Chanting Growers Group

[SoCal Hippy]

"Illness is not something to feel ashamed of. It is not a sign of
misfortune or defeat. Suffering is the fuel of wisdom, and it opens
the way to happiness. Through illness, human beings can gain insight
into the meaning of life, understand its value and dignity, and
strive to lead more fulfilling lives."

Words of Wisdom by Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

How does the mirror of the Lotus Sutra portray the people who, in the
evil world of the latter age, believe in the teachings of the Lotus
Sutra just as they are set forth in the sutra? Shakyamuni Buddha has
left us words from his golden mouth revealing that such people have
already made offerings to a hundred thousand million Buddhas in their
past existences.

(WND, 1108)
The Proof of the Lotus Sutra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on February 28, 1282

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Great evil portends the arrival of great good."

(The Kalpa of Decrease - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 1122) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin," Seikyo Shinbun, April 29th, 2008

 

[Bonzo]

Hi my brothers. I hope ya'll dont think that i dont take this seriously, its the most serious thing in my life. Yes. I like to have fun with it a bit. I just did another 1/2 hour of Gongyo and my heart is still wantin' to jump outa my chest and im all short of breath, i have to stop every few and just breath, then get back on it. Its like i said before a bit hairy, but i refuse to give in. Dont wanna sound like a whiner, but i have to tell yall where im at right now.

Dont wanna babble, but just had to sorta set the record strait, its what my heart told me to do?

peace and love my Brothers and Sisters

bONZ







Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[DrKong]

Even places that have been shrouded in darkness for billions of years can be illuminated. Even a stone from the bottom of a river can be used to produce fire. Our present sufferings, no matter how dark, have certainly not continued for billions of years-nor will they linger forever. The sun will definitely rise. In fact, its ascent has already begun.

 

[Desiderata]

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to all chanters!

That's some good stuff there Doc. It's always dark before the light,..... everyday I've lived.

T's "Desire" post was quite amazing, really revealing, such sharing=caring alot for all of us. I just can't thankyou enough for that prcious post. You're so damn human, so damn horny like most great leaders are. I'm still horny at 57, just not as active..........would like to be......but it does transform into spiritualism, more and more as time goes by.

About SGI.........SoCal's post said it.......I know it......I just have to do it. A couple days ago, walking my dog, I had an inspiration.........that I will join SGI for Bonz's recovery to come clean, with his health, just make it happen ole wise one, and I will help by joining...........it's just the right thing to do!

Okay, it's been a remarkable past few days, and everyones posts have lifted me up, up, and away.........love ya,....Desi!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Great move Desi, I support you and Bonz.

Didn't get accepted to my first choice university (the admission comittee still said I had a strong app. ) but I still have my second choice! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! either way I'm chanting and looking to introduce people to Buddhism. I heard the ns is having a big meeting very soon ironically at the university I'm expecting to attend in the Fall, so I'm planning on crashing that meeting to just talk about chanting growers and my practice to them directly! I should know if I'm accepted beforehand and as always keep you posted!

Peace!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Congratulations Desi! I hope you join Scegy in receiving your Gohonzon this month!

I also hope everyone will join me in chanting for someone special that has left this saha world only last Sunday. I didn't find out until today. I continue to chant for Jolene, and now ask that we all chant for Velma. She is the mother of a dear friend. Please chant for her! Join me in being one of the thousand Buddhas rushing to meet her and guarantee her happiness in her next lifetime as she meets Gohonzon in every future existence.

Deep respect,

Thomas

 

[SoCal Hippy]

There is something larger than the vast sky
That is my life
There is something deeper than the ocean
That is your life

When winter comes, Spring (peace) is not far away
Now is the very time to sing in a loud voice the song of peace

The deeper the night, the nearer the dawn
This is because human life exists in order to become happy
There is something more precious than the universe
That is the lives of everyone

When the life of a single person is really treasured
Spring(peace)cannot be far away

When winter comes, Spring (peace) is not far away
Now is the very time to sing in a loud voice the song of peace

This is because happiness already exists there

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Even the darkness becomes bright when a lantern is lit, and even muddy
water becomes clear when the moon shines on it.

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

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Can anything exceed the sun and moon in brightness? Can anything surpass the lotus flower in purity? The Lotus Sutra is the sun and moon and the lotus flower. Therefore it is called the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law.
Nichiren, too, is like the sun and moon and the lotus flower .

(WND, page 186)

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Many things happen in life. There are joyous days and times of
suffering. Sometimes unpleasant things occur. But that's what makes
life so interesting. The dramas we encounter are part and parcel of
being human. If we experienced no change or drama in our lives, if
nothing unexpected ever happened, we would merely be like automatons,
our lives unbearably monotonous and dull. Therefore, please develop a
strong self so that you can enact the drama of your life with
confidence and poise in the face of whatever vicissitudes you may
encounter."

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Prayers are invisible, but if we pray steadfastly they will
definitely effect clear results in our lives and surroundings over
time. This is the principle of the true entity of all phenomena.
Faith means having confidence in this invisible realm."

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"As practise progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere... One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them."

(Letter to the Brothers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 501) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, April 7th, 2008

* three obstacles and four devils - At a time when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood, or at a time when a person is at a turning point in doing their human revolution, the negative aspect of life will always appear in some form. This is an unavoidable fact of life! Nichiren Daishonin assures us of this and asks us to transmit it as an axiom or principle of faith so that it is understood by all those who practise.

This negative aspect is often referred to as the 'three obstacles and four devils' (in Japanese, sansho shima). Obstacles refer to things which appear to be outside of ourselves (but which ultimately have their origins in our lives) and the devils, or negative elements, are 'internal'. What makes these obstacles and devils serious is that if we are influenced by them we may stop practising Buddhism. They confront us at a specific point in time - usually when we are about to grow in our lives and move forwards. The fact that at a difficult moment we may think that we should stop practising is a sign that it is an attack of one of the three obstacles and four devils. From a positive point of view these hindrances enable us to see a weakness in our lives so that we can chant and become stronger in that area.

(Ref.: http://www.sgi-uk.org/index.php/buddhism/humanrevolution)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Human Revolution and Overcoming Obstacles

Human Revolution and Overcoming Obstacles

Introducing Human Revolution

In today's world where global issues are so important, many people feel a sense of powerlessness and resignation; a feeling that no individual's efforts can change the way things are. But the Buddhist viewpoint is that the world should be seen from the perspective of the individual, and that the human life contains the entire universe. That is why changing our own lives one by one will bring a change in our family, our community, and the society in which we live. It will change the age we live in, our history, and indeed all aspects of our world.

If we look for the true causes of war, we see that it is essentially caused by the human mind. War stems from the desire to control and conquer others, to have power, and from hatred and antipathy. Such is a human being in the grip of the negative force of life. World peace starts with the inner transformation of the individual, and the struggle to elevate our state of life, and free ourselves from the domination of the negative force of life.

A single sunflower contains the seeds for more than a thousand new plants. Similarly, when one brave person stands up for peace, his or her resolve spreads out into the environment in thousands of ways. Courage always brings a response. One person's human revolution can therefore eventually change the destiny of the entire human race.

The Spirit of Human Revolution

In his writing On Attaining Buddhahood, Nichiren Daishonin conveys the basic spirit of human revolution: "You must never think that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni's lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three existences are outside yourself. Your practice of the Buddhist teachings will not relieve you of the sufferings of birth and death in the least unless you perceive the true nature of your own life." [WND p3]

We could summarise the spirit of this teaching as being, "It's not up to others; nor can I blame anyone else. I have to change myself first." It is a viewpoint which says, everything in life is part of our own training; it is for our benefit and development. Human revolution takes place right now, in the situation we find ourselves at this moment.

World peace starts with this inner transformation of the individual. And yes it is a struggle to develop and elevate our state of life but human revolution is the foundation for world peace and also for individual peace and happiness. It is at the heart of our Buddhist practise. It is about changing our heart and drawing out our humanity.

It is the most amazing feeling as you discover that if the cause of your suffering is within the realms of your own life then you and only you can change that aspect of your life. This is the most freeing feeling. This is human revolution and the door to your Buddhahood.

Human revolution brings into play all the principles and processes that make up the Buddhist teachings of life. Learning to be able to live our lives on the basis of correct teachings is part of our human revolution. The process is a transformation of the heart.

Transforming the Self, Living the Teachings

When we commit our lives to chanting we embark on a journey of self-discovery and challenge. By taking responsibility for our feelings and emotions, especially those we most dislike, we come to realise we have the ability to transform our lives from within. As we broaden our experiences of chanting daimoku we get experiences of our environment reflecting the transformation of our inner lives. This could be in our family relationships, at work or in other aspects of life.

It is usually within one of these arenas that we find life can be difficult or cause us to suffer. As we continue chanting, the more we start to see our lives very differently. At first this process may seem a little uncomfortable because it is quite unique and new to us. We may or may not like what we see. Perhaps we realise we have set attitudes or opinions about others or various issues that make us suffer. It may seem that others have a problem with us. This can draw out all sorts of feelings and emotions that can make us uneasy, or uncomfortable.

Getting this kind of reaction does not mean that chanting is not working or that it is working in a negative way. On the contrary you are actually in the process of transforming exactly that which has always led you to suffer in that particular area of your life. Your chanting is illuminating an area of your life that needs to change for your own happiness. The realisation that this opinion or attitude stems from our own lives and not from others opinions of us, leads us to uncover the Buddha nature inherent in our lives. The quickest way to transform these feelings or attitude is to keep chanting until you realise the cause of these uncomfortable feelings.

However, it may be that is exactly when you find it the most difficult time to chant. You are on the brink of changing a part of your life that always stops you from progressing or being happy. It will probably feel like walking up a hill backwards. At such times obstacles and devils arise. You will probably be able to justify why it is more beneficial to watch TV than do gongyo or chant or tell a friend about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo or study some of Nichiren Daishonin`s writings. But this is exactly the time to do these things in order to break through and win over something that has always held you back. This is the time to muster a fighting spirit and to be courageous.

In his book Seven Paths to Peace, Daisaku Ikeda talks about human revolution in terms of self-mastery. Simply put, this means winning control over oneself, overcoming the small self that is dominated by narrow self-interest and awakening to the larger self that works for the good of all humanity. From this standpoint a major obstacle to developing ourselves is to pursue a way of life bound by our small ego or self. Expanding from the lesser self to the greater self is the path of human revolution.

Through our practice of introducing others to Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, and through efforts to share Buddhism with others, we ourselves grow immensely, we can carry out our human revolution, and transform our karma. Therefore by guiding another individual towards happiness, we also guide ourselves towards happiness. The act of introducing others to Buddhism, which enables us to profoundly benefit both ourselves and others, is the formula of hope for humanity.

At a time when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood, or at a time when a person is at a turning point in doing their human revolution, the negative aspect of life will always appear in some form. This is an unavoidable fact of life! Nichiren Daishonin assures us of this and asks us to transmit it as an axiom or principle of faith so that it is understood by all those who practise.

Obstacles

This negative aspect is often referred to as the 'three obstacles and four devils' (in Japanese, sansho shima). Obstacles refer to things which appear to be outside of ourselves (but which ultimately have their origins in our lives) and the devils, or negative elements, are 'internal'. What makes these obstacles and devils serious is that if we are influenced by them we may stop practising Buddhism. They confront us at a specific point in time - usually when we are about to grow in our lives and move forward. The fact that at a difficult moment we may think that we should stop practising is a sign that it is an attack of one of the three obstacles and four devils. From a positive point of view these hindrances enable us to see a weakness in our lives so that we can chant and become stronger in that area.

The first is the obstacle of earthly desires. Buddhism teaches that our earthly desires may be transformed into enlightenment. Second is the obstacle of karma, which includes the influence of those who are close to us such as a spouse, partner or children. Third is the obstacle of retribution, which means opposition from those with power over us, such as our superiors, parents or people in authority.

The devils come from within our own lives. We create our own negativity, our own doubt, uncertainty and confusion. The first devil arises from our earthly desires. It can include egoism, craving for personal fame and riches, laziness or being dominated by force of habit. It can also arise from the three poisons of greed, anger and stupidity.

Second is the devil of weakness that can arise in our own bodies, such as an illness which will hold us back and reduce our capacity. Third is the devil which manifests as the hindrance of death. Unless we are confident that death is not 'the end', but rather another phase in the cycle of life and death - then another person's death can trigger a sense of doubt and can considerably weaken our will to practise Buddhism, even though Buddhism is intended to relieve us from the sufferings of birth and death.

Finally the fourth devil is known as the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven who, in Buddhist mythology, works to obstruct Buddhist practice and drain our life force. This is the manifestation of fundamental darkness inherent in life. And because of this can be seen as the most challenging aspect of negativity to conquer. When influential people persuade or threaten us to stop practising this could be said to be the workings of the Devil of the Sixth Heaven.

Whatever form they take, the Daishonin advises us to take these obstacles and devils as confirmation that we are properly practising the true Law through which ordinary people become Buddhas. They offer us insight into aspects of our human revolution, ways to strengthen our lives and assurance that we are on the verge of achieving this, so long as we are neither influenced nor frightened by them. Human revolution includes experiencing this process and transforming some aspect of ourselves. It indicates the real experience of finding we have to confront something. It also includes our need to gain the inner conviction that we can win over the obstacle in question.

In Buddhism, the term 'fundamental darkness' is used to describe the ignorance and delusion inherent in human life. This is the ignorance of the fact that we all have the state of Buddhahood in our lives, at all times, latent and ready to be revealed. The aim of our great struggle for kosen-rufu, our movement of human revolution, is to transform that innate darkness into light. Our goal is to vanquish the destructive tendencies within human life that give rise to mutual distrust and hate, violence and fear. The three obstacles and four devils become an indispensable means for doing this. That is why we should rejoice when they appear.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?"

(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 412) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, May 9th, 2008

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Just always remember that in the Daishonin’s Buddhism, it’s always you that saves your ass and no one else. There's no Jesus to give you a pass. If one thinks faith is passive belief in better days coming, I think one will find that their suffering can last a very long time.

If we don't chant lots of Daimoku, self-reflect, and cut the shit out, the Universe will mercifully never let us find “satisfaction.” How could incorrect behavior, feeding our unhappiness, be given a pass to continue? Our very Daimoku will force those circumstance to change.

The idea is that we are supposed to be figuring all this shit out as we go along. We’re supposed to be doing human revolution becoming the Buddhas that reveal our True Identities as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Faith is effort. It isn’t just belief.

If you decide to slide and glide, don’t be pissed when you get bumped off the ride.

(But you can always get back on—usually as a wiser and better rider.)

Don’t ever be discouraged! All of this shit is part of the process! Don’t fail to make the grade!

Deep respect,

T

 

[Bonzo]

Just always remember that in the Daishonin’s Buddhism, it’s always you that saves your ass and no one else. There's no Jesus to give you a pass. If one thinks faith is passive belief in better days coming, I think one will find that their suffering can last a very long time.

If we don't chant lots of Daimoku, self-reflect, and cut the shit out, the Universe will mercifully never let us find “satisfaction.” How could incorrect behavior, feeding our unhappiness, be given a pass to continue? Our very Daimoku will force those circumstance to change.

The idea is that we are supposed to be figuring all this shit out as we go along. We’re supposed to be doing human revolution becoming the Buddhas that reveal our True Identities as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Faith is effort. It isn’t just belief.

If you decide to slide and glide, don’t be pissed when you get bumped off the ride.

(But you can always get back on—usually as a wiser and better rider.)

Don’t ever be discouraged! All of this shit is part of the process! Don’t fail to make the grade!

Deep respect,

T

Thank you T, I needed to read this. Seriously.

I know you know that

peace and love

bonz










Nam myoho renge kyo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Hitman]

Yes, I must second that motion, Bonzo.

Keep on Keepin on, T. Love, love, love and more respect to everyone!

That little devil inside us shrinks when it hears the sound of sincere daimoku- Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
We Win!

 

[Desiderata]

Hey Ya'll, I'm getting hooked up to SGI. There's like 5 district groups around me. Sanji at the front desk said "oh the internet is such a bad place", hehehe,"that chanting with live people is so much better".

Yep, I'm taking the plunge, I'm gonna get wet.WhooooooooooooooHoooooooooo!

Up, Up, and away!

Desi Dog