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EasyMyohoDisco
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo~
Thankfully it is clear I have no supernatural powers...!
Upon reciting the Lotus Sutra, not only do your body and dwelling place (the sanctuary where you keep your Gohonzon) become the Buddhaland but anything is possible. In other words, no matter what anyone tells you, no matter where you go, with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo nothing is beyond your grasp. I am learning that, but it is safe to say old habits die hard!
I spent the last couple days doing so much homework and catching up in other things that I haven't had a chance to write back to you my brother. The other night when I was reading the Gosho On Reciting The Daimoku of The Lotus Sutura I did so because there was a reference to the Zen School of Buddhism in this thread temporarily. I know that Nichiren clearly outlined in his Goshos the erroneous nature of this Zen philosophy and did so in a way that would help those who once encountered Zen philosophy to understand that the impractical nature of that practice absconds and avoids the direct path to Buddhahood. Between 3rd grade and 6th grade I got many samurai and zen books from the local library and tried meditating on the sound of one hand clapping in the woods, what a joke. I never got any peace from that meditation and considered it to be invalid on the basis of my results. Then I started to puff pot when I was 12 and a new direction in life showed up that led me to live an atheist existence which led to more internal turmoil and trouble.
I never stopped reading but I did slow down for a few years and could not find any policies or procedures to live my life to my liking, until overgrow and icmag. I encountered Nichiren Daishonin's buddhism after compassionately sending out many clones and samples to friends on the boards and eventually was taken under the wing of the babbabud who said "hey bud check this awesome thread out, the Buddha is in this thread..." I had no idea what he was trying to tell me other than perhaps PasstheDoobie was the Buddha. But eventually without really understanding I just started chanting and reading this thread and found the philosophy and guidance stemming from Nichiren Daishonin's life was spot on and totally correct! Nothing could be refuted in my opinion and nothing has been refuted in my opinion. The opinions of others are just that and don't really negate any aspect of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. I also found that Nichiren painstakingly documented the errors of the other Buddhist schools which mostly originate from their choice of Shakymuni's most important doctrine. The Lotus Sutra is clearly the earth, the root, the stem, the fan leaves, and the flower of Buddhism and this thread helped me learn that.
From time to time members of other Buddhist schools have approached this thread and have not been able to validate their teachings in accordance with our practice of The Lotus Sutra. Coming from a christian background I've heard enough Jesus talk for a few life-times but with Nichiren Daishonin embodied in the Gohonzon in my Foyer/Dining Room I live with him in harmony whenever I chant and can appreciate everyone and even a dude like Jesus! I think the equality of man is something we can appreciate and I can further appreciate that anyone can just start chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and manifest anything: a change in the weather, defeat your mother's cancer, save your best friend from going to jail, get a raise, get a promotion, create a family, shakubuku a friend, anything!
Zen is weird and these Nichiren Shoshu people are even weirder and morose to the point where they also confuse Nichiren's true intent through their actions and words. Nichiren put his life in sumi ink for all mankind, not for man only or priests to be able to pimp out buddhahood for others. This practice is open to all and is simple enough that you don't need to be able to even read to understand the impact that just chanting even once a year will have on your life. I will continue to support this practice through this life and the next and honor that pledge with extra prayers in every gongyo for same.
It is an honor to be a part of this amazing Chanting Growers movement and I take pride in being here each time I post! The best is yet to come, I'm sure!
Keep on keeping on buddies,
MyohoDisco