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Chanting Growers Group
- Thread starter PassTheDoobie
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Right on Bud!
Right on Bud!
Isn't having the confidence that you are truly making a difference in your life and others a tremendous thing??? This is something that I hope others can try and manifest in their lifes just as you have done. How Magnificent Bud! Wisdom comes from compassion. The wisdom to live correctly and with absolute joy in every life experience comes from practicing Nichiren's Buddhism.
Right on Bud!
Isn't having the confidence that you are truly making a difference in your life and others a tremendous thing??? This is something that I hope others can try and manifest in their lifes just as you have done. How Magnificent Bud! Wisdom comes from compassion. The wisdom to live correctly and with absolute joy in every life experience comes from practicing Nichiren's Buddhism.
"On Attaining Buddhahood"
"On Attaining Buddhahood"
"On Attaining Buddhahood"
"...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.
It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. When deluded, one
is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a
Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a
jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the
innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when
polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the
essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse
deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How
should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo"
Quote from the Gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood" by Nichiren Daishonin
"On Attaining Buddhahood"
"On Attaining Buddhahood"
"...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.
It is the same with a Buddha and an ordinary being. When deluded, one
is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a
Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a
jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the
innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when
polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the
essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse
deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How
should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo"
Quote from the Gosho "On Attaining Buddhahood" by Nichiren Daishonin
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Attended a SGI meeting last night. Had a great time chanting with some new ppl I hadnt met yet. It was a wonderful night. There were new people that had never done gongyo before so we did very slow gongyo so everyone can catch on. I burnt some cd's with gongyo on them to hand out to some of the members so hopefully this will help get everyone up too speed. Now comes the really big news .............. at the close of the meeting the chapter leader handed me my application to recieve the gohonzon. So I came home and spent sometime looking at which butsudan to order 
I wish that we were closer as I would really like to put Thomas down as my sponsor , after all this is PTD's thread
But of course logistics arent really on our side here.
I really believe that the reason I have been offered my application so quickly is because at the meetings after chanting when we had discussion it was obvious that I had studied. So I thank you all for the wonderful post and the time that you have spent bringing me to the proper teachings
Nam myoho renge kyo !!
So I came home and spent sometime looking at which butsudan to order I wish that we were closer as I would really like to put Thomas down as my sponsor , after all this is PTD's thread
But of course logistics arent really on our side here. I really believe that the reason I have been offered my application so quickly is because at the meetings after chanting when we had discussion it was obvious that I had studied. So I thank you all for the wonderful post and the time that you have spent bringing me to the proper teachings
Nam myoho renge kyo !!
Congrats Babbabud!
Congrats Babbabud!
Bud, what great news! What you have learned on this thread has been great in preparing you to recv the Gohonzon. You have been diligent with your strong seeking mind to want to find the truth which has now brought you to this point. I know for a fact that you have a tremendous mission as a Boddhisatva now to share and help many others in NoCal to find this truth also.
I do believe you can put Thomas as your sponsor on the application; its just that he can't be there beside you when you recv your gohonzon on that special day. I know of a site where disabled persons build really nice butsudans for about $150; let me know if this is any interest to you and I will try to find the site so you can check it out.
Nam myoho renge kyo - 'Like the Roar of a Lion'
Congrats Babbabud!
Bud, what great news! What you have learned on this thread has been great in preparing you to recv the Gohonzon. You have been diligent with your strong seeking mind to want to find the truth which has now brought you to this point. I know for a fact that you have a tremendous mission as a Boddhisatva now to share and help many others in NoCal to find this truth also.
I do believe you can put Thomas as your sponsor on the application; its just that he can't be there beside you when you recv your gohonzon on that special day. I know of a site where disabled persons build really nice butsudans for about $150; let me know if this is any interest to you and I will try to find the site so you can check it out.
Nam myoho renge kyo - 'Like the Roar of a Lion'
CONGRATULATIONS!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hey Bud!
The pleasure has been all mine, and quite an honor! The name on the application matters little, as the Universe keeps track of these things. Your seeking spirit is what has made this happen for you. Those with similar seeking spirits may now be encouraged to do the same. Again, Congratulations!
Great Posts SoCal! Thank you so much!
Everyone keep praying for our brothers and sisters in the South everyone! Don't forget them. They will need all the energy you can send them for a very long time.
Thomas
CONGRATULATIONS!
Hey Bud!The pleasure has been all mine, and quite an honor! The name on the application matters little, as the Universe keeps track of these things. Your seeking spirit is what has made this happen for you. Those with similar seeking spirits may now be encouraged to do the same. Again, Congratulations!
Great Posts SoCal! Thank you so much!
Everyone keep praying for our brothers and sisters in the South everyone! Don't forget them. They will need all the energy you can send them for a very long time.
Thomas
I just heard that the Chinese had sent a large plane full of generators, childrens clothes, water and supplies to us. My eyes filled with tears hearing how our brothers love us despite all our faults. Humanity goes beyond politics or religion and it pains me to sit here in my ivory tower just chanting. MY wish is to save the animals. Everyone else worries only about the people but the animals are dependent on us.
I know people matter most but how can you look in a hungry animals eyes and not want to feed it? How can we let the animals be left behind. I could no more leave my pets behind than I could leave my wife or son or grandchildren. It just wouldn't happen.
Like the good king atop the mountain being picked up in a ufo by an angel who was told he could go but the dog couldn't. The King looked in his dogs eyes and knew that dog had been there with him through it all. Indeed that dog was enlightened himself.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo that all sufferring can be reduced for all living creatures and that we may keep our compassion no matter how much it hurts...
Forgive my absence and lax study habits please. BOG
We really have no choice but to move forward...
I know people matter most but how can you look in a hungry animals eyes and not want to feed it? How can we let the animals be left behind. I could no more leave my pets behind than I could leave my wife or son or grandchildren. It just wouldn't happen.
Like the good king atop the mountain being picked up in a ufo by an angel who was told he could go but the dog couldn't. The King looked in his dogs eyes and knew that dog had been there with him through it all. Indeed that dog was enlightened himself.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo that all sufferring can be reduced for all living creatures and that we may keep our compassion no matter how much it hurts...
Forgive my absence and lax study habits please. BOG
We really have no choice but to move forward...
In kindling a fire, three things are needed: a good piece of steel, a
good flint, and good tinder. The same is true of prayer. Three things
are required - a good teacher, a good believer, and a good teaching -
before prayers can be effective and disasters banished from the land.
(WND, 880)
How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through
the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1277
from "Daily Wisdom - from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin"
good flint, and good tinder. The same is true of prayer. Three things
are required - a good teacher, a good believer, and a good teaching -
before prayers can be effective and disasters banished from the land.
(WND, 880)
How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through
the Lotus Sutra
Written to the lay nun Myoho in 1277
from "Daily Wisdom - from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin"
Events:
September 8, 1957: President Josei Toda makes declaration against the
use of nuclear weapons.
"Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda was born in 1900. Like his
mentor, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, he was a passionate and innovative
educator. Disillusioned with a Japanese educational system that
advanced the interests of the state and suppressed independent
thought, Mr. Toda took immediate interest in Mr. Makiguchi's
pedagogical theories when they met in 1920. Mr. Toda was the first to
apply those theories when he began managing a private school in Tokyo.
"Mr. Toda began practicing Nichiren Buddhism in 1928. Two years later,
together with Mr. Makiguchi, he founded Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (the Value
Creation and Education Society). With the onset of World War II,
however, because of their unyielding commitment to human rights and
the pacifist principles of their faith, they met with harassment and
persecution. Both were arrested and imprisoned by the militarist
government in 1943 on charges of "blasphemy" and "violating the
Maintenance of Public Order Act"; the Society, in effect, ceased to
exist. Makiguchi died in prison, never having compromised his beliefs.
"Mr. Toda, too, would not compromise. He was released just weeks
before Japan's surrender in 1945. While imprisoned, Mr. Toda, through
faith and study of Nichiren Buddhism, had come to a profound
understanding that Buddhahood, or enlightenment, is inherent in life
itself and all people can manifest it.
"This realization, coupled with his deep anger toward the military
government's wanton exercise of power, became the motivation for his
efforts to propagate Nichiren Buddhism for the remainder of his life.
He renamed the pre-war society Soka Gakkai (the Value Creation
Society), thus expressing his conviction that its mission should not
be confined to educators and the field of education but should extend
to the whole of society.
"In 1957, Mr. Toda issued a declaration condemning the use of nuclear
weapons as criminal under any circumstances, and called on the young
people of the world to work for their abolition. The declaration
became the cornerstone of Soka Gakkai's peace activities. Membership
in the Society grew rapidly under Mr. Toda's leadership, to more than
750,000 households by the time of his death in 1958."
From:
http://www.toda.org/
September 8, 1957: President Josei Toda makes declaration against the
use of nuclear weapons.
"Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda was born in 1900. Like his
mentor, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, he was a passionate and innovative
educator. Disillusioned with a Japanese educational system that
advanced the interests of the state and suppressed independent
thought, Mr. Toda took immediate interest in Mr. Makiguchi's
pedagogical theories when they met in 1920. Mr. Toda was the first to
apply those theories when he began managing a private school in Tokyo.
"Mr. Toda began practicing Nichiren Buddhism in 1928. Two years later,
together with Mr. Makiguchi, he founded Soka Kyoiku Gakkai (the Value
Creation and Education Society). With the onset of World War II,
however, because of their unyielding commitment to human rights and
the pacifist principles of their faith, they met with harassment and
persecution. Both were arrested and imprisoned by the militarist
government in 1943 on charges of "blasphemy" and "violating the
Maintenance of Public Order Act"; the Society, in effect, ceased to
exist. Makiguchi died in prison, never having compromised his beliefs.
"Mr. Toda, too, would not compromise. He was released just weeks
before Japan's surrender in 1945. While imprisoned, Mr. Toda, through
faith and study of Nichiren Buddhism, had come to a profound
understanding that Buddhahood, or enlightenment, is inherent in life
itself and all people can manifest it.
"This realization, coupled with his deep anger toward the military
government's wanton exercise of power, became the motivation for his
efforts to propagate Nichiren Buddhism for the remainder of his life.
He renamed the pre-war society Soka Gakkai (the Value Creation
Society), thus expressing his conviction that its mission should not
be confined to educators and the field of education but should extend
to the whole of society.
"In 1957, Mr. Toda issued a declaration condemning the use of nuclear
weapons as criminal under any circumstances, and called on the young
people of the world to work for their abolition. The declaration
became the cornerstone of Soka Gakkai's peace activities. Membership
in the Society grew rapidly under Mr. Toda's leadership, to more than
750,000 households by the time of his death in 1958."
From:
http://www.toda.org/
SGI New Orleans update
SGI New Orleans update
The SGI-USA New Orleans Community Center*
The SGI-USA New Orleans Community Center* sustained no damage from
Hurricane Katrina other than the missing sign.
*See Photo at Past Updates:
http://www.sgi-usa.org/katrina/pastupdates.htm#090605
SGI New Orleans update
The SGI-USA New Orleans Community Center*
The SGI-USA New Orleans Community Center* sustained no damage from
Hurricane Katrina other than the missing sign.
*See Photo at Past Updates:
http://www.sgi-usa.org/katrina/pastupdates.htm#090605
The Two Kinds of Faith / WND pg. 899
The Two Kinds of Faith / WND pg. 899
The Two Kinds of Faith
I have received your offerings of yams, skewer-dried persimmons, parched rice, chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and bamboo containers of vinegar.
There was once a ruler in India named Ashoka the Great. He reigned over a quarter of the land of Jambudvipa and, accompanied by the dragon (1) kings, controlled the rain at his will. He even used demons to do his bidding. At first he was a merciless ruler, but later he converted to Buddhism. He made offerings to sixty thousand monks each day and erected eighty-four thousand stone stupas. On inquiring into the previous lifetime of this great sovereign, we find that in the days of Shakyamuni Buddha there were two little boys called Virtue Victorious and Invincible who once offered the Buddha a mud pie. Because of this act of sincerity, the boy Virtue Victorious was reborn within one hundred years as King Ashoka.
The Buddha is of course respectworthy, but when compared with the Lotus Sutra he is like a firefly beside the sun or moon. The superiority of the Lotus Sutra to Shakyamuni Buddha is as great as the distance from heaven to earth. Presenting offerings to the Buddha produces benefits like that. How much more so is this true of the Lotus Sutra? If such a marvelous reward was brought about by the mere offering of a mud pie, how much more will come about as a result of all your various gifts! He suffered no shortage of food, but now we are in a land where hunger prevails. Therefore how could Shakyamuni Buddha, Many Treasures Buddha, and the ten demon daughters possibly fail to protect you?
Today there are people who have faith in the Lotus Sutra. The belief of some is like fire while that of others is like water. When the former listen to the teachings, their passion flares up like fire, but as time goes on, they tend to discard their faith. To have faith like water means to believe continuously without ever regressing. Since you visit me constantly, regardless of the difficulties, your belief is comparable to flowing water. It is worthy of great respect!
Is it true that there is illness in your family? If so, it cannot be the work of demons. Probably the ten demon daughters are testing the strength of your faith. No demon worthy of the name would even think of troubling a votary of the sutra and having its head (2) broken. Persist in your faith with the firm conviction that both Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra are free from any falsehood.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu to Nanjo Tokimitsu, the steward of Ueno Village in Suruga Province, in the second month of the fourth year of Kenji (1278). The previous year had been a time of turmoil. A serious drought had devastated crops, and the resulting famine brought countless hard-ships. In addition, an epidemic had swept the area, causing many deaths. At the same time, the threat of a second invasion by Mongol forces contributed to a general feeling of unease.
In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin expresses his gratitude for Nanjo's offerings and praises him for his deep sincerity. He introduces the concept of the two kinds of faith: faith like ephemeral fire and faith like ever-flowing water. The Daishonin lauds Nanjo's faith as being like the latter.
Notes
1. Dragons are one of the eight kinds of nonhuman beings that protect Buddhism. Not only are they believed to bring rain, but also they are said to have supernatural powers and the ability to bring about miraculous phenomena.
2. "No demon worthy of the name . . ." refers to the episode in the "Dharani" chapter of the Lotus Sutra where the ten demon daughters and others promise the Buddha that they will protect the votaries of the Lotus Sutra from decline or harm. They also declare, "If there are those who . . . trouble and disrupt the preachers of the Law, their heads will split into seven pieces like the branches of the arjaka tree." Thus no demon would think of troubling a votary of the Lotus Sutra.
The Two Kinds of Faith / WND pg. 899
The Two Kinds of Faith
I have received your offerings of yams, skewer-dried persimmons, parched rice, chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and bamboo containers of vinegar.
There was once a ruler in India named Ashoka the Great. He reigned over a quarter of the land of Jambudvipa and, accompanied by the dragon (1) kings, controlled the rain at his will. He even used demons to do his bidding. At first he was a merciless ruler, but later he converted to Buddhism. He made offerings to sixty thousand monks each day and erected eighty-four thousand stone stupas. On inquiring into the previous lifetime of this great sovereign, we find that in the days of Shakyamuni Buddha there were two little boys called Virtue Victorious and Invincible who once offered the Buddha a mud pie. Because of this act of sincerity, the boy Virtue Victorious was reborn within one hundred years as King Ashoka.
The Buddha is of course respectworthy, but when compared with the Lotus Sutra he is like a firefly beside the sun or moon. The superiority of the Lotus Sutra to Shakyamuni Buddha is as great as the distance from heaven to earth. Presenting offerings to the Buddha produces benefits like that. How much more so is this true of the Lotus Sutra? If such a marvelous reward was brought about by the mere offering of a mud pie, how much more will come about as a result of all your various gifts! He suffered no shortage of food, but now we are in a land where hunger prevails. Therefore how could Shakyamuni Buddha, Many Treasures Buddha, and the ten demon daughters possibly fail to protect you?
Today there are people who have faith in the Lotus Sutra. The belief of some is like fire while that of others is like water. When the former listen to the teachings, their passion flares up like fire, but as time goes on, they tend to discard their faith. To have faith like water means to believe continuously without ever regressing. Since you visit me constantly, regardless of the difficulties, your belief is comparable to flowing water. It is worthy of great respect!
Is it true that there is illness in your family? If so, it cannot be the work of demons. Probably the ten demon daughters are testing the strength of your faith. No demon worthy of the name would even think of troubling a votary of the sutra and having its head (2) broken. Persist in your faith with the firm conviction that both Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra are free from any falsehood.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu to Nanjo Tokimitsu, the steward of Ueno Village in Suruga Province, in the second month of the fourth year of Kenji (1278). The previous year had been a time of turmoil. A serious drought had devastated crops, and the resulting famine brought countless hard-ships. In addition, an epidemic had swept the area, causing many deaths. At the same time, the threat of a second invasion by Mongol forces contributed to a general feeling of unease.
In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin expresses his gratitude for Nanjo's offerings and praises him for his deep sincerity. He introduces the concept of the two kinds of faith: faith like ephemeral fire and faith like ever-flowing water. The Daishonin lauds Nanjo's faith as being like the latter.
Notes
1. Dragons are one of the eight kinds of nonhuman beings that protect Buddhism. Not only are they believed to bring rain, but also they are said to have supernatural powers and the ability to bring about miraculous phenomena.
2. "No demon worthy of the name . . ." refers to the episode in the "Dharani" chapter of the Lotus Sutra where the ten demon daughters and others promise the Buddha that they will protect the votaries of the Lotus Sutra from decline or harm. They also declare, "If there are those who . . . trouble and disrupt the preachers of the Law, their heads will split into seven pieces like the branches of the arjaka tree." Thus no demon would think of troubling a votary of the Lotus Sutra.
"The Buddha is of course respectworthy, but when compared with the Lotus Sutra he is like a firefly beside the sun or moon. The superiority of the Lotus Sutra to Shakyamuni Buddha is as great as the distance from heaven to earth."
I think it obvious that the Daishonin is comparing Shakyamuni to the Entity of the Lotus Sutra, but this is just my opinion. No disrespect to Shakyamuni; just a straight up comparative of the truth as to the way things are. Only faith allows one to understand this correctly.
I think it obvious that the Daishonin is comparing Shakyamuni to the Entity of the Lotus Sutra, but this is just my opinion. No disrespect to Shakyamuni; just a straight up comparative of the truth as to the way things are. Only faith allows one to understand this correctly.
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PS: Great link on the toda.org site, SoCal. That is way cool; thanks for sharing it! Did you check out the advisory council list? I fucking flipped. I almost posted it just to make a point. You want a human diversity perspective to global issues? CHECK OUT THAT LIST! A whole lot of really smart people!
T
T
Bud's thread
Bud's thread
Would be honored if my brothers and sisters from "Chanting Growers Thread " would post on our thread. Its been up for 2.5 months now hint heheh come on give a brother a break http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=12593&page=1&pp=30
Nam myoho renge kyo!
Bud's thread
Would be honored if my brothers and sisters from "Chanting Growers Thread " would post on our thread. Its been up for 2.5 months now
hint heheh come on give a brother a break http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=12593&page=1&pp=30Nam myoho renge kyo!
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
Chapter Twenty: The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging
Thirty important points (continued)
Point Seventeen, concerning the various positions or standpoints from which the bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s bow of obeisance is carried out
There are fourteen such positions from which the bow of obeisance is conducted.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The first position is that represented by the bow of obeisance carried out in the treasure tower. This is because the stupa or tower is composed of the five elements. He five elements are earth, water, fire, wind, and space. The stupa made of these is known as the treasure tower.
Vast as the Dharma-realm is, it is composed of nothing more than these five elements. Therefore it has been taught that the bow of obeisance is carried out within the treasure tower. Treat this as secret, treat this as secret.
Point Eighteen, concerning the bow of obeisance based on the passage on opening, showing, awakening, and causing to enter (chapter two, Expedient Means)
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Another place where the bow of obeisance is conducted is the passage that tells how the Buddhas wish for the sake of all living beings to carry out four actions, namely, to “open, show, awaken, and cause them to enter” the Buddha wisdom. This passage in the “Expedient Means” chapter therefore represents the second place where the bow of obeisance is carried out.
[In his Words and Phrases, volume ten, T’ien-t’ai] interprets this to mean that within one’s heart one possesses the understanding of the bodhisattva Never Disparaging. He interprets this understanding to mean the understanding that all living beings possess innate Buddhahood. To open up the Buddha nature that is innate in them, the Buddhas appear in the world. This is what the sutra means when it says, “to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings” (chapter two, Expedient Means).
Point Nineteen, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the passage “At all times I think to myself: / How can I cause livings beings / to gain entry into the unsurpassed way / and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?” (chapter sixteen, Life Span)
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The words “at all times” refer to the three existences. The word “think” indicates that the Buddha thinks of the Buddha nature inherent in all living beings. Consequently, the idea expressed in the words “quickly acquire the body of a Buddha” is the same as that expressed in the words [of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging] “you are all certain to attain Buddhahood.” Hence this passage has been taken to represent the bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s bow of obeisance.
The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai interprets it [in his Words and Phrases, volume ten] as the ‘replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle,’ and as “the opening of the near and the revealing of the distant.” Treat this matter as secret. Treat this matter as secret.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
Chapter Twenty: The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging
Thirty important points (continued)
Point Seventeen, concerning the various positions or standpoints from which the bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s bow of obeisance is carried out
There are fourteen such positions from which the bow of obeisance is conducted.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The first position is that represented by the bow of obeisance carried out in the treasure tower. This is because the stupa or tower is composed of the five elements. He five elements are earth, water, fire, wind, and space. The stupa made of these is known as the treasure tower.
Vast as the Dharma-realm is, it is composed of nothing more than these five elements. Therefore it has been taught that the bow of obeisance is carried out within the treasure tower. Treat this as secret, treat this as secret.
Point Eighteen, concerning the bow of obeisance based on the passage on opening, showing, awakening, and causing to enter (chapter two, Expedient Means)
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Another place where the bow of obeisance is conducted is the passage that tells how the Buddhas wish for the sake of all living beings to carry out four actions, namely, to “open, show, awaken, and cause them to enter” the Buddha wisdom. This passage in the “Expedient Means” chapter therefore represents the second place where the bow of obeisance is carried out.
[In his Words and Phrases, volume ten, T’ien-t’ai] interprets this to mean that within one’s heart one possesses the understanding of the bodhisattva Never Disparaging. He interprets this understanding to mean the understanding that all living beings possess innate Buddhahood. To open up the Buddha nature that is innate in them, the Buddhas appear in the world. This is what the sutra means when it says, “to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings” (chapter two, Expedient Means).
Point Nineteen, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the passage “At all times I think to myself: / How can I cause livings beings / to gain entry into the unsurpassed way / and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?” (chapter sixteen, Life Span)
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The words “at all times” refer to the three existences. The word “think” indicates that the Buddha thinks of the Buddha nature inherent in all living beings. Consequently, the idea expressed in the words “quickly acquire the body of a Buddha” is the same as that expressed in the words [of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging] “you are all certain to attain Buddhahood.” Hence this passage has been taken to represent the bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s bow of obeisance.
The Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai interprets it [in his Words and Phrases, volume ten] as the ‘replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle,’ and as “the opening of the near and the revealing of the distant.” Treat this matter as secret. Treat this matter as secret.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
Chapter Twenty: The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging
Thirty important points (continued)
Point Twenty, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the words “Originally I practiced the bodhisattva way” (chapter sixteen, Life Span)
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The word “I” here refers to Shakyamuni Buddha when he was carrying out the true cause of his original enlightenment. This passage concerning how the Buddha “originally practiced the bodhisattva way” refers to the practice of the bodhisattva Never Disparaging [who was reborn as Shakyamuni]. Hence it indicates a place where the bow of obeisance is carried out.
Point Twenty-one, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the words “birth, aging, sickness, and death”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Living Beings as a whole fail to free themselves from the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, but continue to wander deludedly in impermanence, change, and extinction. Therefore they fail to realize that they are capable of achieving enlightenment in a future existence. But when they come to realize this fact, then they will understand the doctrine that earthly desires are enlightenment and the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. And when they do so, the person who has taught them has performed a bow of obeisance to them.
When the left and right hands of the bower are held apart, this symbolizes the fact that earthly desires [and enlightenment], the sufferings of birth and death [and nirvana], and the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance and the bodhisattva Never Disparaging are all quite separate entities. But when the two hands are brought together in a bow of obeisance, this symbolizes the fact that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Then a bow of obeisance is preformed to the fact that the Buddha nature inherent in the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance and the Buddha nature inherent in the bodhisattva Never Disparaging are both manifestations of the single Wonderful Law.
Point Twenty-two, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the Dharma nature.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The bodhisattva Never Disparaging plants his feet firmly on the three inherent potentials of the Buddha nature that represent the Dharma nature and the true aspect of reality, namely, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, [the heart of] the twenty-four characters [that make up the passage reading, “I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare threat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood” (chapter twenty)]. And then he bows to the four kinds of believers who in their ignorance are overbearingly arrogant. In doing so, he is performing a bow of obeisance to the Buddha nature dormant and undeveloped in living beings.
Point Twenty-three, concerning the bow of obeisance related to ignorance
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: When one sets up distinctions between self and others, then the “others” are the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance, and the “I” is the bodhisattva Never Disparaging. To set up distinctions between good and bad by regarding the bodhisattva Never Disparaging as a “good” person and the arrogant ones as “bad” persons is a sign of ignorance. But when one recognizes this and performs a bow of obeisance, then one is bowing in obeisance to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the principle in which good and bad are not two different things, in which correct and incorrect are one and the same.
Point Twenty-four, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the two characters that make up renge, or lotus blossom
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Renge stands for the two factors of cause and effect. Where there is a bad cause, it will produce a bad effect; where there is a good cause, it will produce a good effect. The persons addressed by the bodhisattva Never Disparaging in their inner lives possess good causes that represent the three inherent potentials of the Buddha nature. When these potentials are actualized, they will produce good effects, which is why the bodhisattva bows to these persons in obeisance and declares that they all are “certain to attain Buddhahood” (chapter twenty).
Point Twenty-five, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the Land of Actual Reward
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: When the Ten Worlds are considered in ascending order, the Land of Actual Reward corresponds to the ninth world, that of the bodhisattva. Accordingly, we know that the Land of Actual Reward is where the bodhisattva Never Disparaging dwells. Because he performs a bow of obeisance there, it is known as the bow of obeisance related to the Land of Actual Reward.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings
Chapter Twenty: The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging
Thirty important points (continued)
Point Twenty, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the words “Originally I practiced the bodhisattva way” (chapter sixteen, Life Span)
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The word “I” here refers to Shakyamuni Buddha when he was carrying out the true cause of his original enlightenment. This passage concerning how the Buddha “originally practiced the bodhisattva way” refers to the practice of the bodhisattva Never Disparaging [who was reborn as Shakyamuni]. Hence it indicates a place where the bow of obeisance is carried out.
Point Twenty-one, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the words “birth, aging, sickness, and death”
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Living Beings as a whole fail to free themselves from the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, but continue to wander deludedly in impermanence, change, and extinction. Therefore they fail to realize that they are capable of achieving enlightenment in a future existence. But when they come to realize this fact, then they will understand the doctrine that earthly desires are enlightenment and the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. And when they do so, the person who has taught them has performed a bow of obeisance to them.
When the left and right hands of the bower are held apart, this symbolizes the fact that earthly desires [and enlightenment], the sufferings of birth and death [and nirvana], and the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance and the bodhisattva Never Disparaging are all quite separate entities. But when the two hands are brought together in a bow of obeisance, this symbolizes the fact that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Then a bow of obeisance is preformed to the fact that the Buddha nature inherent in the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance and the Buddha nature inherent in the bodhisattva Never Disparaging are both manifestations of the single Wonderful Law.
Point Twenty-two, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the Dharma nature.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: The bodhisattva Never Disparaging plants his feet firmly on the three inherent potentials of the Buddha nature that represent the Dharma nature and the true aspect of reality, namely, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, [the heart of] the twenty-four characters [that make up the passage reading, “I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare threat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you are all practicing the bodhisattva way and are certain to attain Buddhahood” (chapter twenty)]. And then he bows to the four kinds of believers who in their ignorance are overbearingly arrogant. In doing so, he is performing a bow of obeisance to the Buddha nature dormant and undeveloped in living beings.
Point Twenty-three, concerning the bow of obeisance related to ignorance
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: When one sets up distinctions between self and others, then the “others” are the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance, and the “I” is the bodhisattva Never Disparaging. To set up distinctions between good and bad by regarding the bodhisattva Never Disparaging as a “good” person and the arrogant ones as “bad” persons is a sign of ignorance. But when one recognizes this and performs a bow of obeisance, then one is bowing in obeisance to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the principle in which good and bad are not two different things, in which correct and incorrect are one and the same.
Point Twenty-four, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the two characters that make up renge, or lotus blossom
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: Renge stands for the two factors of cause and effect. Where there is a bad cause, it will produce a bad effect; where there is a good cause, it will produce a good effect. The persons addressed by the bodhisattva Never Disparaging in their inner lives possess good causes that represent the three inherent potentials of the Buddha nature. When these potentials are actualized, they will produce good effects, which is why the bodhisattva bows to these persons in obeisance and declares that they all are “certain to attain Buddhahood” (chapter twenty).
Point Twenty-five, concerning the bow of obeisance related to the Land of Actual Reward
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: When the Ten Worlds are considered in ascending order, the Land of Actual Reward corresponds to the ninth world, that of the bodhisattva. Accordingly, we know that the Land of Actual Reward is where the bodhisattva Never Disparaging dwells. Because he performs a bow of obeisance there, it is known as the bow of obeisance related to the Land of Actual Reward.
The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings says: When one sets up distinctions between self and others, then the “others” are the four kinds of believers of overbearing arrogance, and the “I” is the bodhisattva Never Disparaging. To set up distinctions between good and bad by regarding the bodhisattva Never Disparaging as a “good” person and the arrogant ones as “bad” persons is a sign of ignorance. But when one recognizes this and performs a bow of obeisance, then one is bowing in obeisance to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the principle in which good and bad are not two different things, in which correct and incorrect are one and the same.
"The presence of negative forces spurs us to battle against them, and it is through our efforts to challenge ourselves in that struggle that we grow and develop and come to savor profound joy in the depths of our lives—a joy that we share with our fellow members who strive wholeheartedly alongside us. There is no greater pride and honor in life than this."
SGI Newsletter No. 6572, NATIONWIDE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE-SESSION 5 [OF 7 SESSIONS], Faith Is the Ultimate Courage, (At the fifth session of the Nationwide Executive Conference, held on August 3, 2005, attended by regional leaders as well as national divisional representatives) Translated Sep. 9th, 2005
SGI Newsletter No. 6572, NATIONWIDE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE-SESSION 5 [OF 7 SESSIONS], Faith Is the Ultimate Courage, (At the fifth session of the Nationwide Executive Conference, held on August 3, 2005, attended by regional leaders as well as national divisional representatives) Translated Sep. 9th, 2005
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Oh, and about that big Koizumi election victory in Japan...
Oh, and about that big Koizumi election victory in Japan...
As you may have heard on the news the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan won a landslide victory in the name of reform of the presently government run postal institution but which is expected to be extended to other reforms in the future. Many of the LDP candidates only won because of their coalition partner the New Komeito and the press has been very quick to point this out! In return for the New Komeito's support in single seat constituencies LDP supporters were supposed to support the New Komeito in the proportional vote, to some extent they did but not as much as there could have been. Even so the New Komeito increased its overall voter support but lost three seats - two in the proportional vote and one in a single constituency. In some areas rebel ex-LDP non-reformists stood in the same constituencies as New Komeito candidates but in all areas where this did happen Komeito won resoundingly. LDP does seem though to appreciate the support the New Komeito has given them and New Komeito will continue to stay in the coalition where although small in size it holds a very strong grip on many key issues which not only effect Japan but many other countries throughout not only Asia but also the rest of the world.
* Komeito was founded by the Soka Gakkai in 1964 but later separated as an independent entity, although Soka Gakkai provides electoral support. The New Komeito is committed to protecting human rights, including freedom of religion, and protects the interests of non-union labor and people who work in small and medium-sized companies, constituencies that make up a large segment of the Japanese public.
If you have a friend(s) who would like to get To My Friends directly get them to send an E-mail to the following address and just simply write –
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from there on it is all automatic!
A French version of this is available by writing to :
[email protected]
Oh, and about that big Koizumi election victory in Japan...
As you may have heard on the news the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan won a landslide victory in the name of reform of the presently government run postal institution but which is expected to be extended to other reforms in the future. Many of the LDP candidates only won because of their coalition partner the New Komeito and the press has been very quick to point this out! In return for the New Komeito's support in single seat constituencies LDP supporters were supposed to support the New Komeito in the proportional vote, to some extent they did but not as much as there could have been. Even so the New Komeito increased its overall voter support but lost three seats - two in the proportional vote and one in a single constituency. In some areas rebel ex-LDP non-reformists stood in the same constituencies as New Komeito candidates but in all areas where this did happen Komeito won resoundingly. LDP does seem though to appreciate the support the New Komeito has given them and New Komeito will continue to stay in the coalition where although small in size it holds a very strong grip on many key issues which not only effect Japan but many other countries throughout not only Asia but also the rest of the world.
* Komeito was founded by the Soka Gakkai in 1964 but later separated as an independent entity, although Soka Gakkai provides electoral support. The New Komeito is committed to protecting human rights, including freedom of religion, and protects the interests of non-union labor and people who work in small and medium-sized companies, constituencies that make up a large segment of the Japanese public.
If you have a friend(s) who would like to get To My Friends directly get them to send an E-mail to the following address and just simply write –
"subscribe": [email protected]
from there on it is all automatic!
A French version of this is available by writing to :
[email protected]
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