Be Cheerful Suns of Happiness

Be Cheerful Suns of Happiness

"There is no way that all of you, who chant daimoku to the Gohonzon and earnestly strive for kosen-rufu, will fail to become happy. You will not only enjoy happiness in this lifetime, but eternally throughout the three existences of past, present, and future.

"Real life, however, is filled with an unending series of problems, including such things as financial troubles, sickness, and family disharmony. But even though, at such times, your circumstances may seem unfortunate on... the surface, if you keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo throughout, you will definitely be able to transform all that is negative into something positive in accord with the Buddhist principle of 'changing poison into medicine.' You can ride out every difficulty, turning it into an opportunity for growth. In this sense, it can be said that, on a fundamental level, you have already won.

"Your life could be likened to a play. You may be performing the role of someone suffering right now, but the play is certain to have a happy and triumphant ending. There is no way that it could conclude in misery. You will be able to enjoy happiness in lifetime after lifetime. You will be able to win eternally. So you have nothing to worry about."

President Ikeda

Excerpt from YWD COMMEMORATIVE GATHERING--PART 1 [OF 5] Be Cheerful Suns of Happiness.

COURAGE

COURAGE

"The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next."

"It takes courage to become happy -- courage to remain true to one's convictions, courage not to be defeated by one's weaknesses and negativity, courage to take swift action to help those who are suffering."No matter how wonderful our dreams, how noble our ideals, or how high our hopes, ultimately we need courage ...to make them a reality. Without action, it's as if they never existed."

"If you summon your courage to challenge something, you'll never be left with regret. How sad it is to spend your life wishing, "If only I'd had a little more courage." Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right."

"Fearing hardships and bemoaning and resenting our environment is to live with the belief that the Law is outside our own life. So is losing confidence in our ability to overcome our circumstances and turning to others in the hope that they will save us, or blaming others for our problems, or giving in to hoplessness and resignation.

  

When difficulties beset us, no matter how trying they may be, we must clearly see them for the obstacles or devilish functions they are and battle against them without retreating. This is the way of life of those who chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and dedicate their lives to the Mystic Law. The Daishonin says: "Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly" ( WND 1 - pg 481). In accord with these words, let us cast aside cowardice and make courage our foremost attribute".

- Daisaku Ikeda  

How can we make our prayers really effective?

How can we make our prayers really effective?

The most important thing when we sit down to pray is the depth of our determination. Begin with a strong determination — this is what opens up our lives.

If you sit down in front of the Gohonzon without a determination, your prayer may tend to slip into mere formality. As a result, when chanting your life may fail to completely fuse with the Gohonzon, relying on the strategy of your lesser self instead. But w...hen you make a profound determination and pray, you can truly tap into the limitless power of your life.

Next, it is vital to take action. The wisdom and courage that emerge with your strong prayer enables you to take the best action toward achieving your goals. Never give up. If you stop making efforts toward achieving your goals, you will never see them realized. As long as you keep your determination strong, you can always change poison into medicine and never fail to show actual proof. This requires the perseverance that comes from a seeking mind. By continuing to seek the truth of Nichiren Buddhism through faith, practice and study, we assure ourselves steady progress in the fulfillment of our goals.

I also hope you will have big dreams and really use the practice to propel you toward their accomplishment. The purpose of Nichiren Buddhism is to lead rich and fulfilling lives. When we make kosen-rufu our fundamental purpose in life, we naturally attune ourselves with the Mystic Law inherent in the universe. In this way all of our efforts, whether at home, in school or on the job, come to shine with increasing brilliance and meaning.

Remember, too, that if our dreams were easily accomplished, without strenuous efforts and growth on our part, there would be no real benefit as a human being. In that case we would become shallow and weak individuals, unable to understand the sufferings of others or to contribute to their happiness. It is by burning the firewood of earthly desires through praying earnestly to the Gohonzon and taking action for the happiness of others within our district that a tremendous fire of enlightened wisdom wells forth in our lives.

Source: DISTRICT LEADERS Q-AND-A WITH SGI-USA GENERAL DIRECTOR DANNY NAGASHIMA- APRIL 5, 2002 - WORLD TRIBUNE 11

Transforming Relationship Karma

Transforming Relationship Karma

Another aspect of karma which is often misunderstood is this: we often think our karma is something outside of us. However, someone else’s behavior is not your karma. Your karma is that you don’...t know how to deal with their behavior. You can’t handle their behavior. You respond in the wrong way to their behavior. That’s your problem. Your behavior is your karma. Sometimes we may think that we are a terrible person if we have someone in our environment who is a terrible person. That’s not true. They are a terrible person in their own right!

The question is, why are you suffering? You have the karma to be with that person, but they were going to be that way anyway. You didn’t make them that way. Ask yourself why are you unable to deal with that person. Why does that person make you angry? Why do you let that person make you unhappy? In such a case, you have the karma to be unable to handle these things in your environment. That is your problem.

When you chant daimoku to be able to handle that person; to be able to grow and be stronger than that person so that you are no longer affected, then it no longer affects you. You’ve transformed your environment.

Source: SGI-USA Vice General Director Greg Martin

True Faith

True Faith

by SGI VP Tsuji

I would like to talk about true faith today. It is important to advance true faith.

Gongyo is directly related to your life. There are three things directly related sustaining life. One is to eat and rest. It is important to consume nutrients and to get adequate sleep. These two are easy to understand and everyone does them. You don't quit eating or sleeping because you are unhappy with someone.

But when it comes to doing Gongyo there are those who quit doing their prayers easily. It is because they do not realize that Gongyo and Daimoku are directly related to sustaining their life. You can improve your destiny by chanting Daimoku. Your karma will further deteriorate with out chanting. If you do not chant your destiny will revert back to your former bad karma. It is like reverting back to your former state of having a weak intestinal system or back to poverty. These types of changes are not easily recognized. This is why people get lazy with their daily Gongyo and Daimoku. This is a frightening thing.

There is a phrase in the Gosho, English Gosho page 81, "There is no true happiness other than upholding faith in the Lotus Sutra." But do you really do your Gongyo with this conviction?

You must feel that it gives you the greatest pleasure to do Gongyo and Daimoku. There is phrase in the Gosho that emphasizes that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys. To be wed is a joyous thing. But Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a greater joy. To save millions of dollars may make you happy. But Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is even more enriching. To finally renovate your home after many years of waiting may bring you joy but chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is better than that.

  

Finally getting a child after many attempts may be a joyous occasion but Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is more joyous than that. Look into your hearts to see if you are chanting with this type of gratitude. Are you receiving 100% of the benefits that the Gohonzon would like to grant you? I feel that most of you are just receiving 10 to 15% of what you could be receiving.

  

With this type of life condition you will lose to obstacles and deep karma.

  

Why do you receive benefits when you chant to the Gohonzon - and why do you continue to chant? If you chant only to overcome a specific illness will it only cure that illness? If you chant for the success of your business, will you only become successful in business? It is not such a limited practice.

  

The Gohonzon is telling us it can elevate our life to the highest level, equal to the Gohonzon. There is a passage in the Gosho, "hoping to make all persons equal to me, without any distinction between us." You should chant with deep gratitude to the Gohonzon for granting you the same life condition as the Gohonzon.

  

As you continue chanting you yourself will embody Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. There is another quotation from the Gosho page 216, " Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless Kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate law of life and death.

  

If you doubt whether this Gosho is true or not you are already separated from your Gohonzon. Because you think there is a difference your connection is weak. Therefore your benefits are diminished.

  

There is another quotation from page 832 of the Gosho, "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." As stated in this Gosho Nam-myoho-renge-kyo exists within us. But for some reason it is very difficult to manifest Nam-myoho-renge-kyo or we can not seem to bring it out. That is why we are mere mortals. Then how can we manifest it in our lives?

  

We can bring it forth by just vocalizing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

  

You may see cherry blossom and feel how beautiful it is. You may see a full moon and enjoy the moonlight. You may see a cockroach and feel disgusted. By seeing these things you feel these types of life conditions.

  

You may be moved by hearing beautiful music or be motivated by hearing President Ikeda's speech on tape. You achieve these through your ears.

  

You're related to your Gohonzon through vocalization. That means by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo out loud you bring forth your Buddhist life force.

  

There is a phrase in the Gosho that states that your voice brings out Buddhahood. As long as you chant Daimoku you bring out your Buddhahood. It will explode from you.

  

If you are conned or robbed your life will burst with anger. If your life is filled with worries and suffering you may commit suicide. If you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo you can change life filled with such suffering, anger or poverty and overcome your problems.

  

There is a Gosho phrase on page 412, "What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"

  

For those of you suffering with poverty there is a phrase on page 1137 of the Gosho "...those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away."

  

We recite in our Gongyo, "Jiga toku burai" or "Since I attained Buddhahood". It is that crucial that we chant with conviction. To think that someone else will grant you Buddhahood is wrong. You must act yourself.

  

I visited the Kawai residence in Fukui Prefecture of Japan to give guidance at a meeting being held there around February. Mr. Kawai who is now 51 years old had been blind from three years old after contracting measles. I told him, "You have eyeballs don't you? If you have eyes then you can open them. This Gohonzon is the Gohonzon of "The Opening of the Eyes".

  

"The Opening of the Eyes" teaches us to see clearly. And yet you can not see - it must be because you did something against the Gohonzon and the Buddhist teachings in your past. You must have committed great slanders in the past. Ask the Gohonzon to please forgive your slanders. Express your gratitude to have had the fortune to meet the Gohonzon in this lifetime. Pledge to dedicate your life to Kosen rufu. Ask the Gohonzon to allow you to see the Gohonzon, your family and others around you so you can contribute towards Kosen-rufu." I asked him to pray in such a way.

  

In the beginning of March, I received a message that he regained his sight after almost fifty years. Through his experience the whole Fukui prefecture has revitalized itself. It is such a surprise that one person regaining his sight can have such a great impact on an entire region.

  

But what I wonder about this incident is why he couldn't regain his sight sooner? He was a member who offers his own home for meetings, never missed his Gongyo and had strong faith. Yet why wasn't he able to see sooner. It was because his attitude when doing his Gongyo and Daimoku was incorrect. His faith had gone off track.

  

You must pray earnestly, "Isshin yokenbutsu fujishaku shinmyo" or "single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha". You must chant with gratitude and conviction that you will become one with the Gohonzon and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. There is no such thing as a sick or poor Buddha. Therefore all worries will be resolved. That is why you can achieve human revolution. Only human beings are able to achieve these things.

  

In May 22nd when I visited Okayama Culture Center a young mother came to me for guidance. She was concerned about her two year old son who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. This disease causes shrinking of the muscles until it affects even the internal organs until it results in death. I told this mother that it was her karma to suffer over her child. On the Gohonzon it is written that things are supposed to prosper and grow, then what is it that such a thing as shrinking happening? It must be because of the horrendous slander she committed against the Gohonzon. Pray that the two of you will work together as mother and child for Kosen rufu so please cure the disease. The Lotus Sutra is like a like a plague that spans past, present and future. The Lotus Sutra can even help a person who has passed away to achieve enlightenment. Your child is still alive.

  

It is natural to transmit the Lotus Sutra to your child. There is no sin that can not be eradicated by this Gohonzon. Your worry is not the result of your current slanders, it is a result of slanders in your past life. It is a slander from your past life that you can remedy in this life. Parent and child are one. Pray earnestly.

  

This mother was sort of a complainer and insisted that her son was named by President Ikeda and that he was a fortune baby. I told her that President Ikeda will name a child at a parent's request but he can not change your destiny. It is up to you to change your own karma and destiny.

  

I got a message from her afterwards that her son began to run without falling after three days. She was shocked at how great the Gohonzon's power was and how happy she was. Her son could now play on the slide and kneel by himself. He no longer had nose bleeds when he ran. As she continued practicing and her son got healthier, her husband began practicing earnestly too. For this mother who used to complain that she was suffering and had to practice because of her son, her attitude changed 180 degrees to gratitude towards her son for helping her to practice. Her practice changed from one of complaint to a practice of gratitude. With this as a turning point all her prayers were then answered and her wishes fulfilled.

  

Each time I hear such experiences I truly comprehend how great the power of the Gohonzon. To be able to receive guidance to change our life is the benefit of having the organization. In the end what our attitude is when we face our Gohonzon is the most important thing.

  

I’m not sure when this was written. I came across a few years ago. He makes some excellent points for us all to apply. I have the utmost respect for anything VP Tsuji has to say, and therefore try to absorb and utilize it to the fullest.

  

Source: Guidance by Vice President Tsuji

  

New Year's Gosho

New Year's Gosho

  

It is clear that those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away. The believers in the Lotus Sutra are like the sandalwood with its fragrance.

(Passage from “New Year’s Gosho”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,137)

  

Background

This letter was written to the wife of Lord Omosu whose estate was located on Omosu Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province. The precise year of this letter is unclear.

  

Lady Omosu is the elder sister of Nanjo Tokimitsu, one of the Daishonin’s foremost disciples. It is accounted that she was converted to the Daishonin’s Buddhism by Nikko Shonin.

  

Explanation

This letter is Nichiren Daishonin’s response to the offerings of rice cakes and fruits made by the wife of Lord Omosu at the beginning of the year.

  

He praised the pure faith of believers who make sincere offerings to the Mystic Law and stated that those who believe in the Lotus Sutra (Gohonzon) will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away. The Daishonin taught that the good causes created and implanted in one’s life will surely be manifested as actual proofs of benefits in one’s daily life.

  

Just as a shadow follows the form of the object, one’s life will depend on how much good fortune one creates and accumulates in one’s life. One who upholds faith in the Gohonzon and exerts oneself for kosen-rufu will engrave great good causes and benefits in one’s life. These good fortunes created in one’s life will definitely be actualized in a life filled with good fortune. On the contrary, when one slanders the Mystic Law, obstructing the flow of kosen-rufu, one will erase one’s good fortune and will be inviting various misfortunes onto oneself.

  

Buddhism is not just ideology. It exists in a very practical and realistic level. The results of the way we live will without fail become clear, manifesting in our lives as either happiness or unhappiness. The Daishonin explained that those who practice faith in the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will lead lives of boundless happiness.

  

The metaphor of sandalwood endowed with wonderful fragrance is used to explain that life is inherently endowed with the Buddha nature. Those who strive to practice with pure faith and dedicate their lives for the sake of the Law will manifest the strong and pure life of the Buddha, just as the sandalwood can emit wonderful fragrance. SGI President Ikeda said, “Any action taken for the sake of faith will become the source of your good fortune and benefit. Relations of cause and effect based on the Mystic Law are absolute. All of you working hard for the sake of kosen-rufu and the Law, as well as exerting yourselves for the happiness of your fellow members. Please be convinced that all such efforts will serve to change your karma and return to you as benefit.”

  

With deep conviction that all our action for kosen-rufu will never fail to become the source of your good fortune and benefit, let us continue to advance with great cheer to achieve total victory for kosen-rufu.

Prayers in Buddhism Explained

Prayers in Buddhism Explained 

"Prayer in Buddhism is significantly different from the prayer that many of us were familiar with in our upbringing. If we don’t understand the difference, then there will be a tendency in us to continue to pray as though we are trying to communicate with some external power. This would be taking on only the superficial aspects of a Buddha, while remaining attached to previous ways of thinking.

In Buddhism, the “source” or the “power” is within us. A Buddhist prayer is inner-directed. We are seeking assistance from our own Buddha nature within. In Buddhism, human beings are inherently worthy and good. We possess the Buddha nature. Buddhist prayers are then filled with a sense of responsibility and appreciation.

Our prayer should be that we are going to try to gather lotuses in the muddy swamp of our own life. Chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon is intended to open our eyes to see that lotus blossom. It is extremely difficult for us to perceive what is at the depths of our lives. The Daishonin created a prayer for us to open our eyes and see revealed, the treasure that we possess.

If you are chanting in front of the Gohonzon and searching for some power out there to come to you and bring you a miracle, you are looking in the wrong place. Our Buddha nature is in the deep dark storehouse of our lives. It is not easy to find. We tend to look for our Buddha nature in the areas in our lives where we can see easily. Within our lives lie not only the cause of our suffering, but also the solution to all of our problems.

If you pray with an outwardly-directed prayer, your prayers will not be answered. Nothing will happen.

The intent of our prayer in Buddhism is to transform illusion into wisdom. Wisdom is the greatest benefit of our Buddhist practice. Our society tends to promote the view that the purpose of life is to collect as much material possession as possible. Buddhism says that this is not the purpose of life.”

Source: SGI-USA Vice General Director Greg Martin 

OVERCOMING ILLNESS

OVERCOMING ILLNESS

President Ikeda's quotes on OVERCOMING ILLNESS 

"Falling ill is not a form of failure or defeat. It doesn't happen because our faith is weak. The hardship of illness that occurs when we are striving for kosen-rufu is simply the action of devilish influences trying to obstruct our attainment of Buddhahood. As such, we mustn't let illness intimidate us. The Daishonin teaches us how to bring forth courage to face illness and attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. 

  

It is vital to arouse even stronger faith when you experience illness. Keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the determination to make this illness an opportunity to demonstrate the tremendous power of faith and achieve truly amazing growth as a human being."

"The Daishonin writes: "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?" (WND-1, 412). 

The Mystic Law is the power source that enables us to vanquish the sufferings of illness. It is the best of all medicines for our life. Mr. Toda often used to say: "The human body is one big pharmaceutical factory."

The important thing is to pray intensely and continuously so that the great life force of the Buddha can manifest itself in your body and vanquish the devil of illness. If you fight against sickness based on faith in the Mystic Law, you can definitely transform all poison into medicine."

"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 !"

Silent Prayers

On the Silent Prayers

President Ikeda says: I would like to touch upon the silent prayers that we offer during gongyo.

Silent prayers are offered in the heart. Accordingly, even though we may read their words, it is what we are actually thinking --- the thoughts occurring to us --- that become our prayers.

President Toda said: Since we are human, it is only natural that various thoughts will occur to us while we are chanting daimoku. But if we chant earnestly, then gradually we will become able to focus entirely on the Gohonzon. If we chant with an earnest frame of mind, our various worries about our daily lives will be resolved. At that time, for example, the complaints of a spouse will sound as soothing as a lullaby.

But let's be careful when offering silent prayers. The thoughts in our heart are clearly expressed to the Gohonzon. If during the silent prayers we think, "That fellow's a real rascal," then even though we may be reading the silent prayer's words, it is the thought in our heart, "He's a real rascal, that becomes our prayer to the Gohonzon.

Offering the silent prayers properly is a decisive struggle. The prayers that someone offers reflect his or her life state. Prayers have to be concrete, and they must be earnest and made with determination.

Whether chanting daimoku or offering silent prayers, the most important thing is to pray with a resolute mind. Prayers should not be abstract. The Buddhas and Buddhist gods respond to earnest strong prayers arising from the very depths of one's life.

Source: Excerpt from the Lectures on the Hoben and Juryo Chapters of the Lotus Sutra by Sensei Ikeda

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUZU BEADS

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUZU BEADS

  

In the practice of Nichiren Buddhism, we hold juzu beads in our hands while reciting Gongyo and chanting Daimoku.

  

There are 108 beads in the main body, signifying the 108 Earthly Desires

  

The 4 smaller beads in the main body represent the 4 Great Bodhisattvas of the Earth….Jogyo, Muhengyo, Jyogyo, and Anryugyo.

  

The 2 large beads at each end of the main body, are the “parent” beads. The “mother” bead, representing “mystic” is on the side with 3 dangles, and is placed over the middle finger of the right hand. The “father” bead, representing “law” is on the side with 2 dangles, and is placed on the middle finger of the left hand.

  

We cross the beads in the middle, which shows our oneness with THE LAW. Also, we cross the beads so our benefits do not fall through our hands and lives. By placing the beads on our hands this way, we are accepting the reality that Buddhahood exists within our lives.

  

When we press our hands together while we hold our juzu beads, our 10 fingers represent the 10 Worlds which fuse together simultaneously in the life of a Buddha, our lives. Our life is now one with the Mystic Law!

  

The one small bead that sits below the “father” bead, represents Absolute Truth.

  

Prior to Nichiren Buddhism, there were only 2 dangles on each end of juzu beads. The third dangle, consisting of 10 beads and a "Kosen-Rufu" bead, on the side of the “mother” was added, actually tied on, to signify Nichiren Buddhism and distinguish it from other sects of Buddhism.

  

On the remaining 4 dangles, there is a differently shaped bead part way down each string. This bead is called the “jar” bead and holds the benefits of our practice.

  

The 5 larger beads at the bottom of each dangle are the “Kosen-Rufu” beads, and represent our desire to spread Nichiren Buddhism, Kosen-Rufu, throughout the World.

Wisdom is the greatest benefit of our Buddhist practice

Wisdom is the greatest benefit of our Buddhist practice

“Prayer in Buddhism is significantly different from the prayer that many of us were familiar with in our upbringing. If we don’t understand the difference, then there will be a tendency in us to continue to pray as though we are trying to communicate with some external power. This would be taking on only the superficial aspects of a Buddha, while remaining attached to previous ways of thinking…

In Buddhism, the “source” or the “power” is within us. A Buddhist prayer is inner-directed. We are seeking assistance from our own Buddha nature within. In Buddhism, human beings are inherently worthy and good. We possess the Buddha nature. Buddhist prayers are then filled with a sense of responsibility and appreciation….

Our prayer should be that we are going to try to gather lotuses in the muddy swamp of our own life. Chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon is intended to open our eyes to see that lotus blossom. It is extremely difficult for us to perceive what is at the depths of our lives. The Daishonin created a prayer for us to open our eyes and see revealed, the treasure that we possess.

If you are chanting in front of the Gohonzon and searching for some power out there to come to you and bring you a miracle, you are looking in the wrong place. Our Buddha nature is in the deep dark storehouse of our lives. It is not easy to find. We tend to look for our Buddha nature in the areas in our lives where we can see easily. Within our lives lie not only the cause of our suffering, but also the solution to all of our problems.

If you pray with an outwardly-directed prayer, your prayers will not be answered. Nothing will happen…

The intent of our prayer in Buddhism is to transform illusion into wisdom. Wisdom is the greatest benefit of our Buddhist practice. Our society tends to promote the view that the purpose of life is to collect as much material possession as possible. Buddhism says that this is not the purpose of life.”

Greg Martin

DEVELOP A STRONG INNER CORE

DEVELOP A STRONG INNER CORE

Here, President Ikeda responds to the concern of a future division member who was failing to make any headway in solving a difficult problem even after having decided to challenge it by earnestly doing gongyo every day. He explains that in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, no prayer goes unanswered, but that the benefits we accrue from faith in the Gohonzon are sometimes conspicuous and sometimes inconspicuous. So, even if we do not see concrete results immediately from our practice, it’s important that we continue to persevere in chanting and making efforts. If we do so, he says, we will be able to move in the direction that is the very best for us.

DEVELOP A STRONG INNER CORE.

In Nichiren Buddhism, it is said that no prayer goes unanswered. But this is very different from having each wish instantly gratified as if by magic. If you chant to win the lottery tomorrow, or score 100 percent on a test tomorrow without having studied, the odds are small that it will happen. Nonetheless, viewed from a deeper, longer-term perspective, all your prayers serve to propel you in the direction of happiness.

Sometimes our immediate prayers are realized, and sometimes they aren’t. When we look back later, however, we can say with absolute conviction that everything turned out for the best.

Buddhism accords with reason. Our faith is manifested in our daily lives, in our actual circumstances. Our prayers cannot be answered if we fail to make efforts to realize them.

Furthermore, it takes a great deal of time and effort to overcome sufferings of a karmic nature, whose roots lie deep in causes we made in the past. There is a big difference, for example, in the time it takes for a scratch to heal and that required to recover from a serious internal disease. Some illnesses can be treated with medication, while others require surgery. The same applies to changing our karma through faith and practice.

  

In addition, each person’s level of faith and individual karma differ. By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, however, we can bring forth a powerful sense of hope and move our lives in a positive, beneficial direction without fail.

  

It’s unrealistic to think we can achieve anything of substance overnight. If we were to have every prayer answered instantly, it would lead to our ruin. We’d grow lazy and complacent.

  

You may have a passing interest in painting, for example. But if you think you can simply dash off some paintings, suddenly hold an exhibition and have your work snapped up by art collectors, you are hardly being realistic.

  

Suppose you spend all your money playing rather than working, and are now destitute. Do you think someone giving you a large sum of money would contribute to your happiness in the long term?

  

It would be like making superficial repairs to a crumbling building without addressing the root problem. To create something fine and solid, it would be better to build anew from the foundation up. The purpose of our Buddhist practice is to transform our lives on a fundamental level, not superficially. It enables us to develop a strong inner core and solidly accumulate indestructible good fortune.

  

There are two kinds of benefit that derive from faith in the Gohonzon: conspicuous and inconspicuous. Conspicuous benefit is the obvious, visible benefit of being protected or being quickly able to surmount a problem when it arises—be it an illness or a conflict in personal relationships.

  

Inconspicuous benefit, on the other hand, is less tangible. It is good fortune accumulated slowly but steadily, like the growth of a tree or the rising of the tide, which results in the forging of a rich and expansive state of life. We might not discern any change from day to day, but as the years pass, it will be clear that we’ve become happy, that we’ve grown as individuals. This is inconspicuous benefit.

  

When you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, you will definitely gain the best result, regardless of whether that benefit is conspicuous or inconspicuous.

  

No matter what happens, the important thing is to continue chanting. If you do so, you’ll become happy without fail. Even if things don’t work out the way you hoped or imagined, when you look back later, you’ll understand on a much more profound level that it was the best possible result. This is tremendous inconspicuous benefit.

  

Conspicuous benefit, for instance, might allow you to eat your fill today but leave you worrying about your next meal. As an example of inconspicuous benefit, on the other hand, you may have only a meager meal today, but you are moving steadily toward a life in which you will never have to worry about having enough to eat. The latter is a far more attractive prospect, I think, and is the essence of practicing Nichiren Buddhism.

  

Source: President Ikeda’s Guidance:

Adapted from the dialogue Discussion on Youth, published in Japanese in March 1999.

Power of Daimoku

Power of Daimoku

  

"If you underestimate the power of daimoku and use other strategies you will lose in the end. You can accumulate good fortune only when you fight for the kosen-rufu without begrudging your life. Unless your prayers are united, your fight for kosen-rufu cannot gain momentum. No matter what anybody says, or does, nothing can defeat the power of daimoku. But without action, you cannot call it faith. The Gohonzon can penetrate through everything.

  

The world of faith is very mystic and once you become serious, you can gain 1000 or 10000 times more benefits. When you chant abundant daimoku, you have the power to open even the heaviest iron-door that stands in your way i.e, you can overcome the most massive obstacles in your life. You can definitely change your negative karma. The world of faith is the place where many of us, all of us chant powerful daimoku in unity, thus creating power like the force of a huge wind. There is nothing ...but Daimoku. Daimoku determines everything. Daimoku has more power than 1 million guidance or a million books of philosophy.

  

Chant abundant Daimoku and pray to the Gohonzon. Ask the Gohonzon whatever you need. Everything will come true as your wish and the path of kosen-rufu will open up in front of you. Everything depends upon how much Daimoku you chant. When you chant a lot of Daimoku, you will naturally feel that you need to study more. When you chant Daimoku, your work will become more fulfilling.

  

There may be times that you will experience great sufferings and deep sorrow. There maybe nights when tears will not stop flowing. There may also be times when you are terribly hurt. At such times my heart will be open to you. I am always here to listen you. I, too, will share tears with you. You don't need to tell me anything if you are happy. I can tell just by looking at your face. Just tell me about the problems and pains that you have. I will carry half of your heavy burden and walk together with you."

  

-Daisaku Ikeda

On Prayers Getting Answered

On Prayers Getting Answered

  

Imagine doing gongyo, chanting daimoku, doing shakubuku, attending discussion meetings, promoting the World Tribune, participating in zaimu, for lifetime after lifetime for countless aeons, and never changing your karma; never attaining enlightenment. That's a depressing thought.

  

The Daishonin is pointing out here how important it is not to look outside yourself. Don't try to get power from outside yourself. Seek the solution to the problem within yourself. You are the problem. You are also the solution.

  

If you chant daimoku in front of the Gohonzon with the prayer, "Give me the wisdom to know what I need to do. Give me the wisdom to know what action I need to take," you will be amazed at the progress you make. Outwardly-directed prayers will not help you in the least, even if you do it for the rest of your life.

  

The Daishonin's strict point here is that if you are going to chant daimoku, don't waste your time trying to fix things outside yourself. The Gohonzon has almost no power in the outer realm, but the Gohonzon has a universe of unlimited power to change you and reform your life. Open your life and see your true nature. Deal with your true nature. It is characterised by one of the three poisons: greed, anger or stupidity. To find out which it is, just ask yourself, "Am I greedy, am I angry, or am I stupid?" It's one of those three!

  

The Daishonin goes on to state: " ... you cannot attain Buddhahood, even if you practice lifetime after lifetime for countless aeons. Attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime is then impossible ... For example, a poor man cannot earn a penny just by counting his neighbour's wealth, even if he does so night and day."

  

This Gosho goes on to say that if you do not understand that this is happening within you and not out there someplace, you will be unable to change your karma. Your practice will become an endless, painful austerity.

  

Let's turn that around. Look at your life. Is there any area in your life in which, when you chant daimoku about it, it seems an endless, painful austerity? It may be your job, your relationships, your children, or anything else. You might be fine in all other areas, but when it comes to relationships, for example, you can be completely non-Buddhist and getting no benefit. This can go on for years. You may even give up because it's so painful.

  

The problem is not Buddhism. The problem is not that your karma is so heavy. The problem is that you are looking the wrong place. You are the problem. You are not looking inside. It's easier to look outside.

  

Let's say you have a large problem that you want to overcome. You begin a campaign of chanting one million daimoku. Somewhere around 999,950 daimoku, it suddenly dawns on you, "hey, maybe the problem is me!" Knowing this, we can shorten the process a little bit!

  

Start out knowing that "the problem is me." That way we can make progress chanting maybe only 50,000 daimoku instead of 1 million.

  

The quality of our prayer is just as important as the quantity. The ideal thing is to chant quality, quantity daimoku. However, the quality of our prayer is extremely important.

  

When we look at our practice, we only see it from one direction, and it always looks right to us. Most of the time, we think we're fine. But someone else can clearly see if we are way out of line. This is especially true when you have an experienced senior in faith. This is why we receive guidance.

  

When you go to receive guidance, what do you think the guidance will be? Chant daimoku right? Has it ever happened to you that the guidance you received was, "I think you are chanting too much daimoku"? Of course not (although I heard that Nikken once said that chanting too much daimoku was not healthy!).

  

You know what the conclusion will be when you receive guidance. The person giving the guidance knows what the conclusion will be. So why go to receive guidance? The reason is because the daimoku you're currently chanting is not reaching the Gohonzon. Something's gone amiss and you're frustrated. You need someone to point to you and say, "Ah, your view has become non-Buddhist. You've lost the correct spirit and you're chanting for the wrong reason." The power of guidance is to redirect our prayer to the Gohonzon so we can get the benefit to start flowing again.

  

When we lose the Buddhist perspective and we start looking outside ourselves, blaming others or thinking the problem is outside of us, there is no voice that says, "Watch out! You're about to look outside of yourself"! It creeps up on you from behind. Before you know it, your daimoku is losing its power. The joy is not there anymore.

  

You may begin to think, "Maybe I never did get benefit before. Maybe this practice never did work for me." Doubts begin to appear. This is how our faith gets bent. This is why we need guidance. Our organisation is an organisation for guiding people in correct faith so they can straighten out their prayer, get rid of all the non-Buddhist stuff and focus their prayer on daimoku for their human revolution. Immediately after that kind of guidance, people get benefit. It is not the guidance that did it, but the person's prayer. The guidance helped the person see how to get their prayer correct.

   

Source: Excerpt from a lecture given by SGI-USA Vice General Director Greg Martin at the Seattle Culture Centre on June 9, 1995

  

SELF ESTEEM

Ten points to become a person of unlimited self-esteem

1. Chant to become a person of unlimited self-esteem

2. Chant to awaken to your own greatness

3. Chant to appreciate your life, including flaws, accomplishments, defeats, losses, and victories and truly appreciate all that makes you a unique and wonderful person

4. Chant to make the impossible possible

5. Chant to consistently manifest your Buddha nature and rise above your basic tendencies and overcome your inherent negativities in your life

6. Believe that you are a Buddha and create all the benefits for yourself

7. Believe you are the Gohonzon

8. Trust that in the Gohonzon, you have the means to fulfill each and every desire to become extraordinarily happy

9. Chant to display your Buddhahood and to bring forth that strength, joy, vibrant life condition

10. And then take it to the world and change the environment

Source: By Danny Nagashima, SGI General Director (USA)

How to Get Benefits by Practicing

How to Get Benefits by Practicing

Pray for goals you think impossible.

  

When you ask something to the Gohonzon, you have to totally rely on the Gohonzon. You should not think a bit like, "That's too much to ask" or "It probably won't happen" You should leave things to the Gohonzon. If you have the attitude like "I am praying, but it won't probably happen.", nothing will come true. Prayer should be simple. "I got a problem. The Gohonzon, please help me out" That's all. No more nagging. If you think you can solve the problem by yourself, you should do it by yourself and you will not need to chant. You can pray only for what seems impossible for you. You do not have to think of how to solve. If there is a way to solve the problem, you will try it and solve it. Only when there seems to be no way to solve the problem, you pray. You should pray only for something impossible.

  

One day an owner of a small company asked me, "My company is on the verge of bankruptcy because of the recent economic sluggish. How can I overcome this?" "I have no idea", I answered. How can others have the good idea for you, when that person has no idea? "You came to see me since you could not come up with any good idea, didn't you?

   

Then why don't you ask your parents?" "I don't have parents", he replied. "Your parent is the Gohonzon, isn't it? You can ask the Gohonzon whatever you want. You are the child. You can ask the Gohonzon frankly like a sweet child. But you say 'Hey, Mom, give me 10 bucks', it will be no good. You should ask honestly and sincerely, "Mom, would you do me a favor? Could you buy me that? It does not matter how old you are now. Pray honestly and strongly to the Gohonzon. You have the parents that can make every your wish come true. Why don't you ask?"

   

He went home with strong determination He got a big order a week later. Because another company went bankrupt and his company could take over some of the business. Not only he could evade bankruptcy, but also his business expanded and now is very prosperous.

   

We pray because there is no way to solve. Faith is to pray for something impossible. For the Gohonzon, there is nothing impossible. For us, it is impossible. So we pray. This is faith. If you think even a bit, "It may be impossible" when pray, you do not believe in the Gohonzon. This is doubt on the Gohonzon. If you think, " I won't make it" or "It won't happen to me", this will be also doubt on the Gohonzon. If you think "I am not good ", this will be also doubt on the Gohonzon. "I am weak now, so I pray to be strong" This is a correct attitude in practice. Since it is impossible, we pray. If it were not impossible, we wouldn't need to chant. Do not use your brain when chant. Just use your heart. As long as you are using your brain to think of strategies, you cannot make things change. Ask the Gohonzon your every wish and leave everything to the Gohonzon.

   

Excerpt from Summary of Guidance by Soka Gakkai Vice President Hajime Kawai, 1996

  

How To Do Gongyo?

How To Do Gongyo?

The posture we assume during Gongyo is an expression of our faith in the Gohonzon. It is important that we assume a dignified posture, which is both fresh and solemn. You should sit with your back straight, while your eyes, filled with gratitude, look straight at Nam-myoho-renge-kyo inscribed down the center of the Gohonzon. During the silent prayers, keep your palms and bow your head naturally.

Gongyo and chanting constitute the basis of our faith, the prim...e point for accomplishing our objective – that is, our human revolution. Therefore, it is only natural to observe Gongyo in the most respectful manner and with an earnest attitude. Bearing this in mind, please strive to improve your Gongyo accordingly.

When two or more persons observe Gongyo together, the participants should recite the sutra and chant daimoku in complete harmony with the one who leads. This is vital from the viewpoint of the principle of itai doshin (many in body, one in mind).

Suppose that all members of the family begin the day by doing morning Gongyo together. Even if your child belatedly joins somewhere in the middle of Gongyo, he does not need to start from the first prayer. The fervent prayer of the parent will complement the part which the child missed, so great is the power of the Gohonzon. However if your child, taking advantage of this, makes it a habit to join in late, you should of course correct him.

Source – Guidelines of faith by Satoru Izumi - Ex SGI VP

Guidance - President Ikeda

Guidance - President Ikeda

  

"There may be times when things don’t turn out as you had hoped, or you can’t gather enough courage, or feel as if your problems will get the better of you. In Buddhism, we compare a mind filled with such thoughts to a tarnished mirror. No matter how beautiful a mirror may be, if it remains tarnished, it won’t reflect anything. However, if you polish the mirror, it will begin to shine brilliantly like a jewel.

  

The same thing is true of your mind and spirit. Chanting daimoku is the best way to polish your mind and spirit, making everything clear. If you chant daimoku, your life will begin to shine. You will become more motivated and energized, and you’ll become more bright and alert.

  

Even though we may speak different languages—such as Japanese, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Korean, and so on—we all chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Daimoku is the common language that we all share. Even at this very moment, someone is chanting daimoku somewhere on this earth.

  

In the same way that airwaves are invisible but allow us to connect with what’s on television, when we chant daimoku, we are able to connect with each other heart-to-heart anytime, anywhere.

  

I am chanting daimoku with all my heart for the development and happiness of each one of you. Our lives, therefore, are connected by daimoku. My heart is always together with you.

  

Today again, please chant daimoku in high spirits and advance proudly toward your dreams as genuine lion cubs."

  

Source: SGI Newsletter 8833

  

On Chanting

On Chanting

"Chanting is a process of polishing and forging our lives, which is why our faith is so important. Consequently, the benefit of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is absolutely not dependent on the amount we chant.
 
What matters is that we chant to our own heart's content, the amount that feels right and satisfying for us.
 
Nowhere in his writings does the Daishonin say we should chant a specific quantity. The efficacy of our prayers is influenced by the strength and depth of our faith, and by our determination and attitude.
 
At the same time, sincerely resolving to chant a specific amount is also an expression of faith. We can chant the amount we've decided on each day, while continually renewing and deepening our resolve. It's also important that we chant honestly and openly, just as we are.
 
All of us face times of worry, anguish and sadness in our lives. When we do, we can feel free to go straight to the Gohonzon with our suffering and chant about it wholeheartedly, just like a child seeking its mother's warm embrace."
 
Source: Daisaku Ikeda, (Living Buddhism, Sep./Oct. 2011, pg. 74 & 75)

The Key is Prayers

The Key is Prayers

  

Chanting daimoku earnestly. When we encounter someone we find hard to deal with, we need to pray sincerely for that person. When we argue or fight with another person, it means that both of our life conditions are low. Praying for the happiness of the other person will greatly elevate our own state of life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Transforming Karma

Transforming Karma

  

"Then, is there a way for us to change our karma and realize happiness? The answer is yes. Nichiren Daishonin revealed the means by which we who live in the Latter Day of the Law can change our karma. This means is none other than chanting daimoku to the

  

Gohonzon and teaching others about the True Law. This way of life represents the greatest possible good and accords with the law of life itself; it is the only way to attain a state of eternal happiness and abiding joy."

  

"Buddhism clearly teaches that those who uphold faith until the end will transform the negative effects of past causes, experiencing them in a lightened form. That is, we can completely change our negative karma from the past — karma that might ordinarily have taken many cycles of birth and death and long, excruciating eons of suffering to gradually eradicate — and attain Buddhahood in this lifetime."

  

"So even if we encounter obstacles or persecution in the course of our practice — even when it seems that life is an endless succession of hardships — we must never abandon faith. Encountering difficulty is a chance to transform our karma. From the perspective of the eternity of life, our sufferings in this life only last for an instant. We are striving to attain happiness that endures for eternity."

  

Source: Chapter 1 —Westward Transmission, The New Human Revolution, Vol. 3, Pg 53-55

How Can I Focus More on the Gohonzon?

How Can I Focus More on the Gohonzon?

In discussing the proper stance we should have in front of the Gohonzon, the most important point to bear in mind is that we should chant wholeheartedly — to the point where we enjoy chanting. In a sense, it can be like a warm, open-hearted exchange with a trusted, respected friend or mentor. The experience should be refreshing; it’s not like going to boot camp.

Of course, this is a practice that we strive to do every day of our lives..., so there is the same tendency to develop bad habits as in any part of our lives. And these can interfere with how we focus on chanting to the Gohonzon.

Our minds may begin to wander from time to time, or we may catch ourselves fidgeting or squirming. When this happens, it is important that to the best of our ability we try to keep our mind on the right track. Becoming aware of these negative tendencies is nothing to feel guilty about. The very nature of habits necessitates that we make conscious efforts to change them; recognizing an unwanted behavior is the first step in eradicating it.

If you were standing face-to-face with someone you held in high esteem, you would never allow yourself to bite your fingernails or tug at your hair. Think of world leaders meeting at an international summit: They greet each other confidently and with mutual respect, not biting their nails and tugging their hair. We should view our time in front of the Gohonzon similarly.

In February when SGI President Ikeda was in Hong Kong, he gave the following guidance about how to do morning and evening prayers, based on instructions from his mentor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda:

President Toda spoke on the essential practice of our faith, gongyo: “When you do gongyo in front of the Gohonzon, it is the same as if you are sitting before Nichiren Daishonin himself. You should never have a careless or sloppy attitude, nor should you doze off or yawn while doing gongyo. Chant resonately and joyfully.”

Mr. Toda is not saying that we have to be rigid and tense when doing gongyo. The Daishonin is “the Buddha originally endowed with the three properties” (Gosho Zenshu, p. 759), so we should just be ourselves in our “originally endowed” form, as if we were in his presence.

When we realize that chanting is the fundamental cause to awaken our “originally endowed” selves and develop the life force and wisdom to change any problem, we begin to settle down and fuse with the Gohonzon. We chant with a voice that is clear and sonorous, focused on our prayer. With conviction and hope for the future, sensing that we are clearing away doubt and worry. With the determination that “I will make this happen,” tapping into the Buddhahood inherent within us. The challenge we face each day is to master the act of enjoying chanting in this way. Our earnest prayer when chanting is the source of all solutions.

Source: World Tribune 11/21/97 n.3166 p.11 WT971121p11

When We Are Grateful, We Feel Joy!

When We Are Grateful, We Feel Joy!

  

Sensei said "The spirit of gratitude is very important. When we are grateful, we feel joy. When we are joyful, we also feel courageous. That leads us to want to do our utmost to show our appreciation to others. Having met many people all over the world, I have reached the conclusion that people who are able to feel gratitude are happy.

  

It is also true that those who betray others do not have this spirit of gratitude. Such people just expect others to do things for them. They come to depend on others and to rely heavily on their goodwill. Therefore, when other people don't do as they expect, they feel cheated and disappointed and start to complain incessantly. The slightest setback causes them to sulk and sends them into depression. But they are really just making themselves miserable, and they end up wandering through a self-created maze of unhappiness.

  

"The Gosho says; '... even though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching'.

  

Concerning yourself with what others are doing and complaining when they don't live up to your expectations is looking for the Law outside yourself. Such thinking ultimately comes down to spiritual weakness."

  

- Daisaku Ikeda

Towards Victory, Excerpted guidances from the NHR Value Creation Feb 2014

Winter always turns into spring

Winter always turns into spring

   

Winter turns into spring; it does not become autumn. This is an unchanging principle of nature. In the same way, the Daishonin says, those who uphold the Mystic Law, the great teaching for gaining enlightenment, will never fail to become Buddhas or remain in the deluded state of an ordinary, unenlightened person. As the Buddha promises in the Lotus Sutra, those who hear and embrace the Mystic Law will all attain Buddhahood without a single exception. This is a universal principle of life.

   

From the Buddha's perspective, everyone has a right to happiness. Everyone has the potential to lead a life brimming with joy. we who uphold Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, moreover, know how to tap the Mystic Law in our lives. That is why we not only have a right to happiness but also have an important mission to help others actualize true happiness in their lives as well.

   

"Winter always turns into spring" means that ordinary people who triumph over all challenges they encounter in the course of their Buddhist practice will definitely become Buddhas. The Daishonin's words are a mighty lion's roar, proclaiming that his disciples - whose lives are dedicated to enabling others to awaken to and manifest the Buddhahood that inherently exists within them - cannot fail to attain enlightenment.

- Daisaku Ikeda

  

The Secret to Changing Unhappy Karma

The Secret to Changing Unhappy Karma

"The benefit of other sutras is uncertain, because they teach that one must first make good causes and only then can one become a buddha at some later time. The Lotus Sutra is completely different. A hand which takes it up immediately attains enlightenment, and a mouth which chants it instantly enters Buddhahood, just as the moon is relected in the water the moment it appears from behind the eastern mountains, or as a sound and its echo arise simultaneously."

In other words, chanting Nam myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon (cause) immediately brings to life the buddhahood that is innate within us (effect). Here, then, lies the secret to changing our unhappy karma. Rather than worrying about whether we are making good or bad causes, which in itself is a cause leading to suffering, Nichiren Daishonin teaches the importance of fundamentally purifying the inner spirit that motivates various actions. To achieve this, all we have to do is chant Nam myoho renge kyo to the Gohonzon (as a part of our buddhist practice) and so reveal our innate Buddha nature. Chanting to the Gohonzon is to the development of our Buddhahood what lifting weights is to a bodybuilder; so as our Buddha nature becomes more and more apparent, and our dominant life tendency moves towards buddhahood, we increasingly make causes that flow from this highest aspect of ourselves. 

We will have bad karma stored in our lives - even when we become enlightened - but as our Buddhahood grows stronger we actually begin to use that bad karma to create good fortune for ourselves and others. Problems and desires make us chant rather than simply suffer, and the act of chanting both reveals and strengthens our buddhahood there and then, and also lays down further good fortune in our eighth consciousness, which at some point in the future must in turn be revealed.

Source: Excerpt from 'The Buddha in Daily Life', by Richard Causton

 

Breaking Through Our Limitations

Breaking Through Our Limitations

Nothing is impossible with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. That is the spirit with which we have to learn to live every day in order to live our lives to the fullest.

Too often we limit ourselves, we settle too frequently for less than what we want. We all started practicing because we wanted to achieve something beyond what we currently had. We have to reawaken to that fact and re-inspire and remind each other of the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

In the gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood", Nichiren Daishonin says: If you wish to free yourself, from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured through eternity and attain supreme enlightenment in this lifetime, you must awaken to the mystic truth which has always been within your life. This truth is myoho- renge-kyo (MW,Vol. 1, pg.3)

Nichiren Daishonin says the only difference between Buddha and common mortal is that a common mortal is still deluded. Too often we spend our days denying our potential. We only see our weakness and allow them to frustrate us. We are always looking for answer outside ourselves. But if we're looking outside ourselves, we're looking in the wrong place. We already have the answer. We already possess everything that we need. The solution to our problems is in the wisdom that is already inside of ourselves. We tap it every time we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the knowledge and the expectations that "I have the answer. I just need to chant to pull out."

It is very important that we start practicing aggressively. Whatever you need each moment of your life, you already have it with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo you can connect to it. You are no longer at the mercy of your environment unless you choose to be.

In the gosho, Reply to Kyo-O, Nichiren Daishonin says: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle? (MW, Vol.l, pg.119) In this gosho, Nichiren Daishonin is not just referring to physical illness. He is talking about any problem, any obstacle. It is no mistake that he chose to refer to the lion, which is known as the king of the jungle. A lion uses the same energy to attack any prey, no matter what its size. Nichiren Daishonin goes on in that same gosho to say: "A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward." (MW,Vol.pg.120)

Excerpt - Culled from General Lecture by Linda Johnson, SGI-USA 21.3.98