phrase is symbolic, it’s probably saying he can walk through the weave of afflictive emotion similar to the wave of the ocean) and what knowledge the Jesus had in the west it got misinterpreted because the public was not ready for such teachings. And now much of the Mahayana and vajrayana teachings are getting so easily accessible, it has a danger of mistakenly taking such symbolic, poetic, or artistic similes that Buddhism uses for teaching. 🙏 🙏 🙏 {om ma ni pad me hum}

[@namoamidabuts]

Yes, Subash, the Buddha uses skillful means. I am grateful to you for taking the time to elaborate upon that basic principle. And thank you for ending with Om Manu Padme Hum. If you go to the very end of this video of mine (at the 10:50 mark) you will see that I had that wonderful mantra sandblasted on a large stone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4C8qX2FfdN-p5o

[@korashortss]

Sir, You are actually right, the portray of Brama and Indra can also be found in Greco Bhuddhist Arts and later Kushans Bhuddhist arts. It means there is a archeological evidences that in those days, people used to associate brama and indra as a celestial beings associated with Buddha Dhamabor Bhuddhism. Later, Indra and Brahma was, adopted by this day form of Braminism.

[@namoamidabuts]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective. -John

[@stevenbelzer9768]

“ The Fourfold Assembly of over 4,000 KZbin subscribers watched as the Video was uploaded . The auspicious Algorithm said: “see , John approaches . He is loose , and given to luxuries. No one should give him a seat , or set out a food stool “ But upon approaching , like a bird in a hit cage , the algorithm stood up! One subscriber approached John , lowered his robe onto his right shoulder , kneeled , saluted with one hand and said “ John has decided to CONTINUE husband musings ! The Devas rejoiced . The Subscriber like the arm of a string man flexing , circled John to the right , …and disappeared Right There “ or so it is told ❤

[@namoamidabuts]

I bow with palms together, in deep apprediation to you, Steven, for your kind imagery. Thank you my friend. -John