In chapter 8 of the Lotus Sutra, I stumbled on the part that’s translated as “exempt from womankind” for a while.
Women aren’t excluded. It looks on the surface as though they could be denied the teachings, but that doesn’t jibe with the landscape. No height, no depth, one cannot put himself above or below another.
So … no sex, no gender: these are constructs, not relevant to the way. Like the monk who didn’t put the thought of the woman down after carrying her across the river, we have to brush our conceptions aside.
In a way, societal sex-based roles are another fold of cloth that obscures the jewel of truth we’re already carrying.

#mastodharma

@Taweret Such a small but meaningful parable.

We go through life thinking that suffering is just a thing you have to put up with when all along, our truest nature is there to alleviate that suffering. We simply need to recognize it.

#Mastodharma

#Mastodharma Chapter 8 is more or less the same as before. Everyones excited that there's more to learn and that they will eventually be Buddhas. (Someday I will be known as Buddha dude of the dharma)

I did catch something interesting on this one. I think we have a reason they don't like hills and mountains and why flat lands are more desired...

It's so that no one is higher then the other. Everyone is on equal grounds. And when they are, they will rejoice.

I like that.

#mastodharma the predictions aren't rewards, they're affirmations

this chapter is comforting because:

disciples who never thought they'd 'make it'

who were older

or less talented

or less 'pure'

or had made mistakes

are told:
'You too will become Buddhas'

In chapter 8 of the Lotus Sutra, I stumbled on the part that’s translated as “exempt from womankind” for a while.
Women aren’t excluded. It looks on the surface as though they could be denied the teachings, but that doesn’t jibe with the landscape. No height, no depth, one cannot put himself above or below another.
So … no sex, no gender: these are constructs, not relevant to the way. Like the monk who didn’t put the thought of the woman down after carrying her across the river, we have to brush our conceptions aside.
In a way, societal sex-based roles are another fold of cloth that obscures the jewel of truth we’re already carrying.

#mastodharma

@Taweret Such a small but meaningful parable.

We go through life thinking that suffering is just a thing you have to put up with when all along, our truest nature is there to alleviate that suffering. We simply need to recognize it.

#Mastodharma

#Mastodharma 🪷

the jewel in the robe is another parable that uses material wealth as a metaphor for spiritual wealth which was common at the time it was written but does hit differently for a lot of modern readers

but

the jewel is the man's inherent Buddha nature, he always had it with him, even when he was struggling, even when life was hard. it was right there. he just didn't know it

Tendai buddhism is not big on 'delusion = evil'

instead, delusion is simply misunderstanding your nature

the man didn’t throw away the jewel
he didn’t lose it
he didn’t damage it
he just didn’t recognize it

Tendai loves this point:
your Buddha nature is not damaged by your confusion
it's untouched.
it's literally sitting there sewn into your life the whole time

#Mastodharma 🪷

okay Lotus Sutra Chapter 8

let's go

#Mastodharma Chapter 8 is more or less the same as before. Everyones excited that there's more to learn and that they will eventually be Buddhas. (Someday I will be known as Buddha dude of the dharma)

I did catch something interesting on this one. I think we have a reason they don't like hills and mountains and why flat lands are more desired...

It's so that no one is higher then the other. Everyone is on equal grounds. And when they are, they will rejoice.

I like that.

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

@Taweret i'm jumping the gun on Saturday #mastodharma but since this is clearly a side detail in the chapter - what's up with this guy Pûrna's buddha-field not having any women? is he gay and/or misogynist

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI

#Mastodharma 🪷

A weekly, low-pressure peer-led Buddhist sutra discussion group for the Fediverse. It's not Buddhist school. Just a casual place for us to read and chat and share with each other

Each Saturday, we read and discuss one chapter of a Buddhist sutra starting with the Lotus Sutra

we're moving on to Ch.8 The Five Hundred Disciples Receive Their Predictions

How to Join

Read Chapter EIGHT before or on Saturday Nov 15

(if you're not caught up on the previous chapters that's okay. you can still join in the discussion of this chapter)

Post your thoughts anytime on Saturday using the hashtag #Mastodharma

Follow and/or pin the hashtag #mastodharma so you can keep up with the discussion and boost others

Where to Read or Listen

text (html) https://sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm

text (pdf) https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/06lotusVimalakirti/Lotus%20Sutra.doc.pdf

audio with on screen text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6sJfMqLBI