Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

The more we talk about this Buddhism with others,
the more people we can help to form a connection with this Buddhism.
And to the extent we take more action,
the more good fortune and benefit we can accumulate!
Together, let's challenge ourselves and win each and every day.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

*Opening of the Eyes, The
[開目抄] (Jpn Kaimoku-sho )

One of Nichiren's five or ten major writings. It consists of two volumes and was completed at Tsukahara on Sado, an island in the Sea of Japan, in the second month of 1272. According to Nichikan (1665-1726), the twenty-sixth chief priest of Taiseki-ji temple, in this work Nichiren reveals his identity as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law who possesses the three virtues of sovereign, teacher, and parent. Thus he says it reveals the object of devotion in terms of the Person, while The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind, written in 1273, reveals the object of devotion in terms of the Law. The Opening of the Eyes begins with the words: "There are three categories of people that all human beings should respect. They are the sovereign, the teacher, and the parent" (WND/220). In the concluding part, Nichiren says, "I, Nichiren, am sovereign, teacher, and father and mother to all the people of Japan" (WND/287). Because in this statement Nichiren identifies himself with the three virtues the Buddhas possess, it is viewed as his declaration that he is the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. He also states: "On the twelfth day of the ninth month of last year [1271], between the hours of the rat and the ox [11:00 A.M. to 3:00 A.M.], this person named Nichiren was beheaded. It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado and, in the second month of the following year, snowbound, is writing this to send to his close disciples" (WND/269). "This person named Nichiren" means the ordinary person Nichiren. "It is his soul that has come to this island of Sado" is taken to mean that the individual who arrived alive at Sado was Nichiren in his true identity— the Buddha Nichiren.The title The Opening of the Eyes means to open the eyes of the people and awaken them to the three virtues of the Buddhism of the harvest and finally to those of the Buddhism of sowing, severing their blind attachment to the provisional teachings. In doing so, Nichiren discusses the relative superiority of the lifetime teachings of Shakyamuni (with the doctrine known as the fivefold comparison), determines the superiority of the Lotus Sutra over all other sutras, and reveals the Mystic Law, the teaching for attaining Buddhahood in the Latter Day of the Law. He says: "The doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life [i.e., the Mystic Law] is found in only one place, hidden in the depths of the 'Life Span' chapter of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu were aware of it but did not bring it forth into the light. T'ient'ai Chihche alone embraced it and kept it ever in mind" (WND/224). Based on this passage, Nichikan later established the doctrine of the threefold secret teaching. In his work known as The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren writes: "I began to put into shape a work in two volumes called The Opening of the Eyes, which I had been working on since the eleventh month of the previous year. I wanted to record the wonder of Nichiren, in case I should be beheaded" (WND/772). The Opening of the Eyes, which was intended for posterity, was given to Shijo Kingo, a lay disciple who had accompanied Nichiren to the execution site at Tatsunokuchi and resolved to die there by his side. See also five-fold comparison; threefold secret teaching.

fivefold comparison
[五重の相対] (Jpn goju-no-sotai )

Five successive levels of comparison set forth by Nichiren (1222-1282) in The Opening of the Eyes to demonstrate the superiority of his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo over all other teachings.

(1) Buddhism is superior to non-Buddhist teachings. Nichiren takes up Confucianism and Brahmanism, and concludes that these non-Buddhist religions are not as profound as Buddhism in that they do not reveal the causal law of life that penetrates the three existences of past, present, and future.

(2) Mahayana Buddhism is superior to Hinayana Buddhism. Hinayana Buddhism is the teaching for persons of the two vehicles, or voice-hearers (Skt shravaka ) and cause-awakened ones (pratyekabuddha), who aim at personal emancipation; its ultimate goal is to put an end to the cycle of rebirth in the threefold world by eliminating all earthly desires. It is called Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) because it saves only a limited number of people. In contrast, Mahayana Buddhism is the teaching for bodhisattvas who aim at both personal enlightenment and the enlightenment of others; it is called Mahayana (Great Vehicle) because it can lead many people to enlightenment. In this sense, the Mahayana teachings are superior to the Hinayana teachings.

(3) True Mahayana is superior to provisional Mahayana. Here true Mahayana means the Lotus Sutra, while provisional Mahayana indicates the Mahayana teachings that, according to T'ient'ai's system of classification, were expounded before the Lotus Sutra. In the provisional Mahayana teachings, the people of the two vehicles, women, and evil persons are excluded from the possibility of attaining enlightenment; in addition, Buddhahood is attained only by advancing through progressive stages of bodhisattva practice over incalculable kalpas. In contrast, the Lotus Sutra reveals that all people have the Buddha nature inherently, and that they can attain Buddhahood immediately by realizing that nature. Furthermore, the provisional Mahayana teachings assert that Shakyamuni attained enlightenment for the first time in India and do not reveal his original attainment of Buddhahood in the remote past, nor do they reveal the principle of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds, as does the Lotus Sutra. For these reasons, the true Mahayana teachings are superior to the provisional Mahayana teachings.

(4) The essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra is superior to the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra. The theoretical teaching consists of the first fourteen chapters of the Lotus Sutra, and the essential teaching, the latter fourteen chapters. The theoretical teaching takes the form of preaching by Shakyamuni who is still viewed as having attained enlightenment during his lifetime in India. In contrast, the essential teaching takes the form of preaching by Shakyamuni who has discarded this transient status and revealed his true identity as the Buddha who attained Buddhahood in the remote past. This revelation implies that all the Ten Worlds of ordinary people are eternal just as the Buddha's are, and confirms that Buddhahood is an ever-present potential of human life. For these reasons, the essential teaching is superior to the theoretical teaching.

(5) The Buddhism of sowing is superior to the Buddhism of the harvest. Nichiren established this comparison based on the concept of sowing, maturing, and harvesting that T'ient'ai (538-597) set forth in The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra. In The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra, T'ient'ai cites the process by which the Buddha teaches, described in the "Parable of the Phantom City" (seventh) chapter of the Lotus Sutra, as well as the relationship of the Buddha and his disciples from the remote past explained in the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter of the sutra. All these ideas illustrate how the Buddha begins teaching his disciples by sowing the seeds of Buddhahood in their lives, helps those seeds mature, and finally harvests their fruit by leading them to the final stage of enlightenment or Buddhahood.The Lotus Sutra describes this process as ranging over countless kalpas. The sutra does not, however, explain the nature of these original seeds, though it is clear that the seed of Buddhahood is essential for attaining Buddhahood. Nichiren identifies the seed as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and states that it can be found only in the depths of the "Life Span" chapter. By implanting this seed in one's life, one can attain Buddhahood. From this viewpoint, Nichiren identifies his teaching as the Buddhism of sowing (the teaching aimed at implanting the seed of Buddhahood) and Shakyamuni's as the Buddhism of the harvest (the teaching aimed at harvesting the fruit of enlightenment borne from the seed planted in the remote past). He explains that Shakyamuni appeared in India in order to harvest the fruit of Buddhahood borne from the seed he had sown and caused to mature in the lives of his disciples until that time. The people of the Latter Day of the Law who have no such seed implanted in their lives cannot harvest its fruit. Nichiren states, "Now, in the Latter Day of the Law, neither the Lotus Sutra nor the other sutras lead to enlightenment. Only Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can do so" (WND/903).

threefold secret teaching
[三重秘伝] (Jpn sanju-hiden )

A doctrine Nichikan (1665-1726), the twenty-sixth chief priest of Taiseki-ji temple, established based on the passage in Nichiren's treatise The Opening of the Eyes that reads: "The doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life is found in only one place, hidden in the depths of the 'Life Span' chapter of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu were aware of it but did not bring it forth into the light. T'ient'ai Chihche alone embraced it and kept it ever in mind" (WND/224). Nichikan interpreted this sentence to mean that the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life is found (1) only in the Lotus Sutra, not in any other sutra; (2) only in the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter of the essential teaching (latter half), not in the theoretical teaching (first half) of the Lotus Sutra; and (3) only in the "depths," not on the "surface," of the "Life Span" chapter. The first point corresponds to the comparison of the true teaching (the Lotus Sutra) and the provisional teachings (all the other sutras). The second point corresponds to the comparison of the essential teaching and the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra. The third point corresponds to the comparison of the "depths" and the "surface" of the "Life Span" chapter of the sutra, the former indicating the Buddhism of sowing, and the latter, the Buddhism of the harvest. These three levels of comparison reveal the ultimate teaching of Nichiren, or the Buddhism of sowing, as being Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws. Nichikan used the term "threefold secret teaching" because the Buddhism of sowing, hidden threefold in the depths of the "Life Span" chapter, was unknown to the other Nichiren schools.

 

[Bonzo]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo my friends

 

[Forest20]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

 

[easyDaimoku]

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!!!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo my friends

Our Brother, the Buddha, returns once again!!!

Thank you Gohonzon!

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Bonz! Don't be a stranger!

T

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"To read the Lotus Sutra with our life means to actualise the Buddha’s intent; it means to fulfill our vow for kosen-rufu—that is, to carry out the noble mission of leading all people to enlightenment in the evil age after the Buddha’s passing. When we read the Lotus Sutra with our life, we can open the way for kosen-rufu into the eternal future. When we dedicate our life to the great vow of the Buddha for the happiness of all people, we can attain a state of being brimming with the 'boundless joy of the Law,'[1] a state of unsurpassed happiness."

SGI Newsletter No. 8373, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [32] “The Four Debts of Gratitude”[1], Gratitude Is the Driving Force for Unlimited Development, from the Sep. 2011 issue of the Daibyaku Renge, translated Nov. 11th, 2011

[1] Boundless joy of the Law: The supreme and ultimate happiness of the Buddha, the benefit of the Mystic Law. In “Happiness in This World,” the Daishonin writes: “There is no true happiness for human beings other than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The [Lotus] sutra reads, ‘ . . . where living beings enjoy themselves at ease’ [LSOC16, 272 (LS16, 230)]. How could this passage mean anything but the boundless joy of the Law?” (WND-1, 681).

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"My praise of your mother counts for little, but the sutra says that she 'wins the admiration of the Buddhas.' Thinking, 'How encouraging, how encouraging!' you should apply yourself earnestly to faith."

(The Origin of the Service for Deceased Ancestors - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 191) Selection source: SGI President Ikeda's guidance, Seikyo Shimbun, November 13th, 2011

 

[Babbabud]

Thanks for all the daily inspiration provided here !!
Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[AfroSheep]

Hey all,
Been an amazingly long time since i posted in this thread, and havn't been following it too often ,

Really need some inspiration right now though,
Ive taken part time at my current job, because it was either that or made redundant(being only working therer 6-7 months no severance pay either,

So im on the hunt for something new, and need all the help and chants of the fellow community to carry me through to my new path of enlightenment,
Im not entirely sure which path of work ill go down,

Im a qualified butcher but dont really want to go back to doing that at this time,


Anyway cheers in advance for the support and kind words.

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

Peace AS

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Hey all,
Been an amazingly long time since i posted in this thread, and havn't been following it too often ,

Really need some inspiration right now though,Ive taken part time at my current job, because it was either that or made redundant(being only working therer 6-7 months no severance pay either,

So im on the hunt for something new, and need all the help and chants of the fellow community to carry me through to my new path of enlightenment, Im not entirely sure which path of work ill go down,

Im a qualified butcher but dont really want to go back to doing that at this time,


Anyway cheers in advance for the support and kind words.

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo

Peace AS

Brother, as long as you apply yourself with serious intent, it would be virtually impossible for you to not see some benefit from chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo about your current situation. You need to know that the power comes from you, so what we all do has a lot less to do with your outcome than you do. So if you seriously challenge the power of the Law to prove itself to you, and genuinely chant sincere and abundant Daimoku, the Law is up to the challenge. Any challenge. No magic, just cause and effect. Need a big effect? Make a big cause (chant a lot)! We are not talking a few minutes of chanting in such critical or challenging circumstances, rather, most often its hours of chanting that most effectively turn things miraculously around.

I generally chant two hours a day.

Good luck and deep respect!

Thomas

 

[AfroSheep]

Hi Thomas, Thanks for the kind words,

I do no that true potential comes from within and all i need to do, is put my own head into the right mindset of intention,
I stopped chanting for awhile, but was always trying to help others and do good by others because in turn, what goes around comes around,

Once again thanks for the kind words Thomas,

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,

Peace n Pot,
Afro.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Therefore, wherever we dwell and practise the single vehicle, that place will be the Capital of Eternally Tranquil Light."

(Reply to Sairen-bo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 313) Selection source: Together with the Gosho - President Ikeda's guidance, Seikyo Shimbun, November 2nd, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"' [Among the disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha,] Chudapanthaka was unable to memorize a teaching of fourteen characters even in the space of three years, and yet he attained Buddhahood. Devadatta, on the other hand, had committed to memory sixty thousand teachings but fell into the hell of incessant suffering. These examples exactly represent the situation in the world in this present latter age. Never suppose that they pertain only to other people and not to yourselves.' From “Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain” (WND-1, 602).

"In the realm of Buddhism, those who are honest and sincere will undoubtedly win in the end. There is no way that those who strive for kosen-rufu with dedication, perseverance, and earnestness throughout their lives will fail to become happy. The victorious lives of our honourable fellow members are the most powerful testimony to this truth. In contrast, arrogant people with positions of great responsibility who forget their debts of gratitude, only seeking personal fame and fortune, travel a path that leads to misery in accord with the strict law of cause and effect.

"The key to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime is faith alone."

SGI Newsletter No. 8377, Living the Gosho: Words of Encouragement from SGI President Ikeda, (57) Faith Is the Key, translated Nov. 15th, 2011, from the October 22, 2011, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Even if one should fall into hell, because one has heard the Lotus Sutra, which leads to Buddhahood, with this as the seed, one will invariably become a Buddha."

(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 882) Selection source: "Myoji no Gen", Seikyo Shimbun, November 16th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Buddhism is based upon reason and common sense.
Aligning ourselves to the rhythm of "Faith Equals Daily Life"
is the wisest and most direct path to victory.
Let's advance boldly ahead with a strong resolute prayer!

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[AfroSheep]

Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo!

 

[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, November 17th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"One’s commitment to unity is manifested in one’s everyday words and actions.”

"...As President Toda declared: “The Soka Gakkai will always triumph through the unity of ‘many in body, one in mind’!”...

“We’re all human, so of course there will be some people with whom we just don’t like. But our Buddhist practice and human revolution entail making the effort to get along with all people for the sake of kosen-rufu. In such cases, we should chant daimoku earnestly and strive to expand our life-state. When our life-state becomes broader and higher, we are able to accept everyone.”

SGI Newslettter No. 8376, The New Human Revolution––Vol. 25: Chap. 1, Light of Happiness 19, translated Nov. 15th, 2011

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Allow me to share with you some words of former Polish president Lech Walesa, who was a key figure in a pro-democracy movement that later inspired those in other parts of Eastern Europe. He said:

Truth and justice are the most important things there are.
*
If you are convinced that you are in the right, you must fight for it.
*
I will fight like a lion.
*
I recognise the individual's ability to change things.
*
'We'll win!'

"Mr. Walesa stood up to lead a non-violent grassroots pro-democracy movement to bring about fundamental change to Polish society. He fought with lion like courage and won. This is the spirit that we, and especially our youth division leaders, must keep alive in our hearts.

"Mr. Walesa also said: 'What we have achieved was only possible because we stood together in solidarity,' and 'If we forget this solidarity, we will fall.'

"Our strength as Soka Gakkai members also lies in solidarity. Nichiren Daishonin writes:

"'All disciples and lay supporters of Nichiren should chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the spirit of many in body but one in mind, transcending all differences among themselves to become as inseparable as fish and the water in which they swim.' (WND-1, 217)

"I hope all of you will take the Daishonin's words to heart and, working together in solid unity with your fellow members in your local areas and regions, make 2011--the Year of Capable People and Dynamic Development--one of complete triumph.

SGI Newsletter No. 8226, SGI President Ikeda’s Message, NATIONWIDE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE--PART 2 [OF 2], A Grand Vision for the Future of Kosen-rufu, from the December 26th, 2010, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, translated April 28th, 2011