Chanting Growers Group

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I've been out of town without internet access! Sorry for the absence and thanks for holding down the fort! My deepest appreciation to everyone here! I appologize for my lack of communication, but none was possible under the circumstances!

Please trust that if I could have, I would have! All is well on my end! Our business and family are all doing extemely well, but we are busier than we have been in a long time.

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"It is the heart that is important."

(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1000) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, August 2nd, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The writings of Nichiren Daishonin remind us to 'arouse deep faith, and diligently polish our mirror day and night.'* So let us polish our lives by chanting Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo! Those who maintain their faith without ever giving up, will eventually become winners!

Daisaku Ikeda

*Gosho, On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - WND-1, page 4, "Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"As Nichiren Daishonin states in reference to the principle of "emerging from the earth" (WND-1, 385), when one person stands up, they are certain to be followed by two, three, and then a multitude of Bodhisattvas of the Earth in steady succession."

SGI Newsletter No. 8043, SGI President Ikeda's Essay, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, By Shin'ichi Yamamoto, Our Districts Are Warm, Hope-filled Citadels of Kosen-rufu\Part 1 [of 2]. Translated July 27th, 2010.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year, between the hours of the rat and the ox (11:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.), this person named Nichiren was beheaded. It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado and, in the second month of the following year, snowbound, is writing this to send to his close disciples."

(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 269)
Selection source: "Study - Opening of the Eyes", Seikyo Shimbun, August 3rd, 2010

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

"I'm going in! I'm going in! I'm going innnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!"

"I'm going in! I'm going in! I'm going innnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!"

This month I'll host 4 tosos and two special study meetings - one for the youth and one will be a special Gosho study. I'm very excited about this new initiative and will make the best of it.

Thanks PB for posting on the thread and giving me material to use during my days, and the same to everyone else. I'm really wish that others would give this Buddhism a chance and put aside their cowardice so that they could chant and find their true self in the Gohonzon. In that vein, I'm gonna keep pumping energy into our movement and I will bring more to the table as we go forward.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend FRIENDS!

 

[pb4ugo]

Gosho Passage for today Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Gosho Passage for today Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Not Found

 

[unclefishstick]

wow! yet another passage that just went zing! thank you!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Therefore, I say to you, my disciples, try practicing as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now!"

(The Selection of the Time - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 583) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, August 7th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Kosen-rufu is a momentous undertaking entrusted to us by the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law; it encompasses the entire world and extends into the eternal future. It is an undertaking of the highest good."

"'If Nichiren's compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge- kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity' (WND-1, 736), writes the Daishonin. We must ensure that the mighty river of kosen-rufu continues to flow ever more solidly and steadily for countless generations and millennia. We have entered the period to put the finishing touches on the foundations for our movement's ongoing future growth. The real work lies ahead."

"When we remain true to the path of mentor and disciple, we have absolutely nothing to fear. The wisdom and power of the Buddha, as vast as the universe, will well forth within us. I firmly believe that all SGI members who are striving to fulfill their vow as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, in the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple, have already attained in the depths of their being the indestructible life-state of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity."

"The Soka Gakkai, a gathering of Bodhisattvas of the Earth committed to actualizing the Buddha's decree, will forever exist for the happiness of the people, for the sake of kosen-rufu. As long as it maintains this essential focus, the Soka Gakkai will continue to develop, no matter what obstacles and devilish functions may arise to assail it."

SGI Newsletter No. 8036: "The Noble Vow of Bodhisattvas of the Earth Is the Heart of Soka" (A special essay written by SGI President Ikeda in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his inauguration as third Soka Gakkai president on May 3, 1960), translated from the May 2010 issue of the Daibyakurenge

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When we remain true to the path of mentor and disciple, we have absolutely nothing to fear. The wisdom and power of the Buddha, as vast as the universe, will well forth within us. I firmly believe that all SGI members who are striving to fulfill their vow as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, in the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple, have already attained in the depths of their being the indestructible life-state of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity."

Mentor and Disciple...as in "Being of the same mind as Nichiren." Being of the same mind as a teacher who is of the same mind as Nichiren, and who teaches being of the same mind as Nichiren, is the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple (in my opinion). I never see anything written by Daisaku Ikeda that supplants that truth as I understand it. Were it not for this "spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple", none of us could fulfill our missions of leading others to correct faith in the Gohonzon. I firmly believe the Daishonin when he says:

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement,"Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way."*

*(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217)

Bowing in respect and deepest gratitude,

T

 

[unclefishstick]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

 

[pb4ugo]

Not Found

 

[pb4ugo]

Mentor and Disciple...as in "Being of the same mind as Nichiren." Being of the same mind as a teacher who is of the same mind as Nichiren, and who teaches being of the same mind as Nichiren, is the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple (in my opinion). I never see anything written by Daisaku Ikeda that supplants that truth as I understand it. Were it not for this "spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple", none of us could fulfill our missions of leading others to correct faith in the Gohonzon. I firmly believe the Daishonin when he says:

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement,"Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way."*

*(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217)

Bowing in respect and deepest gratitude,

T

Nichiren also warns that if we fall into the illusion and trap and follow teachers who teach Buddhism based on teachings that are expounded according to the people's capacity of their understanding, we are all going to be doomed to suffer, by stating: "But the Buddhist scholars of our time put their faith in teachings expounded according to the people’s capacity, and are therefore doomed to sink into the sea of suffering."
( from the letter:"A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras")
This statement does not only apply to Nichiren's time but rather for our time and the next 10,000 years and into eternity. (the latter day of the Law)

 

[pb4ugo]

Mentor and Disciple...as in "Being of the same mind as Nichiren." Being of the same mind as a teacher who is of the same mind as Nichiren, and who teaches being of the same mind as Nichiren, is the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple (in my opinion). I never see anything written by Daisaku Ikeda that supplants that truth as I understand it. Were it not for this "spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple", none of us could fulfill our missions of leading others to correct faith in the Gohonzon. I firmly believe the Daishonin when he says:

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement,"Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way."*

*(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217)

Bowing in respect and deepest gratitude,

T

I believe that it is absurd to rely only on one mentor's understanding other than Nichiren and forbid any other mentors, teacher or leaders to share their understanding of the Gosho unless it is based on that one mentor's interpretation. Our criteria and basis in being good mentors or leaders for the future generations is none other than to rely on the Gosho first, and be able to compare our understanding with all mentors including Josei Toda.

This is what Nichiren did when he referred in his understanding to Nagarjuna, Dengyo Tie'n-tai Miao-lo and others who captured the correct spirit of Buddhism as Nichiren stated in "The true Aspect...": At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify “emerging from the earth” ?

pb

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I believe that it is absurd to rely only on one mentor's understanding other than Nichiren and forbid any other mentors, teacher or leaders to share their understanding of the Gosho unless it is based on that one mentor's interpretation. Our criteria and basis in being good mentors or leaders for the future generations is none other than to rely on the Gosho first, and be able to compare our understanding with all mentors including Josei Toda.

This is what Nichiren did when he referred in his understanding to Nagarjuna, Dengyo Tie'n-tai Miao-lo and others who captured the correct spirit of Buddhism as Nichiren stated in "The true Aspect...": At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify “emerging from the earth” ?

pb

I completely agree! And I see no where in any of Daisaku Ikeda's writings that would indicate that "to rely only on one mentor's understanding other than Nichiren and forbid any other mentors, teacher or leaders to share their understanding of the Gosho unless it is based on that one mentor's interpretation." to be the case. Were it not for the direct relationship we all have with the Gohonzon, we would not be Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

I mean, let me say this straight up, so there is no confusion here (As I'm not sure if I somehow pissed off pb with what I said, but if I did I think he must be misinterpreting my point): I am a Mentor and a Disciple. I am a Thus Come One of Original Enlightenment Eternally Endowed with the Three Bodies and a Bodhisattva of the Earth. No one could convince me that I am not, or at least continuously struggling to be, of the same mind as Nichiren. Nobody!

I don't base my practice on anything other than my direct and very personal relationship with the Gohonzon. But does that mean that my only Mentor is the Gohonzon? To me, my relationship with the Gohonzon is reflected in everything around me in the phenominal world. My mentors have been Tony Matsuoka and Ted Osaki. And Loydd Sewell and George Ohara, among others including Daisaku Ikeda. My Biggest Mentor is the results I see from my faith and practice in my own daily life and the Daimoku I chant to the Gohonzon.

I believe as I mentor others, all of these relationships merge into a truth that is karmically connected to all of those being mentored. In part, the reason I have these Mentor relationships with my mentors is due to the relationships I have with those that I mentor to. It's a big circle with no point more important than another or in any way intrinsically greater. There is no master voice, but there is only one Master. And that Master for me is and shall always be Nichiren Daishonin.

pb, I hope you will always make sure you know what another is saying before you assume you do. I appologize if something I have said has offended you.

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nichiren also warns that if we fall into the illusion and trap and follow teachers who teach Buddhism based on teachings that are expounded according to the people's capacity of their understanding, we are all going to be doomed to suffer, by stating: "But the Buddhist scholars of our time put their faith in teachings expounded according to the people’s capacity, and are therefore doomed to sink into the sea of suffering."
( from the letter:"A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras")
This statement does not only apply to Nichiren's time but rather for our time and the next 10,000 years and into eternity. (the latter day of the Law)

I believe that the Daishonin, in this quotation, is specifically referring to the fact that all pre-Lotus Sutra teaching were taught to the capacity of the people and that the Lotus Sutra was taught to the capacity of the Buddha Nature or the Buddha Vehicle-- a truth that is, in the absence of faith, beyond the capacity of the delusion of common mortals.

[added for clarity: MY OPINION IS THAT THIS QUOTE IS REFERRING TO EMBRACING PRE-LOTUS SUTRA TEACHINGS VERSUS THE TEACHING OF THE LOTUS SUTRA ITSELF. THE DAISHONIN TAUGHT THAT TO DO THIS IS SLANDER OF THE LOTUS SUTRA (THE BUDDHA VEHICLE) AND AS A RESULT, LEADS THOSE DOING SO TO SUFFERING.]

Once again, pb can interpret this any way he sees fit, but in my experience, the truth is always learned based on the peoples capacity. And that capacity is only genuinely expanded based on chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon. It is the reason attaining Buddhahood in one's present form is not an intellectual process but one of Human Revolution through a practice of striving to be of the same mind as Nichiren.

So to teach based on another persons capacity has NEVER caused me suffering, and to the degree that I can be aware of, has never caused the person I was encouraging to suffer. There are many persons on the thread that I don't encourage in the same way, based on their capacity (as I perceive it). And I would hope none of you are suffering and not telling me!

I believe the Daishonin, in the Gosho, encouraged different people in different ways, based on what he perceived as their capacity, and that is why I do. This is just my personal belief, and I express it for the purpose of dialog and not refutation.

Much love and deepest respect,

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Mentor and Disciple...as in "Being of the same mind as Nichiren." Being of the same mind as a teacher who is of the same mind as Nichiren, and who teaches being of the same mind as Nichiren, is the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple (in my opinion). I never see anything written by Daisaku Ikeda that supplants that truth as I understand it. Were it not for this "spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple", none of us could fulfill our missions of leading others to correct faith in the Gohonzon. I firmly believe the Daishonin when he says:

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement,"Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way."*

*(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217)

Bowing in respect and deepest gratitude,

T

And for further clarity, when I wrote that, I was talking about myself as much as anyone else on this planet. But in saying that, I was also excluding no one to which that statement would be applicable to--be that you pb, or Daisaku Ikeda. I worship no one, but I do embrace the Oneness of the Person and the Law.

And in doing that, I perceive what it is I perceive. And the only reason it is transferrable is that another can perceive it too. Without the disciple there is no such thing as Mentoring. Since my Buddhahood is based on an effort of Compassion following the Bodisattva ideal based on the teachings of the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law--the Jijuyushin Nyorai of Kuon Ganjo--without my being a mentor, I cannot attain Buddhahood in my present form.

Without other people, one cannot express the compassion that leads to Buddha Wisdom. Wisdom comes from Compassion, not the other way around. Without teaching others, no matter what one's capacity may be, one can never attain Buddhahood.

So it is impossible for there to be only one mentor. We are all, as Bodhisattvas of the Earth of the same mind as Nichiren, emanations of the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Thus Come One. We teach the Buddha Vehicle. We are all Mentors and we are all Disciples and we manifest due to Dependant Origination and the suffering of the unawakened.

To attain Buddhahood in your present form is more about fortune than capacity. If one is fortunate enough to be able to have faith, then capacity is a non-issue. Period. No matter your capacity, you must become a mentor. This is just my belief, but anyone thinking there is only one Mentor is mistaken, and I am QUITE SURE BASED ON EVERYTHING I READ BY DAISAKU IKEDA THAT HE IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

oneness of the Person and the Law
[人法一箇] (Jpn nimpo-ikka )

A principle established by Nichikan (1665-1726), the twenty-sixth chief priest of Taiseki-ji temple in Japan, with regard to Nichiren's (1222-1282) teaching, indicating that the object of devotion in terms of the Person and the object of devotion in terms of the Law are one in their essence. The Law is inseparable from the Person and vice versa. The "Treasure Tower" (eleventh) chapter of the Lotus Sutra states, "If one upholds this [sutra], one will be upholding the Buddha's body." This means that the Lotus Sutra is the Buddha's body; that is, the Buddha (Person) and the teaching (Law) he expounded are one and inseparable. Nichiren revealed and spread the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and inscribed it in the form of a mandala, known as the Gohonzon, to enable all people in the Latter Day of the Law to attain Buddhahood; for this reason he is regarded as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. This is the object of devotion in terms of the Law, or the physical embodiment of the eternal and intrinsic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that Nichiren realized and manifested within his own life. Hence Nichiren is the object of devotion in terms of the Person. In his Reply to Kyo'o, Nichiren writes, "The soul of Nichiren is nothing other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" (WND/412). This means that Nichiren realized Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the origin and basis of his life and embodied it as a mandala. Nichiren also writes in the same reply, "I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink, so believe in the Gohonzon with your whole heart" (WND/412). Ultimately, Nichiren's life embodied the principle of the oneness of the Person and the Law, as does the Gohonzon, the object of devotion he established. (The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism)

My understanding is that the concept of nimpo-ikka ONLY pertains to Nichiren. My understanding is that nimpo-ikka is not expressly stated in the Gosho and this interpretation by Nichikan does not include the disciples of Nichiren. My understanding is that the 'oneness of the persons and the law' is an expedient means expression of the Oneness of the Mentor and Disciple as expressed by Nichiren throughout The Orally Transmitted Teachings. While we are one with the Law, we are not one with the Law for the same reason that Nichiren is, and therefore the true meaning behind the principle of nimpo-ikka does not apply to us.

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Thomas