Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[PassTheDoobie]

I have missed you all so much! Shout-outs to everyone, and my fellow December birthday boys SoCal and Babba. Our business is growing and so are the demands to manage it. I haven't been as busy as I am now in years.

We just scored a mansion at the top of a mountain. Actual proof has been appearing all around, including several months of attacks by the three powerful enemies. As I enter the seventh decade of my life I am full of gratitude, and now ask for you to allow me to share with you what I continue to learn.

I will launch the humble beginnings of the Ted Osaki Center for the Development of Youth, next year. We already lived in a large house, but the new one's swimming pool is bigger than our current living room. We will devote this new place to being a place to study the teachings and gain benefit from correct understanding.

My Dad is still kicking against all odds, and I will return to see him within two weeks. I never stop thinking of all of you! I have been training for the events that will unfold next year. I am reading the Gosho constantly, and am understanding it more deeply than ever before. It all started here, and I deeply apologize for my absence.

Never stop deepening your faith. Truly, nothing is impossible if we continue to have faith. We are all Thus Come Ones of Original Enlightenment, Eternally Endowed with the Three Bodies! LIVE IT! Reveal the Truth of your True Identity!

Gypsy says hello to everyone and hopes you will all continue in your prayers for his freedom!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

Thomas

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

“The SGI is brimming with fresh energy, and has become a truly awesome organisation. Members in 192 countries and territories are advancing with joy and keen seeking spirit in faith. I wish to praise each and every one of our members for their tremendous efforts.

"We have been able to build such a solid organisation because our members everywhere are so passionate and committed. They are really striving with sincere dedication.

“I hope that our leaders of the new age of kosen-rufu will give foremost thought to how they can contribute to members’ happiness and bring them joy.

"Those who immediately rush to the side of people who are suffering; those who are fully dedicated to the welfare of others and society—they will achieve ultimate victory in life. Their efforts enable them to develop diamond-like strength and fortitude.”

SGI Newsletter No. 8903, On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu—I , (36) “Not Once Have I Thought of Retreat”, from 21st Oct., 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated 27th Dec. 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"[This is an incomparably greater wonder than] fire being produced by a stone taken from the bottom of a river, or a lantern lighting up a place that has been dark for a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand years."

(The One Essential Phrase - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 923) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, Decmeber 29th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

If we have the chance to go back to our hometown
(during this holiday season),
let's try to spend some time
to chat with our relatives and old friends.
Let's take every possible opportunity
to enlarge the circle of our friends and
develop our bonds of trust with the people we meet.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Leave such people strictly alone. The time will certainly come when, by the workings of Brahmā, Shakra, and other gods, the entire Japanese nation will simultaneously take faith in the Lotus Sutra. At that time, I am convinced, many people will insist that they too have believed since the very beginning."

(The Workings of Brahmā and Shakra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 800) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, December 23rd, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Daishonin states,
"Where there is unseen virtue, there will be visible reward."*
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to
all those members who have dedicatedly and tirelessly played,
behind the scenes throughout the year,
the roles of support and help for all the participants at our meetings.
By taking good care of our health and always staying safe,
first and foremost,
let's add another golden year to our lives!

Daisaku Ikeda

*"Unseen Virtue and Visible Reward" - WND, page 907

http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-1/Content/117

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I don't think T is scared about anything. He's not the one that colluded with certain American snitches, that have blatantly leached off Gypsy for as long as this site has been up. In fact, the same loathsome folks that caused Gypsy this current chapter of turmoil may also be still hurting themselves and other people. Please be careful friends and especially beware of so called Breeders and their "wares".

You know people ask me all the time, please chant for this, please chant for that. I always encourage everyone, please chant for yourself and your particular circumstances. Although I may chant for others and their needs/wants/etc. the most powerful prayers are those sincere prayers between you and the Gohonzon. Year after year I continually advance and that is no coincidence. Nichiren Daishonin is the Gohonzon Buddha, I chant to Nichiren himself. That is why cause and effect is so strict and this practice works for me and others like me. It is because we make the cause to chant Daimoku with Nichiren and realize that is our highest state of life. We're Buddhas when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon and our powers are always emerging and lighting up the way for us.

I've been attacked like crazy before joining this kosen-rufu movement, before this site started and throughout my life. So many attacks and I look/feel better than ever. The reason for this is because I continually help others join this practice and to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Even if its a single time someone chants with me, I also tell them about the SGI and Nichiren Daishonin. The SGI is your conduit to receive your Gohonzon and be supported as you begin your practice. The organization varies from country to territory to zones, but the practice is always based on sincere prayers to the Gohonzon. Whether your gongyo is roaring or you're just chanting daimoku, please keep it going and keep it going with a purpose. So many people need this practice, not only us.

Please have confidence that T is ok because he always will be since he makes the daily choice to win in front of the Gohonzon every morning. I'm still focused on maintaining my consistency towards chanting more and more each day, my daimoku is the key to the life I choose to succeed in everyday!

Wishing everyone well and hope to hear some of your local experiences chanting and attending meetings! If you're chanting alone, go find someone so you could do this thing we call Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism correctly and together!

Be strong and go forward every moment with FAITH!

Well said Brother! No worries! Thanks to all of you for caring!!!

Thomas

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!!

Thomas ((((hugs)))))))

 

[Payaso]

What a delight to see Thomas back chanting and teaching again! Light at the end of the tunnel indeed! Today has been fraught with revelations of the many enemies who have struggled against us, and here is Thomas to reassure us that we need to keep roaring collectively, as a community, to be strong enough to survive.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and a double chant to Gypsy! We're still here for you and continue the quest:

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The more gold is heated in the flames, the brighter will be its color; the more a sword is whetted, the sharper it will become. And the more one praises the blessings of the Lotus Sutra, the more one’s own blessings will increase."

(The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 673) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's guidance, Seikyo Shimbun, December 1st, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

“Whether our home and family relationships move in the direction of harmony and become a ‘pure land,’ or end up more strained and unpleasant, becoming an ‘impure land,’ all depends on our inner determination.

“Chant daimoku earnestly to polish your character and cultivate a big, kind heart to warmly embrace your family, a strong invincible spirit, and rich wisdom. Bringing flowers of happiness to bloom in your family will become a powerful force for advancing kosen-rufu in your community.”

SGI Newsletter No. 8872, The New Human Revolution -- Vol. 26: Chap. 3, Valiant Leaders 14, translated 20th Nov. 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

“’The voice does the Buddha’s work' (cf. OTT, 4). How important it is that we talk with others, that we engage in dialogue! Armed with perseverance and wearing the ‘robe of gentleness and patience' (WND-2, 602), let us make a point of always speaking to others with bright and vibrant voices. Let us hold warm dialogues, happy dialogues. Let us hold dialogues that inspire and encourage. Let us hold dialogues brimming with philosophy. Such dialogues are what will pave the way to a truly human and humane world. And let us work hard to link those dialogues to the ongoing victory of our movement.”

SGI Newsletter No. 8893, The following are excerpts from the 48th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting in Tokyo on July 18th, 2000. These excerpts were featured in a video of the speech, which was shown during the 2nd Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting of the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu, held in conjunction with the Okinawa Prefecture General Meeting, in Okinawa on Dec. 8th, 2013. The excerpted text appeared in the Dec. 17th, 2013, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wnd-2/Content/259

the ‘robe of gentleness and patience' (WND-2, 602),

The robe of gentleness and patience is described in the “Teacher of the Law” chapter of the Lotus Sutra. This chapter says that those who wish to expound the Lotus Sutra after the Thus Come One’s extinction should “enter the Thus Come One’s room, put on the Thus Come One’s robe, sit in the Thus Come One’s seat . . .” According to this chapter, the Thus Come One’s robe is “the mind that is gentle and forbearing.” A gentle and forbearing mind enables one to uphold the Law while bearing insult with grace and equanimity. The sutra also says, “Gentleness and patience are the robe.”

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province."

(The Properties of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1117) Selection source: "Rashinban", Seikyo Shimbun, Decmeber 29th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Celebrating together our glorious victories of this year, let's give three cheers to everyone in our Soka family! The benefits that each one of you has accumulated (through your tireless dedication to achieving kosen-rufu) is boundless and immeasurable. Now, brimming with life force from time without beginning (by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon), let's all start anew towards the new era!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I HOPE YOU WILL ALL KEEP POSTING UP AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE BEEN!!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Life and society are filled with challenges. Looking around, we see various organisations deadlocked and lacking vitality. We live in a time when the future is uncertain. But organisations that can break through stalemate and press ahead will be able to succeed and thrive. That’s why we must keep moving forwards. This present moment is decisive. Nichiren Daishonin proclaims: ‘Not once have I thought of retreat' (WND-2, 465).

"The deeper the darkness, the brighter the humanism of Nichiren Buddhism shines. We must never retreat a single step in our struggle. My mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda declared: 'We are carrying out a great revolution. It is not a revolution waged by military force or political power. It is a nonviolent revolution—the human revolution. This is the true revolution.’

"When we advance, we will meet resistance, we will come up against obstacles. And when we think we can go no farther, that’s when the real challenge begins. That’s the time for us to chant with even greater determination and take courageous action.

"We can change the situation. We can expand our life condition. It’s important that we strive wholeheartedly in this existence, so that we can look back on our lives with no regrets.”

SGI Newsletter No. 8903, On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu—I , (36) “Not Once Have I Thought of Retreat”, from 21st Oct., 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated 27th Dec. 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth."

(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 385) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, Decmeber 28th, 2013

 

[Payaso]

...must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth...

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Roar!