Chanting Growers Group

[EasyMyohoDisco]

-- TO MY FRIENDS --

-- TO MY FRIENDS --

Our palms are pressed in admiration and appreciation to all of you
who have dedicated your entire being
for the sake of your friends and fellow members,
and for the sake of kosen-rufu!
"It is the heart that is important."*
This is the essential spirit of the founding of our organization.

* Gosho, The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra, WND-1, page 1000, "It is the heart that is important. No matter how earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to set fire to wet tinder. Spur yourself to muster the power of faith."

Thursday, November 18th, 2010
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"One is the mother of ten thousand."
Selection source: Study -Victory of world kosen-rufu, Seikyo Shimbun,November 15th, 2010

Friday, November 19th, 2010
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"In a world such as ours, when the problems facing one region or country quickly become global problems, we cannot afford to remain self-centred. In order to develop the kind of character that enables us to empathise with the sufferings of others and take appropriate action, we need to strive tirelessly to transform ourselves from within. This, I believe, is the only way out of the morass of problems confronting us today."

* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by clicking on Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.sokanet.jp/sg/sn/member_support_top.html

--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
TOMO NO TAME KOFU NO TAME
WAGA MI O SASAGETE KITA
ZENDOSHI NI KANSHA GASSHO.
[TADA KOKORO KOSO TAISETSU]
KORE GA SORITSU NO TAMASHI NARI.

-- KYO NO GOSHO --
ICHI WA MAN NO HAHA
(Gosho Zenshu, page 498)

 

[SoCal Hippy]

It is easy to sustain our concern for someone who is before our very eyes, but
quite a different thing when that person is far ways, even though in our heart
we may not forget him. Nevertheless, in the five years... that have already
passed since I came to live here in the mountains, you have sent your husband
from the province of Sado to visit me three times. How great is your sincerity!
It is firmer than the great earth, deeper than the great sea!

(WND, 933)
The Sutra of True Requital
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on July 28, 1278

 

[SoCal Hippy]

We accumulate great good fortune through our earnest prayers, devotion and
efforts for the sake of Buddhism, kosen-rufu and humankind. Prayer without
action is not the way of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

Daisaku Ikeda


Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[Weird]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Though muddy water has no mind, it can catch the moon's reflection and so
naturally becomes clear. When plants and trees receive the rainfall, they can
hardly be aware of what they are doing, and yet do they not proceed to put forth
blossoms? The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo do not represent the sutra
text, nor are they its meaning. They are nothing other than the intent of the
entire sutra. So, even though the beginners in Buddhist practice may not
understand their significance, by practicing these five characters, they will
naturally conform to the sutra's intent.

(WND, 788)
On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice
Written to Toki Jonin on April 10, 1277

 

[SoCal Hippy]

"What kinds of causes am I making right now?" "What actions am I taking?" The
answers to these questions are what will determine our future -- in this life
and throughout the three existences. Herein lies the foundation of faith. True
glory and victory in life lie in basing oneself on this fundamental principle.

Daisaku Ikeda



Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

OK Guys! I'm here! Bud and Easy and SoCal and Bonz, I will try and call you soon but dont have the phone hooked up yet. It won't happen for a couple of days, but should be in place no later than Wednesday. I'll have voice mail, so I won't miss your calls.

Dad's surgical procedure is Tuesday Morning! HE LOOKS MARVELOUS!!! I am very confident we'll get a good outcome but I'll forever be in your debt if you will remember him in your prayers until then!

Bud, wait until you and Mrs B see this pad!!! I'ts VERY nice!!! All my love to you all!

I'll have no kids or discussion group responsibilities for the next few weeks. I just finished a 106 slide ppt Gosho lecture on the Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life and Death (actually I presented Daisaku Ikeda's lecture) before heading for the airport. Two dentist office visits and a funeral last week has had me jumping through hoops on time lately. I have also had an overwhelming seasonal busyness that I think many of you could appreciate (Thank you Gypsy and DG!). I will catch up again as this week goes on.

I have this yummy feeling inside right now! We have been chanting a lot of sincere Daimoku and changed poison into medicine. We are filled with gratitude to the Gohonzon! My family is so protected! I wish I could have been here in these last few weeks, but I can now!

Much love and deepest respect,

Thomas

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nichiren Buddhism is the great philosophy that permeates the whole universe. Let's study it and, at the same time, talk with others about it, and diligently polish our lives through practicing it. Three cheers and a big round of applause for the "Professors of Happiness"!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"(I will be the pillar of Japan. I will be the eyes of Japan. I will be the great ship of Japan.) This is my vow, and I will never forsake it!"

(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 280) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's essay, Seikyo Shimbun, November 21st, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Whenever the end of the year approaches, I think of our members and all those who may be struggling amid adversity just as I did in my youth. And, together with my wife, I send them daimoku.

"The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca declared: 'The soul is more powerful than any sort of Fortune.' It is just as he says. For all of us, life is a struggle against the vicissitudes of fortune. Do we win or do we lose? Our 'soul,' or heart, is the key to winning. And nothing guarantees our victory more than the heart of faith. Indeed, when the Daishonin speaks of the importance of the heart, he is referring, at the most fundamental level, to this heart of faith.

"The Daishonin writes: 'Each of you should summon up the courage [lit. heart] of a lion king' (WND-1, 997). Why does he use the allegory of the lion king? Because the 'lion king fears no other beast' (WND-1, 997). Here, the Daishonin is teaching us to cultivate the invincible courage to fight on fearlessly, even when surrounded by hostile and antagonistic forces.'

SGI Newsletter No. 8104, 'The Treasures of the Heart Are the Most Valuable of All', from the December 2010 issue of Daibyakurenge, translated Nov. 18th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

How beautiful it is to spend one's youth devoted to activities for kosen-rufu. When we sincerely chant daimoku for the sake of our friends' happiness and strive to talk with them about practicing this Buddhism, our hearts will certainly overflow with joy and happiness!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The wonderful means of truly putting an end to the physical and spiritual obstacles of all living beings is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

(The Wonderful Means of Surmounting Obstacles - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 842) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 29th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Shakyamuni instructed: 'You must spread [the Lotus Sutra] abroad widely throughout Jambudvipa [the entire world] and never allow it to be cut off' [LSOC23, 330] (WND-1, 398). And the Daishonin declared: 'It is certain that widespread propagation of the Law will eventually be achieved throughout Jambudvipa [the entire world]' (GZ, 816). As these words indicate, the realisation of the widespread propagation of the Law--or, kosen-rufu--throughout the globe was the sincere wish of both Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin.

"Seven centuries after the Daishonin's birth (in 1222), in a time of brutal war and conflict in an age described in the sutras as 'the evil age of the Latter Day of the Law,' the Soka Gakkai's founding president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and his disciple Josei Toda revived the true lifeblood of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, which was on the brink of being lost.

"As disciples directly inheriting their legacy, we have followed their example of selfless and ungrudging dedication to propagating the Law and fought our hardest for the happiness of those whose lives were steeped in pain and suffering.

"We, the mentors and disciples of Soka, have encountered untold slander and abuse, intense hatred and jealousy, as well as malicious attempts to disrupt the unity of our harmonious body of practitioners. But throughout all, we have remained unperturbed and undefeated, having been thoroughly prepared by the Daishonin's warnings that such obstacles are inevitable. The greater the persecutions and hardships we have faced, the more fiercely our hearts have blazed with lionlike courage."

SGI Newsletter No. 8095, 43RD SOKA GAKKAI HEADQUARTERS LEADERS MEETING, Leave
Behind a Wonderful Record of Achievement, from the Oct. 25th, 2010, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated Oct. 26th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Those who make efforts to take care of their parents are truly great. Let us smile to let our parents know how much we appreciate what they have done for us! The essence of our Buddhist practice shines through our genuine and heartfelt behavior.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"My wish is that my disciples will be cubs of the lion king, never to be laughed at by the pack of foxes. It is hard to encounter a master like Nichiren, who since distant kalpas in the past down to the present day has never begrudged his body or life in order to expose the faults of his powerful enemies!"

(In the Continent of Jambudvipa - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 1062)
Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, July 29th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) cherished these words from the classic Chinese work Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu: "A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of earth. A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet." The starting point for any great achievement is always close at hand, right in front of us."

SGI Newsletter No. 8043, SGI President Ikedafs Essay, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, By Shinfichi Yamamoto, Our Districts Are Warm, Hope-filled Citadels of Kosen-rufu\Part 1 [of 2]. Translated July 27th, 2010.

 

[Babbabud]

Hey great to see you post up with such great news !!
Nam myoho renge kyo
We will see you soon. Still have a couple hurdles to get over but it looks like things are coming together.
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Bonzo]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

woo hoo!

 

[Babbabud]

Lets get that Daimoku going for T's dad. Tomorrow is a big day!!
Nam myoho renge kyo !!

 

[unclefishstick]

morning!
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!
strength of the lion T !!