Chanting Growers Group

[PassTheDoobie]

"Moscow State University Rector Victor Sadovnichy, a dear friend of mine, once said: 'Discussions are important. New discoveries invariably arise from such exchanges.'[1]

"Just as the spring sunshine warms the frozen earth back to life, so vibrant dialogue fills people’s hearts with fresh energy and nurtures the flowering of mutual trust.

"In Nichiren Daishonin’s treatise 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,' the guest, lamenting the many calamities and natural disasters befalling the realm, says beseechingly:

"Now surely the peace of the world and the stability of the nation are sought by both ruler and subject and desired by all the inhabitants of the country. . . . f you know of any means whereby disasters can be prevented and troubles brought to an end, I would like to hear about it. (WND-1, 18)

"What can we do to overcome the sufferings and disasters that afflict our world, and open the way to peace and happiness for all people? The more thoughtful and concerned a person is, the more they will be compelled to seek an answer to that question. Through our efforts to reach out to others in dialogue to create a peaceful and prosperous world for all, through our efforts to build an ever-growing circle of friendship, we can together find a hope-filled way forward and together bring forth the wisdom and strength to surmout all hardships and obstacles."

SGI Newsletter No. 8474, A Bright Blossoming of Friendship and Trust, from the April 2012 issue of Daibyakurenge, translated March 21st, 2012

[1] Translated from Japanese. Daisaku Ikeda and Victor A. Sadovnichy, Atarashiki Jinrui o, Atarashiki Sekai o—Kyoiku to Shakai o Kataru (A New Humanity, A New World—A Discourse on Education and Society), (Tokyo: Ushio Shuppansha, 2002), p. 124.

 

[Payaso]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Polishing happily today!

In other news, we hope the local firefighters

find a hope-filled way forward and together bring forth the wisdom and strength to surmount all hardships and obstacles

as they battle the Mills Fire and Site Complex just over the ridge from us...

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Buddhism describes this transformation in the depths of consciousness as follows: 'We burn the firewood of earthly desires and behold the fire of enlightened wisdom before our eyes.' Rather than allowing the anger or grief we feel about our present circumstances to find outlet in acts that harm or degrade others, we must expand and elevate those feelings to become the motivation for action to counter the social ills and threats that bring suffering to ourselves and others. Buddhism teaches that such transformation enables us to live lives that illuminate society with the qualities of courage and hope."

SGI Newsletter No. 8556, SGI President Ikeda’s Environment Proposal, commemorating the World Environment Day, 5th June, and 141st anniversary of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s birthday, June 6, 2012. For a Sustainable Global Society: Learning for Empowerment and Leadership, translated 3rd July 2012

(Trans. from Japanese.) Nichiren, Complete Works, p. 710.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Strengthen your resolve more than ever. Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue dye comes from indigo, but when something is repeatedly dyed in it, the colour is better than that of the indigo plant. The Lotus Sutra remains the same, but if you repeatedly strengthen your resolve, your colour will be better than that of others, and you will receive more blessings than they do."

(The Supremacy of the Law - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 615) Selection source: President Ikeda's essay: Our Great Road to Victory - 76 , Seikyo Shimbun, June 22nd, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If I were to describe Mr. Toda’s greatness in a single phrase, I would say he was a man of powerful conviction. No matter how harsh the circumstances, he was always fearless and self-confident. That’s why he was able to impart assurance and courage to others. He was a great leader. He was an indomitable champion.

"It’s important to build a self as solid as Mount Fuji—a self that will not be shaken or swayed by negative remarks or suffering. This is the key to winning in life. And faith in the Mystic Law is the ultimate source for developing such inner strength."

SGI Newsletter No. 8543. Dialogue for the Future: Traveling the Path of Victory Together with You, A dialogue series addressing members of the junior high school division and high school division. [2] Let Your Unique Personality Shine!, from the June 1, 2012, issue of the Mirai [Future] Journal, translated 21st June 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

The Gosho talks about those who 'rejoice in hearing the voice of someone else rejoice in the hearing.'* Let us wholeheartedly convey the joy of practicing this Buddhism to others. Passionate conversation based on trust and pulsating with enthusiasm is what lights up the lives and hearts of our friends.

Daisaku Ikeda

* Gosho -The Recitation of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span” Chapters, MW-1, pg. 68, "As for the Lotus Sutra, one may recite the entire sutra of twenty-eight chapters in eight volumes every day; or one may recite only one volume, or one chapter, or one verse, or one phrase, or one word; or one may simply chant the daimoku, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, only once a day, or chant it only once in the course of a lifetime; or hear someone else chant it only once in a lifetime and rejoice in the hearing, or rejoice in hearing the voice of someone else rejoice in the hearing, and so on in this manner to the fiftieth hearer. And if one were to be at the end, even if one’s faith were weak and one’s sense of rejoicing diluted like the frailty of a child of two or three, or the inability of a cow or horse to distinguish before from after, the blessings one would gain would be a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than those gained by persons of keen faculties and superior wisdom who study other sutras, persons such as Shariputra, Maudgalyayana, Manjushri, and Maitreya, who had committed to memory the entire texts of the various sutras."

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same; that will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world."

(Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 64) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, June 27th, 2010

 

[Babbabud]

Nam myoho renge kyo

 

[Payaso]

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[easyDaimoku]

Today we celebrate the establishment of the SGI Young Men's Division

Today we celebrate the establishment of the SGI Young Men's Division

Thank you for the timely encouragement T. You're absolutely right its been many years that I've been struggling with this relationship karma. Thanks for everything.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage."

(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, July 11th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"“None of you who declare yourselves to be my disciples should ever give way to cowardice” (WND-1, 764), writes the Daishonin—the words 'none of you' conveying his profound compassion, as he reaches out to every single one of his disciples without exception.

"The three obstacles and four devils are functions that try to make us abandon our faith in the Mystic Law by attacking our weakest points or causing our nearest and dearest—our parents, children, husbands, wives, and so on—to act in such a way as to test our faith. These functions can also manifest in the form of trials arising in our workplace or from our financial situation.

"The Daishonin writes: 'Since countless kalpas in the past you have thrown away your life more times than the number of dust particles of the land for the sake of your parents, your children, or your lands. But not once have you given up your life for the Lotus Sutra' (WND-1, 764). He seeks to drive home to his followers that this time of crisis is a crucial moment on which their ultimate attainment of Buddhahood hinges, and because of that they must not abandon their all-important faith in the Mystic Law. Hence, he reminds them: 'None of you . . . should ever give way to cowardice' (WND-1, 764). This is a call to all his followers to courageously persevere in faith."

SGI Newsletter No. 8557, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [39] “The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra”—Part 1 [of 3], from the April 2012 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, translated 6th July 2012.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"You mustn’t let your personality be defined by others. The answers to your questions are inside you. I hope that, through inner searching and reflection, you will unearth from within you the wonderful qualities that are your own very special possessions. If you actively develop your strong points, then even traits that you consider to be flaws or weaknesses will come to shine in a positive way.

"I’d like to share with you a quote from Musashi, a novel I read in my youth: 'Instead of wanting to be like this or that, make yourself into a silent, immovable giant. That’s what the mountain [Mount Fuji] is.'[1]"

SGI Newsletter No. 8543. Dialogue for the Future: Traveling the Path of Victory Together with You, A dialogue series addressing members of the junior high school division and high school division. [2] Let Your Unique Personality Shine!, from the June 1, 2012, issue of the Mirai [Future] Journal, translated 21st June 2012

[1] Eiji Yoshikawa, Musashi, translated by Charles S. Terry (Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1981), p. 680.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"It also states that, if the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds."

(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 4) Selection source: Teachings of Buddhism, Seikyo Shimbun, June 19th, 2012

 

[PassTheDoobie]

When friends are really struggling and trying to do their best, let's be sure to encourage them with the utmost of speed and urgency. Never let time slip by! Such care and attention is what gains people's trust and helps them to develop courage and confidence.

Daisaku Ikeda

 

[PassTheDoobie]

^^^^^I know I need to do a better job this and I will try....^^^^^

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"As the Daishonin’s disciples, we are not following on after such eminent and learned Buddhists as Mahakashyapa or Ananda, T’ien-t’ai or Dengyo, and so forth;[1] we surpass them, having gone a step beyond them, the Daishonin declares. How worthy and honourable that makes each and every one of us!

"In one of his lectures on 'The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra' (in 1957), Mr. Toda emphasised: 'Actually, today, it is the Soka Gakkai that is practicing exactly as the Daishonin teaches.'

"Mr. Makiguchi declared: 'Give me a single lion over a thousand sheep. A single courageous person committed to great good will be able to accomplish more than a thousand fainthearted people committed to minor good.'

"The Daishonin urges his followers not to be intimidated by the 'threats of the ruler of this little island country' (WND-1, 765).

"We of the SGI are lions. Let us keep moving forward steadfastly and intrepidly."

SGI Newsletter No. 8557, Learning from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin: The Teachings for Victory, [39] “The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra”—Part 1 [of 3], from the April 2012 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal, translated 6th July 2012.

[1] Mahakashyapa and Ananda were among Shakyamuni’s ten leading disciples. Mahakashyapa was known as foremost in the ascetic practices called dhuta and Ananda as foremost in hearing the Buddha’s teachings. T’ien-t’ai (also known as Chih-I; 538–97), a Chinese Buddhist priest of the Ch’en and Sui dynasties. His lectures were recorded as Great Concentration and Insight, and he developed the meditation on three thousand realms in a single moment of life. Dengyo (also known as Saicho; 767–822), the Heian-period founder of the Japanese Tendai (T’ien-t’ai) school. Among his writings are The Outstanding Principles of the Lotus Sutra and A Clarification of the Precepts.

 

[PassTheDoobie]

"If only you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, then what offence could fail to be eradicated? What blessing could fail to come? This is the truth, and it is of great profundity. You should believe and accept it."

(Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man -The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 130) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, July 12th, 2012

 

[Payaso]

"It also states that, if the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds."

(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 4) Selection source: Teachings of Buddhism, Seikyo Shimbun, June 19th, 2012

Sounds like a great explanation for what happened to this land called America...

However, I chant and encourage others to chant daily.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

I don't believe I am purer in thought than anyone else, but we are all here together and perhaps by sharing this wisdom we can elevate people's minds beyond the mundane existence we all share.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Thomas, you do a wonderful job! It is so encouraging to have you here chanting...

Thank you!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

 

[PassTheDoobie]

Whatever hardship we might be encountering now all will become meaningful and valuable experiences in our lives. That is what the Buddhist principle of "changing poison into medicine" is all about!* As long as we earnestly practice this faith, the gateway to hope will definitely open up for us.

Daisaku Ikeda

*Changing Poison into Medicine -

http://www.sgi.org/buddhism/buddhist-concepts/changing-poison-into-medicine.html