Dharma Flower: The Faith, Teaching, and Practice of Nichiren Buddhism by Ryuei Michael McCormick
By Ryuei Michael McCormick
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Podcast Description
This book is the product of years of studying and practicing the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Shonin. When I first began practicing Buddhism, I was taking a survey course on Asian religion with Dr. William Grosnick at La Salle University. Thanks to Dr. Grosnick, I was provided with an excellent overview of basic Buddhist teachings and their development. Ever since that time, I have always made it a priority to discover the truth about the teachings and practices which I have been exposed to over the years and not to be afraid to revise or even overturn my current understanding if new evidence (whether scholarly or practical) should present itself.
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1 |
Chapter 7: The Nine Consciousnesses | This chapter explores reality in terms of the Vijnanavada or Consciousness Only teachings. Whereas the Middle Way school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by Nagarjuna emphasized emptiness, the Consciousness Only school taught that reality is inseparable from consciousness. Therefore, they taught, outside of consciousness there is no reality, so the essence of Buddhist practice is to transform reality by transforming consciousness. | 8/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Chapter 6: The Three Truths | In this chapter the explanation of Mahayana Buddhism continues with the teaching of the “three truths.” Together, the three truths of “emptiness,” “provisionality,” and the “Middle Way” form the one truth of the true nature of reality. If you begin to understand the teaching of the three truths, then you will be well on your way to understanding the deepest insights of Mahayana Buddhism and especially the Lotus Sutra. | 8/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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3 |
Chapter 5: Mahayana Buddhism | There are hundreds of schools and sub-schools of Buddhism. However, these many schools can be reasonably classified into three major branches. These three branches arose after the Buddha’s death as his monastic disciples and lay followers attempted to discern the true meaning and intent of his teachings. All three still exist today in different parts of the Buddhist world. This chapter describes each, but focuses on those teachings which are associated with the Mahayana, or “Great Vehicle” branch of Buddhism. | 8/23/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Chapter 4: Dependent Origination | This chapter explains dependent origination in more detail and shows how it can give us a better understanding of our lives. Fortunately, the wheel of becoming will once again help us to understand this teaching. Its outermost ring is composed of the twelve-fold chain of dependent origination as it applies to the cycle of birth and death. The links are depicted in a series of vivid images which are designed to help us remember each of them and their significance in our lives. Dependent origination, however, does not just apply to the vicious circle of suffering depicted in the wheel of becoming. It applies to all phenomena, including the process of liberation. The twelve stages of transcendent dependent origination form a spiral path of liberation which allows one to transcend the cycle of birth and death. These twelve stages are explained after the description of the twelve-fold chain of dependent origination. Finally, this chapter deals with how the practice of chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo enables us to break free of the twelve-fold chain and to instead embark upon the spiritual path of the twelve stages of transcendence instead. | 8/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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5 |
Chapter 3: The Wheel of the Dharma | The “Wheel of Dharma” in Buddhism means the teaching that the Buddha expounded to free all of life from the effects of suffering. In his first sermon, the Buddha taught the Middle Way and the four noble truths. He preached this sermon to the five ascetics, who were his former companions during his own ascetic phase of practice. These five became his first five disciples when they responded to his teaching by taking refuge in the three treasures. The Middle Way and the four noble truths are the foundations for all the Buddha’s teachings; all schools of Buddhism recognize their validity and importance. The three treasures are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha – The Teacher, the Teaching, and the Community that upholds and follows the teaching. From the very beginning of Buddhism, taking refuge in the three treasures was the way to express one’s sincere commitment to follow the Buddha Dharma. The three treasures are fundamental to all schools of Buddhism. This chapter explains the meaning and importance of the Middle Way, the four noble truths, and the three treasures, both as the basic teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and as they are understood and practiced within the context of the Lotus Sutra. | 7/28/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Chapter 2 - The Wheel of Becoming | The Wheel of Becoming - in this chapter I discuss the Buddhist view of life in terms of the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion; the four infinite virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity; the six worlds of rebirth from the hells to the heavens; and the three obstacles and four devils that obstruct and impede our spiritual efforts. | 7/22/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Chapter 1 - The Lotus Sutra and the Practice of Nichiren Buddhism | The Lotus Sutra and the Practice of Nichiren Buddhism – in this chapter I discuss who Shakyamuni Buddha was, the Law of Cause and Effect, and the provide an overview of Nichiren Buddhism in terms of the Three Great Secret Dharma: the Odaimoku (Sacred Title of the Lotus Sutra that is the chant Namu Myoho Renge Kyo), The Gohonzon (the focus of devotion often depicted in the form of a calligraphic mandala that presents the central image or scene of the Lotus Sutra), and the Kaidan (the precept platform that is the place of taking up faith in the Lotus Sutra). | 7/21/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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8 |
Preface - Acknowledgements - Introduction | Preface, Acknowledgement, Introduction to Dharma Flower | 7/19/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 8 Episodes |
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- Category: Buddhism
- Language: English
- Copyright © 2000 by Ryuei Michael McCormick. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without the written permission of the author except for brief passages quoted in review.
