Chanting Growers Group

[SoCal Hippy]

There is no need to be impatient. Anything that is accomplished quickly and
easily will not long endure. Now is the time to concentrate on the construction
of a solid foundation. I hope you will complete this work slowly but surely,
filled with hope and joy.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Great replies, thanks for letting me know. Truth is I've lost more gongyo books than I care to admit and very often I chant without beads and sometimes rub my hands together without them too. I thought it was great to hear each of you share on that topic.

Had a great end to the work week, a good attitude goes a long way. I had a jar with seeds that had some green in there and out of desperation I carefully picked out all the seeds and smoked the nastiest bowl ever! Toasted my throat and I got a lil drip down the throat today, but I'm looking forward to the weekend regardless. An intern from the summer called me and said he practiced with the SGI and still has a Gohonzon and the other intern he always hung out with that was very soft spoken was actually a temple member. I'm trying to set-up a lil meeting for us three next week at my house to share some inspiration and encourage them to chant with me! All it takes is a strong determination to do shakubuku and the rest is natural, BABY!

I have a test tonight and have to prepare for that, and I hope everyone is doing well! Check out Mrs.Babba's awesome journal on her new endeavor I saw it last night like at 12 or 1 o'clock and i couldn't goto sleep til I read the whole thing. Pretty cool stuff from our Bodhisattva Sister.

I'm always chanting for the success of this thread and for each you doing kosen-rufu with me. Let's keep reinvigorating our spirits and going strong!

Love,
MyohoDisco

 

[Payaso]

Thank you to everyone for sharing about the beads and gongyo books...you really are illuminating to me as there is really no one around here to chant with. But that's not a real issue for me..so far. I get out of here enough to share with some real people and feel the power. Meanwhile I am generating a little energy here daily.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Despite a disgusting headcold I will win today!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I used to be very self concious about it .

Nam myoho renge kyo

Silly Buddha! I'm glad you said that in the past tense. Reciting the Sutra for Gongyo is the same whether you read it or recite it from memory. Reciting from memory has nothing to do with faith. Doing Gongyo in the first place does. Doing Gongyo is much more important than how one does it.

Faith is action. (not memory)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 4) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 15th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Optimism is strength and the light of hope."

SGI Newsletter No. 7873, The New Human Revolution--Vol. 22: Chap. 4, The Treasure of Life 53, translated Oct. 13th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"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."

(The Drum at the Gate of Thunder - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 949) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 17th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Sharing the Daishonin's teachings with others is the essence of Buddhist practice in the Latter Day of the Law, and is the true mission of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth and disciples of the Daishonin....The movement to spread the Buddhist philosophy that will enable all people to bring forth their Buddha nature is the basic struggle in contemporary society to revive humanity and firmly establish the dignity and value of all life."

SGI Newsletter No. 7856, The New Human Revolution--Vol. 22: Chap. 4, The Treasure of Life 31, translated Sep. 16th, 2009

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Mugi Wasshin!!

Mugi Wasshin!!

"Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages, and, in general, all the various beings of the two worlds and the eight groups who appear in the "Introduction" chapter of the Lotus Sutra dwell in the Gohonzon. Illuminated by light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the dignified attributes they inherently possess. This is the object of devotion."

The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832)

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Modus vivendi

Modus vivendi

Dear Friends:

Studying this thread recently I've really started to see how as a group collectively we post similar substance as it relates to our practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Whether or not a person, such as someone who does not appreciate Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, may not agree with my affiliation or any other prejudice they could concoct; this thread speaks volumes in the highest regard of Chanting Growers!

I'm truly honored to be among you in every respect. The way we overcome obstacles with regards to health, personal, economical and other issues is remarkable and a testament to our daimoku. I've dedicated boku time here on the thread and soo much more time I spend in front of the Gohonzon. Working on this name and previously EasyDisco in an effort to convey my sincere appreciation in the last 3+ plus years. Throughout this time so many great Buddha's have illuminated the pages I appreciate so much! I have a printed a short record of about 70 pages worth on paper but I would like them all in neat volumes. It took alot of HP ink to get there but I look forward to the complete transcript (anyone got a full pdf?).

I've written a heck-uv-a-lot with regards to many things, but just like the staples of our practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism on this thread, everything consistently relates to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!, the Gohonzon, our Buddhanuture(s) and Shakubuku! Keeping this up is what we do!

To me "Doubt-free faith" (among other obvious things like always chant daimoku no matter what) means practicing and making the big causes to bring the members together safely. Supporting monthly meeting and especially local meetings in the modern day we live in is tough, but heck even if I had to drive five (5) hours once a month to visit some members I know I would!

Today I saw a great lady who has supported me since my first meeting I attended after I began practicing through Babba's guidance and PasstheDoobie's experience *with brother Socal's support*, and meeting my first group of SGI members was fantastic! Appreciating those Buddha's was awesome and although I was just going there to get my Gohonzon and leave, I kept going back to my delight. Sure as a former ferocious opponent of most organized religions or religious groups I did not have any intentions of even really being even slightly considered a Buddhist, yet I knew I already was. Studying other types of Buddhism in primary and secondary school was the extent of my former Buddhist education but since joining the thread, I have learned sooooooooooo much more. I even recall reading some texts of the various interpretations of Buddhist Sutras post-Siddartha (Shakymuni).

I've gotten my first PHD here in this thread. I'm an easy myoho doctor of The Law.

I've bestowed upon my life, my true friends from infinite lifetimes in the past.

I've met others at SGI meetings where we aspire to introduce members of other sects of Buddhism to Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. Even those people oppressed and controlled by erroneous preists that attempt to obstruct others from attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime through the false interpretation of The Daishonin's mandate are welcome to SGI meetings because I've seen many folks of different strokes at many meetings. I'm not talking outta my arse because I'm reading Gosho's in this thread posted since the beginning years ago, searching for keywords on the thread regarding important and insightful portions of my studies and finally wrapping that up into my thoughts naturally leading me to chant more and keep going back to doing shakubuku. The thread now even has a superb interpretation tool (THANKS GYPSY AND DUTCH AND COMPANY). I love brushing up on my french now since that tool came out, com si com sa!

My mother had Jehovah's Witness friends and when I was 7 I think. During that time I went to two Jehovah's Witness meetings one with my mom, and the other without. The second time I went without my mother, I was there with a kid my age and the Bible study lady who was this kid's granny Anne Zananiri. She always came twice a week for a about 18 months to read the bible books with us and had some stories had bright pictures and I would argue with her and mother incessantly through most meetings. So at this meeting in a temple place smaller than my church with no windows I sat there bewildered for an hour trying to figure this out because it was so different from catholic church sunday mass, no weird awkward singing, everyone is wearing a suit or dressed nice, other stuff too that I just think felt weird. In my heart it was clear, this was as confused if not worse than the catholic nightmares and dayfrights I would still endure for another three (3) years under my father, but my destiny to understand and appreciate humans was already beaming in my heart since before I could walk. This kid I was with named John told me in a whisper, while a man spoke at a podium and another very old wrinkled well dressed woman sat next to him, "she's one of the 144,000 thousand chosen". I laughed and started to giggle because I knew if this old lady he spoke of, was what I think he was speaking about (new testament book of revelation mumbo-jumbo), then clearly in my mind, body and soul I knew I was one of the "chosen" people too! In fact, as a seven year old I looked around the room and saw that they all were too! Even my bickering parents were 'chosen ones', hahaha as a boy I could and know everyone had the equally awesomeness inside. What do I mean? Buddhahood of course!

What I mean from that past experience is in my heart I've always known everyone has the Buddhanature somewhere inside, even the icchantika's and shit stirrers while alive potentially can embrace this practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism correctly. It is really as Nichiren indicates in both "animate and inanimate objects". I also have had muslim friends and still do as well as jewish friends and one of my jewish friends practices Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism with me. When he got his Gohonzon that was so awesome! It is an honor for that brother of jewish ancestry to share the practice and appreciation for the Philosophy, Religious, Life-Encompassing reality, Common Sense that is Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

So agree to disagree, I'll take it into consideration, but for everyone (especially my brother Chris Payaso) go to an sgi meeting which you can find in America through calling an SGI culture center here: http://www.sgi-usa.org/sgilocations/ That is where you will be able to chant in front of the Gohonzon. Get your own Gohonzon and chant at home too. I love chanting and chant everywhere and if you travel you can even have a Gohonzon to travel with too.

Deep Respect,
MyohoDisco

P.S.- I feel better after writing this!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

This may be a repost, but so worth it!

This may be a repost, but so worth it!

Doubt-free faith (mugi wasshin)
by Alex Golding, from UK Express july 2000

There is a principle in Buddhism called doubt-free faith. Faith is central to our Buddhist practice. Nichiren Daishonin says, 'To have faith is the basis of Buddhism'. (WND, p. 832; MW1, p. 214)
President Ikeda says:

To possess the conviction 'I have faith in the Mystic Law, so no matter what happens I will never have to worry! I will never be defeated!'- This is what faith is all about. Yet despite the fact that they possess the Gohonzon, there are those who are quick to become pessimistic or discouraged. This is not faith. Such inner weakness is what causes people suffering.
'Because I embrace the great eternal law of the universe, I am certain to win, to become happy, to have a wonderful, enjoyable life'- with this determination in your heart, please advance with confidence'. (SGI Newsletter Monthly, no. 197, p. 22)

If we have doubts, it does not mean that we are not practicing correctly or that we won't get any benefit, or that our faith is false. However, the results of our practice vary greatly according to the strength and power of our faith, or our conviction. Since our lives operate according to the law of cause and effect, if we are living our lives - or chanting - with minds riddled with doubt, then that is what the universe will reflect back to us. So when in front of the Gohonzon, it is crucial to replace our doubt with powerful prayer. A famous passage in 'The opening of the Eyes' reads:

Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbour doubts and abandon their faith. (WND, p. 283; MW2, p. 205)

The first General Director of SGI-UK, Dick Causton, explained that in the above Gosho passage the Daishonin isn't saying 'do not have doubts', but rather, 'do not harbour doubts'. There is a big difference between the two. It is natural to have doubts. But what we mustn't do is sit on them, allowing them to erode our faith. This is harbouring doubts.

In 'Letter to Niike', Nichiren Daishonin says: 'If you do not question and resolve your doubts, you cannot dispel the dark clouds of illusion, any more than you could travel a thousand miles without legs'. (WND, p. 1031; MW1, p. 262)

Nichiren Daishonin often encouraged his disciples to ask questions so they could resolve their doubts and deepen their faith. Many of his letters are in direct response to believers' questions and show clearly how the Daishonin wholeheartedly embraced their doubts with the compassion befitting a Buddha. Our organization is no different.

When we start practicing, our faith develops through proof. We chant, we get answers, we continue. It is possible to practise, accumulating benefit, but still hold on to mistaken or distorted views that are so ingrained we are hardly aware of them. These can cause us to doubt, compromise, and hence not believe when the crucial moment comes.

Mistaken views may take the form of self-slander, limiting ourselves, pessimism - any form of hindrance that leads us to question the validity of the Gohonzon, or doubt that our prayers will be answered. It seems that often, at the very time we need to be convinced we are in the right place, and fulfilling our noble mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, our trust goes out the window and we start to doubt.

So we need to challenge our doubts by taking action, seeking guidance in faith, asking questions until we get answers, studying, and chanting. In this way we can develop doubt-free faith, absolute conviction, increasing our benefit through our own experiences of breaking through our limitations. Doubt-free faith begins and ends with action - challenging ourselves in front of the Gohonzon, at work, in society, in our families, in our activities.

As President Ikeda says:
"When your determination changes, everything else will begin to move in the direction of you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fibre in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think, 'This is never going to work out', then, at that instant, every cell in your being will be deflated, and give up the fight, and everything then really will move in the direction of failure. I want you to understand the subtle workings of the mind. How you orient your mind, the kind of attitude you take, greatly influences both yourself and your environment. The Buddhist principle of a single life-moment encompassing three thousand realms completely elucidates the true aspect of life's inner workings. Through the power of strong inner resolve, we can transform ourselves, those around us and the land in which we live. Each of you is in the possession of this 'tool', this 'secret weapon'. There is no greater treasure.
(SGI Newsletter Monthly, no. 170, p. 42)

index

This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.
http://www.geshu.org/study/uk/doubtfree.shtml[/URL]

MUGI WASSHIN! The treasure President Ikeda speaks of in the last line is YOUR HEART!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hey Easy! Thank you! That was some profund sharing Brother! I appreciated that!

Much love and deepest respect!

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered."

(On Prayer - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 345) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 17th, 200

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"No matter what the state of society or the times, each of us can contribute to peace in our immediate environment. We can do this by encouraging even one young person and enabling them to tap into their potential."

SGI Newsletter No. 7872, Dialogues with World Citizens, Peter Gregson--President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, from the Sep. 17th, 2009, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated Oct. 13th, 2009

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Re: Modus vivendi

EasyM, with a terrible head cold you come up with this? I love reading it! After 3yrs of dedicated practiced I am amazed bro. You are so plugged in and a joy to know ya.

Mugi Wasshin baby!!!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

A victor is one whose life shines with faith. Emerson, one of the favorite
writers of my youth, once said, "That which befits us ... is cheerfulness and
courage, and the endeavor to realize our aspiration." To advance toward our
dreams cheerfully, to courageously work toward achieving them -- this is what
gives sublime meaning and value to our lives.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"What is defeat in life? It is not merely making a mistake; defeat means giving up on yourself in the midst of difficulty. What is true success in life? True success means winning in your battle with yourself. Those who persist in the pursuit of their dreams, no matter what the hurdles, are winners in life, for they have won over their weaknesses"

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

We need a call out to Hit and Desi.

Let us know you are ok!, ok?

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Desi was online earlier

Nam myoho renge kyo