Chanting Growers Group

[EasyMyohoDisco]

To the beat of Tina Turner's Life Condition " LIFE KEEPS ON GOING AND I JUST KEEP ON CHANTING, ROLLING ROLLING WITH DAIMOKU! I JUST KEEP ON WORKING FOR KOSEN-RUFU ROLLING ROLLING MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH DAIMOKU!"

WOOOOHOOOO! BENEFITS KEEP ROLLING IN, I am surely gaining momentum. This time around I am sustaining this higher life-condition by chanting WITH APPRECIATION! WE MUST CHANT WITH APPRECIATION AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS WE HAVE NOW AND AVOID COMPLACENCY! As a result of this mindset, my faith is flowing like the inexhaustible Amazon River, full of life and did I MENTION FULL OF LIFE!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! if you haven't said it yet, whatcha waiting for?

Got Daimoku?

 

[fallenangel]

Got Daimoku?
..lol ... love it my brother . hope everyone is well .. nam myoho renge kyo .. spring is in the air....

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Got Daimoku?
..lol ... love it my brother . hope everyone is well .. nam myoho renge kyo .. spring is in the air....

Whats up fallen! I wanted to make T-Shirts for my district (group in my area I chant with) that say on the Front "GOT DAIMOKU?" and on the back "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!" then a picture of a lotus flower on the sleeve. I am doing very well, I know Eagles is gonna be feeling really great after his meeting (GREAT CAUSE YOUR MAKING BROTHER! WAY TO GO ON INVITING YOUR WIFE!). I have a study meeting in the city tommorrow then on sunday we have our commerative meeting for the youth and I will be emceeing with a hottie bodhisattva of the earth. Dude, three days of victory and improving, I can honestly say my prospects are going up!

I love chanting, its soo great, you know a long hard day of work, mixed with our various war injuries, nothing gets me where I need to be like some daimoku. I swear, not a beer or bud, bubble or this and that, its all about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! and the bonus is it makes you happy and not just you everyone else.

I lived ashamed confused and constantly betrayed and hurt by asshole fake friends, now I am in the greatest network on this planet and gaining wealth everytime I utter/chant/sing/rap Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Thats where its at!

Have you had your dose(s) of Daimoku today?

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Let's make the springtime of youth one
of great fulfillment, in which we can say,
"I have won."
Let's play out a drama infused
with the spirit of many in body,
one in mind and help our fellow
members "win," too.
Together, let's seize victory.

Above is an unofficial translation of "To My Friends" based on
President Ikeda's guidance published in the Seikyo Shimbun.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

(I am stuck in PC hell! No wonder I hate change! I'm old!)

(I am stuck in PC hell! No wonder I hate change! I'm old!)

If only you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, then what offense could fail to be eradicated? What blessing could fail to come? This is the truth, and it is of great profundity. You should believe and accept it.

[ Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man - Part Two, WND Page 130 ]

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Congratulations on the E-Struggles! Last time my computer was wasting my time and causing frustration Wags helped (Whats up wags!) with better anti-virus software but the issues persisted, then I had an epiphany, my web-browsing only went haywire after excessive visits to porno sites! I chanted about curbing my porno-addiction (as I have chanted about smoking less pot, being less pre-occupied with sex, etc.). To this day I'm stilled hooked (by choice ), but managing better with more control.

Any problems we ever have we can chant about them and turn them into something positive.(Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! is your life itself) One positive way I have been able to curb my porno-addiction is to jump on Mrs. Disco's bones more often! "DRINK SAKE WITH YOUR WIFE!" YEAHH BABY!

LETS INTRODUCE NEW PEOPLE TO FINDING THEIR HAPPINESS, SPREAD THE WEALTH OF Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Seek Gohonzon, Courageously fight all obstacles for your Happiness!

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

"I feel great pity for you and the others, but there is little I can do to help. Nevertheless, I pray day and night to the Lotus Sutra. Spare no effort in offering up prayers with firm faith. It is not that my resolve [to save you] is weak. Rather, it depends on the strength of each person's faith."
Reference:

WND Page 678
The Story of Ohashi no Taro
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on 24 March 1276 from Minobu



--TO MY FRIENDS--
Let's rush over with lightning speed
to our friends who are suffering.
The important thing is to take swift action.
The alacrity with which we respond determines
the outcome of our struggles.

Above is a translation of "To My Friends" based on President Ikeda's
guidance, published in the Seikyo Shimbun.

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement for March 23

Let us all set our sights on leading great lives dedicated always to truth and move toward that goal in good health, brimming with hope. Let us live our lives boldly, without regret, advancing with patience, enthusiasm and a genuine spirit of friendship and camaraderie.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Thanks Myoho, but nothing quite that erotic--more like neurotic. The wife sent me from desk top XP with a direct rj45 connection to Vista on a new laptop that hurt my eyes and had no space to read anything on a wireless network that never worked.

I asked for nothing. She's bummed I'm not excited and I am distraught over having to reteach myself everything. I just got my old comp back tonight.

Just in time to be going on vacation on Sunday! I'll be gone a week but will enjoy spending time with a good friend of ours!~

Sorry I have been spotty. It will continue that way for a while.

T

 

[Babbabud]

ehehhe Bought the mrs a laptop for xmas. She wonders why I never use it hahah T knows
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Title of Juryo Chapter

Title of Juryo Chapter

There is a marked difference between Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism and Shakyamuni’s. What makes the two fundamentally distinct is obvious from the Ongi Kuden in which Nikko Shonin, the second High Priest, recorded the Daishonin’s oral teachings on the Hokekyo (Lotus Sutra). The precious work recounts the essential principles of the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

The Ongi Kuden interprets important phrases from the twenty-eight chapters of the Hokekyo and its introductory and concluding sutras (Muryogi-kyo and Fugen-kyo) from the viewpoint of the Daishonin’s Buddhism. The first of the twenty-seven important teachings on the Juryo Chapter in the work is concerned with its title.

Shakyamuni’s Hokekyo defines the title of the Juryo Chapter as ‘Myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai Juryo-hon Dai-Juroku’.

‘Myoho-renge-kyo’ is the full title of Shakyamuni’s Hokekyo (Lotus Sutra). ‘Nyorai’ (Tathagata in Sanskrit) means Buddha. ‘Juryo’ means to evaluate the blessings of a Buddha, and ‘hon’, chapter. ‘Dai-Juroku’ is the Japanese for the sixteenth and ‘Juryo-hon’ is the sixteenth chapter of the ‘Myoho-renge-kyo’.

However, the Ongi Kuden changes the title by placing ‘Nam’ before ‘Myoho-renge-kyo’. Therefore the title reads, ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai Juryo-hon Dai-Juroku’. You may think there is only hair’s difference between the two, but you are in error.

Why the Daishonin placed ‘Nam’ before ‘Myoho-renge-kyo’ is an essential question. ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai’ or the Buddha of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the True Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin. However, ‘Myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai’ or the Buddha of the Lotus Sutra is but a transient Buddha, Shakyamuni. Thus the word ‘Nam’ fundamentally changes the identification of ‘Nyorai’ (Buddha).

What the Daishonin calls ‘the Juryo Chapter in the eye of my secret conviction’ is ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai Juryo-hon’.

‘Juryo’, as explained in the above, means to weigh the blessings of a Buddha. Therefore, ‘Juryo’ in the Ongi Kuden means to determine the blessings of the True Buddha.

It follows therefore that when the sutra says, “Hear then the secret of the Buddha and his mystic powers” (Nyoto tai cho nyorai himitsu jinzu shi riki), it mentions the Buddha of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

If you read the Ongi Kuden, the mistaken views of heretical Nichiren sects will soon become obvious.

The difference between Nichiren Shoshu and other Nichiren sects lies in the reading of the title of Juryo Chapter, or in other words, whether they regard Nichiren Daishonin as the True Buddha or not.

A passage from the Ongi Kuden reads:

“The Ongi Kuden states that this chapter is extremely important for me, Nichiren. It is what was transferred in the Jinriki Chapter. ‘Nyorai’ means all the Buddhas in the universe and throughout the three existences of life in its broad sense, but means the True Buddha of Musa Sanjin in its strictest sense. Now I, Nichiren, and my followers mean to say that ‘Nyorai’ indicates all mankind in its broad sense but my disciples and believers in a stricter sense. Musa Sanjin is the votary of the Hokekyo in Mappo. The honorific title of Musa Sanjin is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This forms the basis of the Three Great Secret Laws in the Juryo Chapter.”

The Daishonin states, “This chapter is extremely important for me, Nichiren,” because ‘Nyorai’ of ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai Juryo-hon Dai-Juroku’ is none other than the Buddha of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This Buddha presented himself as Bodhisattva Jogyo at the ceremony of the Treasure Tower (Hoto) to produce the evidence that He would reappear in Mappo. Then He made advent in Mappo as Nichiren Daishonin and proved himself to be Bodhisattva Jogyo by fulfilling all the predictions made in the Hokekyo. The last of the predictions which the Daishonin verified was His exile to Sado, as a passage from the Kanji Chapter reads, “He shall be exiled more than once.” He was exiled once to Izu and then to Sado.

Thereafter, the Daishonin emerged as the Buddha of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo from the ephemeral figure of Bodhisattva Jogyo, establishing the Dai-Gohonzon as the entity of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on October 12, 1279. The Dai-Gohonzon comprises all the Three Great Secret Laws (San-dai-hiho) the object of worship, the invocation and the high sanctuary of the True Buddhism.

The Dai-Gohonzon itself is the object of worship, so believers worship the Dai-Gohonzon with the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (the title of the Dai-Gohonzon) and the place where the Dai-Gohonzon is enshrined is the high sanctuary. Thus the Three Great Secret Laws originate from the Dai-Gohonzon.

“What was transferred in the Jinriki Chapter” are the Three Great Secret Laws. The Jinriki Chapter describes the activities of the Buddha of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the time of Mappo.

“‘Nyorai’ means all the Buddhas ... in its broad sense, but means the True Buddha of Musa Sanjin in a stricter sense,” This sentence makes clear the essential difference between the Daishonin’s and Shakyamuni’s Buddhism.

“Now I, Nichiren, and my followers mean to say that ‘Nyorai’ indicates all mankind in its broad sense but my disciples and believers in a stricter sense.” All members of mankind have the life of ‘Nyorai’ innate in themselves and for this reason they can be called ‘Nyorai’. However, in actuality, they do not have their inherent life of ‘Nyorai’ put into function, and therefore are not ‘Nyorai’.

Nyorai are Nichiren Daishonin’s disciples and lay believers who believe in the Gohonzon and chant the Daimoku.

Furthermore, strictly speaking, Nichiren Daishonin is the only ‘Nyorai’ who is able to awaken all mankind to Buddhahood.

“Musa Sanjin is the votary of the Hokekyo in Mappo.” Musa Sanjin means that the True Buddha has been enlightened from the infinitely distant past and that He never attained enlightenment under any Buddha at any particular time. Here it indicates Nichiren Daishonin himself. The votary of the Hokekyo is the person who, according to Shakyamuni’s prophecy in the Hokekyo, spreads the sutra in Mappo.

“The honorific title of Musa Sanjin is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” Conclusively, Musa Sanjin is the Buddha of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as is stated in the title of ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nyorai Juryo-hon Dai-Juroku’.

“This forms the basis of the Three Great Secret Laws.” You will clearly understand this from the above explanation.

In conclusion, it is hoped that the readers will read this lecture on the Juryo Chapter bearing in mind that the ‘Nyorai’ (Buddha) of this chapter is Nichiren Daishonin and not Shakyamuni.

(from Josei Toda: Lecture on the Sutra)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

PREFACE

PREFACE

The Hokekyo is a Buddhist scripture compiled in eight volumes containing twenty-eight chapters. For those who attempt either to give or have a lecture on Buddhism, perhaps nothing is so difficult as to grasp the true meaning of this sutra.

Shakyamuni, the Buddha who appeared in India, is known as the original teacher of the Hokekyo. At the beginning of teaching what later was recorded in the sutra by his disciples, he declared that this doctrine was the ultimate reason for his advent. Then he went on to reveal all the esoteric cause of his enlightenment.

In his pre-Hokekyo teachings, Shakyamuni adopted methods to fit the motives of the people, thus helping them the better to understand the teachings. However, in the Hokekyo, he forsook this conventional method. Instead, he taught in a unique mode which accorded with his own motives as Buddha.

This is one of the reasons why the Hokekyo is the most profound and at once the most abstruse of all the sutras. Shakyamuni defined it himself as ‘the most incredible and the most recondite. The other reasons are as follows:

The 28-chapter Hokekyo is doctrinally divided into two parts - the Shakumon (the first 14 chapters) and the Honmon (the latter half. In the part of the Shakumon, Ri-no Ichinen Sanzen (the theoretical principle of Ichinen Sanzen) is expounded according to the general aspects of life. In contrast, the Honmon part reveals Ji-no Ichinen Sanzen (the practical principle of Ichinen Sanzen) according to the actual cause of the Buddha. Hence the Honmon is called the True Teaching; and the Shakumon, the Transient Teaching.

Yet these two teachings of the Hokekyo, when compared with Nichiren Daishonin‘s teachings, are alike reduced to transient teaching. The reason: In the period of Mappo, the Hokekyo taught by Shakyamuni is invalid like the chaff of grain; and San-dai-hiho (the Three Great Secret Laws) alone is valid or the grain itself. The San-dai-hiho had long been kept secret in the depths of the Juryo Chapter until Nichiren Daishonin revealed it. Ultimately, therefore, Nichiren Daishonin‘s teachings are the only true teachings.

This can be proven by observing the process of propagation of Buddhism after the death of Shakyamuni.

In the period of Shoho (ten centuries after Shakyamuni’s death), Hinayana Buddhism spread during the first 500 years, followed by the spread of Provisional Mahayana Buddhism which lasted for the latter 500.

In the Zoho period (another ten centuries subsequent to the Shoho period), Tendai (T‘ien-t‘ai) the Great of China wrote three extensive treatises - Hokke Gengi, Hokke Mongu and Maka-Shikan. In these writings, he interpreted the Hokekyo from every phase and angle, propagating the sutra in China.

Nonetheless, Tendai the Great merely clarified the theoretical significance of the Hokekyo - Ri-no Ichinen Sanzen; yet far from its practical significance - Ji-no lchinen Sanzen. In other words, he elucidated the Hokekyo only in a theoretical way. Practical application of this profound sutra was not made by anyone.

With the arrival of the period of Mappo, 2,000 years after Shakyamuni’s death, Nichiren Daishonin made His advent in Japan. He propagated Buddhism strictly in accordance with the Hokekyo. On April 28, 1253, He initiated chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the core of the sutra, and finally on October 12, 1279, established the Dai-Gohonzon, the most important embodiment of the Three Great Secret Laws, for the salvation of all mankind from unhappiness and misfortune.

The embodiment of the Dai-Gohonzon was the ultimate purpose of the Daishonin‘s advent. For the Dai-Gohonzon is the very original cause for all living beings to attain Buddhahood as well as for all sutras to acquire their appropriate meanings. Therefore, our object of worship is the Dai-Gohonzon, and by no means the Hokekyo, the Hoben Chapter or the Juryo Chapter.

Then, how should faith in the Dai-Gohonzon be practiced?

As primary practice, we chant the Daimoku - Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. As secondary practice, we recite the Hoben and Juryo Chapters - the Hoben Chapter for repudiation‘s and quotation‘s sake; and the Juryo Chapter for repudiation‘s and utilization‘s sake. Here, repudiation means to disprove the superficial meaning of the Hoben Chapter; quotation to cite its sentences to indicate the profound meaning of Nichiren Daishonin‘s Buddhism; and utilization to employ the significant teachings of the Juryo Chapter latent between its lines.

In the history of Buddhism, innumerable scholars have undertaken to lecture on the Hokekyo. However, during the Zoho period, no lecturer surpassed Tendai the Great. Now in Mappo, any lecture on this sutra must be based on Nichiren Daishonin‘s True Buddhism for the above mentioned reason. The fact is, however, that most present-day lecturers still adhere to Tendai‘s interpretations. They must be disillusioned, for their fallacies have caused the current chaos in Buddhism.

In this chaotic world of Buddhism, Nichiren Shoshu alone has maintained the True Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin in its genuine purity. Over seven years ago, with my inauguration to the presidency of the Soka Gakkai, I undertook the weighty task of lecturing on the Hoben and Juryo Chapters. I have since given these lectures over and over again to convey the true meaning of the Hokekyo.

The Study Department of the Soka Gakkai has recently compiled a summary of my lectures for publication in book form. This book represents my sincere wish for all readers to become able to comprehend the Hokekyo in its original significance.

February 7, 1958
JOSEI TODA
The Second President
The Soka Gakkai

(from Josei Toda: Lecture on the Sutra)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Two Main Streams of Buddhism

Two Main Streams of Buddhism

There are two main streams of Buddhism in mankind’s recorded history. One is what is generally called the Buddhism of Shakyamuni and the other, Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. The latter is known as True Buddhism as distinguished from the former.

Nearly 3,000 years ago, Shakyamuni in India expounded numerous sutras whose number is said to total 5,000 to 7,000. Of them, the Hokekyo (Lotus Sutra) was the main sutra which revealed Shakyamuni’s enlightenment. Some 100 years after his death, Buddhism spread to all of India and then to its neighboring countries through the efforts of King Asoka. Thus, Buddhism brought peace and security to India.

However, as predicted by Shakyamuni himself, Buddhism declined with the passing of time until it finally lost the power of redemption. This came about in the Latter Day of the Law (Mappo) when 2,000 years had passed after Shakyamuni’s death.

Around that time, Japan suffered a series of disasters while its religious world degenerated. People were thus forced to suffer such a severe destiny without any religion to rely on.

It was at that time that Nichiren Daishonin made His advent in Japan and established the True Buddhism for all mankind. The Daishonin’s advent in Mappo verified the prediction of Shakyamuni that the votary of the Hokekyo would propagate the Hokekyo in the fifth half millennium after his death. Without the Daishonin, Shakyamuni’s prophecy would have remained unfulfilled and the Hokekyo would have been lost.

Unlike Shakyamuni, who was born as the son of King Suddhodana, the Daishonin first saw the light of day as the son of a fisherman in what is now Chiba Prefecture in Japan. He called himself ‘the son of a Sudra family’. Sudra is of the lowest class in India comprising fishermen, butchers, etc.

As it was, the corrupt-minded people would not believe in the Daishonin, who testified to the validity of His teachings citing the sutras. Persecutions poured upon Him as the Hokekyo puts it, “All those who are ignorant of Buddhism shall abuse and hit him (the votary of the Hokekyo) with sticks... He shall be exiled more than once.”

The Daishonin was exiled to Izu Peninsula in May, 1261 and then ten years later to Ado Island both on false charges. On September 12, 1271, the Daishonin was almost beheaded at Tatsuno-kuchi by warriors of the Hojo Regime who hated the Daishonin without good reason.

Shakyamuni faced persecutions but not such insurmountable ones as did the Daishonin. While Shakyamuni deserved the respect of the people for his outstanding physical features and social status as well as for his noble character, the Daishonin, born to a fisherman’s family, had to overcome every hardship and save His contemporaries who slandered and opposed Him.

This single fact suffices to endorse Nichiren Daishonin’s superiority to Shakyamuni.

Another striking difference is found in the method of teaching. Shakyamuni led his disciples to the Hokekyo with provisional teachings but the Daishonin declared the law of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo once for all. Buddhist teachings to guide His people.

Shakyamuni was the first Buddha in recorded history, but from the viewpoint of eternal life clarified in Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin is the original Buddha who awakened all other Buddhas to the truth of ‘life’ and the universe. The relationship between the two is comparable to that of the moon shining in the nocturnal sky and its reflection on the surface of a pond.

This is obvious from a phrase from the Juryo Chapter of the Hokekyo which reads, “Once I also practiced the Bodhisattva austerities.” (Ga hon gyo bosatsu do). If he actually “practiced Bodhisattva austerities,” he must have done so under some other Buddha. Yet, if he were the original Buddha, he would have made himself the object of worship. This is obviously irreconcilable. The truth is that he practiced Buddhism under the True Buddha who emerged in Mappo as Nichiren Daishonin.

In other words, Nichiren Daishonin is the ‘life’ of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo while Shakyamuni attained enlightenment by worshipping the Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.

With his Hokekyo, Shakyamuni not only made his disciples attain enlightenment but also predicted the advent in Mappo of the True Buddha whom he called in the sutra ‘the votary of the Hokekyo’. The True Buddha showed himself as Bodhisattva Jogyo at the ceremony of the Treasure Tower, where Shakyamuni transferred the essence of the Hokekyo to this ephemeral figure of the True Buddha.

Therefore, both the votary of the Hokekyo and Bodhisattva Jogyo in Shakyamuni’s supreme sutra (Hokekyo) signify Nichiren Daishonin, the True Buddha.

A passage from the Yakuo Chapter of the Hokekyo reads, “At the beginning of Mappo, you should achieve Kosen-rufu and never let it (True Buddhism) perish.”

Another excerpt from the Jisriki Chapter says, “He (Bodhisattva Jogyo) will spread Buddhism in this world, dispelling the darkness from mankind and leading innumerable Bodhisattvas to the Supreme Vehicle [of Buddhahood] in the end.”

Therefore, Tendai (T’ien-t’ai) said, “The Mystic Law will benefit [mankind] in the fifth ‘half-millennium’ and far beyond into the future.” Myoraku (Miao-lo) interpreted Tendai’s words saying, “There are surely inconspicuous benefits at the beginning of Mappo.” In addition, Dengyo of Japan said, “Shoho and Zoho have almost passed and Mappo is very near. It is the very time when people should believe in the Supreme Vehicle of Hokekyo.”

Thus all the Buddhas paid highest respect to the True Buddha who was sure to appear in Mappo.

Nichiren Daishonin stated in His Senji Sho (On the Selection of the Time), “The time when, as predicted in the Daishikkyo, the pure Law is lost will be followed by the time when Kosen-rufu of the Great Pure Law of the Hokekyo will be achieved not only in Japan but also throughout the entire world.”

In this passage, the ‘Pure Law’ indicates Shakyamuni’s Buddhism and the ‘Great Pure Law’, the Daishonin’s.

All these quotations lead to the conclusion that Shakyamuni’s Buddhism should be displaced by the True Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin in Mappo.

As for the distinction of the teachings of Shakyamuni and the Daishonin, the Gosho makes it clear in the passage which reads, “I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink so that you may believe with your whole heart. The Buddha’s will is the Hokekyo - to the soul of Nichiren, there is nothing which supersedes Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”

(from Josei Toda: Lecture on the Sutra)

 

[Babbabud]

Thanks "T" for the fantastic post Glad to hear your getting some vacation time !! Would love to hear more about it
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!

 

[Babbabud]

Alright Eagle way to hook it up buddy
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo !!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Well done Eagles! Congratulations!

All my love to all of my friends here! I doubt you will hear from me for a week. We are staying on our side of the world, but I will now be able to say I partyed on three continents with a particular well known friend here.

I am really looking forward to it and am sad that everyone I would like to see will not be able to make it. I consider this first trip somewhat of a scouting expedition and look forward to more visits with more friends in the future.

Your Daimoku for our safety and support of the thread, while we are gone this week, is most appreciated!

Much love and deep respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Shakyamuni and the Hokekyo

Shakyamuni and the Hokekyo

The Hokekyo (abbreviation of Myoho-renge-kyo) which is commonly called the Sutra of the Lotus was expounded by Shakyamuni during his last eight years of teaching.

Shakyamuni, whose given name was Siddhartha, renounced the world at the age of nineteen and after twelve years of practice, attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, India when he was thirty.

He began his teaching in Mrgadava (the Deer Park) with Hinayana, and continued to teach his disciples for forty-two years. At that time he expounded the Hokekyo as being the reason for his advent into this world.

In the recorded history of Buddhism, Shakyamuni was the first Buddha, but from the viewpoint of enlightenment itself, Shakyamuni was not the original Buddha. He was but a transient Buddha, comparable to the moon shining in reflected sunlight or the image of the moon in a pond.

Shakyamuni was a great Buddha of the past whose teachings lost their validity 2,000 years after his death. Contemporary Buddhist sects who worship Shakyamuni are similar to a person who relies on last year’s calendar.

The name Shakyamuni literally means the Sage of the Sakyas. His formal designation is Shakyamuni Buddha. ‘Buddha’ means the Enlightened One and Shakyamuni is so called because he attained enlightenment after practicing austerities for twelve years from the age of nineteen.

When Prince Siddhartha left his castle, his father, Jobonno (King Suddhodana) ordered five monks in¬cluding Kyojinnyo (Kaundinya) to accompany the Prince. The austerities ordered in those days were so severe that some seated themselves on rocks for days on end without taking any food, engaging in meditation.

Shakyamuni himself practiced such austerities for as long as twelve years without attaining enlightenment and became too exhausted to ponder the problems of life and the outlook on the world. Therefore, he broke his long fast by accepting the food offered by a young girl. This shocked his five companions, who said, “Gautama (by which Shakyamuni was known as he belonged to the Gautama clan) fell into heresy by breaking his fast. We can no longer accompany him,” and thus they abandoned Shakyamuni.

Shakyamuni continued to eat and sleep moderately and ponder on life. While speculating on various hard-to-solve problems, one morning he saw the planet the Venus shine. At that very moment, he attained enlightenment. This is what Buddhism defines as the attainment of Buddhahood in an instant (Setsuna Jodo). This is the zenith of deductive Oriental philosophy and is actually the enlightenment of the Great Universe.

What was his enlightenment? The answer would be rather simple, like Columbus’s egg, if I were to explain it in a few words. However, we common mortals cannot attain enlightenment even if we should try to meditate for a million years. Shakyamuni was enlightened to the fact that he had been the Buddha since the immeasurably distant past known as Gohyaku-jintengo. He instantly realized the eternity of life and the principle of Ichinen Sanzen or the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds (Jikkai Gogu).

Thus the practice of austerities was no longer necessary or him. Thinking out a method for expounding his enlightenment, he first showed the three ways mankind should follow, leading them to Shomon (Learning), Engaku (Absorption) and Bosatsu (Bodhisattva). Preparing them for the teaching of Hokekyo, he waited to reveal his enlightenment in that supreme sutra.

He wanted to teach all the Brahminist teachers under whom he had practiced austerities for twelve years but finding they had passed away, he decided to teach the five old monks including Kyojinnyo. The five had agreed that they would not speak even a word to Gautama who had abandoned austerities, but on seeing the dignified figure of Shakyamuni, they became his disciples.

Thus, Shakyamuni came to be worshipped as the Buddha from that time, since the advent of the Buddha had been prophesied by the saints of Brahmanism. Many people gathered to listen to the Buddha’s teaching. To them Shakyamuni expounded Kegon-kyo, the second highest sutra next to the Hokekyo, which was rather beyond their understanding. The fame of Shakyamuni grew even more.

He went on to teach the three vehicles of Shomon, Engaku and Bosatsu, and finally to reveal the supreme vehicle of Buddhahood (Butsu) by refuting these three.

Thus the teaching of the Agon sutras followed the Kegon sutras. The former belonged to Hinayana which comprised a great many commandments. Then came the teaching of Hodo and Hannya sutras which belonged to provisional Mahayana.

All these teachings Shakyamuni explained for forty-two years. Seeing his disciples well qualified for the teaching of Hokekyo, actual Mahayana, Shakyamuni taught it for eight years until he passed away at the age of eighty.

As for various Buddhist sects, Ritsu Sect is based on Hinayana and Jodo (Pure Land), Shingon (True Word) and Zen Sects derive from provisional Mahayana. However, both Hinayana and provisional Mahayana were repudiated by Shakyamuni before the expounding of the Hokekyo. This is why all these sects are called heretical.

During the Hokke period, the introductory sutra to the Hokekyo came first, entitled Muryogi-kyo (the Sutra of Infinite Meaning), followed by the twenty-eight chapters of the Hokekyo. The concluding sutra was Fugen-kyo (the Sutra of Bodhisattva Fugen’s Practice).

The Hokekyo consists of eight volumes and twenty-eight chapters. Including the introductory and concluding sutras, the Hokekyo comprises ten volumes. Another sutra belonging to the Hokke period is Nehan-gyo (the Sutra of Nirvana) which Shakyamuni expounded just before he entered Nirvana, to prove the truth of the Hokekyo.

In order of increasing profundity, the five periods are arranged thus: Agon, Hodo, Hannya, Kegon and Hokke. However, in order of expounding, (they are: Kegon, Agon, Hodo, Hannya and Hokke.

This is Shakyamuni’s way of explaining the Hokekyo. As is obvious from the Muryogi-kyo and the Hoben Chapter of the Hokekyo, the objective of Shakyamuni’s advent into this world was to make people attain Buddhahood through the Hokekyo. All the other sutras were but provisional teachings which led his disciples to the Hokekyo.

It therefore follows that the depths of Shakyamuni’s Buddhism are described in the Hokekyo, without which there can be no understanding of the essence of his teachings.

Furthermore, the Hokekyo is the basis of realizing the striking difference between Shakyamuni’s Buddhism and the Daishonin’s. These are the two main streams of Buddhism.

The present confusion in the Buddhist world is attributable mainly to the fact that those Buddhists captivated by Shakyamuni’s Hokekyo have failed to draw a line between these two streams of Buddhism. The twenty-eight-chapter Hokekyo is Shakyamuni’s teaching and Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the Daishonin’s Buddhism. This is the essential knowledge for those who are interested in Buddhism as well as students of Buddhism.

(from Josei Toda: Lecture on the Sutra)

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"...for a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served or a debt to be paid. THEN life would begin.

At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"Everyone in Japan, from the sovereign on down to the common people, without exception has tried to do me harm, but I have survived until this day. You should realize that this is because, although I am alone, I have firm faith."

(The Supremacy of the Law - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614) Selection source: Soka Gakkai President Harada's encouragement, Seikyo Shimbun, March 25th, 2007

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"For what purpose have we appeared in the world? As Bodhisattvas of the Earth, we are here to realise kosen-rufu--to spread the Mystic Law that enables all people to attain Buddhahood. It is a sacred undertaking to unlock people's Buddha nature and awaken within them tremendous life-force, a positive spirit, a commitment to truth and justice, courage, and hope. Put simply, our purpose is encouragement."

SGI Newsletter No. 7153, The New Human Revolution--Vol. 19: Chap. 3, Sunlight 44, translated March 23rd, 2007

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

Today is My First Gohonzon Birthday! I am so very happy! One year ago today I received Gohonzon, a scroll inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin for our Happiness. Within the Scroll you will find the words Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! and Nichiren, when I chant to Gohonzon I am chanting to a "Mirror of My life" and when I am actually chanting I am a Buddha. I live my life as someone who helps others and adds to the Universal Good (function) inheirant in all things, before I started practicing Buddhism I was confused and considered everything subject to incessant questioning and deliberation. Now the same holds true but I have an inner "Understanding/Peace" which is driven each and everyday towards creating value and positive growth in my life and the lives of others. So with just these simple thoughts in mind, I consider this year with Gohonzon an UTTER VICTORY!

MY FRIENDS Here *on Icmag* know my struggles, seriously bad karma has had to be overcome to savor even a taste of the days I am living now! I am happy in my own skin and life. Thank you all for your support, I am very grateful indeed!



Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! helped me find lasting happiness in this crazy world! The kind of happiness that doesn't go away the next morning! Its yours for the taking! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! and Gohonzon are Key!

 

[Babbabud]

Happy Gohonzon Birthday Easy !!!!!!!!! woooohoooooo