A quickie Brother--get the numbers for him; even call the district and tell them about him.
T
T
Chanting Growers Group
- Thread starter PassTheDoobie
- Start date
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"The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being."
(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 852) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 22nd, 2007
(The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 852) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 22nd, 2007
"This sutra is superior to all other sutras. It is like the lion king, the monarch of all the creatures that run on the ground, and like the eagle, the king of all the creatures that fly in the sky."
(The Sutra of True Requital - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 929) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 26th, 2007
(The Sutra of True Requital - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 929) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 26th, 2007
"'If one is not to stagnate, one must be constantly changing, regenerating oneself, growing young again,' said Goethe, one of my favourite writers, at the age of 80. What is it that makes us young? Our spirit. Though our body inevitably ages with the passage of time, we mustn't allow our spirit to grow old and withered.
"Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'You will grow younger, and your good fortune will accumulate' (WND-1, 464). To work earnestly to fulfil our great and noble mission in this existence, growing ever more youthful, savouring ever greater good fortune, and shining with sublime dignity and serenity--this is the Soka journey, a life pervaded by the four virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity.
"When we dedicate our lives to the lofty cause of kosen-rufu, there is no chance for spiritual old age or decrepitude to creep up on us."
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, Sep. 25th, 2007
"Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'You will grow younger, and your good fortune will accumulate' (WND-1, 464). To work earnestly to fulfil our great and noble mission in this existence, growing ever more youthful, savouring ever greater good fortune, and shining with sublime dignity and serenity--this is the Soka journey, a life pervaded by the four virtues of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity.
"When we dedicate our lives to the lofty cause of kosen-rufu, there is no chance for spiritual old age or decrepitude to creep up on us."
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, Sep. 25th, 2007
You know Babba i have mentioned on this thread and to you how i used to have a hard time opening those doors, now i cant wait, its just as you say "i sit in front of the Gohonzon and Chant" i dont know what turned my attitude around but its just unreal! And yes,yes,yes, i do see and reap the benefits allthough i have experienced the " be carefull what you chant for thing" he he he!!!! Sure showed me its not allways what i want but what i need eh? Man, just so glad everyone seems happy and moving forward and not being STAGNANT!!!! Woooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hiya T!!!! A Quickie? hmmmmm, i'll think about it!! HAHAAAAAAAA J/K!!. he he he!!!! Cool deal bro, i willl make all the contacts i can and i WILL find a District near him, no doubt, done deal dude!!!! You have told me before to go with my gut, i guess my gut was right eh? Thank you for all the following posts as well! They just hit home right where it counts!!!
Im happy and im glad and hope EVERYONE is as well!!!
peace, love and deepest respect,
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hiya T!!!! A Quickie? hmmmmm, i'll think about it!! HAHAAAAAAAA J/K!!. he he he!!!! Cool deal bro, i willl make all the contacts i can and i WILL find a District near him, no doubt, done deal dude!!!! You have told me before to go with my gut, i guess my gut was right eh? Thank you for all the following posts as well! They just hit home right where it counts!!!
Im happy and im glad and hope EVERYONE is as well!!!
peace, love and deepest respect,
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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"In life, of course, there are times when we are unable to win. There may also be times when it seems that we will be crushed by adversity. But even at such moments, we must never allow ourselves to be beaten in our hearts. We must resolve not to be defeated in the future. We practice Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism so that we can be victorious in life.
"Don't concern yourself with vanity or pretension. Just earnestly continue to chant daimoku. That will rouse strong life-force, and brighten your face, too. Just like a jet taking off, your life-state will begin to rise rapidly, because daimoku revs up the engine of your life until it's running at full speed. Always aim for the top, win over yourself, and create a proud record of triumph for all the world to see. That's the way to enjoy an invigorating and fulfilling life.
"Halfhearted effort in faith, halfhearted effort in work will get you
nowhere. Keeping your sights set on your chosen goals, exert yourself wholeheartedly in faith, throw yourself wholeheartedly into your work and into polishing your skills. That's the way to win in the end. Let's all win on the stage of our personal mission!"
SGI Newsletter No. 7362, SGI President Ikeda's speech at the First Soka Gakkai Nationwide Youth Division Leaders Meeting, held at the Makiguchi Memorial Hall in Hachioji, Tokyo, on September 22, 2007, translated October 11th, 2007
"Don't concern yourself with vanity or pretension. Just earnestly continue to chant daimoku. That will rouse strong life-force, and brighten your face, too. Just like a jet taking off, your life-state will begin to rise rapidly, because daimoku revs up the engine of your life until it's running at full speed. Always aim for the top, win over yourself, and create a proud record of triumph for all the world to see. That's the way to enjoy an invigorating and fulfilling life.
"Halfhearted effort in faith, halfhearted effort in work will get you
nowhere. Keeping your sights set on your chosen goals, exert yourself wholeheartedly in faith, throw yourself wholeheartedly into your work and into polishing your skills. That's the way to win in the end. Let's all win on the stage of our personal mission!"
SGI Newsletter No. 7362, SGI President Ikeda's speech at the First Soka Gakkai Nationwide Youth Division Leaders Meeting, held at the Makiguchi Memorial Hall in Hachioji, Tokyo, on September 22, 2007, translated October 11th, 2007
Hiya Bonz!
Hiya Bonz!
Let's be sure to cherish our neighbours.
Our cheerful, friendly greetings can
open the door of friendship with others.
The truth of Buddhism is manifested
in our "behaviour as a human being."
Daisaku Ikeda
* "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", WND, Vol. 1, page 852
Hiya Bonz!
Let's be sure to cherish our neighbours.
Our cheerful, friendly greetings can
open the door of friendship with others.
The truth of Buddhism is manifested
in our "behaviour as a human being."
Daisaku Ikeda
* "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", WND, Vol. 1, page 852
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"Because it can cure what is thought to be incurable, it is called myo, or wonderful."
(On Curing Karmic Disease - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 632) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, September 28th, 2007
(On Curing Karmic Disease - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 632) Selection source: Soka Gakkai member's experience, Seikyo Shimbun, September 28th, 2007
Hiya T Bone! How are you bro!! AND HI TO ALL THE REST OF THE CHANTING GRWERS WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE MISSED!!!
Love that post, it sums up my life right now pretty well, i can see the future much clearer now, and it looks FUN!! I am runnin at full speed toward my goals. And has said before noeone said this would be easy. Ive been doing morning and evening Gongyo everyday and any chanting i can get in inbetween. Doing morning gongyo can be hard right now but i find the time even if its just a 1/2 hour, it sets me rollin' in the right direction.
Thers so much i want to do with my life and sometimes i feel i have wasted so much of it but i feel thats just the Fundametal Darkness trying to derail me, well to heck with that!! he he he!! More and More i feel i want to help people in some shape or form, it is'nt clear yet but i do have a couple GUT feelings on what it may be.
Heya T, i got the ball rolling for my friend, it may take a tad longer than i thought to get him hooked up but i WILL hook him up. You know when he came to visit i showed him the skateboard i made and my other one and he was an avid skater for, and a pretty garn good one at that! Anyhow he called me the day after he left and had the day off and was at a skatepark! Woooooooooo Hoooooooooo!!!!!!! Is how i felt. I mean dont we have to find time in our lives to do the things that bring us such great happiness? Like my surfing and my skateboarding finding the time and doing these things is part of life isnt it? Well trying not to go on forever here but life would sure be a drag if we coulndnt stop and smell the roses once in awhile eh? For me however at the moment i am submerging myself in work and pondering two companies i would like to start, so not much time for me at the moment, but thats all good cause i am 100 % positive it will come after alot of hard work.
Well i better go and eat dinner, relax a bit and do my evening Gongyo, long days my friends.
I wish and chant for the best for ALL OF YOU everyday, lets do this thing, lets WIN!!
peace love and deepest respect
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Love that post, it sums up my life right now pretty well, i can see the future much clearer now, and it looks FUN!! I am runnin at full speed toward my goals. And has said before noeone said this would be easy. Ive been doing morning and evening Gongyo everyday and any chanting i can get in inbetween. Doing morning gongyo can be hard right now but i find the time even if its just a 1/2 hour, it sets me rollin' in the right direction.
Thers so much i want to do with my life and sometimes i feel i have wasted so much of it but i feel thats just the Fundametal Darkness trying to derail me, well to heck with that!! he he he!! More and More i feel i want to help people in some shape or form, it is'nt clear yet but i do have a couple GUT feelings on what it may be.
Heya T, i got the ball rolling for my friend, it may take a tad longer than i thought to get him hooked up but i WILL hook him up. You know when he came to visit i showed him the skateboard i made and my other one and he was an avid skater for, and a pretty garn good one at that! Anyhow he called me the day after he left and had the day off and was at a skatepark! Woooooooooo Hoooooooooo!!!!!!! Is how i felt. I mean dont we have to find time in our lives to do the things that bring us such great happiness? Like my surfing and my skateboarding finding the time and doing these things is part of life isnt it? Well trying not to go on forever here but life would sure be a drag if we coulndnt stop and smell the roses once in awhile eh? For me however at the moment i am submerging myself in work and pondering two companies i would like to start, so not much time for me at the moment, but thats all good cause i am 100 % positive it will come after alot of hard work.
Well i better go and eat dinner, relax a bit and do my evening Gongyo, long days my friends.
I wish and chant for the best for ALL OF YOU everyday, lets do this thing, lets WIN!!
peace love and deepest respect
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Thanks Bonz!
Thanks Bonz!
"In this chapter Shakyamuni Buddha revealed the foremost point he wished to convey to us. The Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra over a period of eight years, and eight characters sum up the message that he has left behind for living beings in this later age, the Latter Day of the Law. It is in the passage that reads, 'Therefore, Universal Worthy, if you see a person who accepts and upholds this sutra, you should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha.'"
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 781, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 192) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 29th, 2007
Thanks Bonz!
"In this chapter Shakyamuni Buddha revealed the foremost point he wished to convey to us. The Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra over a period of eight years, and eight characters sum up the message that he has left behind for living beings in this later age, the Latter Day of the Law. It is in the passage that reads, 'Therefore, Universal Worthy, if you see a person who accepts and upholds this sutra, you should rise and greet him from afar, showing him the same respect you would a Buddha.'"
(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 781, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 192) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 29th, 2007
"When attacked by the three powerful enemies or the workings of the devil king, let us fiercely fight back."
SGI Newsletter No. 7352, NATIONWIDE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE--SESSION 7 [OF 8 SESSIONS], Retain the Spirit of Youth All through Life, Aug. 9th, 2007 and translated Sep. 27th, 2007
SGI Newsletter No. 7352, NATIONWIDE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE--SESSION 7 [OF 8 SESSIONS], Retain the Spirit of Youth All through Life, Aug. 9th, 2007 and translated Sep. 27th, 2007
Bonzo said:life would sure be a drag if we coulndnt stop and smell the roses once in awhile eh?
I wish and chant for the best for ALL OF YOU everyday, lets do this thing, lets WIN!!
peace love and deepest respect
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Brother! Hell yes it would be a drag. According to the Daishonin's Buddhism, the whole point of being a human being is to achieve indestructable happiness assisting others in that process. Compassion leads to wisdom. It's what you are experiencing right now! Congrats Buddha dude!
T
E
EasyMyohoDisco
I been really ****ed up lately, not in a good way. Shit been downright miserable for a few days but I picked my myself up by chanting only to get down on myself afterwards. "what the ****" everything has been going good, then I only attend a meeting in the whole month (the shakubuku meeting I hosted for our friend) and I've been out of it.
Bonz, told me to post because I've wanted to post but have had nothing to say and he shared with me that I should, we'll I'm at my wits end but gonna make it through this year.
I set crazy high goals for myself and its no wonder I have a hard time with patience and climbing the mountain of my life without despair, cus lately anxiety, depression, and plain old nuttiness has had me on the verge of losing it and since I chant I can maintain at this point. Its been rough, I haven't been feeling so close to my district, and I one of the District Leaders but feel like I stand alone regardless whats going (or the lack thereof). Bleh, I just wanna note it feels good to vent in the thread because even though I sometimes feel downright wacky at least I found a rock in Gohonzon to hold onto, this world can get really cold and ****ed up in an instant for people with crazy karma, I'm gonna play this out and chant like my seniors in faith on this thread to get past this.
Please send some daimoku if you can spare a few moments. Thanks for listening.
Bonz, told me to post because I've wanted to post but have had nothing to say and he shared with me that I should, we'll I'm at my wits end but gonna make it through this year.
I set crazy high goals for myself and its no wonder I have a hard time with patience and climbing the mountain of my life without despair, cus lately anxiety, depression, and plain old nuttiness has had me on the verge of losing it and since I chant I can maintain at this point. Its been rough, I haven't been feeling so close to my district, and I one of the District Leaders but feel like I stand alone regardless whats going (or the lack thereof). Bleh, I just wanna note it feels good to vent in the thread because even though I sometimes feel downright wacky at least I found a rock in Gohonzon to hold onto, this world can get really cold and ****ed up in an instant for people with crazy karma, I'm gonna play this out and chant like my seniors in faith on this thread to get past this.
Please send some daimoku if you can spare a few moments. Thanks for listening.
HA HA Easy! I have already been sending it, because I knew you must be going through it since I am too! You're a great friend Brother! Thank you! Let's keep on together. We will win!
Buddha-dude Bonzo keep doing your thing!
Much love and deep respect!
Thomas
Buddha-dude Bonzo keep doing your thing!
Much love and deep respect!
Thomas
Wooooooooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he he he!!!!!! Man this is some crazy good spooky sh!t (sorry) but im just so blown away my heart feels like its gonna just burst with happiness, for real, and i mean for real!! I have been feelin' great then good and at the end of yesterday i had my head in my hands thinkin the world was gonna end. Today slowly rays of light and hope start poppin through and then to see these posts! I am absolutly blown away!! You guys know what happens now? he he he!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!!GROUP HUG!!!!!!!!!!! HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
GROUP DANCE!!! HE HE HE!!!
AND!!!!! GRUOP MOON TO FUNDAMENTAL DARKNESS!!!! HA HAAAAAAAA!!!
HE HE HE!!!!
I know i may sound a lil nuts but i truly love and respect ALL YA'LL from the very bottom of my heart.
peace
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GROUP DANCE!!! HE HE HE!!!
AND!!!!! GRUOP MOON TO FUNDAMENTAL DARKNESS!!!! HA HAAAAAAAA!!!
HE HE HE!!!! I know i may sound a lil nuts but i truly love and respect ALL YA'LL from the very bottom of my heart.
peace
bonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Nam myoho renge kyo!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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scegy
Active member
hello friends!
DISCO, we fight togheter brother and i'm with you and i'm glad you know that!
all my best to you!
bonzo man you'r like bursting every time i see u around, i love your positive energy man, keep on!!
pass the doobie, i would like to adress a question to you (and everyone) about something that has crossed my thoughts today accidentaly seeing something on the thread here, and it brought up some questions:
now this is the part it confuses me
i guess the questions are due to lack of knowledge, at least i hope so, that's why i'm asking
why is he talking about golden ropes and allround bliss?i must have outlooked this back then but it's not in my logic, i don't expect death to be that way, i kinda want to be "worm food" if you know what i mean? i don't want life with music playing 24/7 etc.
now i know all this can be put in some other sence, but first i really need to hear your words ppl
p.s.
why i bolded those words? because i know it is doubt that i expressed, but it is a reasonable one and i'm slowly learning to live with the fact that i'll always have doubts, nevertheless i persist every second off my life, i decline to decline!!!!!
Nam myoho renge kyo!
DISCO, we fight togheter brother and i'm with you and i'm glad you know that!
all my best to you!
bonzo man you'r like bursting every time i see u around, i love your positive energy man, keep on!!
pass the doobie, i would like to adress a question to you (and everyone) about something that has crossed my thoughts today accidentaly seeing something on the thread here, and it brought up some questions:
now this is the part it confuses me
i guess the questions are due to lack of knowledge, at least i hope so, that's why i'm asking
why is he talking about golden ropes and allround bliss?i must have outlooked this back then but it's not in my logic, i don't expect death to be that way, i kinda want to be "worm food" if you know what i mean? i don't want life with music playing 24/7 etc.
now i know all this can be put in some other sence, but first i really need to hear your words ppl
p.s.
why i bolded those words? because i know it is doubt that i expressed, but it is a reasonable one and i'm slowly learning to live with the fact that i'll always have doubts, nevertheless i persist every second off my life, i decline to decline!!!!!
Nam myoho renge kyo!
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Quote from: The Fourteen Slanders / WND pg. 760-61
Quote from: The Fourteen Slanders / WND pg. 760-61
Hey Scegy! No probs. It is a legitimate question. I had to come to terms myself with what it said when I read it the first time. I chanted about that understanding and it is only a personal one from my experience and practice. None the less, I feel confident I can share it with you. I usually don't comment of these things unless someone asks. I can always count on you! (That's a good thing. Thank you!)
To answer, go back a few sentences in the quote:
"And if we go by the words of the Lotus Sutra, you should also teach the sutra to the best of your ability. When the world makes you feel downcast, you should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, remembering that, although the sufferings of this life are painful, those in the next life could be much worse. And when you are happy, you should remember that your happiness in this life is nothing but a dream within a dream, and that the only true happiness is that found in the pure land of Eagle Peak, and with that thought in mind, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Continue your practice without backsliding until the final moment of your life,...."
Now let's clarify what The Daishonin is talking about when he says,"the pure land of Eagle Peak":
Eagle Peak
[霊鷲山・耆闍崛山・霊山] (Skt Gridhrakuta; Pali Gijjha-kuta; Jpn Ryoju-sen, Gishakussen, or Ryo-zen)
Also known as Vulture Peak, Holy Eagle Peak, or Sacred Eagle Peak, and simply Holy Mountain, Sacred Mountain, or Holy Peak. A small mountain located northeast of Rajagriha, the capital of Magadha in ancient India. Eagle Peak is known as a place frequented by Shakyamuni, where he is said to have expounded the Lotus Sutra and other teachings. According to The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom by Nagarjuna, Eagle Peak derived its name from its eagle-shaped summit and the many eagles or vultures inhabiting it. "Eagle Peak" also symbolizes the Buddha land or the state of Buddhahood, as in the expression "the pure land of Eagle Peak."
So the Daishonin is saying the reward for steadfast faith until the moment of your death is absolutely Buddhahood, as in 'anuttara samyak sambodhi'.
anuttara-samyak-sambodhi
[阿耨多羅三藐三菩提・無上正等正覚] (Skt; Jpn anokutara-sammyaku-sambodai or mujo-shoto-shogaku )
Supreme perfect enlightenment, the unsurpassed enlightenment of a Buddha. Anuttara means supreme, highest, incomparable, unsurpassed, or peerless. Samyak means right, correct, true, accurate, complete, or perfect, and sambodhi means enlightenment. The expression samyak-sam-bodhi by itself is also used to mean perfect enlightenment. Bodhi and sambodhi also mean wisdom or perfect wisdom. In this sense, anuttara-samyak-sambodhi means supreme perfect wisdom.
As a Buddha having achieved anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, one sees, perceives, experiences the saha world--our present state of existence--as the 'Land of Eternally Tranquil light'. (And one not need to wait until death to achieve this state. But one is guaranteed to achieve it if they maintain faith to the end of their lives. I chant about this ALL THE TIME.) I believe the Daishonin is metaphorically describing the sublime nature of this state of existence in a manner that gives form and substance to something that is not comprehendible to a common mortal that has not yet escaped delusion. He is saying the path to your next existence will not be one that is barren and alone. It is an experience we should not fear.
'Eternity, happiness, true self, and purity' are known as the four virtues:
four virtues
[四徳] (Jpn shi-toku )
Four noble qualities of a Buddha's life—eternity, happiness, true self, and purity. These describe the true nature of a Buddha's life, which is pure and eternal, and which manifests the true self and enjoys absolute happiness. Because ordinary people possess the Buddha nature, they too can develop the four virtues when they attain Buddhahood by fulfilling the Buddha's teachings.
So in short, what he is saying is that your death will reflect your faith at the last moment of your life. If you do it right, which one can because of his heads-up on the issue, the reward for doing so is beyond ones capacity to comprehend it.
Did that help?
Quote from: The Fourteen Slanders / WND pg. 760-61
Hey Scegy! No probs. It is a legitimate question. I had to come to terms myself with what it said when I read it the first time. I chanted about that understanding and it is only a personal one from my experience and practice. None the less, I feel confident I can share it with you. I usually don't comment of these things unless someone asks. I can always count on you! (That's a good thing. Thank you!)
To answer, go back a few sentences in the quote:
"And if we go by the words of the Lotus Sutra, you should also teach the sutra to the best of your ability. When the world makes you feel downcast, you should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, remembering that, although the sufferings of this life are painful, those in the next life could be much worse. And when you are happy, you should remember that your happiness in this life is nothing but a dream within a dream, and that the only true happiness is that found in the pure land of Eagle Peak, and with that thought in mind, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Continue your practice without backsliding until the final moment of your life,...."
Now let's clarify what The Daishonin is talking about when he says,"the pure land of Eagle Peak":
Eagle Peak
[霊鷲山・耆闍崛山・霊山] (Skt Gridhrakuta; Pali Gijjha-kuta; Jpn Ryoju-sen, Gishakussen, or Ryo-zen)
Also known as Vulture Peak, Holy Eagle Peak, or Sacred Eagle Peak, and simply Holy Mountain, Sacred Mountain, or Holy Peak. A small mountain located northeast of Rajagriha, the capital of Magadha in ancient India. Eagle Peak is known as a place frequented by Shakyamuni, where he is said to have expounded the Lotus Sutra and other teachings. According to The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom by Nagarjuna, Eagle Peak derived its name from its eagle-shaped summit and the many eagles or vultures inhabiting it. "Eagle Peak" also symbolizes the Buddha land or the state of Buddhahood, as in the expression "the pure land of Eagle Peak."
So the Daishonin is saying the reward for steadfast faith until the moment of your death is absolutely Buddhahood, as in 'anuttara samyak sambodhi'.
anuttara-samyak-sambodhi
[阿耨多羅三藐三菩提・無上正等正覚] (Skt; Jpn anokutara-sammyaku-sambodai or mujo-shoto-shogaku )
Supreme perfect enlightenment, the unsurpassed enlightenment of a Buddha. Anuttara means supreme, highest, incomparable, unsurpassed, or peerless. Samyak means right, correct, true, accurate, complete, or perfect, and sambodhi means enlightenment. The expression samyak-sam-bodhi by itself is also used to mean perfect enlightenment. Bodhi and sambodhi also mean wisdom or perfect wisdom. In this sense, anuttara-samyak-sambodhi means supreme perfect wisdom.
As a Buddha having achieved anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, one sees, perceives, experiences the saha world--our present state of existence--as the 'Land of Eternally Tranquil light'. (And one not need to wait until death to achieve this state. But one is guaranteed to achieve it if they maintain faith to the end of their lives. I chant about this ALL THE TIME.) I believe the Daishonin is metaphorically describing the sublime nature of this state of existence in a manner that gives form and substance to something that is not comprehendible to a common mortal that has not yet escaped delusion. He is saying the path to your next existence will not be one that is barren and alone. It is an experience we should not fear.
'Eternity, happiness, true self, and purity' are known as the four virtues:
four virtues
[四徳] (Jpn shi-toku )
Four noble qualities of a Buddha's life—eternity, happiness, true self, and purity. These describe the true nature of a Buddha's life, which is pure and eternal, and which manifests the true self and enjoys absolute happiness. Because ordinary people possess the Buddha nature, they too can develop the four virtues when they attain Buddhahood by fulfilling the Buddha's teachings.
So in short, what he is saying is that your death will reflect your faith at the last moment of your life. If you do it right, which one can because of his heads-up on the issue, the reward for doing so is beyond ones capacity to comprehend it.
Did that help?
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- Status
