Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

The great philosophy of this Buddhism of the sun is the greatest truth of all. The more we study the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, the more boundless courage and hope wells up from within.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realised this truth. The sutra's statement, 'Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers,' cannot be false in any way."

(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 217) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, September 30th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Courage

Courage

"What may to one person seem a simple problem may be experienced by another as overwhelming and insurmountable. But the process of summoning up the courage required to take action is always the same regardless of how seemingly big or small the challenge."

Developing the quality of courage is essential to achieving anything in our lives. Courage is required before we can take action in any endeavor, and it is courageous people in every field who tend to achieve their goals and realize their dreams.

Courage, however, is not always heroic action in a time of danger--it can consist of the persistent, unglamorous effort to do what we feel is right.

In Buddhism, courage, or fearlessness, is highly valued. In one of his letters, Nichiren, the 13th-century founder of the Buddhism practiced by members of the SGI, urged his followers: "You should not have the slightest fear in your heart. It is lack of courage that prevents one from attaining Buddhahood. . ."

Buddhism originated in the teachings of Shakyamuni some 2,500 years ago, and it is the principles of the Lotus Sutra specifically that underlie the teachings of Nichiren. The Lotus Sutra teaches that every single person has infinite potential, and that, through sincere practice, each person can bring forth that potential, allowing their abundant creativity to blossom and enabling them to contribute to the enrichment of society.

Although we may know intellectually that we have great potential, unless we muster the courage to act on that knowledge, the potential will remain unfulfilled. Buddhism also teaches that our efforts to expand and develop our lives will inevitably be met by resistance, often severe, from both within and without. It is by persevering in the face of these obstacles and triumphing over them that we are able to unlock the rich possibilities of our lives and manifest our inherent enlightenment.

This process naturally requires courage, but it also requires faith. Buddhist practice is the ongoing exercise of faith--faith, ultimately, in ourselves--in the midst of the often harsh realities of life. Moreover, it is rooted in an understanding that the positive transformation of our own lives will bring about a corresponding transformation in the greater web of life in which we exist.

Buddhist teachings place great emphasis on wisdom, and it is easy to see how a simple lack of wisdom is the cause of many of the problems that beset human society, globally as well as locally. Often, though, it is a more fundamental lack of courage that prevents people, notably leaders, from acting on what they know to be right; thus it is a lack of courage that is at the root of much of the suffering that confronts us individually and as societies.

Closely linked to the exercise of courage is conviction--conviction in the right and possibility of oneself and others to be happy, free and fulfilled. Such conviction is the basis of social justice and is the core vision on which Buddhism is founded. It is a fierce, unyielding commitment to such a vision that endows the Buddha with the quality of fearlessness.

Buddhism thus views courage as a vital element of compassionate action to help others--as well as key to our ability to change our own lives.

Many people live their lives locked in a paralysis of fear, seemingly unable to take a step forward to resolve a deadlock or reveal their true potential. These challenges differ for every individual, both in their nature and their scale. What may to one person seem a simple problem may be experienced by another as overwhelming and insurmountable. But the process of summoning up the courage required to take action is always the same regardless of how seemingly big or small the challenge.

Further, to the extent that we draw on this resource of courage in our daily lives, fearlessly rising to the challenges that face us in the immediate here and now, we are positively transforming not only our own lives but also the world around us.

The transformative possibilities of courage exist around and within us at every moment. As SGI President Ikeda has said, "Small things matter. What may look like a small act of courage is courage nevertheless. The important thing is to be willing to take a step forward."

[Courtesy January 2011 SGI Quarterly]

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Life is limited; we must not begrudge it. What we should ultimately aspire to is the Buddha land."

(Aspiration for the Buddha Land - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 214) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 1st, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Nichiren Buddhism teaches: 'The place where the person upholds and honours the Lotus Sutra is the "place of practice" to which the person proceeds' (OTT, 192). In other words, the place where we are engaged in our Buddhist faith and practice is the place where we are striving to attain enlightenment. As a result, our struggle as Buddhists is not to search for some distant utopia, but instead to recognise that the place where we live now is the ideal place to carry out our Buddhist practice and make it into a 'land of tranquil light.'"

SGI Newsletter No. 8339, The New Human Revolution, Vol. 24: Chap. 4, Beacon 34, translated Sep. 29th, 2011.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way."

(On the Three Virtues of Food - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 1060) Selection source: Buddhist study, Seikyo Shimbun, October 2nd, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"As Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one’s own way' (WND-2, 1060). This is a philosophy of coexistence and mutual benefit, a belief that helping others is also helping oneself.

"In 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,' the Daishonin writes: 'If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?' (WND-1, 24) 'The four quarters' refers to the four directions of the compass and means the country and society, while 'tranquillity' indicates a world that is safe and at peace. In other words, if we seek personal peace and comfort, then we should also seek to help bring peace and comfort to our communities and societies."

SGI Newsletter No. 8342, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 24: Chap. 4, Beacon 39, translated Sep. 29th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

It's when a person is encountering difficulties and challenges that we especially rally to their support, chanting daimoku earnestly for them and warmly encouraging them. We also constantly contact and visit them until they have overcome the obstacles they are facing. It is only through making such steady, patient and dedicated efforts that we can truly advance the kosen-rufu movement.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[SoCal Hippy]

What the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai and Miao-lo intend to say is that the act of
accepting and upholding or protecting and embracing one verse of the Lotus Sutra
surpasses the act of making offerings to all living beings, of making offerings
to arhats, or even of filling the entire major world system with the seven kinds
of treasures as an offering to all Buddhas.

(WND, 973)
The Unmatched Blessings of the Law
Written to the lay priest Nishiyama on May 11, 1279

 

[SoCal Hippy]

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.

(WND, 832)
The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon
Written to Nichinyo on August 23, 1277

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Faith means making a hundred percent effort ourselves -- in our daimoku and in
our actions. When we practice in this way, the Buddhist gods will lend us their
protection. We mustn't have a complacent, dependent attitude in faith, chanting
haphazardly without definite goals and making only halfhearted efforts in the
belief that we'll automatically be protected. Depth of determination and
unshakable character are vital. Those possessing these qualities are second to
none in faith.

Daisaku Ikeda

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo***More Chanting***

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Hello all,

Been working many hours these last 2 weeks in a new position/location so my "more chanting" is not really happening. It is on my mind and determination to make it happen sooner than later.

Take care.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hello all,

Been working many hours these last 2 weeks in a new position/location so my "more chanting" is not really happening. It is on my mind and determination to make it happen sooner than later.

Take care.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

No probs SoCal! That Devil is a crafty one! The moment we make a determination to do more chanting, we will find obstacles in the way of us achieving that determination. Keep it on your mind. Keep hanging here! It definitely is going to turn around!

Don't be afraid!
Don't be defeated!
Faith!
Victory of Gold!!!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

T

 

[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, October 3rd, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Now that we have entered the Latter Day of the Law, to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to be an Awesome Sound King. The reason is that the word 'Sound' stands for the daimoku, or titles, of all various provisional teachings, while the 'Awesome' stands for the five characters of the title [of the Lotus Sutra, Myoho-renge-kyo]. And the word 'King' stands for the practitioners of the Lotus Sutra. The daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the roar of a lion, while the other sutras are like the cries of the other beasts. The Lotus Sutra is referred to as 'king' because it is 'king of the sutras' (chapter twenty-three, Medicine King)."

"Ongi kuden", Gosho Zenshu, page 764, The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 152

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Although at heart you are of the same mind as Nichiren, since your person is in
service to your lord, it would have been extremely difficult for you to have
avoided the offense of complicity in slander. How admirable it is that, despite
this, you communicated this teaching to your lord and urged him to take faith in
it. Even though he may fail to accept it now, you have managed to avoid the
offense of complicity.

(WND, 461)
On Recommending This Teaching to Your Lord and Avoiding the Offense of
Complicity in Slander
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 26, 1274

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Our voice costs nothing and it is our strongest weapon. Nichiren Daishonin
wrote, "Do not spare your voice" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 726). There are different
voices for different situations: the clear, resounding voice that declares truth
and justice; the strong voice that refutes evil; the bright, confident voice
that tells others about the greatness of this Buddhism; the warm voice that
gives encouragement; the sincere, friendly voice that offers praise and words of
appreciation to others. The important thing is that we meet and speak with
people widely, inside and outside the organization.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

A "leader" is one who is always studying and making every effort to improve.
I am counting on you all to be people who can engage in conversations
that strike a chord in another person's heart,
evoke a sense of agreement and understanding
and at the same time can spur others on to make a fresh resolve.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Though we may suffer for a while, ultimately delight awaits us."

(Protecting the Atsuhara Believers - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 882) Selection source: Together with the Gosho - President Ikeda's encouragement series, Seikyo Shimbun, September 4th, 2011