Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

By considering the magnitude of the punishment suffered by those who harbor enmity toward the Lotus Sutra, we can understand the magnitude of the benefits obtained by devoting oneself to it.

[ Reply to Jibu-bo, WND Page 1095 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The three bodies are as follows: first, the Dharma body of a Thus Come One; second, the reward body of a Thus Come One; and third, the manifested body of a Thus Come One. These three types of bodies of a Thus Come One are invariably possessed by all Buddhas. If we use the moon as an illustration, we may say that the moon itself is comparable to the Dharma body, its light to the reward body, and its reflection to the manifested body. Just as a single moon has these three different aspects, so a single Buddha possesses the virtues of these three different bodies.

These doctrines of the five types of vision and the three bodies are not expounded anywhere outside of the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai has said, "The Buddha consistently possesses the three bodies throughout the three existences. But in the various teachings, he kept this secret and did not transmit it." In this passage of commentary, the phrase "in the various teachings" refers not only to the Flower Garland, Correct and Equal, and Wisdom sutras, but to all sutras other than the Lotus Sutra. And the phrase "he kept this secret and did not transmit it" means that, throughout the entire body of scriptures outside of the "Life Span" chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, concealed and avoided expounding it. Therefore, in performing the eye-opening ceremony for painted or wooden Buddha images, the only authority to rely on is the Lotus Sutra and the T'ien-t'ai school.

In addition, the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life arises from the concept of the three realms of existence. The three realms of existence are as follows: first, the realm of living beings; second, the realm of the five components; and third, the realm of the environment. Let us set aside the first two for now. The third, the realm of the environment, refers to the realm of plants and trees. And the realm of plants and trees includes those plants and trees from which are produced the five shades of pigment used in painting. From this pigment, painted images are created, and from trees, wooden statues are made.

It is the power of the Lotus Sutra that can infuse such paintings and statues with a "soul" or spiritual property. This was the realization of the Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai. In the case of living beings, this doctrine is known as attaining Buddhahood in one's present form; in the case of painted and wooden images, it is known as the enlightenment of plants and trees. This is why [the Great Teacher Chang-an] wrote, "There has never been anything to compare to the brightness and serenity of concentration and insight," and why [the Great Teacher Miao-lo] stated, "They are nevertheless shocked and harbor doubts when they hear for the first time the doctrine that insentient beings possess the Buddha nature."

[ On Consecrating an Image of Shakyamuni Buddha Made by Shijo Kingo, WND page 683 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"To be praised by fools -- that is the greatest shame."

(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 287) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's speech, Seikyo Shimbun, August 22nd, 2006

 

[Reverend Chris]

Ooooh, such words....

"To be praised by fools -- that is the greatest shame."

I have experienced this... it is very disconcerting to the psyche. What made it worse was the resulting protestations that I need to be more accepting of praise...

NOT!

My purpose in life is Dharma, my service is coordination. It is also my challenge.

"To Serve Mankind" might be the title of my book, but some might think it's a cook book.

With peace and love to all,
~Chris

 

[Guest]

Getting better on this end, but still not where I would like to be with respect to my recent illness. Today is a great day to take advantage of many things and also to have great appreciation for everything especially the Gohonzon. Through our bond with Nichiren Daishonin the cohesive property is also naturally found within each and everyone of us and its Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

I have faith brother Bonzo will soon reveal an amazing benefit a few days in the making.... Bring it on brother!

To everyone else, I have recently not referred to by name, much love and deep respect!

Certainly there will be times when you wish you had more spending money, more time to sleep and more time for fun and recreation. You may feel restricted now, but you should consider your current situation as the perfect set of circumstances for your growth. Within the restrictions that define your present existence, the only thing to do is to discipline yourself and head in the direction of growth and self-improvement. In the process of exerting yourself in such endeavors, you will without a doubt build and strengthen your character.

Lectures and articles about Nichiren Buddhism: http://sgi-usa.org/buddhism/

 

[PassTheDoobie]

You may call yourself a global citizen, but unless you are firmly rooted in your local community, your ideas are bound to remain abstract and ungrounded. The American educator and philosopher John Dewey (1859-1952) wrote: "Democracy must begin at home, and its home is the neighborly community." SGI members around the world have been taking action as good citizens in their local communities and winning the trust and understanding of their neighbors.

(Source: SGI Newsletter No. 6936. Translated Sunday, August 13, 2006. From SGI President Ikeda's Speech at the 62nd Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting:Youth, Continue Spreading the Light of Trust and Friendship!)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"They are nevertheless shocked and harbor doubts when they hear for the first time the doctrine that insentient beings possess the Buddha nature."

 

[PassTheDoobie]

My purpose in life is Dharma, my service is coordination. It is also my challenge.

With peace and love to all,
~Chris

Peace and love to you too Reverand!

There is much good fortune and benefit in serving the Law. Coordination is shakubuku. Everything done by an individul that embraces the Law should be preceived as it correctly exists, as being the process of doing shakubuku. I am so happy to see you back Chris! Please continue to join the conversation!

You answered some prayers. I owe you for that. Talk to you soon!

Deep respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

shakubuku (Jpn)
[折伏]

A method of expounding Buddhism, the aim of which is to suppress others' illusions and to subdue their attachment to error or evil. This refers to the Buddhist method of leading people, particularly its opponents, to the correct Buddhist teaching by refuting their erroneous views and eliminating their attachment to opinions they have formed. The practice of shakubuku thus means to correct another's false views and awaken that person to the truth of Buddhism.

The term shakubuku is used in contrast with shoju, which means to lead others to the correct teaching gradually, according to their capacity and without directly refuting their religious misconceptions. These two methods of propagation are described in the Shrimala Sutra, Great Concentration and Insight by T'ien-t'ai (538-597), and other works. Nichiren, who employed shakubuku in his propagation, writes in his 1272 treatise The Opening of the Eyes: "When the country is full of evil people without wisdom, then shoju is the primary method to be applied, as described in the 'Peaceful Practices' chapter [of the Lotus Sutra]. But at a time when there are many people of perverse views who slander the Law, then shakubuku should come first, as described in the 'Never Disparaging' chapter [of the sutra]" (WND pg. 285). Here "evil people without wisdom" means those who are ignorant of the Buddhist teachings. "Evil" means the unhappiness of acquiring no roots of goodness. It is contrasted with "people of perverse views who slander the Law," i.e., those who have a biased view of Buddhism and slander its correct teaching.

Nichiren describes Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, who bowed in respect to everyone he met and praised them as potential Buddhas, as a practitioner of shakubuku. In citing Never Disparaging as an example, Nichiren made clear that shakubuku is not a form of verbal or rhetorical aggression, but an expression of reverence for the truth that everyone possesses a Buddha nature, and of compassion for people. At the same time, in bowing and praising people as potential Buddhas, Never Disparaging was in effect challenging and refuting their misconceptions about Buddhahood, and was for this reason attacked.

From source: The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism

 

[PassTheDoobie]

shoju (Jpn)
[摂受]

A method of expounding Buddhism in which one gradually leads another to the correct teaching according to that person's capacity and without refuting his or her attachment to mistaken views. The term is used in contrast with shakubuku, or directly awakening another to the correct teaching by refuting that person's mistaken views. These two methods are explained in the Shrimala Sutra, Great Concentration and Insight, and elsewhere. The shoju method was generally employed in the Former Day and Middle Day of the Law, but is also used in the Latter Day among those who have little or no knowledge of, or no prejudices against, Buddhism. In his 1272 treatise The Opening of the Eyes, Nichiren states: "When the country is full of evil people without wisdom, then shoju is the primary method to be applied, as described in the 'Peaceful Practices' chapter [of the Lotus Sutra]. But at a time when there are many people of perverse views who slander the Law, then shakubuku should come first, as described in the 'Never Disparaging' chapter [of the sutra]" (WND pg.285). Here "evil people without wisdom" means people who are ignorant of the Buddhist teachings. "Evil" implies the unhappiness of not acquiring roots of goodness.

From source: The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I expounded this principle a long time ago, so it should not be new to you. One of the six stages of practice in the perfect teaching is the stage of perception and action. At this stage "one acts as one speaks and speaks as one acts." Those at the stage of being a Buddha in theory only and at the stage of hearing the name and words of the truth believe in the perfect teaching; but even though they praise it, their actions fail to reflect their words.

[ Lessening One's Karmic Retribution, WND pg. 199 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

from post 16:

from post 16:

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.

T

Turn fear into faith. Chant to have your fear turn into wisdom; to be able to replace timidity with confidence and to be able to do so with conviction. Pray for these desires to be fulfilled so that you may prove the power of the Law with your own life. Remember that for what ever reason you are doing so, whenever you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, you are SCREAMING OUT TO THE UNIVERSE:

"I want to be a Buddha! I am a Buddha! Bring forth my Buddha Nature so that I may reveal it others that they may reveal theirs!"

If you pray in this way, how could your prayer not be answered?

 

[PassTheDoobie]

How wondrous it is that, around two hundred years and more into the Latter Day of the Law, I was the first to reveal as the banner of propagation of the Lotus Sutra this great mandala that even those such as Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu, T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo were unable to express! This mandala is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas who were Shakyamuni's emanations as perfectly as a print matches its woodblock.

[ The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon, WND Page 831 ]

 

[Guest]

ohh i had a great joint last night at around 1am and woke up today feeling refreshed but not because of the joint really but because of the guidance I am now really understanding and expiriencing with the Gohonzon. How lucky are all of us to be able to come to this thread and really take part in this thread. Do you see what this thread is and has become, do you feel the conviction behind some of these words?!?

The words you read and your interpretation of them are in fact a reflection of you, the same story can mean multiple things for different people. Yet, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is always the answer!

"ohh really MyohoDisco?!" YES REALLY!

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO!

With all my grateful appreciation for the facilitators and contributors and readers of this thread, Thank you to each and everyone of you. Thank you to those who preturb us and challenge us, we are so lucky for everything "good" and "bad".

 

[PassTheDoobie]

yeah you go scegy you pussy! calling again...mkay guys veronika said that they'r gonna set up a small meeting for me in wednesday, she's calling this evening to give me all the details, so much action just for me
i think i'm gonna meet some nice ppl, nam yoho renge kyo!
good day ppl!

p.s. for doobie
thank you

Yeah you go scegy, you go!

T

 

[Bonzo]

Mornin' easy

Mornin, T

And good mornin, to ALL my friends here! Nam myoho renge kyo!!

i had a great nite, chanting with a lot of conviction for some thing i really need right now "FAITH, not fear!!" Somehow i managed to stay focused on that throughout my chanting and it really hit home, it was somethin else!! So i need to be vigilant and do it agian this morning , this afternoon and again tonite.

I have been my own worst enemy, thats gotta stop, FAITH!!! not fear!!

Speaking of rythem Hit, Malcom Mclaren was also at the big mens meeting i attended.

By the way Babba, one of the guys i met at the meeting who was very inpiring to me said "i WILL get you to some meetings and you WILL get your Gohonzon! I really liked his energy and look forward to seeing him again soon.

Thanks does'nt do justice for how i feel about this thread and all of you here, i know me being here is no coincedence and my thank you to all of you is following through with determination and vigilance to replace my fear with FAITH and embrace the LAW.

Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!

bonz

 

[PassTheDoobie]

First, it is important that
we put our thoughts into action.
Unless we take action,
nothing will change.
But when we put forth our efforts,
a path toward victory will definitely open for us!


Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Delta9-THC]

Pass the Doob.... some more inspiring words from a Fair and True Man ....

Scegy ... I can feel your doing well , Hope things continue and with your help Im sure they will

Hitman .... always a wise word

Everyone else ....GET CHANTING and realise your faith can and will be rewarded

Doing well at the moment ... and not waiting around for misfortune ....
Peace

 

[Bonzo]

Hi Delta!! Good to see you!!

nam myoho renge kyo!

bonz

 

[Delta9-THC]

Bonz ... sorry I forgot to mention ...
Nice to see you too ....

Got them rocks beat yet?

Peace