Chanting Growers Group

[SoCal Hippy]

How does the mirror of the Lotus Sutra portray the people who, in the evil world
of the latter age, believe in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra just as they are
set forth in the sutra? Shakyamuni Buddha has left us words from his golden
mouth revealing that such people have already made offerings to a hundred
thousand million Buddhas in their past existences.

(WND, 1108)
The Proof of the Lotus Sutra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on February 28, 1282

 

[SoCal Hippy]

We have both a weak self and a strong self; the two are completely different. If
we allow our weak side to dominate, we will be defeated. The thought, "I am
still young and have a lot of time, so I can relax and take life easy" is a
function of our weakness.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Babbabud]

SoCal my friend ... so happy to see you posting up !!!
Hope life is treating you well and am superstoked too you will be posting regular again.
wooooooooooooop !!!! so happy to see you !!
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

thanks Bud.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by
these four great bodhisattvas at all times. When she rises to her feet, so too
will the bodhisattvas, and when she walks along the road, they will also do the
same. She and they will be as inseparable as a body and its shadow, as fish and
water, as a voice and its echo, or as the moon and its light.

(WND, 415)
On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
Recipient and date unknown

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The state of mind with which we meet our death will greatly influence the course
of our lives over eternity. Granted, if one is unconcerned by how one dies, or
if one dismisses any connection between this existence and the next, then there
probably isn't any need to practice the Daishonin's Buddhism. But the truth is
that life is eternal, that our existence continues even after we die. Moreover,
during the latent stage of death before rebirth, we cannot change the essence of
our lives, we cannot carry out Buddhist practice. Only while we are alive as
human beings can we practice Buddhism.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The moon appears in the west and sheds its light eastward, but the sun rises in
the east and casts its rays to the west. The same is true of Buddhism. It spread
from west to east in the Former and Middle Days of the Law, but will travel from
east to west in the Latter Day.

(WND, 401)
On the Buddha's Prophecy
Written to all disciples and lay supporters on May 11, 1273

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The Daishonin urges us to earnestly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, even just once or
twice, stressing that if we do so we will definitely attain enlightenment. Now
some might immediately think: "All right! I'll just put faith aside and take it
easy, then embrace faith seriously a year before I die." But the Daishonin's
words in this instance are meant to spur his followers to devote greater efforts
to their Buddhist practice, emphasizing the beneficial power of chanting even a
single daimoku. The correct way to read the Gosho is to always interpret the
Daishonin's words from the standpoint of strengthening our faith.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Weird]

Bodhisattva Never Disparaging

Always Respecting Others in Our Behavior

"I would never dare disparage you, for you are all certain to attain Buddhahood!" (The Lotus Sutra, trans. Burton Watson, p. 267).

Imagine the scene: You have made a sincere determination to dedicate yourself to helping others become happy. You recognize your mission to behave as a bodhisattva and you set out to take action toward that end. You approach others and let them know that you respect them and that they are valuable. However, the people don't respond to you the way that you might imagine. They beat and throw stones at you. They call you names and say you are irresponsible for predicting that they will attain Buddhahood.

What would you do?

In light of being physically and verbally abused, we might think that being a bodhisattva requires too much patience and forbearance. Many of us might give up trying to help others or acknowledge their potential for Buddhahood. But this wasn't the spirit of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. Despite the ill treatment he received from the four kinds of believers—monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen—he showed reverence for every person he met and resolved to help them discover their Buddha nature.

"The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the 'Never Disparaging' chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being" ("The Three Kinds of Treasure," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, pp. 851–52).

As practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, we are all trying to polish our lives. As the quote above states, the most essential part of our Buddhist practice—a way to polish our lives—can be found in the twentieth chapter of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren Daishonin explains that although Shakyamuni taught many sutras, the most important is the Lotus Sutra. Moreover, what is taught in "The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging" chapter explains the essence of our Buddhist practice.

Since Kumarajiva's Chinese translation of the passage above consists of twenty-four characters, it is often referred to as "the twenty-four-character Lotus Sutra." This represents the abbreviated Lotus Sutra. "The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings" says: "These twenty-four Chinese characters that make up this passage are interchangeable with the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo; [though the wording is different] the meaning is the same. These twenty-four characters represent the 'abbreviated' Lotus Sutra" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 764).

In a previous existence, Shakyamuni was Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. He told the story of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging to show that the purpose of his advent lay in his behavior as a human being. We see the exact words with which he showed respect to all. "I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood" (Lotus Sutra, pp. 266–67).

If someone is not treating us right, it is all too easy to give up trying to encourage him and help him create a valuable life. But every human being has the potential for Buddhahood, however dormant it may seem to our own limited vision. When we recognize this in others—even in people we don't like—a phenomenal thing begins to happen. Others will change and so will we. Although we are working for the happiness of others, a wonderful side effect is that we become even happier ourselves.

The entire teaching of the Lotus Sutra, which expounds the universality of Buddhahood, is crystallized in Never Disparaging's words. He put the teaching into practice.

Showing Respect to Even Those Who Are Hostile

Despite his best efforts to respect everyone with whom he came in contact, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's contemporaries saw his behavior as strange. He didn't take time to read and recite the scriptures as other monks were doing; he spent his time bowing to people. These four kinds of believers felt contemptuous of what they perceived to be his arrogance and ignorance and treated him cruelly, ridiculing and berating him.

Interestingly, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging was never discouraged by his circumstances. When the malignity began, he would run a safe distance away—no to avoid being injured, but to prevent his attackers from creating more negative causes—and continue calling out his words of homage: "You are certain to attain Buddhahood."

This pattern continued for years. At the time of his death, he had expiated his bad karma through continuous practice and had "the power to preach pleasingly and eloquently, the power of great goodness and tranquility" (LS 20, 268). When the four kinds of believers saw this change in him, they reconsidered their views and gladly became his followers. Because of their poor treatment of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, they were able to form a "reverse relationship"—a relationship that allows one to have a connection with the Lotus Sutra even though that person may have slandered the Law—that allowed them to encounter him again later.

This shows Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's dauntless spirit and how his efforts of many years came to fruition. He continued to respect all because he had confidence that everyone has the potential for enlightenment. Because he believed in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and practiced according to his convictions, he attained Buddhahood. It is just as the Daishonin states: "There is a fundamental oneness of self and others. Therefore when Bodhisattva Never Disparaging made his bow of obeisance to the four groups of people, the Buddha nature inherent in the lives of the four groups of arrogant people bowed toward Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. This is the same as how when one bows facing a mirror, the reflected image bows back" (GZ, 769).

Translating What We Believe Into Action

Although the four kinds of arrogant people abused Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, the Buddha nature that existed deep in their lives was respectful of his efforts. His sincere behavior transformed their inner lives without them being aware of it. He was able to translate his beliefs into concrete behavior. His example teaches us that unless we incorporate bodhisattva practices in our lives, we won't create much value. However, this does not mean that we should allow people to abuse us.

How do we apply this knowledge tot real-life situations? It is important to understand that Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's behavior is an ideal. We are all persevering and working hard to be our best selves. As we continue practicing, studying and believing in our potential, our Buddha nature will expand. We shouldn't have a poor self-image because we do not see ourselves as Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. Over the long course of our practice, we will achiever our goals. The fact that we exert ourselves in our faith and SGI activities, in spite of our shortcomings, is evidence that we are following the same path of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging.

Living Buddhism, May 2001, p. 5


http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresour...ncepts/bc25_bodhisattva_never_disparaging.php


nam myoho renge kyo

nam myoho renge kyo

nam myoho renge kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The Lotus Sutra is both the teaching of the Buddha and the embodiment of the
Buddha wisdom. If one puts sincere faith in each character and brushstroke in
it, then one will become a Buddha in one's present form.

(WND, 969)
The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo on May 2, 1279

 

[SoCal Hippy]

I want you to understand the subtle workings of the mind. How you orient your
mind, the kind of attitude you take, greatly influences both you yourself and
your environment. The Buddhist principle of a single life-moment encompassing
three thousand realms completely elucidates the true aspect of life's inner
workings. Through the power of strong inner resolve, we can transform ourselves,
those around us and the land in which we live.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Thanks Socal! Good stuff my brother Are you still getting the Living Buddhism and World Tribune? I am, and finally started reading them regularly in the last year. I feel that a couple of us on the thread really feel in synch with Sensei's heart and you are one of them. Sensei wants all of to chant abundant daimoku and become ultimately happy, I see that in your posts and am so glad to know that you are also a great dad. How are the kids doing? How's work going?

My mom is doing a little better, but still very weak and falling apart physically. I had my graduation ceremony this past weekend and I was able to show my entire family actual proof. Even though I've gotten my mother to chant in this life a few times, I need her to practice this Buddhism courageously in her next life. I'll continue to strengthen my practice everyday for the rest of my life and protect the SGI members forever. I join Soka Academy and am part of the founding class in America! I feel really connected to the direction our organization is going in and will continue to make efforts to help others receive their Gohonzon like you, Tom and Bud did. I will always be eternally grateful for my friend Mr.R.

Thank you for those great posts, they were great! Let's keep winning together everyday in front of the Gohonzon.

 

[Weird]

Thanks Socal! Good stuff my brother Are you still getting the Living Buddhism and World Tribune? I am, and finally started reading them regularly in the last year. I feel that a couple of us on the thread really feel in synch with Sensei's heart and you are one of them. Sensei wants all of to chant abundant daimoku and become ultimately happy, I see that in your posts and am so glad to know that you are also a great dad. How are the kids doing? How's work going?

My mom is doing a little better, but still very weak and falling apart physically. I had my graduation ceremony this past weekend and I was able to show my entire family actual proof. Even though I've gotten my mother to chant in this life a few times, I need her to practice this Buddhism courageously in her next life. I'll continue to strengthen my practice everyday for the rest of my life and protect the SGI members forever. I join Soka Academy and am part of the founding class in America! I feel really connected to the direction our organization is going in and will continue to make efforts to help others receive their Gohonzon like you, Tom and Bud did. I will always be eternally grateful for my friend Mr.R.

Thank you for those great posts, they were great! Let's keep winning together everyday in front of the Gohonzon.

she is practicing it and your not seeing it

I have avoided saying much in this thread for some time, but I know what lies in the hearts of both you and Thomas, especially in a time when the ones who brought you life are at the end of theirs.

i know your full potential is to help others reach theirs and seeing some one receive an SGI gohonzon is the ultimate manifestation of this for you and in some way my hesitance has caused a rift

especially in a time of challenge, this has to be the greatest honor, but i think that the propagation of nam myoho renge kyo and the gohonzon is more prolific than you see and it is because of you

So I feel I have kosen rufu to share and this time I think its important to vocalize it, especially since this is were I see the "gohonzon" within us

not that are own lives are our own gohonzon

but from the very writings of nichiren and the lotus sutra, the parts of the gohonzon that were shared in this very thread by you and thomas would call upon the hearts of those who hear it and understand the writings because they identify with the concept because of the cause and effect they have experienced in their own lives

seeking the gohonzon within ones self is seeking the meaning of cause and effect as described by nichiren in ones own life

im sure your asking what are you getting at, but I will explain please have an open heart and be patient

Don't you see her next life?

there is a far less supernatural understanding of past and future lives I would like to share with you, one that is far more manifest than you may imagine

her next life is before you brother, and indeed in that life she is a nichiren buddhist

you, are her next life, genetically, and in how you live, you are her son, you are the next generation, the physical manifestation of her being even after she is physically gone

are your actions not in some way a result of her karma?

will the spirit of her memory burn in you after she is gone?

will you remember her as you chant in front of the gohonzon and will it influence your life?

once her body passes from the physical and she can no longer practice buddhism are you not there doing that for her, in her memory, by the practice of chanting nam myoho renge kyo

will she not then be guaranteed by virtue of the memory of her that lives in you be there on eagles peak both in her own enlightenment and with you in your own?

be reconciled by the fact that you, her son has found his full potential in nichiren and have faith that in her lifetime and yours, and perhaps she has reached her full potential in this lifetime for her.

the karma we create when we are alive, the imprint we have on the living world, dictates our future lives

as her son you are her future manifest, she has won, you have won, you have even went back in your lives (to your mother) and gotten her to chant

nam myoho renge kyo

nam myoho renge kyo

nam myoho renge kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

There are a few in this province of Kai who have expressed their desire to take
faith. Yet I make it a rule not to permit them to join us unless they remain
steadfast in their resolve. Some people, despite their shallow understanding,
pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus
often disrupting the faith of others.

(WND, 800)
The Workings of Brahma and Shakra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on May 15, 1277

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Day in and day out. Today and again tomorrow. Moving of one's own accord to take
action, to meet with people and conduct dialogues. This is what Shakyamuni did.
Herein lies the concert way of life for human beings and the path of true honor
for a Buddhist. This is the rhythm of the SGI's advance -- an advance founded
upon the same principles practiced and espoused by Shakyamuni and the original
Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Weird]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[AfroSheep]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Long time since a post brothers, been working been reading and watching though dont worry,
Great to see every1 back and ready posting.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Desiderata]

What happened to Easy?

A close friend of mine, his mother is 90 and is in the hospital. He moved her down here from Conneticut. The hospital wants to put her on dialysis and do these painful tests. He said hell no, she can't take it, all the suffering involved. These decisions are painful for everyone. Oh Geez, All I can do is chant:

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo