Chanting Growers Group

[EasyMyohoDisco]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, April 6, 2008

So if a woman makes offerings to the Lotus Sutra now in the last five-hundred-ear period, [Bodhisattva Gladly Seen's] benefits will all be bequeathed to her without exception, just as a wealthy man transfers his entire fortune to his only son.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 911
An Outline of the "Entrustment" and Other Chapters
Written to Nichinyo on June 25, 1278

:kitty: :kitty: :kitty: :kitty: :kitty: :kitty:​

Our pets help us stay positive!!!​

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Though I may be a person of little ability, I have reverently given
myself to the study of the Mahayana. A blue fly, if it clings to the
tail of a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles, and the
green ivy that twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet.

(WND, 17)
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Why are human beings born? This question has posed a great challenge.
President Toda lucidly set forward his conclusion. Namely, that this
world is a place for people to, as the Lotus Sutra states, "enjoy
themselves at ease." We were born here in order to thoroughly savor the
joys of life. Faith in the Daishonin's Buddhism is what enables us to
bring forth the great life force we need to lead such an existence."

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

This is from "Buddhist Learning for April. Lectures on the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life.
SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series. (12). Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment and The Sufferings of Birth and Death are Nirvana. Transforming Illusion and Suffering Into Confidence, Joy, and Hope." In Living Buddhism, March/April 2008, page 70, 71. Have a fabulous day.

What, then, does it mean to regard earthly desires and the sufferings of birth and death as inseparable from enlightenment and nirvana? In a writing titled "What It Means to Hear the Buddha Vehicle for the First Time," addressed to his lay disciple Toki Jonin, Nichiren says that the essence of ordinary people practicing the Lotus Sutra is found in the concept of the "seeds of opposites" (WND-2, 741). The "seeds of opposites" means that that which is the opposite of the effect, or fruit, of attaining Buddhahood--namely, earthly desires and the sufferings of birth and death--becomes the cause, or seed, for attaining Buddhahood.....

It seems likely that Nichiren emphasized the "seeds of opposites" because he realized, if people were to have genuine hope in life, it was vital for them to have a view of causality that offers the possibility of good coming out of evil--the possibility that something negative can be transformed into something positive

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo



Much love to you all!!! Hope everyone is chanting their way through all that they encounter

 

[Babbabud]

This is from "Buddhist Learning for April. Lectures on the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life.
SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series. (12). Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment and The Sufferings of Birth and Death are Nirvana. Transforming Illusion and Suffering Into Confidence, Joy, and Hope." In Living Buddhism, March/April 2008, page 72

At the moment we chant, our sufferings --our earthly desires--have already become causes for enlightenment. It could even be said that our earthly desires in fact contain enlightenment. In a sense, earthly desires themselves undergo a qualitative change from "earthly desires that cause suffering" into "earthly desires that can be transformed into enlightenment." It is the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo- the Mystic Law of simultaneity of cause and effect--that makes this possible.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never
succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor
do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren's
followers are like roaring lions.

(WND, 997)
On Persecutions Befalling the Sage
Written to all followers (and entrusted to Shijo Kingo) on October 1,
1279

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Strength is the source of happiness. We mustn't shy away from life's
challenges. We mustn't be defeated. Refusing to be defeated equals
victory. A person who perseveres to the end is a winner. In the course
of promoting our movement, the Soka Gakkai has never pulled back in the
face of any hindrance. We have kept moving forward. And that is the key
to our success. Never to retreat a single step, no matter what -- that
is the Soka Gakkai spirit. Those who embrace this spirit can achieve
unlimited victory."

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

I've got my home computer up and running finallly; (patience is a virtue, right ptd?) I hope to be online connecting more. Let's kick some ass bodhisatvas!!! Daimoku all the way! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[Babbabud]

Great news to hear SoCal and great to see you on the boards. Thanks so much for your contributions to our awesome vehicle !!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Thanks Babba and yes this is a most awesome vehicle. My road has been sometimes quite difficult in the recent past and I can say with conviction that if it wasn't for this kosenrufu network here I would have succumbed to my negative karma. Thanks from the bottom of my heart to everyone for their constant prayers and encouragement at the Chanting Growers Forum I still have a lot more to learn and grow and change and looking forward to doing that with you all together.

Don't be afraid
Don't be defeated.
Faith
Victory of Gold

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Buddhism holds that everything is in constant flux. Thus the question is whether we are to accept change passively and be swept away by it or whether we are to take the lead and create positive changes on our own initiative. While conservatism and self-protection might be likened to winter, night, and death, the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize ideals evokes images of spring, morning, and birth.

-- Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

One's Attitude in Front of the Gohonzon

One's Attitude in Front of the Gohonzon

One's Attitude in Front of the Gohonzon (reposted)

Guidance from Dr. Yamazaki

One's attitude in front of the Gohonzon is like being on a holiday.
It is necessary to cut oneself off from work, from daily life. This
is important in order to regenerate, be free of tension and relaxed.
If the practice is prolongation of one's social life, this is not
effective.

In the ceremony in the air (Gongyo), one cuts oneself off from the
earth rising above. If you are dominated by your problems in front
of the Gohonzon, nothing good appears. It is necessary to rise
above, to make it a special moment...relaxing. This is a ceremony
of ''Ku''. I am Buddha in front of the Gohonzon!

The Gohonzon is like a mirror, so it is not necessary to be either
imprisoned, nor attached, nor dominated, nor guilty, nor worthless,
nor have arrogance in order to enter the world of the Gohonzon. It
is necessary for one to be indifferent to their own thoughts. One
does not fight in front of the Gohonzon. One is relaxed as though
being in the air without limit. With this kind of ichinen for
fifteen minutes...this is enough.

From the first daimoku, change the world, feel the universe,
realize ''Ku'', ''Ke'', and ''Chu''! (''Ku'' is the world of the
Buddha; ''Ke'' is oneself; ''Chu'' is all the strength and wisdom of
the universe.)

One can then recuperate all the forces of the universe. The wisdom to
listen, to believe, to meditate, and to decide. Reject your own
arrogance in order to allow your own wisdom to appear, going beyond
time and space to detoxify ourselves in front of the Gohonzon.
Nothing is too far away in the morning and in the evening - this is
when we are Buddha. We must have confidence to find a sense of The
Ceremony in the Air and declare our conviction to be the Buddha of
eternal life, the Buddha of ichinen sanzen, and the Buddha of
confidence and joy!

 

[GeorgialouWho]

Haven't checked in awhile and once again SoCal my kenzoku brother; exactly what I needed to read. thank u...

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo....GeorgialouWho

 

[Hitman]

Hi GeorgialouWho!

So Cal I must agree, it is real encouraging to hear about posture in front of Gohonzon. I'll keep that in mind. Sometimes it really gets rough and that is difficult to consistently feel confident when chanting. I won't forget what you just said, Dr. Y, ever. Be relaxed and feel that it is a special moment, very special. I'm going to relish more in the moment of chanting-that should get me back to normal grand appreciation for every thing that is good and roll with the punches mode.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, All!

 

[Hitman]

Bubbabud,

Just read to the top- How encouraging that dual view, that causality. I will use this tomorrow, thinking of it. I see it every day. The positive and the negative. The negativity has been aging me drastically lately. I felt my life force being sucked on or out. I have leaned towards the current and now I have to learn to walk differently. Not letting my guard down, trying to get my force field up and running again. Thank you for the inspiring words.

Good night and good day tomorrow, all! Chant on. I'm slumped as I'm typing this but my desperation to create good is my driving force. Lucky to have you all!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! Thank you for keeping the momentum going eternally!

 

[scegy]

hello fellow chanters!

just saying high, i'm having some rough times so i'm mostly wordless, but Nam Myoho Renge Kyo goes on! let's keep on striving togheter!

thank you

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Quote from a friend

Quote from a friend

"Spring has got here at last, and in my back yard, I now see a thousand
Buddhas going about their green business." - Brian (friend of Rob)

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Above all, both you and your husband are upholders of the Lotus Sutra.
You will surely bear a jewel of a child who is going to inherit the
seed for the propagation of the Lotus Sutra. I wholeheartedly
congratulate you. The child is the one who will inherit both your
physical and spiritual aspects.

(WND, 186)
Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child
Written to Nichigen-nyo on May 7, 1271

 

[Babbabud]

This is from "Buddhist Learning for April. Lectures on the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life.
SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series. (12). Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment and The Sufferings of Birth and Death are Nirvana. Transforming Illusion and Suffering Into Confidence, Joy, and Hope." In Living Buddhism, March/April 2008, page 67

The Buddhism of true cause propagated by Nichiren is a teaching for people to actualize the causality for attaining Buddhahood. People are the foundation. Each person is important. Unless the spirit of valuing each individual is put into practice, any theorizing on the hertiage of the Law, no matter how exalted, will be empty.


Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

And yet there is one river called the Sahaya that follows a course as
straight as a taut rope, flowing directly into the western sea. A woman
who has faith in the Lotus Sutra will be like this river, proceeding
directly to the Pure Land in the west. Such is the virtue inherent in
the single character myo.

(WND, 149)
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266