Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

Doob, I started to live by the "Good Friends" way. That they are my good friends because they cause me to chant for Kosen Rufu. They cause me to chant because they are so confused and oblivious to cause and effect. ...so when I feel enraged towards others I'm going to chant until I overcome this Karma. I think of the evil doers and I say "Thank you good friends for you have brought me closer to enlightenment and you have made my path to enlightenment quicker. You help me to chant and devote my time to the Gohonzon.

Thanks for the Encouragement TomDoob.

I thank everyone on this thread for you are my true BEST FRIENDS and together we will conquer all hardships and rise to the top!

I told you you were a Buddha! What you said is the thinking of a Buddha Hitman! Congratulations!

But you transposed the story of Devadatta and Shakyamuni to one of Devadatta and Nichiren. Just so you know...

 

[PassTheDoobie]

This is for scegy: from page two, post 16

This is for scegy: from page two, post 16

With all due respect my Babbabud brother

Strictly a personal experience rather than opinion...

But I don't believe it to be nameless. It may be known of by many names (like us here), but in truth it has but one. It was the name given by the NameGiver at a time in the remotest past, and is known to all Buddha's throughout the Universe. Some may be not be able to reveal it due to the time, but all know it by It's True Name. Kumarajiva revealed it in the title of his translation of the Lotus Sutra.

Nichiren Daishonin was the first to express it correctly in this current time period of Mappo. It has been bestowed upon the entire world and the disciples of Nichiren have been propagating it steadily since it's first invocation. I am a laid back dude, but the truth is the truth, and sometimes you gotta say it.

I wish all the people reading this could take the time to experience it just once. It is so profound it will make the hair stick up on your arms, give you chills and bring tears to your eyes. It ain't just me. I know that for a fact.

When I have fear I substitute the Daimoku for that fear. And in my experience, Earthly Desires Equal Enlightenment as an expedient means of communicating to the Universe, my desire to achieve enlightenment in this lifetime.

Or at least that is what I am supposed to be doing! For some reason, I find myself not doing what I am supposed to be doing. Sometimes. For that reason I say to Pat once again. Thanks Dude! You nailed me!

T

 

[Guest]

i been beat to a pulp this week, emotional rollercoasters, head aches, boku drama, beat to a pulp. Sure am in need of some regeneration, going to go purchase a nice large sachel of herbs and start this weekend off right by chanting the night away.

i got beat to pulp, but you know me, I can't be defeated. My name is MyohoDisco and I dance to the tune of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Devadatta (Skt, Pali)
[提婆達多] (Jpn.: Daibadatta)

A cousin of Shakyamuni who, after Shakyamuni's enlightenment, first followed him as a disciple but later became his enemy. Devadatta was a younger brother of Ananda (an elder brother according to another account). His father was Dronodana (or Amritodana). In Buddhist scriptures, he is described as a man of utmost evil who tried to kill Shakyamuni Buddha and disrupt his Order. When both were young, before Shakyamuni embarked on a religious life, Devadatta is said to have beaten to death a white elephant that had been given to him by Shakyamuni. Devadatta was also a rival for the hand of Yashodhara, whom Shakyamuni eventually married. Later Devadatta renounced secular life and became one of Shakyamuni's disciples.

In his arrogance, however, he grew jealous of Shakyamuni and sought to usurp the Buddha's position. He fomented a schism in the Buddhist Order, luring away a number of monks. He also goaded Ajatashatru, prince of Magadha, into overthrowing his father, Bimbisara, a patron of Shakyamuni, and ascending the throne in his stead. With the new king supporting him, Devadatta made several attempts on Shakyamuni's life and caused a schism in his Order. As a result of his misdeeds, Devadatta is said to have fallen into hell alive. In the "Devadatta" (twelfth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra, however, Shakyamuni reveals that in some past existence he himself had learned the Lotus Sutra from a seer named Asita, and that this seer was Devadatta. He also predicts that Devadatta will attain enlightenment in the future as a Buddha named Heavenly King. Nichiren (1222-1282) takes this prediction to illustrate the principle that even evil persons have the potential for enlightenment.

From source: The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism

 

[Babbabud]

Hope you wake up dancing in the morning Easy dancing to the tune of nam myoho renge kyo!! All rested and ready to walk the walk brother
nam myoho renge kyo!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Believe in the Gohonzon with all your heart, for it is the robe to protect you in the world after death. No wife would ever leave her husband unclothed, nor could any parents fail to feel compassion for their child shivering in the cold. Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra are like one's wife and parents. You have helped me and thereby saved me from disgrace in this life; in return, I will protect you from disgrace in the next. What one has done for another yesterday, will be done for oneself today.

[ Letter to Jakunichi-bo, WND Page 994 ]

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

This life is but a journey that we must all embark on and eventually disembark from..... and on to another exhistance.......I once had a peek at what is beyond the horizon of our physical exhistance into a world without my body and I was surely enlightened to the extent of becoming aware that we are not just meat leading a repetative course of events and actions with no rhyme or reason to it.....

We are souls that must strive for betterment and progress thru trouble and strife on many planes to acheive hopefully ultimate satisfaction in the knowledge that there is more to this than meets the eye.....

 

[baccas125]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Babbabud]

woooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Not only are you a great friend Baccas, Welcome to the Family! I knew you would be chanting sooner than later. Goooo Baccas!

I found something everlasting in this "saha world", its Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Also I recently asked to be a district leader in my area and I will be the leader in my immediate area and spearhead a greater Shakabuku campaign and reinvigorate the new members. Yes my Human Revolution has brought me this far and the next steps are going to be even more amazing as I dedicate myself to "single-mindly seek the Buddha". Thank you marni and the others in my district that support me and now I will be spending more time studying the Goshos and especially more time chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with the greatest appreciation ever in my life, because the Gohonzon doesn't let you DOWN!

Realize your wildest dreams in this practice, its certainly within your grasp.

You are the Buddha and you make the benefits.

The lotus flower, blooms, fruits and seeds at the same time.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse."

(Letter from Sado - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 303) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 27th, 2006

 

[Babbabud]

Easy you are one amazing dude. A district leader!!Go for it friend there is no time like the here and now
nam myoho renge kyo!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

That's another super-ditto man! Well done MyohoDisco!

Gypsy! Thanks for stopping in sir! "We are souls that must strive for betterment and progress thru trouble and strife" through bringing out our Buddha Natures by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! I hope you are finding it within you to get in on some of that action yourself! Could you host this wonderful thread and not be a Bodhisattva of the Earth? I think not! All it takes is one "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" to reveal yourself as one. I believe you have already done that! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for us! You are one of the 'good friends' we should all have deep respect and appreciation for. I bow in obeisance to you sir! Give DG a kiss from all of us and our sincerest best wishes for her good health and happiness!

Baccas! Well done and great to have you back dude! Please keep coming back as often as you can!

Bud, I love you man!

To everyone else, let's all enjoy a wonderful weekend revealing our Budhha Natures!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to all!

Deepest respect!

Thomas

(SoCal, Hitman, MotherofHitman, Mrs.B, MsG, Scegy, Delta, Bonzo, Bartender, Wags, Sleepy, Always, Marley, KushMaster, and all the rest of you Bodhisattvas of the Earth: KEEP ON KEEPIN ON!)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"This body of ours in the end will become nothing more than the soil of the hills and fields. Therefore, it is useless to begrudge your life, for though you may wish to, you cannot cling to it forever."

(The Fourteen Slanders - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 760) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 29th, 2006

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's have wonderful, meaningful and
value-creating summer holidays
(by developing and nurturing friendships with others,
spending time with family members, etc.)!
And most importantly, let's stay absolutely safe by
preventing all types of accidents or incidents!
Through using our wisdom and good common sense to maintain
good rhythm in our daily lives, let's lead healthy lives
each day and live long!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Guest]

Earthly Desires Lead to Enlightenment.....

Earthly Desires Lead to Enlightenment.....

I needed to read the Goshos after my mentor explained this to me before I could fully grasp the essential meaning derived from "Earthly Desires Lead to Enlightenment"

Nichiren Daishonin teaches that, when one bases one's life on Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, earthly desires work naturally for one's own and others' happiness. The great power of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo which is inherently positive and creative, directs the great energy of one's earthly desires toward happiness and value for all. Thus, when one chants the daimoku, "earthly desires are enlightment."
(from page 319 the backround on the gosho Earthly Desires are Enlightenment)


See what I mean, you don't need to be known as a sage or worthy nor should you worry about your current status in life, its clear that any HUMAN can chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and unbind themselves from all the confusingly errorneous teachings and embrace the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is like a magical bus that will appear and take you were you need to go when you chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! The Lotus Sutra is the gateway into the Land of the Tranquil light (we are in the here and now and the Lotus Sutra is the key to the cipher of life!). You can dance day and night to Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, you can sing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo day and night and bring about previously assumed impossible effects in this saha world. Am I making sense? lol.

wooooooooooooohooooooooooo

I been doing "mental pushups" knocking out the devil of the 6th heaven consistently and boku daimoku and my faith is absolute at this point, I need to enlist more Humans to see lead winning lives. Ali said he was the greatest, IN HIS PRIME HE GOT NOTHING ON ME! I'm a Kosen-rufu Gladiator at this point, you can only hope to encourage me further, we cannot be defeated! NOTHING CAN DEFEAT YOU!

Be a fucking Medicine King, I mean really be a super potent master of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and bring peace anywhere you go and don't forget ever to always share Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with the world! Buddhism equals Daily Life and your efforts should put much emphasis on shakabuku. THE PEOPLE ARE READY TO LISTEN, NOW IN THE LATTER DAY! BE BRAVE GO ON, TELL 5-10 OTHERS THIS WEEK ABOUT NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO, and know that even if today is your first day chanting the daimoku, you will defend and uphold the Mystic Law assuming the position of the formost Buddha dedicated to the propagation of the lotus sutra, in layman's terms, GO OUT THERE AND SPREAD THE WEALTH!

I was born for this, preparing all my life for this, I have been and will be your inspiration. Lets make it happen, work with me as we strive for Kosen-rufu, do NOT BE PASSIVE BE PROACTIVE! I'm serious, lets do this!

You KNOW!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Our worldly misdeeds and evil karma may have piled up as high as Mount Sumeru, but when we take faith in this sutra, they will vanish like frost or dew under the sun of the Lotus Sutra.

[ Letter to Niike, WND Page 1026 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment / WND Pg. 317

Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment / WND Pg. 317

I deeply appreciate your visit here and your constant concern over the numerous persecutions that have befallen me. I do not regret meeting with such great persecutions as the votary of the Lotus Sutra. However many times I were to repeat the cycle of birth and death, no life could be as fortunate as this. [If not for these troubles,] I might have remained in the three or four evil paths. But now, to my great joy, I am sure to sever the cycle of the sufferings of birth and death, and attain the fruit of Buddhahood.

Even for spreading the teaching of the theoretical "three thousand realms in a single moment of life" from the first half of the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai and Dengyo met with hatred and jealousy. In Japan it was transmitted from Dengyo to Gishin, Encho, Jikaku, and others, and spread. The eighteenth chief priest of the Tendai school was the Great Teacher Jie, and he had many disciples. Among them there were four named Danna, Eshin, Soga, and Zen'yu. The teaching also was divided into two: the Administrator of Priests Danna transmitted the doctrinal studies, while the Supervisor of Priests Eshin studied the meditative practices. Thus the doctrinal studies and meditative practices are like the sun and moon; doctrinal studies are shallow, while meditative practices are deep. Thus the teaching expounded by Danna is broad but shallow, while the teaching of Eshin is limited but deep.

Though the teaching I am now propagating seems limited, it is extremely profound. That is because it goes deeper than the teaching expounded by T'ien-t'ai, Dengyo, and others. (1) It is the three important matters in the "Life Span" chapter of the essential teaching. Practicing only the seven characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo seems limited, but since they are the master of all the Buddhas of the three existences, the teacher of all the bodhisattvas in the ten directions, and the guide that enables all living beings to attain the Buddha way, it is profound.

The sutra states, "The wisdom of the Buddhas is infinitely profound and (2) immeasurable." It refers to "the Buddhas" here in the sense of all Buddhas throughout the ten directions in the three existences, from the Thus Come One Mahavairochana of the True Word school and Amida of the Pure Land school to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of all schools and all sutras, all Buddhas of the past, future, and present, and the present Thus Come One Shakyamuni. And the sutra speaks of the wisdom of all those Buddhas.

What is meant by this "wisdom"? It is the entity of the true aspect of all phenomena, and of the ten factors of life that lead all beings to Buddhahood. What then is that entity? It is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. A commentary states that the profound principle of the true aspect is the originally (3) inherent Myoho-renge-kyo. We learn that that true aspect of all phenomena is also the two Buddhas Shakyamuni and Many Treasures [seated together in the treasure tower]. "All phenomena" corresponds to Many Treasures, and "the true aspect" corresponds to Shakyamuni. These are also the two elements of reality and wisdom. Many Treasures is reality; Shakyamuni is wisdom. It is the enlightenment that reality and wisdom are two, and yet they are not two.

These are teachings of prime importance. These are also what is called "earthly desires are enlightenment," and "the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana." Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo during the physical union of man and woman is indeed what is called "earthly desires are enlightenment," and "the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana." "The sufferings of birth and death are nirvana" exists only in realizing that the entity of life throughout its cycle of birth and death is neither born nor destroyed. The Universal Worthy 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." Great Concentration and Insight says, "The ignorance and dust of desires are enlightenment, and the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana." The "Life Span" chapter of the Lotus Sutra says, "At all times I think to myself: How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?" The "Expedient Means" chapter says, "The characteristics of the world are constantly abiding." Surely such statements refer to these principles. Thus what is called the entity is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

It was such an august and precious Lotus Sutra that in past existences I put under my knees, despised, scowled upon in disgust, and failed to believe in. In one way or another, I maliciously ridiculed those who, studying the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, taught them to even one person, and carried on the life of the Law. In addition, I did everything I could to hinder people from embracing the sutra by asserting that they should set it aside for a while because, though it might be suitable for practice in their next lifetime, it would be too difficult to practice in this one. Slanderous acts such as these have brought on the many severe persecutions I have suffered in my lifetime. Because I once disparaged the Lotus Sutra, the highest of all sutras, I am now looked down on, and my words go unheeded. The "Simile and Parable" chapter states that other people will neither concern themselves with one nor have sympathy for one, even though one sincerely tries to be friendly with them.

Nevertheless, you became a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and as a result, you suffered severe persecutions, and you came to my assistance. In the "Teacher of the Law" chapter, the Buddha states that he will magically conjure and send the four kinds of believers - monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen [- for the sake of the teachers of the Law]. If the "laymen" mentioned here does not mean you, who does it refer to? You have not only heard the Law, but have taken faith in it and since then have followed it without turning aside. How wondrous! How extraordinary! If that is the case, then can there be any doubt that I am the teacher of the Law of the Lotus Sutra? Perhaps I also resemble "the envoy of the Thus Come One," for I am carrying out "the Thus Come (4) One's work." I have nearly spread the five characters of the daimoku that were entrusted to Bodhisattva Superior Practices when the two Buddhas were seated together within the treasure tower. Does this not mean that I am an envoy of Bodhisattva Superior Practices? Moreover, following me, you, as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, have told others of this Law. What else could this be but the transmission of the Law?

Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway. Bring forth the great power of faith, and be spoken of by all the people of Kamakura, both high and low, or by all the people of Japan, as "Shijo Kingo, Shijo Kingo (5) of the Lotus school!" Even a bad reputation will spread far and wide. A good reputation will spread even farther, particularly if it is a reputation for devotion to the Lotus Sutra.

Explain all this to your wife too, and work together like the sun and moon, a pair of eyes, or the two wings of a bird. With the sun and moon, could there be a path of darkness? With a pair of eyes, no doubt you will see the faces of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions. With a pair of wings, you will surely fly in an instant to the treasure land of Tranquil Light. I will write in more detail on another occasion.

With my deep respect,

Nichiren

The second day of the fifth month.

Reply to Shijo Kingo

Background:

In the fourth month of the ninth year of Bun'ei (1272), Shijo Kingo traveled from Kamakura to Sado Island to visit Nichiren Daishonin. Kingo was a samurai who served the Ema family, a branch of the ruling Hojo clan. The journey to Sado was a long, arduous one, involving a boat trip across the Sea of Japan, and required that he absent himself from his duties in Kamakura for more than a month.

In the fifth month of the same year, soon after Shijo Kingo returned to Kamakura, Nichiren Daishonin sent him this letter. It was written in gratitude for the samurai's visit.

In the letter, the Daishonin explains the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in terms of such profound Buddhist principles as the fusion of reality and wisdom, and earthly desires are enlightenment. Although Hinayana Buddhism teaches that earthly desires must be eliminated to attain enlightenment, Mahayana, and particularly the Lotus Sutra, teaches that earthly desires are one with and inseparable from enlightenment. The reason is that both are the workings, or expression, of life itself, and thus are the same in their source.

Nichiren Daishonin teaches that, when one bases one's life on Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, earthly desires work naturally for one's own and others' happiness. The great power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is inherently positive and creative, directs the great energy of one's earthly desires toward happiness and value for all. Thus, when one chants the daimoku, "earthly desires are enlightenment."

Until his near-execution at Tatsunokuchi in the ninth month of 1271, the Daishonin had assumed the role of Bodhisattva Superior Practices, the votary whose appearance is predicted in the Lotus Sutra. He had spent all his time teaching the essence of the sutra and propagating the faith. After Tatsunokuchi, he revealed his true identity as the Buddha who is one with the supreme Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In this letter, the Daishonin teaches the significance of the daimoku from the standpoint of the Buddha who opens the way to Buddhahood for all humankind.

He first states that it is his great joy to meet persecutions as the votary of the Lotus Sutra, because it is the sure way to attain Buddhahood. "Though the teaching I am now propagating seems limited, it is extremely profound. That is because it goes deeper than the teaching expounded by T'ien-t'ai, Dengyo, and others." He reveals that the ultimate Law of all Buddhas is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Notes:

1. The "three important matters" refers to the Three Great Secret Laws: the object of devotion, the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, or the daimoku, and the sanctuary, or the place where one chants daimoku before the object of devotion.
2. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2.
3. This statement has been attributed to T'ien-t'ai, but there is no documentary proof to support this.
4. Based on the "Teacher of the Law" chapter of the Lotus Sutra. This particular section reads: "If one of these good men orgood women in the time after I have passed into extinction is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work."
5. The Lotus school was originally another name for the Tendai school, which based itself on the Lotus Sutra. Later the term came to mean the Buddhism established by Nichiren Daishonin.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Damn that MyohoDisco is an audacious dude isn't he? Did you read all that he just said? Have you been reading the kinds of things he has had the nerve to be saying? He sounds like he thinks he's so tough. What he says is always so bold and confident. Yes he is very persuasive, but come on, who the hell does he think he is?

Frankly he is a Bodhisattva of the Earth of the highest order--one charged with the karmic duty and skill to spread the Mystic Law for the rest of his life. He is an enemy of the Devil of the Sixth Heaven and a warrior for the Buddha of Beginningless Time. How does one reconcile the attitude he puts forth? Shouldn't he tone it down a bit? Shouldn't he be more "Buddhist"--humble and passive? Abso-fucking-lutely not!

How can I say this? Let's go back and rediscover one of the most important messages that has been posted on this thread in the last two years. It is another treasure shared by our friend SoCal Hippy, who is responsible for so many of the important lessons that have been shared here. It was posted at a time when several people all posted long posts, and I doubt that everyone really read it and absorbed what it was saying. It is a long post and so I will share it in eight parts beginning with what you will see below.

After reading this, tune in for the next seven days to comprehend the entire message. It initially sounds like a Japanese culture piece, but it is far from that. It is dynamic in its truth and objective in its assessment of the SGI as it is and as it should be. I found it to be exceptionally emancipating, as I am an OCEAN CULTURE PERSON TOO!

Dig it:

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Ocean Culture Buddhism By Dr. Tetsugai Obo (Part 1 0f 8)

Ocean Culture Buddhism By Dr. Tetsugai Obo (Part 1 0f 8)

In Japan there are two different cultures: one is the culture of the village; and the other, the culture of the ocean. The mentality of the village culture is to "go with the flow." This means that the people of the village culture are particularly concerned with what everyone else thinks about them. In essence, public opinion equals the village. What the villagers think of you becomes most important.

For many Japanese, the village-like mentality deeply lies in their consciousness. In this culture, people are taught not to view things as black and white, not to take a position either way, not to be arrogant, or audacious, or meddlesome.

This year, I have been thinking about this. I see many psychiatric patients, patients with asthma, patients with sinus infection, patients with eczema, and patients with severe allergy. I have seen more than 10,000 patients so far in my practice. What I found in common with all these patients was their conformity. I hardly see non-conforming people.

Imagine that out of 10,000 people the vast majority of them are conformists! How interesting! I can't help thinking that conformists are more susceptible to having an illness.

The word conformist in Japanese, majime, has changed its meaning over the past decades. It used to mean "serious or sincere," but now it means "to go with the flow of custom or culture." Above all, Japanese culture is troublesome. It is a culture that promotes sickness.

[Japanese culture values] modesty, the virtue of humbleness, being refined -- males should say little, females should be one step behind -- being considerate, being harmonious, suppressing yourself, not being audacious, not being overconfident, and not being arrogant. In other words, to kill yourself is Japanese culture. Therefore, the more you conform to it, the more devastated you will become.

In general, conformists lack individuality and are passive. Leaders in society, such as presidents of companies, tend to be arrogant and aggressive and powerful. They also tend to lack common sense, however, and are authoritative in nature. In this society, from the standpoint of Japanese culture, I have observed that bad people have more energy. Good people are not energetic and are sickly after all.

From a Buddhist viewpoint, one who is shining the true self of the entity of Myoho (Mystic Law) is in a sense audacious. Audacious people live according to the Mystic Law. On the other hand, conformists who suppress themselves actually kill the entity of Myoho. This is slander.

The best example is the congressmen of the Japanese Democratic Party. After the elections they were interviewed and their attitude was only that of self-absorption. It makes you wonder why they get elected but these people are truly energetic, powerful and have a lot of fortune.

On the other hand, conforming and serious people lack fortune. President Ikeda often says, "Let's be audacious, bold and tough. Be confident and persuasive." After all, this is the correct way. The problem is not that bad people run the world but that good people are killing themselves.

If serious people, kindhearted people, good people, and warmhearted people speak up and stand up for justice and create momentum, selfish people will automatically feel uncomfortable and eventually vanish. President Makiguchi once said that only if we create this can we have the "era of humanistic competition."

In fact, this Japanese culture of being conforming and serious is the culture of the village. If you act differently you will become an outcast of the village. The people of village culture do not like those people who speak clearly of issues of black and white.

The Murayama administration was a good example of village culture. During that time, the great Kobe earthquake occurred. Many Japanese people felt frustrated over how the government handled the disaster. Many showed anger and questioned the administration as to why it didn't help the victims right away. The spokesperson responded by saying, "There is nothing we can do about it. We have to follow the rules. We can offer help to the masses but not to individuals." This incident showed the lack of compassion by the government.

Village culture is unmerciful because it prioritizes the institution over the people. In other words, the village culture is a culture that oppresses people. This kind of culture is what is a fundamental base of the Japanese culture. But there is another Japanese culture called the culture of the ocean.

Do you remember when the Japanese baseball pitcher Nomo came to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers? At that time the major league was on strike. Many wondered what was going to happen to Nomo and questioned if he would make it in the major leagues. Many Japanese people and the mass media wrote bashing articles against Nomo. People asked him why he was going overseas.

Yet Nomo came to America without any hesitation. Before you knew it he was in the all-star game as a rookie. Suddenly Japanese paparazzi were on his side and praising him. They wanted Nomo to say, "I will do my best for Japan." However, he refused to say it. Instead he said, "I enjoy pitching."

We all thought Nomo must have been fluent in English, but he could hardly speak it. In an interview after winning a game, Nomo had a translator with him. I was wondering if he was scared. By just looking at Nomo I felt that he didn't have a typical Japanese attitude.

Later I found that he was born in Osaka but his parents were originally from an island off the coast of Japan. These islands are still islands of many fishermen. Nomo's parents had the culture of the ocean people. The ocean culture is very independent, energetic, and open.

On the other hand, village culture is very concerned with the opinion of the public, it is conservative and has a pattern of having two different sides: smiling on the surface but disagreeing inside.

On the ocean side of Japan there is a strong tendency for ocean culture and on the mountain side there is the village culture. When visiting a region which shares both of these cultures, some leaders of the Soka Gakkai will ask why it is so different even in the same organization. After I explain the village and ocean culture they can understand the differences.

(to be continued)