Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

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

[ The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith, WND Page 471 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith / WND pg. 471

The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith / WND pg. 471

This is in regard to the passage “This sutra is hard to uphold.”(1) According to Acharya Ben,(2) you said to him: “I have been practicing the Lotus Sutra correctly since last year, when you told me that those who embrace this sutra will ‘enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.’(3) Instead, however, great hardships have showered down on me like rain.” Is this true, or did he give me a false report? In either case, I will take advantage of this opportunity to resolve any doubts you may have.

A passage from the Lotus Sutra reads that it is “the most difficult to believe and the most difficult to understand.”(4) Many hear about and accept this sutra, but when great obstacles arise, just as they were told would happen, few remember it and bear it firmly in mind. To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith. Those who uphold this sutra should be prepared to meet difficulties. It is certain, however, that they will “quickly attain the unsurpassed Buddha way.”(5) To “continue” means to cherish Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the most important principle for all the Buddhas of the three existences. The sutra reads, “We will protect and uphold what the Buddha has entrusted to us.”(6) The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai stated, “One accepts because of one’s power of faith and continues because of one’s power of constant thought.”(7) Another part of the sutra reads, “This sutra is hard to uphold; if one can uphold it even for a short while I will surely rejoice and so will the other Buddhas.”(8)

A fire burns higher when logs are added, and a strong wind makes a kalakula grow larger. The pine tree lives for ten thousand years, and therefore its boughs become bent and twisted. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is like the fire and the kalakula, while his persecutions are like the logs and the wind. The votary of the Lotus Sutra is the Thus Come One whose life span is immeasurable; no wonder his practice is hindered, just as the pine tree’s branches are bent or broken. From now on, always remember the words “This sutra is hard to uphold.”

With my deep respect,

Nichiren

The sixth day of the third month in the twelfth year of Bun’ei (1275), cyclical sign kinoto-i

To Shijo Kingo

Background

This short letter is one of thirty-seven still extant writings addressed by Nichiren Daishonin to his faithful disciple Shijo Kingo. Kingo was under great pressure from his lord, Ema, and other fellow warriors to renounce his support for the Daishonin. This letter was written to encourage Kingo and to strengthen his resolve.

Notes

1. Lotus Sutra, chap. 11.
2. Nissho (1221–1323), one of the six senior priest-disciples of the Daishonin.
3. Lotus Sutra, chap. 5.
4. Ibid., chap. 10.
5. Ibid., chap. 11.
6. Ibid., chap. 13.
7. The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra.
8. Lotus Sutra, chap. 11.

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
This thread is truly a blessing and does so much to keep us all on track . Thankyou Gypsy and DG for hosting it . Thankyou Thomas for starting it Thankyou all that participate !!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Buddhism teaches that a single day of life is worth more than all the treasures of the universe.

-Daisaku Ikeda

 

[fallenangel]

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Thank you! I think you must be one of us! This gosho is for you! Please read it!

http://www.sgi-usa.org/buddhism/library/Nichiren/wnd/concord/pages.view/783.html

If you have any questions to the terms being used, for this and all other gosho, you can always turn to the Buddhist dictionary in the "library" at www.sgi-usa.org :

(the dictionary)

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

peace,

Thomas

We're jamming!


Can I thank you all personally from the bottom of my heart for the daily inspiration in the form of your recent and former posts! Thank you very very much!

I'm finding my way in the world and its looking better and brighter everyday. I hope all of you can share in the optimistic fresh prespective found on every page of this thread! Life is a win or lose struggle, Sensei Toda would tell us, its up to us if we are going to determine victory or defeat.

Growing up my mind used the premise of "THE AMERICAN DREAM" as a prelude to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is perfect for today, it worked for me yesterday and I have faith it will surprise me yet again tomorrow! Muster up that faith strong enough to "light up wet wood"! I know we all have it in us, and ultimately we individually decide wether we will overcome and keep climbing the "mountain" or retreat.

It is my sincere hope you, the individual chose to always overcome and be victorious in everything you do, from you next softball game, to your daily job/routine. I love hearing about everyone's progress and growth and it warms my heart to know the same holds true for the select Bodhisattvas of Earth whom grace us with their presence and experiences continuously!

FALLEN!!!! Whats up! Didja get your own Gohonzon yet? Eagles, didja get to a meeting yet? Southwind, need some help getting to a meeting, I'm sure it will really help alot if you did attend a meeting. Let me know how I can help or support you in anyway, whats mine is yours. We are all interconnected and related someway, two but not two! I chant for you all of and I see from my chanting how your each functioning as the protective forces in nature and really functioning well in my life. Translated : You all help me Help Others! THANK YOU!




LIFE TO LIFE CONNECTIONS. HAVE YOU MADE ONE TODAY?


Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Daishonin states,
"Even these creatures understood
how to repay a debt of gratitude"*
Those who fail to understand what
repaying one's debts of gratitude means are no more than animals.
Let's never forget to have a sense of appreciation
or our debts of gratitude towards others.
Let's all live our lives along the path of humanism and Buddhism!

Daisaku Ikeda

*"How, then, can they not do something to repay the profound debt of gratitude that they owe to the sutra? If they do not do so, they will show themselves to be inferior to the worthy men I mentioned earlier and, in fact, be no more than animals who have no understanding of a debt of gratitude. The turtle that Mao Pao saved did not forget to repay the kindness of the past. The great fish of K'unming Pond, in order to repay the man who had saved his life, presented a bright jewel in the middle of the night. Even these creatures understood how to repay a debt of gratitude, so why shouldn't men who are great sages?" - "The Opening of the Eyes", WND, page 244

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Buddhism teaches the spirit of 'not begrudging one's life.' It is only by giving ourselves completely in any endeavour that we can forge new paths. Striving selflessly is the way to change history, for such behaviour becomes a model to which later generations can aspire."

SGI Newsletter No. No. 7123, Dialogues with World Citizens, Christopher Forbes--Vice Chairman of Forbes Inc., Dec. 24th, 2006, translated Feb. 22nd, 2007

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"You need not seek far for an example ."

(The Supremacy of the Law - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614) Selection source: Soka Gakkai President Harada's encouragement, Seikyo Shimbun, March 2nd, 2007

 

[bartender187]

Truly feel the love in this thread. Love the vibes, everyone be well

bartender187
nam-myoho-renge-kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hey Brother Bartender! Thank you!

Hey Brother Bartender! Thank you!

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

[ On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime, WND Page 4 ]

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Shakyamuni taught that the shallow is easy to embrace, but the profound is difficult. To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage.

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin "The Selection of the Time"

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Buddhism is Reason!

Buddhism is Reason!

My dear friend BOG. Are you listening? Payaso? MsG? Sleepy? Mrwags?

Everybody?

Frankly, receiving Gohonzon is the most important thing a person can do in their lifetime, in my opinion. If anyone might think I am suddenly being pushy, please ask GordyP if I haven't been saying the same thing for thirty-three years.

By the way, Gordy, did you get yours yet?

Easy! Hang tough, man. Everyday. Everyday. Everyday. Get this done no matter what. Your own fundmental darkness will manifest as the devil of the sixth heaven in many forms to block, or make difficult, or inconvenient, any attempt to get to a meeting to initiate the process of receiving Gohonzon.

The influence of ignorance and darkness will suffer a huge blow if your Bodhisattva and Buddha nature is allowed to flourish and be shared with the world. Expect obstacles--but overcome them. There could be no more correct prayer for you to be praying, than to be able to overcome any resistance to you achieving this goal. The Universe will definitely pat you on the head and say 'good boy' for manifesting such correct thinking.

I highly encourage anyone sitting on the fence about practicing this philosophy to go for it. You will never regret the decision to try. I am sure of it.

Thomas

Shakyamuni taught that the shallow is easy to embrace, but the profound is difficult. To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage.

From The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin "The Selection of the Time"

That is the life of Nichiren Daishonin, enshrined in my home, Gohonzon.

Things have been going so good yesterday I was almost thrown off course, but faith is the key in those senarios. When I know the wisdom is not there and the situation is getting critical it must be noted that upon substituting faith before anything else, I am able to have control and keep the Buddha Land in my head pure. Its so clear now that when things go bad, fundamental darkness is running unchecked. I was feeling really disrespected at my job yesterday and was insulted and since I am a fighter my initial thought was to retaliate, or counter-attack without mercy. Yet I have mercy in my heart for all, and was able to walk away and let him (my boss) fight with himself. The reason for this was because towards the end of my work day contractors just started painting in my office some really vile stuff and they had masks on, by the time I realized it was going on I was choking and my nostrils were burning. My boss called the attorneys complaining to him a "wuss" then proceeded to insult me among others then he attempted to pick up whence he left off with another tirade of bullshit 45 minutes later. We are also in the middle of a renovation/expansion and I have been doing more work than ever before as a result with the cubersome set-up, yet victory everyday. After work I was contemplating quitting and leaving but that was not the Buddhist way so I tried to focus on other things. Upon speaking to Ms.MyohoDisco she says "hey I had a crazy crazy day and I had to really chant daimoku outloud towards the end of the day and on the drive home to get back on time and you know what, it was like the movie Bruce Almighty all the cars moved out of the way, I felt calm and in control and here I am telling you to just chant with faith and everything is back to where it should be." I remembered the words of my Mentor whom is a sage and has helped me avoid seriously detrimental moves "be prepared to deal with the karma you create from your determinations".

I laughed out loud, "Employing the Strategy of the Lotus Sutra does not fail me in the slightest!", I spent time with family later in the evening and told them that I will be holding chanting meetings in my home and they will be personally invited. At the sound of this they laughed in amusement thinking and responding absurdly and my response was a grateful "I look forward to spending more time with each of you!". These good causes have alot of power, its clearer when you chant alot of daimoku.

In order to overcome the tougher struggles I need to do stronger and more vigorous daimoku. In other words, when I chant like I'm going to light up wet wood with the spark from my heart, really amazing things happen. Let's work together to see the power of faith works with actual proof in our lives. Be determined enough to always approach every obstacle courageously!

It is an honor to take part today in this great discussion amongst the Chanting Growers!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"No one can better bask in summer's balm than those who have endured winter's bite. Similarly, it is those who have suffered through life's darkest hours who are able to truly savor the bright dawn of happiness. The person who has transformed the worst of fate into the best of fortune is life's champion."

"Anyone can hit a wall. The anguish felt then is proof of one's desire to move forward. But all is for naught if you falter at that moment. Action - that is the key to breaking through an impasse."

"A person's true nature is revealed at times of the greatest adversity."

"If you are sad, cry - cry until your tears have washed away all the pain. What's important is to keep moving forward. If you use your sadness as a source of growth, you will become a person of greater depth and breadth - an even more wonderful you. This is the harvest of your pain and suffering. Hold your head high. Because you have lived with all your might, you are a victor"

quotes-Daisaku Ikeda

 

[Bonzo]

"No one can better bask in summer's balm than those who have endured winter's bite. Similarly, it is those who have suffered through life's darkest hours who are able to truly savor the bright dawn of happiness. The person who has transformed the worst of fate into the best of fortune is life's champion."

"Anyone can hit a wall. The anguish felt then is proof of one's desire to move forward. But all is for naught if you falter at that moment. Action - that is the key to breaking through an impasse."

"A person's true nature is revealed at times of the greatest adversity."

"If you are sad, cry - cry until your tears have washed away all the pain. What's important is to keep moving forward. If you use your sadness as a source of growth, you will become a person of greater depth and breadth - an even more wonderful you. This is the harvest of your pain and suffering. Hold your head high. Because you have lived with all your might, you are a victor"

quotes-Daisaku Ikeda

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Woooooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! SoCal!!!
Hittin it on the head, Your all hittin it on the head when i need it most!

I love you all from the bottom of my heart!!!!!!

Daimoku time!!!!!!!!!!!







peace and love

bonz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as a human being ."

(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 852) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, March 3rd, 2007

 

[PassTheDoobie]

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

[ On Filial and Unfilial Conduct, WND Page 1033 ]

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

The Gift of Rice
- Hakumai Ippyo Gosho -
I have received the sack of rice, the sack of taro and the basket of river-plants which you were so good as to send me by your servants.

Man has two kinds of treasure: clothing and food. One sutra states, "All sentient beings live on food." Man depends on food and clothing to survive in this world. For fish, water is the greatest treasure and for trees, the soil in which they grow. Man's life is sustained by what he eats. That is why food is his treasure.

However, life itself is the most precious of all treasures. Even the treasures of the entire universe cannot equal the value of a single human life. Life is like a lamp, and food like oil. When the oil is gone, the flame will die out, and without food, life will cease.

People place the word "Nam" before the names of all deities and Buddhas in worshiping them. But what is the meaning of "Nam"? This word derives from Sanskrit, and means to devote one's life. Ultimately it means to offer our lives to the Buddha. Some may have wives, children, retainers, estates, gold, silver or other treasures according to their status. Others have nothing at all. Yet whether one has wealth or not, life is still the most precious treasure. This is why the saints and sages of ancient times offered their lives to the Buddha, and were themselves able to attain Buddhahood.

Sessen Doji offered his body to a demon to receive a teaching composed of eight characters. Bodhisattva Yakuo, having no oil, burned his elbow as an offering to the Lotus Sutra. In our own country, Prince Shotoku peeled off the skin of his hand on which to copy the Lotus Sutra, and Emperor Tenji burned his third finger as an offering to Shakyamuni Buddha. Such austere practices are for saints and sages, but not for ordinary people.

Yet even common mortals can attain Buddhahood if they cherish one thing: earnest faith. In the deepest sense, earnest faith is the will to understand and live up to the spirit, not the words, of the sutras. What does this mean? In one sense, it means that offering one's only robe to the Lotus Sutra is equivalent to tearing off one's own skin, and in a time of famine, offering the Buddha the single bowl of rice on which one's life depends is to dedicate one's life to the Buddha. The blessings of such dedication are as great as those Bodhisattva Yakuo received by burning his own elbow, or Sessen Doji by offering his flesh to a demon.

Therefore, saints consecrated themselves by offering their own bodies, whereas common mortals may consecrate themselves by the sincerity with which they give. The precept of donation expounded in the seventh volume of the Maka Shikan in effect teaches the spirit of offering.

The true path of life lies in the affairs of this world. The Konkomyo Sutra reads, "To have a profound knowledge of this world is itself Buddhism." The Nirvana sutra reads, "All scriptures or teachings, from whatever source, are ultimately the revelation of Buddhist truth."

In contrast, the sixth volume of the Lotus Sutra reads, "No affairs of life or work are in any way different from the ultimate reality." In discussing the underlying significance of these quotations, Miao-lo taught that the first two sutras are profound, but still shallow when compared to the Lotus Sutra. Whereas they relate secular matters in terms of Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra explains that secular matters ultimately are Buddhism.

The sutras which came before the Lotus Sutra taught that all phenomena derive from one's mind. The mind is like the earth, and phenomena are like the plants growing in the earth. But the Lotus Sutra teaches that the mind is one with the earth and the earth is one with its plants. The provisional sutras say that a tranquil mind is like the moon and a pure heart is like a flower, but the Lotus Sutra states that the flower and moon are themselves heart and mind. Therefore, it is obvious that rice is not merely rice but life itself.

Because the regent would not taste the sumptuous food [of true Buddhism], there was nothing more I could do, and so I retired to the forest. I am an ordinary man and find it hard to endure the winter's cold or the summer's heat. Nor do I have enough to eat. I could never match the feat of the man said to have walked ten thousand ri on a single meal, or that of Confucius and his grandson, who ate only nine meals in one hundred days. Without food, I could not long continue to recite the sutra or concentrate on meditation.

Thus, your offerings are more than mere gifts. Perhaps the Lord Buddha himself advised you to care for me, or it might be that your karma from the past has impelled you to do so. It is impossible to say all I want to in this letter.

With my deep respect.

Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

“Have profound faith. A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered.”

(The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1001) Selection source: “Kyo no Hosshin”, Seikyo Shimbun, March 7th, 2007