-
ICMag with help from Landrace Warden and The Vault is running a NEW contest in November! You can check it here. Prizes are seeds & forum premium access. Come join in!
Chanting Growers Group
- Thread starter PassTheDoobie
- Start date
- Status
Though worldly troubles may arise, never let them disturb you. No one can avoid
problems, not even sages or worthies.
(WND, 681)
Happiness in This World
Written to Shijo Kingo on June 27, 1276
problems, not even sages or worthies.
(WND, 681)
Happiness in This World
Written to Shijo Kingo on June 27, 1276
The fourth volume of the Lotus Sutra sates, "[I will send....] men and women of
pure faith, to offer alms to the teachers of the Law." The meaning of this sutra
passage is that the heavenly gods and benevolent deities will assume various
forms such as those of men and women, and present offerings to help the persons
who practice the Lotus Sutra. There can be no doubt that this refers to you and
your wife being born as a man and a woman, and making offerings to Nichiren, the
teacher of the Law.
(WND, 35)
The Izu Exile
Written to Funamori Yasaburo on June 27, 1261
pure faith, to offer alms to the teachers of the Law." The meaning of this sutra
passage is that the heavenly gods and benevolent deities will assume various
forms such as those of men and women, and present offerings to help the persons
who practice the Lotus Sutra. There can be no doubt that this refers to you and
your wife being born as a man and a woman, and making offerings to Nichiren, the
teacher of the Law.
(WND, 35)
The Izu Exile
Written to Funamori Yasaburo on June 27, 1261
If one hopes to learn and master Buddhism, then one cannot do so without
devoting time to the task.
(WND, 690)
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276
devoting time to the task.
(WND, 690)
On Repaying Debts of Gratitude
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo on July 21, 1276
"In the "Record of The Orally Transmitted Teachings," the Daishonin says, "One
should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort" (Gosho Zenshu, p.
750). You may wonder how encountering obstacles could be a source of peace and
comfort. But the truth of the matter is that through struggling against and
overcoming difficulties, we can transform our destiny and attain Buddhahood.
Confronting adversity, therefore, represents peace and comfort."
"The important thing is to advance brightly and strive to be victorious at each
moment, right where we are; to begin something here and now instead of fretting
and worrying over what will happen. This is the starting point for transforming
our lives."
"The place where we are right now is what matters. This is all the more true for
us who embrace the Mystic Law. Buddhism teaches that we can transform wherever
we are into the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light."
Quotes: Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort" (Gosho Zenshu, p.
750). You may wonder how encountering obstacles could be a source of peace and
comfort. But the truth of the matter is that through struggling against and
overcoming difficulties, we can transform our destiny and attain Buddhahood.
Confronting adversity, therefore, represents peace and comfort."
"The important thing is to advance brightly and strive to be victorious at each
moment, right where we are; to begin something here and now instead of fretting
and worrying over what will happen. This is the starting point for transforming
our lives."
"The place where we are right now is what matters. This is all the more true for
us who embrace the Mystic Law. Buddhism teaches that we can transform wherever
we are into the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light."
Quotes: Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Just as the Buddha's words in the sutra predict, the rulers grew hostile and the
common people began to attack me. And because they treated me with enmity,
heaven grew enraged, the sun and moon displayed great changes in their behavior,
and huge comets appeared. The earth shook as though it would turn over,
internal strife broke out, and they were attacked by a foreign country. All
happened just as the Buddha had predicted, and there is no doubt that I,
Nichiren, am the votary of the Lotus Sutra.
(WND, 607)
Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi
Written to the lay priest Takahashi on July 12,1275
common people began to attack me. And because they treated me with enmity,
heaven grew enraged, the sun and moon displayed great changes in their behavior,
and huge comets appeared. The earth shook as though it would turn over,
internal strife broke out, and they were attacked by a foreign country. All
happened just as the Buddha had predicted, and there is no doubt that I,
Nichiren, am the votary of the Lotus Sutra.
(WND, 607)
Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi
Written to the lay priest Takahashi on July 12,1275
Neither the pure land nor hell exists outside oneself; both lie only within
one's own heart. Awakened to this, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one
is called an ordinary person. The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and one who
embraces the Lotus Sutra will realize that hell is itself the Land of Tranquil
Light.
(WND, 456)
Hell Is the Land of Tranquil Light
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu's mother on July 11, 1274
one's own heart. Awakened to this, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one
is called an ordinary person. The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and one who
embraces the Lotus Sutra will realize that hell is itself the Land of Tranquil
Light.
(WND, 456)
Hell Is the Land of Tranquil Light
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu's mother on July 11, 1274
"Beethoven is called a genius. But we need to be aware that his genius was based
on incredibly strenuous effort. It all comes down to hard work, to tenacious
efforts. You cannot become a person of the highest caliber if you have a casual,
easygoing attitude, thinking things will somehow just fall into place.
Accordingly, Beethoven's motto was "No day without a line." Every day without
fail, he wrote music. He would not let even a single day pass without working
assiduously. To continue every day -- this is just like our practice of gongyo.
Making persistent efforts each day is a source of tremendous strength."
"I imagine that some of you have family members who are not yet practicing
Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There is no need to be impatient or to agonize
over this. Whether people take faith has to do with their mystic connection with
Buddhism, which takes a variety of forms. Important is the presence of one
person who is practicing. One person's attainment of Buddhahood brings happiness
to family members and all those around him or her. When a single sun rises,
everything is illuminated."
Quotes: Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
on incredibly strenuous effort. It all comes down to hard work, to tenacious
efforts. You cannot become a person of the highest caliber if you have a casual,
easygoing attitude, thinking things will somehow just fall into place.
Accordingly, Beethoven's motto was "No day without a line." Every day without
fail, he wrote music. He would not let even a single day pass without working
assiduously. To continue every day -- this is just like our practice of gongyo.
Making persistent efforts each day is a source of tremendous strength."
"I imagine that some of you have family members who are not yet practicing
Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. There is no need to be impatient or to agonize
over this. Whether people take faith has to do with their mystic connection with
Buddhism, which takes a variety of forms. Important is the presence of one
person who is practicing. One person's attainment of Buddhahood brings happiness
to family members and all those around him or her. When a single sun rises,
everything is illuminated."
Quotes: Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
When I think that I will surely eradicate these karmic impediments and in the
future go to the pure land of Eagle Peak, though various grave persecutions fall
on me like rain and boil up like clouds, since they are for the sake of the
Lotus Sutra, even these sufferings do not seem like sufferings at all.
(WND, 191)
The Origin of the Service for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Shijo Kingo on July 12, 1271
future go to the pure land of Eagle Peak, though various grave persecutions fall
on me like rain and boil up like clouds, since they are for the sake of the
Lotus Sutra, even these sufferings do not seem like sufferings at all.
(WND, 191)
The Origin of the Service for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Shijo Kingo on July 12, 1271
The Venerable Maudgalyayana put his faith in the Lotus Sutra, which is the
greatest good there is, and thus not only did he himself attain Buddhahood, but
his father and mother did so as well. And, amazing as it may seem, all the
fathers and mothers of the preceding seven generations and the seven generations
that followed, indeed, of countless lifetimes before and after, were able to
become Buddhas.
(WND, 820)
On Offerings for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Jibu-bo Nichii's grandmother on July 13, 1279
greatest good there is, and thus not only did he himself attain Buddhahood, but
his father and mother did so as well. And, amazing as it may seem, all the
fathers and mothers of the preceding seven generations and the seven generations
that followed, indeed, of countless lifetimes before and after, were able to
become Buddhas.
(WND, 820)
On Offerings for Deceased Ancestors
Written to Jibu-bo Nichii's grandmother on July 13, 1279
"Governments come and go, economies rise and fall and society constantly changes.
Only the good fortune that we accumulate during our lives lasts forever. The
true victors are those who cultivate the tree of Buddhahood in the vast earth of
their lives, while achieving success both in society and their personal lives
through true faith and a true way of living."
"The glory we enjoy in a dream vanishes without a trace when we awaken. When an
illusion disappears, nothing is left of its joy except a sense of emptiness,
like that which one feels when finally sobering from a state of drunkenness. The
joy of Buddhahood, however, is profound, indestructible and everlasting."
Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Only the good fortune that we accumulate during our lives lasts forever. The
true victors are those who cultivate the tree of Buddhahood in the vast earth of
their lives, while achieving success both in society and their personal lives
through true faith and a true way of living."
"The glory we enjoy in a dream vanishes without a trace when we awaken. When an
illusion disappears, nothing is left of its joy except a sense of emptiness,
like that which one feels when finally sobering from a state of drunkenness. The
joy of Buddhahood, however, is profound, indestructible and everlasting."
Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Those who chant Myoho-renge-kyo [the title of the Lotus Sutra] even without
understanding its meaning realize not only the heart of the Lotus Sutra, but
also the "main cord," or essential principle of the Buddha's lifetime teachings.
(WND, 860)
"This is What I Heard"
Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277
understanding its meaning realize not only the heart of the Lotus Sutra, but
also the "main cord," or essential principle of the Buddha's lifetime teachings.
(WND, 860)
"This is What I Heard"
Written to the lay priest Soya Jiro on November 28, 1277
The ten directions are the "environment," and living beings are "life." To
illustrate, environment is like the shadow, and life, the body. Without the
body, no shadow can exist, and without life, no environment. In the same way,
life is shaped by its environment.
(WND, 644)
On Omens
Written to Shijo Kingo in 1275
illustrate, environment is like the shadow, and life, the body. Without the
body, no shadow can exist, and without life, no environment. In the same way,
life is shaped by its environment.
(WND, 644)
On Omens
Written to Shijo Kingo in 1275
I have pondered the matter carefully with what limited resources I possess, and
have looked a little at the scriptures for an answer. The people of today all
turn their backs upon what is right; to a person, they give their allegiance to
evil. This is the reason that the benevolent deities have abandoned the nation
and departed together, that sages leave and do not return. And in their stead
devils and demons come, and disasters and calamities occur. I cannot keep silent
on this matter. I cannot suppress my fears.
(WND, 7)
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace fo the Land
have looked a little at the scriptures for an answer. The people of today all
turn their backs upon what is right; to a person, they give their allegiance to
evil. This is the reason that the benevolent deities have abandoned the nation
and departed together, that sages leave and do not return. And in their stead
devils and demons come, and disasters and calamities occur. I cannot keep silent
on this matter. I cannot suppress my fears.
(WND, 7)
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace fo the Land
"Life isn't always smooth. If it were, we would never grow and develop as human
beings. If we succeed, we are envied; if we fail, we are ridiculed and attacked.
Sadly, this is how people are. Unexpected grief and suffering may lie ahead of
you. But it is precisely when you encounter such trying times that you must not
be defeated. Never give up. Never retreat."
"There is no need to seek impatiently for greatness, fame or wealth. The Earth
and Sun do not hurry; they follow their own path at their own pace. If the Earth
were to accelerate and complete one rotation in three hours instead of
twenty-four, we would be in big trouble! The most important thing in life, too,
is to find a sure and certain path and confidently advance along it."
Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
beings. If we succeed, we are envied; if we fail, we are ridiculed and attacked.
Sadly, this is how people are. Unexpected grief and suffering may lie ahead of
you. But it is precisely when you encounter such trying times that you must not
be defeated. Never give up. Never retreat."
"There is no need to seek impatiently for greatness, fame or wealth. The Earth
and Sun do not hurry; they follow their own path at their own pace. If the Earth
were to accelerate and complete one rotation in three hours instead of
twenty-four, we would be in big trouble! The most important thing in life, too,
is to find a sure and certain path and confidently advance along it."
Daisaku Ikeda
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Does anyone understand why this part of the internet is not propagating Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as it once did? There is a very direct cause and effect.
However Nam Myoho Renge Kyo continues to propagate most profoundly in my life
even in this thread has served not only to propagate the Nichiren Buddhism, testimony of cause and effect, a place to share SGI sanctioned teachings and a perfect illustration of how the ten worlds exists in all things, even our behavior in this thread
this thread WAS a life spring to drawing people to the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism
most especially it was a chanting growers group, that is, it WAS a place where people who first come to an understanding of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to learn and witness how the mystical cause and effect works in their life through personal testimony
much like many of the "teachers" who first embraced Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the seed of nichiren buddhism for many leaves one with a tiny nucleus of Buddhist wisdom, which when coupled with time and observation, manifests int5o true understanding
this is what seeking the gohonzon within ones self really means
learn the dashoins Buddhism and seek the same cause and effect as taught in the sutras in your own life
if we take into account the unique karmic pasts and that of our own being, coupled with our varied life experiences our enlightenment at the time of first experiencing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo can be profoundly different
this is why Nichiren said do not slander anyone who embraces nam myoho renge kyo, the heart of the lotus sutra
slander and judgmental bias againt someone who first embraces the lotus is like scolding an infant for not being an adult
its does not exemplify the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism which is compassion for all things people in all life states
I had to stop contributing in regards to my testimony of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo because I did not want to cause others who would slander me to propagate bad karma FOR THEIR OWN SAKE
HOWEVER I went deep into my heart and mind and sought an answer front the dashoin based on my understandings as taken from the very writings posted in this thread
for the furtherance of truth and understanding i think this needs to be discussed and understood
I do not want to let my bodhisattva nature to prevent me from expressing my buddha nature
that is i dont want to avoid discussing the topic in hopes of avoiding a discussion where slander (expression of the ten worlds in all of us) which can happen in a polarized discussion about buddhism
I want to embrace my buuddha nature YET temper ti with my bodhisattva nature
that is, your critique is only slander if i choose to interpret it that way
I KNOW where my heart and mind lie, I know the well of wisdom from which I draw, I also embrace the Name Myoho Renge Kyo
Do I posses a Gohonzon?
no, not as of yet?
Do I understand the profound meaning of it?
Yes
So profound that I wanted to understand more deeply about the Gohonzon and the Sutras within
Natural questions arose for me, but the initial and disconcerting thing for me, the thing i did not understand was the fracture between temple and lay organization
not because either is "right" or "wrong" but that there seemed to be conflict between them
When there was no teacher here to answer that I asked myself if Nichiren were alive today in my shoes and with my eyes what would he think about this
I know
A) he would see proof of the propagation of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as her foretold in his writings
B) he would see a lack of kosen-rufu between many groups of practitioners
and that led me on a quest to understand further and it also led me to believe that I needed to understand the Gohonzon in a language and form I can comprehend
and that has ceased here
it is almost as if you can have enlightenment, IF you do as prescribed
and this for me, from Nichiren's viewpoint *AS I INTERPRET IT* is not a catalyst to propagating the lotus
I really think that bringing the Gohonzon closer to individuals is indeed a good thing, but I don't think it should be made an exclusive for participation here in this thread
many paths lead to enlightenment and to apply your perspective to someone who comes from another does not propagate understanding it causes delusion
and if we use the different views of opposing organizations of Nichiren practitioners as an example
all entities have the potential to express the ten worlds in them at any time
this is why i try to really practice and embrace the mantra off the Bodhisattva of the earth
it contributes to Buddha nature yet keeps us anchored to the very foundation of Buddha nature itself, selfless compassion
I think we need to pen the flood gates of chanting Diamoku, sharing the writings of Nichiren and perhaps personal testimony of how cause and effect as described by Nichiren unfolds in your life as a SGI leader, practitioner, or maybe someone who comes from a different path who feels called to understand Diamoku and nam myoho renge kyo
in our effort to propagate Nam Myoho Renge Kyo the title that belongs to describe this branch of Buddhism is Nichiren, and I think the propagation of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo would be magnified if we sought understanding under the name of Nichiren first before we examined it in the context of our given organizations
If there kosen-rufu between all practitioners and organizations of Nichiren Buddhism I would not have had hesitations or questions regarding getting a gohonzon
but I believe at this point it is because the lack of understanding we have encountered has brought this thread and the collective Diamoku within to a halt and this most surely needs to be changed
nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo
However Nam Myoho Renge Kyo continues to propagate most profoundly in my life
even in this thread has served not only to propagate the Nichiren Buddhism, testimony of cause and effect, a place to share SGI sanctioned teachings and a perfect illustration of how the ten worlds exists in all things, even our behavior in this thread
this thread WAS a life spring to drawing people to the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism
most especially it was a chanting growers group, that is, it WAS a place where people who first come to an understanding of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to learn and witness how the mystical cause and effect works in their life through personal testimony
much like many of the "teachers" who first embraced Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the seed of nichiren buddhism for many leaves one with a tiny nucleus of Buddhist wisdom, which when coupled with time and observation, manifests int5o true understanding
this is what seeking the gohonzon within ones self really means
learn the dashoins Buddhism and seek the same cause and effect as taught in the sutras in your own life
if we take into account the unique karmic pasts and that of our own being, coupled with our varied life experiences our enlightenment at the time of first experiencing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo can be profoundly different
this is why Nichiren said do not slander anyone who embraces nam myoho renge kyo, the heart of the lotus sutra
slander and judgmental bias againt someone who first embraces the lotus is like scolding an infant for not being an adult
its does not exemplify the foundation of Nichiren Buddhism which is compassion for all things people in all life states
I had to stop contributing in regards to my testimony of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo because I did not want to cause others who would slander me to propagate bad karma FOR THEIR OWN SAKE
HOWEVER I went deep into my heart and mind and sought an answer front the dashoin based on my understandings as taken from the very writings posted in this thread
for the furtherance of truth and understanding i think this needs to be discussed and understood
I do not want to let my bodhisattva nature to prevent me from expressing my buddha nature
that is i dont want to avoid discussing the topic in hopes of avoiding a discussion where slander (expression of the ten worlds in all of us) which can happen in a polarized discussion about buddhism
I want to embrace my buuddha nature YET temper ti with my bodhisattva nature
that is, your critique is only slander if i choose to interpret it that way
I KNOW where my heart and mind lie, I know the well of wisdom from which I draw, I also embrace the Name Myoho Renge Kyo
Do I posses a Gohonzon?
no, not as of yet?
Do I understand the profound meaning of it?
Yes
So profound that I wanted to understand more deeply about the Gohonzon and the Sutras within
Natural questions arose for me, but the initial and disconcerting thing for me, the thing i did not understand was the fracture between temple and lay organization
not because either is "right" or "wrong" but that there seemed to be conflict between them
When there was no teacher here to answer that I asked myself if Nichiren were alive today in my shoes and with my eyes what would he think about this
I know
A) he would see proof of the propagation of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as her foretold in his writings
B) he would see a lack of kosen-rufu between many groups of practitioners
and that led me on a quest to understand further and it also led me to believe that I needed to understand the Gohonzon in a language and form I can comprehend
and that has ceased here
it is almost as if you can have enlightenment, IF you do as prescribed
and this for me, from Nichiren's viewpoint *AS I INTERPRET IT* is not a catalyst to propagating the lotus
I really think that bringing the Gohonzon closer to individuals is indeed a good thing, but I don't think it should be made an exclusive for participation here in this thread
many paths lead to enlightenment and to apply your perspective to someone who comes from another does not propagate understanding it causes delusion
and if we use the different views of opposing organizations of Nichiren practitioners as an example
all entities have the potential to express the ten worlds in them at any time
this is why i try to really practice and embrace the mantra off the Bodhisattva of the earth
it contributes to Buddha nature yet keeps us anchored to the very foundation of Buddha nature itself, selfless compassion
I think we need to pen the flood gates of chanting Diamoku, sharing the writings of Nichiren and perhaps personal testimony of how cause and effect as described by Nichiren unfolds in your life as a SGI leader, practitioner, or maybe someone who comes from a different path who feels called to understand Diamoku and nam myoho renge kyo
in our effort to propagate Nam Myoho Renge Kyo the title that belongs to describe this branch of Buddhism is Nichiren, and I think the propagation of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo would be magnified if we sought understanding under the name of Nichiren first before we examined it in the context of our given organizations
If there kosen-rufu between all practitioners and organizations of Nichiren Buddhism I would not have had hesitations or questions regarding getting a gohonzon
but I believe at this point it is because the lack of understanding we have encountered has brought this thread and the collective Diamoku within to a halt and this most surely needs to be changed
nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo
nam myoho renge kyo
Ahh, life is good. Thirty-eight years later! Today is my Gohonzon birthday. Hello and best wishes to all. My life is beyond excellent and I am buried in successful business, family, and local activities. Sorry to have been gone so long and I hope I can somehow contribute to the efforts you are all sustaining here.
You are all always in my thoughts and prayers. We're grooving here! I hope you all are as well!
Much love and deep respect,
T
You are all always in my thoughts and prayers. We're grooving here! I hope you all are as well!
Much love and deep respect,
T
Having just read Weird’s post, I am reminded why my absence has been so painless. To go back and try and type a response to the various mistakes in perception of doctrine (of course weird would argue there is no such thing as everyone is on their own unique path and their mistakes are of course part of it), then have to bibliography each point to limit the challenge to that interpretation of the teaching, then wait for a reply that then again has to be typed and validated….frankly it’s a lot of work!
Right now I have lots of people coming to me. People are coming to my home to chant and to our community center to do study activities. People seek my wisdom. I don’t have to be challenged because these people see with their own eyes the life I live. It’s one they want too.
Weird speaks so ethereally, most of the time I’m not completely sure if what he’s saying is what I think he’s saying anyway. This is of course just my opinion, but I say this with great respect and compassion and I mean it from the bottom of my heart: Weird, I wish you knew as much as you think you know.
But you made me smile! Thank you and I applaud your sincerity! Sincerely!
Much love and deepest respect,
T
Right now I have lots of people coming to me. People are coming to my home to chant and to our community center to do study activities. People seek my wisdom. I don’t have to be challenged because these people see with their own eyes the life I live. It’s one they want too.
Weird speaks so ethereally, most of the time I’m not completely sure if what he’s saying is what I think he’s saying anyway. This is of course just my opinion, but I say this with great respect and compassion and I mean it from the bottom of my heart: Weird, I wish you knew as much as you think you know.
But you made me smile! Thank you and I applaud your sincerity! Sincerely!
Much love and deepest respect,
T
- Status
