Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

"If one's heavy karma from the past is not expiated within this lifetime, one must undergo the sufferings of hell in the future, but if one experiences extreme hardship in this life [because of the Lotus Sutra], the sufferings of hell will vanish instantly."

(Lessening One's Karmic Retribution - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 199) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, March 7th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"President Toda declared:

"'We of the Soka Gakkai have faith; we have the Gohonzon. Everything we have achieved is a result of the benefit of our faith in the Gohonzon....Faith is at the heart of everything. Remaining steadfast in our Buddhist practice is what matters. As long as we have this firm conviction, we’ll never be surprised by anything anyone writes or says about us.'[1]

SGI Newsletter No. 8466, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [35] “The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon”, Tapping the Infinite Benefit of the Gohonzon through Faith, from the December 2011 issue of Daibyakurenge, translated March 6th, 2012

[1] Translated from Japanese. Josei Toda, Toda Josei Zenshu (The Collected Writings of Josei Toda), (Tokyo: Seikyo Shimbunsha, 1989), vol. 4, pp. 582–83.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's never forget to encourage those members who could not make it to the meeting! Each and every member is a precious individual who must always be taken good care of. Through sincere and honest conversation, let's widely expand the solidarity of our movement for kosen-rufu.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Nichiren Daishonin writes that if we light a lantern for another, it will brighten our own way (cf. WND-2, 1060).

"According to the latest findings of brain science, we human beings possess so-called mirror neurons, which enable us to feel empathy when we observe emotion in others. In a disaster, inner strength is awakened and hope is ignited in the hearts of both the victims and the volunteers; the former because they feel that there is someone who cares about them, and the latter because they feel that they are able to make a difference in another’s life. Volunteering is a noble action that raises the spirits of both the volunteer and those receiving support—a form of proof that doing good for others also does good for ourselves."

SGI Newsletter No. 8448, Our Brilliant Path to Victory, The Ever-victorious Kansai Spirit of Mentor and Disciple, from the Jan. 16th, 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated Feb. 9th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Therefore a person who upholds the Lotus Sutra is repaying the debt of gratitude owed to father and mother. Even if one does not feel in one's own heart that one can do so, one can repay it through the power of this sutra."

(The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 638) Selection source: New Human Revolution, Balmy Breeze - 15, Feb 15, 2012

 

[easyDaimoku]

"Therefore a person who upholds the Lotus Sutra is repaying the debt of gratitude owed to father and mother. Even if one does not feel in one's own heart that one can do so, one can repay it through the power of this sutra."

(The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 638) Selection source: New Human Revolution, Balmy Breeze - 15, Feb 15, 2012

WOW that's relaxing on the eyes, sweet on the ears and gentle on the soul!

Ohhh yeah!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

 

[easyDaimoku]

Mugi Wasshin!

Mugi Wasshin!

March 8, 2012

--TO MY FRIENDS--
The bitter struggles we undergo
in the springtime of our youth
become the departure point in life.
Don't ever give up!
Remembering the Daishonin's words,
"But still I am not discouraged,"(*)
let's advance with an indomitable spirit.

(*)"The Essential for Attaining Buddhahood," WND I, p. 748.

Translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance, with universal value and application.

--わが友に贈る--
　青春の苦闘こそ
　人生の原点となる。
　決して諦めるな！
　「いまだ　こりず候」と
　不屈の心で進みゆけ！

--WAGA TOMO NI OKURU--
SEISHUN NO KUTO KOSO
JINSEI NO GENTEN TO NARU.
KESSHITE AKIRAMERU NA!
"IMADA KORIZU SORO" TO
FUKUTSU NO KOKORO DE
SUSUMI YUKE!

Translations of President Ikeda's "To My Friends" and "Words of the Week" published in Seikyo Shimbun and more.

Monday, March 5th, 2012
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Let's all, with great respect, praise those members
who are especially challenging to share this Buddhism with others!
People who speak about this Buddhism,
even if it is only a single word or phrase,
are indeed "the emissary of the Thus Come One"*.

*"The Lotus Sutra states: 'If one of these good men or good women in the time after I have passed into extinction is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work.' One who recites even one word or phrase of the Lotus Sutra and who speaks about it to another person is the emissary of Shakyamuni Buddha, lord of the teachings." - "The Pure and Far-Reaching Voice", WND-I, page 331

Monday, March 5th, 2012
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life."

(The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 149) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin,

Seikyo Shimbun, March 5th, 2012

March 5th-11th, 2012
---- WORDS OF THE WEEK ----
The Daishonin states,
"In battles soldiers regard the general as their soul."*
When our Men's Division members take action,
great momentum is created towards victory.
When encouraged, people gain the strength of ten thousand.
Let's strive now, now more than ever,
to expand the solidarity of our gallant heroic men!

*"The Supremacy of the Law", WND-I, page 613
* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.seikyoonline.jp/news/index.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
TAIWA NI IDOMU TOMO O
MINA DE TATAE AO!
ICHIMON IKKU DEMO
BUPPO O KATARU HITO WA
"NYORAI NO TSUKAI" NARI!

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
MYO TOWA SOSEI NO GI NARI SOSEI TO MOSU WA YOMIGAERU GI NARI
(Gosho Zenshu, page 947)

--- KONSHU NO KOTOBA ---
"IKUSA NIWA DAISHOGUN O TAMASHII TO SU"
SONENBU GA UGOKEBA
SHORI NO DAIKAITEN GA HAJIMASU.
HAGEMASHI WA "MAN" NO "CHIKARA"
YUSHI NO JINRETSU O IKUE NIMO!

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Nam Myoho Renge kyo!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!


Chanting for IC and server fund beans to be sent.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

It is the struggles and hardships of our youth that help lay a solid foundation for the rest of our lives. Don't ever give up, no matter what! With the Daishonin's spirit of "But still I am not discouraged"* let's advance with unwavering resolve.

Daisaku Ikeda

Gosho - The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood - WND-1, page 997, "Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, 'Good advice grates on the ear.' But still I am not discouraged."

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When all of the functions of the Ten Worlds within our lives are enveloped in the light of the wisdom and compassion of the world of Buddhahood, we can give expression to the power of supreme goodness and create enduring value. It also means that each unique individual comes to shine as an entity of the Mystic Law and manifest their inherently dignified nature. The Gohonzon enables us to build what Mr. Toda described as 'a joyful, pure, and sunny realm of friends living together in harmony and peace.'[1]

"In such a realm, everyone—irrespective of their circumstances or whether they are still in the process of transforming their karma—shines with the 'dignified attributes that they inherently possess.' Those in the world of Hell, for instance, manifest the world of Hell contained within the world of Buddhahood, and though there may still be suffering, it is not the hopeless suffering of wandering lost in eternal darkness. They can bring forth the courage to face difficult realities head-on, the wisdom to surmount the obstacles and barriers arising from within and from without, and the powerful life-force to make new strides forward. Sufferings become challenges that aid one’s personal transformation and growth, a springboard to great development.

"Illuminated by the light of the five characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the noble state of life that is one with the Mystic Law functions vibrantly even in the world of Hell. The meaning of the sufferings of hell is thereby turned around completely."

SGI Newsletter No. 8466, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [35] “The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon”, Tapping the Infinite Benefit of the Gohonzon through Faith, from the December 2011 issue of Daibyakurenge, translated March 6th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens."

(Happiness in This World - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 681) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Mar 8th, 2012

 

[easyDaimoku]

Keep your chanting area clean, it is a reflection of your life.

Keep your chanting area clean, it is a reflection of your life.

Sensei writes in his 2012 message to the Soka Group,


"You must not retreat even a single step as you fight on the stage of your mission. You must bring forth the essential spirit of Nichiren’s disciples, which is to never be defeated."

*This is accomplished by chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon! Nichiren Daishonin's life embodied in the Gohonzon is the tool we need to tap into that unshakeable state of life we learn about on this thread. That state of life, or life condition, is Buddhahood. How do we Bodhisattvas of the Earth achieve this highest state of life? By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon!*

 

[toketronix]

very nice babba ..gave me goosebumps

The flow of energy ... here.... it ... is . nameless , timeless.. float ....beyond fear.... float.... beyond desire ... into this mystery of mysterys ... through this gate of alll wonder

naming stops the flow

The Tao is nameless, Like uncarved wood, As soon as it is carved there are names, Carve carefully , Along the grain

Walk Carefully When You Are Among

"Holy men"and
"Righteous deeds"
Distract from the internal

"Learned men "
Distract from natural wisdom

Professional know-how "
Addicts people to the contrived and external

Be respectful and compassionate
But walk carefully when you are among-

learned men

holy men

doctors

government officials

reporters

publishers

professors

religious leaders

psychologists

rich people

social scientist

women with beautiful faces

artists and writers

people who charge fees

city men

movie makers

people who want to help you

Christians and Jew

For such as these , however well meaning
Place you on their chessboard
Addict you to their external
Distract you from the Tao within

The lesson of the Tao is more likely to be found among------

gardeners

hermits

eccentrics

people who build their own homes

children

parents who learn from their children

amateur musicians

serene psychotics

animals

those who look at sunsets

whose who walk in the woods

beautiful women

cooks

people who sit by the fire

wanderers

bakers of bread

couples who have been in love for years

smiling men with bad reputations



Hope you enjoyed this poem ..... I think it fits our family well here.

for those that dont understand the word "Tao" ... just replace it with "God"

 

[Babbabud]

But ... it does have a name ....
Its
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"It is the heart that is important."

(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1000) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, March 12th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

It is those who have encountered the greatest suffering that have the opportunity, and ability, to become the happiest! They are also the ones who can help their friends become happy, too. That is what our practice is here to help us achieve. So now, let's take one hope-filled step forwards.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), who overcame great personal suffering to create an immortal song of inner joy, in his later years offered these warm words of encouragement to a visiting youth: 'Bring as much happiness as you can to others. Nothing is finer or nobler.' [1] That young man was Franz Liszt (1811–86), the Hungarian composer, who went on to respond to Beethoven’s encouragement by achieving his own outstanding musical compositions."

SGI Newsletter No. 8468, 56th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting, Happiness Ripples Out from Ties of Mutual Support and Encouragement, from the March 4th, 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated March 9th, 2012.

[1] Translated from French. Romain Rolland, Beethoven: Les grandes époques créatrices (Beethoven: the Grand Creative Epochs), (Paris: Éditions du Sablier, 1945), vol. 3, p. 202.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Winter always turns to spring."

(Winter Always Turns to Spring - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 536) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's essay, Seikyo Shimbun, Mar 11th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

With our friend who is facing hardship,
let's confront the problem together.
Let's chant daimoku together.
Let's challenge to overcome and win together.
That is how we encourage one another in the world of the SGI!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Nichiren Daishonin encouraged the lay nun Ueno, the mother of Nanjo Tokimitsu, who was grieving over the loss of her husband: 'One who embraces the Lotus Sutra will realise that hell is itself the Land of Tranquil Light' (WND-1, 456). Even if our life is shrouded in the darkness of deep suffering, we can transform it into a shining realm brimming with the light of happiness. This is the great philosophy of the Mystic Law.

"While chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ourselves and teaching others to do the same, we of the SGI have encouraged and inspired countless people with the confident assertion that any negative karma can be transformed and any person can become happy without fail. Spreading this encouraging message is the way to realise the ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” that the Daishonin entrusted to us. This is because when bolstered by supportive ties, people can overcome any disaster or setback, and together create a society of peace and happiness. In this age that sometimes seems like a long, dark tunnel without an exit, it is even more important that we try to talk to and encourage others in a bright, friendly, and positive spirit, imparting the light of hope and courage to all whom we meet."

SGI Newsletter No. 8468, 56th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting, Happiness Ripples Out from Ties of Mutual Support and Encouragement, from the March 4th, 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated March 9th, 2012