Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

I'm going to have lots of questions,is this the most appropriate forum?

Yes! As I said before in my rebuke of Buku, "This has nothing to do with your question..."-- and it didn't. We are not opposed to hard questions. But we are not here to get played either. We are opposed to people who have called us mindless and demeaned us as individuals, surreptitiously entering the dialog here to take advantage and promote their own agenda. There's no point in that.

Fish, you have joined with lots of props and I look forward to having answers for all of your questions from the variety of people legitimately gathering here. Give it a go! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Everyone here is looking forward to helping you!

Sincere and deep respect,

Thomas

 

[unclefishstick]

thanks,i will need to do some reading first,but i will chime in when have questions

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Pass The Doobie: Every time I start chanting, I close my eyes, and I see this rainbow, and I zoom through another dimension.

There I see Buddhist monks in a Tibetan monastery. They are chanting, and one can see me floating in this other dimension.

It is lots of fun to do this, but I usually start laughing and zoom back into my body.

What is up? I am not experienced in the Buddhist ways, so is this normal?

Lola.

Lola,

For reals? WOW! That would be cool and if it works for you, it works for me. However, I doubt that the Tibetan monastery is actually that. You must be misidentifying what it is. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has no connection to any of the teachings that Tibetan Buddhism is based on.

Of course, I suppose it could be that the reason that you are there is to teach them the correct teaching and guide them away from the provisional teachings that they mistakenly embrace. They teach a form of acquired enlightenment. When you are chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, you are revealing your Original Enlightenment.

As long as you are laughing, it is obvious that you are experiencing the uplifting joy that comes from embracing the Law. Continue to do so! I think if your experience changes, you should embrace that change as part of your continuing journey.

Much love and deep respect,

Thomas

 

[LolaGal]

Lola,

For reals? WOW! That would be cool and if it works for you, it works for me. However, I doubt that the Tibetan monastery is actually that. You must be misidentifying what it is. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has no connection to any of the teachings that Tibetan Buddhism is based on.

Of course, I suppose it could be that the reason that you are there is to teach them the correct teaching and guide them away from the provisional teachings that they mistakenly embrace. They teach a form of acquired enlightenment. When you are chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, you are revealing your Original Enlightenment.

As long as you are laughing, it is obvious that you are experiencing the uplifting joy that comes from embracing the Law. Continue to do so! I think if your experience changes, you should embrace that change as part of your continuing journey.

Much love and deep respect,

Thomas

I don't know who they are? They have bald heads, look Asian and wear yellow robes, sit down and chant the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

I get the idea the monk dudes are not supposed to laugh when they are chanting?

This is all visualized stuff while my eyes closed chanting.

that is where my mind seems to go?

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Human Revolution

Human Revolution

Buddhism is characterized by an emphasis on the possibility of inner transformation--a process of bringing forth our full human potential. There is a common perception that the discipline and focus necessary for such a process requires a set of ideal circumstances not available to most. Nichiren Buddhism, however, teaches that it is only by squarely facing the challenges that confront us amidst the harsh contradictions of society that we can carry out the task of changing our own lives and the world for the better.

"Human revolution" is the term used by second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda to describe a fundamental process of inner transformation whereby we break through the shackles of our "lesser self," bound by self-concern and the ego, growing in altruism toward a "greater self" capable of caring and taking action for the sake of others--ultimately all humanity.

As SGI President Daisaku Ikeda explains: "There are all sorts of revolutions: political revolutions, economic revolutions, industrial revolutions, scientific revolutions, artistic revolutions...but no matter what one changes, the world will never get any better as long as people themselves...remain selfish and lacking in compassion. In that respect, human revolution is the most fundamental of all revolutions, and at the same time, the most necessary revolution for humankind."

The question of how to change in a positive direction is one which has spawned countless theories, religions and publishing empires. Certainly, self-discipline and effort can enable us to make positive change, for example by starting to exercise regularly. But the willpower required is often hard to maintain; our self-control may slip at a crucial moment because we have not addressed the underlying, inner causes of our behavior.

Human revolution is the work of transforming our lives at the very core. It involves identifying and challenging those things which inhibit the full expression of our positive potential and humanity. Nichiren Buddhism is based on belief in a pure, positive and enlightened condition of life which exists equally within all people. This life state of "Buddhahood" is characterized by the qualities of compassion, wisdom and courage which enable us to create something of value from any situation. Nichiren realized that the deepest process of change and purification takes place when we bring forth this state, and he taught the practice of chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" as the direct and immediate means for accessing and experiencing it.

This Buddha nature expresses itself in concrete ways. First, we gain the conviction that our life contains limitless possibilities and a profound sense of our human dignity. Second, we develop the wisdom to understand that things that we previously thought impossible are in fact possible. And third, we develop a powerful vitality that allows us to tackle our problems with a sense of inner liberation. We are thus empowered to pursue our own human revolution, striving to improve our "self" from yesterday to today and making the "self" of tomorrow better still.

In some traditions of Buddhism, interpretations of the law of cause and effect can encourage a focus on negative past causes. The obstacles and challenges encountered in life may be seen as requiring lifetimes of effort to "clean up." The message of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism is that through faith and practice we can reveal Buddhahood: our highest, most enlightened state of life right now, just as we are. This enlightened wisdom enables us to grasp the reality that circumstances which may seem the most unfortunate, be it seemingly incurable illness or bereavement, can actually provide the best opportunities for tackling our human revolution and the impetus for the greatest personal growth.

When we look beyond our personal concerns and take action for the sake of others, this process is strengthened and accelerated. An experience which previously seemed like an unjust burden can become the key to finding the purpose of our lives, as we learn how to help others struggling in a similar situation.

This individual process of human revolution is the very key to sparking change on a global scale. For, as Daisaku Ikeda writes, "A great human revolution in just a single person will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will cause a change in the destiny of all humankind." Taking responsibility for transforming our own lives is the first step toward creating a human society based on compassion and respect for the dignity of all people's lives.

[Courtesy July 2005 SGI Quarterly]

 

[unclefishstick]

thank you for your time PTB,or,as you sign as Thomas,if I may address you in that fashion...

My ignorance is vast,and I would like to do some background reading before I dive in here,can you recommend a reading list of books in print? I think it would be useful for me to understand the different schools of thought within Buddhism.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Here is a book in print that will give you a great deal of information about all aspects of Buddhism:

If you want to read it online free: http://www.sgilibrary.org/dict.html

If you want to buy it: http://www.sgi.org/resources.html


(From another book

A great (free) read for understanding the claims of different schools: http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=99

A great (free) read for understanding the various sutras of Buddhism and the reason for the advent of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=6&m=0&q=

A great (free) read for understanding the profound underlying purpose of Nichiren's life: http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=220

Link to the main page for the above Gosho and many more: http://www.sgilibrary.org/writings.php

You can buy this book to at the same link as above.

Good luck with your reading!

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime

If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail un-surpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent in all living beings. This truth is Myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life.

The Lotus Sutra is the king of sutras, true and correct in both word and principle. Its words are the ultimate reality, and this reality is the Mystic Law (myoho). It is called the Mystic Law because it reveals the principle of the mutually inclusive relationship of a single moment of life and all phenomena. That is why this sutra is the wisdom of all Buddhas.

Life at each moment encompasses the body and mind and the self and environment of all sentient beings in the Ten Worlds as well as all insentient beings in the three thousand realms, including plants, sky, earth, and even the minutest particles of dust. Life at each moment permeates the entire realm of phenomena and is revealed in all phenomena. To be awakened to this principle is itself the mutually inclusive relationship of life at each moment and all phenomena. Nevertheless, even though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching. "Inferior teaching" means those other than this [Lotus] sutra, which are all expedient and provisional. No expedient or provisional teaching leads directly to enlightenment, and without the direct path to enlightenment you cannot attain Buddhahood, even if you practice lifetime after lifetime for countless kalpas. Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime is then impossible. Therefore, when you (1) chant myoho and recite renge, you must summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself.

You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your life. If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, then your performing even ten thousand practices and ten thousand good deeds will be in vain. It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor's wealth but gains not even half a coin. That is why the T'ien-t'ai school's commentary states, "Unless one perceives the nature of one's life, one cannot eradicate one's grave offenses (2)." This passage implies that, unless one perceives the nature of one's life, one's practice will become an endless, painful austerity. Therefore, such students of Buddhism are condemned as non-Buddhist. Great Concentration and Insight states that, although they study Buddhism, their views are no different from those of non-Buddhists.

Whether you chant the Buddha's name, (3) recite the sutra, or merely offer flowers and incense, all your virtuous acts will implant benefits and roots of goodness in your life. With this conviction you should strive in faith. The Vimalakirti Sutra states that, when one seeks the Buddhas' emancipation in the minds of ordinary beings, one finds that ordinary beings are the entities of enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. It also states that, if the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds.

It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

What then does myo signify? It is simply the mysterious nature of our life from moment to moment, which the mind cannot comprehend or words express. When we look into our own mind at any moment, we perceive neither color nor form to verify that it exists. Yet we still cannot say it does not exist, for many differing thoughts continually occur. The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It is neither existence nor non-existence, yet exhibits the qualities of both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle Way that is the ultimate reality. Myo is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho, to its manifestations. Renge, which means lotus flower, is used to symbolize the wonder of this Law. If we understand that our life at this moment is myo, then we will also understand that our life at other (4) moments is the Mystic Law. This realization is the mystic kyo, or sutra. The Lotus Sutra is the king of sutras, the direct path to enlightenment, for it explains that the entity of our life, which manifests either good or evil at each moment, is in fact the entity of the Mystic Law.

If you chant Myoho-renge-kyo with deep faith in this principle, you are certain to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. That is why the sutra states, "After I have passed into extinction, [one] should accept and uphold this sutra. Such a person assuredly and without doubt will attain the Buddha (5) way." Never doubt in the slightest.

Respectfully.

Maintain your faith and attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Nichiren

Background

This letter was written to Toki Jonin in the seventh year of Kencho (1255), two years after Nichiren Daishonin established his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. At the time of this letter, the Daishonin was thirty-four years old and was living in Kamakura, the seat of the military government. Toki was a staunch follower of the Daishonin who lived in Wakamiya in Shimosa Province. He received some thirty letters, including Letter from Sado and one of the major treatises, The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind. A retainer of Lord Chiba, the constable of Shimosa, Toki had become a follower of the Daishonin around 1254.

Of all his writings from the mid-1250s, On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime focuses most clearly on the tenets of the Daishonin's Buddhism;many of the other works of this period are aimed chiefly at refuting the erroneous doctrines of other schools and discussing theoretical questions. This short essay not only reflects the theories T'ien-t'ai formulated based on the Lotus Sutra, but also reveals the concrete practice for attaining Buddhahood - namely, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - that is missing in T'ien-t'ai's theoretical framework.

Myoho-renge-kyo is the title of the Lotus Sutra, but to the Daishonin it is much more; it is the essence of the sutra, the revelation of the supreme Law itself. Apparent in this work are both the depth of his thought and his conviction that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the only teaching that can lead people to Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Notes

1. "Chant myoho and recite renge" means to chant the daimoku of the Mystic Law, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
2. The Annotations on "Great Concentration and Insight."
3. As used here, "the Buddha's name"denotes Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
4. This sentence can also be interpreted to read, "If one understands that one's life is myo, then one also understands that others' lives are all entities of the Mystic Law."
5. Lotus Sutra, chap. 21.

 

[unclefishstick]

heehee thank you thomas,this empty vessel is sloshing and full right now LOL better digest a bit! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

 

[pb4ugo]

Gosho Passage for today July 5th 2010

Gosho Passage for today July 5th 2010

Not Found

 

[ghettochild]

thank you all you chanting growers... your positivity inspires me!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Both faith and practice are about exerting ourselves bravely, vigorously and diligently. Each and every day let's battle to win with all our might. Every single step we take is a chance to create a golden history. With the spirit of "starting anew from now on", let's show actual proof of overcoming the limitations, we ourselves have set, and achieve a great dramatic result!

Daisaku Ikeda

*"Nichikan ... explains that 'bravely and vigorously' (yumyo) means to courageously bring forth the power of faith in chanting daimoku, while 'exert oneself' (shojin) means to engage sincerely and consistently in the practice of chanting daimoku." (Ref.: On Attaining Buddha in This Lifetime by Daisaku Ikeda)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Therefore, one should by all means persist in preaching the Lotus Sutra and causing them to hear it. Those who put their faith in it will surely attain Buddhahood, while those who slander it will establish a 'poison-drum relationship' with it and will likewise attain Buddhahood."

(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 882) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 5th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The lion kings who roar for the sake of justice, have absolutely nothing to fear! The "crucial moment" is right now.* Patiently and courageously, let's win no matter how difficult the challenge!

Daisaku Ikeda

*"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.

"Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes." - "The Opening of the Eyes", WND-I, page 283

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Only in the Lotus Sutra do we read that a woman who embraces this sutra not only excels all other women, but also surpasses all men."

(The Unity of Husband and Wife - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 464) Selection source: Gosho for Women's Division District Leaders by SGI President Ikeda, Seikyo Shimbun, July 4th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"You don't need social standing or fortunate material circumstances to help others or work for kosen-rufu. On the contrary, truly admirable are those who strive for the welfare of others and dedicate themselves to advancing kosen-rufu, even when facing the most daunting personal challenges. Such people are truly noble Buddhas. They will definitely be able to bring beautiful flowers of happiness to bloom for both themselves and others, wherever they are."

SGI Newsletter No. 8028, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, The Victory of the Women’s Division Is the Victory of Soka, from the May 22, 2010, issue of the Seikyo Shinbun, translated July 2nd, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

thank you all you chanting growers... your positivity inspires me!

And your post positively inspires me! Thank you so much from all of us, I'm sure! Please join us!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Thomas

 

[pb4ugo]

Gosho Passage for today July 6th 2010

Gosho Passage for today July 6th 2010

Not Found

 

[PassTheDoobie]

My understanding of this passage:

What is considered slander today? Since so many people today are chanting the Daimoku, some with the SGI and some in other groups or some independently, what is the difference between them and us even though they chant the Daimoku like we do?

In MY understanding, the following to be considered ground to gr(a)ve slander.

1. To disbelieve in the supremacy of the Gohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and slander those who do believe regardless of their affiliation, is a grave slander.

2. To mix or equate the principles of Nichiren Buddhism, based on the Gosho, with other teachings, is a grave slander.

3. To deny that we and other people have the ability to attain Budhahood (absolute enlightenment) through this belief and mix other beliefs or interpretations as equal to the teaching of Nichiren, is a grave slander.

4. To rely on other people interpretations of Nichiren's teachings that does not match with the words and or spirit of Nichiren's writings, is a grave slander.

5. To exalt other believers (leaders) who practice and who achieve great wisdom through the Buddha's teaching as if they are special people above us and deny ourselves to be equal to them in our ability to attain such wisdom as well, is a grave slander.

6.To look down on those who strive to practice sincerely and have lack of understanding of the teaching at that stage of their practice and judge them as if they are slanderers by not committing whole heatedly to the practice yet, is a slander of their lives.

7. To think that we are better and greater than others, is a slander of their lives.

8. To think that others are greater and better than us, is a slander of our lives.

9. To practice by ourselves and not help others to strive to deepen their faith in the Gohonzon, is selfish and leads to slander.

10. To expect others to match our efforts in helping others and judge them for failing to match our efforts, is to slander their lives.

Nichiren 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.” "This means that anyone who teaches others even a single phrase of the Lotus Sutra is the envoy of the Thus Come One, whether that person be priest or layman, nun or laywoman." (A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering WND p. 33)

Nichiren also states: "Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
(The true Aspect of all Phenomena WND #1 p.386)

Ditto!

Thanks for laying that down man!
Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hey guys, it's been a little bit since I've posted here. I just want to say that I am still chanting, and my gf and I are STILL FREE. Not even a court date set yet, so I'm feeling good!

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo!!!

Let's continue to keep Lapides and his girlfriend in our prayers!

Keep hanging with us Brother! KEEP CHANTING!!!

Much love and deepest respect,

T