Chanting Growers Group

[Babbabud]

From "The Victory of Women is The Victory of Soka", by President Ikeda, published in the July16, 2010, World Tribune, pg 4.

Serenely
live each day to the fullest,
reminding yourself
"I am an expert in life!"
and let nothing cause you fear.

 

[pb4ugo]

Gosho Passage for today Sunday September 26th, 2010

Gosho Passage for today Sunday September 26th, 2010

Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, September 26, 2010:

"Although at heart you are of the same mind as Nichiren, since your person is in service to your lord, it would have been extremely difficult for you to have avoided the offense of complicity in slander. How admirable it is that, despite this, you communicated this teaching to your lord and urged him to take faith in it. Even though he may fail to accept it now, you have managed to avoid the offense of complicity."

passage from: "On Recommending This Teaching to Your Lord..."
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 26, 1274

Background segments from WND v.1 p. 461

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter in the ninth month of the eleventh year of Bun’ei (1274) to Saemon-no-jo, commonly known as Shijo Kingo, who was one of his leading followers in Kamakura and a samurai in service to the Ema family, a branch of the ruling Hojo clan. The Daishonin praises Shijo Kingo for his courage in venturing to introduce the Daishonin’s teaching to his lord, Ema.

The “offense of complicity in slander” in the title refers to the slander that occurs when, even though not committing slander oneself, one makes offerings to enemies of the Law or acts in concert with slanderers, failing to admonish them.Shijo Kingo had recommended the Daishonin’s teachings to Lord Ema around the time of the Daishonin’s retirement to Mount Minobu. Like many other believers, Kingo had awakened to a new conviction in faith when the Daishonin, against all odds, returned safely from Sado. While in exile, the Daishonin’s prophecy of internal strife, made in his On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land, had materialized in the form of a power struggle within the ruling Hojo clan, and with the Mongols now readying their forces for attack, the fulfillment of his second prophecy, that of foreign invasion, seemed imminent. Those may have been among the reasons that prompted Shijo Kingo to speak to his lord...

...In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin explains that “not to kill” is first among all Buddhist precepts. In one sense, however, slander of the Lotus Sutra is an even worse offense than killing, for one who opposes the sutra in effect denies the Buddha nature eternally inherent in all living beings.


My Understanding of the passage:

Complicity, becomes a root for slander. This accrues when we see people we come in contact with that are suffering for not knowing about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo the one great medicine for all people and we fail to share this with them regardless if they decide to take faith or not. By planting the seed on a regular basis in people's hearts, we avoid being complacent. The voice does the Buddha's work!

pb
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Link:
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 461


I HAVE received the two thousand coins.
The foremost treasure of sentient beings is none other than life itself. Those who take life are certain to fall into the three evil paths. That is why the wheel-turning kings observed the precept of “not to kill” as the first of the ten good precepts, and why the Buddha taught the five precepts at the beginning of the Hinayana sutras and made “not to kill” the first of them. The Buddha also taught “not to kill” as the first of the ten major precepts in the Mahayana Brahma Net Sutra. The “Life Span” chapter of the Lotus Sutra is the one that represents the merit of the Thus Come One Shakyamuni’s practice of the precept “not to kill.” Accordingly, those who take life will be abandoned by all the Buddhas of the three existences, and the gods of the six heavens of the world of desire will never protect them. The scholars of our time are aware of this, and I, Nichiren, have a general understanding of it.

The nature of killing varies, however. The offense of the person killed is either heavy or light. If one kills the person who has murdered one’s father, mother, sovereign, or teacher, although the offense remains the same, what would have been a grave offense probably becomes a light one instead. This is something our contemporary scholars are acquainted with. But even bodhisattvas with their great compassion, if they make offerings to the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, are certain to fall into the hell of incessant suffering. On the other hand, even those who commit the five cardinal sins, if they show animosity toward those enemies, will definitely be reborn in the human or heavenly world. King Sen’yo and King Possessor of Virtue, who had destroyed, respectively, five hundred and countless enemies of the Lotus Sutra, became Shakyamuni Buddha in this world. His disciples such as Mahakashyapa, Ananda, Shariputra, Maudgalyayana, and other countless followers were people who, at that time, were in the vanguard, defeating the enemy, or killing them, injuring them, or rejoicing in the fight. The monk Realization of Virtue became Kashyapa Buddha. He was a votary of the Lotus Sutra of great compassion who, at that time, urged King Possessor of Virtue to attack the enemies of the sutra as if they were the ones who had betrayed his father and mother in a previous lifetime.

Our present day corresponds to that time. If the ruler of our country had accepted what Nichiren said, he could very well have become like the two kings. Yet, in addition to rejecting it, of Complicity in Slander

he has actually sided with the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, so that the entire nation attacks me. From the ruler on down to the common people, all have become slanderers of the Law whose offense exceeds the five cardinal sins. Therefore, all of you are also on the side of the ruler. Although at heart you are of the same mind as Nichiren, since your person is in service to your lord, it would have been extremely difficult for you to have avoided the offense of complicity in slander. How admirable it is that, despite this, you communicated this teaching to your lord and urged him to take faith in it. Even though he may fail to accept it now, you have managed to avoid the offense of complicity.

From now on, you should be careful about what you say. On the other hand, surely the heavenly gods will protect you. I also will tell them to do so. Determine to take every possible precaution. Those who hate you will be increasingly vigilant in watching for a chance to do you harm. Put a stop to all drinking parties at night. What dissatisfaction can there be in drinking sake alone with your wife? Do not let down your guard when you attend banquets with others in the daytime. Your enemies will have no opportunity to attack you, apart from your drinking. You cannot be too careful.



With my deep respect,
Nichiren


09-26-1274 (736 years ago)
The twenty-sixth day of the ninth month

Reply to Saemon-no-jo

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Nam Myohoo Renge Kyo!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Our voice costs nothing and it is our strongest weapon. Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "Do not spare your voice" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 726).There are different voices for different situations: the clear, resounding voice that declares truth and justice; the strong voice that refutes evil; the bright, confident voice that tells others about the greatness of this Buddhism; the warm voice that gives encouragement; the sincere, friendly voice that offers praise and words of appreciation to others. The important thing is that we meet and speak with people widely, inside and outside the organization.

 

[Weird]

Although at heart you are of the same mind as Nichiren, since your person is in service to your lord, it would have been extremely difficult for you to have avoided the offense of complicity in slander. How admirable it is that, despite this, you communicated this teaching to your lord and urged him to take faith in it. Even though he may fail to accept it now, you have managed to avoid the offense of complicity.

and, in my most humble opinion, this is the beauty of the chanting thread

here we simplify our bond through Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and in the great magnificence Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo we are completed by it.

and if indeed a temple priest and sgi member or any other Buddhist for that manner were to contribute to this thread (not saying they have) or perhaps for the pages they did

have they not at the times of posting in harmony experienced peace?

and could THE measure of peace upheld by a most diverse collective here be part of the karmic reward we experience?

it seems the more we try to interpret for anyone other than ourselves, the meaning of the writings we run the risk of offending, not because we necessarily misinterpret the writing for our own particular needs improperly, but because we fail to understand that the truth from your perspective may not appear the same from yours

the truth is indeed relative as is nichiren's doctrine

now this is a assumption, but if nichiren was here today to whom would he first chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo?

I believe it would be the first person he met

there is no differential in those who embrace the lotus sutra in nichiren's name if we come in faith under the doctrine that is nichiren's, the difference's are perpetuated by us.

and this is the beauty of the practice

When you see energies that may conflict bring them to harmony by removing the complexity.

In nichiren's buddhism, this is achieved by a simple chant

if all parties of conflicting energies simply remove the complexity between themselves and chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, for those who chant with faith, I believe harmony will be revealed

this is why the spirit of the practice of bodhisatvva is so very important

how else can we be humbled by our relative place in the scope of the world if we don't lower ourselves to give selflessly?

this practice in fealty and faith to the truth and the law of cause and effect will remind one that the law of cause and effect works without our individual will directing it

when we put out our energies (karma) directed by our will, I do not believe we direct the law of causes and effect, but more so effect the law of cause and effect by injecting karma for it to process

based on this I think its best to strive for buddha nature as a chanting bodhisattva.

chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo selflessly will be selfless given to the world as the law of cause and effect was described by Nichiren and our faith is rewarded by the enlightenment we sometimes receive in how the law and effect actually manifested

to me, this allows us daily to embrace our bodhisattva nature daily and actually have the potential to be enlightened on a daily basis, thus allowing anyone to achieve buddha nature, regardless of where in life or our practice we may be

i believe peace likewise can simply be evoked in the selfless giving of

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

From last month and directed to the same person again

From last month and directed to the same person again

I hope you will understand what I am about to say in the spirit I am about to say it! It is not directed at you, but rather it is directed toward protecting the folks that have been reading this thread for many years now, who for whatever reason use this thread as a connection to their interest in the Daishonin’s teachings. We don’t know each other that well and I respect you as a fellow practitioner of many years. I do not view you, however, as a senior in faith. I view you as my peer. I hope you are not offended by that.

I am now going to merely express my heartfelt concern for your position in our latest conversation. I hope this doesn’t piss you off or drive you away, because that would be a loss to those many folks who have acknowledged their appreciation for your contributions, as have I. But your responses seem to gloss over the specifics of my comments quite often, and in the interest of maintaining unity I find myself going along with them without ever actually making any understanding more clear.

That needs to stop, one way or another. If you feel compelled to put something controversial out there, you have to express it as your opinion on the front end. No more little parenthetical notations without clarifications please! Please also understand, I don’t find you qualified to redefine established Buddhist terms. I think to do so is highly inadvisable and ask that your refrain from doing so on the thread without making it clear that this is your own thinking and not something already established in Buddhism.

The thing that prompted this PM was your wording: “Although Nichikan defined this concept to identify the Oneness of Nichiren with the Gohonzon per say, ultimately, when we chant and manifest the fusion of reality and wisdom, we also become one with the Law.” There is no “per se”. You are arbitrarily adding an open definition to something that is very specifically defined. You can do that at your own risk, but don’t share that risk with others without their consent or knowledge anymore. Please.

Nimpo-ikka does not merely mean a literal translation of “Oneness of the Person and the Law.” There’s a specific reason “Person” is capitalized. If you have decided you have the right to diminish that meaning to include yourself, go for it. But don’t do it here without acknowledging to everyone you have decided to unilaterally change the meaning of your own accord to fit how you think it should be defined.

We become one with the Object of Devotion by fusing our lives with it, but we are not the Object of Devotion. Nichiren is a part of us. We are not Nichiren. There’s a huge difference. To be honest, I am a little unnerved that you don’t see that or won’t acknowledge that fact. As someone who sincerely cares for you I am obligated to say something! I know this is just my opinion and you are entitled to yours, but my obligation to say something remains unchanged.

Also please don’t use the Daishonin’s words to create meanings for your own convenience. It is very easy to manipulate a few sentences to infer a meaning that isn’t really a part of the Daishonin’s original intent. (ie: saying the Daishonin warned against teaching to the capacity of the people when he is actually talking about teachings WRITTEN to the capacity of the people.) I don’t know why it would ever be necessary to use the Daishonin’s words in such a way.

Lastly, please don’t be offended by what I’m saying now! Help me understand! But please also understand out of deference to me for being the one whose thread this is, that I am a bit orthodox and very straight and narrow about terms and their meanings. There have been SGI members that have wanted to participate in the thread in the past, that are not here anymore because I wouldn’t allow the thread to be used as a platform for their re-invention of meanings.

This has been the most discouraging part of all of this. There seems to be a lot of SGI-USA members that think they know the meanings of Buddhist concepts, but their interpretations don’t match the reference basis of what the term means in the first place. One of my pet peeves has always been to hear SGI members simplistically say, “The Gohonzon is YOU!” And that simply is not true, even though the Gohonzon is not outside of oneself.

Please just be very straight up with what you have to say. That is all I am asking!~

Thanks!!!

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

Thank you Babba, I also thought we were done with putting out controversial topics without providing a full explanation. But, if someone has an itch to regurgitate the same erroneous message, I'll be sure to examine it further. This Buddhism is not rocket science and it is so simple that anyone can and should practice it. However, with all due respect to PB my words have been as harsh as I interpreted his "understanding" of the Goshos passages he has re-referenced and reposted with short personal summaries.

The quoted post is only from 8/14/2010, so when I saw PB's posts this week on the same topic in a more vilifying and spiteful way, which was my perception as he chose to embed his understanding of a Gosho passage within a quoted portion of the Gosho, I immediately began to wonder if PB was aligned with the Priesthood because I have never seen a happy person put down the SGI and hope for President Ikeda to die in order for this person to continue their practice. Slander-ridden is the word that materializes in my mind when I read such outrageous items. Clearly they are his opinion and I had to challenge them since we are supposed to be practicing together in different parts of the same country.

Sorry if I upset anyone, including PB, but if you're man or woman enough to post some commentary on a serious doctrine, just know that I'm gonna do my best to be compassionate enough to further articulate my position and understanding of the same topic. This is an open forum and I reckon this situation could improve if we have fruitful dialogue. However, if someone keeps coming in here to only regurtitate their "intuition" and not participate in the discussion then that static individual should remove themselves from this dynamic and interactive thread. Thanks again for ignoring multiple public messages directed at you PB because you were too busy trying to interpret Goshos that have been posted multiple times.

You even went back and deleted posts that explained the basis for your position which could have supported your recent "understanding" which in my opinion required more factual proof and background. Otherwise, I found your assessment and response to be incomplete and not responsive to my desire to compassionately understand your position. Buddhism is reason.

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

THANK YOU BROTHER WEIRD! THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL! I'm gonna go mow my lawn and then reach out and touch someone...

Very eloquently said and pacifying. I chanted a lot this morning before I turned on the computer. I needed to come back into the thread in a peaceful mindset because as serious as I am about my personal life I'm even more serious about my Buddhist practice. That is why our Jewish and Christian neighbors continue to come to my local meetings to chant with us. On Tuesday two young ladies are going to receive Gohonzon in my neck of the woods and next Sunday my oldest friend is gonna receive his Gohonzon as well!

The wonders never cease when we start our day off by saying the words:

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

 

[Desiderata]

I wondered where you were?

I wondered where you were?

Please chant for my dad! He's been told there is nothing they can do. His heart is giving out. This has been a very difficult time for me.

I apologize for my absence.

Bowing in humble obeisance,

T

Hey bro, I'm saddened to hear the news about your dad. They can't do a transplant? I'm sure there's other complications, or is it his age?

Ann's niece was born with a bad heart. She waited for a heart for along time. A fourteen year old's heart became available from a car wreck that didn't meet other hospitals criteria. She was down to 70lbs and now weighs 110. With other complications it was a miracle that she's alive from the transplant. I really thought she was going to die. I chant for the best outcome "T" for your family!

On another note, I feel PB has been sincere in his efforts for all to work for Nichiren's Kosen Rufu. In all religions, philosophies, and sciences, there are always different schools of thought and ideas how to get to the same point in time. It seems to me that each school of reason should at least have RESPECT for the other school as long as the same principles of faith are being applied. It takes all to make one....IMHO

Love,

Desi

 

[Desiderata]

Don't be such a stranger!

Don't be such a stranger!

nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo

hello my friends

have a killer second day of fall

woooo hoooo!!

bonz

Now where's Hitman and Scegy?

Scegy's last word on here was a question sentence, "No one said it was going to get so complicated."

That's why I chant because life is complicated all the time for the future holds the answer. It's the waiting that is the test of our fortitude and endurance.

Respect,

Desi!

 

[Babbabud]

Brother Bonzo .. give me a call homie !!! So glad you are posting !!
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Just finished a huge project and I'm about to go do my evening chanting...

Just finished a huge project and I'm about to go do my evening chanting...

-- TO MY FRIENDS --
How we speak has a very big impact on others.
By speaking in a refreshing, vibrant voice,
speaking in a warm and caring voice,
or speaking in a courageous and confident voice--
let's all forge ahead together cheerfully!

-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Let's firmly determine never to be the cause of a traffic accident.
Whether you are driving a car or riding a bicycle,
strictly follow the traffic rules!
Let's always keep in mind that seemingly small trivial matters
are in fact important ones.

-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin are the driving force
for victory and success.
Let's constantly study the Daishonin's teachings
and put what we have learnt into action.
And through taking action,
let's enhance our understanding of Buddhism.
Confidently and with conviction,
let's share this hope-filled philosophy
with as many people as we possibly can.

The third quote by President Ikeda is the most moving to me out of the three quotes stated above. I keep challenging myself everyday to put the sum/total of everything I learn on the thread, in my studies, during meetings and especially form my daimoku into action. Thus when I speak or write on the thread I feel like my mind and heart are in rhythm and I am truly maximizing my potential as a human being.

This thread actively achieves kosen-rufu on an electronic medium and even the saddest person will find guidance and tools on this thread to ultimately attain happiness in this lifetime. Achieving my Buddhanature by chanting to the Gohonzon everyday is the winning recipe that Nichiren Daishonin put in place for us. No matter who comes after Nichiren in history, I will always cherish and revere his amazingly applicable teachings in my life and nobody's guidance will ever sway me from my determination to sustain this practice throughout the rest of this life and the next.

My friends, I just finished a grueling homework that I left for the last day to complete because I've been challenging myself to go to at least three chanting meetings a week for the sake of building unity at the meetings in our Region/Area. I have also continued to support that lady that chanted with the Temple and she will be returning her Gohonzon to the Temple on her own to practice with the SGI!! She loves the group and reaffirms the good decision I made by going to a meeting to get my Gohonzon over 5 years ago.

Although she is still temporarily homeless, everything is changing for the better and kosen-rufu is underway in my neck of the woods. By the end of the year I'm gonna challenge myself to help 50 more people know about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! could help them lose weight, improve their financial fortune, ease their stress and mind, keep you and your children safe, help those around you, become truly happy, etc.

I told Weird Today that just like Babba when I went to my first meeting I just wanted to get my Gohonzon and go home. I had no intentions of potentially tipping people off to my med use and was proven wrong after meeting the best friends a guy could ever have at every subsequent meeting. Many of us on this thread share a special bond and we are united under a single great truth. So as a cub of the Lion King (Nichiren Daishonin) who lives fearlessly - I hope everyone has a great week and ferociously challenges all obstacles with vim and vigor!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Wow Desi! I always chant for you and Ann when I send gratitude for all the chanting growers in my gongyo and I'm so glad Ann's niece is doing good and gaining weight. I really am.

PB is a good guy and we are definitely in agreement in that regard. However, the Temple is not even close to what the SGI has become. The only real parallel is the heritage going all the way to Nichiren Daishonin. I asked PB if he contributed to building the Shohondo in Japan which was going to become the 8th Wonder of the World until that Priesthood uprooted the structure and the surrounding grounds. This is a link to an image of it: http://www.sokaspirit.com/original/topten/shohondo.html

The hatefilled, egocentric, emotionalist, selfcentered doctrined that the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood advocates essentially forces them to be a middleman between people like you and me, AND the Gohonzon. I know that you know their is nobody that could come between you and the Gohonzon. However, this Priesthood I'm referencing put out an edict that essentially states -those who do not practice with this Temple are excommunicated from Temple and possess powerless Gohonzons. The only Temple member I ever met was this 60 year old lady that I've been referencing in my posts and she has only told me horror stories about the Temple- so yes I'm completely turned off since one of their one practices with them out of fear of going to hell!

The Temple also has a cheif priest in Washington D.C. that has recently (this summer) begun to commend Christians, Muslims and Jews (and all other monotheistic faiths). This is outrageous because Nichiren only refuted the other erroneous Buddhist Schools and never declared religious warfare against others. Nichiren strictly teaches us compassion and reason through faith, the Priesthood has become corrupt and established its own self serving protocols and practices.

I won't allow someone to post half-truths or blatant lies based on hate, fear, regret, and especially cowardice. If someone is not brave enough to challenge certain realities in their personal lives (outside the thread) and wishes to come into this thread and expound fear, confusion and disunity - as Nichiren mandates I'll be required to correct them or become a complicit party to that slander. I've never studied anything for more than one semester (14 weeks) and I've been studying every post on this thread (with the SGI dictionary on call) for five years. Until PB said some things on the thread last month, then via pm to me and repeated these things recently I was not able to properly respond because quite frankly I was too busy (work+school+practice) to really study his assumptions and words further. When I did get around to it, I had a bone to pick with the items I discussed in the last 72 hours (ad naseum). Now that I feel they have been resolved, I'll get back to appreciation inspired posts which are the ones I truly relish.

So the same principles of faith are not followed by the SGI and NST(temple) in my humble opinion and providing my reasoning behind that strong feeling has been the theme within my last few posts. Thomas has given some great guidance on this and so has Socal. I use the search bar tool for the thread constantly to re-read posts on various topics.

Well my brother, I appreciate the kind words and also look forward to seeing Hitman and Scegy post again soon. The economy is really rough in eastern europe and I'm sure hoping our brother Scegy is still going forward courageously with his faith. Hitman is a founding member of this thread and has taken breaks from the boards from time to time. I sure would love to hear from his as well soon and also know how his mom is doing.

Bonzo, how's your mamma doing brother? Please call Babba or me soon my brother!


Peace and much love to all!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

HAPPY 13,000 POSTS!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

HAPPY 13,000 POSTS!

AWESOME!!!

 

[pb4ugo]

Gosho Passage for today Monday, September 27th, 2010

Gosho Passage for today Monday, September 27th, 2010

Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, September 27, 2010:

"What the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai, and Miao-lo intend to say is that the act of accepting and upholding or protecting and embracing one verse of the Lotus Sutra surpasses the act of making offerings to all living beings, or making offerings to arhats, or even of filling the entire major world system with the seven kinds of treasures as an offering to all Buddhas."

Passage from: "The Unmatched Blessings of the Law"
Written to the lay priest Nishiyama on May 11, 1279

Background segments from WND v.1. p. 974


...This letter was written in the fifth month of the second year of Koan (1279) and sent in response to a gift of bamboo shoots received from a follower called the lay priest Nishiyama, who lived in the village of Nishiyama in Fuji District of Suruga Province. It appears that Nishiyama occasionally visited the Daishonin at Minobu, bringing gifts with him. A total of six extant letters are addressed to him, including this one, Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain, and The Mongol Envoys...

...Though this letter is quite short, it contains some important teachings. First, the Daishonin extols the benefits to be gained by upholding just one verse of the Lotus Sutra, explaining that they are superior even to those that accrue to one who presents the Buddha with enough of the seven kinds of treasures to fill an entire major world system. He then notes that he is propagating an unsurpassed Law that no one before him has spread.

My understanding of the Passage:

In this passage Nichiren states that the benefits driven by a person who to receive from the act of the Four stages of Faith (accepting and upholding or protecting and embracing) in even one verse of the Lotus, hence Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, surpasses the act of offering all the treasures in our solar system to every living being living today.
Three times in this letter Nichiren reiterate the words: Therefore, the person is insignificant while the Law is supreme.
This is to illustrate that our bodies and all of our fortune, fame, prestige and influence we accumulate in this lifetime, is insignificant while the Law is supreme. This is why Nichiren states over and over and over again. "RELY ON THE LAW NOT UPON PERSON(S)

Nichiren also stated that the fortune of all the people in the world living today in the Nine Worlds is as light as a single strand of hair, while the good fortune of the Buddha is as heavy as a huge mountain.

To illustrate how significant and profound one character (Myo) of the Lotus Sutra in measure of weight is, Nichiren states: "if the good fortune of all Buddhas is as light as Brahma’s feather weight robe, then the good fortune of one character of the Lotus Sutra is as weighty as the earth.

pb
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 973

I HAVE received a hundred bamboo shoots, followed afterward by an additional twenty. The seventh volume of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law reads: “Even if a person were to fill the whole major world system with the seven treasures as an offering to the Buddha and the great bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas and arhats, the benefits gained by such a person cannot match those gained by accepting and upholding this Lotus Sutra, even just one four-line verse of it! The latter brings the most numerous blessings of all.”1 The tenth volume of The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra states: “The statement that offering the seven kinds of treasures to the four types of sages2 cannot equal upholding one verse [of the Lotus Sutra] indicates that the Law is the teacher of these sages. Nothing surpasses the Law in its ability to cause birth, nurturing, maturity, and prosperity.

Therefore, the person is insignificant while the Law is supreme.” The tenth volume of The Annotations on “The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra” comments: “It is similar to the case of parents, who invariably protect their children through these four functions. To conceive a desire to seek the way through the power of the Law is to be born. To follow the Law from beginning to end is to be nurtured. To harvest the supreme fruit of Buddhahood is to reach maturity. To appear in various forms in the phenomenal world for the salvation of others is to prosper. Although these four stages differ from one another, they all take the Law as their basis.”

What the Lotus Sutra, T’ien-t’ai, and Miao-lo intend to say is that the act of accepting and upholding or protecting and embracing one verse of the Lotus Sutra surpasses the act of making offerings to all living beings, of making offerings to arhats, or even of filling the entire major world system with the seven kinds of treasures as an offering to all Buddhas.

The sutra reads, “[The benefits gained by such a person] cannot match those gained by accepting and upholding this Lotus Sutra, even just one four-line verse of it! The latter brings the most numerous blessings of all.” T’ien-t’ai states, “The person is insignificant while the Law is supreme.” Miao-lo says, “Although these four stages differ from one another, they all take the Law as their basis.” If we compare all the living beings of the nine worlds with the Buddha, then the good fortune of all living beings is as light as a single strand of hair, while the good fortune of the Buddha is as heavy as a huge mountain. And if the good fortune of all Buddhas is as light as Brahma’s featherweight robe,3 then the good fortune of one character of the Lotus Sutra is as weighty as the earth. The person in the phrase “the person is insignificant” is the Buddha; the Law that is supreme is the Lotus Sutra.



All the sutras preceding the Lotus Sutra and all the treatises based on them praise the blessings bestowed by the Buddha, and so are like the Buddha himself. The Lotus Sutra extols the blessings bestowed by the sutra, and therefore is like the father and mother of the Buddha. The inferiority of the Flower Garland, Mahavairochana, and other sutras to the Lotus Sutra is like the difference in weight between a single strand of hair and a huge mountain, or between a featherweight robe and the earth. If we compare the lowest ranking votary of the Lotus Sutra to the highest ranking priests of the Flower Garland and True Word schools, the superiority of the former is like that of Shakra when compared to a monkey, or like that of a lion when compared to a hare.

When a subject declares himself king, it invariably costs him his life. When the practitioners of the other sutras claim to surpass the votary of the Lotus Sutra, the country will surely be ruined, and such persons will certainly fall into hell. When not confronted by enemies, one is free to speak as falsely and act as foolishly as one pleases. To illustrate, it is said that, before Sadamori and Yoriyoshi4 appeared, Masakado and Sadato were able to govern their lands, and their wives and children were safe and secure. Without an opposing force to prevent them from doing so, the dew evaporates up into the sky and the rain falls to the earth. A strong wind, however, will blow the rain back into the sky, and the sunrise will bring the dew down to earth. Likewise, before Dengyo appeared, the six schools, including the Flower Garland school, were like the dew [rising into the sky]. The True Word school is the same; therefore, you should understand that, once a strong enemy appears and attacks that school fiercely with the Lotus Sutra, the chief priest of Mount Hiei and the priests of To-ji and Omuro will all be like the dew at sunrise.


In the more than twenty-two hundred years since the Buddha’s passing, no one has yet fully explained and spread the Lotus Sutra exactly as the sutra teaches. This is not to say that T’ien-t’ai and Dengyo did not understand the truth of the sutra. But since the proper time had not yet arrived, and the capacity of the people was not suitable, they passed away without writing fully about it. Those who become Nichiren’s disciples, however, can understand it without difficulty.
In the entire land of Jambudvipa, there has never before been a hall or pagoda that produced the image of Shakyamuni Buddha of the “Life Span” chapter of the Lotus Sutra.5 How could such an image fail to appear now? An explanation would be lengthy, so I will stop here.

You have sent me 120 bamboo shoots, and the Lotus Sutra has appeared after over two thousand years. I have spoken of this matter because, while your gift may seem to be insignificant, your sincerity is indeed profound. Moreover, at the present time, because of farmwork and the building of the shrine, people have no spare time. Because your seeking mind is nonetheless so strong, I am certain that the Law has manifested itself to you.
With my deep respect,

Nichiren

The eleventh day of the fifth month

Reply to Nishiyama

 

[Weird]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Please chant for my friend Marni, she fell down a flight of stairs yesterday and has a fractured neck (vertebrae). Tomorrow two of her friends are going to receive Gohonzon by the beach I'll be there to support them for her. She has introduced many people to the practice and is the mother of three awesome kids.

Let's send her some healing daimoku so she gets well soon! I'll keep yall posted! Thanks a bunch!

 

[pb4ugo]

Gosho Passage for today Tuesday September, 28th, 2010

Gosho Passage for today Tuesday September, 28th, 2010

Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, September 28, 2010:

"Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

From: "The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon"
Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277

Background from WND v.1 p. 833

In this reply to Nichinyo, Nichiren Daishonin expresses his gratitude for her offerings to the Gohonzon and explains the significance of the object of devotion. The exact identity of Nichinyo is unclear. She is thought to have been either the wife of Ikegami Munenaka, the older of the Ikegami brothers, or a daughter of the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon, an earnest believer in Suruga Province. Judging from two letters the Daishonin sent her, she seems to have been a woman of good education and considerable affluence. Moreover, as the recipient of a Gohonzon, or object of devotion, she was evidently a sincere believer. This letter contains a description of the Gohonzon that details the figures represented therein and their significance. The Daishonin also underscores the importance of faith in the Gohonzon.


In the first half of the letter, the Daishonin points out the rarity and importance of the Gohonzon. He cites the Lotus Sutra and other works to show that the Gohonzon is the embodiment of “the true aspect of all phenomena” and “the three thousand realms in a single moment of life.”

In the second half, describing the great benefit of faith in the Gohonzon, the Daishonin declares, “Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself,” adding that the Gohonzon is also found only in faith. Sharing two examples from secular tradition, the Daishonin reminds Nichinyo that faith is by far the most important element in manifesting “the Gohonzon” in one’s life. He concludes by stressing that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith is the most complete form of Buddhist practice.

My understanding of the passage:


This passage is the cornerstone of Nichiren's teaching. It is the very heart of the essential teaching revealed in the eight chapters from the “Emerging from the Earth” chapter through the “Entrustment” chapter. It is the object of devotion - the Dai Gohonzon of nam-myoho-renge-kyo that all of our personal Gohonzons are derivative of and copied from which handed down through this collective heritage from the time of Nichiren until today that we are able to embrace the Gohonzon today. It is an undeniable truth that Nichiren was the only one who was able to reveal the object of devotion of the essential teaching to all people of the world. No one throughout the history of Buddhism even mentioned, not even the term “object of devotion of the essential teaching” yet it has existed in the heart of the Lotus Sutra all along.

The description of the Gohonzon in this letter reveals the very assembly of the Ceremony in the Air that Shakyamuni reveals in the Lotus Sutra depicting the Buddha of the Essential Teaching which Nichiren identified with as the Buddha of the Later day of the Law from the remotest past. It is unfolding from the time Nichiren appearance being carried until today with the appearance of the Buddhisattvas of the Earth fulfilling the vow they have taken together then in the remotest past and manifesting this to be a reality today among those who chant the daimoku with faith. Each and every one of us who chant the Daimoku must realize that we share this heritage together be they Priests or Lay Believers from the remotest past to the present moment revealing our intrinsic Buddha nature and take our place in this real drama acting today. The unfold of this real drama is happening right here right now in front of our eyes us being the participants.

Only through faith in the Gohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we can manifest this enlightened drama in our lives and become awaken that we share an indisputable connection to each other together with Nichiren, Shakyamuni and Many Treasure (Taho) and all the Buddhas in the ten directions from the remotest past to the present moment depicted on the Gohonzon we chant to. It is the unbroken heritage that we share through faith in the Gohonzon of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to be the cornerstone of our faith and by doing that, we manifest ONENESS with the eternal MENTOR Nichiren who is the only one to reveal this connection we share from the remotest past.

pb
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Link:
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832


I HAVE received your offerings to the Gohonzon of five thousand coins, one horseload of polished rice, and fruit. To begin with, this Gohonzon was revealed in the last eight years of the fifty that the Buddha preached in this world, and in this period of eight years, in eight chapters [of the Lotus Sutra], from the “Emerging from the Earth” chapter through the “Entrustment” chapter. Now, during the three periods following the Buddha’s passing, in the two thousand years of the Former and Middle Days of the Law, not even the term “object of devotion of the essential teaching” yet existed. How then could the object of devotion have been revealed?

Moreover, there was no one who was able to give it expression. T’ien-t’ai, Miao-lo, and Dengyo perceived it in their hearts, but for some reason never put it into words, just as Yen Yüan1 realized the true meaning of Confucius’s teaching, but never gave it expression. Yet the sutra itself and the commentaries of T’ien-t’ai and Miaolo explicitly state that the Gohonzon will appear after two thousand years have elapsed following the Buddha’s passing, in the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law.
How wondrous it is that, around two hundred years and more into the Latter Day of the Law, I was the first to reveal as the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra this great mandala that even those such as Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu, T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo were unable to express.

This mandala is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas who were Shakyamuni’s emanations as perfectly as a print matches its woodblock. Thus the five characters of the Lotus Sutra’s title are suspended in the center, while the four heavenly kings are seated at the four corners of the treasure tower.

Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the four leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth are side by side at the top. Seated below them are the Bodhisattva, including Universal Worthy and Manjushri, and the voice hearers, including Shariputra and Maudgalyayana. [Beside them are] the gods of the sun and moon, the devil king of the sixth heaven, the dragon king, and an asura. In addition, the wisdom kings Immovable and Craving-Filled take up their stations to the south and north. The evil and treacherous Devadatta and the ignorant dragon king’s daughter form a group.

Not only the Mother of Demon Children and the ten demon daughters, who are evil demons that sap the lives of people throughout the major world system, but also the Sun Goddess, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, and the seven reigns of the heavenly gods and five reigns of the earthly gods, who are the guardian deities of Japan— all the various great and small gods, that is, the main gods, are ranged in rows. How then could the remaining subordinate gods be left out? The “Treasure Tower” chapter states, “[Shakyamuni Buddha used his transcendental powers to] lift all the members of the great assembly up into the air.”
Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages, and, in general, all the various beings of the two worlds and the eight groups2 who appear in the “Introduction” chapter of the Lotus Sutra dwell in this Gohonzon. Illuminated by the light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the dignified attributes that they inherently possess. This is the object of devotion.

This is what is meant when the sutra says “the true aspect of all phenomena.”3 Miao-lo stated: “The true aspect invariably manifests in all phenomena, and all phenomena invariably manifest in the ten factors. The ten factors invariably manifest in the Ten Worlds, and the Ten Worlds invariably manifest in life and its environment.”4 It is also stated that the profound principle of the true aspect is the originally inherent Myoho-renge-kyo.5 The Great Teacher Dengyo said, “A single moment of life comprising the three thousand realms is itself the Buddha of limitless joy; this Buddha has forsaken august appearances.”6 Therefore, this Gohonzon shall be called the great mandala never before known; it did not appear until more than 2,220 years after the Buddha’s passing.

A woman who makes offerings to such a Gohonzon invites happiness in this life, and in the next, the Gohonzon will be with her and protect her always. Like a lantern in the dark, like a strong guide and porter on a treacherous mountain path, the Gohonzon will guard and protect you, Nichinyo, wherever you go. Therefore, you should take every care to ward off slanderers of the Law in the same way that you would never wish a courtesan even to come near your home. This is the meaning of “Thrust aside evil friends and associate with good companions.”7


Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The body is the palace of the ninth consciousness,8 the unchanging reality that reigns over all of life’s functions. To be endowed with the Ten Worlds means that all ten, without a single exception, exist in one world. Because of this it is called a mandala. Mandala is a Sanskrit word that is translated as “perfectly endowed” or “a cluster of blessings.” This Gohonzon also is found only in the two characters for faith.9 This is what the sutra means when it states that one can “gain entrance through faith alone.”10
Since Nichiren’s disciples and lay supporters believe solely in the Lotus Sutra, honestly discarding expedient means11 and not accepting even a single verse of the other sutras,12 exactly as the Lotus teaches, they can enter the treasure tower of the Gohonzon. How reassuring! Make every possible effort for the sake of your next life. What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood. It will no doubt depend on the strength of your faith. To have faith is the basis of Buddhism. Thus the fourth volume of Great Concentration and Insight states, “Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith.” The fourth volume of The Annotations on “Great Concentration and Insight” explains this: “With regard to the phrase ‘Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith,’ even Confucius taught that faith is first and foremost.

How much more so is this true of the profound doctrines of Buddhism! Without faith, how could one possibly enter? That is why the Flower Garland Sutra defines faith as the basis of the way and the mother of blessings.” The first volume of Great Concentration and Insight says, “How does one hear, believe in, and practice the perfect teaching to attain perfect enlightenment?” The first volume of On “Great Concentration and Insight” says, “To ‘believe in the perfect teaching’ means to awaken faith through doctrine and to make faith the basis of practice.”

A non-Buddhist document relates that, because the emperor of Han13 believed his aide’s report, the waters of a river froze on the spot. Another tells how Li Kuang, because he was eager to revenge his father, shot an arrow all the way up to its feathers into a boulder hidden in the grass. The commentaries of T’ien-t’ai and Miao-lo make it perfectly clear that faith is the cornerstone. Because the Han emperor believed completely in his retainer’s words, the river froze over. And Li Kuang was able to pierce a rock with his arrow because he fully believed it to be the tiger that had killed his father. How much more so is this true in Buddhism!


Embracing the Lotus Sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in itself encompasses the five practices. It was this matter, the wonderful practice that includes the immediate completion of the five practices, that was transmitted to the Great Teacher Dengyo when he journeyed to T’ang China and met the Reverend Tao-sui. No other teaching is more important for Nichiren’s disciples and lay supporters. It is referred to in the “Supernatural Powers” chapter.14 I will write again in detail.

Respectfully,
Nichiren


The twenty-third day of the eighth month in the third year of Kenji (1277)

Reply to Nichinyo

 

[Weird]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

Nam myoho renge kyo

The material below is excerpted from SGI President Ikeda’s lecture series, Lectures on “The Opening of the Eyes,” published in the May, 2005 issue of Living Buddhism. Today and tomorrow's email will include excerpts from the article.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Joy of Faith Based on the Principle of "Voluntarily Assuming the Appropriate Karma"


"With this body of mine, I have fulfilled the prophecies of the sutra. The more the government authorities rage against me, the greater is my joy. For instance, there are certain Hinayana bodhisattvas, not yet freed from delusion, who draw evil karma to themselves by their own compassionate vow. If they see that their father and mother have fallen into hell and are suffering greatly, they will deliberately create the appropriate karma in hopes that they too may fall into hell and share in and take their suffering upon themselves. Thus suffering is a joy to them. It is the same with me [in fulfilling the prophecies]. Though at present I must face trials that I can scarcely endure, I rejoice when I think that in the future I will escape being born into the evil paths" (WND, 243).


Compassion is the driving force behind perseverance, while perseverance is proof of deep compassion. To explain this, the Daishonin discusses the principle of "voluntarily assuming the appropriate karma." Here, the Daishonin states that his experiencing great persecutions corresponds with the principle of bodhisattvas voluntarily assuming karma and choosing to take on suffering out of a desire to lead living beings to enlightenment. And just as bodhisattvas regard undergoing suffering on behalf of living beings as a source of joy, Nichiren says he also views experiencing pain and hardship as a result of these present persecutions as a cause for rejoicing, because it will enable him to escape falling into the evil paths in future existences…


Nam myoho renge kyo