Chanting Growers Group

[Bonzo]

Hey scegy bro! I just wanted to say one of my favorite disrtict members (i love em all)but him and i just hit it off, wnat throegh what you just spoke of: He was raised in a catholic house hold/family and they were very scepticle of this Gohonzon thing that they knew nothing about, but when they saw the great changes taking place in his life and the person he was becoming and, wow, the person he is today they competlely embrace his choice. He was 8 when he started and is 40 ish today, with a new baby boy!!! Anyhow i hope that sheds a bit of light on the subject and gives you the a lil push towards getting your Gohonzon and biulding that Butsudan!!!

On a side note i have been chanting (among other things) for how awesome it would be if a friend of myself and my Moms (we were sort of his second family cause his imediate family was very abusive to him) could find some free time to come over here and help us out with a lil problem were having with our house and low and behold he called yesterday and said hes comin over this weekend to help us out, and at first i was like , no bro you cant do that , it will cost you too much money (he lives about 600 miles away) but he would not let me talk him out of it. Im blown away, oh and the trippy thing is that a couple months ago i semi Sakabukued him over the phone and he was so interested in the whole idea, i taught him how to chant and said the next time hes here were goin to get him some beeds and a couple things to read at the Friendship Center and do Gongyo and just show him around, so after this lil vacation of sorts he may just be so inclined to go to the nearest Center to him and get the ball rolling, his nearest Center is 70 miles from him but im sure there are groups in his imediate area, im stoked, cant wait to see him, hes like the little brother i never had and he just had a baby boy as well!!! Man how time flies, i guess in that respect it sure shows me anyway how precious life is and how we need to make the most of it!

I think as soon as you embrace the Gohonzon without fear of what others think scegy you will see even greater changes in your life! And in doing so others near you may just follow siut!

all my deepest respect and love to ya Brother!

peace

bonz








~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[scegy]

am so very happy to have u both my brothers,

i smoke therefor i am, well i must object on this one man, i didn't mean this, i just wanted to say that when it comes to things that i believe i always did firmly stand by them.
and i got sunked ???? times because of doing so, but in time i learned to gain from that virtue

i'll get my gohonzon out of persistance and i will tell you what happens

disco, i'll send my ragards to TH
i will chant for you my friend, i hope i haven't laid some crap on you, it's just that this thread is one of the few places that i can talk about things like this and is still green in between

can u explain again why is the necklass needed for chanting? is it as important as gohonzon? why?

bonzo, i know i saw that effect on "he" my father, he's a runaway catholic that refused the religion when he was young, he tought me a lot of things

have that flowing river feeling again, feels like i'll know what to do when time comes if i trust myself...scary feeling in a way

 

[Babbabud]

I think as soon as you embrace the Gohonzon without fear of what others think scegy you will see even greater changes in your life! And in doing so others near you may just follow siut!

all my deepest respect and love to ya Brother!

peace

bonz








~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Woooooop hit the nail on the head !!! Exactly Bonz its all about human revolution!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

What a bunch of freakin cool Buddhas! You guys ROCK! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS ENCOURAGEMENT!

T

(PS: I think by 'necklace', sceggers is asking about the prayer beads. No they are not as important as the Gohonzon or the Butsudan you enshrine the Gohonzon in. But they have been a part of the practice of Buddhism since its beginnings. Follow your heart, and try using them sometime. One grows to want them, as I kind of feel naked chanting without them. But that's just me. Receiving Gohonzon would be much more important than worrying about whether to chant using prayer beads.)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

PS: By the way, for the record and it's no big deal, but the SHI of SHISHI that means teacher*, is Chinese. Anytime the Daishonin is talking about characters from the Lotus Sutra, they are always references to classical Chinese characters. The Japanese word for teacher is sensei. Since my kids teachers are mostly Japanese, I talk to their sensei's everyday.

(*and if Sanskrit, Guru)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon / WND pg. 831

The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon / WND pg. 831

I have received your offerings to the Gohonzon of five thousand coins, one horseload of polished rice, and fruit. To begin with, this Gohonzon was revealed in the last eight years of the fifty that the Buddha preached in this world, and in this period of eight years, in eight chapters [of the Lotus Sutra], from the "Emerging from the Earth" chapter through the "Entrustment" chapter. Now, during the three periods following the Buddha's passing, in the two thousand years of the Former and Middle Days of the Law, not even the term "object of devotion of the essential teaching" yet existed. How then could the object of devotion have been revealed? Moreover, there was no one who was able to give it expression. T'ien-t'ai, Miao-lo, and Dengyo perceived it in their hearts, but for some reason never put it into words, just as (1) Yen Yüan realized the true meaning of Confucius's teaching, but never gave it expression. Yet the sutra itself and the commentaries of T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo explicitly state that the Gohonzon will appear after two thousand years have elapsed following the Buddha's passing, in the first five hundred years of the Latter Day of the Law.

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. Thus the five characters of the Lotus Sutra's title are suspended in the center, while the four heavenly kings are seated at the four corners of the treasure tower. Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the four leaders of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth are side by side at the top. Seated below them are the bodhisattvas, including Universal Worthy and Manjushri, and the voice-hearers, including Shariputra and Maudgalyayana. [Beside them are] the gods of the sun and moon, the devil king of the sixth heaven, the dragon king, and an asura. In addition, the wisdom kings Immovable and Craving-Filled take up their stations to the south and north. The evil and treacherous Devadatta and the ignorant dragon king's daughter form a group. Not only the Mother of Demon Children and the ten demon daughters, who are evil demons that sap the lives of people throughout the major world system, but also the SunGoddess, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman, and the seven reigns of the heavenly gods and five reigns of the earthly gods, who are the guardian deities of Japan -all the various great and small gods, that is, the main gods, are ranged in rows. How then could the remaining subordinate gods be left out? The "Treasure Tower" chapter states, "[Shakyamuni Buddha used his transcendental powers to] lift all the members of the great assembly up into the air."

Without exception, all these Buddhas, bodhisattvas, great sages, and, in general, all the various beings of the (2) two worlds and the eight groups who appear in the "Introduction" chapter of the Lotus Sutra dwell in this Gohonzon. Illuminated by the light of the five characters of the Mystic Law, they display the dignified attributes that they inherently possess. This is the object of devotion.

This is what is meant when the sutra says "the true aspect of all phenomena (3)." Miao-lo stated: "The true aspect invariably manifests in all phenomena, and all phenomena invariably manifest in the ten factors. The ten factors invariably manifest in the Ten Worlds, and the Ten Worlds invariably manifest (4) in life and its environment." It is also stated that the profound principle of the true aspect is the originally inherent (5) Myoho-renge-kyo. The Great Teacher Dengyo said, "A single moment of life comprising the three thousand realms is itself the Buddha of limitless joy; this Buddha has forsaken (6) august appearances." Therefore, this Gohonzon shall be called the great mandala never before known; it did not appear until more than 2,220 years after the Buddha's passing.

A woman who makes offerings to such a Gohonzon invites happiness in this life, and in the next, the Gohonzon will be with her and protect her always. Like a lantern in the dark, like a strong guide and porter on a treacherous mountain path, the Gohonzon will guard and protect you, Nichinyo, wherever you go. Therefore, you should take every care to ward off slanderers of the Law in the same way that you would never wish a courtesan even to come near your home. This is the meaning of "Thrust aside evil friends and associate with good companions (7)."

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The body is the palace of the ninth (8) consciousness, the unchanging reality that reigns over all of life's functions. To be endowed with the Ten Worlds means that all ten, without a single exception, exist in one world. Because of this it is called a mandala. Mandala is a Sanskrit word that is translated as "perfectly endowed" or "a cluster of blessings." This Gohonzon also is found only in the two characters for (9) faith. This is what the sutra means when it states that one can "gain entrance (10) through faith alone."

Since Nichiren's disciples and lay supporters believe solely in the Lotus Sutra, (11) honestly discarding expedient means and not accepting even a single verse (12) of the other sutras, exactly as the Lotus teaches, they can enter the treasure tower of the Gohonzon. How reassuring! Make every possible effort for the sake of your next life. What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood. It will no doubt depend on the strength of your faith. To have faith is the basis of Buddhism. Thus the fourth volume of Great Concentration and Insight states, "Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith." The fourth volume of The Annotations on "Great Concentration and Insight" explains this: "With regard to the phrase 'Buddhism is like an ocean that one can only enter with faith,' even Confucius taught that faith is first and foremost. How much more so is this true of the profound doctrines of Buddhism! Without faith, how could one possibly enter? That is why the Flower Garland Sutra defines faith as the basis of the way and the mother of blessings." The first volume of Great Concentration and Insight says, "How does one hear, believe in, and practice the perfect teaching to attain perfect enlightenment?" The first volume of On "Great Concentration and Insight" says, "To 'believe in the perfect teaching' means to awaken faith through doctrine and to make faith the basis of practice."

A non-Buddhist document relates (13) that, because the emperor of Han believed his aide's report, the waters of a river froze on the spot. Another tells how Li Kuang, because he was eager to revenge his father, shot an arrow all the way up to its feathers into a boulder hidden in the grass. The commentaries of T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo make it perfectly clear that faith is the cornerstone. Because the Han emperor believed completely in his retainer's words, the river froze over. And Li Kuang was able to pierce a rock with his arrow because he fully believed it to be the tiger that had killed his father. How much more so is this true in Buddhism!

Embracing the Lotus Sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in itself encompasses the five practices. It was this matter, the wonderful practice that includes the immediate completion of the five practices, that was transmitted to the Great Teacher Dengyo when he journeyed to T'ang China and met the Reverend Tao-sui. No other teaching is more important for Nichiren's disciples and lay supporters. It is referred to in the "Supernatural (14) Powers" chapter. I will write again in detail.

Respectfully,

Nichiren

The twenty-third day of the eighth month in the third year of Kenji (1277)

Reply to Nichinyo

Background

In this reply to Nichinyo, Nichiren Daishonin expresses his gratitude for her offerings to the Gohonzon and explains the significance of the object of devotion. The exact identity of Nichinyo is unclear. She is thought to have been either the wife of Ikegami Munenaka, the older of the Ikegami brothers, or a daughter of the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon, an earnest believer in Suruga Province. Judging from two letters the Daishonin sent her, she seems to have been a woman of good education and considerable affluence. Moreover, as the recipient of a Gohonzon, or object of devotion, she was evidently a sincere believer. This letter contains a description of the Gohonzon that details the figures represented therein and their significance. The Daishonin also underscores the importance of faith in the Gohonzon.

In the first half of the letter, the Daishonin points out the rarity and importance of the Gohonzon. He cites the Lotus Sutra and other works to show that the Gohonzon is the embodiment of "the true aspect of all phenomena" and "the three thousand realms in a single moment of life."

In the second half, describing the great benefit of faith in the Gohonzon, the Daishonin declares, "Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself," adding that the Gohonzon is also found only in faith. Sharing two examples from secular tradition, the Daishonin reminds Nichinyo that faith is by far the most important element in manifesting "the Gohonzon" in one's life. He concludes by stressing that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith is the most complete form of Buddhist practice.

Notes

1. Yen Yüan (514-¬483 BCE), also called Yen Hui, was one of Confucius's most trusted disciples.
2. Beings assembled at the ceremony of the preaching of the Lotus Sutra. The two worlds - the world of desire and the world of form - are two divisions of the threefold world. The "eight groups" refers to the gods of the world of desire, the gods of the world of form, the dragon kings and their followers, the kimnara kings and their followers, the gandharva kings and their followers, the asura kings and their followers, the garuda kings and their followers, and the king of the human world (Ajatashatru) and his followers.
3. Lotus Sutra, chap. 2.
4. The Diamond Scalpel.
5. This statement is attributed to T'ien-t'ai, but its source has not been identified.
6. This quotation is said to derive from The Treatise on the Secret and Sacred Teachings.
7. Lotus Sutra, chap. 3.
8. The ninth, or amala-, consciousness is the Buddha nature, or the fundamental purifying force, that is free from all karmic impediments. Here the Daishonin is associating it with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
9. The Japanese word for faith consists of two Chinese characters.
10. Lotus Sutra, chap. 3.
11. This phrase appears in chapter 2 of the Lotus Sutra.
12. This phrase appears in chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra.
13. Emperor Kuang-wu (6 BCE-CE 57), the founder of the Later Han dynasty. Before becoming emperor, he was once defeated in battle. While retreating, he and his forces were cornered before a broad river. When his trusted aide, Wang Pa, falsely reported that the river was frozen and that they could cross it, the emperor-to-be believed his report and then found the river indeed frozen.
14. This presumably refers to a passage of the "Supernatural Powers" chapter of the Lotus Sutra that reads, "After I have passed into extinction, [one] should accept and uphold this sutra. Such a person assuredly and without doubt will attain the Buddha way."

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"People around the world are beginning to earnestly search for a philosophy of life in which they can put their complete and wholehearted trust. Let us confidently tell others about the ideals and principles of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, which teaches that the ultimate goal to which we should aspire is the attainment of Buddhahood."

SGI Newsletter No. 7348, SGI President Ikeda's Editorial, Long Live the Ever-Youthful Many Treasures Group!, translated from the October 2007 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"My disciples, form your ranks and follow me, and surpass even Mahakashyapa or Ananda, T'ien-t'ai or Dengyo!"

(The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 765) Selection source: Soka Gakkai President Harada's encouragement, Seikyo Shimbun, October 14th, 2007

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

PS: By the way, for the record and it's no big deal, but the SHI of SHISHI that means teacher*, is Chinese. Anytime the Daishonin is talking about characters from the Lotus Sutra, they are always references to classical Chinese characters. The Japanese word for teacher is sensei. Since my kids teachers are mostly Japanese, I talk to their sensei's everyday.

(*and if Sanskrit, Guru)

I been toking alot lately, tonight we had an induction ceremony to the fraternity Phi Theta Kappa ( TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!) and sansho made my parents make causes to avoid coming but my gf's parents came and it was great. These people really do love me and everyone spoke so well of of me, I was representing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism tonight. I really had a great time, and the vice president of the school spoke so highly of me, I was really proud of the difference Buddhism makes in my life.

Thanks for patiently moderating this convo. Tom, thanks to all the participants and a special thanks to Socal for posting amazing encouragement (just like our Sensei here) and keep me connected to Gohonzon Buddha.

Nothing better than chanting and living free I tell yah, I think I'm gonna be financially secure and will find "happiness" in my day to day living even when the going gets rough!

Peace!

 

[Bonzo]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOT DAIMOKU ? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man i feel GOOD!! My adopted little Brother (who isnt that little anymore!) he he he! will be here any minute and every time i see him, im a tad nervous, but i gotta tell ya'll he's a Bodhisattva and doe'snt know it yet. He allways has nothing but positive things to say and outlooks on life, he blows me away! The short time i will have him here were gonna do alot of work but there will be plenty of time for me to introduce him to Nicheren Budhism slowly, or any advice on how i should approach that is welcome!

When i met this kid i saw SOMETHING in him, cause there were about ten kids in the neighborhood that my mom had allready befriended and helped with whatever they needed, mostly family advice and stuff like that, they thught she was the coolest thing since sliced bread! he he he! But seriously we all know how hard those teen years can be and i think each and everyone of them valued my moms input with the utmost respect. ESPECIALLY this kid who is coming to visit, he was allways the Blacksheep of the family with a younger brother and sister that got most of the parents attention and none of the violence that Raymond got. Im sorry for goin on but the last thing ill say and one of the only things i can figure is that hes one of those " old soul " type people, wise beyond his years, needless to say him and i became instant friends and our fiendship just flourished from there. I'm lucky dude lemme tell ya! Woooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooo He'll be here soon!!!

Thank you guys for listening to my thoughts!!!

I also wanted to say high!!!! to GeorgiaLouWho as i did'nt before, it is so good to have you here!!!

Well i hope and will chant that this evening finds you all well and happy!!

peace and deepest love and respect

bonz









~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"This life is like a dream. One cannot be sure that one will live until tomorrow. However wretched a beggar you might become, never disgrace the Lotus Sutra."

(A Warning against Begrudging One's Fief - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 824) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 24th, 2007

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Major Myoho this weekend. What a story we have to tell!!! Just have to watch it finish unfolding !! Much love to you all
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[EasyMyohoDisco]

6 hours straight chopping down my garden, this dream finally came to fruition, and I feel like "I'm just getting started"! Just gonna upload some photos and then chant and call it an evening, Boy oh Boy am I tired, back hurts but I feel great! Gonna end up really being happy in this life, all this suffering I have been through was not in vain, I'm working hard for a better future. Thanks for the continued support to all on the thread,

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Both of you! Kick ass and take names! The worm is turning here too and something I have been chanting for may be coming to pass soon. I had my first conference call where everyone said good morning, good afternoon, and good evening at the same time. I've got some global shit going down and everyone seems to be grinning and nodding their heads in affimation.

So, by the way, we're all real happy here right now. Thanks for all the encouragement!

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Woooooooop I am so happy for us all !!!!!!!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Life is a battle to win or lose.
It is indeed a series of challenges.
Let's continue to advance ceaselessly.
Let's continue to challenge ourselves
to achieve even higher goals and targets.
This is the wisdom and spirit that leads us to victory.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"In light of this, it is clear that those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away."

(New Year's Gosho - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 1137) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 18th, 2007

 

[Babbabud]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Babba what a giant smile you have on your face woooooooooop!!
Oh it must be the mystic law in action!!!!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Bonzo]

Mornin my friends.

Hi Babba!!!! Sounds like you had a Mystic weekend! Right on dude!!! What did you this weekend? Im not prying bro but you bigass smile is contageous you know snd since im right there with ya with a huge smile and a huge sense of accomplishment, my smile has grown even bigger!! he he he!!! wooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! Is life good or what!!!! Keep smilin Babba!!!

My weekend was unreal, me and Raymond hit it hard and got everything done with enough time to what he wnted to do most and that was go see the sunset at the beach, so thats what we did and 90 percent of the time we were there we talked about Nicheren Daishonin Buddhism and i didnt force feed him he wanted learn more and i was most happy to ablidge. We didnt make it to the Friendship Center as he wanted to see and feel the sand between his toes more than anything we had a great time. When we got home the first thing he wanted to know is if there was a center near him, blew me away i tell ya, of course i told him i had allready checked and it was 70 miles away. I have a question for ya'll, should i contact that center and find the groups in his area or should i give him the number and let him do a little research for himself? My main concern is that if he is making all these phone calls his wife my not dig it and ask him who hes calling and then im worried that she is not gonna be too hip to the whole idea, i have met and know her well and she could defenitly throw a wrench into what he wants to do if shes not down with it, what to do?

sure would appreciate ya'lls input

My gut tells me to to make some calls.

peace , love and and deepest respect

bonz







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Babbabud]

Bonzo I guess the best I can explain is that Ive been sitting in front of Gohonzon chanting and Im truly seeing the effect. How could I not smile We can chant for anything brother !! Might not always show up just how we imagine .... but our chants will have results !!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo