Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[Lapides]

Our life is shaped by our self-mind; we become what we think.

—Gautama Buddha

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life."

(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 283) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 15th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Our life is shaped by our self-mind; we become what we think.

—Gautama Buddha

Understanding and agreeing with the point, so please don't misunderstand what I'm about to say. We have a simple request here that when you provide a quote that you attribute its source. It's not enough to say the Buddha said this; we appreciate you explaining where he said it (what sutra).

Without that, since the Buddha lived more than 2500 years ago and never wrote down any of his teachings and neither did anyone as he was preaching them, to quote him is potentially misleading. Anyone can say anything and say that the source is whatever.

I'm not giving you a hard time or discouraging your posting! It's been that way for nine years here. Just so you know!

Bowing in humble obeisance,




T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The dove has changed into a hawk, the sparrow into a clam. How gratifying! You have associated with a friend in the orchid room and have become as straight as mugwort growing among hemp."

(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land- The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 23) Selection Source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shinbun, August 9th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's always be sure to express our heartfelt appreciation
to all of our family members
especially if they are not practising this Buddhism.
It's thanks to their warm and understanding support
that our kosen-rufu movement can truly advance.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend on your faith; [if it is not] I will in no way be to blame."

(Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1079) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 20th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

It is our own hearts that can move other's hearts.
Our wholehearted sincere efforts to speak out
for justice and truth is what will change history.
Let's boldly and confidently engage in dialogue
with as many people as possible
and clearly let them know what our movement is all about.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"We use our voices to refute the erroneous and reveal the true. When we speak in earnest, we can vanquish devilish functions. Our vibrant, invigorating voices can completely change others' hearts. The important thing is for us to share our convictions with honesty and courage. The voice of truth is the spark that awakens others. Young people have a special mission in this regards.

"​Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren's followers are like roaring lions' (WND-1, 997). He is calling on his disciples to speak out with the same spirit as he did. The united declarations of mentor and disciple are 'a lion's roar.'"

SGI Newsletter No. 8807, Humanistic Teachings for Victory, (11) The Spirit of "Refuting the Erroneous and Revealing the True", translated July 19th, 2012, from the July 4th, 2012 Soka Shinpo, the Soka Gakkai youth division fortnightly newspaper.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"What can we say, then, of persons who are devoting themselves to Buddhism? Surely they should not forget the debts of gratitude they owe to their parents, their teachers, and their country. But if one intends to repay these great debts of gratitude, one can hope to do so only if one learns and masters Buddhism, becoming a person of wisdom."

(On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 690) Selection Source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shinbun, August 10th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"All of our efforts are connected to the Gohonzon, to kosen-rufu, and to our practice of the Daishonin's Buddhism. Please have profound conviction that every effort you are making will turn into benefit.

"​Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda declared: 'Didn't the Daishonin struggle his entire life? Doesn't he state in his writings: "Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat" (WND-1, 835)? We have no choice, therefore, but to challenge ourselves.'

"​Without challenging ourselves, we tend to grow lazy and complacent. When we try to overcome various hardships, we can do our human revolution. That's why we must continue challenging ourselves."

SGI Newsletter No. 8820, On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu—II, (11) Faith Means Exerting Ourselves Bravely and Vigorously, translated 6th Aug., 2013 from the 18th March, 2013 Seikyo Shinbun

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The Venerable Maudgalyayana put his faith in the Lotus Sutra, which is the greatest good there is, and thus not only did he himself attain Buddhahood, but his father and mother did so as well. And, amazing as it may seem, all the fathers and mothers of the preceding seven generations and the seven generations that followed, indeed, of countless lifetimes before and after, were able to become Buddhas."

(On Offerings for Deceased Ancestors - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 820) Selection Source: SGI President Ikeda's guidance, Seikyo Shinbun, August 11th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's try to make the best use of the limited time we have.
When we try to challenge our weaknesses,
we inevitably discover something new about ourselves
that we never thought we were capable of before.
Let's always aim at creating value each and every day!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Buddhism means exerting ourselves bravely and vigorously. Let's chant daimoku and, with unsurpassed courage, keep pressing ever forward. When we shine with this spirit of brave and vigorous exertion, an eternally youthful life force will well forth within us."

SGI Newsletter No. 8820, On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu—II, (11) Faith Means Exerting Ourselves Bravely and Vigorously, translated 6th Aug., 2013 from the 18th March, 2013 Seikyo Shinbun

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"One who destroys or brings confusion to the Buddha's teachings is betraying them. If one befriends another person but lacks the mercy to correct him, one is in fact his enemy. One who rids the offender of evil is acting as his parent."

(Errors of the True Word and Other Schools - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 2, page 435) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 19th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The principle of 'establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land' is the essence of Nichiren Buddhism.
​
"Nichiren Daishonin directly confronted the devilish nature in human life that inflicts suffering and misery on people.
​
"Only by refuting error can the truth be established. It is crucial that the youth of the SGI blaze with the dauntless spirit of 'refuting the erroneous and revealing the true,' just like Nichiren Daishonin.
​
"Truth is strength. We must courageously demonstrate that strength, letting it resonate as powerful conviction in our words.
​
"My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, often said: 'Advance with courage and confidence!'

"​Therefore, while always being gentle to those who are suffering, let's be resolute in our opposition to corruption and wrongdoing, with the same spirit as the Daishonin. When we take action for the sake of good in this way, we will gain benefit without fail."

SGI Newsletter No. 8807, Humanistic Teachings for Victory, (11) The Spirit of "Refuting the Erroneous and Revealing the True", translated July 19th, 2012, from the July 4th, 2012 Soka Shinpo, the Soka Gakkai youth division fortnightly newspaper.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Tell them to be prepared for the worst, and not to expect good times, but take the bad times for granted."

(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 998) Selection Source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shinbun, July 17th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"A women's division member, who since then has constantly engaged in sincere dialogue to support friends who were suffering and to help improve her community, said with a smile: 'Though the person you reach out to may rebuff you, their inner Buddha nature is saying thank you. That's why I have roused myself with the knowledge that I must never give up on anyone, but continue to speak to their heart. I want to help as many people as possible form a connection to Nichiren Buddhism and enable them to receive good fortune. I will win with courage and gratitude as long as I live!'"

SGI Newsletter No. 8785, SGI President Ikeda's Editorial, translated from the July 2013 issue of the Daibyakurenge

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If in a single moment of life we exhaust the pains and trials of millions of kalpas, then instant after instant there will arise in us the three Buddha bodies with which we are eternally endowed. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is just such a 'diligent' practice."

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 790, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 214) Selection Source: Myoji no Gen, Seikyo Shinbun, July 16th, 20

 

[easyDaimoku]

"The Thus Come One of original englightenment marked by these three factors (the Thus Come One of the manifested body "appearance", the Thus Come One of the reward body "nature", and the Thus Come One of the Dharma Body "entity"*) embodies in flesh the phenomenal realm of the ten directions, has for his mind nature the phenomenal realm of the ten directions, and takes on for his appearance and auspicious features the phenomenal realm of the ten directions. Thus one's own body becomes the body of the Thus Come One of original enlightenment endowed with the three bodies. It pervades and embraces the whole phenomenal world and manifests the functions of a single Buddha. Hence, as a Buddha explained in his preaching, all phenomena are manifestations of the Buddhist Law.

When he did so, all the beings who were seated in the assembly, the four kinds of believers, the eight kinds of nonhuman beings, the animals, the non-Buddhist believers, all without a single exception instantly cast off the distorted thoughts of delusion, returned to the waking state of the original enlightenment, and thus attained the Buddha way."

"The Unanimous Declaration of the Buddhas"

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Volume 2 Page 841

*In quoting this passage I paraphrased Nichiren's words with respect to the three factors. For further clarity this is the preceeding paragraph on the same page:

"One's own mind, the mind nature, and the mind entity- these three are the three bodies of the Thus Come One of original enlightenment within one's own body. This is what the Lotus Sutura means when it speaks of the three factors, "appearance" (the Thus Come One of the manifested body), "nature" (the Thus Come One of the reward body), and "entity" (the Thus Come One of the Dharma Body)."

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo