The Lotus Sutra

     The "Lotus Sutra", from my investigation, seems a key element of Buddhism because of the words "Nam Myoho Rengue Kyo", which conclude the 16th Chapter of the sutra.  The words can be fairly translated as: Taking Refuge in the Lotus Sutra.

     My attraction to this key aspect of Shakyamuni's teaching stems most of all from the message concluding the sutra: that "Enlightenment" is not some distant element of Life, nor a mysteriously attained state of being.  The Buddha taught that we simply are, all of us, already buddhas, ourselves - meaning that we are, simply, already enlightened.  

     The reason I'm posting this today is that I, myself, no less than any of you, Brothers & Sisters, just as simply do not always live by this truth!  I mean, if I truly realized and lived in my own fundamental Being as one of Enlightenment, well, there would not be discord in my life.  There would instead be Peace.  Light.  Hope, and Love.

      I believe Yeshua ben Yusef also taught a similar message to Siddhartha's, from my understanding of Luke 17:20-21

20And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (King James Version)

 In short, I equate Yeshua's "kingdom of God" being already "within" me, to the Buddha's message of the state of "enlightenment" just as assuredly being already a part of me.

But, I could be wrong!