Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

When we leave our culture centres for the day or our homes for work,
let's make a point of ensuring that all doors and windows are securely locked.
Let's also make doubly sure that all sources of fire are extinguished.
Being accident free is the most important form of victory!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[easyDaimoku]

The last post by PTD is soo amazing. Last month after the monthly meeting, even though I was the last one to leave the building, some windows were left open. I have a calendar reminder to email our fellow behind the scenes support staff to also be in line with Sensei's guidance.

Protecting our Castles of Kosen-rufu is of the utmost importance. Protecting the Gohonzon and the members is something I really enjoy doing and take pride in having a great record at doing so. I also thoroughly enjoy supporting the SGI anyway I can because our organization is leading the way in helping others begin their practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and chanting "Nam-myoho-rengen-kyo!"

Its so important for me to keep going because by opening up the way for others I will make sure that all my efforts for kosen-rufu and the collective efforts of all of you scattered throughout the world continues to bear the fruits of actual proof that the way to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime is by chanting daimoku and always honoring and upholding the Gohonzon and our Master Nichiren Daishonin.

Be good buddies and thank you T for everything!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If we stop striving, then all the efforts we have made so far will be in vain. As the Daishonin writes: ‘You cannot strike fire from flint if you stop halfway’ (WND-1, 319). We can’t fulfill the great vow of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime if we give up halfway. All of our hard-won efforts up to now will vanish like foam on the waves. Nothing could be more unfortunate, or more of a waste. This is what I hope to remind everyone, for the sake of the future."

SGI Newsletter No. 8364, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 25: Chap. 1, Light of Happiness 5, translated Oct. 26th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"This sutra is superior to all other sutras. It is like the lion king, the monarch of all the creatures that run on the ground, and like the eagle, the king of all the creatures that fly in the sky."

(The Sutra of True Requital - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page
929) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 27th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let's try not to be defeated by the obstacle of sickness!
What's important is to decide
that we will definitely overcome our illness
and become healthy enough
to be able to devote ourselves to achieving kosen-rufu.
When we make up our minds with this strong sense of mission and purpose,
we can certainly bring forth boundless life force from within
(to fight whatever illness we might have).

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

I just did this today and succeeded victoriously!

 

[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 28th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Those who continue advancing no matter what are genuinely happy. They are victors in life. They are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Earth."

SGI Newsletter No. 8364, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 25: Chap. 1, Light of Happiness 5, translated Oct. 26th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Kosen-rufu is a continuous effort to pioneer the unexplored frontier. It is a task arduous beyond belief. We can never expect it to be easy. Those who are self-serving, cowardly, half-hearted, careless, or dishonest stunt their potential.

“In everything we do, including propagation and giving personal guidance, victory is achieved by tackling each task at hand with all our might. Let’s throw ourselves into sincerely and wholeheartedly supporting each and every member. That’s the way of a champion."

SGI Newsletter No. 8364, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 25: Chap. 1, Light of Happiness 6, translated Oct. 26th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The lives of those who continually challenge themselves
are always cheerful.
By firmly deciding that we will definitely win,
no matter how hard the challenge might be,
and chanting daimoku most earnestly,
let's courageously take action!
Let's advance exuberantly

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"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: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, October 31st, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"...one member commented: 'I find it difficult to put into practice the eloquence, wisdom, and compassion that the guidance of the SGI suggests we aspire to.' In response, I said:

"Just be yourself. All you have to do is keep chanting sincere daimoku and advance freely in a manner that is true to yourself. That is what is meant by the Buddhist principle of 'revealing one's true and highest potential.' The practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism allows one's true self to shine forth....Surely the true and most humane way for us to live is to advance just as we are, as ordinary people, basing our lives on Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and striving to improve ourselves even if little by little. Buddhism is the great Law that is open to all people; it does not make irrational or unreasonable demands."

SGI Newsletter No. 8203, OUR BRILLIANT PATH TO VICTORY, The Great Light of the Westward Transmission of Buddhism--Part 2 [of 2], from the February 19th, 2011, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated April 6th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Let us use our hope-filled, encouraging voices
to encourage and cheer up our friends
who may be going through tough times.
Let us have a smile on our faces that radiates a warm caring concern.
It is in the very midst of trying circumstances
that we need to be like a revitalising spring breeze.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[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, April 13th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"But my life from the beginning has been based upon firm conviction. I have no intention now of reversing my course, nor will I ever reproach [those who persecuted me]. Evil persons too will be good friends to me."

(Why No Protection from the Heavenly Gods? - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 432) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, May 14th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Daishonin encourages,
"Teach others to the best of your ability,
even if it is only a single sentence or phrase."*
Let's summon up all our courage and put our faith into action!
With the spirit that everything starts from now on,
let's take on every challenge
and make a great history of successive victories.

Daisaku Ikeda

*"The True Aspect of All Phenomena" - WND, page 386

 

[Babbabud]

Developing the Courage To Accept Our Innate Good and Evil

Good and evil, in other words, are innate, inseparable aspects of life. This Buddhist concept is called the "oneness of good and evil." This teaching however, does not mean that evil is good, nor does it imply that the distinction between good and evil is irrelevant. Instead, it teaches us to perceive and triumph over evil inside—thereby conquering evil on the outside—through faith in the universal goodness of life.

In the context of the Daishonin's teaching, good means the "fundamental nature of enlightenment," or absolute freedom and happiness resulting from profound self-knowledge. Evil indicates the "fundamental darkness," or life's innate delusion negating the potential of enlightenment and causing suffering for oneself and others. This inner darkness echoes with the despair that our lives are ugly and meaningless; it drives a wedge of fear that splits the hearts of people into "us" and "them." The Daishonin's concept of good and evil, in this sense, may be better understood as the dynamic, innate workings of life that become manifest or dormant, rather than the external moral codes determined by cultural and social conditions.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

It is precisely when things are going smoothly that we must not become careless. Negative forces always try to take advantage when we are off our guard. Let's never become arrogant (about our past achievements) or complacent. At all costs, our advancement must be free of accidents!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered."

(On Prayer - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 345) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shimbun, November 2nd, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Developing the Courage To Accept Our Innate Good and Evil

Good and evil, in other words, are innate, inseparable aspects of life. This Buddhist concept is called the "oneness of good and evil." This teaching however, does not mean that evil is good, nor does it imply that the distinction between good and evil is irrelevant. Instead, it teaches us to perceive and triumph over evil inside—thereby conquering evil on the outside—through faith in the universal goodness of life.

In the context of the Daishonin's teaching, good means the "fundamental nature of enlightenment," or absolute freedom and happiness resulting from profound self-knowledge. Evil indicates the "fundamental darkness," or life's innate delusion negating the potential of enlightenment and causing suffering for oneself and others. This inner darkness echoes with the despair that our lives are ugly and meaningless; it drives a wedge of fear that splits the hearts of people into "us" and "them." The Daishonin's concept of good and evil, in this sense, may be better understood as the dynamic, innate workings of life that become manifest or dormant, rather than the external moral codes determined by cultural and social conditions.

Thanks Bud!!! Mugi wasshin baby!

Bowing in humble obeisance,

T