Two Buddhas

In this episode of Deep Dive we discuss, "The Buddhist Bell Curve," by Nichiryu Mark Herrick, outlines a fascinating  three-stage spiritual progression  common across various Buddhist traditions, likening it to a  bell curve . This journey begins with  simple faith and practice , where adherents engage without needing deep doctrinal understanding. It then transitions to a phase of  inten...

This episode of Deep Dive explores the  complex relationship between Buddhist sangha communities and therapeutic practices , examining how these spiritual groups can support personal growth while maintaining ethical boundaries with formal mental health interventions. It discusses the  psychological benefits of sangha participation  and how Buddhist psychology offers a framework for healing, while...

This episode of Dep Dive explores  "The Five Buddha Eyes,"  a foundational concept in Mahāyāna Buddhist doctrine, detailing five progressive levels of perception culminating in a Buddha's omniscience. It traces the concept's historical evolution from  early Buddhist sources  and  Abhidharma texts  to its systematic presentation in the  Perfection of Wisdom literature , emphasizin...

In this episode of Deep Dive we look at the stages of development and spiritual growth. , exploring how children's book author DiCamillo, theologians Tillich and Foweler and developmental psychiologist Donald Winnicott's psychoanalytic concept of a  "Transitional Object"  can illuminate our understanding of religious faith. The author posits that  external objects and rituals  in spirituality func...

In this episode of Deep Dive we explore an academic paper titled " The Fragmentation of Nichiren Buddhism: Misunderstanding Nichiren's Position on Precepts and Paramitas " by Nichiryu Mark Herrick. The paper asserts that a primary reason for the divisions within Nichiren Buddhism is the  misinterpretation of Nichiren's stance on traditional Buddhist ethical frameworks , specifica...

On this episode of Deep Dive we examine,  "Beyond Sectarianism: Diagnosing and Renewing Nichiren Buddhism in the Light of the Lotus Sutra"  by Nichiryu Mark Herrick, Renshi, analyzes the  fragmentation and internal conflicts within modern Nichiren Buddhism . It argues that while Nichiren's teachings offered  direct enlightenment for ordinary people , the tradition has been  marred by...

This episode  explores the concept of Buddha-nature  within various Buddhist traditions, addressing its origins and interpretations. It highlights that the widespread understanding of  universal Buddha-nature  in Western Buddhism often stems from Zen teachings by figures like D.T. Suzuki and Tibetan commentaries rather than directly from specific sutras. While sutras such as the  Flower Garland  a...

This episode compares  three distinct Buddhist mandalas , revealing their shared Mahāyāna roots and unique doctrinal emphasis.  Nichiren’s Calligraphic Mandala , or Honzon, uses  kanji characters  for devotional chanting, symbolizing the practitioner's inherent Buddhahood and focusing on the Lotus Sutra. In contrast,  Kūkai’s Womb World Mandala  is a  pictorial aid  for esoteric visualization...

This episode explains  Nichiren's Gohonzon , a unique sacred art form from 13th-century Japan that utilizes  written characters  instead of traditional imagery to create a  sacred space . It functions as a  "written mandala"  depicting the  "Ceremony in the Air"  from the Lotus Sutra, a scene where the Buddha reveals the true nature of reality. The Gohonzon is designed for ...

" Sacred Sound - The Power of Chant and Prayer " by Nichiryu Mark Herrick, explores the  universal significance of sound  in spiritual practices across diverse wisdom traditions. Herrick asserts that  sacred sound acts as a living bridge  connecting the formless to the manifest, emphasizing chanting as an ancient and enduring method of awakening. The essay highlights the  complementary r...

In this special episode, we share a thoughtful and uplifting review of  Dharmakaya and God: A Buddhist’s Journey Through Comparative Mysticism , a groundbreaking book by Nichiryu Mark Herrick. Blending deep Mahayana Buddhist insight with Christian mystical wisdom, the book explores how the Buddhist concept of Dharmakaya mirrors the Christian understanding of God as the ground of being. Listen in a...

In this episode of  Two Buddhas , we take a deep and heartfelt look at the book  Parables of the Lotus Sutra: A Modern Personal Introspection . This collection of fresh, poetic retellings and reflections brings the timeless wisdom of the Lotus Sutra into our everyday lives—without the layers of doctrine or ritual that often keep seekers at a distance. Rooted in the Ren Buddhist approach—accessible...