Lotus Sutra Practice Guide: 35-Day Practice Outline Paperback –2012
by Ryusho Jeffus (Author)
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35-Day Practice Outline; Introduction to the Lotus Sutra and beginning practice. This 35-Day guide presents an organized introduction to the study of the Lotus Sutra, the sutra revered by Nichiren Buddhists all over the world.
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from $5.12
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35-Day Practice Outline; Introduction to the Lotus Sutra and beginning practice. This 35-Day guide presents an organized introduction to the study of the Lotus Sutra, the sutra revered by Nichiren Buddhists all over the world.
Using this book along with a translation of the sutra the practitioner will gain an overview of the entire Lotus Sutra as well as a systematic approach to beginning to practice Nichiren Buddhism.
This guide is not intended as an in depth study of the Lotus Sutra, but as a way to begin to establish a greater relationship with one of the most highly respected of the Buddha's teachings.
It is recommended that this serve as a companion book to your own Lotus Sutra translation book.
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140 pages
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Ryusho Jeffus is a Nichiren Shu priest serving at Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Buddhist Temple, in Charlotte, NC. With over 40 years practicing Nichiren Buddhism he brings a wealth of experiences to his writings. In addition to his work as a priest he also works as a Chaplain in hospitals and prisons.
Customer Reviews:
4.4 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
About the author
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Ryusho Jeffus
Nichiren Shu Buddhist priest. My home temple is Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Temple, in Charlotte, NC. You may visit the temple's web page by going to http://www.myoshoji.org. I founded this temple in August 2007 and the temple was officially recognized as a Nichiren Shu temple by the Nichiren Order of North America and by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Bureau in October 2008. Members and supporters of Myosho-ji live all over the East Coast of the United States. We also serve the occasional needs of members living in various parts of the world via our online video stream.
I work as a Chaplain at two hospitals in the Carolinas Medical Center system in Charlotte, NC USA.
==
140 pages
==
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Ryusho Jeffus is a Nichiren Shu priest serving at Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Buddhist Temple, in Charlotte, NC. With over 40 years practicing Nichiren Buddhism he brings a wealth of experiences to his writings. In addition to his work as a priest he also works as a Chaplain in hospitals and prisons.
Customer Reviews:
4.4 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
Ryusho Jeffus
Nichiren Shu Buddhist priest. My home temple is Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Temple, in Charlotte, NC. You may visit the temple's web page by going to http://www.myoshoji.org. I founded this temple in August 2007 and the temple was officially recognized as a Nichiren Shu temple by the Nichiren Order of North America and by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Bureau in October 2008. Members and supporters of Myosho-ji live all over the East Coast of the United States. We also serve the occasional needs of members living in various parts of the world via our online video stream.
I work as a Chaplain at two hospitals in the Carolinas Medical Center system in Charlotte, NC USA.
My interest in working with persons who are ill began in the early 80′s at the beginning of the AIDS/SIDA epidemic. At first it was several close friends who were dying and had been abandoned by friends and society.
Later I would be told about or introduced to others dying and asked if I could help. Several years ago an opportunity presented itself for me to begin to receive some formal training in providing spiritual care to the sick and dying. It has been a rewarding experience. It is my hope that I eventually become a Board Certified Chaplain.
Several times a year I make visits to Buddhist inmates incarcerated in a US Federal Prison. This is something I only recently began doing and it has been an interesting experience. There is an ongoing and great need to provide spiritual direction and support to these individuals.
I have received training in Healing Touch an energy based healing practice. It has been a rewarding experience training in this professionally recognized healing modality. Currently I have completed Level II as a Healing Touch Student.
I am a member of the North Carolina Chaplains Association, and the Association of Professional Chaplains.
I continue to do volunteer work with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network caring for individuals who are HIV+ or who have AIDS/SIDA.
In my spare time my favorite activities are reading and walking my dog. I also play flute in the Charlotte Pride Band, a great bunch of folks who welcome musicians of all ability levels. The mission of the Pride Band is to promote the value and respect of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in the Charlotte metropolitan area through quality musical performances.
As time permits I support and participate in the interfaith activities of various organizations and churches in the Charlotte area that are working to promote equality and respect for LGBTQ individuals. Lately I have been doing some work with Time Out Youth providing instruction in how to meditate as well as facilitating a couple of workshop sessions on Nonviolent Communication.
Education:
Bachelor Art - Portland State University - Arts & Letters
Master of Divinity (Equivalency granted by Association of Professional Chaplains) - Buddhist Studies
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
Peter Parisi
5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful guide to a puzzling classicReviewed in the United States on January 21, 2013
Verified Purchase
Full disclosure: I know Ryusho Jeffus, Shonin, and have attended services at his temple. From this acquaintance I have learned that he definitely practices what he preaches. I feel it is important to state up front, however, that Mr. Jeffus did not ask me to review his work; in fact, I wrote my first review of the book before I knew its author.
I am in the middle of my third run through this book. It is very good. I'll begin this review with a basic description of what the book is; then I will explain why I have gotten so much out of it.
I have the Kindle version. The book contains 35 days worth of suggested readings from the Lotus Sutra, followed by a short explanation and meditation by the author, a priest in the Nichiren-shu sect of Buddhism. The book does not contain the Lotus Sutra readings themselves: you need either the Murano or the Reeves edition of the Lotus Sutra because the readings are only indicated in the Practice Guide by their page numbers in those translations. I am not sure what kind of table of contents the book version contains, but the Kindle version does not have one. It is not difficult to find your place, however: for example, you can find the material for day five by simply typing "Day 5" in the search field. The author's meditations generally include instructions for daily chanting and meditation practice.
Following are some comments about why I have gotten so much help from Mr. Jeffus's work:
Initially, I knew nothing about the Lotus Sutra: after my first reading, it appeared to be a very long book about nothing. Nevertheless, because it has had an enormous impact on Japanese culture, which is a particular interest of mine, I wanted to understand it better.
I think this initial puzzlement arose from my ignorance of Buddhism's history, particularly that of the Mahayana branch. As the author writes, the sutra "has come to us outside the context in which it occurs in much of East Asia." I simply didn't have a background that would help me understand its message. For this reason, I found it most helpful that Ryusho-shonin's book is not a commentary, but an introduction to the book as it is used for practice by the author's sect. I find, as I do the daily reading and chanting, that I have a better grasp of what the book means to its millions of devotees.
Far from being a book about nothing, the Lotus Sutra is a work of enormous consolation: its message is that all people are destined to become enlightened. It should be easy to see why so many have taken this message to heart. It has been a force against clericalism and spiritual elitism for centuries. Another of its themes is the eternal lifespan of the Buddha and his care for all living beings. However one understands these concepts, it is clearly an antidote to the dry esotericism that characterizes much Buddhist writing. It almost seems that the whole purpose of the work is to invite its readers into a community.
Consistent with his belief that "our connection with the Lotus Sutra occurs not on the level of the mind or intellect but on the level of heart or belief," the author pitches his comments at the level of emotions and life-experience. He is less concerned that his readers understand the long history of this sutra and its sources than that they recognize its relevance to their lives. He has clearly lived with this work for decades and is anxious to see it help others as it has helped him.
The first time I used this guide, it was because I was looking for help in understanding the Lotus Sutra. Since then, I have re-read the Sutra with greater appreciation. I have returned to Mr. Jeffus's book, however, because I simply like viewing the sutra through his eyes: he is an encouraging, good-humored guide from whom I've learned a lot.
As I said, this book is not a commentary but a guide to practice. There are very good commentaries out there--for instance "Introduction to the Lotus Sutra" by Shinjo Suguro--but I cannot think of a better guide to one's first experience of the Lotus Sutra.
8 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Lori Young
3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't come with actual sutra words at allReviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
You have to buy an additional book with all of the original sutra to even USE this book. Heads up on that.
HelpfulReport
alico jervier
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great book to begin your journey to internal peace and happiness. This book was very helpful on my initial start .
HelpfulReport
pattym
5.0 out of 5 stars A walk with a friendReviewed in the United States on August 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
This 35 day practice outline was not what I expected. It wasn't a lengthy discourse on what to and not to do, think or feel. This asked for a different attention; one directed away
from chattering thoughts, goals, worries, lists and toward the
joy in a daily practice. This would be an excellent introduction to a daily practice and refreshed my own.
Even though I have practiced as a Nichiren Buddhist for many years with several excellent teachers, this 35 day course was like a walk through a familiar field with a friend who points out trees and flowers in a new way. I highly recommend this to new beginners as well as old time beginners like me.
30 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
L. Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I neededReviewed in the United States on August 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
just needed something to help me get started.
HelpfulReport
Alan Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars Great basic overview for anyone trying to learn about Nichiren Buddhism.Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is not an SGI or Nichiren Shoshu book, It is a book about beginning to practice and understand the Lotus Sutra from the perspective of how it was delivered. (this does not mean that it is not suitable for followers of these organisations, I believe it is.)
I recommend this to anyone wanting to get a flavour of understanding by practice and not just by reading.
This would be a good purchase for anyone with an interest in the Lotus Sutra,
28 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Kalua Lauber
3.0 out of 5 stars like what?Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
If you don't have the companion book with this you will be lost. The author only gives the start and beginning lines of the Lotus Sutra. I had to come back to buy the book by George Reeves. Given the chance I wouldn't buy it again. Who writes an incomplete book...like what?!!!!
3 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
micheledc
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the Lotus SutraReviewed in the United States on March 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
My husband and I used the Lotus Sutra Practice Guide for 35 days in our daily practice of Buddhism. We found it to be an excellent introduction to the Lotus Sutra and Buddhist practice. If you are looking into Buddhism, you will find it helpful and encouraging.
6 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
See more reviews
Top reviews from other countries
TowserTunes
5.0 out of 5 stars A treasureReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Love this book, where do I go from here
without a teacher?
Although the actuality is very complex.
One person found this helpfulReport
Laurie
5.0 out of 5 stars This is another terrific book from this authorReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is another terrific book from this author. A wonderful devotional aid to be used in conjuction with the Lotus Sutra translations of Murano or Reeves, A beautiful faith building book. Nam myoho renge kyo.
Report
Dee Dorset
3.0 out of 5 stars well packaged but wrong style and format for meReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
wrong book for me
Report
Tripod
4.0 out of 5 stars But it!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
Excellent guide to practising and studying the Sutra!
4 people found this helpfulReport
Mciver
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommendedReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Superb daily guide for reading through the Lotus Sutra. Highly recommended
Report
See more reviews
Several times a year I make visits to Buddhist inmates incarcerated in a US Federal Prison. This is something I only recently began doing and it has been an interesting experience. There is an ongoing and great need to provide spiritual direction and support to these individuals.
I have received training in Healing Touch an energy based healing practice. It has been a rewarding experience training in this professionally recognized healing modality. Currently I have completed Level II as a Healing Touch Student.
I am a member of the North Carolina Chaplains Association, and the Association of Professional Chaplains.
I continue to do volunteer work with the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network caring for individuals who are HIV+ or who have AIDS/SIDA.
In my spare time my favorite activities are reading and walking my dog. I also play flute in the Charlotte Pride Band, a great bunch of folks who welcome musicians of all ability levels. The mission of the Pride Band is to promote the value and respect of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in the Charlotte metropolitan area through quality musical performances.
As time permits I support and participate in the interfaith activities of various organizations and churches in the Charlotte area that are working to promote equality and respect for LGBTQ individuals. Lately I have been doing some work with Time Out Youth providing instruction in how to meditate as well as facilitating a couple of workshop sessions on Nonviolent Communication.
Education:
Bachelor Art - Portland State University - Arts & Letters
Master of Divinity (Equivalency granted by Association of Professional Chaplains) - Buddhist Studies
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
Peter Parisi
5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful guide to a puzzling classicReviewed in the United States on January 21, 2013
Verified Purchase
Full disclosure: I know Ryusho Jeffus, Shonin, and have attended services at his temple. From this acquaintance I have learned that he definitely practices what he preaches. I feel it is important to state up front, however, that Mr. Jeffus did not ask me to review his work; in fact, I wrote my first review of the book before I knew its author.
I am in the middle of my third run through this book. It is very good. I'll begin this review with a basic description of what the book is; then I will explain why I have gotten so much out of it.
I have the Kindle version. The book contains 35 days worth of suggested readings from the Lotus Sutra, followed by a short explanation and meditation by the author, a priest in the Nichiren-shu sect of Buddhism. The book does not contain the Lotus Sutra readings themselves: you need either the Murano or the Reeves edition of the Lotus Sutra because the readings are only indicated in the Practice Guide by their page numbers in those translations. I am not sure what kind of table of contents the book version contains, but the Kindle version does not have one. It is not difficult to find your place, however: for example, you can find the material for day five by simply typing "Day 5" in the search field. The author's meditations generally include instructions for daily chanting and meditation practice.
Following are some comments about why I have gotten so much help from Mr. Jeffus's work:
Initially, I knew nothing about the Lotus Sutra: after my first reading, it appeared to be a very long book about nothing. Nevertheless, because it has had an enormous impact on Japanese culture, which is a particular interest of mine, I wanted to understand it better.
I think this initial puzzlement arose from my ignorance of Buddhism's history, particularly that of the Mahayana branch. As the author writes, the sutra "has come to us outside the context in which it occurs in much of East Asia." I simply didn't have a background that would help me understand its message. For this reason, I found it most helpful that Ryusho-shonin's book is not a commentary, but an introduction to the book as it is used for practice by the author's sect. I find, as I do the daily reading and chanting, that I have a better grasp of what the book means to its millions of devotees.
Far from being a book about nothing, the Lotus Sutra is a work of enormous consolation: its message is that all people are destined to become enlightened. It should be easy to see why so many have taken this message to heart. It has been a force against clericalism and spiritual elitism for centuries. Another of its themes is the eternal lifespan of the Buddha and his care for all living beings. However one understands these concepts, it is clearly an antidote to the dry esotericism that characterizes much Buddhist writing. It almost seems that the whole purpose of the work is to invite its readers into a community.
Consistent with his belief that "our connection with the Lotus Sutra occurs not on the level of the mind or intellect but on the level of heart or belief," the author pitches his comments at the level of emotions and life-experience. He is less concerned that his readers understand the long history of this sutra and its sources than that they recognize its relevance to their lives. He has clearly lived with this work for decades and is anxious to see it help others as it has helped him.
The first time I used this guide, it was because I was looking for help in understanding the Lotus Sutra. Since then, I have re-read the Sutra with greater appreciation. I have returned to Mr. Jeffus's book, however, because I simply like viewing the sutra through his eyes: he is an encouraging, good-humored guide from whom I've learned a lot.
As I said, this book is not a commentary but a guide to practice. There are very good commentaries out there--for instance "Introduction to the Lotus Sutra" by Shinjo Suguro--but I cannot think of a better guide to one's first experience of the Lotus Sutra.
8 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Lori Young
3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't come with actual sutra words at allReviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
You have to buy an additional book with all of the original sutra to even USE this book. Heads up on that.
HelpfulReport
alico jervier
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great book to begin your journey to internal peace and happiness. This book was very helpful on my initial start .
HelpfulReport
pattym
5.0 out of 5 stars A walk with a friendReviewed in the United States on August 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
This 35 day practice outline was not what I expected. It wasn't a lengthy discourse on what to and not to do, think or feel. This asked for a different attention; one directed away
from chattering thoughts, goals, worries, lists and toward the
joy in a daily practice. This would be an excellent introduction to a daily practice and refreshed my own.
Even though I have practiced as a Nichiren Buddhist for many years with several excellent teachers, this 35 day course was like a walk through a familiar field with a friend who points out trees and flowers in a new way. I highly recommend this to new beginners as well as old time beginners like me.
30 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
L. Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I neededReviewed in the United States on August 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
just needed something to help me get started.
HelpfulReport
Alan Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars Great basic overview for anyone trying to learn about Nichiren Buddhism.Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is not an SGI or Nichiren Shoshu book, It is a book about beginning to practice and understand the Lotus Sutra from the perspective of how it was delivered. (this does not mean that it is not suitable for followers of these organisations, I believe it is.)
I recommend this to anyone wanting to get a flavour of understanding by practice and not just by reading.
This would be a good purchase for anyone with an interest in the Lotus Sutra,
28 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
Kalua Lauber
3.0 out of 5 stars like what?Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
If you don't have the companion book with this you will be lost. The author only gives the start and beginning lines of the Lotus Sutra. I had to come back to buy the book by George Reeves. Given the chance I wouldn't buy it again. Who writes an incomplete book...like what?!!!!
3 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
micheledc
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the Lotus SutraReviewed in the United States on March 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
My husband and I used the Lotus Sutra Practice Guide for 35 days in our daily practice of Buddhism. We found it to be an excellent introduction to the Lotus Sutra and Buddhist practice. If you are looking into Buddhism, you will find it helpful and encouraging.
6 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport
See more reviews
Top reviews from other countries
TowserTunes
5.0 out of 5 stars A treasureReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Love this book, where do I go from here
without a teacher?
Although the actuality is very complex.
One person found this helpfulReport
Laurie
5.0 out of 5 stars This is another terrific book from this authorReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is another terrific book from this author. A wonderful devotional aid to be used in conjuction with the Lotus Sutra translations of Murano or Reeves, A beautiful faith building book. Nam myoho renge kyo.
Report
Dee Dorset
3.0 out of 5 stars well packaged but wrong style and format for meReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
wrong book for me
Report
Tripod
4.0 out of 5 stars But it!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
Excellent guide to practising and studying the Sutra!
4 people found this helpfulReport
Mciver
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommendedReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Superb daily guide for reading through the Lotus Sutra. Highly recommended
Report
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