Lecture on the Lotus Sutra

by Ryusho Jeffus

Over several years I have given various lectures on the Lotus Sutra. In some instances the talks were given to a few people, in others the audience was quite large. Some times the same person would hear one or two lectures, but no one has heard them all. For what they are worth I have decided to put much of the best of the lectures here in this book. I first encountered the Lotus Sutra in 1969 when I was fresh out of Marine boot camp. I knew a little about Buddhism before I went to that first activity. I had studied a little of Buddhism in high school and college. I can honestly say now that what I really knew at that time was next to nothing. This is not a linear exposition of the sutra. This is a very circular approach, meandering even, I’ll mention something about a chapter in one part of the book, and then in another part of the book I may mention the same thing again but from a different perspective. I like to think of my approach to unraveling the mysteries of the Lotus Sutra as thematically oriented. This is not to say my approach is better than a linear chapter-by-chapter explanation. It is just a way that makes sense to me. I should point out that non-linear story telling is very popular in the south in America as well as much of Africa. There is reason to suspect the non-linear way may actually resonate with others as well. It is always a great joy when I am able to talk about the Lotus Sutra, and this book project has been no exception. I hope you think of this as a couple of friends sitting on the porch swing talking about something that means something important to both.

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2014

About the author

I'm a Nichiren Shu priest serving at Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Buddhist Temple, located in Charlotte, NC. I also am a staff chaplain at Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy Hospital. I am now retired though there isn't much difference in life other than I have a bit more time to devote to activities that are important to me.

Writing is of course one of those things. Being active in the new Civil Rights movement and Black Lives Matter are two important issues to me in my life currently. I am also interested in the building of community centered around the various religious traditions. Of particular interest is how the various religions might better contribute to community without being divisive.

I will share, as I have heard other writes also say, that the process of writing is one of discovery both of subject and self. I have on most of my books began with a certain direction or destination. Yet I find in the process of the actual putting of words on paper that unexpected discoveries are made. Ideas I had not considered emerge which then prompts a reexamination or reassessing that I would not have suspected would happen.

One particular example is the introduction of spiritual practices from non-Buddhist traditions as tools for exploring Buddhism. For example,Midrash from the Jewish tradition resonates deeply with me. The idea of exploring what is not written, what remains unspoken yet is certainly present in our sacred writings.

So, that's about as brief and vague a description of me as is possible without a personal conversation. I hope you find my books enjoyable, challenging, informative, and most of all supportive of your own unique spiritual journey especially in Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra.

With Gassho,
Ryusho

Reviews

[Mazen Alloujami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un excellent commentaire du Sutra du Lotus, qui éclaircit beaucoup de passages difficiles et obscurs.
C'est une joie de lire ce livre.