Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[PassTheDoobie]

"Mastering the basics, developing a solid foundation, is the key to victory. As the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) said: 'The higher a tower, the broader must be its foundation.'[1]

SGI Newsletter No. 8779, The New Human Revolution––Volume 26: Chapter 2, Banner of the Law 26, translated 10th, June 2013

[1] Rabindranath Tagore, Towards Universal Man (Bombay [Mumbai]: Asia Publishing House, 1961), p. 118.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Those who have had to experience the most difficult of times
will definitely be able to attain the happiest of lives.
This is the very heart and spirit of Buddhism.
By practising this faith single-mindedly and honestly throughout our lives,
let's establish a state of indestructible happiness
that shines throughout the three existences of past, present and future!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Now is the time to talk with others!
It's by making the effort to get together with other people
that we can develop.
Brimming with life force,
let's expand the solidarity for justice and truth!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Devadatta was the foremost good friend to the Thus Come One Shakyamuni. In this age as well, it is not one's allies but one's powerful enemies who assist one's progress."

(The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 770) Selection Source: SGI President Ikeda's guidance, Seikyo Shimbun, May 19th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"We live in uncertain times. No one knows what the future will bring, and anxiety prevails. But through chanting wholeheartedly, we can change poison into medicine, no matter what happens. Our Buddhist practice is a source of limitless strength and hope. Let’s make a fresh start, confident that we will never be deadlocked when we practise the Daishonin’s Buddhism!"

SGI Newsletter No. 8765, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 26: Chap. 2, Banner of the Law 21, translated 17th May, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nichiren Daishonin says: "Words echo the thoughts of the mind
and find expression through the voice."*
A few heartfelt words spoken with sincerity
can work to completely open up the possibilities in a friend's life.
Let's warmly encourage people through our great confidence and conviction!

Daisaku Ikeda

Gosho: The Unanimous Declaration by the Buddhas of the Three Existences regarding the Classification of the Teachings and Which Are to be Abandoned and Which Upheld - WND-2, page 843

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Gosho: The Unanimous Declaration by the Buddhas of the Three Existences regarding the Classification of the Teachings and Which Are to be Abandoned and Which Upheld - WND-2

If anyone reading this post has a Volume II of the Soka Gakkai's The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, and you haven't read this gosho IN IT'S ENTIRETY, then you should. You definitely should. If you have the faith to not question the Daishonin's teachings as representing the truth, then it's pretty much all laid out for you.

If you read it all, you'll understand why I should not say more! But I can say this. Everything that we have been teaching here for the last nine years is validated in that Gosho. How humbling and wonderful!

Much love and deepest respect,

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Unlike most people, in the course of spreading these doctrines of mine I, Nichiren, have occasion to meet with a great many persons."

(Condolences on a Deceased Husband - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 2, Page 778) Selection Source: "Myoji no Gen", Seikyo Shimbun, May 17th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Working for the happiness of others and sincerely valuing the person right in front of us requires having absolute faith in the positive potential inherent within each individual. That faith and conviction are the driving force for building a network of hope and opening the way to a brighter future."

SGI Newsletter No. 8777, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory , [48] 'Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi,' Striving with Conviction and Boundless Hope, from the January 2013 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated 7th, June, 2013.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring."

(Winter Always Turns to Spring - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 536) Selection source: "Koe", Seikyo Shimbun, June 16, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

For the sake of the future,
for the sake of the happiness of both ourselves and others,
let's give everything we do today our absolute best!
Let's leave behind the type of history
that we can proudly say at the end of the day,
"I really have achieved something!"

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Daishonin states that
we should respect one another as we would a Buddha."*
Let's always respect and praise our fellow members
who are challenging themselves in various different ways
to share this Buddhism and its philosophy with others.
Let's gather in joyful perfect solidarity and achieve great victories!

Daisaku Ikeda

*"Even an ignorant person can obtain blessings by serving someone who expounds the Lotus Sutra. No matter if he is a demon or an animal, if someone proclaims even a single verse or phrase of the Lotus Sutra, you must respect him as you would the Buddha. This is what the sutra means when it says, 'You should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha.' You should respect one another as Shakyamuni and Many Treasures did at the ceremony in the 'Treasure Tower' chapter." - The Fourteen Slanders, WND-I, page 757

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground."

(On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 444) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, June 17th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Being a Buddha is all about having a 'fighting spirit."*
It is through taking on challenges for the sake of kosen-rufu
that we accumulate immeasurable benefit and at the same time
we are able to progress in changing our karma.
Let's challenge ourselves with all our might
and as a result shout great cheers of triumph together!

Daisaku Ikeda

*SGI President Ikeda recently said, "Here we see the Daishonin's 'fighting spirit' of selfless dedication to spreading the Law without begrudging his life. He also confirms that it is his 'great vow' that sustains the spirit. The concepts of 'fighting spirit' and 'great vow' are the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism."

(http://www.sgi-usa.org/memberresources/resources/buddhist_concepts/bc33_four_universal_vows.php)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Four Universal Vows: Four Pledges Fundamental to Buddhist Practice

The Four Universal Vows: Four Pledges Fundamental to Buddhist Practice

Putting one's entire heart and soul into fulfilling one's vow.

The purpose of Buddhism is to enable each person to attain Buddhahood—to become a Buddha. Perhaps I should note here that this doesn't mean a Buddha in his classic artistic image—after all, many of us are trying to lose weight, and though some may value a good tan, few want to have their bodies emit a golden light. Rather, the real meaning of Buddha is an awakened person. Buddhahood describes a condition of life in which we can best give full play to our individuality, contribute positively to society and lead a happy life, one that is fulfilling and deeply worthwhile.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the first step in practice aimed at developing this state of life called Buddhahood is making a vow or pledge as a bodhisattva. Bodhisattva is the term for one who strives for enlightenment through altruistic practice. There are "four universal vows" made by a bodhisattva upon first awakening an aspiration for enlightenment. They are universal because all Buddhists learn of and adopt their spirit upon beginning their practice.

Nichiren Daishonin says, "At the stage of bodhisattva practice, one upholds the precepts by making four universal vows" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 434). Thus, the purpose and benefit of all of the Buddhist precepts, that is, the rules of discipline of the Buddhist Order, are contained in these four vows.

A "vow" in Buddhism is something one pledges to accomplish, being willing to exert oneself heart and soul to do so. The way or path of bodhisattva practice involves challenging oneself to fulfill these vows no matter what obstacle or difficulty may present itself. In his writing "The Opening of the Eyes," Nichiren Daishonin speaks of his own determination to continue to spread his teachings even in the face of severe opposition: "Here I will make a great vow...whatever obstacles I might encounter, so long as persons of wisdom do not prove my teachings to be false, I will never yield! All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind" (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 280).

This represents his solemn pledge to the people as the true Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law who embodies the three virtues of Sovereign, Teacher and Parent.

Regarding this passage, SGI President Ikeda recently said, "Here we see the Daishonin's 'fighting spirit' of selfless dedication to spreading the Law without begrudging his life. He also confirms that it is his 'great vow' that sustains the spirit. The concepts of 'fighting spirit' and 'great vow' are the essence of the Lotus Sutra and the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism."

While the Daishonin expressed his personal vow in many ways throughout his writings, the four universal vows describe those made by all practitioners, all bodhisattvas, upon embarking on Buddhist practice. They are the vows (1) to save innumerable living beings, (2) to eradicate countless earthly desires, (3) to master immeasurable Buddhist teachings and (4) to attain supreme enlightenment.

The first vow is a pledge to save people from suffering, without favoring or discriminating among them in any way. The second is to overcome the negative influences of desire, suffering and illusion, or "earthly desires." The third is to study and gain a thorough understanding of the teachings and principles of Buddhism. The fourth is to arrive at and demonstrate in one's actions the highest form of awakening—Buddhahood.

If we were to categorize the four, the first, the vow to save living beings, constitutes "practice for others"; the second and third aim at self-improvement and represent "practice for oneself"; and the third is the ultimate purpose of Buddhist practice.

The vow to save others is most essential

The starting point or essence or essence of Buddhist practice exists in the first vow, the vow to save others. Regarding this, Nichiren Daishonin says, "Among the four universal vows, the vow to save innumerable living beings ultimately should be regarded as most essential" (GZ, 846).

The Daishonin also describes the spirit of a bodhisattva to place highest importance on fulfilling the vow to save all living beings as "desiring to attain enlightenment for oneself only after saving all living beings" (GZ, 433). He states that bodhisattvas who make these vows should practice "among ordinary mortals of the six paths, being mindful to place little importance upon oneself while highly valuing others and to take evil upon oneself while providing goodness to others..."(GZ, 433).

The Daishonin calls for us to highly value others by striving to relieve them of suffering and bringing them joy and happiness. To "place little importance upon oneself" doesn't mean to devalue our own existence. Putting aside concerns for immediate personal gain, it actually accords with the highest form of self-respect. This is because working to benefit others causes our own true potential to shine fully, bringing out the very best in us. When people have a strong and genuine desire to help others, the can truly work hard to fulfill their goals and ideals. When we put all of our energy and ability into working for people's happiness, we polish and develop our own potential, tapping undiscovered ability and giving full play to our individuality.

Everyone around us can contribute to our growth

Nichiren Daishonin also wrote, "The first of the four debts is that owed to all living beings. Were it not for them, one would find it impossible to make the vow to save innumerable living beings" (WND, 43).

Everyone we encounter, live with and work with can assist us in our Buddhist practice. If we regard the sufferings of others as our own, and walk with them along the path to a solution to those sufferings, then we are living the core and essence of Buddhist practice.

The first step—the most important practical effort we can take toward such practice—is to consistently and repeatedly engage in and broaden our discussions with others, developing mutual understanding and awareness. Nichiren Daishonin and Shakyamuni valued dialogue highly, and many of the Daishonin's writings and various sutras as well explain how to engage in it most effectively.

In this regard, our discussion meetings are excellent forums for fulfilling these four vows. Our efforts to pray for, reach out to, talk with, and encourage others, particularly those who cannot attend SGI activities, are ideal expressions of our "vow to save innumerable living beings."

Living Buddhism, March 2002, p. 6

 

[BushyOldGrower]

The four universal vows...wow.

Good post. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

I like the sound of those.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Mystic Law is the fundamental driving force that
envelops and penetrates the entire universe.
Through chanting with a strong and powerful prayer,
let's make all the people we encounter our greatest supporters and allies!
Let's make those protective forces of the universe move!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"We strive in our Buddhist practice in order to overcome all of life’s trials and tribulations and become happy. To do that, we need invincible strength. So, what is strength?

“Strong people are often said to have a firm sense of purpose in life, or deeply held convictions, or true friends. We, in the Soka Gakkai, have all three. We have the lofty purpose of realising kosen-rufu and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime. And we have the unshakable conviction that in upholding Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism we can achieve indestructible happiness for ourselves and others. Finally, we have trusted comrades in faith and a Soka family united in a network of friendship, where we mutually encourage and support one another.

"In other words, we possess the best possible conditions to become strong, and it is faith in the Mystic Law that allows us to demonstrate this and become happy.”

SGI Newsletter No. 8786, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 26: Chap. 2, Banner of the Law 30 translated 18th, June, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"And could not this illness of your husband's be the Buddha's design, because the Vimalakirti and Nirvana sutras both teach that sick people will surely attain Buddhahood? Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way."

(The Good Medicine for All Ills - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 937) Selection source: "Myoji no Gen", Seikyo Shimbun, June 13th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Therefore, we know that the prayers offered by a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will be answered just as an echo answers a sound, as a shadow follows a form, as the reflection of the moon appears in clear water, (as a mirror collects dewdrops, as a magnet attracts iron, as amber attracts particles of dust, or as a clear mirror reflects the colour of an object.)"

Gosho: "On Prayer", Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 1, page 340 Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, June 19th, 2013