Chanting Growers Group

[Guest]

!

!

I love my mother in law very much and call her mom, I call her all the time and speak to her like a good friend, I recently gave her a Nam Myoho Renge Kyo business card about two weeks ago and today in a nice phone convo. she says "this thing that I say now, ummm, errrr, ummmm, ummmm," I let her keep thinking about and usually I chime in with a response but I let her figure out what she was trying to tell me and then it came it out, " NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO, yes I say that now everyday and I put my hands together like I am praying because I am, a pyschic (fortune teller) once told me I was a japanese princess and I know I have said this before so I say it now." WOW, shakabuku with love is potent stuff, let me tell you!!!

She's on her way and reinforcing the MYSTIC LAW in my life by bringing out her Buddhanature.

Gee, How lucky am I in the latter day to have had the influence to bring two special women in my life into the practice. Tommorrow morning at Kosen-rufu gongyo my wife will get her Gohonzon Certificate, or the equivalent of recieving her Gohonzon, but since I already have one, she will be given a certificate. It will be a proud day and I will be sure to take many pictures.

Your capable of all this and more, once you embrace your Buddhanature every moment of the day, you will go out and share it with others automatically and they will in turn also be in Haramony with THE LAW!


Its Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, now and forever!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Another 'Well done' MyohoD! You make it look easy, but we all know it takes great effort to keep one's life condition high. I had two of my shakubuku who will be receiving their Gohonzons at our SGI meeting today as well. I hadn't been to one for a while, and they kind of got excited when I explained I had six people (five Gohonzons, one certificate) here that want to receive theirs. I'll be hooking up with district leaders here this week to start that process rolling for all of them.

The wife is off for a five day vacation with a couple of girl friends and my daughter to white, sandy, tropical beaches tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up on the responses I have been so tardy in getting to. I appreciate those that they are intended for having been so patient.

One of them will be to our good friend Mr. Waters. I certainly have not forgotten him and look forward to getting that one done, as it's important that I do so. As a prelude to that, I wanted to briefly share another wonderful occurrence that happened this week.

Some may say that we shouldn't chant for money. Bullshit I say. When one has a legitimate need to succeed for the sake of their happiness and that of their family, you better believe the prayer to receive financial relief is indeed a legitimate one. Rather than talk about my many "money" prayers that have been answered, another with someone close popped up this week that I will share with you all now.

We are fortunate (and our appreciation is continuously expressed to the Gohonzon) to be able to afford domestic helpers here, in the country where we live. We have two maids and a driver that, without their assistance, life with so many small children might be impossible to enjoy--in fact it might even be miserable. Somehow we have the fortune to live the life we do. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

At any rate, they are all from the same country, which is not this one. The two maids are both Catholic, but based on the influence of our explaining Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism to them, they both chant. They both have received benefit. They both know that chanting works. They both are receiving their Gohonzons!

This past Wednesday, I was chanting for myself, my family, and many of you, with great conviction. It was not passive Daimoku; but rather, very forceful, dynamic Daimoku. The horse was definitely galloping, and the lion was definitely roaring. As I was chanting, one of the two girls walked by. She is the one that opens the alter early each morning and I know she chants when she does this.

For some reason I stopped my Daimoku to encourage her to chant. Something told me to encourage her. I told her to chant. I said she should chant at least three minutes for something she needed and that would provide her actual proof of the power of the Law. They are often shy when I behave so directly and earnestly like a personal friend. She smiled and said, “Yes sir.” But instead of sitting down with me, she continued to do her work.

I jumped up from in front of the alter and followed her down the hallway. “No I mean it! I don’t know why I am telling you this but you need to chant today! Just three minutes! Seek the power of the Gohonzon. Think of something that you need and chant for it.”

“Later sir, later.” I thought she might be shining me on. The feeling inside was still insisting that I be persistent.

“No I am telling you to chant today. If nothing else, as your employer, I am saying that you should do this. You don’t mind to chant do you?”

“No sir. You know that I already do.”

“OK! Then today! At least three minutes! Something that you need that will show you actual proof. For me! Please!” (I never know why I say these kinds of things when I do. Something inside me just tells me to—so I do.)

I had said what I felt I needed to say, so I didn’t give it much more thought and went back to chanting. But I did ask the Gohonzon to answer whatever prayer she made to help encourage her. She got her encouragement!

We were not aware of it, but she had just gotten a call from her kids back home. They were out of money. She didn’t know what to do. Where they are from, a little goes a long way, but she had nothing to send them. She has already borrowed from us and was reluctant to ask for another loan. She needed a few hundred dollars.

She explained later that she told our other maid, “Sir Thomas has said if I chant today I will get what I pray for.” The other maid was aware of the phone call from her kids. “I am going to chant and play the lotto. I think maybe I can win.” With a sincere prayer for relief for her children in a tight, and difficult situation, she chanted and made her numbers. Her Catholic faith tells her that she is not supposed to pray to God for money. Chanting for money is something that she needed to do. So she did.

The result? Playing three numbers, on a 78-cent ticket, she won 391 U.S. dollars. When she told me this on Friday, I cautioned her (as I am to those reading this) that one may do so, for the sake of proving the power of the Law to themselves, but not to think she could just chant and gamble and never have to worry about money. She said she fully understood, but that this had been a desperate situation, and that as I had encouraged her that day, this prayer had come to her while we were talking.

She said she had only chanted for money twice; this time and another when she was away from us for awhile back in her home country with a similar no hope/no options situation for the sake of her children. It was that experience that had motivated her to try again this time, under similar circumstances. Her previous experience was paying 92 cents and winning 925 U.S. dollars.

The important thing is that this weeks experience convinced her that it was finally time to receive her Gohonzon—FOR THE SAKE OF HER CHILDREN. She wants them to chant so they can have a better life for themselves. No one has asked her to give up her Catholic faith because no one has to. She will ultimately gravitate to the source that she sees most often resulting in her prayers being answered.

Whatever you need. The bottom line is that the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Buddha really only wants you to find the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Buddha in you. It’s there; you just have to have the help to find it. That help is the faith we develop by seeing the infinite mercy of the Law revealed in our lives. It is only through this process that we can with conviction try to help others find their Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Buddha too!

With my deepest respect,

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

OH! And I almost forgot to make this point clear!

OH! And I almost forgot to make this point clear!

CONGRATULATIONS MRS. MYOHODISCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thomas

 

[Babbabud]

Congrats to MrsMyohoEasyDisco woooohoooo a giant step for yourself and mankind. Thank you so much
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I admire you, I will be even happier once you get your Gohonzon. Its imperative! If someone offers you one, or your printing out your own, you certainly took a wrong turn.... Go back to step one and try again

P.S.- Hello Bog and Hello Grapepunch.

Just my two cents in case I happen to be able to add any credibility to this point. If anyone outside the priesthood, or the SGI, offers you a Gohonzon or encourages you to print your own from a source off of the internet, then they, and you, are fucking with shit that frankly, in my opinion, is WAY, WAY over your heads.

Even if done with the utmost sincerity, in my experience, for reasons I will be happy to go into via PM, I strongly suggest that such an offer should be declined. If you screw around with a minimal understanding of what the Gohonzon is all about (something that such an act would reveal as far as I'm concerned), then you are getting into areas that can result in grave acts of slander without knowing it.

There may be those that will be able to convince you that they know better than me. I would have to take issue with that. I have done my homework. There are destructive influences even among people who claim to uphold the Law. If this ever occurs, at least do me the favor (in light of the efforts that I contribute to this thread if nothing else), to discuss this with you before you make the decision to go forward with that kind of cause.

Thank you!

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The great lantern that illuminates the long night of the sufferings of birth and death, the sharp sword that severs the fundamental darkness inherent in life, is none other than the Lotus Sutra.

[ A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras, WND Page 1038 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

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

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

You Are a Great Buddha

First you have to decide "A great Buddha is sitting." Making this decision requires courage. This is what we call the courage of faith. You have to recognize from the bottom of your heart: "I am the truly great Buddha." This means "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest joy among joys."

After this meeting when you're going home, please think, "The great Buddha is walking." Great Buddha is looking at a mirror, reflecting a life and praising this life. This is the true meaning of doing gongyo and chanting daimoku.

Probably if I say this some people will argue that this is arrogant. I have a concern that this is going back to the village culture. So I want to talk about arrogance.

Arrogance is the mind of oneself being superior to others. It means that arrogant people are always comparing themselves to others. "I am doing more, I am fighting more. I am a bigger leader, I am richer, etc."

Arrogant people feel secure by confirming their superiority. This function of life is called "arrogance."

The reason people feel more secure when they compare themselves with others is because they have anxiety in the depths of their lives. They have disbelief and inferiority at their core, thus they become anxious after short periods of relief. Later on, they catch others and need to be reassured that, "I'm more impressive, I'm greater!" These kinds of people, who continue to show off, are called arrogant. Deep within their arrogant hearts they have inferiority and self-doubt.

On the other hand, the world's greatest people -- as an old Japanese proverb says "the riper the rice grain, the lower it hangs" -- the greater the person the more humble he is. They respect other people because they have confidence and pride in themselves.

Such confidence and pride does not come from the recognition of others. The world's greatest people did not become the best because of recognition. The public recognizes these people because they are the forerunners of the fields in which others paid no attention.

Fundamentally the greatest way of living is to have confidence and pride in oneself. At a glance, to view yourself as "I am a great Buddha, I rate myself a perfect 100 points" seems arrogant. Actually, it equals the greatest way of living. Since it is similar to having an arrogant attitude, it is called "the arrogance of the Lotus Sutra."

The arrogance of the Lotus Sutra is the correct way because its meaning is fundamentally different from arrogance in attitude.

President Ikeda repeatedly says, "You are Buddhas. Don't be deceived. Please believe that you are all Buddhas." I bet we don't really believe what our mentor says, do we? We think President Ikeda is just saying that to encourage us. We think he is saying "You are Buddhas" to encourage us, but the truth is different. We take our mentor's words as encouragement, but we don't really believe it. Such an attitude is arrogant.

It's okay that we seem like we are arrogant, or audacious or bold although people might not like it. If we change our attitude this way, everything strangely starts to open up.

The world will not take Japan seriously if Japanese people remain in the village culture. Finally, the time has come to spread the philosophy of the Lotus Sutra that possesses the independence of the ocean culture to the world. In a sense, the time has come for the Soka Gakkai to take the lead. It's not a good idea that the Soka Gakkai remains like the village culture.

When you go to bed, think: "A great Buddha is going to sleep now." In the morning, as you wake up, no matter how you feel, think: "A great Buddha is waking up." When you change clothes, when going to the bathroom, when washing your face, and making miso soup, think "This miso soup is made by a great Buddha. This is a great bowl of miso soup." Live your life by praising your own life, enjoy whatever you do, and taste every bit of it.

Each morning wake up with the Buddha, and each evening go to sleep with the Buddha. Live life with joy every moment -- this is the true meaning of the practice of reading the Lotus Sutra with your life.

We chant three times at the end of this meeting. Let's chant three times while remembering that this chanting praises our lives.

Thank you very much for today!

And thank you very much SoCal Hippy for sharing this important lesson with us! I hope you return today from your trip safe, worry free, and feeling like the Buddha that you are!

Warmest regards to everyone!

I bow in obeisance to you all!

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit. In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.

[ Many in Body, One in Mind, WND Page 618 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Deliberately Creating the Appropriate Karma

Deliberately Creating the Appropriate Karma

For years, I felt confused by what I saw as a dichotomy in the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin assures us that based upon our Buddhist practice, we will enjoy “peace and security” in this lifetime and “good circumstances” in our next (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p.681). He also states that it is because of our countless good deeds in the remote past that we are able to take faith in the Gohonzon in this existence.

If it were true that our connection to the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo extends deep into the infinite past, as both the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Daishonin indicate, then why, I wondered, were so many of my fellow SGI members struggling with such extreme difficulties and problems? Where was all this good fortune we had supposedly accumulated?

The “Teacher of the Law” chapter of the Lotus Sutra offers a profound explanation: “Medicine King… you should understand that such persons have already offered alms to a hundred thousand million Buddhas and in the place of the Buddhas have fulfilled their great vow, and because they take pity on living beings they have been born in this human world… Medicine King, you should understand that these persons voluntarily relinquish the reward due them from their pure deeds and, in the time after I have passed into extinction, because they pity living beings, they are born in this evil world so they can broadly expound this sutra” (The Lotus Sutra, trans. Burt Watson, pp. 161-62).

In his Commentaries on the Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra, the Chinese Buddhist scholar Miaolo used the phrase “deliberately creating the appropriate karma,” (WND, 243) to describe this concept.

In “The Opening of the Eyes,” Nichiren Daishonin also addresses this concept: “The more government authorities rage against me, the greater my joy. For Instance, there are certain Hinayana bodhisattvas not yet freed from delusion, who draw evil karma to themselves by their own compassionate vow. If the see their father and mother have fallen into hell and are suffering greatly, they will deliberately create the appropriate karma in hopes that they too may fall into hell and share in and take their suffering upon themselves. Thus suffering is a joy to them” (WND, 243).

When SGI President Ikeda visited Sonia Ghandi in India after the assassination of her husband, Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi, he told her “I really hope that you can change your sad destiny into a cause for realizing an important mission in India.” This conversation is captured in the book The wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 2(p.184). Here he also explains that the greatness of Rajiv Gandhi arose from his love for the people of India.

He writes: “Not even the terrorist bombing that took his life (in May 1991) could have destroyed the love for the people that burned in Rajiv Gandhi’s heart. I believe people have a mission to fulfill that transcends life and death. The lives of people who embrace a mission to which they can wholeheartedly dedicate themselves and even be willing to die for are the most sublime” (Ibid., p. 184).

The most important thing to remember as practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism - especially when facing difficulties and problems - is that we possess a profound mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Instead of simply viewing our unfortunate circumstances as “bad karma,” our struggles, no matter how difficult, are in fact the soil for our great mission to take root.

“To simply view your sufferings as ‘karma’ is backward-looking,” writes President Ikeda in The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra (pp. 208-209). “We should have the attitude: ‘These are sufferings I took on for the sake of my mission. I vowed to overcome these problems through faith.”

“When we understand this principle of ‘deliberately creating the appropriate karma,” he continues, “our frame of mind is transformed; what we had previously viewed as destiny, we come to see as mission. There is absolutely no way we cannot overcome sufferings that are the result of a vow that we ourselves made.”

The problem is that if we are deluded in our view of life and are overcome with complain and suffering as a result of our problems, we might forget our original vow to save others by overcoming our suffering. And then we might not be able to conquer our own suffering either.

In The New Human Revolution, President Ikeda tells the SGI members in Brazil, many of whom were desperately poor and isolated in a new and vastly different country, that in addition to making tenuous efforts, their “daimoku must also be a pledge.”

“Prayer in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism means to chant daimoku based on a pledge or vow. At its very core, this vow is to attain kosen-rufu.

“You may think you have just happened to come to Brazil as a result of your respective circumstances. But this is not the case, “he continues. “You have been born as Bodhisattvas of the Earth in order to achieve kosen-rufu in Brazil, to lead the people of this country to happiness and to create an eternal paradise in this land. Indeed, you have been chosen by Nichiren Daishonin to be here” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 1, p.251).

It is the same for us, irrespective of where we live or our present circumstances. Once we determine to overcome our sufferings as a way to help others understand the greatness of this Buddhism and thereby lead as many people to happiness as possible, then we will be fulfilling the compassionate vows that we ourselves made in the infinite past. To make this kind of determination and advance with courage is what is most important.

“When you realize you great mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth and dedicate your lives to kosen-rufu, the sun that has existed within you since time without beginning will begin to shine forth. All offenses you have committed in past lifetimes will vanish like mist, and you will embark upon wonderful lives permeated by deep joy and happiness” (Ibid., p.254)

source: Living Buddhism / Buddhist Concepts for Today’s Living (28)


THIS CONCEPT APPLIES TO MANY OF US--I KNOW IT DOES TO ME AND I HAVE PRIVATELY SUGGESTED TO SEVERAL OTHER OF MY KENZOKU-MYO, THAT IT DOES TO THEM AS WELL. IT WAS FIRST EXPLAINED TO ME BY SGI'S GEORGE OHARA AS THE CONCEPT OF GAN-KEN-O-GO. TAKE HEART, MY FELLOW 'SUFFERERS FOR THE SAKE OF THE LAW'. YOUR COMPASSION IS PROFOUND BEYOND THE REALM OF LOGICAL COMPREHENSION. IT REFLECTS YOUR DESIRE TO EMULATE YOUR TEACHER FROM THE INFINITE PAST--THE BUDDHA OF BEGINNINGLESS TIME. YOU MUST TRULY BE BODHSATTVAS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

 

[Bonzo]

good morning ya'll

have a beautifull day

peace

bonz

....................................>>>nam myoho renge kyo>>>..........................

 

[Delta9-THC]

“When we understand this principle of ‘deliberately creating the appropriate karma,” he continues, “our frame of mind is transformed; what we had previously viewed as destiny, we come to see as mission. There is absolutely no way we cannot overcome sufferings that are the result of a vow that we ourselves made.”

"The more government authorities rage against me, the greater my joy. For Instance, there are certain Hinayana bodhisattvas not yet freed from delusion, who draw evil karma to themselves by their own compassionate vow. If the see their father and mother have fallen into hell and are suffering greatly, they will deliberately create the appropriate karma in hopes that they too may fall into hell and share in and take their suffering upon themselves. Thus suffering is a joy to them” (WND, 243).

“Medicine King… you should understand that such persons have already offered alms to a hundred thousand million Buddhas and in the place of the Buddhas have fulfilled their great vow, and because they take pity on living beings they have been born in this human world… Medicine King, you should understand that these persons voluntarily relinquish the reward due them from their pure deeds and, in the time after I have passed into extinction, because they pity living beings, they are born in this evil world so they can broadly expound this sutra”

these points touched me and made me think about what it is to accomplish everything I desire .... I find strength from these words ....
PTD as ever ....

Thankyou

Nam-myo-renge-kyo

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

Thanks so much "T" for putting this in perspective for us. We often go through life wondering "why me" . Such a beautiful explantion of how great our compassion really is. Lets find inspiration from these wise words and chant voluminous Daimoku today. Lets chant together for Kosen-Rufu today tomorrow and from now on. When we look at our Gohonzon and we see its beauty and we respect it as the "Supreme Object of Reverence" lets remember that it is YOU. The Gohonzon in all its greatness , beauty and perfection is YOU. So remember this and take it to heart and go out and be the Gohonzon , be the great bodhisattva that you are. Be positive and spread it to your loved ones. You are truly Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!
much love to all of you.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!! Like the Roar of the Lion!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life

The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life

- Shoji Ichidaiji Kechimyaku Sho -

Written by Nichiren

I have just carefully read your letter. To reply, the ultimate Law of life and death as transmitted from the Buddha to all living beings is Myoho-renge-kyo. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo were transferred from Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, the two Buddhas inside the treasure tower, to Bodhisattva Superior Practices, carrying on a heritage unbroken since the infinite past. Myo represents death, and ho, life. Living beings that pass through the two phases of life and death are the entities of the Ten Worlds, or the entities of Myoho-renge-kyo.

T'ien-t'ai says that one should understand that living beings and their environments, and the causes and effects at work within them, are all the (1) Law of renge (the lotus). Here "living beings and their environments" means the phenomena of life and death. Thus, it is clear that, where life and death exist, cause and effect, or the Law of the lotus, is at work.

The Great Teacher Dengyo states, "The two phases of life and death are the wonderful workings of one mind. The two ways of existence and non-existence are the true functions of an (2) inherently enlightened mind." No phenomena - either heaven or earth, (3) yin or yang, the sun or the moon, the (4) five planets, or any of the worlds from hell to Buddhahood - are free from the two phases of life and death. Life and death are simply the two functions of Myoho-renge-kyo. In his Great Concentration and Insight, T'ien-t'ai says, "Arising is the arising of the essential nature of the Law, and extinction is the extinction of that nature." Shakyamuni and Many Treasures, the two Buddhas, are also the two phases of life and death.

Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death. This is a matter of the utmost importance for Nichiren's disciples and lay supporters, and this is what it means to embrace the Lotus Sutra.

For one who summons up one's faith and chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that now is the last moment of one's life, the sutra proclaims: "When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from (5) falling into the evil paths of existence." How can we possibly hold back our tears at the inexpressible joy of knowing that not just one or two, not just one hundred or two hundred, but as many as a thousand Buddhas will come to greet us with open arms!

Concerning one who disbelieves the Lotus Sutra, because the sutra states, "When his life comes to an end he will (6) enter the Avichi hell," the wardens of hell will surely come for one and take one away by the hands. How pitiful! (7)The ten kings of the world of the dead will then pass judgment, and the heavenly messengers (8) who have been with one since birth will berate one for one's evil deeds.

Think of those thousand Buddhas extending their hands to all of Nichiren's disciples and lay supporters who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as melons or moonflowers extending their slender vines. My followers are now able to accept and uphold the Lotus Sutra because of the strong ties they formed with it in their past existences. They are certain to obtain the fruit of Buddhahood in the future. The heritage of the Lotus Sutra flows within the lives of those who never forsake it in any lifetime whatsoever - whether in the past, the present, or the future. But those who disbelieve and slander the Lotus Sutra will immediately "destroy all the seeds for becoming a (9) Buddha in this world." Because they cut themselves off from the potential to attain enlightenment, they do not share the heritage of the ultimate Law of life and death.

All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind, transcending all (10) differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim. This spiritual bond is the basis for the universal transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death. Herein lies the true goal of Nichiren's propagation. When you are so united, even the great desire for widespread propagation can be fulfilled. But if any of Nichiren's disciples disrupt the unity of many in body but one in mind, they would be like warriors who destroy their own castle from within.

Nichiren has been trying to awaken all the people of Japan to faith in the Lotus Sutra so that they too can share the heritage and attain Buddhahood. But instead they have persecuted me in various ways and finally had me banished to this island. You have followed Nichiren, however, and met with suffering as a result. It pains me deeply to think of your anguish. Gold can be neither burned by fire nor corroded or swept away by water, but iron is vulnerable to both. A worthy person is like gold, a fool like iron. You are like pure gold because you embrace the "gold" of the Lotus Sutra. The sutra states, "Just as among all the mountains, Mount Sumeru is foremost, so (11) this Lotus Sutra is likewise." It also states, "The good fortune you gain thereby . . . cannot be burned by fire or (12) washed away by water."

It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realized this truth. The sutra's statement, "Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly re-born (13) in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way.

How admirable that you have asked about the transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death! I have never heard of anyone who has asked such a question. I have answered in complete detail in this letter, so please take it deeply to heart. The important point is to carry out your practice confident that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone is the heritage that was transferred from Shakyamuni and Many Treasures to Bodhisattva Superior Practices.

The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The winds blow away dust and breathe life into plants, animals, and human beings. The earth produces the grasses and trees, and heaven provides nourishing moisture. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo are also like that. They are the cluster of blessings brought by the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, disciples of the Buddha in his true identity. The Lotus Sutra says that Bodhisattva Superior Practices will appear now, in the Latter Day of the Law, to propagate this teaching, but has this happened? Whether or not Bodhisattva Superior Practices has appeared in this world, Nichiren has already made a start in propagating this teaching.

Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.

I will go into particulars again on another occasion.

With my deep respect,

Nichiren,

the shramana of Japan

The eleventh day of the second month in the ninth year of Bun'ei (1272), cyclical sign mizunoe-saru

Reply to the Honorable Sairen-bo

Background:

This letter, dated the eleventh day of the second month in 1272, was sent by Nichiren Daishonin to Sairen-bo Nichijo, a former Tendai priest who, for reasons that are unclear, was also living in exile on Sado Island. Details about Sairen-bo are scarce, but it is known that he was originally from Kyoto, and that he had studied at Mount Hiei, the seat of the Tendai school, before his exile. He was also present at the Tsukahara Debate, held in front of Sammai-do, the Daishonin's dwelling at Tsukahara, on the sixteenth and seventeenth days of the first month in 1272. In this debate the Daishonin was the clear victor over Pure Land, True Word, and other priests from Sado and from various provinces of northern Japan. A number of people converted to his teachings at this time, among them Sairen-bo.

Sairen-bo was a highly educated priest to whom the Daishonin sent several important essays, including The True Aspect of All Phenomena and The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life. He had a number of unresolved questions about Buddhist theory, and he addressed them one by one to the Daishonin, who in turn answered these questions in written form. The Daishonin praised him, saying, "How admirable that you have asked about the transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death!" In his reply the Daishonin offers a look into the wonder of the Buddha's own enlightenment, as well as the practical means whereby ordinary people may attain the same end.

In the first paragraph, the Daishonin states that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the heritage of the ultimate Law of life, and that the transmission of this Law is made from the Buddha to all living beings. Then he refers to the question of how we can inherit the ultimate Law of life and manifest it within ourselves.

This Law flows in the depths of the lives of those who believe in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, practice in exact accord with them, and chant the daimoku. The Daishonin declares that there is no distinction whatsoever between Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lotus Sutra, and us, ordinary people.

Viewed from the standpoint of the Daishonin's Buddhism, this can be taken as a declaration that there is absolutely no difference or separation between Nichiren Daishonin as the Buddha of the Latter Day, the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - or the Gohonzon which embodies that Law - and ourselves, who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

In terms of time, the heritage - the mystic relationship between the Law and the lives of the people - courses eternally through past, present, and future, unbroken in any lifetime. In terms of space, the Daishonin proclaims that the heritage of the ultimate Law flows within the lives of his disciples and lay supporters who work in perfect unity for the realization of a peaceful world and happiness for all humanity.

Having stated that the ultimate Law is within the lives of human beings, Nichiren Daishonin further explains how to inherit the Law. He emphasizes the importance of the attitude, "now is the last moment . . . , " in order to manifest innate Buddhahood, a state that transcends both life and death.

In discussing the thousand Buddhas and the ten kings of hell, he reveals the continuity of cause and effect spanning past, present, and future. Whatever state of life predominates while one is alive will continue in the next life. Whether one can succeed to the heritage of the Law depends entirely on one's faith. This is why he strictly warns in his conclusion, "Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith."

Notes:

1. The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra.
2. The Essential Doctrines transmitted with-in the Tendai Lotus School.
3. Yin and yang are two universal principles of ancient Chinese philosophy. Yin is the negative, dark, and feminine principle; yang is the positive, bright, and masculine principle. Their interaction was thought to determine the destiny of all things.
4. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. In the thirteenth century the more distant planets were as yet unknown, and Earth was not known to be among the planets.
5. Lotus Sutra, chap. 28.
6. Ibid., chap. 3.
7. Symbolic figures from popular religious tradition. One Chinese concept viewed hell as a demonic court of law where the dead were tried for their evil deeds.
8. Gods said to dwell on one's shoulders from the time of birth and to record one's every act. They represent the law of cause and effect at work in one's life.
9. Lotus Sutra, chap. 3.
10. The phrase "transcending all differences among themselves" could be rendered literally as "without any thought of self or other, this or that." This is not a denial of individuality, but rather urges the bridging of the gaps between people that arise from self-centeredness.
11. Lotus Sutra, chap. 23.
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid., chap. 7.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The wise words of a Buddha...

The wise words of a Buddha...

Lets chant together for Kosen-Rufu today tomorrow and from now on. When we look at our Gohonzon and we see its beauty and we respect it as the "Supreme Object of Reverence" lets remember that it is YOU. The Gohonzon in all its greatness , beauty and perfection is YOU. So remember this and take it to heart and go out and be the Gohonzon , be the great bodhisattva that you are. Be positive and spread it to your loved ones. You are truly Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

Bonz, Delta, and Bud! I have felt your lives from the moment I encountered each of you! I bow in obeisance!

My deepest respect kenzoku-myo--brothers who share my same karma--for feeling our connection today. Let's always keep chanting together with one mind; to awaken our Buddha natures so that we may help others do the same, inspiring them with our lives for the sake of the relief of their suffering.

Together, we can continue forever!

Thomas

 

[fallenangel]

hey everyone , i just wanted to pop in and project my love everyone . i love reading all the posts here ,, ill admit , i dont understand all of it , but i am trying . i have been chanting everyday ,, and i have to say , the last few days have been wonderfull . i love you all .

 

[PassTheDoobie]

That's the coolest fucking thing you could have said, dude! You are a Brother, man. Just please continue. It changes everything, just don't stop. If you don't understand ANYTHING, just look it up. Here:

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

Or ASK! That's what the thread is about, really. It functions as a source for it's recommended point of view and approach to life. It's ultimately a bunch of chanting growers sharing with fellow growers the world over that there is a philosophy that makes sense for people like us. We do that by talking about our own lives and experiences, presenting teachings (on various levels), and answering questions with fact and opinion based on life-experience.

The days you have been chanting are turning into weeks before you know it, angel. Keep it going. I very much appreciate you touching base to let me know you are continuing, as I am sure others that you have encountered, are feeling the same thing. Thanks for that sense of relief that I feel when someone that has started, posts to say, "Hey, I'm still with you!"

It is very much appreciated. Thank you. If there is ever anything I can do to help answer ANY question you have, just PM me or ask it here.

TreeHuggers, Wamen, KushMaster (and others I won't call by name, but you know who you are...)??? Love to hear from you! IS EVERYONE OK?

 

[Guest]

Today was marvelous! You cannot beat a day like today without putting in more effort than you did today! Today Mrs.MyohoDisco received her certificate and we took part in the most amazing Kosen-rufu gongyo which included the video from June 15, 2006 meeting in Japan with President Ikeda (LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!), I have recognized a quantum leap in my development, its my LifeCondition and the results are my environment.

My wife was considered today my Shakubuku on paper and yet her incredible connection to Nichiren Daishonin speaks volumes in the chain of honor and respect which subsequently goes through thread immediately after me with incredible honorable mention to Mrs.Babba, Stonegirl, Babbabud and PasstheDoobie, Ted Osaki, Tony Matsuoka, President Ikeda, President Today, President Makiguchi and all their Mommas! (I love my MOTHER!) WoOHOO! Much Respect to Nichiren and the Gohonzon and Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! We are all on the same universal thread in this practice, how could you ever stray from your family? I have a special bond with Nichiren, the Gohonzon, My mentors (including my wife and you reading this) to the point where we are accomplishing Kosen-rufu in our lives and inspiring our world in the process!

I was completely moved to see President Ikeda, I was instantly overtaken by his sincerity, witty, humor, love, appreciation, wisdom, eloquence, honor, integrity, respect, and strength! He is as admirable as they come in my personal opinion and an excellent model for anyone struggling, and thats most likely all of us! Be persistant, your heart is the true treasure, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, you come to read this thread for a reason here it is....

Sharing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, this is

level 1: Chanting Growers Group ICMAG

level 2: Goto a meeting, take part in Kosen-rufu actively

level 3: Recieve your Gohonzon

level 4: Study, Practice, Have Faith and Make the impossible possible!

level 5: Shakubuku, everyone wins!


Make it shorter! I implore you,

Shakubuku, everyone wins! Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the Answer! My wife today recieved her Gohonzon (symbolically through a certificate since I have one already), she and 5 other new members led us in Sanjo and she sat before the largest Butsudan in our area. I saw an emerging Champion of Compassion, Peace and Myoho Renge Kyo! Of Nichiren, of the Chanting Growers Group of the Chanting Tokers Group! She thanks you and esteems your influence.

There was a member who came to my home to enshrine my Gohonzon, I call him Big Buddha, he is a protective force of nature, he told my wife "I see it in your eyes You'll get your soon enough". Big Buddha was at the huge SGI festival recently making sure we were ok and last night I told my wife " you know who will certainly be there tomorrow don't you? " she knew, "Big Buddha, LOL,hahaha!" sure enough I dropped her off in the front of the building and she went in while I found parking when I arrived Big Buddha Welcomed me and I hugged him and said "I KNEW YOU WOULD BE HERE!" he said "Yes, I set her up she's good to go sitting in the second row, go on..." Ever since I started chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the proof has been in my face, how dare anyone forget a debt of gratitude! I am simply honored to have finally found my NICHE, with NICHIREN DAISHONIN!

My life is incredible, my wife is shining, my work has been better than ever, my environment is getting 'upto par'. I found a pair of 155.00 cole haan's for 16.99 in perfect condition! I think I won the lotto, and I also lead a winning life. Listen to the best music, Feed yourself the right foods, Be the best influence, Share your Happiness (or recapture your Buddhanature), Be the best Human and chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

When the saints and the sages go marching in, I'm sure the Chanting Growers Group have box seats in Holy Eagle Peak and Various Other Places! I am overjoyed, and pleased to share this with you all.

By the way I got an expensive parking ticket and laughed, honestly, whereas I used to rip them up and throw them out then pay the price down the road big time! It'll be paid on time,


A lady sitting behind me today smashed my head about 12 times with her cane elbow and could not stop talking and interrupting throughout the days events, what a GOOD FRIEND! HAHAHA, I was dizzy from all the blows and the Fundamental Darkness was mounting up then one of the speakers began to talk about this lady behind me and she stood up and sure enough smashed my cranium with her burly fist then her cane and then the speaker mentioned this person behind me recently told Opera Winfrey about Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and Opera called her later in the day and hooked this lady up with Tina Turner and the lady chants with Tina Turner and planted another seed in the influential Opera Winfrey! WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! HURRAY HURRAY HURRAY! I am confident many many more women will join our great Soka Gakkai Foundation and World Peace shall prevail!

OHH be honorable be strong, be brave, be bold, hold your heads high, if you need guidance read goshos, read President Toda's Guidance (he will set you straight), write me a private message here I am here for all of you as well, Lead Winning Lives, if you need literature let me know, I can help with gongyo books, introduction to the practice, I stocked up for everyone. Lets Overcome the Fundamental Darkness and Be Beacons of Light everywhere we go, shine Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and work towards facing the greater obstacles first! Nothing is beyond your grasp!

SO much to say so much to do, I know my "easydisco speak" is zealous and passionate, this is who I am, a more demure stature may be required more often in my presentation, but love me for who I am and for embracing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I want you to know me as a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin and a Bodhisattva of the Earth and within that is Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

I am getting so refined is amazing, before I could never do any of this, now this is what I am all about!

CHANT A Fighting Daimoku! NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO!

This is a world of the sword and the spirit, the spirit will always vanquish the sword!

 

[Guest]

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO!

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO!

Thanks so much "T" for putting this in perspective for us. We often go through life wondering "why me" . Such a beautiful explantion of how great our compassion really is. Lets find inspiration from these wise words and chant voluminous Daimoku today. Lets chant together for Kosen-Rufu today tomorrow and from now on. When we look at our Gohonzon and we see its beauty and we respect it as the "Supreme Object of Reverence" lets remember that it is YOU. The Gohonzon in all its greatness , beauty and perfection is YOU. So remember this and take it to heart and go out and be the Gohonzon , be the great bodhisattva that you are. Be positive and spread it to your loved ones. You are truly Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!
much love to all of you.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!! Like the Roar of the Lion!!

YEAH BUD! NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO! NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO! NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO!!!

I am Bodhisattva Never Disparaging on this thread and will continue to instill any grain of inspiration I can through this internet from my life to yours and you'll goto your SGI meetings and work with me in Kosen-rufu, CAPICHE?


P.S. I purchased all the remaining components to fully setting up my altar after seeing President Ikeda's Butsudan, MY FUCKING JAW DROPPED! WOW. even purchased candles & incense, I'm moving the Butsudan into our Bedroom Sanctuary to a nicer cooler spot with a higher altar and great pictures of President Ikeda and Keiko and My mentors ( love you guys!) and My Our Parents Especially and Ourselves and loved ones, its great, plus a great picture of a special mountain in my heart (thanks bud).

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"While the eyes of ordinary people are blind to this, the eyes of the Buddha see it. A sutra passage states that there are paths by which birds and fish come and go in both the sky and the sea. A wooden statue [of the Buddha] is itself a golden Buddha, and a golden Buddha is a wooden statue. Aniruddha's gold turned into a hare and then a corpse. In the palm of Mahanama's hand, even sand turned into gold. These things are beyond ordinary understanding. An ordinary person is a Buddha, and a Buddha, an ordinary person. This is what is meant by three thousand realms in a single moment of life and by the phrase "I in fact attained Buddhahood."

(The Izu Exile - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 36) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's essay, Seikyo Shimbun, August 6th, 2006

 

[treehuggers]

Hello!

I was already in bed (3.33am as i type) started chanting .... and it didnt seem right.... I logged back to IC and read what Chanting Growers have 'spoken'. Now I feel prepared to go on good dreaming night journey

Nam-mjoho-renge-kjo Nam-mjoho....