Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

"Myo means to revive, that is, to return to life."

(The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 149)
Selection source: Member's Experience, Seikyo Shimbun, June 28th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When a religion is restricted to one people or nation, or when the cultural trappings, customs, or habits of a country take precedence over or dominate the universality of the teachings, it will be prevented from developing into a world religion.

Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province" (WND-1, 1117) because he wished to stress the importance of the people of each region taking their particular circumstances and cultural factors into account when they propagate his teachings.

Nichiren Buddhism is a religion for all humankind that teaches the value and dignity of life. It must never become a narrow "Japanese religion." As such, there's no reason to remain restricted by Japanese culture, customs, or habits."

SGI Newsletter No.8291, New Human Revolution, Vol 24, Chapter 3, Humanistic Education, translated August 1st, 2011.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"In contrast to the recitation or chanting practices found in some other Buddhist schools, Myoho-renge-kyo is not the name of one particular Buddha, bodhisattva, sage, or protective deity. It is the name of the seed of Buddhahood by which all Buddhas have attained enlightenment, the name of the fundamental Law that has been sought by all bodhisattvas in their practice, and the name of the supremely noble potential, or Buddha nature, inherent in all living beings. Chanting that name, Myoho-renge-kyo, summons forth not only one's own Buddha nature but the Buddha nature of all living beings.

"What this means is that each of us, here and now, irrespective of our present state of life in terms of the Ten Worlds, can manifest our inner Buddha nature. Moreover, we can also call forth the Buddha nature of all living beings throughout the entire universe, and make our environment, the world in which we live, shine with the brilliant light of the world of Buddhahood.

"Because the great benefit of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo extends to both our lives and our environments, the Daishonin writes: 'With just that single sound we summon forth and manifest the Buddha nature of all Buddhas. . . . This blessing is immeasurable and boundless' (WND-1, 887). ."

SGI Newsletter No. 8272, SGI President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series-LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY[28] "How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood Through the Lotus Sutra" Translated from the May 2011 issue of the Daibyakurenge

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff."

(Reply to Kyo'o - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 412)Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's message, Seikyo Shimbun, July 24th, 2011

 

[easyDaimoku]

August 7, 2011

--TO MY FRIENDS--
Let's stay safe this summer.
Remember that the small things matter.
Be careful when you go to the ocean or mountains,
and when you are going to be away from home
for any length of time, take precautions
to prevent house fires.
Also be careful when you drive.
Absolutely prevent accidents of any kind
from occurring.

A translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun, based on President Ikeda's recent guidance, with universal value and application.

I am so happy today and feel so refreshed! Today is going to be an amazing world peace prayer meeting! I wish I could bring my little cat to enjoy in the festivities I am very happy and will chant as much daimoku as possible today, I want to home visit a few good young men today and encourage them to support the men's division to build a solid foundation in America so that we could continue to raise capable leaders.

Its really hard sometimes to do everything we are supposed to be doing, but we do it with pride and honor. We are chanting growers, the noble emissaries of the Buddha, myoho-air dropped on Mappo to realize humanities full potential. Its funny to me that the S&P downgraded the USA debt, meanwhile they failed to upgrade the prospects of the Chanting Grower Pioneers in America. Each of us is capable of winning in our lives right where we are, and each of us should have a clean altar for our Gohonzon.

I hope all of you are healthy and I hope your family and loved ones are also doing magnificent! If not, let me know how I could help in anyway Let's win together again today

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Point Two, regarding the words, “You must listen carefully and hear of the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.”

The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: This passage supports the concept of one who is eternally endowed with the three bodies. Various interpretations on these words have been transmitted.

As for the transcendental powers, the actions that are carried out instant by instant, motion by motion, by us living beings are regarded as transcendental powers. Thus the voices of the wardens of hell punishing the offenders are all to be referred to as transcendental powers. The countless things in the three thousand realms that undergo the process of birth, abiding, change and extinction, are all in themselves embodiments of transcendental powers.

But in the view of Nichiren and his followers, the realization and understanding of the concept of attainment of Buddhahood in one’s present form is what is meant by “the Thus Come One’s secret and his transcendental powers.” For outside of the attainment of Buddhahood, there is no “secret” and no “transcendental powers.”

The eternally endowed three bodies mentioned here are gained through a single word. And that single word is “faith” or “to believe.” Therefore the sutra says, “We will believe and accept the Buddha’s words” (chapter sixteen). You should stop and consider the meaning of these two words “believe” and “accept.”

OTT /pg.125

 

[Babbabud]

This thread refreshes me
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

This thread refreshes me
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo
Nam myoho renge kyo

It's only here because of you Brother!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"The goal of our faith is for each individual to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. For that, we must maintain our focus. We need to keep urging ourselves on toward the goal, striving harder today than yesterday, harder tomorrow than today, while continuing to polish and deepen our faith, and remaining steadfastly dedicated to our Buddhist practice."

SGI Newsletter No.8291, New Human Revolution, Vol 24, Chapter 3, Humanistic Education, translated August 1st, 2011.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When one comes to realize and see that each thing--the cherry, the plum, the peach, the damson--in its own entity, without undergoing any change, possesses the eternally endowed three bodies, then this is what is meant by the word ryo, 'to include' or 'all-inclusive'."

(Ongi kuden - Gosho Zenshu, page 784, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 200) Selection source: Buddhist study, Seikyo Shimbun, August 7th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat."

(The Three Obstacles and Four Devils - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 637) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", July 20th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"A fresh force is needed to establish an innovative paradigm for a new age. Nothing is more challenging than fostering the abilities of youth to open an age of the triumph of humanity; sometimes it can seem as impossible as trying to touch a star with a pole. But, that is precisely why I entrust you to undertake this task."

SGI Newsletter No. 8276, The New Human Revolution––Volume 24: Chapter 3 "Humanistic Education" 42, Translated Monday, July 12th, 2011.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

A life dedicated to repaying our debts of gratitude*
is indeed a bright and beautiful one!
I hope that we will become people who recognize and acknowledge
the debt we owe our parents,
become the kind of children who take good care of them
and do all it take to act upon our resolve!

Daisaku Ikeda

Gosho - On Repaying Debts of Gratitude - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 690 - "What can we say, then, of persons who are devoting themselves to Buddhism? Surely they should not forget the debts of gratitude they owe to their parents, their teachers, and their country."

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Irrespective of the times, the way to transform the chaos and confusion of human society on a fundamental level lies in individuals cultivating their wisdom and strength so that they can create lives of happiness and victory for themselves. The spiritual revitalization of the people is the key to achieving this, and in the thought and life of Nichiren Daishonin, we find a hope-filled philosophy and path of action that make this possible."

SGI Newsletter No.8294, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teaching for Victory, translated August 3rd, 2011.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Carry through with your faith in the Lotus Sutra. You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway."

(Earthly Desires Are Enlightenment - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 319) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 5th, 2010

 

[PassTheDoobie]

True Cause

Perhaps the most important teaching of the Lotus Sutra is that concerning exactly how long Shakyamuni has been a Buddha. "The Life Span of the Thus Come One" (sixteenth) chapter reveals his attainment of Buddhahood in the remote past overturning people's assumption that he attained enlightenment for the first time at around age of thirty, after meditating under the bodhi tree in India. Instead, he says: "In all the worlds the heavenly and human beings and asuras all believe that the present Shakyamuni Buddha, after leaving the palace of the Shakyas, seated himself in the place of practice not far from the city of Gaya and there attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi [supreme enlightenment]. But good men, it has been immeasurable, boundless hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of nayutas (1) of kalpas (2) since I in fact attained Buddhahood" (The Lotus Sutra, chap. 16, p. 225).

The Buddha then explains with examples on a cosmic scale the astounding magnitude of this "life span" as a Buddha.

This has many profound implications. First, in all his teachings before the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha related stories of his practice in many lifetimes spanning countless kalpas in preparation for his attainment of Buddhahood in the current lifetime. With this revelation, however, it becomes clear that he was already a Buddha while carrying out these practices. His true identity is that of a Buddha since the inconceivably remote past. Hence his actions as an ordinary person for the sake of others over countless lifetimes were all expressions of, rather than means to attain, Buddhahood. This opens the way for the idea that ordinary persons can themselves be Buddhas who express their enlightenment through their mundane actions, particularly in their efforts to help others.

It also attests to the enduring nature of Buddhahood: Rather than being simply a hard-won state of spiritual attainment, it is an ever-present innate condition that transcends birth and death.

Shakyamuni's revelation of having attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago is an expression of the "mystic principle of true effect." That is, the "truth" of the Buddha's enlightenment (the effect of Buddhist practice) is that he had been enlightened since the remote past. But what of the cause of his enlightenment?

The Great Teacher T'ien-t'ai of China identifies another statement in the "Life Span" (16th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra, "Originally I practiced the bodhisattva way..." (LS16, 227) as referring to the true cause of Shakyamuni's original enlightenment. Shakyamuni, however, does not clarify what this "bodhisattva way" was. T'ien-t'ai interpreted it as a reference to a particular stage (3) of bodhisattva practice. Nevertheless, there is no precise reference to what practice or teaching enabled the Buddha to attain this state. Thus, the true cause of Shakyamuni's original attainment of enlightenment remained a mystery.

Nichiren Daishonin, however, identified that true cause as the fundamental Law that enables all Buddhas to attain enlightenment, the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Regarding the significance of Shakyamuni's revelation he writes: "When we come to the 'Life Span' chapter of the essential teaching, the belief that Shakyamuni attained Buddhahood for the first time [in India] is demolished, and the effects [enlightenment] of the four teachings (4) are likewise demolished. When the effects of the four teachings are demolished, their causes are likewise demolished. 'Causes' here refers to Buddhist practice [to attain enlightenment] or to the stage of disciples engaged in practice. Thus the causes and effects expounded in both the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings and the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra are wiped out, and the cause and effect of the Ten Worlds in the essential teaching are revealed. This is the doctrine of original cause and original effect. It teaches that the nine worlds are all present in beginningless Buddhahood and that Buddhahood exists in the beginningless nine worlds. This is the true mutual possession of the Ten Worlds, the true hundred worlds and thousand factors, the true three thousand realms in a single moment of life" ("The Essence of the 'Life Span' Chapter," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 183).

"Original cause and original effect" in this passage are the same as "true cause" and "true effect." The "Life Span" chapter of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra overturns the concept of Buddhahood stated in the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings as well as those of the first half, or theoretical teaching, of the Lotus Sutra. Later in the same letter, Nichiren Daishonin refers to the "true cause" of the Buddha's enlightenment, stating, "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the 'Life Span' chapter, is the mother of all Buddhas" (WND, 184).

Nichiren Daishonin's teaching is known as the "Buddhism of the True Cause" because it elucidates the fundamental Law or principle by which all Buddhas attain their original enlightenment and by which all people can become Buddhas.

What does this principle of "true cause mean" to us ordinary practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism? Nichiren Daishonin quotes the Contemplation on the Mind-Ground Sutra: "If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present" (WND, p. 279).

In one sense, how we approach life and our Buddhist practice depends on whether we have a perspective of "true effect" or "true cause." A perspective of "true effect," only sees enlightenment, or happiness, a result of past causes. From the perspective of "true cause," enlightenment, or happiness, is an ever-present potential; the cause for bringing it forth can only be made right now, in the present moment. The moment we make the "true cause," enlightenment reveals itself.

From the standpoint of the mystic principle of true cause (Jpn hon'in-myo) past, present and future exist fully in this moment. We cannot change the past, yet there is no reason to let it bind or restrict us. All of us face setbacks, disappointments and crises from time to time, but whatever our circumstances or our past, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a strong resolve, we are creating a brilliant future in this moment. The wisdom of Buddhahood emerges within us and informs our thoughts and actions.The true cause for enlightenment and the true effect of enlightenment are fully present at each moment as we exert ourselves in faith and practice.

Regarding the spirit of true cause, SGI President Ikeda said in a dialogue with young people, "The past is the past and the future is the future. You should keep moving forward with a steady eye on the future, telling yourself, 'I'll start from today!' 'I'll start afresh from now, from this moment!' This is the essence of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism of True Cause, the spirit of starting from the present moment. This is the heart of our daimoku" (World Tribune, November 1, 1996, p.11).

1.Nayuta (Skt): An Indian numerical unit. According to one account, it is one hundred billion, and to another account, ten million.
2.Kalpa (Skt): An extremely long period of time. Sutras and treatises differ in their definitions, but kalpas fall into two major categories, those of measurable and immeasurable duration. There are three kinds of measurable kalpas: small, medium and major. One explanation sets the length of a small kalpa at approximately sixteen million years. According to Buddhist cosmology, a world repeatedly undergoes four stages: formation, continuance, decline and disintegration. Each of these four stages lasts for twenty small kalpas and is equal to one medium kalpa. Finally, one complete cycle forms a major kalpa.
3.In particular, the eleventh of fifty-two stages through which a bodhisattva progresses toward Buddhahood. They consist of ten stages of faith, ten stages of security, ten stages of practice, ten stages of devotion, ten stages of development, the stage of near-perfect enlightenment, and the stage of perfect enlightenment.
4.Four Teachings—Also, the four teachings of doctrine. T'ien-t'ai's classification of Shakyamuni's teachings according to content.They are the Tripitaka, Connecting, Specific and Perfect Teachings.

Living Buddhism, June 2002, p. 4

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Buddhism is all about the "mystic principle of true cause."
It's that strong determination that we are burning with right now
that will definitely shape and open up our future.
With the spirit of "It's what I do from now,"
let us create fresh, new advancements!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present. And if you want to understand what results will be manifested in the future, look at the causes that exist in the present."

(The Opening of the Eyes - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 279)bSelection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, June 15th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When do the three obstacles and four devils appear? The Daishonin says that they manifest when our 'practice progresses and understanding grows' (WND-1, 501). They descend, in other words, when we are making steady progress on the path to attaining Buddhahood. He writes:

"'There is definitely something extraordinary in the ebb and flow of the tide, the rising and setting of the moon, and the way in which summer, autumn, winter, and spring give way to each other. Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood. At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat.' (WND-1, 637)

When we realise that the appearance of the three obstacles and four devils signals that we are on the verge of achieving a profound inner transformation in our lives, we will be ready and eager to rise to the challenges they present, our hearts filled with courage and self-assurance. In contrast, if we allow ourselves to be intimidated and defeated by these obstacles and devilish functions, we will end up succumbing to despair and doubt and pull back from the path leading to Buddhahood. The Daishonin's statement, 'The wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat' (WND-1, 637), represents an eternal maxim for our Buddhist practice."

SGI Newsletter No. 8247, LEARNING FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN: THE TEACHINGS FOR VICTORY, [27] 'A Father Takes Faith,' Unity and Human Revolution Are the Keys to Victory in Our Efforts for Kosen-rufu, from the April 2011 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translated June 6th, 2011.

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo
Ok well its off to the Bay to take in a cpl baseball games. Tonight is Jerry Garcia nite at the ballpark ... nothing but fun. Tomorrow is a day game before returning home.
Should get a chance to chant in front of the big Gohonzon tomorrow morning before game time.
Hope this finds everyone high and happy !!! See ya soon !!
Nam myoho renge kyo