Chanting Growers Group

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo!!
Great post Easy ...thanks !!
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Desiderata]

Easy, that is a great post! Yes, I was fucked up, but I was expressing my true feelings.

I have doubts, that exist no matter what. Yes, the greater cause or the big picture is what really matters in the end............and this is one method of attaining a fullfilling and happy existence with purpose. My chanting still works no matter what frame of mind I'm in. Chanting is an instant cause that effects my whole being positively!

Someone dropped off two puppys at the church across the street and they were skin and bones. The suffering from starvation has to be most painfull. Well they have full bellies and water now!..........still no home, except for what life still has to offer, the wind, the sunshine, and the peace that exists with any hope of a future.

As T always reminds us, suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what good there is in all things. It aint' easy all the time, but it is worth every second we are alive.

Thanks again Easy,....... you are a good decent human, that is sensitive to life and what it has to offer.

Respect to you all, Desi!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When we revere Myoho-renge-kyo inherent in our own life as the object of devotion, the Buddha nature within us is summoned forth and manifested by our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what is meant by 'Buddha.'"

(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 887) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 20th, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

There is no such thing as a life that is free of hardships. We experience adversity precisely so that we can achieve true peace in life. But unless we are aware of our inner strength to withstand hardships, we will find ourselves in a situation where one difficulty gives rise to another, and we will ultimately be crushed by their weight. The Latter Day is a time when people's lives are shrouded in darkness or ignorance, and destructive influences prevail. People are drawn into a downward spiral of negative causes and misery. Therefore, if we hope to guide people to happiness in the Latter Day of the Law, it is of utmost importance to teach them about the power they possess within to triumph over suffering. This is the teaching of the Daishonin's Buddhism.

SGI Newsletter No. 7595, SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series, LEARNING FROM THE GOSHO: THE HOPE-FILLED WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN, [9] "Lessening One's Karmic Retribution". Translated on August 7th, 2008.

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

We just had three (3) Gohonzon conferrals in my monthly local district discussion meeting! That means three (3) new members! WHOA!

I chanted for this goal and made a determination two weeks ago to support these people the best I can and all three were so happy today to receive their Gohonzon. For one lady it was her birthday, for another she wanted to get her Gohonzon the same day President Ikeda did and for the last (whom helped my gf chant the 5 hours that led to my gf getting the job she wanted) this lady had a small travel Gohonzon and just got her official Gohonzon after moving to the USA from Brazil a couple years ago. WOW I'm so excited!

This morning I woke up at 5am to then drive to the city and see Danny Nagashima encourage us Youth to standup during our propagation campaign. I was happy to hear his three points regarding maximizing our time as youth and they are #1: Dream Big and Chant for Great Goals #2: Make great friends and tell others about what works for us and #3: Use the valuable guidance of your Mentor(s) to inspire yourself to new heights and overcome all the obstacles on your path to realizing your goals! My gf and I were just two from a handful of people that drove the farthest to the city to see Danny Nagashima and that made me feel really good to hear the emcee honor a trip we did (or rather I did with the intention that...) these three (3) people that came to the discussion meeting at 10am receive Gohonzon and YES THEY DID!

I'm so glad we have our practice and our faith to really build amazing foundations in our life that will lead to ours doing the same. Thank you very much for your continued support and guidance everyone, I really take quite a bit of good from everyone's input and feedback!

Glad everything is okay there Desi, do you have a new date to receive your Gohonzon?

Bonz, hang tough, your my family bro, just keep going and let me know how its going sometime soon. We're always here for you everyday!

Way to go Bud and Way to Socal and Way to PTD because I know you three (3) are chanting your asses off and it surely is rubbing off on me and my environment!

Much love to all!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! everyday like the roar of the lion singing:

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

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Before I forget to mention, I've still been chanting for a job closer to home and really think I may want one that I have an interview lined up for on Thursday. I'm sure if it is the "job for me" it will be mine and I would appreciate it if you could join me in trying to relocate me back in my home state for work because the schlep really sucks and takes so much time away from my life. Plus I'm starting school again and I'm really focused on finishing my the first leg of my journey by December so I will be strongly chanting for success in my studies and for itai doshin in my chapter (chanting group) and also at work&school.

So I'm still dealing with a "THANK THE GOHONZON" it is only a pesky issue, that I believe will be gone in the near future and also alot of stress and pressue with work and my own fundamental darkness. Shit got so bad that last week I had to go to a Therapist and try it out. I felt much better speaking to my gf afterwards and realized that I will do more successful therapy with more daimoku and sound guidance from my mentors who do all they can to keep me going forward. I get inspired to keep living with conviction thanks to PTD, Thomas, Babaa, and the rest of us keeping our movement alive. I also inspire myself everyday with Gongyo and since I began to make a cause to do it everyday no matter what is going on in my life, my days begin right away and since every moment in life and especially in a battle is so crucial by winning in the first few moments you can totally set the tone for accomplishing your mission or goal decisively. Mugi Wasshin is to stand up with conviction and with complete faith in Gohonzon no matter what, You cannot lose You will Win! '

I've heard alot of win or lose talk in this Buddhism and it applies accordingly to our time when people are not hip to be advancing and going forward. Yet here we are discussing the meat and potatoes to life and where do we each individually find ourselves... well right in the midst our circumstances, emotional and physical conditions, and with a certain frame of mind. I truly believe that our Buddhist practice takes life and really makes life the most respect-worthy situation, so worthy of recognition and respect that we further are compelled to nurture and nourish life in the present and going into the future. This leads us to have to overcome certain encumberances and obstalces that arise as a result of such a mission brought about by our diligent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! So then Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! is our mother, our wife, our child, our mission, our battle cry. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! is what we go to war for, we go to win for Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! we fight our fundamental darkness to spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

It took a brave man to face a Nation, it took even braver followers to not quit in the face of terror and from the history surrounding these words we living in a time when Nichiren Daishonin and his followers are alive and more numerous than the sands of the Ganges! Every living human has a buddhanature and we must wage an all out struggle in our lives to represent this truth to the fullest and really keep persevering with faith in our mission to spread The Mystic Law of Cause and Effect by helping other humans become aware of Nichiren Daishonin and our happiness. We will have to really go against some amazing odds like Nichiren did to establish Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! for us living in the Latter Day of the Law but fear not because the way and the means are available! ALL IT WILL TAKE IS SOMEONE COURAGEOUS IN FAITH, I'M SURE YOU'RE READY TO TAKE UP THIS TAKE UP THIS MISSION ONCE AGAIN WITH ME TODAY THEN AGAIN TOMMORROW AND SO FORTH!

What can i say besides I get excited when I'm thinking about our common mission and how we're doing it. Pretty incredible this medium is such an awesome bulletin board to keep us connected through daimoku with Gohonzon.

"I'm right there with you!!"

love,
Myohod

 

[Hitman]

Every living thing has a buddah nature, it doesn't have to be human.

Have a great week EasyMyoho and everyone! Keep on pushing forward!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to all!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

And I'm right there with you too, my Brother!

And I'm right there with you too, my Brother!

I truly believe that our Buddhist practice takes life and really makes life the most respect-worthy situation, so worthy of recognition and respect that we further are compelled to nurture and nourish life in the present and going into the future. This leads us to have to overcome certain encumberances and obstalces that arise as a result of such a mission brought about by our diligent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! So then Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! is our mother, our wife, our child, our mission, our battle cry. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! is what we go to war for, we go to win for Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! we fight our fundamental darkness to spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!


"I'm right there with you!!"

love,
Myohod

The whole fucking point. Understand what my brother just said here and you have revealed yourself as a Thus Come One of Original Enlightenment Eternally Endowed with the Three Bodies. This is all one must perceive. There is NO greater understanding.

Any perception in conflict with the Truth is delusion.

If Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is real, then the teachings of Nichiren are sacred. It's all based on faith. And so is attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Deep respect,

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Daishonin states,
"Even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is
the proof of actual fact."*
The experience of our benefit brings people joy and
happiness and spreads great hope to everyone around us.
Let's joyfully hold dialogue with other people,
sharing the good fortune and great benefit through our
faith and practice.

Daisaku Ikeda

*"Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain" - WND-I, page 599

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain / WND pg. 598

Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain / WND pg. 598

When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path.

Moreover, had the Buddha not appeared in the world, then, with the exception of the Venerable Shariputra and the Venerable Mahakashyapa, every single person in all the major world system would have sunk into the three evil paths. But through the strong bonds formed by relying upon the Buddha, large numbers of people have attained Buddhahood. Even wicked people such as King Ajatashatru or Angulimala, who one would expect could never reach enlightenment but would invariably fall into the Avichi hell, by encountering a great person, the Buddha Shakyamuni, were able to attain Buddhahood.

Therefore, the best way to attain Buddhahood is to encounter a good friend. How far can our own wisdom take us? If we have even enough wisdom to distinguish hot from cold, we should seek out a good friend.

But encountering a good friend is the hardest possible thing to do. For this reason, the Buddha likened it to the rarity of a one-eyed turtle finding a floating log with a hollow in it the right size to hold him, or to the difficulty of trying to lower a thread from the Brahma heaven and pass it through the eye of a needle on the earth. Moreover, in this evil latter age, evil companions are more numerous than the dust particles that comprise the land, while good friends are fewer than the specks of dirt one can pile on a fingernail.

Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds of Mount Potalaka acted as a good friend to the boy Good Treasures, but though the bodhisattva taught him the two doctrines of the specific and perfect teachings, he did not reveal to him the pure and perfect teaching [of the Lotus Sutra]. Bodhisattva Ever Wailing sold himself as an offering in his quest for a good teacher, whereupon he encountered Bodhisattva Dharmodgata. But from the latter he learned only the three doctrines of the connecting, specific, and perfect teachings, and did not receive instruction in the Lotus Sutra. Shariputra acted as a good friend to a blacksmith and gave him instruction for a period of ninety days, but succeeded only in making him into an icchantika, or a person of incorrigible disbelief. (1) Purna discoursed on the Buddhist doctrine for the space of an entire summer, but he taught Hinayana doctrines to persons who had the capacity for Mahayana doctrines, and thereby turned them into Hinayana adherents.

Thus even great sages [such as Perceiver of the World’s Sounds and Dharmodgata] were not permitted to preach the Lotus Sutra, and even arhats who had obtained the fruit of emancipation [such as Shariputra and Purna] were not always able to gauge people’s capacity correctly. From these examples, you may imagine how inadequate are the scholars of this latter, evil age! It is far better to be an evil person who learns nothing of Buddhism at all than to put one’s faith in such men, who declare that heaven is earth, east is west, or fire is water, or assert that the stars are brighter than the moon, or an anthill higher than Mount Sumeru.

In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact.

In the past, around the fifth year of the Bun’ei era (1268), when the Ezo barbarians rebelled in the east and the Mongol envoys arrived from the west with their demands, I surmised that these events had come about because people did not put faith in the correct Buddhist doctrines. I guessed that prayer rituals would surely be performed to subdue the enemy, and that such rituals would be conducted by the priests of the True Word school. Of the three countries of India, China, and Japan, I will leave aside India for the moment. But I am certain that Japan, like China, will be undone by the True Word school.

The Tripitaka Master Shan-wu-wei journeyed to China from India in the reign of Emperor Hsüan-tsung of the T’ang dynasty. At that time there was a great drought, and Shan-wu-wei was ordered to conduct prayers for rain. He succeeded in causing a heavy rain to fall, and as a result, everyone from the emperor on down to the common people was overcome with joy. Shortly thereafter, however, a great wind began to blow, wreaking havoc throughout the land, and the people’s enthusiasm quickly palled.

During the same reign, the Tripitaka Master Chin-kang-chih came to China from India. He too prayed for rain, and within the space of seven days, a heavy rain fell and people rejoiced as they had earlier. But when a great wind of unprecedented violence arose, the ruler concluded that the True Word school was an evil and fearsome doctrine and came near to sending Chin-kang-chih back to India. The latter, however, made various excuses and contrived to remain.

Again, in the same reign, the Tripitaka Master Pu-k’ung prayed for rain. Within three days a heavy rain fell, producing the same kind of joy as before. But once more a great wind arose, this time even fiercer than on the two previous occasions, and raged for several weeks before subsiding.

How strange were these occurrences! There is not a single person in Japan, whether wise or ignorant, who knows about them. If there is anyone who wishes to find out, that person had better question me in detail and learn about these matters while I am still alive.

Turning to the case of Japan, in the second month of the first year of the Tencho era (824), there was a great drought. The Great Teacher Kobo was requested to pray for rain in Shinsen’en garden.(2) But a priest named Shubin came forward and, protesting that he had been a member of the priesthood longer and ranked higher than Kobo, asked that he be allowed to conduct the ritual. Shubin was granted permission and carried out the prayers. On the seventh day a heavy rain fell, but it fell only on the capital and not in the surrounding countryside.

Kobo was then instructed to take over the task of praying, but seven days went by without any rain falling, then another seven days, and still another seven days. Finally, the emperor himself prayed for rain and caused it to fall. But the priests of To-ji, Kobo’s temple, referred to it as “our teacher’s rain.” One need only consult the records to learn the details.

This was one of the greatest frauds ever known in our nation. And in addition, there were the matters of the epidemic that broke out in the spring of the ninth year of the Konin era (818) (3) and of the three-pronged diamondpounder, (4) which were also frauds of a most peculiar kind. These things had best be shared in person.

There was a major drought in China in the period of the Ch’en dynasty, but the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai recited the Lotus Sutra, and in no time at all rain began to fall. The ruler and his ministers bowed their heads, and the common people pressed their palms together in reverence. Moreover, the rain was not torrential, nor was it accompanied by wind; it was a soft shower. The Ch’en ruler sat entranced in the presence of the great teacher and forgot all about returning to his palace. At that time, he bowed three times [in acknowledgment to the great teacher].

A great drought occurred in Japan in the spring of the ninth year of the Konin era. Emperor Saga ordered Fuyutsugu (5) to send the lower-ranking official Matsuna (6) [to the Great Teacher Dengyo to ask him to offer prayers for rain]. The Great Teacher Dengyo prayed for rain, reciting the Lotus, Golden Light, and Benevolent Kings sutras, and on the third day thin clouds appeared and a gentle rain began to fall. The emperor was so overjoyed that he gave permission for the building of a Mahayana ordination platform, (7) the establishment of which had been the most difficult undertaking in Japan.

Gomyo, the teacher of the Great Teacher Dengyo, (8) was a sage and the foremost priest in Nara, the southern capital. He and forty of his disciples joined together in reciting the Benevolent Kings Sutra to pray for rain, and five days later rain began to fall. It was certainly splendid that rain fell on the fifth day, but less impressive than if it had fallen on the third day, [as in the case of the Great Teacher Dengyo]. Moreover, the rain was very violent, which made Gomyo’s performance inferior. From these examples, you may judge how much more inferior were Kobo’s efforts to produce rain.

Thus, the Lotus Sutra is superior, while the True Word school is inferior. And yet, as though deliberately to bring about the ruin of Japan, people these days rely exclusively on the True Word.

Considering what had happened in the case of the Retired Emperor of Oki, (9) I believed that if the True Word practices were used to try to subdue the Mongols and the Ezo barbarians Japan would surely be brought to ruin. Therefore, I determined to disregard my own safety and speak out in warning. When I did so, my disciples tried to restrain me, but in view of the way things have turned out, they are probably pleased at my actions. I was able to perceive what not a single wise man in China or Japan had understood in more than five hundred years!

When Shan-wu-wei, Chinkangchih, and Pu-k’ung prayed for rain, rain fell, but it was accompanied by violent winds. You should consider the reason for this. There are cases of people making rain fall even through the use of non-Buddhist teachings, even those of the Taoists, which are hardly worth discussion. And of course with Buddhist teachings, even if those of the Hinayana are correctly applied, then how could rain fail to fall? And how much more so if one uses a text such as the Mahavairochana Sutra, which, though inferior to the Flower Garland and Wisdom sutras, is still somewhat superior to the Agama sutras [of the Hinayana]! Thus rain did indeed fall, but the fact that it was accompanied by violent winds is an indication that the doctrines being applied were contaminated by grievous errors. And the fact that the Great Teacher Kobo was unable to make rain fall although he prayed for twenty-one days, and that he misappropriated the rain that the emperor had caused to fall and called it his own, indicates that he was even more gravely in error than Shan-wu-wei and the others.

But the wildest falsehood of all is what the Great Teacher Kobo himself recorded when he wrote, “In the spring of the ninth year of the Konin era, when I was praying for an end to the epidemic, the sun came out in the middle of the night.” (10) This is the kind of lie this man was capable of ! This matter is one of the most important secrets that is entrusted to my followers. They should quote this passage to drive their opponents to the wall. Setting aside for the moment the question of doctrinal superiority, I simply wish to stress that the matters I have written of above are of the utmost importance. They should not be discussed lightly or passed on to others. It is because you have shown yourself to be so sincere that I am calling them to your attention.

And what of these admonitions of mine? Because people regard them with suspicion and refuse to heed them, disasters such as those we now face occur. If the Mongols should attack us with great force, I am sure that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra will spread far and wide in this present lifetime. At such a time, those persons who have treated me harshly will have reason to regret.

The non-Buddhist teachings [of India] date from about eight hundred years before the time of the Buddha. At first they centered around the two deities (11) and the three ascetics, but eventually they split into ninety-five schools. Among the non-Buddhist leaders were many wise men and persons endowed with supernatural powers, but none of them was able to free himself from the sufferings of birth and death. Moreover, the people who gave allegiance to their teachings, whether faithful or not, all ended by falling into the three evil paths.

When the Buddha appeared in the world, these ninety-five groups of non-Buddhists conspired with the rulers, ministers, and common people of the sixteen major states of India, some of them reviling the Buddha, others attacking him or slaying his disciples and lay supporters in incalculable numbers. But the Buddha did not slacken his resolve, for, he said, were he to cease preaching the Law because of intimidation from others, then all living beings alike would surely fall into hell. He was deeply moved by pity and had no thought of desisting.

These non-Buddhist teachings came about through a mistaken reading of the various sutras of the Buddhas who preceded Shakyamuni Buddha.

The situation today is much the same. Though many different Buddhist doctrines are being taught in Japan, originally they all derive from the eight schools, the nine schools, or the ten schools. (12) Among the ten schools, I will set aside for the moment the Flower Garland and others. Because Kobo, Jikaku, and Chisho were deluded as to the relative merits of the True Word and Tendai schools, the people of Japan have in this life been attacked by a foreign country, and in their next life they will fall into the evil paths. And the downfall of China as well as the fact that its people were destined to fall into the evil paths also came about through the errors of Shan-wu-wei, Chin-kang-chih, and Pu-k’ung.

Moreover, since the time of Jikaku and Chisho, the priests of the Tendai school have been constrained by the false wisdom of these men and developed their school into something quite unlike what it once was.

“Is this really true?” Some of my disciples may be asking. “Does Nichiren really have an understanding superior to that of Jikaku and Chisho?” But I am only going by what the Buddha predicted in the sutras.

The Nirvana Sutra states that, in the Latter Day of the Law, those people who slander the Buddha’s teaching and fall into the hell of incessant suffering as a result will be more numerous than the dust particles that comprise the land, while those who uphold the correct teaching will be fewer than the specks of dirt one can pile on a fingernail. And the Lotus Sutra says that, even though there might be someone capable of lifting up Mount Sumeru and hurling it away, it will be hard indeed to find anyone who can preach the Lotus Sutra just as it teaches in the Latter Day of the Law of Shakyamuni Buddha.

The sutras Great Collection, Golden Light, Benevolent Kings, Protection, Parinirvana, and Sovereign Kings record that, when the Latter Day of the Law begins, if a person who practices the correct teaching should appear, then those who uphold false teachings will appeal to the ruler and his ministers. The ruler and his ministers, believing their words, will revile that single person who upholds the correct teaching or attack him, send him into exile, or even put him to death. At that time, the king Brahma, Shakra, and all the other innumerable gods as well as the heavenly and earthly deities will take possession of the wise rulers of neighboring countries and cause them to overthrow the nation where these things take place. Doesn’t the situation we face today resemble that described in these sutras?

I wonder what good causes formed in your past lives have enabled all of you to visit me, Nichiren. But whatever you might discover in examining your past, I am sure that this time you will be able to break free from the sufferings of birth and death. Chudapanthaka was unable to memorize a teaching of fourteen characters even in the space of three years, and yet he attained Buddhahood. Devadatta, on the other hand, had committed to memory sixty thousand teachings but fell into the hell of incessant suffering. These examples exactly represent the situation in the world in this present latter age. Never suppose that they pertain only to other people and not to yourselves.

There are many other things that I would like to say, but I will stop here. I do not know how to thank you for all you have done in these troubled times, so I have here outlined for you some important points in our doctrine.

Thank you for the cowpeas and green soybeans.

Nichiren

The twenty-second day of the sixth month

Reply to Nishiyama


Background

This letter was written at Minobu in the first year of Kenji (1275) and sent to the lay priest Nishiyama, who lived in Nishiyama Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province. Nishiyama appears to have been the steward of that village and a sincere believer who often visited the Daishonin at Minobu, bringing offerings and provisions.

In the opening of this letter, Nichiren Daishonin explains the importance of “good friends” who assist or encourage one in one’s Buddhist practice. Stating that good friends are rare and “evil companions”— those who hinder one’s quest for enlightenment— are too numerous to count, he goes on to point out the distortions of the True Word school, to which Nishiyama had previously belonged. He then declares that, while documentary and doctrinal evidence is important in considering the efficacy of a Buddhist teaching, far more important is “the proof of actual fact,” that is, the power of a religion to positively affect the human condition.

The “three Tripitaka masters” in this letter’s title are Shan-wu-wei, Chinkangchih, and Pu-k’ung, three Indian monks who introduced the esoteric teachings to China in the eighth century that later in Japan became known as the True Word school. The Daishonin relates instances in which each of these three men prayed for rain at the request of the throne, in each case appearing to have produced destructive gales. He then cites instances in which prayers based on the Lotus Sutra, such as those offered by T’ien-t’ai in China and Dengyo in Japan, brought down gentle, life-giving rain. Publicly sponsored prayer rituals to bring about rain were not uncommon in ancient China and Japan, where rice crops depended on abundant precipitation and a drought could mean widespread famine.

After citing instances in both China and Japan in which True Word rituals were known to have brought disaster, the Daishonin further criticizes the errors and deceptions of Kobo, the founder of Japan’s True Word school, and warns against relying on the prayers of this school for the nation’s safety. Japan at this time was facing an impending attack by the Mongol forces. After one attempted invasion that had been foiled by adverse weather, the Mongol emperor had again sent envoys demanding Japan’s allegiance; anxiety gripped the nation as the people prepared to defend themselves against overwhelming odds.

The Daishonin himself, in his admonitory treatise On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land, had predicted this specter of foreign invasion. Quoting various sutras, he declares that Japan finds itself in this predicament because of the people’s attachment to mistaken forms of Buddhism and their rejection and slander of the Lotus Sutra.

Notes

1. According to the Nirvana Sutra, Shariputra attempted to instruct a blacksmith by teaching him to meditate on the vileness of the body, and a washerman, by teaching him to count his breaths in meditation. As a result, neither gained the slightest understanding of the Buddha’s teaching but fell into erroneous views. Later, Shakyamuni Buddha reversed the instruction, teaching the blacksmith to count his breaths and the washerman to meditate on the vileness of the body, after which they are both said to have quickly reached the stage of arhat.
2. A garden established on the grounds of the imperial palace in Kyoto by Emperor Kammu. It was the site of a large pond where prayers for rain were performed. According to The Genko Era Biographies of Eminent Priests, a dragon lived in this pond, and when it made an appearance, rain would fall.
3. This refers to Kobo’s claim, made in his Secret Key to the Heart Sutra, which the Daishonin cites later, that while he was praying to end an epidemic the sun came out at night. See also the text on pp. 722–724.
4. A ritual implement used in esoteric Buddhism, symbolizing the adamantine resolve to attain enlightenment, which can destroy any illusion. The Biography of the Great Teacher Kobo states, “On the day when he set out by ship from China . . . he faced in the direction of Japan and threw the diamondpounder up into the air. It sailed far away and disappeared among the clouds,” and “He journeyed to the foot of Mount Koya and determined to establish his place of meditation there . . . and later it was discovered that the three-pronged diamondpounder that he had thrown out over the sea was there on the mountain.”
5. Fuyutsugu is Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (775–826), a court official of the early Heian period (794–1185), who eventually became minister of the left.
6. Matsuna is Wake no Matsuna (783– ), a son of Wake no Kiyomaro. As a court noble, he and his brother Hiroyo sponsored a lecture by the Great Teacher Dengyo at Takao-dera temple in Kyoto.
Fourteen representatives of the six schools of Nara attended the lecture.
7. Priests in Japan had been ordained exclusively in the Hinayana precepts. Dengyo had repeatedly sought imperial permission to establish a Mahayana ordination center at Mount Hiei, over the fierce objections of the Nara schools. His continued efforts in this direction, coupled with his dramatic success in the prayers for rain and with the requests of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and others, finally moved Emperor Saga to consent.
8. There is no source for the statement that Gomyo (750–834), a Dharma Characteristics priest, was Dengyo’s teacher.
9. Reference is to the eighty-second emperor, Gotoba. In 1221, after having retired, he attempted to overthrow the Kamakura government and had a great number of priests offer esoteric True Word prayers for the victory of the imperial forces. However, the leader of the Kamakura shogunate emerged victorious.
10. Secret Key to the Heart Sutra.
11. Shiva and Vishnu.
12. The eight schools are the Dharma Analysis Treasury, Establishment of Truth, Precepts, Dharma Characteristics, Three Treatises, Flower Garland, Tendai, and True Word schools. The nine schools comprise these eight plus the Zen school, and the ten schools are those nine plus the Pure Land school.

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway."

(Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 319) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 23rd, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

As Nichikan Shonin (1665-1726), a great restorer of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, famously wrote: "No prayer will go unanswered." And Josei Toda declared: "Without a doubt, pure faith is rewarded with benefits."

SGI Newsletter No. 7596, The New Human Revolution--Volume 21: Chapter 3, "Resonance" 36. Translated on August 7, 2008

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Advancement -- Nichiren Daishonin teaches the spirit that "not to
advance is to retreat." The point is to continue forging ahead despite
any storms or hardships that may arise, to be fearless and advance like
a lion.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Allow me to share some more of Mr. Toda's words. (Daisaku Ikeda)

"What is the most important thing in life and faith?" he asked. "It
is conviction. We must prize and value above all the absolute
conviction of the Daishonin." Don't be indecisive or irresolute.
Dedicate your lives wholeheartedly to kosen-rufu. It is important to
have confidence and conviction in all areas of your life-be it at
your workplace, in the family or in married life.

Mr. Toda also said: "Soka Gakkai members are emissaries of the
Buddha. We have been sent here by the Buddha. We are emanations of
the Daishonin. Though we appear to be ordinary people, we are
actually supremely noble and worthy of the highest respect." Your
very existence is noble.

Mr. Toda further stated: "If you have strong faith, even people who
are not practicing will come to your aid. [As the Lotus Sutra
states:] 'Although the devil and the devil's people will be there,
they will all protect the Law of the Buddha' (The Lotus Sutra, pp.
108). Such are the workings of Buddhism." It's just as it says in the
Lotus Sutra—people with strong faith can make everything in their
environment function as an ally.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Those who say "I'll do it," who are willing to take on a challenge even if they are alone, are true winners. The determination, the commitment to take action yourself, is the force that leads to victory. As Buddhism teaches in the principle of a life-moment possesses 3,000 realms, our mind or attitude can change everything.

Life is best lived by being bold and daring. People tend to grow fearful when they taste failure, face a daunting challenge or fall ill. Yet that is precisely the time to become even bolder. Those who are victors at heart are the greatest of all champions.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Hell Yeah Guys! Great encouragement!

Hell Yeah Guys! Great encouragement!

about to do an impromptu evening toso and we are going to win!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, August 25, 2008

This Gohonzon is the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all the scriptures. It is like the sun and moon in the heavens, a great ruler on earth, the heart in a human being, the wish-granting jewel among treasures and the pillar of a house. When we have this mandala with us, it is a rule that all Buddhas and gods will gather round and watch over us, protecting us like a shadow day and night, just as warriors guard their ruler, as parents love their children, as fish rely on water, as trees and plants crave rain, or as birds depend on trees.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 624
On Upholding Faith in the Gohonzon

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

Nam myoho renge kyo

Hey guys ... please drop by our thread and share a piece of what we have been doing lately.
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=93106&page=1

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Life flashes by in an instant. By devoting our lives to Buddhism, we
will live a life of complete fulfillment. We are selling ourselves
short if we fail to attain such a wonderful state of life.

Daisaku Ikeda


Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

We accumulate great good fortune through our earnest prayers, devotion and efforts for the sake of Buddhism, kosen-rufu and humankind. Prayer without action is not the way of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

Daisaku Ikeda