Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[PassTheDoobie]

"Until kosen-rufu is achieved, propagate the Law to the full extent of your ability without begrudging your life."

(Nikko Shonin's 26 Admonitions - Gosho Zenshu, page 1617) Selection Source: New Human Revolution - Brave Generals - 64 , Seikyo Shinbun, April 29th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Our daily practice of gongyo and chanting daimoku also has a significance linked to the Ceremony in the Air. The Daishonin writes:

"This mandala [the Gohonzon] is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honoured One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas who were Shakyamuni’s emanations as perfectly as a print matches its woodblock. (WND-1, 831)

"As this passage indicates, the Gohonzon is a depiction of the Ceremony in the Air.

"Through chanting earnestly before the Gohonzon, we make a vow for kosen-rufu, and then take action in society. Because of that vow, limitless power wells forth within us as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, filling us with courage and wisdom.

"'I will open the way for kosen-rufu! I will challenge this task today! I will lead the way to victory!'"

SGI Newsletter No. 8756, Our Brilliant Path to Victory, Eternal March 16th, from the March 20th, 2013, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated April 26th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The Lotus Sutra describes the mission of a Bodhisattva of the Earth as follows:

"'As the light of the sun and moon
can banish all obscurity and gloom,
so this person as he advances through the world
can wipe out the darkness of living beings.' (LSOC21, 318)

"A deep darkness shrouds contemporary society. That is precisely why it is time for us, as practitioners of the Daishonin’s Buddhism of the sun, to take action.

"I call on all of you, the lionhearted successors to our movement, to set forth! With confident prayer, courageous action, and voices dedicated to truth, please brilliantly illuminate all humanity!

"My disciples, may you advance resolutely along our shared path."

SGI Newsletter No. 8756, Our Brilliant Path to Victory, Eternal March 16th, from the March 20th, 2013, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated April 26th, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Come, now is the time for the great expansion of kosen rufu.
What creates history is for each one of us to have the stand-alone spirit.
It's to have the tenacity to carry through with all of our challenges, today.
Let's forge ahead purposefully with the power and momentum of a charging lion!*

Daisaku Ikeda

* Gosho -Reply to Kyo'o - WND-1, pg 412, "The lion king is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal. In inscribing this Gohonzon for her protection, Nichiren was like the lion king. This is what the sutra means by 'the power [of the Buddhas] that has the lion's ferocity.'"

 

[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.) This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbour doubts and abandon their faith. Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes."

(The Opening of the Eyes- The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 283) Selection Source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shinbun September 17th, 2012 Selection Source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shinbun, May 1st, 2013

 

[PassTheDoobie]

...Thanks for realizing that we chant for all of us if truly enlightened.

From what has been taught we become The Buddha when we chant. We then want what is best for our universe. Be the Buddha even for just a moment...

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...

...for just a moment--this moment--is all that truly exists, and is shared by all things everywhere. And thanks to the latest “M” theory, ‘Beginningless Time’ (Kuon Ganjo) is in the process of being proven through study of the physical sciences. The research indicates that there are an INFINITE number of UNIVERSES, without beginning or end. But it all shares each moment, with us, each moment of each day for our whole lives. Though we rarely think of it, it is always there...one moment at a time....

Bowing in humble obeisance,

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

PS: In Buddhism, a 'moment' is a measurement of life, not of time.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Introduction to M-theory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is an accessible, non-technical introduction to the subject. For the main encyclopedia article, see M-theory.

In non-technical terms, M-theory presents an idea about the basic substance of the universe.

Background

In the early years of the 20th century, the atom – long believed to be the smallest building-block of matter – was proven to consist of even smaller components called protons, neutrons and electrons, which are known as subatomic particles. Beginning in the 1960s, other subatomic particles were discovered. In the 1970s, it was discovered that protons and neutrons (and other hadrons) are themselves made up of smaller particles called quarks. Quantum theory is the set of rules that describes the interactions of these particles.

In the 1980s, a new mathematical model of theoretical physics called string theory emerged. It showed how all the particles, and all of the forms of energy in the universe, could be constructed by hypothetical one-dimensional "strings", infinitesimal building-blocks that have only the dimension of length, but not height nor width. Further, string theory suggested that the universe is made up of multiple dimensions. Height, width, and length constitute three-dimensional space, and time gives a total of four observable dimensions; however, string theories initially supported the possibility of ten dimensions – the remaining six of which we cannot detect directly. This was later increased to 11 dimensions based on various interpretations of the ten dimensional theory that led to five partial theories as described below. Super-gravity theory also played a significant part in establishing the necessity of the 11th dimension.

These "strings" vibrate in multiple dimensions, and depending on how they vibrate, they might be seen in three-dimensional space as matter, light, or gravity. It is the vibration of the string which determines whether it appears to be matter or energy, and every form of matter or energy is the result of the vibration of strings.

String theory, as mentioned above, ran into a problem: another version of the equations was discovered, then another, and then another. Eventually, there were five major string theories. The main differences between each theory were principally the number of dimensions in which the strings developed, and their characteristics (some were open loops, some were closed loops, etc.). Furthermore, all these theories appeared to be correct. Scientists were not comfortable with five seemingly contradictory sets of equations to describe the same thing.

In 1994, a string theorist named Edward Witten of the Institute for Advanced Study and other important researchers considered that the five different versions of string theory might be describing the same thing seen from different perspectives. They proposed a unifying theory called "M-theory", in which the "M" is not specifically defined, but is generally understood to stand for "membrane". The words "matrix", "mother", "monster", "mystery", "magic" have also been claimed. M-theory brought all of the string theories together. It did this by asserting that strings are really 1-dimensional slices of a 2-dimensional membrane vibrating in 11-dimensional space.

Status

M-theory is not yet complete, but the underlying structure of the mathematics has been established and is in agreement with all the string theories. Furthermore, it has passed many tests of internal mathematical consistency.

Until some way is found to observe the yet hypothetical higher dimensions, which are needed for consistency reasons, M-theory has a very difficult time making predictions that can be tested in a laboratory. Technologically, it may never be possible for it to be experimentally confirmed.

Some cosmologists are drawn to M-theory because of its mathematical elegance and relative simplicity. Physicist and author Michio Kaku has remarked that M-theory may present us with a "Theory of Everything" which is so concise that its underlying formula would fit on a T-shirt. Stephen Hawking originally believed that M-theory may be the ultimate theory but later suggested that the search for understanding of mathematics and physics will never be complete.

Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, in the popular scientific book The Grand Design, take a philosophical position to support a view of the universe as a multiverse, and define it in the book as model-dependent realism which along with a sum-over-histories approach (see Path integral formulation of Quantum mechanics) to the universe as a whole, is used to claim that M-theory is the only candidate for a complete theory of the universe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_M-theory

 

[PassTheDoobie]

A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering / WND pg. 33

A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering / WND pg. 33

When I asked him about what you told me the other day, I found it to be exactly as you said. You should therefore strive in faith more than ever to receive the blessings of the Lotus Sutra. Listen with the ears of Shih K'uang and observe with the eyes (1) of Li Lou.

In the Latter Day of the Law, the votary of the Lotus Sutra will appear without fail. The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith. Doesn't a fire burn more briskly when logs are added? All rivers flow into the sea, but does the sea turn back their waters? The currents of hardship pour into the sea of the Lotus Sutra and rush against its votary. The river is not rejected by the ocean; nor does the votary reject suffering. Were it not for the flowing rivers, there would be no sea. Likewise, without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra. As T'ien-t'ai stated, "The various rivers flow into the sea, and logs make a (2) fire burn more briskly."

You should realize that it is because of a profound karmic relationship from the past that you can teach others even a sentence or phrase of the Lotus Sutra. The sutra reads, "Nor will they hear the correct Law - such people are difficult (3) to save." The "correct Law" means the Lotus Sutra; it is difficult tosave those who are deaf to the teachings of this sutra.

A passage from the "Teacher of the Law" chapter reads: "If one of these good men or good women [in the time after I have passed into extinction is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that] he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One." This means that anyone who teaches others even a single phrase of the Lotus Sutra is the envoy of the Thus Come One, whether that person be priest or layman, nun or laywoman. You are already a lay practitioner and therefore one of the "good men" described in the sutra. One who listens to even a sentence or phrase of the sutra and cherishes it deep in one's heart may be likened to a ship that crosses the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. The Great Teacher Miao-lo stated, "Even a single phrase cherished deep in one's heart will without fail help one reach the opposite shore. To ponder one phrase and practice it is to (4) exercise navigation." Only the ship of Myoho-renge-kyo enables one to cross the sea of the sufferings of birth and death.

The Lotus Sutra speaks of "someone finding a ship in which to cross the (5) water." This "ship" might be described as follows: As a shipbuilder of infinitely profound wisdom, the World-Honored One of Great Enlightenment, the lord of teachings, gathered the lumber of the four flavors and eight teachings, planed it by honestly discarding the provisional teachings, cut and assembled the planks, forming a perfect (6) unity of both right and wrong, and completed the craft by driving home the spikes of the one true teaching that is comparable to the flavor of ghee. Thus he launched the ship upon the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. Unfurling its sails of the three thousand realms on the mast of the one true teaching of the Middle Way, driven by the fair wind of (7) "the true aspect of all phenomena," the vessel surges ahead, carrying aboard all people who can "gain entrance through (8) faith alone." The Thus Come One Shakyamuni is at the helm, the Thus Come One Many Treasures takes up the mooring rope, and the four bodhisattvas led by Superior Practices row quickly, matching one another as perfectly as a box and its lid. This is the ship in "a ship in which to cross the water." Those who are able to board it are the disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren. Believe this wholeheartedly. When you visit Shijo Kingo, please have an earnest talk with him. I will write you again in more detail.

With my deep respect,

Nichiren

The twenty-eighth day of the fourth
month

To Shiiji Shiro

Background:

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Kamakura in the first year of Kocho (1261), about two weeks before he was exiled to Ito in Izu. Virtually nothing is known about the recipient, Shiiji Shiro, other than that he lived in the province of Suruga and was acquainted with two of the Daishonin's leading disciples, Shijo Kingo and Toki Jonin.

The title of this letter is drawn froma passage in the "Medicine King" chapter of the Lotus Sutra that speaks of "a ship in which to cross the water." In this letter, the Daishonin teaches that the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is the "ship" that can unfailingly transport one across the sea of life's in-evitable sufferings to the distant shore of enlightenment.

Notes:

1. Shih K'uang, in Chinese legend, was a court musician whose sense of hearing was so keen that he could judge the quality of a newly cast bell, where ordinary musicians could not. Li Lou's sight was so acute that he could see the tip of a hair at a hundred paces.
2. Great Concentration and Insight.
3. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2.
4. The Annotations on "The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra." "The opposite shore" represents nirvana, or enlightenment, while this shore where we live represents illusion.
5. Lotus Sutra, chap. 23.
6. "Forming a perfect unity of both right and wrong" means that both good and evil are eternally inherent in life. Provisional sutras hold that wicked people can-not attain enlightenment, but the Lotus Sutra reveals that even such people possess the Buddha nature, giving the example of Devadatta attaining Buddhahood.
7. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2.
8. Ibid., chap. 3.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat."

(The Hero of the World - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 835) Selection Source: SGI President Ikeda's guidance, Seikyo Shinbun, October 14th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Steady, persistent efforts are the source for all victories in kosen-rufu. Let’s advance—steadily, like flowing water.

"Those who keep making steady efforts are truly admirable. Those who always apply themselves earnestly to their studies or anything they take on are unbeatable.

"In leading our movement for kosen-rufu, it’s important to burn with the spirit to share the Daishonin’s Buddhism, and to keep a strong focus on the basics of morning and evening gongyo, meetings, personal guidance, and inspirational dialogue.

"Doing what needs to be done, and continuing to do so steadily and persistently—such conduct is truly respectworthy. Don’t allow yourselves to be swayed by the ups and downs of the times.

"When a train leaves its tracks, it’s a disaster. In the same way, we should stay on track in our daily Buddhist practice and keep moving forwards to our destination, come rain or shine. This is the best and most certain path."

SGI Newsletter No. 8648, On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu, (18) Gratitude to Those Working Behind the Scenes, from the 17th June, 2012, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated 12th Oct. 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"It is said that where there is unseen virtue,
there will be visible reward."*
Those who continually make steady efforts
will definitely be victorious in the end.
By constantly having a fresh resolve and determination,
let's break through those walls that we now face.

Daisaku Ikeda

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

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"(It also states that, if the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land.) There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds."

(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 4) Selection Source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shinbun, October 22nd, 2012

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Stay on track...no disasters...chant and learn.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo... Thank you brilliant sun!

 

[CrazyDog]

Having a balanced rhythm in life is a big step towards healthy living.
Let's get sufficient sleep and nourishment
so that both our body and mind can stay vibrant and bright
and we can lead a value creating and fulfilling daily life!

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Chanting yesterday was partly to prepare for my Thursday night pool tournament.

To me playing well at pool gives me balance. The judgement and control necessary to beat my rivals is considerable. Towards the end I was chanting and it reinforced my ability and calmed my mind.

Victory is assured when you believe in the power. Yes, I had a little help.

Of course you don't always win but when you feel good the joy of life flows and chanting brings the inner peace, courage and faith in ourselves.

Last night I did win!!! A small victory can be more important than you think. It wasn't the money I won that made me happy. It was the warm congratulations by my rivals that gave me. We all get our turn to win and we never really lose.

Sometimes it's just someone elses turn to win and your turn to give them the respect we all crave. Even when I lose I see the joy I have given my opponent and I feel happy for them.

We must all have a turn. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...makes me so happy!

 

[CrazyDog]

Negligence and carelessness are our biggest enemies.
Don't be the cause of an accident
or create the causes to get caught up in one!
The Gosho reminds us to use our "prudence and courage."*
It's important to start the day
based on chanting with a sincere and firm prayer!
Nam Myoho Range Kyo!

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Yes, Crazy dog...I had a fire over a year ago and it was due to my carelessness and laziness.

Since this did happen I learned cause and effect the hard way.

We should be diligent and continue to make the most productive use of our time. Work before pleasure is a good truism.

 

[iConnex]

Yes, Crazy dog...I had a fire over a year ago and it was due to my carelessness and laziness.

Since this did happen I learned cause and effect the hard way.

We should be diligent and continue to make the most productive use of our time. Work before pleasure is a good truism.

Really nice words brother![FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Nam Myoho Range Kyo! [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nam Myoho Range Kyo! [/FONT]

 

[BushyOldGrower]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is our sword of justice.

Tom gave me one a long time ago...actually I had the sword but needed to remove it from it's hilt and start using it.

Use the power to make good things happen...like a wizard walking by and making everyone happy. With a song in our heart we wish well for all and in so doing we do well for ourselves as well.

Bodhisatvas will stand up as Buddhas when they use their weapon of love. Bog