The Size of 'The Gohonzon'

The Size of 'The Gohonzon' 

A small boy asked his father: What is the size of the Gohonzon?

Father paused for a moment and looked up to the sky, seeing an airplane asked his son. What’s the size of that airplane? 

The boy answered: Father, it is very small. I can barely see it. 

So the father took him to the airport and as they approached an airplane he again asked: and now, what is the size of this one? The boy answered: Wow daddy, this is huge! 

Then the father told him: Son, Gohonzon is like this only, his size depends upon the distance between you and HIM. The closer you are to the Gohonzon, the greater it will appear to you in your life!!!

Importance of Soka Gakkai

Importance of Soka Gakkai

Mr Toda used to say that the Soka Gakkai is an organization functioning in accord with the Buddha's intent, and even called it 'Soka Gakkai Buddha'. 

By taking kosen-rufu as our personal mission and uniting with our fellow members, we become a part of 'Soka Gakkai Buddha' and open the way to realizing indestructible happiness. 

"I hope that all of you will remain in this wonderful organization of the Soka Gakkai, and confidently continue to forge ahead on the great path of human revolution". 

The correct practice of Nichiren Buddhism is found only in the Soka Gakkai. Shinichi was firmly convinced that it was by practicing within the Soka Gakkai that one could enjoy the benefits of faith, fundamentally transform one's life state and attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. 

Lastly, he said let's continue to study the Daishonin's writings and base ourselves on the Gosho. When we look at everything from the perspective of faith in the light of the Gosho, there is nothing to fear."

Daisaku Ikeda  - VC Dec 2017

THE GREAT VOW

THE GREAT VOW

This Great Vow is the vow to pledge one’s life for kosen-rufu.

The Daishonin stated that when his disciples make the Great Vow for kosen-rufu, they will without fail be able “to enter an eternal and unsurpassed way of being” (The Hope-filled Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, 148). In other words, they will experience the state of Buddhahood—a state that will be theirs to enjoy and experience for eternity, i.e., one can experience the state of Buddhahood moment after moment.

On the occasion of the opening of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu, which heralded the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu, Ikeda Sensei gave us a clear guideline:

The heart of the great vow for kosen-rufu and the life state of Buddhahood are one and the same. Therefore, when we dedicate our lives to this vow, we can bring forth the supreme nobility, strength and greatness of our lives…. When we wholeheartedly strive to realize this vow, the “poison” of even the most difficult challenge can be transformed into “medicine” and karma transformed into mission. (VC, Jan 2014, 30)

Thus, every time doubt creeps in, uncertainty engulfs, worry overwhelms, we need to go back to this litmus test of whether our vow for kosen-rufu is intact. And every time we re-confirm this vow, we further deepen our roots and establish the world of Buddhahood within us. One will experience a surge of joy that enables one to look at one’s problems “as dust before the wind” and fills one with the determination to prove the greatness of the Mystic Law. These very moments of challenge thus become profound opportunities to establish one’s reputation as the votary of the Lotus Sutra.

Source: Value Creation, Aug 2016

KEY POINTS IN FAITH

KEY POINTS IN FAITH

by Jeanny Chen

I would like to share with you the few key points that I have learned and applied during my years of practice. They have enabled me to achieve great results. It’s not my intention to brag about money or show off in any way. My sole reason is to illustrate concretely the results I have been able to create through my practice to the Gohonzon.

1. FAITH

With that said, let’s begin with the first of the ten key points, Faith. Nichiren Daishonin says in ‘The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra’: “No matter how earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to set fire to wet tinder” (WND, pp. 1000-001). It’s important that we develop our faith. For some of us, this doesn’t come quickly or easily. There are several things we can do to strengthen our faith.

We can practice vigorously to get results or benefits.

We can attend SGI discussion meetings and listen to other’s experiences.

We can study SGI publications to deepen our understanding of Buddhism.

We can connect with seniors in faith to receive encouragement and advice.

The benefits of the Gohonzon are expansive, infinite and know no bounds

2. Have a purpose in life or MISSION

We sometimes think that suffering must be our mission. But because we suffer, we are willing to put effort into practicing this Buddhism. As long as we practice correctly and earnestly, we will realize benefits and overcome our difficulties. Such experiences strengthen our faith and enable us to show actual proof. As a result, we will have the desire and the credibility to introduce this Buddhism to others. Thus, we fulfill our mission of propagating this Buddhism. In order to spread this Buddhism, we need hundreds of millions of people showing actual proof, each under different circumstances. It’s not only a handful of practitioners who got lucky and enjoy benefits from this practice. Everyone can!

What’s our mission in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism?

The first mission is to become happy oneself.

The second mission is to help others become happy, which is what we call Kosenrufu or world peace.

It’s very important to support our mentor SGI President Ikeda and the SGI’s mission of peace, culture and education and also to help develop capable ad positive successors for the 21st century.

I would like to share a story with you. After having fulfilled my personal financial goals in my third year of practice, I was able to retire. As a newly immigrated Chinese, my English was very weak, and I thought that would prevent me from doing anything significant. Rather than being frustrated by my poor English language ability, I chanted to be able to do something to create value with my resource as a Chinese speaker. Shortly thereafter, I found myself writing Chinese newsletters for my friends and for a boy-scout troop that consisted of a hundred Chinese boys. I then wrote for a Chinese school with 1,000 students. I decided to help those places that others were not taking a great interest in.

I used the high life condition, wisdom and joy derived from my chanting to write in a humanistic and humorous style. Although I did not mention Buddhism, I was able to bring joy to my readers and generate heart to heart bonds with them. When I finished writing the newsletters, my friends gave me a lamp as a gift. They all signed a thank-you card saying “Jeanny, you are like a lamp. You turn yourself on and shine on others” In the Chinese school, I got the nickname of “super glue” between the school and the parents. That was my way of doing Kosenrufu when I was not yet capable of actually sharing the philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism with others.

I chanted for the wisdom to find my unique strength or ability – something that I could develop as my own mission in society. I assigned myself a mission when I saw an opportunity. When we have a sense of mission for Kosenrufu from the bottom of our hearts, not just out of formality, our goals will be fulfilled.

One more important aspect about mission is the concept of Soka Spirit. The intent of Soka Spirit is to allow us to attain Buddhahood through overcoming the evil that tries to destroy the Kosenrufu movement and prevent the happiness of each individual. President Ikeda recently said that no one should be a bystander at this critical time. We all need to be part of the battle.

3. Have a GOAL

In Learning from the Gosho: ‘The Eternal Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, President Ikeda quotes the Chinese Buddhist teacher T’ien T’ai, “’the heart is like a skilled painter.’” President Ikeda writes that, “We should paint this vision of our lives in our hearts as specifically as possible. This ‘painting’ becomes the design for our future.” To set the design for our own future, here, means to set goals – our personal goals, goals for other’s happiness and goals for the SGI peace movement.

We often hear that goals should be specific and detailed. We can set bold, ambitious goals. The more impossible they are, the more rewarding they become when we reach them. We can also set goals that we feel comfortable with. Basically, we set goals to overcome hardship and create value.

Here, I would like to share with you the experience of my Daimoku campaign for my husband’s career. Two years after I retired from work, I had accumulated enough wisdom to realize that I had to do something very seriously about my husband’s career if I wanted enjoy life from then on. I wanted him to become successful and to get rid of financial worries once and for all so that I could fully devote my time to helping others. Next, I wanted to pay him in return for his love. In addition, I wanted to show tremendous actual proof in order to spread this Buddhism more effectively.

In other words, I wanted to be able to stay home and not have to go back to work. I was having a good time staying at home for two years! A lot of women and young women like that idea, too! In last year’s study conference, there was a man who wanted to chant for his wife to become successful, so that he could stay at home. There’s no sex discrimination in Buddhism, so please go for it!

I wanted people to appreciate my husband’s ability so that he could succeed and advance in his career. I set a very high target, which I could never even have imagined if I was not practicing this Buddhism. I went into great detail as to “how”, “what” and “why” he should be incredibly successful. I did not set the “when” because it was my first huge goal. I did not have the guts to set a time limit. Besides, I was ready to chant for as long as it took. I also chanted for our relationship – our love, health, growth and his happiness.

It took me three million Daimoku over eighteen months to reach these goals. The result was my husband’s career went far beyond my wildest dreams. It came true exactly as I prayed, every step, every detail. His ability, experience and capacity in his field are the “internal causes” from the Buddhist concept of “Ten Factors”. But for years, he could not find the right opportunity to use them. My goal, my determination and my prayer became an “external cause” which led him to the right path at the right time. This is how our practice works. More importantly, our relationship, our love was truly able to grow stronger with each day.

You may wonder how a person can love another more and more each day. Of course we can; because the benefits of Gohonzon are expansive, infinite and know no bounds. The fulfillment of these goals proved to me that nothing is impossible with Gohonzon – nothing! Gohonzon is very powerful and creative. Please don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon! Set a goal and go for it!

DETERMINATION

We have to be determined to change, determined to never give up and determined to take the correct action now!

Let’s talk about determining to change. It means to do Human Revolution. It’s important to shift our fundamental life tendency in order to change our destiny and our karma. If we don’t, we’ll just repeat the same life pattern. For instance, when we repeatedly face a similar situation, we will again respond with a similar attitude and a similar action. We literally create the same type of result for ourselves. We need to chant for the wisdom to recognize our shortcomings and weak points and for the strength to take action to change them. We have to painstakingly drag ourselves away from our old pattern and look at things from a different angle. We shouldn’t indulge ourselves.

4. NEVER GIVE UP

Now, let’s talk about never giving up. Once we set our goals there’s no turning back. There’s no “what if”. I don’t want to compromise. I don’t take “no” for an answer. I will be as stubborn as I can to stick to my goals. This is the best opportunity for me to demonstrate how stubborn I am!

But how do we hang in there? It’s so hard! We have to refresh our resolve daily through morning and evening prayers and chanting as much as we can. We have to keep our life-condition high by attending SGI activities regularly.

When I chant, I try not to focus on my suffering. I ignore it and live peacefully with it. I keep in my mind my focused determination and the final goal. No matter what the reality of the situation seems to be, no matter what anyone else thinks or says, I hold in to my goal unwaveringly and pray to Gohonzon for it.

I look at the process of my Daimoku campaign to reach my goal like tough training to forge, distill, develop and transform myself. It’s to prepare myself for the harvest. If we are not ready, we won’t enjoy the ultimate benefit of our goals. We have to be patient as we single-mindedly chant for our goals. No matter how long it takes, no matter how hard it is, we will keep chanting till we get there. And we will get there!

5. DAIMOKU

Key number five is Daimoku: chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Besides morning and evening prayers, we have to chant as much as possible.

Abundant prayer is the key. President Ikeda has spoken time and again about the importance of Daimoku. Some of the quotes I remember are: “There’s no greater strategy than the Lotus Sutra.” “Chant so even your face will glow.” “Let’s always advance with Daimoku first. There’s no way that your life cannot change.”

There’s a motto I used during my Daimoku campaign for my husband’s success in his career: “Chant Daimoku that shakes the universe!” What it should really be is chant Daimoku that shakes your own life from its foundation that’s connected to the universe.

When we chant, we chant with a penetrating heart and with very deep resolve, thinking that this is a matter of do or die, life or death. And this is the only chance in our life.

When we chant with others, it helps us develop a strong rhythm. But we should also have a self-motivated practice. We can’t always depend on other members for support. We may want to chant several hours or more for major goals. We can build up to it, bit by bit. But if we don’t even start, we’ll never get to the point where we can chant several hours a day when we have a big emergency. The key point is for Daimoku to be joyful, not obligatory. We need to chant until we feel satisfied. Striving to chant Daimoku is an expression of our strong determination. If I don’t have a job and can chant for many hours a day, it may not necessarily be striving. But if you have a full time job, family, responsibility etc. and you manage to chant as much as possible, that’s striving.

When I was really fighting for something during the crucial campaign in my life, I made chanting my first priority. I put all leisure activities on the back burner and totally devoted myself to my Daimoku campaign. During my campaign for my husband’s career, my friend would call me and invite me to daytime parties or to go shopping. I told them I was busy. They had no idea why I was busy. I did not have a job, but I treaded chanting to reach my goal as my one and only responsibility, besides taking care of my family. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else was important.

We chant, we can see the outcome vividly with all our senses, see it happen before our very eyes. We even feel the joy and excitement of the fulfillment of our goals. It’s important that we constantly reassure ourselves during our Daimoku campaign by reading quotes from Nichiren Daishonin and President Ikeda’s guidance. We can also use the experience of other people to inspire us.

When I was chanting for my husband’s career, I learned the story of Victor Frankle. He was held captive in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He wanted to escape from the camp so that he could share his experience with the world. While out in the yard one day, he saw a pile of dead bodies all without clothes. From that moment, he started to plan his escape. The next time he was in the yard was his chance. He waited until dark, took off his clothes and dove into the pile of corpses, disguised as a dead man. Later on, the pile was dumped outside the camp. From there he ran fifty miles to freedom. Imagine his captors when they discovered he had escaped, they must have been hunting for him. He had no clothes on, no water or food. It was a very dangerous and harsh situation. Yet he made it! And now he has shared his experience through his books and his story has moved people all over the world.

Ever since I learned of his story, I compared my daily hours of chanting to his running fifty miles. Here I am chanting in the comfort of my home. It was much more delightful than running fifty miles under his circumstances. “If he could make it, I am going to make it too. And I’m going to tell people my experience!” From then on, I would run fifty miles in my mind every time I chanted. Each Nam Myoho Renge Kyo was like a step closer to my goal.

We need a profound prayer when we chant, but remember, no begging. Always pray to Gohonzon that you have determined to reach your goal, no matter what! Because we have different mission and different karma, we will get different results at different speeds. But one thing we can be sure of is that if we put forth a ten per cent effort, we will realize a ten percent result. When we put forth 100 per cent effort, we certainly will harvest a 100 per cent result.

Why You Don’t Always Get What You Want?

Why You Don’t Always Get What You Want?

Let’s say you’ve set a goal for a new house. You’ve begun to chant about it. Do you find your thinking going like this?

I want a new house.

I doubt I can get it.

I want a new house but I don’t think I can afford it.

I want a new house in this lovely neighborhood.

My significant other says that isn’t realistic in view of my history.

And so it goes….

When you set the goal, you have started the process of attracting it to you. Your goal is the thought that is going to draw and shape that universal life-energy and bring it into your world. If you have thoughts that doubt you can get it, or say you can’t afford it, it’s as though you’ve held up your palm and told the universe to slow down.

President Ikeda says, “When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself towards your success". On the other hand if you think, “This is never going to work out,” then in that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight. Then everything really will move in the direction of failure. Faith into action, P. 108-109.

Keep Giving Attention to What You Want

Maybe your goal feels like too big a stretch and you don’t believe you can get there. Don’t give up. Take the first step towards your goal. Look at houses on the internet. As you look at the beautiful homes, let yourself dwell on what you want. Flesh it out in detail. Give attention to what you want. That attention continues to strengthen the desire. Brush away any thoughts to the contrary and turn your attention back to what you want.

Develop the Details

As you dream about your perfect house, add in the special details that would make it your home. Allow yourself to become excited about it. Know there will be the perfect house for you when the time is right.

Don’t keep Looking at the Defects in Your Old House

You’ve been living with what you don’t want. That’s why you decided to set the new goal. Don’t continue to look at the defects in the old house over and over to explain why you want a new one. When you keep giving attention to them, you are creating more of the same. Focus your mind on what you want and brush away what you don’t want. This is not always easy and often requires practice.

What is Being Realistic?

My significant other says I’m not being realistic in view of my history. Being realistic to him/her means looking at conditions as they have been in the past. If you continue to look at what-has -been, that is what you will continue to create. What you give your attention to, grows. Don’t you want to create a new reality, something new? To do that, you must keep your attention on what you want to have happen, the something new.

The Material World is More Changeable than You Think

You often think that the way life looks on the surface it is the reality. When you do this you are forgetting that all of life at the quantum level is vibration and shaped by thought. It only looks immovable. But that’s not the reality. When you persist with your thought and stay focused on what you want the “immovable conditions of life” will give way to the new creation.

You Set the Goal: Let the Gohonzon Handle How to Get There

It’s your job to set the goal. It is the job of the Gohonzon to take care of how you are going to get there. When you decide how it is going to happen, you set road blocks in the way of the universe doing its job. When you open your mind to all the possibilities, you may well be completely surprised by what develops, sometimes things you would never have imagined.

An Experience

My husband and I bought a fixer upper and turned it into our dream home. Next to us was a house owned by an out-0f-state landlord who was letting the house deteriorate. The renters went from a nice family to multiple renters, one couple with substance abuse problems and a nurse in training.

We chanted that the house would be bought by someone who would fix it up and make a nice home of it. For several months, nothing happened. We could have looked at what was and decided that we couldn’t influence it. Instead, we persisted chanting with our vision in mind. I remember saying to my husband that only an explosion would change the situation there. We just couldn’t see how our goal could happen.

One day, there was an explosion. The nurse, collected the rent, and left town to consult with his aunt, a real estate attorney. The landlord arrived two days later in a high temper. It turned out the nurse had put the rent in escrow until the landlord fixed electrical problems, which were in danger of causing a fire. The landlord harassed everyone. When the nurse returned he slapped the landlord with a restraining order which forbade him to come around the house or talk to anyone involved. We had the landlord sitting on the wall in front of our house glaring at the nurse playing his guitar on the front step of his house at 1 A.M. Then we heard rumors of court action. In the space of three days, everyone left the house.

Nothing happened for six months, while we continued to chant, our vision in mind. Then one day, Scott drove in. He was a contractor, and had bought the house with the intention of fixing it up and selling it. He turned that house into a beautiful family home and then sold it to a man who has been an outstanding landlord, who rented it to a nice family. Anything is possible!!!

Summary:

1. Remember your thoughts are the builder. They form that life force/energy into what you envision.

2. Look at what you want, not what you don’t want.

3. Practice getting rid of negative thoughts by returning your attention to what you want.

4. Don’t worry about being realistic. That is only what-has-been and you don’t want to continue to create the same old thing.

5. What appears unchangeable is an illusion. Everything can be changed when we turn our thought energy to it and chant about it.

6. Be open that it can happen in ways you can’t imagine. Don’t tie down the creativity of the universe by structuring ‘how’ it is going to happen.

7. Set a goal and try the experiment.

An article by Margaret Blaine

What is love ? By Daisaku Ikeda

What is love ?

By Daisaku Ikeda

  

The agonies of love are many and varied. Each person has their own character and personality; they have different backgrounds and circumstances. So there is no set rule that applies equally to everyone . . . When a person dates is also a matter of personal choice. No one has any right to meddle in your private affairs.

  

However, I would like to stress at the outset how important it is not to lose sight of pursuing your own personal development.

Love should be a force that helps you expand your life and bring forth your innate potential with fresh and dynamic vitality. That is the ideal but, as the saying "Love is blind" illustrates, people often lose all objectivity when they fall in love.

If the relationship you're in is causing your parents to worry, or making you neglect your studies or engage in destructive behavior, then you and the person you're seeing are only being a negative influence and hindrance to each other. Neither of you will be happy if you both just end up hurting each other.

If you are neglecting the things you should be doing, forgetting your purpose in life because of the relationship you're in, then you're on the wrong path. A healthy relationship is one in which two people encourage each other to reach their respective goals while sharing each other's hopes and dreams. A relationship should be a source of inspiration, invigoration and hope.

Love is a complex matter that is a reflection of each person's attitude and philosophy toward life. That is why I believe people shouldn't get involved in relationships lightly.

The bottom line is that, without respect, no relationship will last for very long, nor will two people be able to bring out the best in each other.

Rather than becoming so love-struck that you create a world where only the two of you exist, it is much healthier to learn from those aspects of your partner that you respect and admire, and continue to make efforts to improve and develop yourself. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince, once wrote, "Love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction." It follows then that relationships last longer when both partners share similar values and beliefs.

Furthermore, please don't succumb to the view that love is the be-all and end-all, deluding yourself that as long as you are in love, nothing else matters. Nor, I hope, will you buy into the misguided notion that sinking ever deeper into a painful and destructive relationship is somehow cool.

All too often when a relationship ends, the great passion it once inspired seems nothing more than an illusion. The things you learn through studying, on the other hand, are much more permanent. It is important, therefore, that you never extinguish the flame of your intellectual curiosity.

Far too many people nip their own brilliant promise in the bud because of their blind pursuit of love.

Much of daily life tends to be ordinary and unexciting. Making steady efforts day-to-day can be trying. It's not always going to be fun. But, when you fall in love, life seems filled with drama and excitement; you feel like the leading character in a novel.

But if you lose yourself in love just because you're bored, and consequently veer from the path you should be following, then love is nothing more than escapism. What you are doing is retreating into a dream world, believing that what is only an illusion is actually real.

Even if you try to use love as an escape, the fact is that the euphoria is unlikely to last for long. If anything, you may only find yourself with even more problems along with a great deal of pain and sadness. However much you may try, you can never run away from yourself. If you remain weak, suffering will only follow you wherever you go. You will never find happiness if you don't change yourself from within. Happiness is not something that someone else, like a lover, for instance, can give to you. You have to achieve it for yourself. And the only way to do so is by developing your own character and capacity as a human being; by fully maximizing your potential. If you sacrifice your own growth and talent for love, you will absolutely not find happiness. True happiness is obtained through fully realizing your own potential.

  

I would also like to add that to embark on a relationship as an escape from something is extremely disrespectful to both your partner and yourself.

Each of you has a precious mission that only you can fulfill . To neglect one's mission and seek only personal pleasure is a sign of selfishness. It is impossible for an egotistic, self-centered individual to truly love another person.

On the other hand, if you genuinely love someone, then through your relationship with them, you can develop into a person whose love extends to all humanity. Such a relationship serves to strengthen, elevate and enrich the inner realm of your life. Ultimately, the relationships you form are a reflection of your own state of life. The same is true of friendship. Only to the extent that you polish yourself now can you hope to develop wonderful bonds of the heart in the future.

With some people, however, once they have gotten into a relationship, they have a hard time saying "no" to the other person for fear of losing them. In that respect, love is like riding in a car with no brakes. Sometimes, even if you want to get out, you can't; even if you regret having gotten in, the car won't stop. In many cases, people get involved in a relationship thinking they are free and independent, but at some point find they have become captive to the relationship.

Each one of you is infinitely precious. Therefore, I hope you will treat yourself with utmost respect. Please don't follow a path that will cause you suffering, but take the road that is best for your well-being.

The truth is, ideal love is fostered only between two sincere, mature and independent people. It is essential, therefore, that you work on polishing yourself first.

It is demeaning to be constantly seeking your partner's approval. Such a relationship is bereft of real caring, depth or even love. If you find yourself in a relationship where you are not treated the way your heart tells you you should be, I hope you will have the courage and dignity to decide that you are better off risking being scorned by your partner than enduring an unhappy relationship.

Real love is not two people clinging to each other; it can only be fostered between two strong people secure in their individuality. A shallow person will only have shallow relationships. If you want to experience real love, it is important to first sincerely develop a strong self-identity. True love is not about doing whatever the other person wants you to do or pretending you are something you're not. If someone genuinely loves you, they will not force you to do anything against your will nor embroil you in some dangerous activity.

Please have the confidence and fortitude to think to yourself when you face rejection: "It's their loss if they can't appreciate how wonderful I am!" This is the kind of resilient spirit you must strive to cultivate.

Please don't let a broken heart discourage you. Tell yourself that you're not so weak or fragile as to let such a minor thing bring you down. You may think there is no one who could possibly compare to that person, but how will they compare to the next hundred, the next thousand, the next ten thousand people you will meet? You cannot declare with certainty that there will not be others who far surpass them. As you yourself grow, the way you look at people will change as well.

I'm sure quite a few among you have had your hearts broken or been badly hurt, and perhaps feel unable to go on, your self-esteem in tatters. But you must never believe that you are worthless. There is no substitute for you who are more precious than all the treasures in the universe gathered together.

It is important for you to become strong. For if you are strong, even your sadness will become a source of nourishment, and the things that make you suffer will purify your life.

Only when you experience the crushing, painful depths of suffering can you begin to understand the true meaning of life. Precisely because you have experienced great suffering, it is imperative that you go on living. The important thing is to keep moving forward. If you use your sadness as a source of growth, you will become a person of greater depth and breadth--an even more wonderful you.

Excerpted from Discussions on Youth Vol. 1(SGI-USA, 1998)

GUIDANCE ON CONTROLLING ANGER AND ARROGANCE

GUIDANCE ON CONTROLLING ANGER AND ARROGANCE

A man came to see me recently and told me that he needed help with his "financial karma." He went on to explain how deep and profound his "financial karma" was. He hadn't been able to fix it in his ten years of practice. My first question to him was, "What kind of work do you do?" He said he was out of work. I asked him why. He said he quit his job six months before. I asked him why. He said he got into a disagreement with his boss and felt that he had to quit.

I asked about the job he had before that. He said that he got fired because he got angry with his boss. He told me he quit the job before that one. This person, in his ten years of practice, had eight jobs and lost them. I asked him how he expected to have financial fortune if he didn't have a job. There is no magic in Buddhism; it is unreasonable to think that one can acquire financial fortune without having a job.

He then said that his real question to me was, "Why do I have the karma to have authoritarian bosses?"

Most of us think that the bad things that happen to us are our karma. We think that our karma exists outside of us, but this is not correct. We are not the only ones that bad things are happening to. Bad things happen to everyone. Then what is karma?

Karma is our inability to deal with the "stuff." We don't know how to handle the stuff when it hits us, and we end up doing the wrong thing. We end up creating more "stuff" for ourselves.

In any case, I pointed out to this person his tendency to get angry with his bosses. There was a clear pattern. It was very difficult for this person to realise that his problem was anger. Buddhism says that if you have anger, you have the poison of arrogance. I told this person that until he was able to control his arrogant mind and his anger, he wouldn't be able to keep a job. He was actually a very talented person at his job, but this lead to him thinking he could do as he wished at his workplace and treat others badly.

I told him that since he needed a way to stop losing jobs, he needed to deal with his karma. I told him to not let his anger defeat him and to sincerely pray for the wisdom to respond to situations in a way other than with anger. To date, he has been employed for three years and has just bought a house.

What is the greater benefit: another job (which he would probably lose), or wisdom to see the root cause of his problem and never have to repeat it? People would pay millions of dollars for wisdom about the true nature of their suffering.

Of course, as we change, our environment reflects this change, and we experience benefit. However, if we try to seek out only the benefit without going through the inner process, eventually nothing will happen. The Gohonzon has almost no power to transform your environment. The Gohonzon does have power to transform you. When you use the Gohonzon to transform you, then you transform your environment. There's a big difference. We should determine in front of the Gohonzon that we will solve our problem or that we will overcome our suffering.

When you pray to the Gohonzon with that prayer, you will be amazed to find out what you see about yourself and what you need to fix in your life. Buddhism is about the inner reformation, not about the external reformation. Of course, benefits in the outside environment do come, but really that's not the point at all. It's really about inner change.

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

Shakes the Cosmos Through Powerful Daimoku

Shakes the Cosmos Through Powerful Daimoku

by Jeanny Chen.

Every time I open my altar to chant in front of Gohonzon, in my mind I make sure that I also open up my Buddhahood. My mind's eye sees that the door is being opened for me to enter into the world of Buddha. By consciously taking such an initiative, I put myself right in the position of being able to communicate freely with Gohonzon. My life fuses with Gohonzon and my life condition begins to correspond with Nichiren Daishonin's. 

President Ikeda likens the practice of gongyo each day to a "spiritual workout". He also says: "Gongyo and daimoku are a ceremony in which our lives commune with the universe. During gongyo, through our faith in the Gohonzon, we vigorously infuse the microcosm of our individual existence with the life force of the macrocosm, of the entire universe. If we do this regularly each morning and evening, our life force is strengthened."-- Faith into Action, p. 120

In addition to my opening ritual, I put his guidance into action during my chanting. My mind constantly works on expanding my life to permeate the entire universe and to encompass it as well. It feels abstract but vivid.

Now, with all the preparation, I am in the highest life condition armed with easy access to the world of Buddha. And I am ready to experience one more time, the exciting and rewarding fun part of my daily chanting.

"If you exert a hundred million eons of effort in a single moment of life, the three enlightened properties of the Buddha will appear within you at each moment. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo means just such diligent practice."

In Gosho Zenshu p. 790, Nichiren Daishonin gave this guidance. Accordingly, I begin with exerting the combined efforts that I could possibly put forth throughout a hundred million eons of my life into every daimoku when I chant. At the same time, I perceive that each Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant inherently contains the result of all such tremendous efforts. Along with my earnest chanting, I keep on receiving its immeasurable power and benefits to nourish and adorn my life. When my mind works out this way, I simply don't want to stop chanting.

In his writing "The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon" (WND p. 832), Nichiren Daishonin thus introduced Gohonzon: "Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages, and, in general, all the various beings of the two worlds and the eight groups who appear in the 'Introduction' chapter of the Lotus Sutra dwell in this Gohonzon. Illuminated by the light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the dignified attributes that they inherently possess."

Doesn't it mean that dwelling in Gohonzon are hundreds of millions of Buddhas throughout the three existences and the ten directions? While my life condition is being elevated to the world of Buddha I cannot but feel that I am their peer. It is reasonable, therefore, that through my sincere daimoku, I could summon forth all of their protection, wisdom and strength, while working toward my goals. Besides, hadn't they all vowed to protect and help the Bodhisattvas of the Earth like  myself?

Thinking of this, I can't stop my ultimate optimism and joy about the actualisation of my prayer. Thus the increasing intensity and profoundness of my daimoku just keep on accelerating.

President Ikeda says that the air around us is filled with radio waves of various frequencies. While these are invisible, a television set can collect them and turn them into visible images. Knowing this, I would send my prayer and my whole being, together with my daimoku to penetrate the three thousand worlds; throughout the three existences into all beings, sentient and insentient. I make my daimoku rain-shower the entire universe as well as the trillions of my body cells. Millions of  daimoku are being chanted by the SGI members at any given moment around the world. I want to make sure that the quality of mine ranks among the top 50 percent. I inject my single-minded resolve and all my positive energy, commanding daimoku to work diligently toward my goals, without a moment's rest.

There is no doubt that my daimoku could reach and travel everywhere. In this case, how can it miss the targets I set forth? I tried to chant with penetrating determination (ichinen), as sharp as a mighty sword, with the force like the roar of the lion, hoping to shake, move and touch the universe. Without having encountered a real devastating problem, it is never easy for me to chant with the sense of extreme urgency of a life-and-death situation. I realize that only through such a sense of extreme urgency can I experience the kind of profound daimoku that moves heaven and earth. But I would, not in eons, ever want to exchange my comfort and health for the experience although I really need to know what it is like and how to chant like that.

Four years ago, I learned from TV news that four college students were buried under an avalanche. Three were rescued after three hours, but one died. Keeping the tragedy in mind, during my chanting, I started to simulate the accident. I imagined myself being trapped deep inside the thick snow. I was not sure whether any one had noticed where I was when avalanche occurred. I had very limited air and could keep myself from being frozen to death for only a short time. What could I do to get out of it before it was too late? It was now or never.

In thinking of this, I finally could chant daimoku that melted the snow in seconds. I was thrilled by the discovery. From then on I knew, without having to personally face the circumstance, that I could always do simulations to experiment how to derive the ideal results form any situation. How convenient!

Teachings and guidance of eternal value are bountiful in our practice of faith. Being limited by my English language ability, I can't read through the vast volume of the publications, not even a tiny portion, regarding this Buddhism. To make up for this weak point, no matter how little I come across, I focus on personifying the black ink on white paper. Namely, I give it a life through studying, understanding, absorbing and applying to obtain results. Chanting is always the perfect tool and setting for me to accomplish such a wonder:

"A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

-- Nichiren Daishonin on his writing "On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime" (WND p. 4)

Based on this particular teaching, I look at my life as a tarnished mirror. My mind, heart and mouth continuously produce the ultimate detergent-daimoku. I would hold a soft cloth polishing the mirror untiringly along with each and every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant out. Eventually, the mirror becomes so crystal clear that I can perceive from it the real aspect of all phenomena. My life also turns out to be sparkling clean as the result of changing poison into medicine. The workout of the process doesn't take long. But the reward is amazing.

According to the simultaneity of cause and effect, the moment I play the image and act it out in my mind, its effect already exists. Hence, the ever-increasing wisdom of always looking for the underlying truth to best solve any situation becomes an automatic pilot to steer my life. It works like a charm. Moreover, I am so relived and relaxed to enjoy the feeling of having an untainted and pure life, no guilt, sorrow, shame nor filth, no matter how terrible and ugly it had been before.

In terms of chanting daimoku, I am rather scrupulous. Since my plan is to invest a big chunk of my life exercising it, I had better make sure I am on the right track. In the beginning of my practice, chanting for fifteen minutes felt like forever. Later on, due to the need to fulfill my impossible goal, I began to chant four to five hours. Gradually, I averaged to two hours daily, one twelfth of a day.

One day it occurred to me that if I chanted two hours a day, it meant that within twelve months, I would have been chanting non-stop for 24 hours a day and seven days a week for the entire month. The scale of the task was very scary. It was simply too big to fathom. Luckily, I was able to figure out a way to justify this brave behaviour of mine-- to generate from it the value equivalent or much greater than the efforts. 

As a junior in this Buddhist practice, if I wish not to fall too much behind, I have to have a correct jumpstart to derive solid results without delay. Therefore, besides attending SGI discussion meetings, studying the SGI publications and seeking help from seniors in faith in the SGI organization, I heavily depend on my pure faith to lead my way. The documented teachings are one of my guideposts.

Accordingly, I chant with strong determination, patience, persistence and optimism. It was natural that chanting came first when I really wished to overcome a challenge. To this day, chanting is always my first priority no matter what. I have also learned from the Gosho what and how to chant. I chant with sincere apology, appreciation and joy. I also chant to praise the Lotus Sutra a lot. Literally, I plan to leave nothing unturned. My attitude to fathom different aspects of daimoku obviously contributes to my ever-springing benefits. Whenever I read the Gosho, those teachings just jump into my eyes to empower the way how I practice. Once I catch them, I infuse them in my life:

"As you crave food when hungry, seek water when thirsty... so should you put your faith in the Lotus Sutra." (WND p.965)

"Yet even a grave offense can be eradicated if one repents of it sincerely." (WND p. 662)

"Those who wish to repay their debt to the Buddha must first repay the debt they owe to the Law." (WND p. 44)

"Therefore, when you chant the daimoku of this sutra, you should be aware that it is a more joyful thing than for one who was born blind to gain sight and see one's father and mother." (WND p. 143)

"The more one praises the blessings of the Lotus Sutra, the more one's own blessings will increase. Bear in mind that the twenty-eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra contain only a few  passages elucidating the truth, but a great many words of praise." (WND p. 673)

This essay summarizes various "spiritual workouts" that I implement into my chanting throughout my thirteen years of practice. As a common mortal, my mind wonders a lot. I can't always concentrate totally while chanting. 

Neither can I exercise all of the workouts at one time. I have come to notice, however that, whenever I am deadly serious, chanting about my goal of fulfilling a certain mission, that I recognize and take on, the application of any single one of them works wonders.

HOW TO CHANT TO REALISE OUR PRAYERS

HOW TO CHANT TO REALISE OUR PRAYERS

🍁It is important that our prayers be specific and concrete. Being vague and unfocussed when you chant is like shooting an arrow without looking at the target. When you chant, it should be with a strong and passionate resolve to make your prayer a reality. To have an attitude “If I chant, everything will be all right” is just wishful thinking. Earnest prayer – prayer infused with one’s whole heart and being – cannot fail to be communicated to the Gohonzon. (DOY2, 138)

🍁Therefore, we mustn’t try to gauge the power of Daimoku with our own limited state of life, thinking, “This must be all there is”. The sutra says that the benefit of Daimoku is beyond even the Buddha to fathom. For us to suppose that we understand its full scope is arrogance. If we underestimate the infinite power of benefit of the Gohonzon owing to weak faith, then we can only tap a minute portion of the Gohonzon power.

(WOLS 6 / Page 138)

Daisaku Ikeda

ARE YOU CHANTING WHILE FOCUSING ON OBSTACLES OR THE END GOALS

ARE YOU CHANTING WHILE FOCUSING ON OBSTACLES OR THE END GOALS

When chanting for a goal, we often focus on the obstacles to reaching it. This happens because we are worried about them, or they seem overwhelming. Unfortunately, when we chant while focusing on the obstacles, we are inadvertently using the law of cause and effect to produce what we don’t want.

Set the Seed Cause for the Effect You Want to Create. Remember the concept of 3000 realms in a single moment of life? President Ikeda says,

“In accordance with the 3000 realms in a moment of life, pessimistic thoughts or feelings take form just as they are, producing negative results. People who have negative thoughts create effects for themselves  that perfectly match their thinking.” (Faith into Action p.10)

On the other hand, optimistic people with positive thoughts create results that match their thinking.

I imagine you want to create what you want, not what you fear. So when you sit down to chant, determine to focus on the positive end result – what you want to have happen.

Often we start off chanting with good intentions, focusing on what we want, and then find ourselves looking at the fear or obstacle. When you become aware your focus has changed, just refocus on your desired end.

Faith is Trusting the Mystic Law

You might say, “I don’t know how I am ever going to get to my goal if I don’t try to work out the way to get there.” As strange as it may seem, you don’t need to worry about how you’re going to get there. Your responsibility is to chant with the desired end in mind. The universe will work out the path. You just want to follow and take action on the ideas and prompts which come to you.

The path will unfold under your feet as you take action on the steps that come to you. You’ll only be able to see a limited distance at any given time but, once you take these steps, then you will be able to see the next short way. This partnership with the universe is both exhilarating and exciting.

Pull Your Mind out of the Abyss

How are you thinking about your situation during the day? Are you allowing your attention to fall into the abyss of what you fear? When you become aware of what you are doing, refocus your mind on what you want to see happen, your end goal. You may have to do this fifty times a day. At the beginning this is difficult. You are establishing a new habit. I promise you, it will get easier.

Harnessing the law of the 3000 realms to work for us, rather than inadvertently against us, is a major step in the successful realization of goals.

5 Steps to Successful Goal Realization

1. When you sit down to chant, set your goal, the end result you want to see.

2. If you find yourself focusing on the obstacles, refocus your attention on the end result you want.

3. During the day if you find yourself dwelling on the obstacles and fears, refocus on the end result you want to create.

4. Take action on the steps and prompts you receive.

5. Keep on keeping on until you achieve your goal.

Source: Margaret Blaine

Human Revolution

“Human revolution is a never-ending process of continual self-improvement. It describes a Buddhist way of life that eternally seeks growth and personal development. It is about how much we are growing and improving right now rather than what we have achieved in the past.”

Human Revolution

Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda used the term human revolution to describe the process of individual inner transformation that results from Buddhist practice. It addresses the real possibility for human beings to change, and in particular the development of the inner potential for enlightenment, or Buddhahood, the core purpose of Nichiren Buddhism. In that sense, human revolution can be seen as a modern expression of the principle of “attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.”

SGI President Ikeda explains: There are all sorts of revolutions—political, economic, industrial, scientific, artistic and those in distribution and communications. And there are many others. Each has its significance and, often, necessity.

But no matter what one changes, the world will never get any better as long as the people—the guiding force and impetus behind all endeavors—remain selfish and lack compassion. In that respect, human revolution is the most fundamental of all revolutions and, at the same time, the most necessary. ( Discussions on Youth, second edition, p. 256)

There are many ways to describe human revolution: A person preoccupied with the egoistic concerns of the “lesser self” transforms into one who lives according to his or her “greater self,” acting out of genuine concern for others’ well-being. Or someone who has caused nothing but trouble for others improves his or her behavior, begins helping others and becomes an asset to the community. There are endless ways in which we each can improve.

From the perspective of the Ten Worlds (see 2012 Introductory Exam Study Guide, pp. 16–22), we could say that human revolution means a change in our fundamental life state, from one characterized by the “four evil paths”—the worlds of hell, hunger, animality and anger—to one that exhibits the higher states, in particular, the worlds of bodhisattva and Buddhahood.

Human revolution is a never-ending process of continual self-improvement. It describes a Buddhist way of life that eternally seeks growth and personal development. It is about how much we are growing and improving right now rather than what we have achieved in the past.

The Mentor-Disciple Relationship: The Great Path of Human Revolution

The desire to become strong and unshaken by any difficulty propels our human revolution.

In “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” Nichiren Daishonin states, “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” ( The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 3). Nichiren Buddhism emphasizes seeking both the causes and solutions to our problems within our own lives. It stresses that by tapping the power of the Law innate within us we can change any situation for the better.

When we seek influences that help us stimulate and bring forth the natural strength and wisdom we possess, and that inspire us on the path of Buddhist practice, we carry out human revolution. To this end, we need to learn from the teachings and example of an excellent teacher or mentor who is thoroughly dedicated to correct Buddhist practice. President Ikeda writes, “The path of mentor and disciple is strict and demanding; it is itself the great path of human revolution and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime” ( The New Human Revolution, vol. 17, p. 16).

What qualifies a mentor in Nichiren Buddhism is lifelong commitment to the happiness of all people through the spread of the Mystic Law, and dauntless action to fulfill that commitment in the face of all obstacles and opposition. To simply mimic the mentor or seek the mentor’s approval is not the way of mentor and disciple. Rather, this relationship is based on sharing the same vow as the mentor to relieve the suffering of all people and continuously taking action toward that end. In striving to develop and act upon that vow, we break through the constraints of our weaker “lesser selves” and develop our “greater selves”— our true selves that regard the happiness of others as our own.

One Person Can Change the World

Though self-discipline may take us a long way, fundamental change comes only from transforming our innermost weaknesses into deeply rooted strengths. Human revolution requires identifying and challenging that which keeps us from expressing our full potential and deepest humanity, and replacing these things with causes that bring forth our true potential and genuine humanism. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and earnestly striving in our Buddhist practice, we tap inexhaustible courage, wisdom and compassion, and learn to create value in any situation.

President Ikeda states, “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind” ( The Human Revolution, p. viii). The transformation of all humanity—that is a grand objective indeed. When we can demonstrate through our behavior and attitude how we have changed, this becomes an example of the power of Buddhism. Simply speaking of enlightenment or Buddhahood in the abstract is useless. We must clearly show that we are progressing in life and that we are never defeated.

“I want you to be assured that the challenge to which we set ourselves day after day—that of our human revolution—is the royal road to bringing about a reformation in our families, local regions and societies,” President Ikeda says. “An inner revolution is the most fundamental and, at the same time, the ultimate revolution for engendering change in all things” ( My Dear Friends in America, third edition, pp. 252–53).

Our practice as SGI members and the resulting inner transformation we achieve become the momentum for changing the destiny of all humanity.

[Courtesy August 2012 Living Buddhism]

 

Quotes by Sensei Ikeda

Quotes by Sensei Ikeda

  

"Our prayers are answered only to the extent that we exert ourselves to realize the Buddha’s wish for the happiness of all humanity. The Gohonzon (Mystic Law) has no obligation to answer our prayers. It has not asked us to chant to it. We request the privilege of being allowed to pray to the Gohonzon. If we have such a sense of gratitude and appreciation, our prayers will be answered more quickly."

  

"There are no Buddhas who suffer in poverty forever. And just as there are no cruel or malicious Buddhas, so too are there no weak, pallid Buddhas who allow life to defeat them. A Buddha is another name for a person who is determined to win no matter what."

  

"Even a cave that has been in total darkness for millions of years will become brightly illuminated the moment a light is brought inside. Only your practice of faith can ignite the flame of happiness within your heart." Please chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to your Hearts content.

  

"No matter what your circumstance, it is your ichinen of faith that enables you to open the palaces of happiness that exists within you and establish a life that is fulfilled in every respect. This is the purpose of faith and Buddhist practice. Your powerful ichinen directed towards the Gohonzon and the accomplishment of kosen-rufu will cause every aspect of your life to unfold"

  

"It is important to live true to yourself. If you become strong, then no matter how trying your present situation may be, you will not be daunted by it. Even if you are struggling financially now, as long as you continue making efforts based on faith, you will eventually find that you have the money you need. Even the most painful and difficult situations will, when viewed from the distance of time, seem like the events of a dream."

  

"In life there are times when you may face a slump. At times you may also suffer from illness or family problems, have trouble with your children, or experience difficulties in your relationships with other people. However, Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is a great law which enables one to change poison into medicine. Through faith, everything serves to transform one's life into one which manifests the enlightened properties of eternity, happiness, true self and purity."

  

"I am always praying that you and your families will enjoy good health and abundant fortune. Please win in all your endeavours. Please make your family a “fountainhead of faith” and create a brilliant flow of great good fortune that will extend to your children and coming generations, and across the three existences of past, present and future."

  

BUDDHIST WAYS TO HANDLE STRESS

TOP 3 BUDDHIST WAYS TO HANDLE STRESS

How important are positive emotions in the struggle between health and illness? Is there scientific evidence that corresponds with the teachings of Buddhism? There is in fact a growing mountain of evidence supporting Buddhism and the importance of nurturing positive qualities in ourselves. Let’s consider one example: stress management. The book Buddha in Your Mirror cites the work of Kathleen H. Dockett, professor emerita of psychology at the University of the District of Columbia, who reports that three key personality traits facilitate the process of handling stress positively. A stress-resistant personality type—someone who handles stress better than others—is less prone to stress induced illnesses and, when faced with illness, overcomes it better.

  

This personality type consists of three factors: commitment, control and challenge—qualities that are identified and nurtured by the practice of Nichiren Buddhism.

  

1. COMMITMENT

Being dedicated to a cause or activity that is important to you; feeling meaning, purpose, a sense of mission in life.

  

2. CONTROL

Believing that you are in control of your life and that you determine your future.

  

3. CHALLENGE

Feeling that life is full of exciting challenges and opportunities for growth, rather than it being full of threats or obstacles.

  

The next time you are faced with a stressful situation, try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to:

  

Strengthen your commitment to kosen-rufu.

Take control and envision your desired outcome.

Confidently challenge the situation with determination.

Source: www.sgi-usa.org

LINDA JOHNSON'S GUIDANCE

LINDA JOHNSON'S GUIDANCE

We must understand that there is nothing we cannot achieve with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. There is no problem bigger than that. When you pray, take the responsibility through your prayer that you will help another human being have a breakthrough. Take the responsibility for your leader to win, for your husband to win, for your teacher or your boss to win. Anything that you run from, anything that you separate from will cause you to lose all your power as a human being. Connect to your pain, connect to your suffering – in the sense of owning it & deciding that you will take the responsibility to change it. When you stay connected & take that kind of responsibility for your life - because it’s the choice you made about the way to live your life – you will be empowered. You will learn that the only limitations that you ultimately have – and will ever have – are the ones you put on yourself.

This is truly a magnificent practice. Decide that you owe it to yourself to have the most wonderful life – a life in which you’re able to joyfully use everything to create undeniable joy & value, a life in which you take the responsibility to create precisely the kind of life that you want for yourself. A life where you no longer live reacting to where everybody else is but instead become the kind of person that sets the example for everything you want everyone else to be.

-From Linda Johnson's article in Living Buddhism

PRESIDENT IKEDA'S ENCOURAGEMENT

PRESIDENT IKEDA'S ENCOURAGEMENT 

  

"My friends, whatever happens don't be surprised or afraid. I will be your roof and breakwater in the fiercest of storms. Have peace of mind, and joyfully and serenely savour the spring breezes of life in this spiritual hometown of Soka. Please lead a life of triumph !"

  

"Be firmly assured that those with faith in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, which always turn to spring, and please tenaciously keep on challenging life's hardships. There...in, lies the essential path to leading a life of the richest fulfilment."

  

"I want you to be sharp, considerate and wise people. And whatever happens, you must never lose heart, you must always keep trying and be patient. Such a person will always triumph. It is the Lotus Sutra that has taught us this unbeatable strategy."

  

President Ikeda 

NHR - Vol 26, Chapter 1

THE GOHONZON IS NOT OUTSIDE US

THE GOHONZON IS NOT OUTSIDE US

  

I find that so many people still chant to the Gohonzon as if it were some God or some force outside of themselves. The attitude with which we chant, and the attitude with which we view the Gohonzon is most important, because if we have a distorted view, we will have a distorted practice, and it is that distorted practice and view, that we will teach to others.

  

We know from study that the characters on the Gohonzon represent the two sides of life and all of the positive/negative attributes that exist within life, including that fundamental darkness that coexists within every human life. Nichiren Daishonin says that there is no life that has one without the other. The characters representing both aspects of life are written on the Gohonzon. For me what is exciting is to know, that even without my being able to read it, Nichiren Daishonin wrote all of these characters on the Gohonzon, which represent every aspect of life, in such a way that every character is looking at the centre just like you and me. Every character is looking at Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. Think about the Ceremony in the Air. Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the axis of the universe and we’re forming a circle around that axis.

All of us are looking at Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. It is the centre that every character is looking at. Why? It is because Nichiren Daishonin is giving us a continual message every time we look at the Gohonzon. The message is that we must base our life on the Law and never on the person. It is the mystic law that has enabled every Buddha throughout eternity to be able to manifest their fullest potential, and that it is the key, which is the centre, for everything. We have to make Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo the centre of our life and we have to base our life on Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. It means being able to see and to hear ourselves. It means that whenever we are facing a problem, we don’t just try to use our brain to figure it out, or strategise how to fix it. Many members still do this, and after they have racked their brain as to what to do in order to get from Point A to Point B or to fix the problem, they then chant the solution to the Gohonzon to make it work! . I think that this is practising incorrectly. Let me tell you why.

When we talk about the nine levels of consciousness, the first five are our senses. Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch. The sixth level is the conscious mind. The seventh is the unconscious mind. The eighth level is what we call the karma storage area, which is that area in our life that has accumulated every cause we have ever made throughout all existences. Below that is the ninth level of consciousness, which Buddhism says, is the one pure, unchanging reality of our life.

Every single one of us has fortune and lack of fortune in our life. In the areas in which we have fortune, we can do the same things we see other people do and we can achieve our goals but in the areas of your life where you lack fortune, you can do the identical thing you see your neighbour doing, but the object of your desire seems to move further and further away (laughter), right?

EXCHANGING MISFORTUNE FOR FORTUNE

When we are dealing with problems in our lives, they have a causal connection to us. Many times they come from that place in our life where we lack fortune. And so, if we use our brain to strategize how to fix things, our brain can only go to the eighth level of consciousness, which is the karma storage. That is the area which stores up and accumulates all of the causes we have ever made, and it’s seems to be the place in which; WE DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE FORTUNE . Our brain then devises a solution based on lack of fortune. By following this “mental” solution, we will keep reinforcing the same pattern of karmic tendencies over and over in our lives.

But what Nichiren teaches is that by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo you can pierce through the eighth level of karma storage. Pierce through it, be unaffected by it, and you can reach the pure unchanging reality and infinite wisdom of your life that is unaffected by karma storage. That answer is the correct answer for your life. It’s not affected by your karma in the area in which you lack fortune. And this is why I believe Nichiren Daishonin says we must become the master of our mind rather than allowing our mind to master us.

My point is this; when we pray, we need to start from a determination such as: “I will accomplish X,” (whatever X is). We also have to understand from Buddhism that we create our life every moment through our thoughts, our words, and our behavior. Prayer in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is profoundly different from prayer in other religions. We are not praying to something outside of ourselves to bestow something on us. Instead, our prayer here is the determination that; “I will create the object or thing that I am praying for through my causes of thought, words, and actions. I am the creator of my life and I will take the responsibility to create the thing that I am praying for, and that after I have chanted this kind of determined daimoku, I will accomplish X.” I then must come to a realization… “How in the world am I going to do this? That answer only exists inside of my life. I can tap my wisdom for the answer when I have the belief and conviction, that the answer exists inside of me.” And I start chanting with the determination to pull that wisdom up from within my life to clearly see what it is that I need to do in order to create the thing that I’m praying for. 

That is why President Ikeda says:

“Benefit comes from you. Nobody gives you benefit.”

By Linda Johnson, SGI-USA WD Leader

The Art of listening with the eyes of a Buddha