Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[PassTheDoobie]

"The Bodhisattvas of the Earth practise and spread the correct teaching of Buddhism in their respective places, just as they are, in the defiled age of the Latter Day of the Law. When we awaken to our identity as a Bodhisattva of the Earth and begin our struggle for kosen-rufu right where we are, the invincible life force of a Bodhisattva of the Earth will pulse within us, the protective functions of the universe will protect us, and we will enjoy infinite benefit.

"However, if fellow members allow conflict and antagonism to develop between, they can end up erasing their benefit and straying from the path to happiness."

SGI Newsletter No. 8786, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 26: Chap. 2, Banner of the Law 31 translated 18th, June, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Both life and Buddhism are about victory or defeat.
There is a constant battle within
to emerge victorious over our weaknesses.
Let's cherish every single moment of our lives
and live every single day without any regrets!
Let's live out the purpose of our lives to the very fullest!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"“In ‘The Fourteen Slanders,’ the Daishonin writes about the fourteen types of slander of the Lotus Sutra.[1] The last four are despising, hating, envying, and bearing grudges, especially against those who embrace the Gohonzon. This describes, in other words, ill feelings or hostility towards one’s fellow members.

“Because Nichiren Daishonin considers these fourteen slanders as extremely grave offenses, he writes, ‘You must be on guard against them’ (WND-1, 756). Slander and jealousy not only erase your own benefit and good fortune, they also undermine our organisation that is working for kosen-rufu. That’s what makes them so harmful.

“Looking closely at local organisations where members have trouble uniting, things don’t run smoothly, and members are giving their all but aren’t receiving benefit, you can see that the underlying problem is slander and jealousy.”

SGI Newsletter No. 8786, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 26: Chap. 2, Banner of the Law 31 translated 18th, June, 2013

[1] Fourteen types of slander enumerated in The Annotations on “The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra” by Miao-lo (711-782) based on the contents of the “Simile and Parable” (3rd) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. They consist of fourteen offenses against the Law, or the Buddha’s teachings, and against the people who believe in and practice it. They are (1) arrogance, (2) negligence, (3) wrong views of the self, (4) shallow understanding, (5) attachment to earthly desires, (6) not understanding, (7) not believing, (8) scowling with knitted brows, (9) harboring doubts, (10) slandering, (11) despising, (12) hating, (13) envying, and (14) bearing grudges. According to the “Simile and Parable” chapter, the last four offenses are leveled at the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The chapter reads, “If this person should slander a sutra such as this, or on seeing those who read, recite, copy, and uphold this sutra, should despise, hate, envy, or bear grudges against them, the penalty this person must pay—listen, I will tell you now: When his life comes to an end he will enter the Avichi hell.” (LSOC, 110)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The key to us being victorious in life
lies in the single word "courage."
Let's advance proudly with our heads held high!
Let's make the memory of our present lives remain
as the only memory of our present life in this human world.*

Daisaku Ikeda

*"Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same; that will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world." - "Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra", WND-I, page 64

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other. 'All others who bear you enmity or malice will likewise be wiped out.' These golden words will never prove false."

(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1001) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, June 21st, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Why do slander and jealousy arise between fellow members, or sometimes even between leaders, who are all upholding the Mystic Law?

“The Daishonin writes: ‘The fourteen slanders described in the “Simile and Parable” chapter represent the embodiment of a lack of faith’ (WND-2, 24). The fundamental cause of slander lies in members not being able to believe that we are all Bodhisattvas of the Earth and emissaries of the Buddha, and disbelief in the Mystic Law and the Buddhist teaching of causality governing life."

SGI Newsletter No. 8786, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 26: Chap. 2, Banner of the Law 31 translated 18th, June, 2013

 

[Babbabud]

Chants for Brother Jimmy
RIP Jimmy
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Chants for Brother Jimmy
RIP Jimmy
Nam myoho renge kyo

Daimoku for another never fails to return to you...

It doesn't matter if one knew the other person, you took a vow....

or if you haven't, you can make it now! I starts with compassion

and a desire for the happiness of others! Chant for Jimmy!

We're all goin to be there ourselves one day!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Dialogue is a heart-to-heart symphony. It can produce a dynamic rhythm of progress, a harmony of mutual trust, and a melody of fresh creativity.

"The renowned Danish educator Hans Henningsen declared: 'Dialogue has meaning precisely when opinions, views, and personalities are entirely different.'[1]

"It takes courage to initiate a dialogue, but when we do so, we open the way for fresh concord and mutual understanding."

SGI Newsletter No. 8785, Win with Courage and Conviction!, from the July 2013 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated 18th June, 2013

[1] Daisaku Ikeda and Hans Henningsen, Ashita o Tsukuru Kyoiku no Seigyo: Denmaku to Nihon Yujo no Katarai (The Sacred Work of Education for Shaping the Future: Denmark-Japan Friendship), (Tokyo: Ushio Shuppansha, 2009), p. 332. Quoted from the original English text.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law?"

(Happiness in This World - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 681) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, June 22nd, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's establish in our local community,
the type of society that is full of hope
where the dignity of life is truly upheld.
Towards achieving the great lofty goal of kosen-rufu,
together with our respectworthy fellow members,
let's devote ourselves boldly and confidently to our activities!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Based on the boundless view of life taught in Nichiren Buddhism, all people possess the Buddha nature; all embody the 'mutual possession of the Ten Worlds' and the 'three thousand realms in a single moment of life.' As members of the SGI, we reach out to others in dialogue, respecting each person’s individuality, and seek to share with them the humanistic ideals of Nichiren Buddhism for the sake of happiness and peace for all people.

"When we have strong faith and conviction in the life-affirming philosophy we uphold, we can calmly and broad-mindedly embrace others and carry on a meaningful exchange with them."

SGI Newsletter No. 8785, Win with Courage and Conviction!, from the July 2013 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated 18th June, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith."

(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412) Selection source: "Suntetsu", Seikyo Shimbun, June 23rd, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If one gives food to others, one will improve one's own lot, just as, for example, if one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way."

(On the Three Virtues of Food - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 1060)
Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, May 22nd, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"'I, Nichiren, am the richest man in all of present-day Japan. I have dedicated my life to the Lotus Sutra, and my name will be handed down in ages to come.'- From "The Opening of the Eyes" (WND-1, 268).

Nichiren Daishonin made this declaration while in exile on Sado Island. Amid a time of unprecedented adversity, he demonstrated a dauntless, towering state of life as vast as the universe itself.

​We of the SGI are true heirs to the Daishonin's spirit. No hardships, therefore, can intimidate us. Let's continue to achieve brilliant, lasting victories based on the Mystic Law, taking pride in the fact that we are accumulating the 'treasures of the heart that are the most valuable of all' (cf. WND-1, 851) through our activities for kosen-rufu."

SGI Newsletter No. 8766 (Translated from the May 21st, 2013, issue of the Seikyo Shinbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper)

 

[TheDanishBuddha]

"'I, Nichiren, am the richest man in all of present-day Japan. I have dedicated my life to the Lotus Sutra, and my name will be handed down in ages to come.'- From "The Opening of the Eyes" (WND-1, 268).

Nichiren Daishonin made this declaration while in exile on Sado Island. Amid a time of unprecedented adversity, he demonstrated a dauntless, towering state of life as vast as the universe itself.

​We of the SGI are true heirs to the Daishonin's spirit. No hardships, therefore, can intimidate us. Let's continue to achieve brilliant, lasting victories based on the Mystic Law, taking pride in the fact that we are accumulating the 'treasures of the heart that are the most valuable of all' (cf. WND-1, 851) through our activities for kosen-rufu."

SGI Newsletter No. 8766 (Translated from the May 21st, 2013, issue of the Seikyo Shinbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper)

Yes Sir

 

[TheDanishBuddha]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 25, 2013:

There are trails in the sky where birds fly, but people cannot recognize them. There are paths in the sea along which fish swim, but people cannot perceive them. All people and things of the four continents are reflected in the moon without a single exception, but people cannot see them. But they are visible to the heavenly eye. In like manner, ordinary people cannot see that the "Treasure Tower" chapter exists within the body of Lady Nichinyo, but Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions perceive it. I, Nichiren, also presume this to be the case.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 25, 2013:

There are trails in the sky where birds fly, but people cannot recognize them. There are paths in the sea along which fish swim, but people cannot perceive them. All people and things of the four continents are reflected in the moon without a single exception, but people cannot see them. But they are visible to the heavenly eye. In like manner, ordinary people cannot see that the "Treasure Tower" chapter exists within the body of Lady Nichinyo, but Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions perceive it. I, Nichiren, also presume this to be the case.

Those who chant daimoku seriously and earnestly
and take courageous action towards achieving their goals and targets
are the champions of human revolution.
For all the hard work that we do for the sake of kosen-rufu,
our lives reap benefits that shine with brilliance!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you."

(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 502) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, June 24th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Gaining proficiency in Buddhist study—requiring a rigour and diligence that can be likened to training with a master swordsman—is a Soka Gakkai tradition, and the organisation must never depart from this fundamental spirit. But it is important to ensure that systems are modified and updated to keep pace with the times. When an organisation fails to respond promptly to changing times, it will become rigid and in-adaptable."

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