Chanting Growers Group

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Me and My Lady were Appointed as the New Chapter Leaders!

Me and My Lady were Appointed as the New Chapter Leaders!

Our District turned into a Chapter and I was given so much encouragement because in the time since I joined my District it has grown more than ever before (over 20 years)! I'm so stoked to have more responsibility and be able to do more to encourage more youth and "youthful spirits"! We all have the ability to challenge obstacles with Doubt-free Faith, using Daimoku as best we can to be our first barrage, our followup attack, our counter-attack and finishing move. I'm very glad that I have been able to help shakubuku so many new members in my district and realize Daisaku's mandate for a District Revolution, without specifically aiming for it, but always supporting the SGI United Prayer.

Itai Doshin all the way, I'm bringing the haramony everywhere I go and the proof is in the pudding of my life. Look at where I was a couple years ago, I wanted to invent my own SGI and go off on a tangent and now I'm supporting such an amazing network of Bodhisattvas internationally in my personal efforts and here online with you. This thread is no meeting, it is the proof of our lives recorded as a living testament for all to follow. Only one Mantra is the sound of the universe and that is "Nam-myoho-rengne-kyo!", it works for me.

Guys I'll be away for a week enjoying the fruits of some truly amazing causes and chanting more than I ever did on a sandy beach drinking mai tais and living it up! Thanks again for helping to support me through the tough times so I could enjoy these great times ahead, I'm always grateful and will always support no matter what.

You have a brother in me,
MyohoDisco!

P.S. We Made IT!!!!!

 

[Desiderata]

Hi MrsB! I've always thought of you as a very special person=lots of respect. Your cameo appearance is a sign of constant change and fresh air flowing in to keep the pages turning here. Your drum is ready! May the beat go on!.... Long after forever....

All my compassion to you and Bud..........Desi!

 

[Desiderata]

Good Question?

Good Question?

Hello. I will pose this question to anyone who feels like taking the time to answer it. I recently met a very interesting man whom I came upon chanting. I stopped to talk with him and he taught me a chant, claiming it is the path to truth and happiness.

hare krishna hare krishna,
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare

my question is this. what is the difference? sometimes i chant one, sometimes the other. i enjoy them both

Welcome pseudostelariae!

My faith was already here before I chanted Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. I know that sounds confusing at first, but this was the path I took with reason and hope that my life condition had to 'change' for the better or more right way to live.

It was more of me making an effort to bring about positive change. I was up to my chin in negative. It's all about taking courageous action and applying wisdom from cause and effectual laws of the universe to obtain peace, truth, and goodness in your life thru chanting............which vibes you in accord to these cosmic laws which give us life and death, good and evil, and all the sufferings of mankind.

Since Buddhism has it's roots in Hinduism I have faith that many truths can be revealed through other chants. My answer is going to be in a greater, more forgiving, more open, and more compassionate chant that has proven to me to be the One. Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo! You choose, it's your choice!

All my Compassion, Desi


I also want to add that it's about the initial connection you have/had/made at the moment of discovering the chanting.........or who you trust to help lead you onto your new path of renewing your life at this very moment, ....change is in the now present, instant, you make it happen. The past and those struggles are over,.... has beens.

With Nichiren Daishonin, you are living in the latter day Lotus Sutra, as right now everything is either good or evil, positive or negative, to experience both and learn is to grow in heart and mind,.......that becomes your own truth!


PS. I'm not the one who should be answering your question, I'm not official Gohonzon yet, but I have the courage to try.........just don't eat me alive guys.......LOL

 

[Hitman]

Hi Psuedo, Welcome the Chanting Growers Thread. We grow while we chant.

You're the man, Desi- That was awesome.

I don't know anything about Hare Krishna. That's the Dali Lama, right?

I can only say great things about those who are trying to change and elevate their life conditions by chanting.

My family and I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Devotion to the mystical law of cause and effect. Do what makes you feel good inside. It's all about the connection that you make with the universe and yourself. Just like Desi said. Start to read this thread and you'll have all of your questions answered. PasstheDoobie, Bubbabud, Georgialouwho, EasyMyoho, Bonzo, Desi, who else am I not mentioning. Oh SoCal too. Everyone here ought to be able to give you a great explanation. You have to hear the sound of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and keep chanting actual positive proof. It's great to have you here. Share your ups and downs and we will all help eachother!

Peace,

Hitman

PS: I like your avatar.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hello Pseudo,

Actually these two mantras are entirely different from one another, except in what they claim to provide for the practitioner. The Hare Krishna mantra is based on the belief system of Hinduism. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra—it is in fact this Sutra’s title—and would therefore be considered a teaching of the belief system of Buddhism as clarified by Nichiren of 12th century Japan

While each individual is encouraged to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo regardless of their personal beliefs, the teaching is very specific in regard to the rankings of correct teachings (Hare Krishna, as a Hindu belief system would be referred to as a ‘non-Buddhist’ teaching). The teaching is also very specific in its exhortation to revere only the highest teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha (Gautama, Siddhartha) of India. Those of us who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo consider this to be the Lotus Sutra which Shakyamuni taught at the end of his life.

We are specifically instructed to admonish anyone we come into contact with to chant only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is due to the time in which we live (which we refer to as the Latter Day of the Law) and the specific content of the teachings contained within the Lotus Sutra. So while my two friends here are encouraging you to just follow your heart and do what you want to do, I will take a bit stronger position and suggest you not chant the Hare Krishna mantra anymore (as uncool and intolerant as that may make me appear).

This thread IS LOADED with information as to the reasons why taking such a position is important based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. There are many more reasons than I care to, or have time to, describe right now. However, no one is trying to NOT BE inclusive or tolerant of other belief systems. Nichiren said what he has said on this subject, but it is up to each individual to embrace what he has said and believe it.

MANY people begin chanting without any understanding of the teaching and are able to see actual concrete expression of the power of their chanting in their daily lives. It is based on this “actual proof” that the belief system in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo begins, and it on this basis that we change what we think and do to conform more completely to these teachings as our life experience translates into wisdom. It is based on these experiences that we respect Nichiren’s teachings.

Please read the thread and ask any specific question you like. We’ll do our best to answer you. As you can see by the number of pages in this thread that the content contained herein is extensive. We hope you continue to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo more and more everyday!

Deep respect,

Thomas

 

[Babbabud]

Great post T
A wonderful post to wake up to and start the week! Thanks so much !
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

By talking honestly and truthfully
one gradually develops a bond of trust with others.
Speak up, and with confidence, and say
what needs to be said.
Let’s break down those walls, those obstacles, within our hearts
that might be keeping us from taking action.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

“Gold can be neither burned by fire nor corroded or swept away by water, but iron is vulnerable to both. A worthy person is like gold, a fool like iron.”

(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren
Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 217) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's essay, Seikyo Shimbun, July 6th, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"This path is found where we are right now, not somewhere far removed from our daily lives."

SGI Newsletter No. 7579, 8th NATIONWIDE YOUTH DIVISION LEADERS MEETING--PART 2 [OF 2], Win through Courage, Triumph with Valour (Held in conjunction with the Future Division General Meeting and the Soka Alumni Meeting, at the Soka
University Auditorium in Hachioji, Tokyo, on May 4th, 2008. Translated July 2nd, 2008

 

[Hitman]

I knew you could do it, T! Now that is heart. I don't want to offend, that is my weakness. Sometimes you have to jump right from your heart, no, not sometimes, all the time. I wasn't sure if there was a connection from way, way back. Thank you. When the question was asked, I was looking and waiting for you, dude.

This Hit is truly for you.

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo
"Muster your faith, and pray to the Gohonzon.
Then what is there that cannot be achieved"
Nam myoho renge kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

“All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant
Nan-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind, transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim. This spiritual bond is the basis for the universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death. Herein lies the true goal of Nichiren's propagation. When you are so united, even the great desire for widespread propagation can be fulfilled."

(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren
Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 217) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's essay, Seikyo Shimbun, July 7th, 2008

 

[SoCal Hippy]

A CORRECT AND STEADFAST MIND AT THE MOMENT OF DEATH IS THE PROOF OF
ATTAINING BUDDHAHOOD

speach by Daisaku Ikeda


Nichiren Daishonin says that just as black
lacquer will turn white when white powder is added, the Mystic Law
has the power to eradicate any offense. As proof of this, he comments
on the difference in appearance at the moment of death of a person
who has sincerely lived in accord with the Mystic Law and one who has
slandered the Law and is destined to fall into a state of hell.

Since this is a well-known passage in which Nichiren discusses the
appearance of the deceased, allow me to confirm an important point
regarding the moment of death. While he uses such statements as "her
countenance will become pure and white" and "her body will be as
light as a goose feather and as soft and pliable as cotton" to
describe the appearance of deceased individuals who have upheld the
Mystic Law to the end of their lives, what is most important at the
moment of death is a person's heart or state of mind-in other words,
their having "a correct and steadfast mind at the moment of death."
When it comes to physical appearance, individuals of course differ
widely, and this is definitely not an absolute standard for
determining whether someone has attained Buddhahood. Consequently,
there is no point in getting caught up in what people's appearance is
like after they die.

When he says that a deceased person's "countenance will become pure
and white," we can take this to refer to an inner radiance manifested
in the person's expression-the joyful expression, for instance, of
someone departing for the next existence embraced in the voices of
friends and loved ones chanting for his or her happiness; the bright,
gentle expression of a person who exudes an ineffable serenity; the
noble expression of a person who shines with the triumph of a lofty
mission fulfilled, imparting courage and hope to all beholders.

Some people die young. Some people die in unforeseen accidents. And
some people die after long battles with illness. But whatever the
case, there is no need to worry. What matters is a person's heart at
the final moment, not the manner of death. What matters is whether
that person has persevered in faith to the very end. In one writing,
Nichiren cites the Nirvana Sutra, which states, "A mad elephant can
only destroy your body; it cannot destroy your mind [i.e., your
heart]" (see "On the Protection of the Nation," WND-2, 135). In
modern terms, "mad elephants" might correspond to things like traffic
accidents. Regardless of how people may die, if they have formed a
deep connection with the Mystic Law and devoted themselves
wholeheartedly to their mission in this world, they are sure to shine
with a magnificent inner brilliance at the moment of death. On this,
we can absolutely rest assured. It is the manifestation of an
inscrutable causality. A person's heart is always what is most
important.

"It is a thousand ri across the sea and mountains from Sado Province
to this province [of Kai where Mount Minobu is located]. You, as a
woman, have held fast to your faith in the Lotus Sutra; and over the
years you have repeatedly sent your husband here to visit me in your
place. Surely the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the
Buddhas of the ten directions know of your devotion. For example,
though the moon is forty thousand yojanas high in the heavens, its
reflection appears instantly in a pond on earth; and the sound of the
drum at the Gate of Thunder is immediately heard a thousand, ten
thousand ri in the distance. Though you remain in Sado, your heart
has come to this province.

"The way of attaining Buddhahood is just like this. Though we live in
the impure land, our hearts reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak.
Merely seeing each other's face would in itself be insignificant. It
is the heart that is important. Someday let us meet at [the pure land
of] Eagle Peak, where Shakyamuni Buddha dwells" (WND-l, 949).

Nichiren Daishonin writes, "Though you remain in Sado, your heart has
come to this province." He is telling the lay nun Sennichi that even
though she hasn't set foot outside of Sado, which is far away across
mountains and sea, her heart has reached him at Mount Minobu.
Nichiren may well have sensed that she felt sad at the thought that
she might never see him again in her lifetime. But in our Buddhist
practice, there is no need to lament. Based on faith in the Mystic
Law, our hearts can instantaneously cross any distance. Nichiren's
encouragement conveys the message, "You are fighting alongside me in
spirit." We can easily imagine how much courage and hope this must
have given the lay nun.

Next, he states, "Though we live in the impure land, our hearts
reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak." He explains that although the
saha world in which they dwell is an impure land, the hearts of those
who embrace the correct teaching reside in the pure land of Eagle
Peak, which is to say, the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light. But even
when one attains the enlightened state of Buddhahood, it doesn't mean
he or she will stop having problems or can avoid living in an impure
land. Nevertheless, if we, as ordinary human beings, establish a
state of absolute and indestructible happiness in the depths of our
lives, we will never be consigned to misery. By saying "Our hearts
reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak;' he is explaining that we can
bring forth within us the supremely noble state of Buddhahood that
will not be swayed by any problem or circumstance.

"Merely seeing each other's face would in itself be insignificant,"
indicates that faith is not determined by meeting face-to-face with
the mentor. "It is the heart that is important;' he asserts. And
one's heart is expressed in one's actions. In the case of the lay nun
Sennichi, her devotion is revealed in her sending Abutsu-bo to visit
Nichiren almost every year. It is an expression of her unchanging
commitment to faith. In the succinct statement "It is the heart that
is important," Nichiren conveys to her that he is fully aware of her
sincere dedication and that this dedication is the way to attaining
Buddhahood.

Nichiren Daishonin concludes this writing by saying, "Someday let us
meet at [the pure land of] Eagle Peak, where Shakyamuni Buddha
dwells." These words are a declaration that the lay nun's faith is
genuine and that she can definitely attain Buddhahood in this
lifetime and meet Nichiren at the pure land of Eagle Peak. The bonds
of mentor and disciple in Buddhism are everlasting.

Abutsu-bo and the lay nun Sennichi demonstrated a tireless spirit to
seek out the teachings and philosophy of Nichiren. And their son
Tokuro Moritsuna, who as a fellow practitioner of the Lotus Sutra
inherited his parents' spirit, carried on his father's tradition and
visited Nichiren at Mount Minobu. All three are exemplary disciples
who strove with the same commitment as Nichiren during his lifetime.

In a discussion with members of the student division, I once
responded as follows to a question about the oneness, or unity, of
mentor and disciple: "It means to have a mentor in your heart while
standing on your own two feet. President Toda resides in my heart.
This is not something you speak out loud; it's a matter of the heart.
This is because unity is something that exists inside you."

At all times, no matter where I am, I feel as if I am constantly
engaging in dialogue with President Toda as I go about my activities.
Our unity exists within me. The unity of mentor and disciple
transcends distance and time. The hearts of mentor and disciple
compose an eternal history of united struggle.

Upholding the great philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism that teaches that
the heart is most important, let us apply ourselves with even greater
sincerity and dedication in our ongoing efforts for kosen-rufu.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Please join me today in kickin some mother fkin fundamental darkness asses.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Mugi Wasshin!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Only by defeating a powerful enemy can one prove one's real strength."

(Letter from Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 302) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 8th, 2008.

 

[Hitman]

YA! I'm so proud to know you all.

Three Cheers for SoCal.

Three for PasstheDoob!

EasyMyoho-That is so awesome! 20 Years! My friend you have the the midas touch!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

We are all going to meet! I know this is True! We are together in spirit and when we finally get together I'm mokin all you budz up! Hahahahahaha!

Hit!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Only by defeating a powerful enemy can one prove one's real strength."

Round I

Fundamental Darkness 1 SoCal 0

Round 2 coming up - Stay tuned!

Mugi Wasshin!!!

Don't be afraid
Don't be defeated

Faith, Victory of Gold!

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo
Were with you So Cal this is your round!!! Kick some ass.....
If they get you on the mat then just chant some more!!! Youve got a bunch of great cornermen here So Cal. Kick some ass bro.
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Kick some Devil ASS SoCal!

Remind the Gohonzon that your challenge is just like the '68 Democratic convention.........

The whole world is watching!
The whole world is watching!
The whole world is watching!

You can do it! Kick some Devil ASS!

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Not letting your mistakes or troubles defeat you, but picking yourself up and triumphing over them, using everything as a springboard for growth, for fresh success or greater achievement--that attitude itself is truly commendable."

SGI Newsletter No. 7579, 8th NATIONWIDE YOUTH DIVISION LEADERS MEETING--PART 2 [OF 2], Win through Courage, Triumph with Valour (Held in conjunction with the Future Division General Meeting and the Soka Alumni Meeting, at the Soka University Auditorium in Hachioji, Tokyo, on May 4th, 2008. Translated July 2nd, 2008