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Chanting Growers Group
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Southern Girl
New member
Good to see you all! Ready for party Tommy and sorry I missed note. I'm empty! Gordy P laid off again but diligent daily (120 and counting) and spirits here are high and hopeful. Would so hope go west young man but may be chanting against each other! Lol. We have had a grandson and granddaughter since last here. Still nursing, started my 22 year of practice and we never stop learning or growing. Love, peace and fortune to you all. Happy New Year
El Bandito
Member
Despite my ongoing and intensive effort to keep all cannabis away from my dog, today he managed to eat one third of a joint that I had left unattended for just a moment. He is a big guy, 90 pounds, so there is no danger of toxicity, but the poor guy is groggy and a wee bit wobbly. I feel terrible and have been keeping him company to make sure he is comfortable. I thought you all would enjoy seeing where he chose to curl up in the sun:
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
translated by Burton Watson
Chapter Sixteen: The Life Span of the Thus Come One
Point one, concerning Chapter sixteen, The Life Span of the Thus Come One Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, volume nine, says: “Thus Come One is a general designation for the Buddha of the ten directions and the three existences, the two Buddhas,* the three Buddhas, the Buddha of the essential teaching, and the Buddha of the theoretical teaching. Specifically, it is a special designation for the three Buddhas of the original state. Juryo, or Life Span, refers to an overall reckoning. It indicates an overall reckoning of the benefits of the two Buddhas, the three Buddhas, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences. Therefore the chapter is called the Juryo-hon, or [Reckoning of] the Life Span Chapter.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The Title of this chapter deals with an important matter that concerns Nichiren himself. This is the transmission described in the “Super-natural Powers” chapter. The Thus Come One is Shakyamuni Buddha or, more generally, all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences. Or, more specifically, it refers to the Buddha of the original state who is eternally endowed with the three bodies.
Now it is the understanding of Nichiren and his followers that, generally speaking, the term “Thus Come One” refers to all the living beings. More specifically, it refers to the disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren.
This being the case, the term “eternally endowed with three bodies” refers to the votaries of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law.
The title of honor for one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what the three great concerns of actuality* of the “Life Span” chapter refer to.
Speaking in terms of the six stages of practice, the Thus Come One in this chapter is an ordinary mortal who is in the first stage, that of being a Buddha in theory. When one reverently accepts Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one is in the next stage, that of hearing the name of the words of the truth. That is, one has for the first time heard the daimoku. When, having heard the daimoku, one proceeds to put it into practice, this is the third stage, that of perception and action. This is the stage one perceives the object of devotion that embodies the three thousand realms in a single moment of life. When one succeeds in overcoming various obstacles of illusions, this is the fourth stage, that of resemblance to enlightenment. When one sets out to convert others, this is the fifth stage, that of progressive awakening. And when one comes at last to the realization that one is a Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies, then one is a Buddha of the sixth and highest stage, that of ultimate enlightenment.
Speaking of the chapter as a whole, the idea of gradually overcoming illusions is not the ultimate meaning of the “Life Span” chapter. You should understand that the ultimate meaning of this chapter is that ordinary mortals, just as they are in their original state of being, are Buddhas.
And if you ask what is the action or practice carried out by the Buddhas eternally endowed with the three bodies, it is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Point Two, regarding the words “You must listen carefully and hear of the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: This passage supports the concept of one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies. Various interpretations on these words have been transmitted.
As for the transcendental powers, the action that are carried out instant by instant, motion by motion, by us living beings are regarded as transcendental powers. Thus the voices of the wardens of hell punishing the offenders are all to be termed transcendental powers. The countless living things in the three thousand realms that undergo the process of birth, abiding, change, and extinction, are all in themselves embodiments of transcendental powers.
But in the view of Nichiren and his followers, the realization and understanding of the concept of the attainment of Buddhahood in one’s present form is what is meant by “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.” For outside of the attainment of Buddhahood, there is no “secret” and no “transcendental powers.”
The eternally endowed three bodies mentioned here are gained through a single word. And that single word is “faith” or “to believe.” Therefore the sutra says, “We will believe and accept the Buddha’s words” (chapter sisteen). You should stop and consider the meaning of these two words “believe” and “accept.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
translated by Burton Watson
Chapter Sixteen: The Life Span of the Thus Come One
Point one, concerning Chapter sixteen, The Life Span of the Thus Come One Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, volume nine, says: “Thus Come One is a general designation for the Buddha of the ten directions and the three existences, the two Buddhas,* the three Buddhas, the Buddha of the essential teaching, and the Buddha of the theoretical teaching. Specifically, it is a special designation for the three Buddhas of the original state. Juryo, or Life Span, refers to an overall reckoning. It indicates an overall reckoning of the benefits of the two Buddhas, the three Buddhas, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences. Therefore the chapter is called the Juryo-hon, or [Reckoning of] the Life Span Chapter.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The Title of this chapter deals with an important matter that concerns Nichiren himself. This is the transmission described in the “Super-natural Powers” chapter. The Thus Come One is Shakyamuni Buddha or, more generally, all the Buddhas of the ten directions and the three existences. Or, more specifically, it refers to the Buddha of the original state who is eternally endowed with the three bodies.
Now it is the understanding of Nichiren and his followers that, generally speaking, the term “Thus Come One” refers to all the living beings. More specifically, it refers to the disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren.
This being the case, the term “eternally endowed with three bodies” refers to the votaries of the Lotus Sutra in the Latter Day of the Law.
The title of honor for one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what the three great concerns of actuality* of the “Life Span” chapter refer to.
Speaking in terms of the six stages of practice, the Thus Come One in this chapter is an ordinary mortal who is in the first stage, that of being a Buddha in theory. When one reverently accepts Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one is in the next stage, that of hearing the name of the words of the truth. That is, one has for the first time heard the daimoku. When, having heard the daimoku, one proceeds to put it into practice, this is the third stage, that of perception and action. This is the stage one perceives the object of devotion that embodies the three thousand realms in a single moment of life. When one succeeds in overcoming various obstacles of illusions, this is the fourth stage, that of resemblance to enlightenment. When one sets out to convert others, this is the fifth stage, that of progressive awakening. And when one comes at last to the realization that one is a Buddha eternally endowed with the three bodies, then one is a Buddha of the sixth and highest stage, that of ultimate enlightenment.
Speaking of the chapter as a whole, the idea of gradually overcoming illusions is not the ultimate meaning of the “Life Span” chapter. You should understand that the ultimate meaning of this chapter is that ordinary mortals, just as they are in their original state of being, are Buddhas.
And if you ask what is the action or practice carried out by the Buddhas eternally endowed with the three bodies, it is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Point Two, regarding the words “You must listen carefully and hear of the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: This passage supports the concept of one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies. Various interpretations on these words have been transmitted.
As for the transcendental powers, the action that are carried out instant by instant, motion by motion, by us living beings are regarded as transcendental powers. Thus the voices of the wardens of hell punishing the offenders are all to be termed transcendental powers. The countless living things in the three thousand realms that undergo the process of birth, abiding, change, and extinction, are all in themselves embodiments of transcendental powers.
But in the view of Nichiren and his followers, the realization and understanding of the concept of the attainment of Buddhahood in one’s present form is what is meant by “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.” For outside of the attainment of Buddhahood, there is no “secret” and no “transcendental powers.”
The eternally endowed three bodies mentioned here are gained through a single word. And that single word is “faith” or “to believe.” Therefore the sutra says, “We will believe and accept the Buddha’s words” (chapter sisteen). You should stop and consider the meaning of these two words “believe” and “accept.”
I told you guys I was a Buddha...thanks for that Tom.
We all are...Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!
My New Age is going well and hopefully 2013 will be a year of realizations and worldwide enlightenment. Let's Roll! BOG
We all are...Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!
My New Age is going well and hopefully 2013 will be a year of realizations and worldwide enlightenment. Let's Roll! BOG
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To our dear friends battling illness,
I sincerely hope that you will never be defeated, no matter what!
The Mystic Law is the wonderful medicine of life.
Exerting the power of a roaring lion king in our chanting,
let's all embark on a fresh journey of good health and victory!
Daisaku Ikeda
I sincerely hope that you will never be defeated, no matter what!
The Mystic Law is the wonderful medicine of life.
Exerting the power of a roaring lion king in our chanting,
let's all embark on a fresh journey of good health and victory!
Daisaku Ikeda
"Simply put, kosen-rufu means striving to realise happiness for ourselves and others and to create a peaceful world, with our own human revolution serving as the driving force for those efforts.
"What, then, is the way for all of us to become happy and move forwards unerringly towards the great ideal of world peace?
"Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the Gohonzon and bestowed it on us—people living in the turbulent times of the Latter Day of the Law—as the means for manifesting our innate Buddhahood and attaining a state of absolute happiness. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon, anyone can tap the immeasurable beneficial power of the Mystic Law within their life and become happy without fail. This is clear in the light of the Daishonin’s teachings.
"Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, while apologising for using a simplistic analogy, often described the Gohonzon, with its tremendous power, 'a happiness-manufacturing machine.' He stated:
"We can look upon the Gohonzon as a device that employs the supreme principles of Buddhism—much in the way, for instance, a light bulb is a device that is based on the principles of electricity. As for the purpose of this Gohonzon—a device based on the highest philosophy of Buddhism—it functions as the means for helping people attain happiness. The way of practising this supreme philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin, therefore, lies in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon, a practice by which all people can become happy."[1]
SGI Newsletter No. 8691, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [43] “Reply to Niiama” The Gohonzon Opens the Way to Happiness for All People, translated 25th Dec. 2012
[1] Translated from Japanese. Josei Toda, Toda Josei Zenshu (Collected Writings of Josei Toda) (Tokyo: Seikyo Shimbunsha, 1981), vol. 1, pp. 104–5.
"What, then, is the way for all of us to become happy and move forwards unerringly towards the great ideal of world peace?
"Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the Gohonzon and bestowed it on us—people living in the turbulent times of the Latter Day of the Law—as the means for manifesting our innate Buddhahood and attaining a state of absolute happiness. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon, anyone can tap the immeasurable beneficial power of the Mystic Law within their life and become happy without fail. This is clear in the light of the Daishonin’s teachings.
"Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, while apologising for using a simplistic analogy, often described the Gohonzon, with its tremendous power, 'a happiness-manufacturing machine.' He stated:
"We can look upon the Gohonzon as a device that employs the supreme principles of Buddhism—much in the way, for instance, a light bulb is a device that is based on the principles of electricity. As for the purpose of this Gohonzon—a device based on the highest philosophy of Buddhism—it functions as the means for helping people attain happiness. The way of practising this supreme philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin, therefore, lies in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon, a practice by which all people can become happy."[1]
SGI Newsletter No. 8691, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [43] “Reply to Niiama” The Gohonzon Opens the Way to Happiness for All People, translated 25th Dec. 2012
[1] Translated from Japanese. Josei Toda, Toda Josei Zenshu (Collected Writings of Josei Toda) (Tokyo: Seikyo Shimbunsha, 1981), vol. 1, pp. 104–5.
"I wonder what karma we created in the past to have been born as such persons, and I am filled with joy."
(The Proof of the Lotus Sutra - Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, pg 1108) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, December 26th, 2012
(The Proof of the Lotus Sutra - Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, pg 1108) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, December 26th, 2012
"Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo single-mindedly with strong faith, this ordinary body of ours will immediately become the body of the Buddha' (GZ, 872).[1] The chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the supreme rhythm that infuses our bodies and minds, just as they are, with the power of the Mystic Law, the fundamental law of universe. The Daishonin bestowed this most profound and accessible means for attaining Buddhahood on those living in the Latter Day of the Law. It is a practice open to all, without discrimination - a practice that everyone can engage in immediately and directly, and by which they can equally gain vast and boundless benefit."
SGI Newsletter No. 8690, Bringing the Sun of Time without Beginning to Shine in Our Lives, from the January 2013 issue of Daibyakurenge, translated 17th Dec. 2012
[1] "Honnin-myo Sho"� (On the Mystic Principle of the True Cause); not translated in WND, vols. 1 or 2.
SGI Newsletter No. 8690, Bringing the Sun of Time without Beginning to Shine in Our Lives, from the January 2013 issue of Daibyakurenge, translated 17th Dec. 2012
[1] "Honnin-myo Sho"� (On the Mystic Principle of the True Cause); not translated in WND, vols. 1 or 2.
"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, December 22nd, 2012
(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 502) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, December 22nd, 2012
Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...
Life is but a dream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...
Life is but a dream.
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Happy Bday Bud! I'm sorry I missed it, but you are always in my heart and prayers. You're my boy in every life and I miss you!
Mugi Wasshin!
Mugi Wasshin!
"When we stand up with strong faith, we manifest in our lives the Gohonzon, which the Daishonin says 'exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people' (WND-1, 832).[1] Increasing the ranks of those who share in this struggle—that is, awakening growing numbers of Bodhisattvas of the Earth—is the way to make kosen-rufu a reality in the Latter Day of the Law.
"Today, faith based on the shared struggle of mentor and disciple is found in the SGI, the organisation in complete accord with the Buddha’s intent and decree. The Gohonzon exists for the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law.
"Through faith, we can bring forth without limit the absolute beneficial power of the Gohonzon, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. We can bring forth the power to be able to savour at all times a state of absolute happiness. That is why it is so important for us not to quit our Buddhist practice.
"[1] In 'The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,' the Daishonin writes: 'Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.... This Gohonzon also is found only in the two characters for faith. This is what the sutra means when it states that one can "gain entrance through faith alone" [LSOC3, 110 (LS3, 73)]' (WND-1, 832)."
SGI Newsletter No. 8691, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [43] “Reply to Niiama.” The Gohonzon Opens the Way to Happiness for All People, from the August 2012 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated 25th Dec. 2012
"Today, faith based on the shared struggle of mentor and disciple is found in the SGI, the organisation in complete accord with the Buddha’s intent and decree. The Gohonzon exists for the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law.
"Through faith, we can bring forth without limit the absolute beneficial power of the Gohonzon, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. We can bring forth the power to be able to savour at all times a state of absolute happiness. That is why it is so important for us not to quit our Buddhist practice.
"[1] In 'The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,' the Daishonin writes: 'Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.... This Gohonzon also is found only in the two characters for faith. This is what the sutra means when it states that one can "gain entrance through faith alone" [LSOC3, 110 (LS3, 73)]' (WND-1, 832)."
SGI Newsletter No. 8691, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [43] “Reply to Niiama.” The Gohonzon Opens the Way to Happiness for All People, from the August 2012 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated 25th Dec. 2012
DITTO BROTHER
DITTO BROTHER
Mugi Wasshin baby!
Bowing in deepest and most humble love and respect,
Thomas
DITTO BROTHER
Mugi Wasshin baby!
Bowing in deepest and most humble love and respect,
Thomas
"At the Ceremony in the Air, when the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions gathered together, the two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, nodded in agreement. What they decided on was nothing other than the perpetuation of the Law throughout the Latter Day."
Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, January 1st, 2013
Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, January 1st, 2013
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