Chanting Growers Group (2013-∞)

[SoCal Hippy]

Even though one may encounter a wise teacher and the true sutra and thereby embrace the correct teaching, when one resolves to break free from the sufferings of birth and death and attain Buddhahood, one will inevitably encounter seven grave matters known as the three obstacles and four devils, just as surely as a shadow follows the body and clouds accompany rain. Even if you should manage to overcome the first six, if you are defeated by the seventh, you will not be able to become a Buddha.

(WND, 894)
Letter to Misawa
Written to Misawa Kojiro on February 23, 1278

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Without courage we cannot be compassionate. Courage and compassion are inseparable, like the two sides of a coin. Faith is the wellspring of courage. The Daishonin says, "Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly" (MW-1, 128). A cowardly person cannot realize victory in life. Unless we have the courage to really dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu, we cannot construct true happiness for ourselves and others.

Daisaku Ikeda

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[easyDaimoku]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"Mr. Toda urged us to seek out the best in order to elevate and improve ourselves. He did not wish to raise young people as narrow-minded religious specialists. His aim was to foster us into top-level members of society in every way. I, too, want to enable youth to experience the best in every field of human endeavour. Once you have seen the best, you quickly recognize the second- or third-rate. The reverse is not true, however; you can focus on the second- or third-rate forever without ever understanding the best.

"Meet first-rate people, listen to first-rate music, read first-rate literature, and see first-rate art: that’s the way to polish your character until it becomes first-rate, too."

SGI Newsletter No. 6902, Dialogues with World Citizens, Yehudi Menuhin—World-renowned Violinist, translated July 3rd, 2006 (OP PTD 7-8-2006 OG CG Thread)
[/FONT]

 

[easyDaimoku]

"Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life."

(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 385) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 5th, 2006 (Originally Posted by PasstheDoobie 7-8-2006 Original Chanting Growers Thread)

 

[easyDaimoku]

"Strengthen your faith now more than ever. Anyone who teaches the principles of Buddhism to others is bound to incur hatred from men and women, priests and nuns. Let them say what they will. Entrust yourself to the golden teachings of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, T'ien-t'ai, Miao-lo, Dengyo, and Chang-an. This is what is signified by the expression, "practicing according to the Buddha's teachings."

The Embankments of Faith,
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, pg# 626)

 

[easyDaimoku]

SoCal, Babba, CrazyDog, (Everrrrybody): Faith! Practice! Study! :happy:
We're constantly doing our best my friends, lets make 2014 a great year for us and all our chanting growers family, especially our extended family (kids, grand kids, cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles and especially parents). I've never been so busy in my life over the past five years, but the best part is always our amazing practice, these great studies and wonderful encouragement. We're all so great, naturally, and so fortunate to have so much great work for kosen-rufu constantly going on around us. I'm flowing with yall!

 

[Weird]

nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Weird]

a chant a day ....

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, March 5, 2014:

​

The more gold is heated in the flames, the brighter will be its color; the more a sword is whetted, the sharper it will become. And 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.



The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 673

The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra
Written to Myomitsu on March 5, 1276

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Weird]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, March 6, 2014:

A passage from the Lotus Sutra reads that it is "the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand." Many hear about and accept this sutra, but when great obstacles arise, just as they were told would happen, few remember it and bear it firmly in mind. To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 471
The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith
Written to Shijo Kingo on March 6, 1275

 

[Weird]

nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Weird]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, March 7, 2014:

If the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds. It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. While deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 4
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
Written to Toki Jonin in 1255

 

[Weird]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, March 8, 2014:

The debt of gratitude owed to one's father and mother is as vast as the ocean. If one cares for them while they are alive but does nothing to help them in their next life, it will be like a mere drop of water.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1033
On Filial and Unfilial Conduct
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on March 8, 1280

 

[CrazyDog]

What does it take to be a true victor?
It's a person who patiently continues
to put forth their best effort to the very end.
That one courageous step that we take today
definitely opens up a path to great accomplishments thereafter.

 

[Weird]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, March 10, 2014:

A sutra says: "Rely on the Law and not upon persons. Rely on the meaning of the teaching and not upon the words. Rely on wisdom and not upon discriminative thinking. Rely on sutras that are complete and final and not on those that are not complete and final." The meaning of this passage is that one should rely not upon the words of the bodhisattvas and teachers but should heed what was established by the Buddha.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 872
How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1277

 

[Payaso]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

All good things continue...

 

[Weird]

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, March 11, 2014:

You, yourself, are a Thus Come One who is originally enlightened and endowed with the three bodies. You should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction. Then the place where you chant daimoku will become the dwelling place of the treasure tower.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 299
On the Treasure Tower
Written to Abutsu-bo Nittoku on March 13, 1272

 

[Payaso]

Great saying, thank you Weird for posting this!

You, yourself, are a Thus Come One who is originally enlightened and endowed with the three bodies. You should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with this conviction. Then the place where you chant daimoku will become the dwelling place of the treasure tower.

I truly feel I am in that place...chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Weird]

http://www.sgi-usa.org/encouragement/dw.php

http://www.sgi-usa.org/encouragement/dw.php

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, March 12, 2014:

I recently received an official pardon, and I will return to Kamakura. Can this be the year in which the passage "What I long ago hoped for has now been fulfilled" comes true for me? Without your protection, could I possibly have sustained my life? Could I have survived to be pardoned? My life's achievements are due entirely to you and to those like you.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 454
Letter to Endo Saemon-no-jo
Written to Endo Saemon-no-jo on March 12, 1274