Chanting Growers Group

[easyDaimoku]

A fellow chanting grower and mutual friend read some bad news in the local paper and relayed the message, therefore, I will be chanting more often for weird and lapides too.

welcome to danish once again and much gratitude for the po(s)t. This is where I began to practice 6 years ago!

BigT, thank you for posting these good golden nuggets, I've been struggling a bit lately due to my own lack of motivation and yet I'm revving up for more hard work to realize Sensei's vision for America and my hope to truly advance kosen-rufu everyday of my life. All my best to you and yours!

 

[TrichyTrichy]

Weird sending lots of love your way!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"“Life is not always smooth sailing. We have accidents and we get sick. We reach impasses in our work or our relationships with people. We face all kinds of difficult trials and tribulations. Those are the times to chant with the utter determination to overcome adversity through Buddhist faith and practice. And they are also the times to share Buddhism with others, remaining true to one’s mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth.

“If we can remain firm and true to our Buddhist faith and practice for oneself and others, we will feel tremendous conviction, courage, and wisdom well up from within, enabling us to overcome any obstacle we are faced with. This wisdom will allow us to find the best solution, and with brimming life force we will rise to the challenge based on that wisdom. This, I want you to know, is the direct path of faith for the immediate attainment of enlightenment.

SGI Newsletter 8356, NHR Volume 24 - 4, Translated Oct 14, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Shakyamuni taught that the shallow is easy to embrace, but the profound is difficult. To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage."

(On the Buddha's Prophecy - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 402)
Selection source: "Myoji no Gen", Seikyo Shimbun, October 20th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Gosho says:
"And if they are destined for the evil paths in any case,
then one should preach the Lotus Sutra to them forcefully"*
Let us talk frankly and sincerely about the justice and truth [of the SGI]
with every person who forms a connection with the Lotus Sutra
[by hearing about it].
Let us have deep pride in the fact that we are carrying out the Buddha's work.

Daisaku Ikeda

* Gosho - On Reciting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra, WND-2, pg 231, " According to T'ien-t'ai, in this latter age the persons who are lacking in good roots are many, and those who possess them are few. Therefore, many people are doubtless destined to fall into the evil path in any cases in their next existence. And if they are destined for the evil paths in any case, then one should preach the Lotus Sutra to them forcefully and thereby allow them to create a "poison-drum relationship" with the sutra.

(Poison-drum relationship - http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php?id=1706)

 

[PassTheDoobie]

poison-drum relationship
[毒鼓の縁] (Jpn dokku-no-en )

A reverse relationship, or relationship formed through rejection. A bond formed with the Lotus Sutra by opposing or slandering it. One who opposes the Lotus Sutra when it is preached will still form a relationship with the sutra by virtue of opposition, and will thereby attain Buddhahood eventually. A "poison drum" is a mythical drum daubed with poison; this is a reference to a statement in the Nirvana Sutra that once the poison drum is beaten, all those who hear it will die, even if they are not of the mind to listen to it. Similarly, when the correct teaching is preached, both those who embrace it and those who oppose it will equally receive the seeds of Buddhahood, and even those who oppose it will attain Buddhahood eventually. See also reverse relationship.

 

[easyDaimoku]

I am rereading the major writings of Nichiren Daishonin. I start with arguably the most seminal document, which is called “On Attaining Buddhism in This Lifetime.” It is a letter that was written to Toki Jonin in 1255, two years before Daishonin established his teaching of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. In this letter, he explains the practice for attaining Buddhahood—namely, chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
Daishonin maintains that in order to attain Buddhahood, you must chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. By doing so, one will be able to understand the mystic truth innate in all life. The mystic truth is found in the Lotus Sutra, which is the king of all sutras. It is the wisdom of all Buddhas since it contains within it the truth that phenomenon exists, to a greater or lesser extent, in every single moment of life and in every single living thing. All living beings exist and co-exist together. He maintains that we must consider this phenomenon in our lives. If we do not see it as such, then we will never be able to joyfully experience life and the sufferings of birth and death. Because this phenomenon is a part of us, we ought to seek enlightenment within ourselves rather than in any other external thing. To illustrate this point, he states:

“If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, then your performing even ten thousand practices and ten thousand good deeds will be in vain. It is like the case of a poor man who spends night and day counting his neighbor’s wealth but gains not even half a coin.”
​

Once we accept that this phenomenon is a part of our lives, we start to see the true nature of our lives (and that we are part of and connected to all other forms of life) then we set ourselves on the road to enlightenment.
In addition, Daishonin encourages us to have pure (I read this as positive) minds when he states that “minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land.” He likens the process of clearing one’s mind to the cleaning of a mirror. Once it is cleaned, it is clear and one is able to see himself more clearly. To clear one’s mind, Nichiren gives one instruction–chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
The words Myoho Renge Kyo are defined as, “Myo is the name given to the mystic nature of life, and ho, to its manifestations. Renge, which means lotus flower, is used to symbolize the wonder of this Law. If we understand that our life at this moment is myo, then we will also understand that our life at other moments is the Mystic Law.” The chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo starts with ‘nam’ which means devotion to the phenomenon that all living things exist and co-exist together.
By Michelle Flowers (c) 2011, All rights reserved
(from: http://sgiwomenschronicles.wordpress.com/category/nichiren-daishonin-quotes/ )

Here is the Gosho that she is talking about: http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=3

The first paragraph of Volume 1 of The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin states: "IF you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent in all living beings. This truth is Myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life."

Its simple and open to everyone: "if you wish to free yourself from the sufferings..." then "Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life". THAT'S IT!

No money down, no gimmicks, karma backed guarantee! Get it now while you're still alive... get Enlightened that is!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

It is a letter that was written to Toki Jonin in 1255, two years before Daishonin established his teaching of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

For the record, it was written two years after. He established the Buddhism of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 1253.

T

 

[easyDaimoku]

Thank you T, I love you man!!

TO MY BELOVED CHANTING GROWERS:

MUGI WASSHIN! I am fully commited to kosen-rufu!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground."

(On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 444) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, May 28th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"'Now when Nichiren chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, he is enabling all living beings to attain Buddhahood in the ten thousand years of the Latter Day of the Law. 'From The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, p. 41.

"Kosen-rufu is a lofty ideal as well as a practical endeavour with a vision stretching ten thousand years into the future. Therefore, each earnest step we take in the present will contribute to opening wide the path to happiness for all humanity into the eternal future."

SGI Newsletter No. 8241, LIVING THE GOSHO: WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SGI PRESIDENT IKEDA, (28) Opening the Great Path to Happiness for Humanity Ten Thousand Years into the Future, translated May 27th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

When the weather keeps changing and the temperature drops, it is important that we live wisely and are careful. It's good common sense to put on an extra layer of clothing and to have anything else that might be needed. By making every possible effort to maintain good health, first and foremost, let's lead successful lives each and every day.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nothing is more convincing than someone's personal experience.
Let's, therefore, enthusiastically share with others
how happy our lives have become
and all the benefits of practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
The philosophy of this Buddhism is very clearly proven though actual proof.*

Daisaku Ikeda

*Actual proof means that the teaching actually changes people's lives for the better, that there is undeniable improvement that anyone can see. Nichiren argued that actual proof is the most important of the three: "In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" ("Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 599).

http://www.sgi-usa.org/newmembers/resources/faqs/isitokaytotry.php

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Is it OK to try the practice even if I'm not sure I believe in it?

Many people are wary of how some religions tend to emphasize belief without any evidence of how they work. They basically ask for your blind faith. Nichiren Buddhism is different. It is a philosophy and practice of actual proof—belief, or faith, arises from the positive impact the practice has on people's lives, from how it leads to happiness here and now.

Of course, if you are very new to chanting Nam-myoho-rengekyo, you might not have experienced any conspicuous actual proof yet. But at SGI-USA activities, you have no doubt heard members' experiences of having received benefit as well as explanations of how the practice works. This can be your starting point—instead of blind faith, you can begin with an expectation that the practice works and therefore be willing to try it.

Nichiren Daishonin established the criteria of "three proofs" that people should apply to determine the validity of a religious practice: documentary proof, theoretical proof and actual proof. Documentary proof means that the teaching should accord with the Buddhist sutras, considered the collective and comprehensive body of wisdom at the time. Nichiren explains in his writings how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing it with others actualizes the Lotus Sutra, the highest teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Theoretical proof means that the teaching must accord with reason and logic. Nichiren Buddhism is profoundly based on the principle of cause and effect, of which all phenomena in the universe are an expression. We are not expected to believe in anything that cannot ultimately be explained in light of this principle.

Actual proof means that the teaching actually changes people's lives for the better, that there is undeniable improvement that anyone can see. Nichiren argued that actual proof is the most important of the three: "In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" ("Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 599).

As Nichiren Buddhists, we develop ever-deepening faith through our own experience rather than simply accepting our beliefs from others. Ours is a philosophy of proof, and new members can expect to see actual proof from their practice soon after starting.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If votaries of the Lotus Sutra carry out religious practice as the sutra directs, then every one of them without exception will surely attain Buddhahood within his or her present lifetime. To cite an analogy, if one plants the fields in spring and summer, then, whether it be early or late, one is certain to reap a harvest withint the year.

Votaries of the Lotus Sutra fall into three categories, superior, middling, and inferior, depending upon their capacities, and yet all will invariably attain enlightenment within a single lifetime."

(The Doctrine of Three Thousand Realms in a Single Moment of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 88 Selection source: Basics of Buddhism, Seikyo Shimbun, October 23rd, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"...yet all will invariably attain enlightenment within a single lifetime."

What a WONDERFUL LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"When I started practising the Daishonin’s Buddhism at the age of 19, my family were initially against it, which put me in a difficult situation. But Mr. Toda said: 'In faith, what matters is not length of practise or organisational position, but courage. Courageous faith will change you, your present situation, and your future.'

"It is important, therefore, that we not only encourage and support new members, but strive together with them in summoning forth courageous faith and actively sharing the Daishonin’s Buddhism with others. The first step is to practise closely with new members—joining together with them in chanting, taking action, and engaging in Buddhist dialogue for the happiness of others. Through carrying out this bodhisattva practice, one comes to experience indescribable fulfillment and joy and gain strong conviction in the power of the Mystic Law. This is the honourable tradition of fostering capable people in the SGI."

SGI Newsletter No. 8362, SGI President Ikeda's Editorial, Supporting and Fostering New Members in Faith Translated October 20th, 2011, from the November 2011 issue of Daibyakurenge.

 

[SoCal Hippy]

What a WONDERFUL LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohooo and 2nd that, Brother!!!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[SoCal Hippy]

Where there is water, fish dwell. Where there are woods, birds gather. On the
mountain island of P'eng-lai there are many jewels, and on Mount Malaya
sandalwood trees grow. There is gold in the mountains from which the river
Li-shui flows. Now this place, too, is like that. It is the place of the cluster
of blessings where the Buddhas and bodhisattvas dwell.

(WND, 1070)
The Place of the Cluster of Blessings
Written to Shijo Kingo on October 8, 1280

 

[SoCal Hippy]

The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth
one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain - as
hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a
single day with honor than to live a 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all
the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo
Saemon-no-jo is diligent in the service of his lord, in the service of Buddhism,
and in his concern for other people.

(WND, 851)
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277