Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
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Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)
- Thread starter PassTheDoobie
- Start date
happy belated birthday Babbabud.......
Came to post this and with much joy I see it has already been posted
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
The Order of Enlightment
The Order of Enlightment
If the Universal Law is non-discriminatory, why are some enlightened before others?
The Maka Shikan explains:
"When the sun appears in the east, it first illuminates the tallest mountains, then the next highest peaks until finally even the valleys are filled with light. The sun does not discriminate.
The first enlightened are those who seek the truth most strenuously, they are like the tallest mountains who first receive sunlight. Inspired by their example, others follow and are illuminated like the next highest peaks.
Finally, the Universal Law illuminates even those of low capacity, like sunlight filling the valley."
[Paraphrased from Great Calming and Contemplation (a translation of the Maka Shikan), p. 122]
Nichiren Daishonin wrote:
"Fire can be produced by a stone taken from the bottom of a river, and a candle can light up a place that has been dark for billions of years. If even the most ordinary things of this world are such wonders, then how much more wondrous is the power of the Mystic Law." [/B][/B]
(From "The One Essential Phrase" Gosho)
And:
"Please understand that I am merely joining my one drop to the rivers and the oceans or adding my candle to the sun and the moon, hoping in this way to increase even slightly the volume of the water or the brilliance of the light."
(From "Recitation of the Hoben and Juryo Chapters" when we chant Gongyo each day)
The Order of Enlightment
If the Universal Law is non-discriminatory, why are some enlightened before others?
The Maka Shikan explains:
"When the sun appears in the east, it first illuminates the tallest mountains, then the next highest peaks until finally even the valleys are filled with light. The sun does not discriminate.
The first enlightened are those who seek the truth most strenuously, they are like the tallest mountains who first receive sunlight. Inspired by their example, others follow and are illuminated like the next highest peaks.
Finally, the Universal Law illuminates even those of low capacity, like sunlight filling the valley."
[Paraphrased from Great Calming and Contemplation (a translation of the Maka Shikan), p. 122]
Nichiren Daishonin wrote:
"Fire can be produced by a stone taken from the bottom of a river, and a candle can light up a place that has been dark for billions of years. If even the most ordinary things of this world are such wonders, then how much more wondrous is the power of the Mystic Law." [/B][/B]
(From "The One Essential Phrase" Gosho)
And:
"Please understand that I am merely joining my one drop to the rivers and the oceans or adding my candle to the sun and the moon, hoping in this way to increase even slightly the volume of the water or the brilliance of the light."
(From "Recitation of the Hoben and Juryo Chapters" when we chant Gongyo each day)
From the "Basics of Buddhism" by Pat Allright
"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". Nichiren Daishonin
The Truth is that we each have the potential of enlightenment / Buddhahood within our lives. This Buddha state, the highest of the ten states, is characterized by boundless wisdom and infinite compassion. It is achieved through the Bodhisattva practice, the ninth of the ten states. This state is characterized by compassion in which one dedicates oneself to saving others.
In the current time of mappo, the Latter Day of the Law, the correct practice to achieve enlightenment as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, is teaching to all that will listen, the great law of Myoho Renge Kyo. As the Daishonin further states:
"While deluded one is called a common mortal. but once enlightened he is called a Buddha....Nam Myoho Renge Kyo."
"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". Nichiren Daishonin
The Truth is that we each have the potential of enlightenment / Buddhahood within our lives. This Buddha state, the highest of the ten states, is characterized by boundless wisdom and infinite compassion. It is achieved through the Bodhisattva practice, the ninth of the ten states. This state is characterized by compassion in which one dedicates oneself to saving others.
In the current time of mappo, the Latter Day of the Law, the correct practice to achieve enlightenment as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, is teaching to all that will listen, the great law of Myoho Renge Kyo. As the Daishonin further states:
"While deluded one is called a common mortal. but once enlightened he is called a Buddha....Nam Myoho Renge Kyo."
Patmando22
Member
Thanks for being here and happy new year everyone!
Question: The "Teacher of the Law" chapter in the fourth volume of the Lotus Sutra reads, "[This Lotus Sutra is] the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand." What is the meaning of this passage?
Answer: More than two thousand years have passed since the Buddha expounded the Lotus Sutra in India. It took a little more than twelve hundred years before this sutra was introduced to China, and two hundreds more years before it was brought from China to Japan. Since then, more than seven hundred years have already passed.
After the demise of the Buddha, there were only three persons who realized the true meaning of this passage of the Lotus Sutra. In India, Bodhisattva Nagarjuna said in his 'Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom: "[The Lotus Sutra is] like a great physician who can change poison into medicine." This is the same way he explained the meaning of the passage, "the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand." In China, the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai Chih-che interpreted it in the light of its context: "Among all those I [Shakyamuni Buddha] have preached, now preach or will preach, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand." And in Japan, the Great Teacher Dengyo elaborated on it as follows: "All the Sutras of the first four periods preached in the past, the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra now being preached, and the Nirvana Sutra to be preached in the future are easy to believe and easy to understand. This is because the Buddha taught these sutras in accordance with the capacity of his listeners. This Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and to understand because in it the Buddha directly revealed what he had attained."
From 'The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin'
"A Comparison of the Lotus and other Sutras" (written in 1280)
Answer: More than two thousand years have passed since the Buddha expounded the Lotus Sutra in India. It took a little more than twelve hundred years before this sutra was introduced to China, and two hundreds more years before it was brought from China to Japan. Since then, more than seven hundred years have already passed.
After the demise of the Buddha, there were only three persons who realized the true meaning of this passage of the Lotus Sutra. In India, Bodhisattva Nagarjuna said in his 'Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom: "[The Lotus Sutra is] like a great physician who can change poison into medicine." This is the same way he explained the meaning of the passage, "the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand." In China, the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai Chih-che interpreted it in the light of its context: "Among all those I [Shakyamuni Buddha] have preached, now preach or will preach, this Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand." And in Japan, the Great Teacher Dengyo elaborated on it as follows: "All the Sutras of the first four periods preached in the past, the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra now being preached, and the Nirvana Sutra to be preached in the future are easy to believe and easy to understand. This is because the Buddha taught these sutras in accordance with the capacity of his listeners. This Lotus Sutra is the most difficult to believe and to understand because in it the Buddha directly revealed what he had attained."
From 'The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin'
"A Comparison of the Lotus and other Sutras" (written in 1280)
Earthly desires are enlightenment (bonno-soku-bodai)
A Mahayana principal based on the view that earthly desires cannot exist independently on their own; therefore one can attain enlightenment without eliminating earthly desires. This contrasts with the Hinayana view that extinguishing earthly desires is a prerequisite for enlightenment. According to the Hinayana teachings, earthly desires and enlightenment are two independent and opposing factors, and the two cannot coexist; while Mahayana teachings reveal that earthly desires are one with and inseparale from enlightenment. This is because all things, even earthly desires and enlightenment, are manifestations of the unchanging reality or truth- and thus are non-dual at their source.
The Universal Worthy Sutra, an epilogue to the Lotus Sutra, states, "Without either cutting off earthly desires or separating themselves from the five desires, they can purify all their senses and wipe away all their offenses." T'ien-t'ai says in 'Great Concentration and Insight', "The ignorance and dust of desires are enlightenment, and the suffering of birth and death are nirvana." In 'The record of Orally transmitted Teachings, Nichiren states: " The idea of gradually overcoming delusions is not the ultimate meaning of the 'Life Span' chapter [of the Lotus Sutra]. You should understand that the ultimate meaning of this chapter is that ordinary mortals, just as they are in their original state of being, are Buddhas." and, "Today, when Nichiren and his followers recite the words Nam-moho-renge-kyo, they are burning the firewood of earthly desires, summoning up the wisdom-fire of enlightenment."
(from the Dictionary of Buddhism)
A Mahayana principal based on the view that earthly desires cannot exist independently on their own; therefore one can attain enlightenment without eliminating earthly desires. This contrasts with the Hinayana view that extinguishing earthly desires is a prerequisite for enlightenment. According to the Hinayana teachings, earthly desires and enlightenment are two independent and opposing factors, and the two cannot coexist; while Mahayana teachings reveal that earthly desires are one with and inseparale from enlightenment. This is because all things, even earthly desires and enlightenment, are manifestations of the unchanging reality or truth- and thus are non-dual at their source.
The Universal Worthy Sutra, an epilogue to the Lotus Sutra, states, "Without either cutting off earthly desires or separating themselves from the five desires, they can purify all their senses and wipe away all their offenses." T'ien-t'ai says in 'Great Concentration and Insight', "The ignorance and dust of desires are enlightenment, and the suffering of birth and death are nirvana." In 'The record of Orally transmitted Teachings, Nichiren states: " The idea of gradually overcoming delusions is not the ultimate meaning of the 'Life Span' chapter [of the Lotus Sutra]. You should understand that the ultimate meaning of this chapter is that ordinary mortals, just as they are in their original state of being, are Buddhas." and, "Today, when Nichiren and his followers recite the words Nam-moho-renge-kyo, they are burning the firewood of earthly desires, summoning up the wisdom-fire of enlightenment."
(from the Dictionary of Buddhism)
"Substituting Faith for Wisdom":
The principle that faith is the true cause for gaining supreme wisdom, and faith alone leads to enlightenment. In general, Buddhism describes supreme wisdom as the cause of enlightenment.
According to the Lotus Sutra, however, even Shariputra, who was revered as foremost in wisdom, could attain enlightenment only through faith, not through wisdom. The "Simile and Parable" (third) chapter of the sutra states: "Even you, Shariputra, in the case of this sutra, were able to gain entrance through faith alone. How much more so, then, the other voice hearers. Those other voice-hearers--it is because they have faith in the Buddha's words that they can comply with this sutra, not because of any wisdom of their own."
In 'Great Concentration and Insight', T'ien-t'ai says "Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith." In his 1277 treatise 'On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice', Nichiren states, "Because our wisdom is inadequate, he [Shakyamuni Buddha] teaches us to substitute faith for wisdom, making this single word 'faith' the foundation".
Dictionary of Buddhism
The principle that faith is the true cause for gaining supreme wisdom, and faith alone leads to enlightenment. In general, Buddhism describes supreme wisdom as the cause of enlightenment.
According to the Lotus Sutra, however, even Shariputra, who was revered as foremost in wisdom, could attain enlightenment only through faith, not through wisdom. The "Simile and Parable" (third) chapter of the sutra states: "Even you, Shariputra, in the case of this sutra, were able to gain entrance through faith alone. How much more so, then, the other voice hearers. Those other voice-hearers--it is because they have faith in the Buddha's words that they can comply with this sutra, not because of any wisdom of their own."
In 'Great Concentration and Insight', T'ien-t'ai says "Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith." In his 1277 treatise 'On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice', Nichiren states, "Because our wisdom is inadequate, he [Shakyamuni Buddha] teaches us to substitute faith for wisdom, making this single word 'faith' the foundation".
Dictionary of Buddhism
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Can we count the number of raindrops that fall in a major world system in the space of seven days? Or does anyone know the number of dust particles in the vast lands that make up the worlds of the ten directions? But the benefits one gains by making offerings even to one word of the Lotus Sutra—these, the Buddha says, are truly hard to measure."
- WND, Vol. 2, page 871)
Selection Source:
SGI President Ikeda’s essay,
Seikyo Shinbun, December 29th, 2017
"Can we count the number of raindrops that fall in a major world system in the space of seven days? Or does anyone know the number of dust particles in the vast lands that make up the worlds of the ten directions? But the benefits one gains by making offerings even to one word of the Lotus Sutra—these, the Buddha says, are truly hard to measure."
- WND, Vol. 2, page 871)
Selection Source:
SGI President Ikeda’s essay,
Seikyo Shinbun, December 29th, 2017
Sunday, December 31st, 2017
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
“Every day brings a new morning for you, too. Though you may have experienced a series of failures or disappointments up to yesterday, today is a fresh beginning and the start of a brand new day.
"No one knows what will happen today. In fact, you decide how you will live it. This new day is a day filled with hope. If you decide to do your best, you can succeed, even if you run into obstacles along the way.
“So let’s start each morning energetically!”
SGI Newsletter No. 9576, Rainbow of Hope—Great Figures of the World, [25] L. M. Montgomery, Author: Every Day Brings a New Morning
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
“Every day brings a new morning for you, too. Though you may have experienced a series of failures or disappointments up to yesterday, today is a fresh beginning and the start of a brand new day.
"No one knows what will happen today. In fact, you decide how you will live it. This new day is a day filled with hope. If you decide to do your best, you can succeed, even if you run into obstacles along the way.
“So let’s start each morning energetically!”
SGI Newsletter No. 9576, Rainbow of Hope—Great Figures of the World, [25] L. M. Montgomery, Author: Every Day Brings a New Morning
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
“Nichiren Daishonin describes the fighting spirit necessary to defeat the 'three obstacles and four devils' in a letter addressed to the Ikegami brothers, who [resided in an area that is part of present-day Ota Ward and] are noble predecessors of our Tokyo members. He writes: 'From now on too, no matter what may happen, you must not slacken in the least. You must raise your voice all the more' (WND-2, 597).
"My inspiring fellow members, summoning forth ever-greater courage and raising your voices all the more, advance joyfully and in high spirits!.”
SGI Newsletter No. 9580, The Eternal Citadel of Soka, Paving the Way to Victory through the Shared Struggle of Mentor and Disciple
“Nichiren Daishonin describes the fighting spirit necessary to defeat the 'three obstacles and four devils' in a letter addressed to the Ikegami brothers, who [resided in an area that is part of present-day Ota Ward and] are noble predecessors of our Tokyo members. He writes: 'From now on too, no matter what may happen, you must not slacken in the least. You must raise your voice all the more' (WND-2, 597).
"My inspiring fellow members, summoning forth ever-greater courage and raising your voices all the more, advance joyfully and in high spirits!.”
SGI Newsletter No. 9580, The Eternal Citadel of Soka, Paving the Way to Victory through the Shared Struggle of Mentor and Disciple
Nam myoho renge kyo
Gosho - On Prayer
One may ask why the results of these vows should be so long in appearing. And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow, and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered. If the bodhisattvas, the human and and heavenly beings, the eight kinds of nonhuman beings, the two sages, the two heavenly deities and the ten demon daughters would by some unlikely chance fail to appear and protect the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, then above them they would be showing their disdain for Shakyamuni and the other Buddhas, and below they would be guilty of deceiving the beings of the nine realms.
It makes no difference if the practitioner himself is lacking in worth, defective in wisdom, impure in his person, and lacking in virtue derived from observing the precepts. So long as he chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they will invariably protect him. One does not throw away gold because the bag that holds it is dirty; one does not ignore the sandalwood trees because of the foul odor of the eranda trees around them; one does not refuse to gather lotuses because the pond in the valley where they grow is not clean. If they ignore the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, they will be going against their vow.
Now that the Former and Middle Days of the Law are over, persons who observe the precepts are as rare as tigers in the marketplace, and persons of wisdom are harder to find than the horns of a ch'i-lin. While waiting for the moon to rise, one must rely upon a lantern, and when there are no true gems at hand, gold and silver must serve as jewels. The debt of gratitude one owes to a white crow may be repaid to a black crow, and the debt one owes to a sage priest, may be repaid to an ordinary priest. So, if you earnestly pray that blessings be given to you without delay, how can your prayers fail to be answered?
Nichiren Daishonin (1272)
WND 345-346
One may ask why the results of these vows should be so long in appearing. And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow, and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered. If the bodhisattvas, the human and and heavenly beings, the eight kinds of nonhuman beings, the two sages, the two heavenly deities and the ten demon daughters would by some unlikely chance fail to appear and protect the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, then above them they would be showing their disdain for Shakyamuni and the other Buddhas, and below they would be guilty of deceiving the beings of the nine realms.
It makes no difference if the practitioner himself is lacking in worth, defective in wisdom, impure in his person, and lacking in virtue derived from observing the precepts. So long as he chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, they will invariably protect him. One does not throw away gold because the bag that holds it is dirty; one does not ignore the sandalwood trees because of the foul odor of the eranda trees around them; one does not refuse to gather lotuses because the pond in the valley where they grow is not clean. If they ignore the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, they will be going against their vow.
Now that the Former and Middle Days of the Law are over, persons who observe the precepts are as rare as tigers in the marketplace, and persons of wisdom are harder to find than the horns of a ch'i-lin. While waiting for the moon to rise, one must rely upon a lantern, and when there are no true gems at hand, gold and silver must serve as jewels. The debt of gratitude one owes to a white crow may be repaid to a black crow, and the debt one owes to a sage priest, may be repaid to an ordinary priest. So, if you earnestly pray that blessings be given to you without delay, how can your prayers fail to be answered?
Nichiren Daishonin (1272)
WND 345-346
Excerpt from "Persecution by Sword and Stave"
The "Emerging from the Earth" chapter also explains something about me, because it states that Bodhisattva Superior Practices and his followers will appear in the Latter Day of the Law to propagate the five characters of Nam-myohorenge-kyo. I, Nichiren have appeared earlier than anyone else. How reassuring to think that I will be praised by bodhisattvas equal in number to the sands of the Ganges Rivers! Be that as it may, commit yourself to the Lotus Sutra and have faith in its teachings. You must not only believe in them yourself, but also encourage others to do the same, so that you may save those who were parents in your past existences.
From the time that I was born until today, I have never known a moments ease; I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. I do not know how long I or anyone may live, but without fail, I will be with you at the time of your death and guide you from this life to the next. All the Buddhas of the past, present, and future attain enlightenment during the hours of the ox and tiger. In all three countries of India, China, and Japan, the place of Buddhist prayer is located in the northeast, in the direction of the demon gate. These are profound teachings of Buddhism, which are reverently transferred from teacher to disciple. I will expalin in more detail later.
With my deep respect,
As you crave food when hungry, seek water when thirsty, long to see a lover, beg for medicine when ill, or as a beautiful woman desires powder and rouge, so should you put your faith in the Lotus Sutra. If you do not, you will regret it later.
Nichiren
From WND (pgs 964-965)
The "Emerging from the Earth" chapter also explains something about me, because it states that Bodhisattva Superior Practices and his followers will appear in the Latter Day of the Law to propagate the five characters of Nam-myohorenge-kyo. I, Nichiren have appeared earlier than anyone else. How reassuring to think that I will be praised by bodhisattvas equal in number to the sands of the Ganges Rivers! Be that as it may, commit yourself to the Lotus Sutra and have faith in its teachings. You must not only believe in them yourself, but also encourage others to do the same, so that you may save those who were parents in your past existences.
From the time that I was born until today, I have never known a moments ease; I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. I do not know how long I or anyone may live, but without fail, I will be with you at the time of your death and guide you from this life to the next. All the Buddhas of the past, present, and future attain enlightenment during the hours of the ox and tiger. In all three countries of India, China, and Japan, the place of Buddhist prayer is located in the northeast, in the direction of the demon gate. These are profound teachings of Buddhism, which are reverently transferred from teacher to disciple. I will expalin in more detail later.
With my deep respect,
As you crave food when hungry, seek water when thirsty, long to see a lover, beg for medicine when ill, or as a beautiful woman desires powder and rouge, so should you put your faith in the Lotus Sutra. If you do not, you will regret it later.
Nichiren
From WND (pgs 964-965)
