Chanting Growers Group

[SoCal Hippy]

"Though this mandala has but five or seven characters, it is the
teacher of all Buddhas throughout the three existences and the seal
that guarantees the enlightenment of all women. It will be a lamp in
the darkness of the road to the next world and a fine horse to carry
you over the mountains of death. It is like the sun and moon in the
heavens or Mount Sumeru on earth. It is a ship to ferry people over
the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. It is the teacher who
leads all people to Buddhahood and enlightenment."

(WND, 414)
On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
Recipient and date unknown

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"A fundamental teaching of Buddhism is the principle of dependent origination. In other words, the idea that nothing exists alone, that all phenomena arise from mutually interdependent relationships in response to various causes and conditions.

"Nothing exists in isolation. All things are intrinsically interrelated and influence one another. The same is true of people. We are all supported, aided, and influenced by others. Accordingly, we should be grateful not only to our parents, siblings, and teachers but to everyone in the world."

SGI Newsletter No. 6745, The New Human Revolution—Vol. 18: Chap. 2, Gratitude for One’s Mentor 49, translated Feb 22nd, 2006

 

[Guest]

Then we are all chanting together !!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Your seeking spirit assures you happiness easydisco. Im so glad that we are all chanting. We are so fortunate to be born in the latter day. Even more fortunate that Nichiren Daishonin revealed the mystic law for all of our benefit . Lets chant nam myoho renge kyo !! for kosen-rufu together.
MrsBabba has made some real new friends at our SGI meetings and seems to look forward to wed. nights. Our small local group has now easily tripled in size since I first joined. Cool PTD what a great ride. So cool to have started building friendship memories Much love to all that read this thread.
Nam myoho renge kyo !!

I love you B, Mrs. B, PTD, SOCAL, most recently mrwags, masterkush, anyone else I missed!

I get a surge of life from chanting, its like the initial cytalistic reactions preparing me for a BIGBANG so to speak.

I would like to donate seeds or clones of any type of plant (indie, sally, hybrid) to anyone chanting or interested in chanting. Growing Chanting Loving LIFE enjoying everyday with a fresh set of goodness and understanding plus reverence really enlightens my daily path, I could not make the weekend meeting last weekend, since I am setting up another grow but I should be upto speed by saturday and hopefully recieving my Gohonzon this weekend.

Its very special to take part and follow a path I have been stubbling upon throughout my life. I had some troubles when I was a teenager and turned to buddahism only to find myself lost a few years later pretending to be Catholic when I found myself confused. I am keeping it simple cus I'm stoopid and the daily research, chants, readings of the passages from Socal and PTD really give me that extra BOOST!


Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings

The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings

Chapter Fifteen: Emerging from the Earth

One important point


Point One, on the passage “Among these bodhisattvas were four leaders. The first was called Superior Practices, the second was called Boundless Practices, the third was called Pure Practices, and the fourth was called Firmly Established Practices. These four bodhisattvas were the foremost leaders and guiding teachers among all the group.”

The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: This chapter, “Emerging from the Earth,” is devoted entirely to matters pertaining to the bodhisattvas of the essential teaching, those who were taught and converted by the Buddha in his true identity.* The action carried out by the bodhisattvas of the essential teaching is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is referred to in the character sho [“advocating”] in the compound shodo, or “advocating and guiding”]. The character do signifies that they will lead and guide all the living beings of the country of Japan to the Pure Land of the Holy Mountain [Eagle Peak]. As for these guiding teachers of the Latter Day of the Law, the term “teachers” can only be applied to the bodhisattvas of the essential teaching.

In explaining the identity of the four great bodhisattvas described here, volume nine of Supplement to “The Words and Phrases,” following the explanation given in volume nine of Words and Phrases, says, “The four leaders described in the sutra passage here represent the four virtues. Superior Practices represents the virtue of true self. Boundless Practices represents the virtue of eternity. Pure Practices represents the virtue of purity. And Firmly Established Practices represents the virtue of happiness.

There are times when a single person possesses all four of these principles. To transcend the two types of death [birth and death in the six paths and birth and death in the higher realms] is known as Superior Practices. To go beyond the two opposing views that life is cut off after one existence or that it is eternally the same is called Boundless Practices. Because one overcomes the five categories of illusions and entanglements,** that state is designated Pure Practices. And because one is as perfect in virtue as [the Buddha who attained enlightenment under] the bodhi tree, that state is named Firmly Established Practices.”

Nichiren and his followers, who now chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, are all followers of these bodhisattvas who emerged from the earth.

Again, one may say that fire is that which burns things [and hence it corresponds to Superior Practices***]. Water is that which purifies things [and hence it corresponds to Pure Practices]. Wind is that which blows away dust and grime [and hence it corresponds to Boundless Practices]. The great earth is that which nourishes plants and trees [and corresponds to Firmly Established Practices]. These are the respective merits of the four bodhisattvas. Though the practices of the four bodhisattvas differ from one to another, all are in effect the practice of Myoho-renge-kyo.

These four bodhisattvas dwell in the lower region. Therefore the commentary [Words and Phrases, volume nine] says that they dwell “in the depths of the Dharma nature, the ultimate region of the profound source.” The lower region is where they live and abide, and the lower region represents the principle of truth. Supplement to “The Words and Phrases” says, “The lower region is described by Master Tao-sheng as the place where one abides in the principle (ri).” What emerge and become manifest from this dwelling in the principle are referred to as actual events (ji).

Again, the Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says that, of all the thousand plants and ten thousand trees in the world, there are none that are not in essence bodhisattvas who emerge from the earth. Thus we may say that the bodhisattvas who emerge from the earth are the bodhisattvas of the essential teaching. The word “essential” or “original” represents the merits handed down from the past numberless major world system dust particle kalpas ago, the merits that are without beginning and without end.

These bodhisattvas are possessors of the essential or original Law. The original Law is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This daimoku, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, is something that is without exception possessed by the bodhisattvas who emerge from the earth, but it is not possessed by the bodhisattvas of the theoretical teaching, those who were taught and converted by the Buddha in his transient status. From the substance of this original Law is derived the function that is propagated as the practice of concentration and insight, and is called the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life. In effect, all the explainations given by great and ordinary teachers are directed toward the propagation of this function of the Wonderful Law.

The accepting and upholding of this original Law is expressed in the single word “belief” or “faith.” The single word “belief” is the sharp sword with which one confronts and overcomes fundamental darkness or ignorance. The commentary [Words and Phrases] says, “Belief means to be without doubt.” You should think about this.


*”The Buddha in his true identity” is the Shakyamuni described in the “Life Span” chapter as the Buddha who attained enlightenment in the inconceivably remote past. The term is contrasted with “the Buddha is his transient status,” which indicates the Shakyamuni who attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree in India.

**Same as “the five types of abiding earthly desires” explained in the footnote on page 36. [from pg.36: The Lion’s Roar of Queen Shrimala Sutra (Columbia University Press, 1974) lists four static kinds of defilement: the static kind based a particular viewpoint, the static kind in attraction to desire, the static kind in attraction to form, and the static kind in attraction to gestation." The five types of abiding earthly desires consist of these and the static kind based on darkness, or ignorance.]

*** The Chinese characters for Superior Practices mean to go forward. Because fire goes upward when it burns, it is regarded as corresponding to Superior Practices.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood."

(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 283) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, February 22nd, 2006

 

[Guest]

where can i get my book at on all this ?

 

[PassTheDoobie]

http://www.sgi-usa.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SOS&Category_Code=B

 

[PassTheDoobie]

But you can also read these three for free online:

The Lotus Sutra (Translated by Burton Watson)

http://sgi-usa.org/buddhism/library/Buddhism/LotusSutra/

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin (often referred to here as WND)

http://sgi-usa.org/buddhism/library/Nichiren/wnd/

The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism (everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask)

http://sgi-usa.org/buddhism/dictionary/browse

420KushMaster, welcome! I hope that this helps you and everyone else! Thanks for asking the question! Good luck--you might win the Gypsy Nirvana stash box!

Thomas

 

[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

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The Daishonin writes: 'Nichiren is like the plant, and my teacher, the earth' (WND, 909). Without the teacher or mentor, the student or disciple cannot exist. What, then, is the way to repay one’s debt of gratitude to one’s mentor? The Daishonin concludes: 'If one intends to repay these great debts of gratitude, one can hope to do so only if one learns and masters Buddhism, becoming a person of wisdom' (WND, 690).

We need to study Buddhism and strive to become people of wisdom who open the way to happiness and peace for all people—in other words, we must become great leaders of kosen-rufu. It is crucial that disciples develop to the extent that they surpass their mentor, devoting themselves earnestly for the sake of the Law and working for the betterment of society. The benefits they gain as a result will serve as a tribute to their mentor as well as being the highest honour to their mentor’s memory. In fact, it is through the actions of disciples that the mentor’s true worth is recognized and the mentor’s dreams and visions realized.

"The Daishonin declares: 'It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything' (WND, 909). The path of the oneness of mentor and disciple is the heart of the Soka Gakkai and the lifeblood of kosen-rufu."

SGI Newsletter No. 6745, The New Human Revolution—Vol. 18: Chap, 2,
Gratitude for One’s Mentor 51, translated Feb 22nd, 2006

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles, and the green ivy that twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet."

(On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 17) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, February 24th, 2006

 

[Guest]

'If one intends to repay these great debts of gratitude, one can hope to do so only if one learns and masters Buddhism, becoming a person of wisdom'

Let's continue today just like tonight and the following morning,

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, free me from the maelstrom entangling our society this day in age, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, I chant not for me but for my mentors and everyone willing to "tune in" Nam Myoho Renge Kyo Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Guest]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

".. chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Continue your practice without backsliding until the final moment of your life, and when that time comes, behold! When you climb the mountain of perfect enlightenment and gaze around you in all directions, then to your amazement you will see that the entire realm of phenomena is the Land of Tranquil Light. The ground will be of lapis lazuli, and the eight paths will be set apart by golden ropes. Four kinds of flowers will fall from the heavens, and music will resound in the air. All Buddhas and bodhisattvas will be present in complete joy, caressed by the breezes of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity. The time is fast approaching when we too will count ourselves among their number."

(The Fourteen Slanders - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 760) Selection source: "Birth, Aging, Sickness, and Death" and "Life" by SGI President Ikeda, Makoto Michikawa, M.D., Shosaku Narumi, M.D., Ms. Reiko Inamitsu, Seikyo Shimbun, February 25th, 2006

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"No matter how humble a person may be, if his wisdom is the least bit
greater than yours, you should ask him about the meaning of the sutra.
But the people in this evil age are so arrogant, prejudiced, and
attached to fame and profit that they are afraid that, should they
become the disciple of a humble person or try to learn something from
him, they will be looked down upon by others. They never rid
themselves of this wrong attitude, so they seem to be destined for the
evil paths."

(WND, 757)
The Fourteen Slanders
Written to the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon on December 9, 1276

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Buddhism is not about leading a self-centered existence. If we do not
base our lives on the Law, we are not practicing Buddhism. The German
writer Friedrich von Schiller writes, "The brave man thinks upon
himself the last." This is analogous to the spirit of not begrudging
one's life taught in the Lotus Sutra. This means treasuring the Law
more highly than one's life. The Law and kosen-rufu are central."

Daisaku Ikeda - SGI President

from SGI-USA
"For Today & Tomorrow"

 

[SoCal Hippy]

* Gosho Selection for Sunday, February 26 *

"Therefore, when you chant myoho and recite renge, you must summon up
deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself. You must never think
that any of the eighty thousand sacred teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha's
lifetime or any of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and
three existences are outside yourself."
* On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime WND-3*

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same; that will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world."

(Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 64) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, February 23rd, 2006

 

[Marley]

find peace

find peace

Ive been trying to find a way to explain the way i feel after i chant and u hit the nail on the head. i think, u dont remmber anythink after and i ready to that life on again feeling fresh.

When things in life come down to the small things like, other dont like the way u smell (ie of weed) and then its a atack at me and evertythink about me. Then other may think by tacking things from u may make u change or stop what your doing to make other happy. I cant under stand this about people in this world man, dont they under stand we r a free spirt and we should do what feels good to the person, as we all live and learn that what makes us all human and people. To me this is also what make wisdon, wisdon because every think and everyone is different.........man is what im saying making any sence or is it me.

as u can c, but pissed sorry peep justed nice to let out some were,but in the end i have life and health so what can i complain about.......peace

 

[Babbabud]

ATTENTION CHANTING GROWERS
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=369710#post369710
this effects the site greatly and we will need to talk
nam myoho renge kyo!