Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

"And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered."

(On Prayer - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 345) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, November 22nd, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The renowned Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1925-2006), wrote: 'An unimaginably powerful force exists in this world, sometimes erupting from the depths of the ocean to form a volcano that explodes, and sometimes residing in the individual who truly understands life's purpose.' This is the description of a person who can initiate revolutionary change.

"No one is stronger than a person who has stood up with genuine conviction in faith for the sake of the people's welfare."

SGI Newsletter No. 7886,Winter Always Turns to Spring, from the Dec. 2009 issue of Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, translated Nov. 19th, 2009

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

"But now you, born a woman in the evil world of the latter age, while being reviled, struck and persecuted by the barbaric inhabitants of this island country who are unaware of these things, have endured and are propagating the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha at Eagle Peak surely perceives that your surpass the nun [Mahaprajapate] as greatly as clouds do mud. The name of that nun, the Buddha Gladly Seen by All Living Beings, is no unrelated matter; it is now the name of the lay nun Myoho."

Reply to the Lay Nun Myoho (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1106)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Whatever trouble occurs, regard it as no more than a dream, and think only of the Lotus Sutra."

(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 502) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 22nd, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The French artist Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) once said to a young poet: 'The sun shines and hope laughs in the heart.' As practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, let us also live out our lives as eternal youth brimming with a vigorous fighting spirit, with a life-force as powerful as the sun."

SGI Newsletter No. 7878, THE LIGHT OF THE CENTURY OF HUMANITY, The Path to Peace for All Humanity, from the Oct. 3rd, 2009, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated Oct. 20th, 2009.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The 'Encouragement' chapter says, '[If you see a person who accepts and upholds this sutra], you should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha.'"

(On the Importance of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 749) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 24th, 2009

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Fighting for truth and justice through the written word, in the form of serialised novels and other genres and media, is a continuous struggle. The great novelist Alexandre Dumas (1802-70) had one of his characters declare: 'I must go on to the end. I have a partiality for fighting against prejudice. Either it will crush me, or I will destroy it.' One must keep writing until prejudice and hypocrisy are defeated and truth and justice are soundly established. This is the essence of the struggle for truth through words."

SGI Newsletter No. 7879, MY IMPRESSIONS OF GREAT FIGURES IN HISTORY, Alexandre Dumas, from the May 26th, 2009, issue of the Seikyo Shinbun, translated Oct. 22nd, 2009.

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

SGI Day was 11/18

SGI Day was 11/18

Celebrating Nov. 18, 1930

Makiguchi in his own words (written by an SGI Member)

There is so little in English of Makiguchi's writings, I feel obligated
to share on this occasion excerpts of my findings, which inspire me greatly.

Makiguchi was a compassionate educator and astute scholar whose words deserve to be studied and shared.

The material is from "Education For Creative Living" [Soka Kyoiku Gakku Taikei}, published November 18, 1930. Tranlated by Alfred Birnbaumand and Edited by Dayle M Bethel, published 1989 by the Soka Gakkai. It will be indicated by the abbreviation "ecl" followed by page number.

Additional material is from "Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's View of Religion" Koichi
Miyata, Soka University -The Journal of Oriental Studies Vol. 5, 1995

Quotes from this article reference Miyata's translated excerpts from
"Tsunesaburo Makiguchi Zenshu" which is not currently available in English. I
rely therefore on the scholarship and translation skills of that fine
university. Quotes will feature volume and page numbers from the Japanese
edition.

I stand in awe of Makiguchi's humanism, intellect and industry. He reminds me
every time I read him how far short I am from that goal myself.

Quotes from the founding Document of the Soka Gakkai:

"Belief can be a dangerous thing, and often it is hard to say which is more
detrimental, religion or science. Ultimately, though, neither should be followed
blindly. For either to lay claim to truth,the order within the universe must
coincide with the natural laws science arrives at from the opposite direction,
via inductive experimentaion."
(ecl,39)

"The tendency to accept blindly the views of some authority or other, even about the most crucial matters affecting our lives, is widespread. No matter how intelligent we might be otherwise, when we are confronted by things that we do not understand or that are difficult to interpret, we do not attempt to think them through ourselves but blindly accept the views of our seniors or others who seem to speak with authority."(ecl,40)

"Cooperatve living can develop only as individual persons become able to see
their own weaknesses and strengths as well as the strengths and weaknesses of others…If education is to transform those who see life as a struggle to get ahead of others into persons who appreciate and value the rewards of cooperative living, it must raise social consciousness by helping students to know themselves through comparison with others" (ecl,43)

"Human dignity arises from value creation…Everyone has to play his or her own role in the workplace of humanity in order to create values to meet the
inexhaustible demands of living."(ecl,54)


"...It is written that Shakyamuni said "Heed the Law, not persons".
This is the greatest guidance that buddhism has to offer to the advancement of humankind. Here we are shown the way up from dependence to true freedom, from living in obedience to charismatic power figures to living in unison with the universal order…To follow blindly the will of others or even of oneself is a form of personality worship. We are self-sold into bondage…There is no chance to rise above the life of person dependence…The devotee of a personality cult has not the least inclination to assume an objective scientific stance…"
("ecl,84-85)

Makiguchi on the three proofs:

"The combination of these three [types of proof] is the essential condition for
making doctrinal arguments. In other words, one cannot make a valid argument in Buddhism unless reasoning, documentary proof, and actual fact all coincide
"(vol. 5, p. 359).

Makiguchi on why the Lotus Sutra is compatible with Science

"…When I encountered the Lotus Sutra, however, I was surprised to find something completely different from religions and morality that I had been learning about until then. This teaching has no contradictions and is the basic scientific and philosophical principles that underlie the experiences of daily life…(vol. 8, p.
405)."

Makiguchi on why Nichiren's Gohonzon is compatible with Science

"Non-Buddhist [religious] teachings, and even some schools within Buddhism that never moved beyond the sutras taught during the forty-plus years before the Lotus Sutra was expounded, have for their object of worship a concrete object that is considered the embodiment of a deity or a Buddha. Since the image of the object as deity or Buddha is a mental construction by those individuals who revere it, it is very different from the truths and principals that are the object and goal of science. Because of that difference, such religions are contrary to science."(vol 5, 359)

Makiguchi on the Real-Life experiment called the Soka Gakkai:

"It was our intention to prove scientifically that the Mystic Law, the ultimate
teaching of Buddhism, is the necessary law of life for all people. Now, the
accumulation of positive and negative proof (i.e., effects of happiness and
misfortune), has shown that the Daishonin's Buddhism is not merely true as an
abstract philosophical concept, but constitutes the limitless wellspring of life
force that is manifested in our actual lives". (vol. 10, p. 132).

Makiguchi's Scathing criticism of Nichiren Shoshu:

"Pardon me for saying so, but I deplore the fact that the majority of priests,
though they explain Buddhism in the name of the Daishonin's sacred teachings
from Gosho and sutra, do not demonstrate it by showing actual proof. ". (vol.
10, p. 153).

"We must distinguish between believers and practitioners. A person will surely
gain benefit simply by having faith and offering prayers, but this alone does
not qualify as bodhisattva practice. There can be no such thing as an egoistic Buddha who only seeks benefit for himself and does not share it with others. Unless one undertakes bodhisattva practice, one cannot become a Buddha. In other words, a true believer and true practitioner is one who serves others in the spirit of a parent….Thus we must ask, "Who among the traditional lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu has faced the three obstacles and four devils?" are not those who give guidance to others without themselves facing devils "agents of hell who cause people to fall into the evil paths? (vol. 10, p. 151)

Happy (belated) SGI Day!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The same is true of your attaining Buddhahood. No matter what grave offenses you
might have committed, because you did not turn against the Lotus Sutra, but
showed your devotion by accompanying me, you will surely become a Buddha. Yours
is like the case of King Possessor of Virtue, who gave his life to save the monk
Realization of Virtue and became Shakyamuni Buddha. Faith in the Lotus Sutra
acts as a prayer [to attain Buddhahood]. Strengthen your resolve to seek the way
all the more and achieve Buddhahood in this lifetime.

(WND, 946)
The Receipt of New Fiefs
Written to Shijo Kingo in October 1278

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The innate power of humanity is the driving force that breaks down all barriers
of discrimination. The ultimate expression of this humanity is Buddhahood; it is
the power of the Mystic Law. Daimoku is therefore the fundamental energy for
realizing victory in the struggle for human rights.


Daisaku Ikeda

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

There is a Russian proverb that says: "It is no use to blame the looking glass
if your face is awry." Likewise, one's happiness or unhappiness is entirely the
reflection of the balance of good and bad causes accumulated in one's life. No
one can blame others for his misfortunes. In the world of faith, it is necessary
to realize this all the more clearly.


Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

You absolutely must not lament over my exile. It says in the "Encouraging
Devotion" chapter and in the "Never Disparaging" chapter [that the votary of the
Lotus Sutra will meet with persecution]. Life is limited; we must not begrudge
it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land.

(WND, 214)
Aspiration for the Buddha Land
Written to Toki Jonin on November 23, 1271

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Please remember that patience is in and of itself a great challenge
and that is often holds the key to breaking throught seeming impasse."

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

From Faith into Action (Daisaku Ikeda):

"Our heart is what matters most. A heart that praises the Mystic law brings forth boundless benefit. And the heart that praises those who spread the Mystic Law elicits still greater benefit."

"Everything is determined by our attitude, by our resolve. Our heart is what matters the most."

"Those who exert themselves for the sake of the Law are ever young. Our heart is what matters the most."

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The Practice of Buddhism

The Practice of Buddhism

From the sgibuddhism.org site

Each of us possesses the potential for a winning life. Within us is the ability to live with courage, to have fulfilling relationships, to enjoy good health and prosperity, to feel and show true compassion for others, and the power to face and surmount our deepest problems.Crucial to living a winning life is to undergo an inner transformation that will enable us to bring out our highest human qualities and change our circumstances. This process is a revolution of our own character, an individual human revolution.

Consider the following scenario:

Perhaps you feel under-appreciated at work. Maybe your boss is belligerent or ignores you. After a while you develop a chip on your shoulder. Though you may be an expert at hiding negativity, every once in a while it rears its ugly head. Perhaps your co-workers or boss perceive you in turn as not being entirely committed to the success of your job, or that you have a bad attitude. Of course there are myriad reasons for your attitude and all of them "valid." But whatever the reasons, you miss opportunities for advancement because of the poor relationship. This is a common scenario in today's working environment.But suppose you start coming to work with a new attitude that is not just a mental adjustment but an outlook bolstered by a deep sense of vitality, confidence and compassion, and based upon serious self-reflection. Your compassion leads you to have empathy for your boss's situation. Armed with a new understanding, you treat your boss differently, offering support and finding yourself less and less discouraged by any negativity he or she may display toward you.

Your boss begins to see you in a new light. Opportunities present themselves.This is obviously a very simple example and many of us would say this is a natural thing to do, but to live this way every day requires a basic change in our hearts and character. Once the change is made, like a never-ending domino effect, we can have continual impact on the people around us.
The practice of Buddhism as taught by Nichiren Daishonin is a catalyst for experiencing this inner revolution. It provides us with immediate access to the unlimited potential inherent in our lives by which we can live a winning life.
It is the promise of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism that we can attain a state of freedom and unshakable happiness for ourselves while creating harmony with others.
Buddhism is a way of life that — on the most fundamental level — makes no distinction between the individual human being and the environment in which that person lives. Like a fish in water, the two are not only inseparable, but each serves as a catalyst for the other. Thus, to a Buddhist, self-improvement and enhancement of our circumstances go hand in hand. The two are actually so interlocked that it is incorrect to consider them separate entities. In treating the sufferings and delusions of human beings, there is the accompanying benefit of better social conditions, since the one is the source of the other Ö for better or worse.

While the word Buddha may conjure up images of a specific person from history or world religions courses we have taken, it is also a description of the highest state of life each of us can achieve. Buddha actually means "awakened one," and the historical Buddha (known as Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gautama) discovered that all humans have a potential for enlightenment - or "Buddhahood" in the depths of their lives. This could be likened to a rosebush in winter; the flowers are dormant even though we know that the bush contains the potential to bloom. Similarly, by tapping into our potential, we can find unlimited wisdom, courage, hope, confidence, compassion, vitality and endurance. Instead of avoiding or fearing our problems, we learn to confront them with joyful vigor, confident in our ability to surmount whatever life throws in our path.

Buddhism also shows us the most satisfying way to live among others. It explains that when we help others overcome their problems, our own lives are expanded. When our capacity increases and our character is strengthened, the source of our problems comes under our control. Because we make an internal change, our relationship with our problems changes as well, wresting positive resolutions in any number of astounding yet tangible ways.Through this process of inner reformation, we can also fulfill our dreams and desires. Rather than calling for the eradication of desires, Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism recognizes that to be human means to have desires and that as we proceed in our human revolution, we elevate our state of life, "magnetizing" our lives to attract that which will further our happiness.

Not only do we fulfill our desires as we change ourselves through Buddhist practice, but the very pursuit of those desires through our practice is like rocket fuel propelling us toward our enlightenment. Life is ever-changing, moment-to-moment. The only constant in life is change. Our minds are constantly in flux, and while one minute we may have the courage to conquer the world, the next minute we can be overwhelmed by even the simplest occurrences. But through our steady, daily practice, we continually strengthen our resolve and ability to live a winning life. Winning in life, however, is not the absence or avoidance of problems. Being human, almost by definition, means we will constantly meet up with challenges. True happiness or victory in life is having the tools to take on each hurdle, overcome it, and become stronger and wiser in the process. Inside each human being is a storehouse of all the necessary traits to tackle every problem that confronts us. Buddhism is the practice that allows us access to this storehouse and unleashes our inherent power to take on all of life's challenges and win.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The Practice of Buddhism - Part 2

The Practice of Buddhism - Part 2

The Practice

There are three basics in applying Buddhism: faith, practice and study. They are the primary ingredients in the recipe for developing our innate enlightened condition, or Buddhahood. All three are essential. With this recipe, we will experience actual proof of our transformation in the forms of both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit. The recipe is universal. These basics are the same in every country where this Buddhism is practiced.

Faith --Traditionally, religion has asked its believers to have faith in its tenets before accepting the religion, without any proof of the religion's assertions. But how can we have faith in something with which we have no experience? Unless a religion can provide benefit to the believers' daily lives and help them overcome their struggles, they cannot become happy by practicing it. Today, many religions lack the ability to truly empower people to change.

In Buddhism, faith is based on experience. Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism emphasizes obtaining "actual proof" of the teaching's power. Faith begins as an expectation or hope that something will happen. At the start of our journey, if we are willing to try the practice and anticipate some result, we will then develop our faith brick by brick as examples of actual proof accrue.

Practice -- To develop faith, we must take action. We strengthen our wisdom and vital life force by actualizing our Buddhahood each day in a very concrete way. Practice in Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism consists of two parts: practice for ourselves and practice for others. Practice for ourselves is primarily the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Each morning and evening, believers participate in a ritual that, along with chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, includes recitation from two significant chapters of the Lotus Sutra chapters which explain that each individual holds the potential for enlightenment and that life itself is eternal. This ritual has been traditionally referred to as gongyo (literally, "assiduous practice").

Practice for others consists of action based on compassion to help give others the means to make fundamental improvements in their lives, similar to what we are undergoing through our own engagement with Nichiren Daishonin's teachings. The development of our compassion through such practice for others is also a direct benefit to us.

Study -- To gain confidence that this practice is valid, and to understand why your efforts will bring about a result, it is essential to study the tenets of this Buddhism. The basis of study comes from the founder himself, Nichiren Daishonin. More than 700 years ago, he instructed followers in the correct way to practice; and his writings, which have been preserved and translated into English, give us valuable insight into how this practice will benefit us today.

The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) was formed to support practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and help them teach others about it on a global scale. Today, there are some 12 million members in 156 countries, and the American branch is called SGI-USA (for more information, please see Section Four).
The SGI has prepared numerous study materials that offer deeper looks at Buddhist theory, as well as practical applications through members' testimonies. There are also English translations of the original teachings of Buddhism, such as the Lotus Sutra. By helping to build understanding and confidence, the study material provides vital encouragement for us especially at crucial moments.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

The basic prayer or chant is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

This is the name of the Mystic Law that governs life eternally throughout the universe. Nichiren Daishonin revealed this law as the underlying principle contained in Buddhism's highest teaching, the Lotus Sutra. All life is an expression or manifestation of this law. Thus when we chant this Mystic Law, we attune our lives to the perfect rhythm of the universe. The result is increased vital life force, wisdom, compassion and good fortune to face the challenges in front of us.

The translation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is as follows:

Nam -- Devotion. By devoting our lives to this law through our faith, practice and study, we will awaken the life-condition of Buddha, or enlightenment, inside ourselves.

Myoho -- Mystic Law. As the Daishonin explained in one of his writings: "What then does myo signify? It is simply the mysterious nature of our life from moment to moment, which the mind cannot comprehend or words express. When we look into our own mind at any moment, we perceive neither color nor form to verify that it exists. Yet we still cannot say it does not exist, for many differing thoughts continually occur. The mind cannot be considered either to exist or not to exist. Life is indeed an elusive reality that transcends both the words and concepts of existence and nonexistence. It is neither existence nor non-existence, yet exhibits the qualities of both. It is the mystic entity of the Middle Way that is the ultimate reality. Myo is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho, to its manifestations" (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 4; see "Suggested Readings").

Renge -- Literally, the "lotus flower," which seeds and blooms at the same time. This represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. We create causes through thoughts, words and actions. With each cause made, an effect is registered simultaneously in the depths of life, and those effects are manifested when we meet the right environmental circumstances. Life itself is an endless series of causes and simultaneous effects. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the deepest cause we can make in order to produce our desired effect.

Kyo -- Sound or teaching. This is how the Buddha has traditionally instructed Ö through the spoken word, which is heard.

Myoho-renge-kyo is the Lotus Sutra's title and contains its essential meaning. Nichiren Daishonin added namu (contracted to nam), which comes from Sanskrit. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the ultimate invocation of life, often referred to as the language of the Buddha.

There are no prerequisites or rules as to what to chant for. We simply make the decision to begin chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. And by chanting, we experience the energy and wisdom to make our lives fulfilled. In the sixty years since this Buddhism has been widely accessible through the efforts of the Soka Gakkai worldwide, millions have chanted about every conceivable problem and goal, from the most dire health and financial crises to the most urgent matters of the heart. Unlike in most Western religions, when we chant we are not praying to an external deity invested with human qualities like judgment. Our prayers are communicated into the depths of our being when we invoke the sound of the Mystic Law. This universal Law is impartial, and no prayer is more or less worthy than another. The only issue is whether we can create value in our lives and help others do the same. As the Daishonin teaches, we attain enlightenment through a continual transformation that takes place in the depths of our existence as we seek to fulfill our desires and resolve our conflicts. It is important to understand that our prayers are realized because we bring forth from within ourselves the highest life-condition and the wisdom to take correct action.

Once people begin experiencing the benefits of chanting, they may decide to make a deeper commitment and begin a more complete Buddhist practice. The first milestone after beginning one's practice is to receive the Gohonzon, the object of devotion for Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. The Daishonin inscribed his enlightenment in the form of a mandala called the Gohonzon, and believers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to a scroll form of the Gohonzon enshrined in their own homes. (For information on how to receive the Gohonzon, please ask your sponsor or contact the SGI organization in your area.

In the Gohonzon, the Daishonin graphically depicted his enlightenment, or Buddhahood, which is the enlightened life-condition of the universe. The important point here is that the same potential for enlightenment exists within each of us. And when we fuse our lives with the Gohonzon by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to it, we tap into that enlightened life-condition, our own Buddhahood.


This is why the Daishonin calls the Gohonzon a mirror for the inner self. It is a way to see inside, to begin changing what we don't like and strengthening what we do like. We have the potential of many life-conditions, which appear when we come in contact with various external stimuli. For instance, someone may be rather mild-mannered and quiet, but another person might say something that sparks a show of temper. This temper or anger was dormant inside until provoked by the environment. To bring out our highest potential condition of life, our Buddhahood, we also need a stimulus. As our conviction develops, we will come to see that the Gohonzon is the most positive external stimulus, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to it is the internal cause that will activate the latent state of Buddhahood in our lives.

The scroll of the Gohonzon is kept on an altar in the practitioner's home where it can be protected from the daily routine of the household.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Thanks SoCal!

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo