Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho

Regarding an Unlined Robe - Blaze with the Passionate Vow for Kosen-Rufu

2012-01-29T12:07:00.000+08:00

When I don this robe, take my place before the Buddha, and recite the Lotus Sutra, then all the 69,384 characters that make up the sacred text, each individual character one by one, becomes a golden Buddha. Though the robe is only one, it clothes each and every one of the 69,384 Buddhas. And because this is so, the husband and wife who presented me with this robe will be visited by all these Buddhas, who will regard the couple as their supporters and watch over and protect them. For this husband and wife in their present existence they will be a prayer, a treasure, and when the husband and wife are on the point of death, they will be a moon, a sun, a path, a bridge, a father, a mother, an ox or a horse, a palanquin, a carriage, a lotus, a mountain, coming to greet and convey them the pure land of Eagle Peak.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 2, p600)

This letter was written in the eighth month of 1275, a little more than one year after Nichiren Daishonin went to live in Mount Minobu. He had received a gift of an unlined robe (a light, warm-weather garment) from a married couple and this letter was written to thank them for their sincere gift.

Their names are not known but recent studies suggest they were related to the Nanjo family. Although they have never met the Daishonin, the couple delivered a summer garment as an offering to the Daishonin out of their sincere faith.

Living conditions in Mount Minobu was rather harsh where there was insufficient food and clothing. Having spent two years in exile on the desolate island of Sado, the Daishonin’s physical condition had deteriorated tremendously.

Hence, living amidst the unfavourable conditions in Minobu was particularly harsh on the Daishonin’s health. Perhaps due to such circumstances, the Daishonin was deeply touched by the couple’s sincere gift and expressed his tremendous joy in receiving it.

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The heart is indeed mysteriously and inscrutable. The boundless innate potential inherent in one’s heart is unfathomable.

Whether one leads a life of happiness or unhappiness depends on whether the positive or negative potential is unleashed. This is why Nichiren Daishonin said in another writing, “It is the heart that is important.” (WND-1, p1,000) And it it is Buddhism that elucidates the inscrutable workings of the heart.

Nichiren Daishonin is the votary of the Lotus Sutra who read the Lotus Sutra with his life by prevailing over one great adversity after another. The heart of the Daishonin dynamically pulsates with the Mystic Law, the fundamental wellspring from which all Buddhas arises.

The great vow to lead all people who are suffering in the Latter Day shone with brilliance in his heart.

As long as we infuse our hearts with this heart of the Daishonin, the immense power of the Mystic Law will surely well forth from the depths of our being.

In this writing, the Daishonin praised the couple’s sincere faith expressed in their gift of an unlined robe and affirmed that offerings made to the votary of the Lotus Sutra is equivalent to making offerings to the Lotus Sutra.

The Daishonin used an interesting analogy to further explain this principle. The Daishonin stated that their offering to the Lotus Sutra was equivalent to making an offering to 69,384 (number of characters in the Lotus Sutra) Buddhas.

This is because all the Buddhas attained enlightenment through the Lotus Sutra (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo). The Daishonin’s analogy of 69,384 Buddhas is meant to convey the meaning of many or countless Buddhas.

Consequently, the Daishonin stated that all 69,384 Buddhas would visit the husband and wife, watch over and render utmost protection to the couple not only in their present existence but in all existences, and ensure that they eternally advance along the great path of good fortune and benefit throughout the three existences.

Making an offering to the votary of the Lotus Sutra is a manifestation of one’s sincere faith based on the great vow to live out one’s life for the realization of kosen-rufu in the same mind as one’s mentor.
This is precisely why the infinite power of the Mystic Law will well forth from the depths of one’s life, filling one’s life with boundless good fortune as a result.

In terms of our modern world today, only the SGI is fulfilling the mission of the votary of the Lotus Sutra and advancing in the same heart as the three presidents of Soka Gakkai.

SGI President Ikeda said, “All of us, SGI members are striving for the realization of worldwide kosen-rufu. We are great warriors of the Mystic Law who live out our lives in the SGI, the organization that accord with the Buddha’s decree. Please be convinced that in the light of the Gosho, the benefit that one accrues from living one’s life for this lofty cause is boundless and unfathomable. This great light of benefit will illuminates our lives like the moon and the sun not only in this existence but also in the next existence and beyond eternally. There is no life and death that is more fulfilling and assuring as this.”

Lets ablaze our hearts with the great vow dedicated to the realization of kosen-rufu as we continue to score victories in our life.

Keypoints:
1. In praising the couple’s offering of an unlined robe, the Daishonin explained that their sincere offering to the votary of the Lotus Sutra is equivalent to making offering to 69,384 (the number of characters in the Lotus Sutra) Buddhas. This is because all the Buddhas attained enlightenment through the Lotus Sutra (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo). The Daishonin’s analogy of 69,384 Buddhas is meant to convey the meaning of many or countless Buddhas.

2. The Daishonin explained that great good fortune that accrues from such sincere offering by stating that all 69,384 (or countless) Buddhas will watch over the couple and render utmost protection to them in all existences, and ensure that they eternally advance along the great path of happiness throughout the three existences.

3. When making offering, it is the heart or spirit that is the most important. The act of offering should be a manifestation of one’s sincere faith based on the great vow to live out one’s life for the realization of kosen-rufu in the same mind as one’s mentor. When one makes offering based on such a spirit, the infinite power of the Mystic Law will definitely well forth from the depths of one’s life, filling one’s life with boundless good fortune.

Translated and adapted from the November 2009 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On The Treasure Tower - Establishing a Treasure Tower of Victory in Our Communities

2011-12-31T19:59:00.001+08:00

In the Latter Day of the Law, no treasure tower exists other than the figures of the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra. It follows, therefore, that whether eminent or humble, high or low, those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are themselves the treasure tower, and, likewise, are themselves the Thus Come One Many Treasures. No treasure tower exists other Myoho-renge-kyo. The daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is the treasure tower, and the treasure tower is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p299)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter to his disciple on Sado island, Abutsu-bo. Although it is accounted that this was written in one or two years after the Daishonin moved to Mount Minobu.

As his name suggested, Abutsu-bo used to be a staunch believer of the Nembutsu school. However, after taking up faith in the Daishonin’s teachings, he and his wife became loyal supporters of the Daishonin and risked their lives in bringing him food and other necessities over the Daishonin’s two-year stay on Sado.

After the Daishonin returned to mainland Japan and took up residence at Mount Minobu, Abutsu-bo made several visits there all the way from Sado island despite his advanced age.

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In “The Emergence of the Treasure Tower” (11th) Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, it was stated that a colossal tower adorned with seven kinds of jewels suddenly emerged from the earth and came to a rest suspended in mid-air. Having witnessed this unprecedented event, all present at the assembly of the Lotus Sutra gasped with awe and at the same time, were filled with joy.

What actually does this treasure signify? Abutsu-bo was extremely puzzled by the treasure tower’s awesome proportions described in the Lotus Sutra and posed this question to the Daishonin.

In response, the Daishonin wrote this letter. He replied that the treasure tower is symbolic of the state of Buddhahood and that this magnificent life state exists in the lives of “the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra”.

The Daishonin further stated that this tower existed in Abutsu-bo’s life as he upheld the teachings of the Mystic Law. Abutsu-bo must had been deeply moved by the Daishonin’s words.

It was accounted that Abutsu-bo was a staunch believer of the Nembutsu school. According to the Nembutsu teachings, the lives of the people of the Latter Day of the Law are defiled with heavy negative karma and only through the compassion of Amida Buddha can they be saved.

In contrast to this teaching that emphasizes the helplessness of huan beings, Nichiren Daishonin asserted that the state of Buddhahood, a life state of supreme good exists in the lives of all living beings.

And that anyone who embraces the teachings of the Mystic Law can manifest this lofty state of Buddhahood that shines brilliantly like the treasure tower. In this way, the Daishonin revealed the truth that unlimited potential of Buddhahood does exist in the lives of all.

In emphasizing this point, the Daishonin said in this passage, “It follows, therefore, that whether eminent or humble, high or low, those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are themselves the treasure tower.”

By stating this point, the Daishonin reaffirmed that manifesting one’s Buddhahood has nothing to do with one’s social status. It all boils down to whether one chants the daimoku of the Mystic Law and exerts oneself in the practice or not.

Furthermore, the Daishonin said, “No treasure tower exists other than Myoho-renge-kyo.” He taught here that the treasure tower is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

In other words, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the Mystic Law (which is expressed or manifested as Buddhahood within all lives). To enable us to manifest our Buddhahood, the Daishonin taught us the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

He further embodied the fundamental Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in the form of the Gohonzon as our object of devotion. By doing so, Nichiren Daishonin expounded the way for all people to bring forth the magnificent “treasure tower” or Buddhahood from within our lives.

In this way, the Daishonin offered wholehearted encouragement and showered praises on one single disciple, who as nameless and ordinary resident of Sado represents the principle that all people are capable of attaining enlightenment by embracing the Gohonzon.

The greatness of the Daishonin’s teachings is found in the fact that we do not strive only to manifest the treasure tower within our own lives but to also perceive and recognize the remarkable treasure tower that exists within the lives of others.

SGI President Ikeda said, “We perceive the Treasure Tower in our own lives, and we perceive the Treasure Tower in the lives of others. And we are working to sanctify the places where we live and the entire world with forests of Treasure Towers. Let us construct ‘Treasure Towers of kosen-rufu’ in our communities. Let us each leave behind an eternal golden monument of personal achievement. Let us adorn our lives by challenging ourselves with the spirit, ‘This is where I will build my Treasure Tower.’”

Let us strive to construct great treasure towers of victories both within our lives and in our communities.

Keypoints:
1. In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin explained that the treasure tower is symbolic of the great Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the state of Buddhahood that exists in the lives of all people. The Daishonin further assured that everyone can bring forth his or her Buddhahood by taking faith in Nichiren Buddhism. The Daishonin emphasized on this principle when he stated that the treasure tower specifically existed in the life of Abutsu-bo who, even though is a nameless and ordinary citizen of Sado (i.e. a person with no special status), upheld strong faith in Nichiren Buddhism. In this way, the Daishonin taught that it is the strength of one’s faith that determines whether one can attain Buddhahood.

2. To enable all people to manifest Buddhahood, the Daishonin taught us the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and embodied the fundamental Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in the form of the Gohonzon as our object of devotion. By so doing, Nichiren Daishonin expounded the way and practice for all people to bring forth the magnificent “treasure tower” or Buddhahood from within his or her life.

3. We not only practice to manifest the treasure tower within our own lives but we also strive to bring forth remarkable treasure towers within the lives of others. SGI President Ikeda said, “We perceive the Treasure Tower in our own lives, and we perceive the Treasure Tower in the lives of others. And we are working to sanctify the places where we live and the entire world with forests of Treasure Towers. Let us construct ‘Treasure Towers of kosen-rufu’ in our communities. Let us each leave behind an eternal golden monument of personal achievement. Let us adorn our lives by challenging ourselves with the spirit, ‘This is where I will build my Treasure Tower.’”

Footnotes:
a. Treasure tower: A tower of stupa that appeared in “The Emergence of the Treasure Tower” (11th) Chapter of the Lotus Sutra and stayed suspended in the air all the way to the “Entrustment” (22nd) Chapter. According to the Lotus Sutra, this massive tower measured 500 yojanas high. It is adorned with the seven kinds of treasures which included gold, silver and lapis lazuli. Seated inside the tower were Shakyamuni and Many Treasures Buddhas. The entire assembly was then lifted into midair and remained suspended there, and the sequence of events known as the Ceremony in the Air began. Nichiren Daishonin viewed the treasure tower as an allegory for human life in its enlightened state achieved through the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

b. Thus Come One Many Treasures: A Buddha who appeared, seated in the treasure tower in the Lotus Sutra, in order to lend credence to Shakyamuni’s teachings in the sutra.

Translated and adapted from the March 2010 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - Mentor-Disciple Spirit: Te Key to Unleashing the Power to Achieve Victory

2011-11-27T21:50:00.000+08:00

Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. Slanderers are like barking foxes, but Nichiren’s followers are like roaring lions.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p997)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on the first day of the tenth month of the second year of Koan (1279) to his followers in general. Around 1275, propagation efforts in the Fuji area began to produce significant results under the leadership of Nikko Shonin.

In Atsuhara, a village in Fuji District of Suruga Province, believers were subjected to a series of threats and harassments known collectively as the Atsuhara Persecution.

The followers in Atsuhara were neither nobles, nor samurai, nor priests; they were farmers occupying a low status in society. Yet these nameless practitioners of the Mystic Law did not retreat a single step in the face of persecution.

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Lets explore what it means to possess the “heart of a lion king”, which is the core of the mentor-disciple relationship conveyed in the Daishonin’s writings. “Oneness of mentor and disciple” means directly carrying on the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin, who is the “lion king”.

When we do so, we become the “cubs of the lion king”. To have the heart of a lion king is to have the courage to dauntlessly challenge even the most powerful of adversaries, no matter how fearsome, in order to protect the Law.

The key is courage. Courage fuses our lives with the fundamental life force. It also translates into innate hope that is never defeated, no matter how bleak or desperate the situation; it is the power to live resolutely to the very end. When the shadows of death, destiny, persecution, adversity, illness, failure, or destruction loom near, people tend to succumb to fear, trepidation, cowardice, anguish, anxiety, doubt and anger.

It is the power of inner-generated hope that dispels such darkness. To stand alone means to draw forth that hope from within and develop an unshakable self. Only when the wellspring of hope brims vibrantly in our own lives, can we continue to give hope to others.

In terms of Buddhism, the “heart of a lion king” refers to the inner state of life of a person who, through faith in the Mystic Law, has vanquished the fundamental darkness inherent in life and manifests the power of fundamental enlightenment.

We could also say that it refers to the life-state of Buddhahood that wells forth when we surmount the innate delusions of life with strong faith. Therefore, the “heart of a lion king” is endowed with the wisdom and compassion of Buddhahood. Faith is the cause, and the life-state of Buddhahood, the effect. Both cause and effect are contained within a single life-moment.

A lion cub will also become a lion. Hence, the Daishonin taught that we should struggle with the same spirit as the mentor. He wrote: “The lion king fears no beasts, nor do its cubs.” (WND, p997) A lion cub grows into a lion. Likewise, through ordinary people, the children of the Buddha who strive to realize kosen-rufu will definitely become Buddhas.

None of us believe from the start that we possess great power and ability. But when we gain courage from the mentor, the strength to take action and fight wells forth in our lives. We actually already possess that strength and ability within us. For we embrace the Mystic Law that is the lion king.

In other words, if the disciples only rely on the mentor to battle and defeat devilish forces without taking on the struggles themselves and emerging victorious, they cannot possibly carry on the mentor’s spirit. Kosen-rufu is a struggle against devilish forces.

It is a struggle that cannot be won with half-hearted determination. The Daishonin himself was repeatedly subjected to harsh persecutions, including exile and near execution.

The world of Buddhahood manifests itself in our lives when we continuously struggle for kosen-rufu, summoning forth courage and challenging ourselves and when our energy flags, summoning forth courage again and spurring ourselves on to further effort. Without the power of the world of Buddhahood, we cannot triumph over formidable adversaries.

When we stand up with the heart of a lion king, the Mystic Law fills our beings, and the life force of the Buddha to battle all obstacles and devilish functions well forth.

In other words, the path to attaining Buddhahood is found in earnest efforts such as striving like to sun to illuminate people’s lives, and like the lion king to vanquish the obstacles of “all other animals”. This is why the Daishonin urged his disciples to practice just as he did.

Only by struggling earnestly for people’s happiness in the same manner as Nichiren Daishonin can we attain Buddhahood.

Of crucial importance here are the words, “summon up”. Each of us inherently possesses the “heart of a lion king”. Summoning it forth is the direct path to happiness. And as the Daishonin indicated when he said, “Nichiren’s followers are like roaring lions.” (WND, p997), it is the “roar of the lion” that enables us to bring forth the “heart of a lion king” in our own lives.

Ultimately, everything depends on the awareness and determination of the disciple. While we speak of disciples in this Buddhism, there is no formal initiation process to become one. It is those actually giving voice to the lion’s roar and striving for kosen-rufu right now who are disciples.

In contrast, a person who dons the mask of a disciple but fails to roar the lion’s roar is not a true disciple. The important thing is action.

The lion’s roar is not something special like speaking out at an international conference. It is simply a matter of conducting sincere dialogue that speaks directly to the life of the person you are talking to.

When the mentor roars the lion’s roar, the disciple follows suit. And one after another enlightened individuals begin to raise the lion’s roar with powerful voices. The roaring of these lions will vanquish the devilish nature of all scheming “foxes”.

Keypoints:
1. The “heart of a lion king” is the core of the mentor-disciple relationship. “Oneness of mentor and disciple” means directly carrying on the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin, who is the “lion king”. When we do so, we become the “cubs of the lion king”. To have the heart of a lion king is to have the courage to dauntlessly challenge even the most powerful adversaries, no matter how fearsome, in order to protect the Law.

The “heart of a lion king” refers to the life-state of Buddhahood that wells forth when we surmount the innate delusions of life with strong faith. Therefore, the “heart of a lion king” is endowed with the wisdom and compassion of Buddhahood. Faith is the cause, and the life-state of Buddhahood, the effect. A lion cub grows into a lion. Likewise, through ordinary people, the children of the Buddha who strive to realize kosen-rufu will definitely become Buddhas.

2. None of us believe from the start that we possess great power and ability. But when we gain courage from the mentor, the strength to take action and fight wells forth in our lives. We actually already possess that strength and ability within us. For we embrace the Mystic Law that is the lion king.

3. Of crucial importance here are the words, “summon up”. Each of us inherently possesses the “heart of a lion king”. Ultimately, everything depends on the awareness and determination of the disciple. The lion’s roar is not something special like speaking out at an international conference. It is simply a matter of conducting sincere dialogue that speaks directly to the life of the person you are talking to. When the mentor roars the lion’s roar, the disciples follow suit. And one after another enlightened individuals will begin to raise the lion’s roar with powerful voices.

Translated and adapted from “The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings, A Discussion on Humanistic Religion [8]: The Heart of a Lion King – The Courageous Roar of Mentor and Disciple”.

Many in Body, One in Mind - Victory Begins with Prayers Based on the Spirit of Harmonious Unity!

2011-10-30T12:29:00.000+08:00

Even an individual at cross purposes with himself is certain to end in failure. Yet a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely attain their goal, it they are of one mind. Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything because they are divided in spirit. In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra. Though evil may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single truth, just as many raging fires are quenched by a single shower of rain.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p618)

This letter is generally thought to have been written around 1275 when Nichiren Daishonin was living in Minobu and presented to the lay priest Takahashi in the province of Suruga.

Around this time, Nikko Shonin was leading the propagation movement in the Fuji district of Suruga and achieving momentous results.

Alarmed and threatened by the number of people taking faith in the Daishonin’s teachings, Gyochi, the deputy chief priest of Ryusen-ji Temple (a major temple in the Fuji area), collaborated with Hei no Saemon, the mastermind behind most of the Daishonin’s major persecutions who wielded tremendous power, schemed to oppress the Daishonin’s disciples in the Atsuhara region in Fuji area.

This plot eventually culminated into what is known as the Atsuhara Perscution in 1279.

In this letter, the Daishonin taught lay priest, Takahashi, who was a leading figure among the lay believers in the Suruga area, that if the community of the Daishonin’s disciples stand up in unity with faith based on the spirit of “many in body, one in mind”, they would certainly be able to triumph over the perpetrators who are obviously “one in body but different in mind” (disunited).

In other words, it stresses the importance of unity in the face of the numerous evil arrayed against the Daishonin’s followers.

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Solid unity is the key to achieving success in all endeavours. The Daishonin declared in his writings that in a battle against a formidable enemy of the Buddha, the key to victory lies in the spirit of unity, “If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they achieve all their goals.” (WND-1,p618).

The phrase “many in body” (or different in body”) in the term “many in body, one in mind” means that we each have our own unique personalities and are in our own way a unique entity.

“One in mind” (or “one in heart”) means different individuals, each with his or her unique personality, coming together and united in one heart by a shared commitment.

In contrast, “one in body but different in mind” refers to a situation where the group may superficially appear to be united, but in fact their hearts are not united as one.

Likewise, the same can hold true in the context of one single individual. If the mind of an individual is overcome by illusion, doubts or fear, and remains confused and indecisive, he or she should not be able to accomplish anything.

On the other hand, a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely achieve something remarkable if their hearts are united.

In this passage, the Daishonin said that “though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit”. In other words, they are “one in body, but different in mind”.

The Daishonin continued, “In contrast, although Nichiren and his followers are few, because they are different in body, but united in mind, they will definitely accomplish their great mission of widely propagating the Lotus Sutra.”

What the Daishonin is teaching here is that even though the forces of evil may appear to be strong and numerous, the foundation for their unity is grounded either on self-interest, compulsion or egoism and as a result, they would never be able to prevail over the forces of good who are united with the shared commitment to realize kosen-rufu, which is the supreme good.

Now the question is, what should we do so that we can unite in the spirit of many in body, one in mind?

It is definitely not easy for different people with different characters and views to be united in spirit. In fact, it is more likely for disagreements and conflicts to occur among diverse individuals.

Since we are seeking to achieve the greatest good of kosen-rufu, it is also inevitable that devilish functions within and outside our lives will manifest to obstruct us by causing disunity.

In order to achieve unity, each one of us must stand up alone to make our mentor’s heart our own. It is only when we develop faith that is based on the spirit of mentor and disciple to achieve kosen-rufu that no matter how great the difficulties, will we be able to overcome egoistic tendencies and transcend individual differences.

In other words, only by brnging forth one’s Buddha nature can we harness the wisdom and life force needed to win over our negativities that seek to destroy unity.

In order to forge the spirit of “many in body, one in mind”, it is important to make a vow that is grounded on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple.

Based on this premise, we should regard one another as comrades of faith and extend mutual encouragement and respect, even when there are disagreements.

On top of this, all should chant strong daimoku with one heart – a shared commitment.

SGI President Ikeda said, “The spirit of ‘many in body, one in mind’, in a sense, represents the ultimate manifestation of the ‘strategy of the Lotus Sutra’, which is chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon – specifically, chanting with a shared commitment for kosen-rufu.

No plans or strategies for kosen-rufu will succeed without such united prayer. Strong prayer based on unity will also give rise to tremendous momentum. When we advance in the united spirit of ‘many in body but one in mind’ based on chanting daimoku for the realization of kosen-rufu, we generate a powerful forward impetus and the energy to secure victory.

Everyone who shares in this spirit will be able to work together harmoniously and feel joy even in the midst of difficult struggles. Unity of purpose holds the key to creating such a rhythm of victory, a rhythm of dynamic activity.”

With earnest prayers based on unity, lets generate a powerful rhythm of victory through courageous action.

Keypoints:
1. When different people come together, two things can happen. Firstly, they can become “one in body but different in mind”, which means that the group may superficially appear to be united, but in fact their hearts are not. Alternatively, they can become “different in body but united in mind”, which means that although each person is different, they are united with the same heart or mind. Of the two, the former is most likely to occur because of the egoistic tendencies and negativities within human life. But if such negative tendencies can be overcome, then a united group of diverse individuals with different capabilities can accomplish the most remarkable achievement.

2. This principle of unity is what Nichiren Daishonin declared to be the key in achieving the seemingly impossible goal of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin taught that while the devilish forces obstructing Buddhism may be strong and many, they are disunited. The Daishonin’s disciples may be few but they can definitely overcome these devilish forces and achieve kosen-rufu if they are united in the spirit of “many in body, but one in mind”.

3. In order to achieve such solid unity, we must develop faith that is based on the spirit of mentor and disciple to achieve kosen-rufu. Only then will we be able to transcend individual differences. Only by harnessing the wisdom and life force of one’s Buddha nature can one win over the negativities that seek to destroy our unity. To forge the spirit of “many in body, but one in mind”, it is important to make a vow that is grounded on the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple. Based on this, we should regard one another as comrades of faith and extend mutual encouragement and respect, even when there are disagreements. On top of this, all should chant strong daimoku with one heart – a shared commitment.

Translated and adapted from the March 2007 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Opening of The Eyes - Disciples, Prevail Over All Hardships Just as the Mentor Did!

2011-09-25T19:57:00.000+08:00

Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbour doubts and abandon their faith. Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p283)

The Opening of the Eyes is a treatise that revealed the essence of Nichiren Buddhism. It was written under harsh conditions of the bitter cold winter in Tsukahara on Sado island where the Daishonin was still in exile on the second month of 1272 and addressed to Shijo Kingo, one of his leading disciples in Kamakura, on behalf of all his followers.

During this period of time, the Daishonin’s disciples were also experiencing intense oppression from the authorities because of their faith. On 12 Sep the previous year, the Daishonin was almost beheaded at Tatsunokuchi and on the following month, he was sentenced to exile on Sado island.

His disciples were either imprisoned, banished or had their lands confiscated. The Daishonin described the situation in one of his writings in this manner: “…in Kamakura, among 999 out of 1,000 people who gave up their faith when I was arrested…” (WND, p469)

Many in society and shaken disciples scathingly asked why, if the Daishonin was truly the votary of the Lotus Sutra as he claimed, he did not enjoy protection from the heavens.

In order to dispel people’s negativity and doubt and instill them with confidence and conviction, the Daishonin wrote this treatise to “open the eyes” of the people to the truth of a “votary of the Lotus Sutra” whose mission is to lead all people in the Latter Day to happiness.

Nichiren Daishonin described what he had written in The Opening of the Eyes as “the most important concern of my entire life” (WND, p243). The passage we are studying this month is the concluding portion of this important treatise and it is the very passage that the mentor and disciple of three successive presidents of the Soka Gakkai practiced with their words, thoughts and deeds.

Right at the outset of this passage, the Daishonin called forth to his disciples impassionately, “I and my disciples”.

By appearing in this defiled age of the Latter Day as an ordinary being amongst people who slander the Lotus Sutra and wagging a struggle against persecutions from the three powerful enemies, thus eradicating his negative karma, the Daishonin demonstrated through his own life what it means to attain Buddhahood, that is to achieve ultimate victory in life.

This struggle that demonstrated the principle of “enduring hardship on account of faith equals attaining BUddhahood” was waged by the Daishonin for the sake of the people in the Latter Day to open the path for the universal enlightenment of all people – enable all people to gain access to the path of Buddhahood.

For this reason, the Daishonin used the phrase, “I and my disciples” here in this passage, to call forth to his disciples to prevail over all difficulties by practicing faith in the same mind as their mentor and attain Buddhahood.

In our journey of faith in attaining Buddhahood, difficulties cannot be avoided. We may experience adversities that are so harsh that we wonder why the heavens did not lend their protection.

However, that is the moment we must remind ourselves not to harbour doubts nor be discouraged. Instead, we should regard that moment as the best opportunity to transform our karma and courageously stand up to confront and overcome that adversity.

The Daishonin said in this passage that that is exactly what he had been teaching to his disciples so that they know what to do during such crucial moments in their lives.

Yet, when these crucial moments come, his disciples began to harbour doubts and abandon their faith. The Daishonin emphasized the point that one should never forget the promise one had made with one’s mentor when the crucial moment comes.
Now, when should we regard as “crucial moments”? Who is to decide when is one’s “crucial moment”?

No one can decide this except oneself. We are the ones who should be deciding that now is the “crucial moment” and wage a struggle to overcome the hardship based on one’s own resolve. It all boils down to one’s own will. It is important to remember this point.

SGI President Ikeda said, “In our own journey of life, we will encounter valleys of problems and mountains of adversities, but there is no trial that we can’t overcome through our faith and practice. When we dedicate ourselves to the Mystic Law, everything will become nurturing sustenance for our lives, a great treasure, and we will definitely be able to win in the end.”

Lets overcome the harsh winters in life based on undaunted faith and open a victorious spring in life!

Footnotes:
1. “Heaven does not lend you protection”: Refers to the protective forces of the universe that lend protection to a votary of the Lotus Sutra.

2. “Easy and secure existence in this life”: A phrase from “The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs” (5th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra where the Buddha expounds that those who embrace and uphold the teachings of the Mystic Law will enjoy a life state of peace and security.

3. “Crucial moment”: Refers to the time when one encounters adversities in life.

Translated and adapted from the April 2010 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - Win with Strong Life Force!

2011-08-27T23:00:00.002+08:00

Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p218)

This letter, dated the 11th day of the second month in 1272, was sent by Nichiren Daishonin to his disciple, Sairen-bo Nichijo.

Details about Sairen-bo are scarce but it is known that he was a former Tendai priest who, for reasons that are unclear, was also living in exile on Sado Island.
Sairen-bo was a highly educated priest to whom the Daishonin sent several important essays containing essential Buddhist doctrines, including The True Aspect of All Phenomena and The Oral Tradition regarding the Enlightenment of Plants.

“What does the ultimate Buddhist doctrine, ‘heritage of the ultimate law of life’, refer to?” It was in response to this question posed by Sairen-bo that the Daishonin wrote this Gosho, The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life, as he answers to his disciple.

Nichiren Daishonin stated in this Gosho that the ultimate, single most important Law that transcends both life and death is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

The Daishonin further elaborated that this Law flows only in the depths of the lives of his disciples who arouse faith based on the spirit of “now is the last moment [of my life]…”, chant the daimoku of the Mystic Law with the spirit of many in body, one in mind and live out their lives for the sake of kosen-rufu.

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Where can we find true happiness? Where does it exist? People work hard to gain wealth, social status, enhance their capability, all in pursuit of happiness in life.

Of course, there is no doubt that one does savour a sense of happiness when one achieves any one of these goals that one had worked hard for. However, such happiness seldom lasts and with the passage of time, this achievement may even be transformed into a cause for suffering.

To begin with, as a living entity, one can never avoid the manifestation of the fundamental sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death within one’s lifetime.
Buddhism teaches that all lives repeat the cycle of life and death.

And if, the cycle of life and death entails an endless process of suffering, then does it mean that happiness is only an illusion that appears and disappears in the midst of this long and unending stretch of sufferings?

Nichiren Daishonin was enlightened to the wisdom that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the ultimate Law that transcends the phases of life and death of all lives. It is the ultimate Law pervading all lives and phenomena in the universe.

Therefore, the key to overcoming the sufferings of life and death and in achieving true lasting happiness lies in embracing and practicing this ultimate Law, which Nichiren Daishonin expound as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

When we arouse the great power of indomitable faith and chant the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the fundamental Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will function to bring forth the Buddha nature within our lives.

When this happens, our lives will brim with magnificent life force, which enables us to surmount all sufferings including that of life and death. We can open a life state of happiness within our lives in which we can savour “joy in both life and death”.

However, once we give up faith, the fundamental Law will cease to function to bring forth our Buddha nature and our lives will recede back to a state of sufferings.

That is why in this passage, the Daishonin said, “Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death.” The Daishonin is teaching us to maintain strong faith throughout our lives, till the moment of death.

In order to do so, the Daishonin taught that we must practise faith with the profound resolve that “now is the last moments of one’s life” (WND, p216), that is, to live our lives victoriously based on faith so that we have absolutely no regrets even if one is to die right now.

When one chants with this profound insight, the delusions stemming from earthly desires and the sufferings of life and death can all be transformed in its entirety into a source of energy that opens a path of absolute happiness within one’s life.

The Daishonin further reminded us in this passage, “Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.” In other words, outwardly embracing the Lotus Sutra only in formality will be completely meaningless if one does not have the “heritage of faith”.

“The heritage of faith” means strong and ceaseless faith that remains undefeatable no matter how difficult the circumstances.

SGI President Ikeda said, “The Lotus Sutra enables us to tap into the life force of the universe, so that no matter what happens, we are never bound by our difficulties. The Daishonin’s Buddhism is the teaching that gives all people the power to experience incredible energy welling forth in their lives. A person who has solid faith in the Mystic Law, therefore, is the strongest and happiest of all.”

Lets victoriously surmount all sufferings in life by manifesting strong life force through offering strong prayers.

Footnotes:
1. “Faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death” – To maintain steadfast and firm faith in the Mystic Law free of all doubts, even at the moment of faith.

2. “Earthly desires are enlightenment” – The manifestation of the Buddha’s wisdom for the attainment of enlightenment within the lives of ordinary beings originally controlled by earthly desires. In Nichiren Daishonin’s writings, this term is often used together with the term, “sufferings of birth and death are nirvana” to describe the beneficial power underlying the principle of “attaining Buddhahood in one’s present form”.

3. “Sufferings of birth and death are nirvana” – Manifesting the state of genuine security and tranquility attained by the Buddha within the life of an ordinary being buffeted about by the sufferings of life and death.

Translated and adapted from the February 2010 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain - A Vow for the Absolute Victory of Mentor and Disciple

2011-07-23T21:30:00.000+08:00

I wonder what good causes formed in your past lives have enabled all of you to visit me, Nichiren. But whatever you might discover in examining your past, I am sure that this time you will be able to break free from the suffering of birth and death. 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.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p602)

This letter was written at Minobu in the first year of Kenji (1275) and sent to the lay priest Nishiyama, who lived in Nishiyama Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province. Nishiyama was a sincere believer who often visited the Daishonin at Minobu, bringing offerings and provisions.

One view identifies him as Nikko Shonin’s (Nichiren Daishonin’s closest disciple and successor) maternal grandfather, lay priest Kawaii while another view identifies him as Nikko Shonin’s uncle, lay priest Kawai Matajiro.

In the previous year before this letter was written (in 1274), the Mongols invaded Japan just as the Daishonin had predicted.

Around the time this letter was written, there was widespread fear of an impending second attack by Mongolia and the Kamakura authorities asked the True Word School to pray for the defeat of the enemies, turning a deaf ear to the Daishonin’s admonitions not to adhere to misguided teachings.

It is against such a backdrop that the Daishonin penned this Gosho, which emphasize on the importance of discarding attachments to misguided teachings, following a good teacher and surrounding oneself with “good friends” (positive influences) in carrying out one’s Buddhist practice.

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To encounter a great teacher, or mentor, is the source of supreme happiness in life. This is because, such an encounter with a great mentor enables us to expand our capacity and unleash the inherent potential of Buddhahood from within our lives.

In cultivating this relationship with one’s mentor, it is most important that each time we encounter an adversity in life, we take it as an opportunity to overcome it with the same indomitable spirit as our mentor.

Our mentor never gives up in any struggle and as a genuine disciple; we must deepen our vow to struggle in the same mind as our mentor.

The lay priest Nishiyama, who received this letter from Nichiren Daishonin, lived in an area where much of the land was held by authorities who harboured great animosity towards his mentor, the Daishonin.

In addition, Nishiyama was a leading figure of the Kawai clan, to which Nikko Shonin, Nichiren Daishonin’s foremost disciple, belonged.

These naturally made Nishiyama a target of critism from powerful people in the region. Despite this, Nishiyama continued striving in his Buddhist practice as a disciple of the Daishonin.

In praise of the selfless efforts and pure faith of Nishiyama, the Daishonin wrote in this passage, “I wonder what good causes formed in your past lives have enabled all of you to visit me, Nichiren.”

He then promised, “But whatever you might discover in examining your past, I am sure that this time you will be able to break free from the sufferings of birth and death.”

The bond of mentor and disciple transcends the cycles of birth and death, permeating the three existences of past, present and future.

It is this bond that will ensure our eternal connection with the Mystic Law and true happiness.

That is why when the Daishonin said “whatever you might discover in examining your past”, he was exhorting us to always return to the prime point of mentor and disciple by living out a life dedicated to the eternal vow of striving together with one’s mentor no matter what happens in life.

When we base our lives on faith infused with that original vow, everything, including sufferings associated with living and dying, will serve as nourishment to develop our state of life and solidify our genuine happiness.

Following this, Daishonin cited the example of Chudapanthaka, a follower of Shkyamuni Buddha who was unable to memorize a teaching of only fourteen words even in the span of three years.

Nevertheless, he attained Buddhahood due to his sincerity. Devadatta, in contrast, was so intellectually brilliant that he memorized sixty thousand teachings, but he eventually fell into hell because of his arrogance and jealousy.

The Daishonin compared the pure-hearted Chudapanthaka with Devadatta stating that their example represents the situation in the world in this present latter age.
What the Daishonin meant is that these examples in Buddhism are not simply stories of the past, but apply precisely to the people of their time.

There can be no doubt that they apply to us today, as well, in that they describe fundamental truths of human nature and what is essential in enabling us to attain Buddhahood.

The vital point that we can learn from this example cited is that we must maintain a strong resolve and pure heart in always seeking the guidance and example of our mentor.

While striving to actualize our mentor’s teachings, even though it may be just one single phrase, through our words, thoughts and deeds, we are able to engrave these teachings into our lives.

Only when we do so can we inherit our mentor’s legacy of victory and win in all aspects of our lives and in our activities for kosen-rufu.

SGI President Ikeda said, “The shared commitment of teacher and disciple is one of the key teachings of the Lotus Sutra because through the correct transmission of this commitment from teacher to disciple, the correct teaching of Buddhism is passed on and widely spread. The karmic ties linking mentor and disciple are eternal. Through the unceasing joint struggle of mentor and disciple, the great path of kosen-rufu will continue forever.”

With this profound vow, let us strive for the absolute victory of mentor and disciple.

Footnotes:
1. Chudapanthaka – A disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha, he received the prophecy of enlightenment in the “Prophecy of Enlightenment for Five Hundred Disciples” (8th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

2. Devadatta – He first followed Shakyamuni Buddha as a disciple but discarded faith due to his arrogance and strong attachment to fame and status. He committed the three cardinal sins (causing disunity in the Buddhist Order; injuring the Buddha abd killing an arhat) and fell into hell.

3. Sixty thousand teachings – Refers to the sacred teachings of Brahmanism in India. It is said that there are sixty thousand teachings set forth by the founders of Brahmanism and hence the term, “sixty thousand teachings”.

Translated and adapted from the January 2010 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Reply to the Lay Nun of Kubo - As Long as There is Faith, One Will Never Be Defeated!

2011-06-25T22:15:00.004+08:00

Where strong winds cause the grasses to bend and flashes of lightning fill people with alarm – in a world such as ours, how wonderful it is that to this day you remain unshaken in your faith! They say that when roots are deep, the leaves will not wither; when there is a jewel in the heart of the fountain, its water never cease to flow. And how deep are the roots of your faith, how pure the jewel in your heart. How admirable, how admirable!

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 2, p755)

This letter was written at Minobu on the twenty-seventh day of the sixth month in 1278 to a widow who lived with her daughter in Kubo in Fuji District of Suruga Province.

She is accounted to be a member of the Yui family, the aunt of Nikko Shonin and wife of the lay priest Takahashi Rokuro Hyoe.

Together with her husband, lay nun of Kubo practiced faith sincerely and even after her husband’s death, she maintained pure faith in the Daishonin’s teachings under the guidance of Nikko Shonin.

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In the course of our lives, there will be times when we encounter various obstacles. At times, strong winds may blow; flashes of lightning may fill our lives with fear. It is at such moments, however, that our faith is put to the test.
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin described the world that we live in as a place “where strong winds cause the grasses to bend and flashes of lightning fill people with alarm…”

At the time of this letter, the people in Japan were living in fear of a looming attack from the Mongols. At the same time, there were rampant outbreak of pestilence and famine, one after another, filling the people’s hearts with great uncertainty and fear.

Some decadent individuals of the clergy in various Buddhist schools made use of such sentiments of the people to their advantage.

The situation was quite bad for the community of the Daishonin’s disciples in the Kubo region where lay nun of Kubo was residing as most of the landlords in that area belonged to the ruling Hojo clan and the Daishonin’s disciples were under great oppression due to the collusion of the political and religious authorities.

They were looking out for every opportunity to persecute the Daishonin’s disciples.

In response to her sincerity, the Daishonin cited a legend that stated, “When roots are deep, the leaves will not wither; when there is a jewel in the heart of the fountain, its water will never cease to flow.”

Through this, the Daishonin praised lay nun of Kubo that the roots of her faith were deep and that the resolve in her heart was as pure as jewel, free of all worldly attachments.

Just like the analogies of “roots” and “jewel” used by the Daishonin here, our faith may not be visible. However, as long as the roots of one’s indomitable faith are deeply grounded into the great earth, one will surely be able to victoriously surmount all obstacles, enable the leaves of happiness to flourish in one’s daily life and to nourish the society with the water of compassion.

However, there is one important point to bear in mind. In order to maintain such faith, one needs to confront all life’s adversities squarely in the face, chant daimoku earnestly with a life-or-death resolve and to exert oneself wholeheartedly for kosen-rufu. Only through such actions can one ground the roots of one’s faith with depth and strength in one’s life.

SGI President Ikeda said, “It is essential to put down strong and deep roots of faith. So long as a tree has such roots, even though at some point it may be unable to receive sufficient nutrition, given ample water and sunlight, it will gradually develop into a great, sturdy tree. This is the same with advancement in life and in faith. As courageous people who are living proof of the validity of this Buddhism, I hope that you will cheerfully work to shed great rays of happiness upon the harsh realities of society.”

Let us resolve that now is the time to build the roots of a lifelong faith and courageously challenge and overcome life’s difficulties that stand before us and score personal victories.

Key points of the Gosho passage:
1. Nichiren Daishonin described the world that we live in as a place “where strong winds cause the grasses to bend and flashes of lightning fill people with alarm…” This means that we are living at a time when our faith is being frequently tested by obstacles and difficulties that tend to sway our faith. If we do not make a resolve to continue and strengthen our faith in such times, then our faith will easily be destroyed.

2. The Daishonin stated “that when roots are deep, the leaves will not wither; when there is a jewel in the heart of the fountain, its water will never cease to flow.” This means that when we are able to deepen our faith to a state in which no amount of difficulties can cause us to slacken in faith, then our victory and happiness are assured just like leaves will never wither if the roots are deep.

3. In order to cultivate such deep roots of faith, one needs to confront all life’s adversities squarely in the face, chant daimoku earnestly with a life-or-death resolve and to exert oneself wholeheartedly for kosen-rufu.

Translated and adapted from the August 2009 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra - Offer Prayers Based on the Conviction for Absolute Victory

2011-05-30T00:00:00.001+08:00

Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other. “All others who bear you enmity or malice will likewise be wiped out.” These golden words will never prove false. The heart of strategy and swordsmanship derives from the Mystic Law. Have profound faith. A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered.

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p1,001)

This letter was written from Minobu on the 23rd day of the 10th month in 1279 to Shijo Kingo, a leading disciple in Kamakura.

Around the time when Nichiren Daishonin began living in Mount Minobu in 1274 after his pardon from Sado exile, Shijo Kingo fell out of favour with his lord Ema because of his faith in the Daihonin’s teaching.

Envious fellow retainers had also slandered him to his lord, and with the added devious plotting of Ryokan of Gokuraku-ji temple, the situation eventually reached the point where Kingo was asked to submit a written pledge to discard his faith in the Lotus Sutra.

Despite these hardships, Kingo did not give up. He continued to seek guidance from the Daishonin and remained true to his faith. Eventually, around 1278, he regained the trust of his lord and was even awarded an estate three times larger than the one he had before.

However, this enhanced the hatred his jealous colleagues harboured against him and they resolved to get rid of him.

The Daishonin wrote this letter in response to Kingo’s report that he had been ambushed by enemies among his fellow samurais, but had managed to escape unharmed.

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Life is a series of intense, unceasing struggle that requires one to either win or lose in every challenge. Such is the intrinsic nature of life. How should we confront and overcome each trial that comes attacking us, one after another, without any pause?

In this writing, Nichiren Daishonin taught, “Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutrs before any other.” This means take on every challenge that we confront based on faith.

Put another way, it means to summon forth courage and wisdom from the depths of our lives with prayers based on absolute conviction as the driving force and to exert ourselves to the fullest.

The Daishonin continued in this passage, “The heart of strategy and swordsmanship derives from the Mystic Law.” The inherent potential and power that lies deep within each human life is boundless. It is way beyond human comprehension.

“Strategy” and “swordsmanship” can be said to be partial revelation of a universal Law that can help tap this boundless potential from within one’s life.

In contrast, the Mystic Law is the ultimate Law of the life and the entire universe. For this reason, when one’s life is connected to the Mystic Law through one’s profound faith, the immense potential and power that exist in the depths of one’s life is unleashed.

On top of this, the Daishonin reminded, “Have profound faith. A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered.” The greatest enemy that obstructs one from unleashing the tremendous power within is none other than one’s “cowardice” which resides in one’s heart.

Only by winning over one’s “cowardice” and with absolute faith in the Mystic Law can one unleash the limitless power that lies dormant in one’s life. Faith is a challenge to have complete and absolute belief in one’s own inherent potential.

It is the three successive presidents of the Soka Gakkai who revived the “strategy of the Lotus Sutra” taught by the Daishonin in the modern age by remaining undefeated in the face of unceasing intense persecutions and achieving ultimate victory in the struggle for human happiness and lasting global peace.

SGI President Ikeda said, “No matter what hardships we may encounter, there is no greater strategy than the Lotus Sutra. Let us embrace this conviction as we lead our lives with lion-like dignity and composure. Nothing can compare to the power of daimoku. By chanting daimoku, we can move everything in the best possible direction, change everything into joy.”

Lets base our lives on profound prayers to achieve absolute victory and deeply committed prayers infused in the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple and boldly achieve victories in all aspects of our lives.

Translated and adapted from the June 2009 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Concerning the Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha Fashioned by Nichigen-nyo - Earnest Prayers Change Our Environment

2011-04-27T16:31:00.004+08:00

When you shake your head, your hair sways; when your mind begins to work, your body moves. When a strong wind blows, the grass and trees can no longer remain still; when the earth shakes, the seas atremble. Thus, if one can move Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, can the grass and trees fail to respond, can the water remain calm?

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 2, p811)

This letter was written in the second month of 1279 at Mount Minobu to Nichigen-nyo, the wife of Shijo Kingo in Kamakura.

In this passage, the Daishonin used the analogies of one’s head and hair, strong wind, grass and trees to illustrate the fact that when one moves the root of something, everything else will move in accord.

In other words, the Daishonin taught us that when one prays to the Gohonzon with single-minded determination, one could certainly positively transform the harsh reality one is confronting.

In his discussion on “The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra”, SGI President Ikeda said the following with regards to one’s attitude when offering prayers, “The Gohonzon doesn’t respond to indulgent, abstract prayer. When we pray to the Gohonzon with our entire life, there is no way that a path forward will not be opened.”

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Mrs Kazuko Miyamoto is a Women Division zone leader in Nanki-taiko, Wakayama Prefecture. She took up faith with her mother at the age of four in 1954. Her father had already passed away, leaving a huge amount of debt on the shoulders of her mother.

Her mother became the first person in Nanki area to take up faith and she traveled throughout the region to introduce Buddhism to the people there with fervent wish to become happy and to overcome their extreme poverty.

As the area was still shrouded in conservative feudalism, the moment the people heard the name “Soka Gakkai”, they would either criticize or chase her away. Nevertheless, her mother persevered.

Their poor living conditions did not improve immediately. However, her mother continued to strive with devoted efforts for the happiness of others no matter how adverse the circumstances. Till today, Mrs Miyamoto remembers how her mother worked for the well-being of others. Mrs Miyamoto joined in the YWD activities when she was 19.

Her family’s financial condition was still very tight and most of her income went to the family. The amount left for her use was barely enough to cover the travelling expenses to attend Gakkai activities.

Everyday, Mrs Miyamoto exerted herself joyously in the same clothes for she didn’t have any other clothing to wear. Recalling those days of her youth, Mrs Miyamoto said, “To me, I was very much contented. That was more than enough. As long as I could strive together with my mentor in life, nothing else matter and there was no other joy.” Savouring the joy of having a wonderful mentor in life, Mrs Miyamoto continued to strive in the frontlines of kosen-rufu.

In September 1976, she had the opportunity to meet her beloved mentor in Kansai. On that occasion, President Ikeda encouraged her to strive to transform her life (living conditions) and to enjoy greater spiritual composure and gave her a Japanese doll as a gift.

Cherishing this wonderful encounter in her life, Mrs Miyamoto strove even harder to transform her life. After her marriage, she had another opportunity to meet her mentor in June 1984 when she was fulfilling her role as a duty personnel working behind the scene.

President Ikeda warmly encouraged her, “I am fully aware of what you are going through. I also have experiences when I was so poor that I did not have enough to eat.”

At this point in time, her husband was running a business but his income was not stable and regular. Upon meeting her mentor, she felt extremely refreshed – as if her life had been cleansed completely of negative karma.

Thereafter, her husband’s business picked up momentum and she now lives in a newly constructed bungalow that comes with a complete view of the Pacific Ocean. Her four sons are actively fulfilling their missions in the YMD.

Mrs Miyamoto had actually been chanting three hours of daimoku everyday without fail since her YWD days. Today, she continues to work for the well-being of others with a brilliant smile and deep gratitude.

There are countless dramas of such members in Wakayama who had blazed a path of unsurpassed unhappiness after encountering their mentor in life.

The prime point for the “ever-victorious” spirit of Wakayama was the Wakayama Leaders Meeting held in December 1969.

On that occasion, President Ikeda continued to pour his entire being into encouraging the pioneering members in Wakayama despite his terrible physical condition – high fever and severe cough.

He taught us through his powerful leading of the song what it means to stand up resolutely against adverse winds in our lives. He described that scene in his novel, The New Human Revolution, “Fierce Winds” chapter in this manner:

“The Wakayama members were deeply moved by Shin’ichi’s powerful leading of the song, and many had tears in their eyes. At the same time, some of them, worried about Shin’ichi’s poor health condition, suppressed the urge to cry out for him to stop. Everyone present engraved the scene in their hearts, vowing: “I’ll do my best too! I will win!” And they clapped with all their might and sang along at the top of their voices.”

Thereafter, we exerted to our utmost in response to our mentor’s call and make the impossible possible. We shall continue to strive to achieve complete victory based on fervent prayers that will activate the workings of the Buddhist gods (protective functions of the universe).

Translated and adapted from an article written by Shoko Ota, Women Division Study Chief for Wakayama Prefecture, published on the June 2007 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The One Hundred and Six Comparisons - Propagation Efforts Entail Personal Contacts and Dialogues

2011-02-27T00:00:00.005+08:00

The Law does not spread by itself. Because people propagate it, both the people and the Law are respectworthy.

(Gosho Zenshu, p856)

This letter is considered as one of the transfer documents that Nichiren Daishonin handed to his successor, Nikko Shonin, in January 1280 when the Daishonin was 59 years old.

The Daishonin taught in this passage that those who propagate Buddhism are the driving force of the kosen-rufu movement and that those who propagate the Mystic Law are of utmost nobility.

Buddhism is a great teaching that benefits all people. However, if there is no one to transmit its teachings correctly, it will not spread anywhere nor benefit anyone. If we all remain silent and not take any actions, our kosen-rufu movement will not advance – not even by one millimeter.

For this reason, all SGI members who are exerting themselves in propagation activities, working for the betterment of others are most respectworthy.

It was more than 50 years ago in October 1956 that SGI President Ikeda first set foot on the soils of Shimono-seki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Although Yamaguchi was the cradle in the creation of contemporary Japanese history, giving birth to many prime ministers, the Soka Gakkai membership was much backward when compared to other local areas of Japan.

Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda was extremely concerned about this delayed development of the kosen-rufu movement in Yamaguchi and immediately dispatched the youthful President Ikeda to secure an important foothold in this area. This marked the beginning of the historic “Yamaguchi campaign”.

The Yamaguchi campaign unfolded over a three-month period with President Ikeda physically taking the lead there for only 22 days. Just within the short span of three months, the membership in Yamaguchi increased tenfold to more than 4,000 households.

During the campaign, President Ikeda demonstrated through his action, a role model on how to take leadership in our propagation movement. This was what he did – he met directly with members and spoke to them; personally visited with members and listened to their problems; personally reached out to members and encouraged them; met up with members and gave them guidance; met with members and chanted together with them and studied the Gosho. This was how President achieved this remarkable development in Yamaguchi in such a short span in time. This achievement in turn became an impetus for the entire Soka Gakkai to achieve a breakthrough in propagation efforts to realize the 750,000 member households, a goal set by President Toda, one year later.

Through the Yamaguchi campaign, President Ikeda taught us the importance of aligning our hearts with our mentor’s.

In addition, with regards to our propagation efforts, President Ikeda said the following in his guidance: “Assert the validity of Buddhism with courage and confidence. Don’t be overly concern or sensitive to the kind of response expressed by the person you are speaking to. The important thing here is to help establish a connection between his or her life and the Mystic Law.

“First and foremost, you must destroy the cowardice, the weakness within your own life. Only after doing so will you be able to conduct a dialogue of Buddhism with courage, composure and joy.

“As long as you speak with compassion, tenacity, courage and earnest resolve that ‘No matter what, I’m going to lead this person to happiness’, anyone will be deeply touched by your sincerity. There is no doubt about that.”

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Mrs Sadako Nakamura a WD assistant zone leader in Shimono-seki City, is one who has been living out her life in the spirit of propagation.

Mrs Nakamura was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 1960 by a relative who took up faith during the Yamaguchi campaign. The first benefit she received was being able to go back to work as a nurse, thus stabilizing her livelihood.

However, shortly after starting work, her husband, Kazuma met with a traffic accident and was seriously injured. He was in a coma for a period of time due to brain contusion and his life was in danger. However, with the strong support and encouragement from fellow members, Mrs Nakamura chanted daimoku with the single-minded resolve that “I’m going to make sure that my husband recovers.” Subsequently, her husband’s condition began to improve gradually and he was discharged after three months. He did not suffer any side-effects and was given a clean bill of health by the doctor.

Through this experience, Mrs Nakamura deepened her coniction in the immense power of the Mystic Law and with a profound sense of gratitude; she threw her entire being into propagation activities. Her propagation efforts continue today and the total number of households she had converted single-handedly has surpassed 50. Mrs Nakamura regards this as her greatest pride and treasure in her life.

Together with her husband, Mrs Nakamura actively contributes her part for the betterment of her community. Her husband has been serving as the chairman of the residential committee for years and together with Mrs Nakamura, he also serves as a committee member in the town’s health promotion committee.

In the course of serving the people in her community, Mrs Nakamura often shares Buddhism with fellow residents. She even managed to convert a Men Division member who was deeply troubled over his bed-ridden mother through tenacious encouragement.

According to Mrs Nakamura, sharing Buddhism with others has become such a natural part of her life that she can speak to anyone, anywhere, whenever she hears how troubled that individual is.

In the summer of 2007, Mrs Nakamura’s resolve was further enhanced when she learnt how hard President and Mrs Ikeda have been working ceaselessly despite the scorching summer heat to encourage fellow members through the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily paper.

She told herself, “The only thing I can do for my mentor is to propagate this wonderful teaching of Buddhism. My victories in propagation efforts will certainly be the source of greatest joy for President and Mrs Ikeda.” Since then, she listed out the names of all her unconverted friends and initiated a personal daimoku campaign to chant at least three hours of daimoku everyday.

Mrs Nakamura then shared the Daishonin’s teachings with the wife of her former patient whom she had been keeping in contact over the past 30 years. She was deeply touched by Mrs Nakamura’s unchanging sincerity and warmth and finally decided to take up faith that year.

Over the last three years, Mrs Nakamura successfully converted 10 of her friends and brought back six friends who had gone astray back to the correct path of faith.

President Ikeda said, “The SGI is a noble body of believers who are thriving in propagation activities. The flowers of fulfillment and happiness blossoms in one’s life in proportion to one’s efforts in engaging in sincere and courageous dialogues on Buddhism.”

Today, Mrs Nakamura is already 79 years old. She continues to enjoy excellent health and drives around everyday to do her kosen-rufu activities. She is enjoying life to the fullest now. She is also a correspondent student of the Soka University Faculty of Education and continues in her effort to pursue lifelong learning.

Mrs Nakamura’s greatest joy is to be able to contribute her home as a venue for kosen-rufu activities in her community and to receive fellow members in high spirits everyday.

Cherishing great pride as disciples of the essential phase of kosen-rufu, let us double and triple our efforts to share the great teachings of Buddhism with as many people as possible.

Key points of the Gosho passage:
1. The Mystic Law or the Gohonzon is truly great. But no matter how great it is, it cannot spread by itself. Therefore, if we do not introduce Nichiren Buddhism to others, the great power of the Gohonzon cannot help people overcome their suffering or become happy. If we know people who are suffering, but we choose to remain silent, then it is as good as if we are stopping that person from becoming happy.

2. If we do not take actions to propagate Nichiren Buddhism, kosen-rufu (peace and happiness for all people) will not advance.

3. That is why Nichiren Daishonin said that the people who propagate the Law are most respectworthy. Because they help others overcome sufferings and gain happiness, people who propagate Nichiren Buddhism are able to receive great benefits in their own lives. This is in accord with the principle that every good cause creates a good effect.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Kumiko Furukawa, Women Division Study Chief for Yamaguchi Prefecture, published on the December 2007 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra - Adversity is the Greatest Chance to Transform One's Karma

2011-02-26T22:51:00.004+08:00

Devadatta was the foremost good friend to the Thus Come One Shakyamuni. In this age as well, it is not one’s allies but one’s powerful enemies who assist one’s progress.

(Passage from “The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p770)

This letter was written in March 1276 from Mount Minobu when Nichiren Daishonin was 55 years old and addressed to the lay nun Konichi, a widow who lived in Awa (present day Chiba Prefecture).

Also known as sage Konichi, she was converted together with her husband to the Daishonin’s teachings through her son, who had become a disciple of the Daishonin earlier.

Although she lost both her husband and son one after another sometime after her conversion, she overcame her deep sorrows through the constant and wholehearted encouragement from Nichiren Daishonin, and remained a sincere believer to the end of her life.

This letter gives an autobiographical account covering the events if an important period in Nichiren Daishonin’s life spanning over nine years (1268 to 1276) – from the time shortly before the Tatsunokuchi Persecution through his two-and-a-half-year exile on Sado Island and to his eventual retirement to Mount Minobu. In the course of his struggles over this period of nine years, the Daishonin overcame major consecutive persecutions and waged a fierce battle against the three powerful enemies, thereby fulfilling the predictions in the Lotus Sutra concerning its votary and establishing him as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, in both word and deed.

The above passage is the portion where the Daishonin stated that Devadatta, who persecuted Shakyamuni Buddha time and again, was the foremost good friend to Shakyamuni as it was he who proved the genuine greatness of Shakyamuni. If we look at our secular world today, we would find that in most cases, it is one’s enemy rather than one’s ally who would help one grow and develop as an individual. Thus, the Daishonin taught that powerful enemies who pose as great obstacles ultimately are one’s good friends.

SGI President Ikeda once said in his guidance, “Because we encounter unexpected trials and tribulations in life, we can grow as individual human beings. Only when one emerge victorious against a powerful enemy can one develop inner strength. No matter what adversities happen in our lives, lets challenge them all with inner strength, telling ourselves, ‘Yes! This is my chance to transform my karma!’ As long as we confront obstacles in life positively, we have much to gain from this experience and establish a life of greater value creation.”

Just as President Ikeda said, no matter what happens in life, let us regard them all as our foremost good friend (positive influence) and courageously challenge and overcome them all. Only by doing so can we enjoy a life of genuine happiness and victory.

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Mrs Fukiko Nakagoshi, a WD assistant zone leader in Kochi Prefecture, is one who has been dedicating her entire life for the happiness of others. Her sincerity has moved many and has earned her the trust of the people in her community.

Her husband, who ran a business in the timber industry, was converted to Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism first. Mrs Nakagoshi was converted after him in 1966.

As the couple lived in a conservative village, they were criticized and verbally abused about their practice of faith. However, they continued to persevere in their practice amidst such harsh circumstances. During the initial stages of their practice, her husband’s business was not doing well. On top of this, he had to shoulder a huge amount of debt by acting as a guarantor to a friend who failed to pay off a loan. Their livelihood was at stake as their financial situation worsened with the passage of time.

Amidst such circumstances, Mrs Nakagoshi told herself, “I must never run away from this problem. I’ll be a loser if I do so. I must continue living with pride as a member of the Soka Gakkai. I must win the trust of the people in my community through overcoming this difficulty.” Based on this resolve, she chanted daimoku earnestly and strove even more vigorously with the sincere prayer to transform her family karma and to contribute to the widespread propagation of the Daishonin’s Buddhism in her community.

As a Women Division chapter leader, she devoted her entire being in promoting propagation activities and the subscription of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily organ paper. At the same time, she actively contributed whenever she could to non-Gakkai activities organized by the town councils in her community. Her husband would rush down to help solve any problems for anyone they knew; regardless of whether they were Soka Gakkai members. In the meantime, the couple continued to offer sincere prayers.

Their contributions to the community were eventually recognized and they were both selected to become health promotion committee members in their town council.

Mrs Nakagoshi served as chairperson of the Women’s Association over a period of eight years, and actively contributed with her chapter members as volunteers to bring great cheer and vigour to the community. As the community’s trust in Mrs Nakagoshi grew, the number of people subscribing to the Seikyo Shimbun increased.

She regarded each and everyone in her community as her foremost good friend, whether they were friendly or hostile to her.

In recent years, more than 100 friends would travel all the way from distant mountains and valleys to attend the Women Division General Meeting organized by her district. It has become an annual affair and the general meeting never failed to serve as a platform to enhance understanding towards the SGI and to establish ties of goodwill and friendship.

In July 2006, Mrs Nakagoshi celebrated her 40th anniversary of her conversion by renovating her home to be used for SGI activities. With well-established facilities and a large area for meeting purposes, video screening of President Ikeda’s guidance at the monthly SGI headquarter leaders meeting began at her home through Internet distribution from September 2006 onwards.

Many friends who came for the screening were deeply impressed. Mrs Nakagoshi was overwhelmed by emotions, recollecting how she had struggled through the most difficult pioneering days.

For many years, the couple had been struggling to pay back the huge amount of debt and finally, in 2003, they managed to clear the debt completely. All her children are actively striving in the organization.

Her eldest son is working in a newspaper company, her younger son is a secondary school teacher while her eldest daughter is running a beauty salon. Mrs Nakagoshi has certainly welcomed the “spring” in her life by regarding everything that happened in her life as her foremost good friends.

Key points of the Gosho passage:
1. Buddhism defines good friends as good influences that assist us in strengthening our faith and bringing forth our state of Buddhahood. Ironically, when we ask ourselves what it is that help us the most in deepening our faith, we find that it is bad circumstances and people. Because they give us so much troubles and worries, they actually motivate us to chant lots of daimoku and help us in our human revolution. That is why the Daishonin stated that Devadatta was Shakyamuni’s good friend and he referred to powerful enemies as our good friends.

2. Conversely, when circumstances become too good or comfortable, they can make us lazy and complacent and cause us to relax in our practice and weaken our faith.

3. We can make anything, even our sufferings and enemies, into our good friends provided we have strong faith to win over them. So no matter what happens in life, lets us regard them as our foremost good friends and courageously challenge and overcome them by telling ourselves, “I will deepen my faith even more”.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Kumiko Kondo, Women Division Study Chief for Kochi Prefecture, published in the March 2007 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Three Kinds of Treasure - Living with Honour Means to Dedicate One's Life for the Well-Being of Others

2011-01-30T12:08:00.003+08:00

It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain – as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honour than to live to 120 and die in disgrace.

(Passage from “The Three Kinds of Treasure”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p851)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at Minobu in the ninth month of 1277 and addressed to Shijo Kingo.

Sometime around 1274, Shijo Kingo had begun making efforts to convert his lord, Ema, to the Daishonin’s teachings, and as a result, incurred the wrath of his lord. Kingo’s colleagues also took the opportunity to spread slanderous reports about him. Lord Ema gave Kingo an ultimatum – discard faith in the Lotus Sutra or face dire consequences. Despite these trying times, Kingo maintained strong faith in the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

Subsequently, Lord Ema fell ill and Kingo, applying his medical skills, helped to cure him. The lord was most grateful and Kingo regained his trust.

This letter was written in response to Kingo’s report that he had achieved great victory over his adversity.

In it, the Daishonin expressed his concern that Ema’s renewed trust in Kingo might invite greater jealousy from his colleagues and endanger Kingo’s life. The Daishonin advised him in great details, cautioning Kingo to curb his short-tempered nature and not to act thoughtlessly.

In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin spoke on the transient nature of human existence. On top of this, the Daishonin reminded us that within our limited life span, it is important to live a single day with honour.

Here, by teaching us “to live with honour”, the Daishonin does not mean to encourage us to strive to gain secular fame and status. Rather, he urged us to lead an honourable life as a human being. It means to polish ourselves and live a life of value-creation that is dedicated to the well-being of the society.

Quoting this passage from the Gosho, SGI President Ikeda once said:

“Of course, we all wish to live as long as possible, but even more significant is what we accomplish in the limited amount of time we have. What kind of contribution have we left behind? How many people have we helped become happy? How much have we elevated our life? With each passing year, I continue to work hard for the sake of kosen-rufu and my precious fellow members, striving to accomplish a week’s or a month’s worth of effort each day.”

The value of one’s life is not determined by its length. One who dedicates one’s life for the lofty cause of kosen-rufu based on the spirit of “oneness of mentor and disciple” can be said to be leading a golden life of supreme nobility.

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The life experience of Mrs Sayoko Asai, a WD assistance prefectural leader in Gunma Prefecture, is a living testament of this Gosho passage.

In 1959, Mrs Asai gave birth to a son but her joy was short lived. Soon after his birth, her son was diagnosed to be suffering from cerebral infantile paralysis. She felt as if her whole world had fallen apart.

With the single-minded prayer to cure her son’s illness, she decided to take up faith when she was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism. Everyday, she chanted hours and hours of daimoku fervently and carrying her son on her back, she attended Gakkai meetings and carried out propagation activities sincerely.

When her son was two, he passed away peacefully as if he had fallen asleep. Witnessing how his son had lived out his life to the fullest, her husband who had all along been against her practice, decided to take up faith. Even though her son’s life was a short one, he had led his entire family to the Daishonin’s Buddhism, the loftiest teachings.

With deep gratitude to her son, Mrs Asai continued to exert herself in kosen-rufu activities. One year after her son’s passing, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy and deepened her conviction in her practice even more.

Since her conversion to the Daishonin’s teachings, her relatives had been openly expressing their objections to her practice. Some persistently asked her why she had joined the Soka Gakkai while others yelled furiously at her. Even her sister refused to communicate with her and she was told by her relatives “not to appear” at their weddings.

Even though she was treated with such intense discrimination and verbal abuse, she gritted her teeth and persevered throughout her ordeal based on daimoku.

She also put in great effort to enable the people around her to understand the truth about the Soka Gakkai through her own actual proofs. She actively participated in activities in her community and was well-liked by the people around her as she was always cheerful and kind to others.

She was even recommended to be a committee member in the PTA board, the chairperson of a women group, staff member of the traffic safety association, the volunteer group leader for the old folks home and board member for another old folks home. In this way, she did whatever she can to contribute to the welfare and good of her community.

Many people, including renowned figures in her community and her relatives who were once so strongly against her practice, are now subscribers and avid readers of the Seikyo Shimbun and they attended events organized by the Soka Gakkai with joy and enthusiasm.

Furthermore, her younger son, who had overcome cancer two times, is now a chef at a national nursing home while her eldest and third daughters are managing their own companies in Tokyo. Her second daughter is striving hard as the women division prefectural chief in Gunma.

The fact that Mrs Asai had been able to overcome all her family karma and show actual proof of victories can be attributed to her single-minded determination to chant daimoku until her prayers are answered. Till today, at the age of 77, she wakes up at 4.30am everyday to chant daimoku with deep gratitude and cheerfully engage herself in Gakkai activities.

Having encountered the lofty teachings of the Mystic Law and a great mentor in life, Mrs Asai has dedicated her entire life to the happiness of others about her community. There is no doubt that she had demonstrated with her life what it truly means “to live a single day with honour” as taught by Nichiren Daishonin.

Key points of the Gosho passage:
1. To be born human is itself a great good fortune if we considered the fact that we could be born among the countless types of non-human living beings. Only as a human being, can we live a life of absolute happiness by actively striving to attain the state of Buddhahood.

2. The life span of a human being is relatively short and is dependent on one’s karma. Since life as a human being is so rare and precious and we do not know how long one could live, it is important that we cherish each day of our life and makes it as happy and full of value and honour as possible. The Daishonin taught that when we dedicate ourselves to practicing and propagating the Mystic Law, creating happiness for others and ourselves, we would definitely develop a life of great honour.

3. The Daishonin stated, “But it is better to live a single day with honour than to live to 120 and die in disgrace.” To use an anology, to live with a single day with honour is like 1 x 1,000,000 (worth of value) = 1,000,000 and to live to 120 and die in disgrace is like 120 x 365 x 0 (worth of value) = 0.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Mieko Onozato, Women Division Study Chief for Gunma Prefecture, published in the April 2007 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra - Encouragement Enhances the Momentum of Advancement

2010-12-26T12:53:00.005+08:00

The more gold is heated in the flames, the brighter will be its colour; the more a sword is whetted, the sharper it will become. And the more one praises the blessings of the Lotus Sutra, the more one’s own blessings will increase.

(Passage from “The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p673)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at Minobu on the fifth day of the third month of 1276 and addressed to the Honourable Myomitsu.

The Honourable Myomitsu was a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin who lived at Kuwagayatsu in Kamakura. While detailed information about Myomitsu is not available, it appears that he and his wife were earnest and sincere practitioners of faith.

The passage we are studying this month constitutes the concluding portion of this letter. The Daishonin stated here that when gold is heated in the flames, its colour will become brighter and the more a sword is whetted, the sharper it will become. In the same way, the more we praise the blessings of the Lotus Sutra (that is, the Gohonzon), the more our benefits and good fortune will increase.

Similarly, praising and cherishing fellow members who are striving for kosen-rufu in the forefront of our movement is equivalent to praising the Lotus Sutra and the benefits one accrues from doing so will be unimaginable.

In one of his guidance, SGI President Ikeda said, “The more one praises the wonderful power of the Mystic Law, the more one’s benefits will increase. In the same way, leaders of kosen-rufu must sincerely praise, thank and encourage fellow members who are working hard to propagate the Mystic Law.

The benefits and good fortune one receives will be in direct proportion to the efforts one put in for this endeavour. Nichiren Daishonin’s writings are themselves words of encouragement.

Offering continuous encouragement is the key in the realm of human beings – be it in families, schools, organizations and societies, development will stop the moment encouragement cease to exist. The momentum for advancement arises from encouragement. One’s sense of purpose to be born as a human being expands and enhances through encouragement.”

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Mrs Kimiko Oyama, a women division district leader living in Kumamoto city lost her beloved husband in a traffic accident 11 years ago. Just as she was wondering how she was going to continue living her life together with her three young children, she received a heartwarming poem from President Ikeda.

It read:
“Live out your life
As a great mother
While cherishing your noble husband
Deep in your heart
And achieve ultimate victory
No matter what.”

Mrs Oyama was so touched and grateful that President Ikeda would go to this extent to encourage one individual member that tears flow uncontrollably down her cheeks. At the same time, boundless courage began surging forth from the depth of her life. Deeply engraving the last phrase of the poem, “Achieve ultimate victory no matter what”, in her life, she stood up courageously with the pledge, “I’m definitely going to foster my three children into capable leaders of kosen-rufu.”

In order to raise her three children, Mrs Oyama decided to continue teaching at a secondary school. In 2003, she was assigned to be the form teacher of a class in which students were facing various problems, including student K who was on a rampage lately due to frequent clashes with his family, while there was another who refused to attend school.

Mrs Oyama decided to write down the names of all her students and sent daimoku to each and every one of them daily. She also resolved to make this class onto one in which everyone can feel the warmth and comfort of being among good friends who cherish both oneself and others.

However, things did not go as smoothly as she thought. There were many challenges as she met one obstacle after another. As she continued chanting for her students, she suddenly thought of an idea – why not ask her students to start writing a diary about good things that happened in their lives. She wanted to give her students an opportunity to look for “good things” – no matter how insignificant – that happens in their otherwise problem-filled lives. On other words, the students will record the “small happiness” they manage to discover into their diaries.

Initially, items recorded were really trivial, such as “today’s lunch was delicious”. However, Mrs Oyama persevered. Everyday, she took home 35 copies of the diaries from her students, read and wrote comments on every diary as she journeyed home on the subway train. She continued this over a period of 100 days till the students graduated. It was through this diary that Mrs Oyama got to know that student K has lost self-confidence and suffered from inferiority complex because his parents kept comparing him with his siblings.

Mrs Oyama tried to restore the self-confidence in student K by looking for different good points about K and wrote them as praises of him in the diary everyday. She also suggested to student K to do a research on his family business as a class project. Through this, student K had more opportunity to communicate with his father and his father was also able to understand K better.

Ultimately, student K even received an award for his class project. This boosted his self-confidence immensely and his relationship with his family members improved trememdously.

Each student began to change their attitude towards life when they could discover joy and appreciation in the small little things in life that others may take fro granted. Through this, Mrs Oyama was able to transform her class into one that was filled with a wonderful sense of joy, confidence and harmony.

This experience deepened Mrs Oyama’s conviction that praising others will never fail to instill hope and confidence in their lives.

She applied this principle to her members in her district. All fellow members who are striving for kosen-rufu are “children of the Buddha” without a single exception. Mrs Oyama wrote down the names of all the “children of the Buddha” in her district and prayed for their happiness each and every day. No matter what others may said, she was never swayed and continued to look for the good points of every individual member and praised them for it. She practiced this through and through.

Just as what President Ikeda wrote 11 years ago, Mrs Oyama achieved ultimate victory. Her three children, who are now in the primary and secondary schools, are growing well as members of the Future Division of the Soka Gakkai.

When one sincerely respects and praises others, one will in turn be able to earn the respect and praise from others and the Buddhist gods, the protective functions of the universe.

Establishing an enriching life state where one is able to rejoice at the happiness of one’s friends is equivalent to savouring supreme happiness ourselves.

Lets continue polishing our lives through faith based on the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple and become individuals shining with humanism who can offer encouragement and praises to anyone we come into contact with.

Key points of the Gosho passage:
1. Karma is created through thoughts, words and deeds. Firstly, when we praise Nam-myoho-renge-kyo or the Gohonzon, our words are extolling the greatness of the Gohonzon. Secondly, our thoughts are also filled with deep appreciation and reverence for the Gohonzon. Thirdly, praising the Gohonzon is a deed that encourages others who hear our praises to take faith in the Gohonzon. That is why praising the Gohonzon can create such great good fortune.

2. How do we praise the Gohonzon? When we strive to introduce and convince others to practise Nichiren Buddhism, we are praising the Gohonzon. When we relate our testimonies at discussion meetings, we are praising the Gohonzon. When we do our human revolution by overcoming difficulties with our courage and determination, our victories themselves are like raises about the wonderful power of the Gohonzon within our life.

3. President Ikeda further adds that praising, thanking and encouraging fellow members who are striving for kosen-rufu is equivalent to praising the Gohonzon. In short, when we practise this principle of praising the Gohonzon and praising those who strive for kosen-rufu, we will receive the greatest good fortune in our lives.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Kazuko Manabu, Women Division Study Chief for Kumamoto Prefecture, published in the October 2006 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - Living Out Our Lives on the Lofty Path of Mentor and Disciple Accrues Supreme Good Fortune

2010-11-28T11:32:00.004+08:00

It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realized this truth. The sutra’s statement, “Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers”, cannot be false in any way.

(Passage from “The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p217)

This letter, dated the eleventh day of the second month in 1272, was sent by Nichiren Daishonin from his dwelling in Tsukahara on Sado Island to Sairen-bo Nichijo, a former Tendai priest who, for reasons that are unclear, was also living in exile on Sado Island.

Amidst the storm of harsh persecutions such as the Tatsunokuchi Persecution (where Nichiren Daishonin was nearly beheaded), and his exile to the remote island of Sado, many of Daishonin’s disciples in Kamakura discarded faith as described by the Daishonin in his writings: “… in Kamakura, 999 out of 1,000 people… gave up their faith.” (WND-1, p469)

Exile to Sado during the Daishonin’s time was equivalent to a death sentence. Yet, the Daishonin declared in this Gosho, “Nichiren has been trying to awaken all the people of Japan to faith in the Lotus Sutra so that they too can share the heritage and attain Buddhahood.” (WND-1, p217) Inspired by the profound compassion of the Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day, genuine disciples pledging to uphold the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism in the spirit of un-begrudging faith appeared one after another. Sairen-bo was one of them.

The passage that we are going to study this month is where the Daishonin taught that the karmic bond shared by mentor and disciple who had vowed to live out their lives for kosen-rufu is eternal, transcending the three existences of past, present and future.

The Daishonin taught that the profound pledge that links mentor and disciple is not a coincidental connection that is limited to this lifetime. Instead, it is a karmic relationship from past existences. It is because of the pledge established in our lives that “we will strive together with our mentor for all eternity spanning the three existences of past, present and future” that we have been born together with, encountered and re-established the bond with our mentor. This will be the same in our future existences. No matter which land we are going to dwell in, we will constantly be reborn in the company of our mentor.

What then, is the profound pledge established in the distant past that links the disciples to the mentor? It is none other than the vow “to lead all people to happiness”. From the Buddhist perspective that Buddhahood exists in one’s life, everyone possesses this determination in their lives no matter who they are. It is the mentor that helps one to recall and awaken to this deepest human wish inherent in one’s life.

In the eternal flow of time, one cannot fathom the immense good fortune of being able to forge a strong bond with our mentor, that has enabled us to be born together in the same time as SGI President Ikeda, and strive in unity with him to lay an everlasting foundation for the worldwide propagation of the Mystic Law in the Latter Day of the Law into eternity. When we ponder over the fact that the relationship between mentor and disciple is karmic in nature and that it transcends the three existences, one cannot help but realize the profound mission, which we are born in.

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In the spring of 2000, something completely unexpected happened in my family.

My eldest son, who had just started his tertiary education at Soka University after graduating from Soka High School, suddenly decided to quit school. It was totally beyond my means to comprehend what led him to do so. When he was young, President Ikeda told him, “I will be waiting for you at Soka University when you grow up.”

Since then, I had been earnestly praying day and night for him to advance along the path of a successor of Soka as President Ikeda’s genuine disciple. That was my one and only prayer for my son and I thought I had fostered him to become such an individual.

As such, when my son made this decision, my heart was completely shattered. On top of this, other unforeseen problems appeared one after another around the same time.

In autumn that year, the members of Kyushu were able to welcome President and Mrs Ikeda to our prefecture in the midst of great joy. I was pleasantly taken aback when I was given the opportunity to have a dialogue with Mrs Ikeda.

“No matter what happens, you must resolutely maintain courageous faith. If you waiver, the devils will rejoice. As long as you continue offering earnest prayers for your son, your prayers will surely be answered even though your prayer may seem to have taken a long way round before it is answered.”

As I listened to these words of warm encouragement from Mrs Ikeda, I felt immense courage and hope welling forth from the depths of my life.

Shortly after this, I received a waka poem that President Ikeda had specially composed for me. It read:
“Do not fear
Do not feel anguished
If your family uphold justice
Courageously stand strong
To wage a relentless struggle
For the kosen-rufu of Kyushu.”

I felt as if President and Mrs Ikeda had helped meto break free from the shallow life state and weak state of mind I was in, where I felt completely tied down by my own world of problems.

I truly felt how wonderful it is to have such a wonderful mentor in life and I was filled with deep gratitude. When I pondered over the great adversities that President and Mrs Ikeda had to overcome in order to blaze the path of kosen-rufu, I was absolutely convinced that as a disciple, there is no problem that I cannot overcome. When I was able to establish this resolve, I felt that a path had clearly opened before my eyes. I was no longer overwhelmed by fear or a sense of insecurity. Instead, a sense of profound gratitude filled my heart.

As I continued chanting daimoku, a surge of absolute conviction began to well forth from my life – I heard my inner voice saying: “I have been praying for this child to become a capable leader for kosen-rufu since he was in my stomach. There is no doubt that he is born as President Ikeda’s disciple who shares a profound karmic bond with him. He must have a unique mission to fulfill in that capacity.”

Eight years has passed since then and today, my three children are all contributing their part for kosen-rufu. My eldest daughter is a leader of the young married women group in Shizuoka prefecture while my younger daughter is an YWD Ward Chief in Tokyo. As for my eldest son, he eventually enrolled himself with the correspondence division of Soka University, completed the course and passed the national examination to qualify as a primary school teacher. He has fulfilled his long-cherished dream to teach at a primary school in Ota Ward, a land that is imbued with the profound bond of mentor and disciple. He is also fulfilling his mission as an YMD district leader.

President Ikeda always reminds us through citing the Gosho: “It is the heart that is important.” (WND-1, p 1,000)

I have realized that the moment my heart changed from one filled with anguish into one filled with conviction, everything was geared towards a positive direction.

The path of mentor and disciple is a path of gratitude. I pledged to continue living out my life on this path of Soka with this conviction.

Key points to the Gosho passage:
1. The ultimate purpose of our Buddhist practice is to attain enlightenment and achieve absolute happiness. The supreme life condition of Buddhahood can only be developed as we experience and win over various difficulties.

2. Along this difficult journey, we will encounter periods when we feel lost, depressed and defeated. At such times, even though we may have the Gohonzon and the Gosho, we may feel so discouraged that we harbour thoughts of giving up our faith. At such important junctures, it is the strong bond that we have with our mentor and his words of encouragement and concern that can revile our faith and fighting spirit, as we recall the indomitable spirit of our mentor.

3. Therefore, to be able to be born at a time when we can meet a great mentor in life is one’s greatest good fortune. To ensure that we will continue to have this great good fortune to be reborn again and again with our mentor, we must make the pledge that no matter what happens, we will strive un-begrudgingly with our mentor to realize kosen-rufu. This is the only and surest way to ensure that we can attain Buddhahood and enjoy absolute happiness.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Sanae Yamamoto, Women Division Study Chief for Fukuoka Prefecture, published in the May 2008 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Objection of Devotion for Observing the Mind - When the Sun Buddhahood Rises in our Hearts, the Darkness of the Fundamental Ignorance Vanishes

2010-10-31T11:52:00.004+08:00

When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs.

(Passage from “The Object of Devotion for Obeserving the Mind”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p376)

Nichiren Daishonin completed this work during his exile at Ichinosawa on the island of Sado. It was addressed to Toki Jonin, a leading disciple who lived in Shimosa Province.

At that point of time, Japan suffered from frequent natural disasters including major earthquakes. Each time a calamity struck, the Japanese people suffered and trembled in fear, not knowing what the future held for them.

With regards to this condition, the Daishonin said in the preceding portion of this passage that these calamities including great earthquakes were signs that firetold the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law to save humanity and also the appearance of the Bodhisattva of the Earth (cf WND-1, p376) to fulfill this noble mission of propagation. In this way, the Daishonin displayed his profound wisdom to perceive the truth and essence of worldly matters based on Buddhism. He further taught that one who perceives that essence of Buddhism understands the meaning of all worldly affairs.

We can interpret this passage to mean that as long as one believes in and chant daimoku to the Gohonzon, one will be able to manifest the wisdom to perceive the truth of all worldly affairs in reality and with this, one can achieve victory in life.

In this lecture series on the Gosho, “On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime”, SGI President Ikeda stated, “When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the sun of the world of Buddhahood rises in our hearts. The ignorance and illusion that had shrouded the sun like heavy clouds are swept away. When the sun of Buddhahood comes to shine within us, the darkness of ignorance vanishes.”

Many times in the course of our lives, we find ourselves in a situation where our lives seem to be shrouded by endless darkness and there appears no hope of overcoming our problems or sufferings. However, as long as we continue to chant with doubt-free faith, we will be able to dispel this darkness in our lives and even be able to summon forth the power from within to help the people around us do the same.

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This was exactly how Mrs Miwako Daihachi (WD chief of Okayama Prefecture) and her husband lived out their lives, dedicating their entire beings to the kosen-rufu (peace and happiness for all people) movement in Okayama.

Miwako’s maternal family took up faith in Nichiren Buddhism in 1959. The family first savoured the wonderful power of faith when Miwako’s sickly father, who was suffering from tuberculosis, regained his health to the extent that he could go back to work. With immense joy, Miwako and her family deeply committed themselves to the practice of faith.

However, in the spring of 1967, Miwako lost her mother and five-year old brother in a traffic accident. At that time, Miwako was only a secondary one student and she simply could not accept the death of her two beloved family members. Her father, a man of few words, became increasingly reserved and kept to himself more than ever.

That summer, SGI President Ikeda invited Miwako’s father to the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo and together, President Ikeda offered solemn prayers for Miwako’s mother and brother. As he was doing gongyo by the side of President Ikeda, Miwako’s father could not stop his tears from flowing as he was choked with profound gratitude and emotions for President Ikeda’s kindness. On top of this, President Ikeda also offered prayers for them during the special memorial prayer session held later that day.

From that day onwards, Miwako’s father was a changed man. He made it a point to bring Miwako to the monthly discussion meeting and he also began delivering the Seikyo Shimbun, the daily organ paper of the Soka Gakkai, every morning. Looking at the complete transformation of her father, Miwako thought to herself, “President Ikeda must be a great man.”

President Ikeda’s tremendous life force was like a sun that ignited the faith of her father and helped to dispel the darkness that shrouded his life. With his darkness dispelled, her father’s life shone like the sun and this time, he helped dispel the darkness shrouding Miwako’s life.

In 1975, Miwako got married and pledged to work hand-in-hand with her husband, Mr Saihachi, for the peace and prosperity of their community.

In 1980, the couple set up a painting company. Even during the harshest recession when other businesses went bankrupt one after another, their company somehow managed to survive. Mystically, whenever Mr Daihachi offered determined prayers, “Come forth, work orders!”, work orders would come knocking at their door immediately. This even became a hot topics amongst the people in their community.

In 1998, the Soka Gakkai in Okayama Prefecture held the “First Okayama Sunrise Town and Villages Summit”. Miwako and her husband also attended the event as representatives of their Yoshinaga town. They told themselves that their struggle must touch the heart of their mentor, President Ikeda, and chanted abundant daimoku before attending the event.

Miwako and her husband were captured on the photograph published together with news of the event in the Seikyo Shimbun on the following day. President Ikeda saw the photograph on the paper and presented the couple with a gift to commemorate the occasion. Miwako and her husband were both surprised and overjoyed that their prayers were indeed answered.

Upon returning to their town, they initiated a new wave of kosen-rufu in their community.

They spoke to the people around them about President Ikeda’s struggles for peace, bought 30 copies of the particular issue of The Daibyakurenge (the Soka Gakkai monthly study journal) that carried President Ikeda’s annual peace proposal and presented them to their friends and neighbours. They also screened videos on the SGI’s movement for peace, culture and education to help the people in their neighbourhood understand the SGI better.

On top of this, they were finally able to realize their long-cherished dream to construct a personal building dedicated as a venue for kosen-rufu activities in their community.

In her community, Miwako serves as the vice chairperson for the Women’s Committee for Commerce and Industry, a member of the volunteers group and the in-charge of the local choir group. It seems that one of the favourite songs of this choir group is “Mother”, which has lyrics composed by President Ikeda.

Miwako also succeeded her father’s commitment to deliver the Seikyo Shimbun and till today, she has been making this daily delivery for a period of 32 years (as of 2008). Her three children have all grown up into outstanding individuals and she has successfully established a harmonious family of faith.

President Ikeda wrote in an essay specially dedicated to the members in Okayama: “Those who exert themselves to protect their communities with sincere devotion will never fail to become the beacon of hope for the people around them and the flowers of victory will surely bloom in their lives.”

Let us all develop ourselves to become individuals who can contribute happiness, peace and prosperity to our societies.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Yoshiko Kinto, Women Division Study Chief for Okayama Prefecture, published in the January 2008 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Offerings in the Snow - The Growth of the Future Division will Determine the SGI's Future

2010-09-25T21:10:00.003+08:00

It is said that Ueno, your deceased father, was a man of feeling. Since you are his son, perhaps you have inherited the outstanding qualities of his character. Blue dye is bluer than indigo itself, and ice is colder than water. How wonderful. How wonderful.

(Passage from “Offerings in the Snow”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 2, p809)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on the third day of the first month in 1279 to Nanjo Tokimitsu. It was a letter f appreciation in which the Daishonin thanked Tokimitsu for the New Year’s offerings and praised his lofty seeking spirit.

During that time, Japan was in the midst of a great plague raging nationwide, which took many lives. Moreover, a famine followed shortly due to abnormal climate and the people in Japan were living in extremely harsh conditions.

Living deep in the mountains of Minobu where heavy snow had piled up and cut off the mountain path, the Daishonin himself was hard pressed to survive. There were no visitors, his clothing was thin and food scarce.

It was amidst such circumstances that Tokimitsu’s offerings reached the Daishonin. The Daishonin described the offerings as “the full moon” and expressed his immense joy saying, “My mind has brightened and the darkness of life and death will lift, I am sure.” (WND-2, p809) The Daishonin then lavished the highest praise on Tokimitsu for his sincere commitment to faith and in protecting the Daishonin.

The portion that we are studying is where the Daishonin expressed his delight in witnessing Tokimitsu inheriting his deceased father’s profound commitment in faith and achieving magnificent growth as a disciple of Nichiren Daishonin. The Daishonin used the phrase, “Blue dye is bluer than indigo itself, and ice is colder than water” to describe this.

This phrase has its origin in China. Here, the “blue dye” and “ice” represented Tokimitsu while “indigo” and “water” represented his father.

The Daishonin had dedicated his entire being in cultivating genuine disciples to ensure that the flow of the Law will never perish. Therefore, the individual development of successors of faith was of key importance in this endeavour. Tokimitsu’s growth thus served as a beacon of hope for the future.

In the Gosho, “On Repaying Debts of Gratitude”, the Daishonin wrote, “If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for ten thousand years and more, for all eternity.” (WND, P736) As the Daishonin taught here, our movement of kosen-rufu is a momentous struggle that spans over “ten thousand years and more in the Latter Day of the Law, for all eternity”. For this reason, capable people of faith become a crucial factor in ensuring the eternal posterity of the Law.

Immediately upon his inauguration as third president of the Soka Gakkai, SGI President Ikeda established the senior and junior high divisions. The spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple is found in the struggle to foster true successors of faith. Herein lies the Gakkai spirit.

President Ikeda said in his guidance, “The growth of the future division will determine the SGI’s future… The only way to build a sound foundation for a peaceful future is to raise each young successor into a person with the capability of a thousand.”

Only when the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple is passed on from one generation to the next – from parent to child, from child to grandchild – can our kosen-rufu (peace and happiness for all people) movement continue to flourish eternally into the future.

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Mrs Etsuko Suzuki is a women division zone leader in the city of Higashi Osaka who has been practicing faith for the past 50 years.

Mrs Suzuki learnt the spirit of faith from her parents. She engraved the ever-victorious Kansai spirit through witnessing the earnest struggles waged by her parents, especially her mother.

Her parents took up faith when they were suffering in the depths of illness and poverty. Thereafter, her parents poured their heart and mind in their practice of faith, earnestly participating in all struggles, including the renowned Osaka Campaign in 1956 and the Osaka Rally in 1957, which became the prime point of ever-victorious Kansai. Aligning their hearts with the youthful President Ikeda, they braved through harsh verbal abuse and criticism from conservative villagers with a burning determination that “we must never ever be defeated!” As a result of their selfless dedication in carrying out propagation activities, they have to date, successfully introduced a total of 102 families to the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

They have also been contributing their home as a venue for kosen-rufu activities for the past 50 years and her mother has been delivering the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily organ paper over the past 30 years. All these years, one of her mother’s single-minded prayers was to foster her seven children who can contribute to the remarkable movement of peace led by President Ikeda. Her prayer has been realized as all seven children are striving in the forefront of kosen-rufu today.

Having been brought up by parents brimming with the Kansai spirit, Mrs Suzuki had the opportunity to meet President Ikeda in person when she was 18 years old. On that occasion, President Ikeda warmly encouraged her, reminding her to “always do your utmost best” and Mrs Suzuki in turn pledged to strive together with her mentor throughout her life. After fulfilling her responsibilities without any regrets as an YWD zone leader, she got married.

However, one day in the 15th year of her marriage, her husband was killed in a traffic accident. She was in a state of shock. Then, she recalled the scene when she met her mentor. At that moment, she resolved, “Now is the time to transform my karma into mission by striving together with my children. This is what mother had taught me all the while – to uphold undefeated faith.” With this, she courageously stood up to take on the challenge.

She devoted herself for the happiness of her members and friends, without resting for a single day. This time, it was Mrs Suzuki’s children who witnessed the earnest struggle of their mother. Her daughter studied at Soka University after graduating from Soka High School. Upon her graduation last spring, she became a headquarters staff in Kansai and was appointed an YWD chapter leader. She has recently successfully converted her friend to the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

As for her son, although there was a time during his secondary school days when he refused to attend school, she managed to overcome this ordeal through her unrelenting prayers. Last year, he passed the Soka Gakkai Buddhist study examination for the entrance level and this spring, he was accepted to study in a university.

Mrs Suzuki has victoriously established a harmonious family of faith and today, their favourite past time is to share with others their aspirations for kosen-rufu.

As we embark on the second act of worldwide kosen-rufu, let us cherish and foster every successor of kosen-rufu in our homes and districts and build a castle of capable successors of faith who will connect the lifeline of the Mystic Law into the eternal future, together with our mentor in life.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Sachiko Yamamoto, Women Division Study Chief for Osaka Prefecture, published in the February 2006 issue of The Daibyakurange, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

White Horses and White Swans - Praying with the Resolve to Remain Undefeated No Matter What Happens

2010-08-29T11:54:00.004+08:00

Just as poisonous compounds are changed into medicine, so these five characters of Myo-ho-renge-kyo change evil into good. The Spring of Jewels is so called because, in this spring, stones are changed into jewels. In the same way, these five characters can change ordinary human beings into Buddhas.

(Passage from “White Horses and White Swans”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,064)

This letter was sent from Minobu in 1280 to a follower known as “the lady of Utsubusa” who lived in Utsubusa in Ihara District of Suruga Province. Nichiren Daishonin’s letter is a reply to the offerings and declarations that the lady of Utsubusa sent in commemoration of the 100th-day anniversary of her father’s passing.

Judging from the fact that she sent the Daishonin 10,000 coins (a fairly large amount) and from the contents of her personal vow, it is quite likely that she was a refined woman of some means.

In this letter, the Daishonin taught that the Lotus Sutra is the king of all sutras. Through this, the Daishonin revealed the magnificent benefits of chanting daimoku.

The Daishonin further assured his follower that, because her father chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo while he was alive, he had certainly attained Buddhahood in his present form. The Daishonin also praised the lady of Utsubusa that her actions to lead her father to the Mystic Law are the very height of filial piety (cf WND, p1,064).

The passage we are studying this month is the portion where Nichiren Daishonin elucidated the remarkable beneficial power of Myoho-renge-kyo. The Daishonin used the example of poison being transformed into medicine to illustrate the point that Myoho-renge-kyo can change evil into good.

The Daishonin also used the illustration of the Spring of Jewels that transformed stones into jewels to portray the point that these five characters have the beneficial power to change ordinary human beings into Buddhas.

The Daishonin taught, through these illustrations, that no matter what happens in life, as long as we continue maintaining faith in Myoho-renge-kyo, pray thoroughly to the end without giving up and exert our utmost for kosen-rufu, we will surely be able to manifest our Buddhahood, activate the protective functions of the universe and blaze a path of happiness for ourselves and others.

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Mrs Masayo Honma, a women division zone leader in Sado Island, a land that is closely related to Nichiren Daishonin, came to Sado from Kansai when she married her husband, a craft potter, in 1973. In 1980, her husband’s entire workshop and kiln (stove for producing ceramic pottery) were burnt down in a fire caused by an oversight.

To a craft potter, the kiln is said to be as precious as his own life. Both husband and wife were totally disheartened for no work can be done without a kiln. It was then that they received a message from SGI President Ikeda encouraging the couple to forge on despite the setback.

The couple resolved, “President Ikeda has taught us to remain undefeated no matter what happens in life. This is the time to put this into practice!” With this determination, they stood up again based on daimoku.

Mr Honma recalled, “I was tremendously encouraged by my wife who remained unwavered as she continued chanting daimoku resolutely during the most trying times.”

Today, Mr Honma has become a renowned ceramic potter who had held many personal exhibitions at prestigious galleries in the Ginza area in Japan. Through faith, the couple was able to transform poison into medicine.

The area of Hatano in Sado, where Mrs Honma lives, was filled with people who have prejudice against the Soka Gakkai due to prevailing conservative thoughts when it came to religion. Despite such circumstances, Mrs Honma tenaciously visited her members one by one to encourage them to courageously live out their lives in the Soka Gakkai together with President Ikeda and not be swayed by unfounded rumours.

As a result, her members strengthened their faith and her districts are growing vibrantly today. The circle of understanding towards the activities of the Soka Gakkai is expanding. The public and grassroot leaders have extended their utmost support in various activities organized by the Soka Gakkai in Sado, including President Ikeda’s “Dialogue with Nature” photographic exhibition. Moreover, 70% of the residents in Mrs Honma’s village are subscribers of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily paper.

Mrs Honma has served as women division district leader over a period of 20 years and as a chapter leader for 10 years. Over the past three decades, she had exerted her utmost without retreating a single step. She has been contributing her home for kosen-rufu activities throughout these years and now she has been able to purchase a land for a carpark huge enough to accommodate several dozens of cars.

Mr Honma, presently a vice zone leader is also the prefectural chief of the Soka Gakkai Arts Division. Their elder daughter is now married after fulfilling her responsibilities as a vice YWD prefectural leader while their younger daughter is a chapter leader in the Kansai area.

The women disciples of Sado, such as lay nun Sennichi and lay nun Kofu, who single-mindedly strove to protect Nichiren Daishonin are great models for the women division to follow.

Let us continue to advance joyfully on the path of mentor and disciple with faith that transforms poison into medicine.

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Key points of the Gosho passage
1. What is the greatest beneficial power of the Gohonzon? It is to change our lives and our circumstances, even from the worst possible state to one of great happiness.

2. But this change of our lives and circumstances is not due to some magical or supernatural power of the Gohozon. This change comes about because when we chant with faith, our life manifest the state of Buddhahood which then gives us wisdom, courage, lifeforce and also attracts the Buddhist gods (protective functions in one’s life and environment) to assist us. All the wonderful benefits we experience, such as overcoming sickness, financial difficulties, family or work problems and achieving human revolution, etc, are all derived from our Buddha nature.

3. In other words, benefits come after we manifest the state of Buddhahood when we chant daimoku with faith to the Gohonzon. This is what the Daishonin meant when he said that the power of daimoku could change “poison into medicine”, “evil into good”, “stones into jewels” and “human beings into Buddha”. But we must remember that Buddhahood will not stay manifested permanently in our life, and that is why we need to practice our daimoku and gongyo consistently and strive for kosen-rufu.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Fumiko Shimpo, Women Division Study Chief for Niigata Prefecture, published on the June 2008 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Person and the Law - It is the Heart that Counts

2010-07-25T11:47:00.002+08:00

Shakyamuni Buddha teaches, however, that one who makes offerings to the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the latter age for even a single day will gain benefit a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than one would by offering countless treasures to the Buddha for one million kalpas. How wonderful then is your having wholeheartedly supported the votary of the Lotus Sutra over the years! According to the Buddha’s golden words, in the next life you are certain to be reborn in the pure land of Eagle Peak. What remarkable rewards you will gain!

(Passage from “The Person and the Law”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,097)

Nichiren Daishonin sent this letter from Mount Minobu to Nanjo Tokimitsu, the steward of Ueno Village in Suruga, in the ninth month of 1281. It was written in response to the report that Tokimitsu was ill and offerings sent to the Daishonin through a messenger.

The “heart” is infinitely vast and profound. Buddhism teaches, “it is the heart that is important”. (WND, p1,000) If one’s heart is filled with the resolve to strive together with one’s mentor, to dedicate one’s life to the happiness of our fellow members and friends, and to realize the grand version of kosen-rufu, one’s life will surely be filled with boundless benefits and a good fortune.

In this letter, the Daishonin first cited a parable from the sutra relating how the boy Virtue Victorious, who offered a mud pie to the Buddha, was later reborn as King Ashoka because of his sincere spirit of offering.

The Daishonin then elaborated in this passage that we are studying that Shakyamuni Buddha teaches that “one who makes offerings to the votary of the Lotus Sutra in the latter age for even a single day will gain benefit a hundred, thousand, ten thousand, million times greater than one would by offering countless treasures to the Buddha for one million kalpas”. This statement is based on a passage that appears in the “Teacher of the Law” (10th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra.

The Latter Day of the Law is an age where it is far more difficult to spread the teachings of Buddhism than during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. The persecutions and hardships that those who spread the Mystic Law in the Latter Day encounter far surpassed those during Shakyamuni Buddha’s lifetime. And one who courageously dedicates his or her life to realizing their vow for kosen-rufu, to lead all people to happiness in such a difficult and defiled age is a votary of the Lotus Sutra.

Making offerings to support the votary of the Lotus Sutra is an act that connects directly to this great vow of kosen-rufu and is equivalent to supporting and assisting the realization of this great vow. For this reason, the sincere act of making offerings accrue boundless benefit and good fortune in one’s life.

In fact, around the time when this letter was written, the Daishonin’s disciples were struggling intensely against various adversities. Amidst the aftermath of the Atsuhara Persecution (1279), the authorities continued to oppress the community of the Daishonin’s disciples relentlessly. On top of this, epidemics and famines followed one after another and the disciples were facing great financial difficulties.

The recipient of this letter, Nanjo Tokimitsu, who played an extremely role in supporting the Daishonin’s disciples during the Atsuhara Persecution, had his estate taxed heavily by the Kamakura shogunate so that he had difficulty maintaining his family. On top of this, he was suffering from an illness.

Yet, Tokimitsu’s heart was always with the Daishonin, deeply concerned over his mentor’s well-being. Despite his impoverished predicament, he continued to support his mentor in whatever way he could. The Daishonin responded by lauding this sincere “heart” of Tokimitsu, assuring him that he would certainly be reborn in the pure land of Eagle Peak in the next life and enjoy eternal happiness that spans over the three existences of life.

SGI President Ikeda once said in his guidance: “The SGI is the sole organization carrying out worldwide kosen-rufu in the Latter Day of the Law just as the Daishonin instructed. In light of the Gosho, the benefits we gain through sincerely supporting and protecting the SGI are immeasurable. All our efforts are certain to manifest good fortune within our own lives and also become a source of eternal victory and prosperity for our entire families and loved ones.”

Let us embark towards a new departure with the resolve to live our lives based on a great vow and one that is filled with great fortune.

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Key points of the Gosho passage
1. Making offerings (whether it be momentary, time or effort) towards kosen-rufu is equivalent to sharing the struggle together with one’s mentor in realizing the great vows for kosen-rufu. In Buddhism, the most important factor in making offerings is “one’s heart”. When one makes offerings with a heart to sincerely and dedicatedly strive together with one’s mentor to realize kosen-rufu, great fortune will accrue from such a heart.

2. The Lotus Sutra teaches that to make offerings in the present times of the Latter Day of the Law is far greater than making offerings during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. This is because the persecutions and obstacles of practicing and propagating Buddhism in the latter day is much more severe than during the time of Shakyamuni. So if one can make offerings to kosen-rufu at this present time, despite facing various hardships and difficulties, one would gain good fortune that is immense beyond one’s imagination.

3. This principle of good fortune arising from a sincere heart of making offerings is proven in the lives of such dedicated disciples as Nanjo Tokimitsu who made offerings to the Daishonin despite the fact that he himself was facing great persecutions and financial difficulties. In the end, the great good fortune Tokimitsu received was clearly many times greater than the offerings her made. Most importantly, the Daishonin assured Tokimitsu that he would certainly attain Buddhahood in this and subsequent lifetimes and enjoy eternal happiness that spans over the three existences of life.

Translated and adapted from the November 2007 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins - We Are Unlimited Within

2010-06-27T11:00:00.001+08:00

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.

(Passage from “On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p444)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter on Sado Island, where he was exiled, in the year 1273 to Shijo Kingo, his beloved disciple who lived in Kamakura.

The passage we are studying today appeared in the concluding portion of his letter where the Daishonin declared his profound resolve to protect his disciples even at the cost of his own life. This is also where the Daishonin expressed his indomitable conviction that all prayers, no matter how impossible they may appear to be, will be fulfilled without fail.

The circumstances surrounding the Daishonin when he wrote this letter was truly harsh and even life threatening. The land of Sado, to which he was banished, was a desolate northern island with extremely harsh weather conditions. He was destitute, lacking in basic necessities including food and clothing. The severe living conditions the Daishonin had to endure is certainly far beyond our wildest imagination.

Besides battling against adversities from Mother Nature, the Daishonin’s life was constantly endangered as his enemies were looking for every opportunity to get rid of him.

Prayers Infused with Profound Conviction
Despite these circumstances, the Daishonin’s greatest concern was the well-being of his disciples, who were now separated from him by a long distance. Day and night, the Daishonin earnestly prayed. Not for his own survival or comfort, but the safety and happiness of his beloved disciples. He prayed profusely, calling forth all Buddhist gods (protective functions of the universe) to render their protection to his disciples.

Furthermore, his prayers were infused with such profound conviction – “I’m going to produce a strong, red-hot fire from this wood no matter how damp it is!”

His prayer was infused with invincible resolve – “I’m going to dig a wellspring of unceasing flow of water from this parched ground!”

As we can see, the Daishonin’s prayer for his disciples was imbued with the absolute conviction to make what seemed impossible, possible. The profundity of the Daishonin’s conviction can be said to be beyond normal human intellectual comprehension.

Normal human intellect will mean, “praying for the damp wood to dry faster” (instead of the impossibility of “producing fire from damp wood”) and “praying for water to help wet the parched ground” (instead of “obtaining water from parched ground”). Such prayers that conform to normal human intellect could be answered eventually as long as one prays and works towards it. But the prayers by the Daishonin truly reflect the indomitable spirit to challenge and win against overwhelming odds.

The Key to Making the Impossible Possible
The power of our prayers can go much further beyond such reason. Through our prayers, we can make what seems impossible possible and the key lies within our very own heart.

Whether we choose to decide that it is impossible or possible depends solely on ourselves.

Although Buddhism does not promote beliefs in miracles and we are always reminded that our prayers must be accompanied by resolute action and earnest effort, it is also equally important to remind ourselves that our life and our prayers function in ways that are invisible to our eyes. To give an analogy, radio waves are invisible but they exist and someone who hears the radio for the first time may actually deem it impossible. Similarly medical science has not been able to completely unravel the mysterious working s of human life and body. Doctors who see how patients recover form terminal illnesses may also say the impossible have occurred.

There are many aspects of the Mystic Law that our normal human intellect cannot understand. It would be foolish to limit the immeasurable potential of our prayers simply because we cannot see or understand how the Mystic Law and our Buddha nature work in overcoming seemingly hopeless and impossible situations.

At times, we all hit a wall and cannot help thinking that a breakthrough is utterly impossible given the circumstances. But the greatest obstacle we face often lies not in our circumstances but in our own weakness to succumb even before we try, in our blindness to our innate ability to make a breakthrough where no solution seems possible. The bottom line is whether our faith is strong to dispel the doubts and pessimism that constantly seek to delude our minds.

The Daishonin reminded us through this passage that the power of our earnest prayer would move our environment to create an opportunity for an unthinkable breakthrough.

Powerful prayers arising from our unyielding heart and unflinching faith will never fail to gather the forces of the Buddhist gods or the protective functions of the universe. These forces will in turn move our life and environment towards a positive direction. This is what Nichiren Daishonin teaches.

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Victory or Defeat Hinges on One’s Inner Determination
Mr Takeshi Kobayashi (age 57 then), a vice chapter leader in Nakano, Tokyo suddenly lost consciousness in Mid Jun 1998. He was rushed to the hospital immediately but his pupils had already begun to dilate when he was in the ambulance. By the time he arrived at the hospital, his condition was so critical that he was sent directly to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The doctor told his wife, Michiko (vice women division chapter leader), “The central, pivotal portion of his brain has been badly damaged. Please be mentally prepared because his chances of survival are only one percent. Even if he did, he would be a living vegetable.”

Michiko found herself saying, “No, I will not give up hope, I’m going to make sure he’ll recover!” to the doctor. Upon reaching home, she went straight to the Gohonzon and chanted daimoku profusely.

While she was chanting, a fellow WD leader called her on the phone and said, “We must pull your husband back to the garden of kosen-rufu!” With this strong encouragement, Michiko chanted with even greater conviction.

As she prayed, she visualized her husband participating in Gakkai activities in high spirits. Each time she envisioned his victory, her prayers were enhanced with joy and appreciation.

Her husband’s miraculous drama began the following day. As Michiko chanted daimoku by her husband’s ears, she could see his big toe moving in rhythm with her daimoku.

This was something impossible as the doctor had confirmed with her that none of his body muscle could move. He added, “There’s no way that your husband’s brain nerve can be revived.” Everyday, the doctor told Michiko that it was impossible for her husband to recover but everyday, her husband would surprise the doctor and proved him wrong. First his eyelid opened two millimeters, next his fingers began to move, then his knees, then his shoulders and finally, he could even turn around on the bed.

Finally on 3 Jul (the date on which SGI commemorate mentor and disciple day), he was transferred from the ICU to the normal ward. On 17 Jul, he could walk seven steps with support and on 24 Aug, he was allowed to go out of the hospital for the day to attend a meeting where a video on President Ikeda’s guidance at the headquarters leaders meeting was screened.

Then on 31 Aug, he was fully discharged and he walked out of the hospital with his very own legs. Before he left, his doctor told him in amazement, “I must confess your recovery is completely out of my expectation. I’m deeply impressed.”

Strangely enough, Michiko and her family also received great protection financially despite the fact that her husband was the sole breadwinner. Presently, Mr Kobayashi has fully recovered and actively contributing to kosen-rufu with deep gratitude. Till today, he does not suffer from any side effects and is in the pink of his health.

SGI President Ikeda once said, “Whether you are going to lead a life of a victor with a mighty heart or a life of defeat with a weak heart depends on the strength of your faith. Your heart determines your life. Buddhism is win or lose. In this sense, it is your inner determination that ultimately decides whether you actually win or lose in life.”

Through this short passage, Nichiren Daishonin taught us with his own life that we have unlimited potential that is left untapped in our lives. When the Daishonin seemed to have lost everything in his exile, he could still reaffirm what mattered most, that is, the universality of Buddhahood and his mission to teach this truth to all people.

No matter how daunting his circumstances, the Daihonin’s resolve to protect his disciples and his confidence in the future of the widespread propagation of his teaching never wavered.

It is our minds that put limits to the unlimited potential of our lives. The purpose of prayer is to break through the limitations we set upon our lives.

Adapted from an article written by Tokyo WD Study Chief Tamiko Kumada published in Jun 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Sokka Gakkai’s study journal.

The Eight Winds

2010-05-30T11:19:00.001+08:00

Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honour, praise, censure, suffering and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds. But if you nurse an unreasonable grudge against your lord, they will not protect you, not for all your prayers.

(Passage from “The Eight Winds”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p794)

Around 1277, Nichiren Daishonin wrote a letter to one of his followers, Shijo Kingo, who was upset with his lord when he threatened to move Kingo and his family to a distant province. In this letter, “The Eight Winds,” The Daishonin encouraged Kingo that only by remaining unwavering in faith and letting go of an unreasonable grudge could he receive a satisfactory result.

When most of us begin practicing Buddhism, we are looking for something to make our lives better. Not just to take the stress off the day like a piece of cake or a cold beer, but something that can fundamentally improve our lives. And some of us, myself included, think it will provide an eradication of problems. The hard times will disappear; the good times will go unimpeded.

Yet the problems do not evaporate. They rarely do. And the good times we seek do not manifest the way we expected.

A dictionary’s definition of the eight winds reads: “Eight conditions that prevent people from advancing along the right path to enlightenment… People are often swayed either by their attachment to prosperity, honour, praise and pleasure (collectively known as ‘four favourites’), or by their aversion to decline, disgrace, censure and siffering (‘four dislikes’ or ‘four adverse winds’).” (The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, p151).

The eight winds are not things we can ignore. These winds, or conditions, are in our faces every day. We cannot avoid them. But we can learn how to navigate them, how to not let them take us off course.

It is human nature to gravitate towards the pursuit of prosperity or pleasure and shun decline and pain. It makes perfect sense. Prosperity means we get more stuff, decline means we do not. Pleasure feels good; pain does not.

But if we centre our lives on such an outlook, we are led away from true happiness. Happiness is not simply the abundance of pleasure in the absence of pain. Rather, it is to remain confident and optimistic in the face of everyday reality.

Second SGI President Josei Toda once wrote: “Absolute happiness is a state such that, whatever your situation, you feel an immense sense of worth and satisfaction; and whenever you are, to be alive is itself a joy… Even when we encounter situations that make us angry, we become angry joyfully. When we establish such a state of life, our life is one of boundless joy.” (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol IV, p80)

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I was trying to make it as an actor, getting very little work, even less money. At one point I got a national commercial eating hamburgers.

Got to the set, treated really well, my own trailer, etc. Got home after that first day, feeling pretty good about myself, and found an eviction notice waiting on my door. While the wind of pleasure had me in the morning, the wind of decline got me that evening. All I could do was continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and continue with my work.

Fortunately, the commercial went well, a bit of income arrived in time and I did not get evicted. I was given a wake-up call. Change can happen in a heartbeat – just keep your head on straight.

So how do we provide ourselves with the best opportunities for happiness and success? By always basing ourselves on our practice to the Gohonzon and forging ahead through each struggle.

In another letter to Shijo Kingo, the Daishonin wrote: “Muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?” (WND, p412)

No matter what we have gone through or what we have accomplished, another obstacle may be right around the corner. The important thing is to persevere with the knowledge that this practice is the means to progress. It is the key to make us all that we wish, and more.

SGI President Ikeda once stated: “Taking faith in the Daishonin’s Buddhism does not mean that all difficulties will disappear. Being alive means that we will have problems of one kind or another. But no matter what happens, it is important that we remain firm in our hearts.” (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol V, p9)

This persistence, even in the face of defeat, makes us stronger, and therefore assures us of victory.

The goal of Buddhism is not to avoid problems, but to reach a state of life where problems do not define or defeat us. To become so strong that no matter how hard the eight winds blow, they cannot take us off course.

Adapted from an article written by Craig Green from World Tribune, SGI-USA weekly paper.

Persecutions by Sword and Staff - The Irrepressible Spirit of Propagation

2010-04-30T00:00:00.001+08:00

From the time I was born until today, I have never known a moment’s ease; I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra.

(Passage from “Persecutions by Sword and Staff”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p965)

This portion is taken from the conclusion portion of a letter Nichiren Daishonin wrote to the young Nanjo Tokimitsu (Lord Ueno).

In this passage, not only does the Daishonin encourage Tokimitsu to carry out the practice for oneself and for others, he also described his own resolve with which he had initiated and continued waging the struggle to propagate the Mystic Law throughout his life.

Nichiren Daishonin’s entire life was solely dedicated to the propagation of the Mystic Law for the sake of the happiness of the people. Through his persistent efforts in realising this endeavour, the Daishonin encountered one persecution after another. In this way, there was never a moment’s ease for the Daishonin.

Despite being subjected to consecutive harsh persecutions, the Daishonin did not retreat – not even a single step – in his commitment to lead all people to happiness, dauntlessly waging his struggle to propagate the Law throughout his life.

In our context today, the three successive presidents of the Soka Gakkai have inherited this unrelenting spirit of propagation manifested by the Daishonin. After assuming office as the third president of the Soka Gakkai, SGI President Ikeda has courageously blazed the path for our movement of worldwide propagation. Through his utterly selfless devoted efforts, the solidarity of SGI members today has extended to close to 200 countries and territories and our movement of peace, culture and education based on the humanistic teachings of Nichiren Buddhism now spans throughout the globe.

In his novel, The New Human Revolution, President Ikeda related, “Every day was a continuing, uninterrupted struggle for Shin’ichi. He could not afford to ease off on his efforts for a single day, not even a single moment.”

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The Earnest Struggle of One Single Individual Brings Happiness to the Family and Community

In terms of our practice today, we can say that harmony and happiness in a family as well as peace in the community and society can only be realized through the earnest struggle of one single individual.

Setsuko Murai, vice chapter women division leader living in Kawakami village in Nara Prefecture experienced the cruelty of war when she spent her childhood in old Manchuria, China during the war.

“What is peace?” “What is true happiness?” Setsuko found herself constantly asking those questions as she grew up. Eventually she got married and time passed but still, she could not find the answer to these questions. As she searched for the purpose of her life, her younger sister and her husband, who were Soka Gakkai members, introduced her to the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

As she listened to the humanistic teachings of Nichiren Buddhism and the pacifist stand of the Soka Gakkai, Setsuko was convinced that this Buddhism is the answer to what she had been looking for all these years. She decided to take up faith in May 1982.

Since her conversion, Setsuko joyfully immersed herself in Gakkai activities based on her sincere resolve to spread the Daishonin’s teachings in her community. However, as old and conservative local customs were deeply rooted in Setsuko’s village, from the day she became a Soka Gakkai member, the villagers stopped patronizing her grocery store. For the following six months, not a single customer stepped into Setsuko’s store.

But she was not in the least affected. No matter how harsh the criticism and verbal abuse she was subjected to and no matter how her villagers despised her, Setsuko felt that they were nothing compared to the hellish conditions she experienced during the war. Despite the harsh adversities, Setsuko’s life was always filled with joy. She had finally found her mission – to devote her life to the lofty cause of kosen-rufu.

At the age of 52, Setsuko successfully obtained a driving license as she felt that moving around the village without a car to propagate the Daishonin’s teachings posed a grave hindrance. She also volunteered to help deliver the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily paper. Till today, she wakes up at 4am to deliver the Seikyo Shimbun to members and friends in her beloved community.

Through her tireless dedication to her practice, not only has she been able to establish a harmonious family of faith, every one of her family member is now cheerfully contribution to the happiness of others as leaders of kosen-rufu. Setsuko’s greatest joy is that her grandson has been accepted by Soka University in Tokyo and is presently studying there. Since her conversion, Setsuko’s propagation efforts never failed to bear fruits every year and today, she is a well-respected and trusted individual in her village. The fact that some 70 to 80 friends form the village gather happily for the annual Women Division District General Meeting at Setsuko’s invitation bears testament to this.

The harsh prejudice against Setsuko and her practice has been completely transformed through her and her husband’s humanistic, warm and caring behaviour. Business at her store prospered and through this benefit, she was able to build a three-storey concrete building. The first and second levels are used as their shop while the third level is a venue for kosen-rufu activities with a capacity of 100. President Ikeda named this venue “Magnificent Cherry Blossoms Centre”.

Setsuko even built an annex building which she used top open a food mart. With the completion of this annex, Setsuko’s store has become the “department store of the village” – the most popular place among the villagers for “one can get anything he or she needs all at one single stop”. In addition, Setsuko has reserved a cosy corner on the first level of her annex building to be used as a “mini parlour” where dialogues on Buddhism can be held over a cup of tea any time of the day. The villagers can also watch videotapes on the activities of the Soka Gakkai at the parlour.

President Ikeda once said in his guidance, “The widespread propagation of the Mystic Law cannot be achieved automatically, just by letting nature takes its course. Without making an effort to share Buddhism with others, the teachings of the Mystic Law will never be conveyed. Without taking action to convey and to share, there is no way that the Mystic Law will spread.”

One’s wish to transform one’s personal or family karma is expressed in the act of offering prayers and taking actions for kosen-rufu. Nothing will go to waste in our efforts for kosen-rufu. In this sense, there is no life loftier than one dedicated to kosen-rufu.

With our goals set on 2010, the 80th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai, let us take courageous action to share Buddhism with others and advance the kosen-rufu movement in our respective community.

Adapted from an article written by Nara Prefecture WD Study Chief Kiyoko Kida published in the June 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - Growing by the Day

2010-03-28T17:04:00.002+08:00

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

(Passage from “On Persecutions Befalling the Sage”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p997)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on 1 October 1279 to his followers in general, instructing that the letter be kept by Shijo Kingo.

In this writing, the Daishonin stated that the year 1279 was the 27th year since he first proclaimed his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on 28 April 1253 and that the time had come for him to fulfill the purpose of his life. The reason of his appearance in the world is none other than the inscription of the object of devotion for the sake of all humankind.

The Daishonin realised that the time was right to do so after observing the indomitable faith of his lay disciples during the Atsuhara Persecution. In this writing, the Daishonin encouraged his disciples, especially those who were struggling in the midst of the Atsuhara Persecution, not to fear the oppression and that they must now "summon up the courage of a lion king" and strive till the very end.

The passage we are studying is the portion where the Daishonin taught us the importance of maintaining "non-regressing faith".

As the Daishonin said, "Strengthen your faith day by day and month after month", it is important that we costantly cherish a challenging spirit, seeking and striving to grow and develop ourselves day by day, month after month.

"Not advancing is regressing." Therefore, the moment we say, "This is enough" or "I can't go on any further" - this is the moment we are defeated by our own weaknesses - and this is when we begin to "regress".

The Daishonin said, "Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage." Thus, even if we slacken a little bit, negative forces will take advantage to seep into our lives to destroy the seeds of happiness.

Faith is a constant struggle against our own inertia and self-imposed limitations. It is a battle between the forces of the devilish function and Buddhahood.

The key that motivates one to tirelessly to grow in faith continuously is to cherish the earnest spirit to constantly seek one's mentor and to dedicate our lives to the cause of kosen-rufu, always working hand-in-hand, with fellow members of the SGI. Only by doing so can we destroy the workings of the devils that seek to destroy our faith and establish a life of indestructible happiness.

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Gakkai activities creates the momentum of happiness and victory in our lives

It was in 1985 that I relocated to Tochigi Prefecture due to my husband's work. On the eighth year of my marriage, my beloved husband passed away suddenly due to a terminal illness. Looking at the sorrowful sight of my five-year old son and a one-year old daughter standing right before my eyes, I was so devastated that I could feel all my energy draining away from my life.

At that darkest moment of my life, SGI President and Mrs Ikeda happened to be visiting Tochigi Prefecture to attend a leaders meeting in this area, and they warmly embraced me with their wholehearted encouragement.

President Ikeda even wrote a poem for me, which read:
"Remain undefeated
The Mystic Law
Is right there in your life."

Mrs Ikeda also spurred me on with these words, "Even though we may be practising faith, there will be times when we encounter hardships that are way beyond our expectations. But remember, everything that happens has a profound meaning. There is absolutely no hardship or suffering that we, who have embraced the Mystic Law, cannot overcome. Never be daunted or defeated and strive for kosen-rufu based on faith in the Gohonzon and you will be able to blaze a magnificent path of life. Rather than concentrate on winning, strive to remain undefeated. I'll be waiting for your two children at Soka University."

The heartwarming encouragement from President and Mrs Ikeda touched my heart to the core and I felt as if a ray of hope had brightened up my life. "Yes! I shall never be defeated by my karma. I'm going to triumph over this devilish function." I resolved and felt a surge of courage welling forth from the depths of my life.

From that day, I pledged to "eternally live my life together with my mentor", "transform my karma into a mission" and "dedicate my entire being for the sake of kosen-rufu".

I went back to my hometown in Nagasaki and threw my entire life into the movement of kosen-rufu there. Through my strong faith, I was fortunate to be financially stable which allowed me to concentrate fully on Gakkai activities without any reservations.

Thereafter many trials continued to test my faith. I was inflicted by various illnesses, including Meniere's disease (a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance), a dermatological disease where the doctor could not detect the cause and Graves disease (also known as Basedow's disease - a thyroid disorder).

I challenged each illness with all my might based on a solid determination and pressed myself forward to continue striving for kosen-rufu. I overcame each disease and emerged the winner.

Twenty years has passed by since that fateful day. With the great support from fellow members, my children have grown up healthily into fine adults in the garden of kosen-rufu. My son is a fourth year student at Soka University and will be graduating next year while my daughter is in her third year at the same university.

It is my greatest joy that both my children and I are able to live our lives with the same heart and mind as our mentor to fulfill our mission for kosen-rufu in this lifetime. My life is overflowing with deep gratitude that I am able to dedicate my life for the sake of kosen-rufu.

President Ikeda said in his guidance, "Today will never come again. Let us live each precious day with vigour by summoning up 'the courage of a lion king' and win. Whatever our past, let leave them behind us. What is important is the actions we take right now in order to blaze a path of continuous achievement and development towards the future. This will mark the beginning of a magnificent drama of human revolution... Advancing together with the activities of the SGI daily with renewed determination constitutes the very action that will put us in sync with the Law of the universe and create the momentum of happiness and victory in our lives."

As we advance, let us continue to polish ourselves by growing by the day and by the month and become the brilliant sun of our community, bringing great hope to the people around us as we expand the circle of friendship and happiness in the society.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Nagasaki Prefecture WD Study Chief Kayoko Nakashima published in the March 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Prayer - The Courage to Never Give Up

2010-02-28T18:56:00.003+08:00

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 rises in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra Sutra would go unanswered.

(Passage from “On Prayer”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p345)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin in 1272, when he was in exile on Sado Island. The writing is thought to be a repley to questions raised by Sairen-bo, a disciple of the Daishonin and a former priest of the Tendai school, who at the time was also living in exile on Sado Island. Deeply impressed by the Daishonin’s dignified personality displayed at the Tsukahara Debate, Sairen-bo was converted to the Daishonin’s teachings in the second of 1272, shortly after the debate.

In this passage, the Daishonin emphasized that prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will definitely be answered by using various analogues.

It is impossible to miss the earth when one points to it nor is it possible for anyone to bind up the sky. Also, it is utterly not possible for the tides to cease ebb and flow, nor is it possible for the sun to rise from the west. The Daishonin declared with the conviction and courage of a “lion’s roar” that even though all these impossible events were to take place, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered.

Why is it that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutr will surely be answered?

SGI President Ikeda explained by elaborating what it means to offer prayers in the following manner:

“Prayer – It is the courage not to give up. It is a struggle to banish cowardice within your life that keeps haunting you, ‘I can’t do it.’ ‘My present circumstances can be changed. Surely it can!’ Prayer is an endeavour to engrave this conviction in the depths of your life.”

“Prayer – It is to destroy fear. T is to banish sorrow. It is to ignite hope. It is a revolution to re-write destiny. Believe in yourself! Never look down upon yourself! Because despising yourself is equivalent to going against Buddhism. It is a degradation of the Buddhahood in your own life.”

President Ikeda concluded:

“Prayer – It is a challenge to fit the gear in your own life with the motion of the universe. It is an exciting drama to embrace the universe, turn the entire cosmos into your ally, reverse the situation and begin directing your life towards happiness.”

Earnest and strong prayers will never fail to strengthen ourselves and enable us to align our lives with the rhythm of the magnificent cosmic life.

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Prayer is the key to unleash human potential to the fullest

Ms Kumi Noguchi (vice chapter Women Division leader) residing in Toyama City used to be a healthy and vibrant teenager who even participated in a gymnastic competition during her secondary school days.

After her graduation in 1958, Ms Noguchi becomes a primary school teacher but one month later, she was diagnosed to have contracted an incurable disease – Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. She was constantly overwhelmed by the fear of dying, and the intense physical pain that attacked her entire body.

In November 1965, Ms Noguchi was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism by her aunt. Six months after taking up faith, Ms Noguchi could sit on the floor with her legs folded and could even ride a bicycle. As she savoured the wondrous beneficial power of the Mystic Law, she renewed her determination to overcome her illness fully. She prayed single-mindedly and exerted herself in propagation activities. In spring 1969, when seven of her friends joyfully received their Gohonzon, the excruciating rheumatic pain that had plagued her for the past seven years stopped abruptly.

However, that did not mark the end of her suffering. Her life continued to be mercilessly attacked by her “storms of karma”. Her RA relapsed and her condition deteriorated so much she was bedridden at home. The only thing that she could move in her body was her eyeballs. In June 1970, her doctor told her, “Your bones have become so fragile that it is impossible to operate on them. Consider yourself lucky that you have been able to work till recently. I’m sorry but you have to spend the rest of your life quietly in bed.”

Over the following one year and three months where she spent her days in the hospital, Ms Noguchi continued to chant daimoku on her hospital bed with an unwavering resolve, “I’m going to transform this karma no matter what, through my prayers to the Gohonzon I will make the impossible possible!”

After her discharge, she continued to be attacked by various illnesss, including severe side effects from her medication, acute hepatitis (liver inflammation), gastric ulcer and the throes of death. Amidst such circumstances, she continued chanting daimoku single-mindedly every moment of her life except when she was having her meals.

When she completed her first million times of daimoku in October 1971 (since she began keeping count from May 1971), she was able to work, something that was deemed impossible by medical science. From that day onwards, she continued to work for the next 30 years till her retirement in 2003.

Filled with profound gratitude for the good health she now enjoys, she continues to exert herself in kosen-rufu activities for the happiness of others.

No matter who we are, as long as we are human, during moments of life’s great adversities such as death or illness, it is only natural that we are overwhelmed by negative tendencies in our lives such as fear, cowardice, lament, insecurity, doubt, anger or resentment. During such moments, it is most critical that we continue offering sincere prayers to the Gohonzon with persevering faith. By tenaciously offering prayers without giving up till the end, we will surely be able to surmount all obstacles, no matter how harsh they may be, by summoning forth immense courage, wisdom and life force from the depths of our lives.

President Ikeda said in his guidance, “Prayer is the key to opening the multiple doors to innate human potential.” With this words deeply engraved in our lives, let us achieve great victories in our lives and for the kosen-rufu movement.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Hokuriku WD Study Chief Momoko Baba published in the January 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Happiness in This World - Remaining Undefeated No Matter What Happens

2010-01-31T11:00:00.003+08:00

Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens.

(Passage from “Happiness in This World”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p681)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin in the sixth month of 1276 to Shijo Kingo and was titled, “Happiness in This World”.

Shijo Kingo was a samurai who served the Ema family, a branch of the ruling Hojo clan. Besides being well versed in martial arts, Kingo was also a skilled physician.

An early converter of Nichiren Buddhism, Kingo received many important letters from the Daishonin. He was also a leader of the community of believers practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

When this letter was written, Kingo was in the midst of a great challenge. He had incurred the wrath of his lord, Ema for trying to convert him to the Daishonin’s Buddhism and the situation was further fanned by malicious rumours spread by his jealous colleagues to Ema. Kingo was literally cornered.

This letter was one of the many encouragements the Daishonin sent to his loyal disciple amidst his most trying adversity.

How encouraged Kingo must have been after reading this letter. The Daishonin’s love and concern for his disciple is certainly heartwarming.

In our journey of life, there will be many unexpected and trying challenges awaiting us. Nevertheless, we must always remember that there is no obstacles, no matter how huge, that cannot be resolved through faith.

It is in times of adversities, the toughest of time in life, that actually serves an opportunity for us to grow and develop our lives. For this reason, in times of difficulties, it is all the more vital that we base our lives on daimoku, summon forth a surge of immense life force and resolve that we are going to triumph over every single difficulty, no matter how harsh it may seem to be.

On the other hand, in times of joy, let us savour the happiness while never neglecting to chant daimoku and offer our gratitude to the Gohonzon, exert ourselves in kosen-rufu (peace and happiness for all people) activities and share our joy of practice with our friends. By doing so, we can expand our life state and cultivate ourselves further.

The Daishonin’s Buddhism teaches that whether in times of suffering or joy, we must maintain the resolve to score victories in life, transform karma into mission based on earnest prayers, show actual proofs of the validity of Buddhism and bring joy and confidence to the people around us.

In his speech at the headquarters leaders meeting commenmorating May 3, “SGI Mother’s Day” in 2005, President Ikeda said:

“Life at times might seem like an endless succession of pain and suffering. But just as good times never last forever, neither do the bad. Life is a combination of both the good and bad, suffering and joy. Sometimes we win, other times we lose. Both suffering and joy are a part of life; this is life’s reality.

That is why we should keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through both suffering and joy, without denying what we are feeling, the Daishonin said. If we do that, we will be able to attain a state of supreme happiness through the wisdom and power of the Mystic Law and lead a life in which nothing can defeat us.”

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Mrs Masako Sugi, a Women Division vice zone leader, related an inspiring testimony on how her eldest son overcame an incurable disease at the Women Peace Forum held in July 2005.

At nine, Masako’s eldest son was suddenly attacked by a bout of high fever, had difficulties walking and began to complain about chest pains. The doctors disgnosed him to be suffering from “generalized juvenile rheumatoid arthritis” (JRA) and said, “If the pain extends to his heart, his life will be in danger.”

After repeating a few fluctuating cycles of improving and deteriorating conditions, the illness eventually reached his heart. For the following 21 days, her son lingered on the brink of death.

During this crucial moment, Masako resolved, “I must totally stem off my son’s karma once and for all no matter what!” With this indomitable spirit, she continued chanting daimoku whenever she could. As a result, her son achieved the impossible – he was discharged two months later and could even start attending school. Today, he has fully recovered and is studying hard at a faculty of medical science in a national university.

As for Masako, she has set up educational classes within various hospitals for the benefit of children who have been hospitalized for incurable diseases and her exteaordinary contribution were reported at the Japan Pediatric Society. On top of this, she has also been appointed the vice chairperson of the parent-teacher association committee in Kagawa prefecture. As a member of the parenting support group, Masako has shared her personal experience of overcoming her son’s incurable disease at various seminars, with medical and educational officials and mothers who have children diagnosed with such illnesses. As such, she has become a well-respected and trusted person in her community.

I also have encountered many obstacles in my journey of faith. However, each time, I summoned forth courage through reading the Gosho and President Ikeda’s guidance to challenge the obstacle squarely and overcame them all.

I am determined to always base myself on daimoku, synchronize my life with the life of my mentor and win in every challenge I undertake both in times of suffering and joy.

I will continue to create new history of kosen-rufu by sharing the joy of practice with my friends and people around me and score successive victories in my life and for SGI.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Shikoku WD Study Chief Michiko Takagi published in the October 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Flowering and Bearing Gain - The Commitment of the Disciple Decides Everything

2009-12-30T10:09:00.003+08:00

It is said that if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If the teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything.

(Passage from “Flowering and Bearing Gain”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p909)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at Mount Minobu and was addressed to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo, his former seniors when they were disciples at Seicho-ji.

The Daishonin sent this letter in the fourth month of 1278 for the second memorial service for Dozen-bo, his teacher at Seicho-ji when he entered priesthood at the age of 12.

Although it is accounted that Dozen-bo quietly believed in the Daishonin’s teachings in his heart, unfortunately, he could not bring himself to discard Nembutsu and convert to Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism till the last moment in his life.

Even though the Daishonin strictly admonished the erroneous teachings his teacher practiced, he never forgot his debt of gratitude to his teacher throughout his life.

In this passage, we are studying this month, “teacher” refers to Dozen-bo and the Daishonin placed himself in the position of a disciple, thereby elaborating his mission as a disciple to lead his teacher to enlightenment.

The Daishonin stated here that by having a good disciple such as him, Dozen-bo would surely receive immense benefits from the Daishonin’s Buddhism and eventually attain Buddhahood. On the contrary, if the disciple goes astray and is deluded by erroneous teachings, the teacher will not be able to enjoy the benefits that accrue from the Mystic Law. On top of this, due to the bad causes created, both teacher and disciple will fall into the life-state of hell and experience deep suffering.

In any case, “a good disciple” in this passage refers to a disciple who embrace and upholds the teachings of the Mystic Law (Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism) while “a bad disciple” refers to one who harbours disbelief in the correct teachings of the Mystic Law.

When we read this passage in light of our context, it is a passage of supreme nobility for it contains the ultimate essence of Buddhism, which is the spirit and principle of the oneness of mentor and disciple.

Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda taught us, “The relationship of mentor and disciple is firmly established when you become a good disciple. The relationship of mentor and disciple depends on the commitment of the disciple.”

In this sense, as disciples, it is extremely important for us to read this statement, “If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything” with our lives and firmly resolve to practise in accordance with the guidance of our mentor throughout our lives and score complete victories in all our endeavours.

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From the time I was a child, I often wondered why my parents, who were Korean, had come to Japan. When I was in secondary three, I learnt about the tragic history between Japan and Korea and the cruelty the Korean people endured under Japanese annexation. The more I uncovered, the greater anger and hatred I felt towards Japan and the Japanese people. Engulfed by terrible rage and repulsion, my life was in agony.

In the autumn when I turned 16, both my lungs were infected by tuberculosis and I had to be hospitalized. It was in the hospital that I met a Soka Gakkai member and converted to the Daishonin’s Buddhism. As I continued chanting daimoku earnestly, my health improved dramatically and I was discharged one-and-a-half years later even though the doctor told me initially that I had to be hospitalised for at least two years.

Subsequently, I moved on to Tokyo to fulfil my dream to go to college. My dreams were realised when I was accepted by Soka University as a member of the first class of students. Just when I thought my life was starting anew as a Soka University student, the deep fog of hatred and resentment that used to haunt me in the past began to cloud my life again.

I began to ask myself, if I continue assimilating my life into the Japanese society practicing a Japanese religion and attending a Japanese university, will this be an act of betrayal to my fellow Koreans? With this growing concern in my life, I continued to chant abundant daimoku.

Around the time when my daimoku reached 10 million, I had an opportunity to meet our university founder, President Ikeda together with several students through the kind arrangement of one of my professors at the university. Even though I was meeting President Ikeda for the first time, he spoke to us with a warm smile and encouraged us wholeheartedly.

He told us, “From the standpoint of our basic humanity, our nationality or ethnicity doesn’t really matter. It’s a very small thing. As a youth, the important thing is to look into the future and strive to contribute to the happiness of others. Just do your best as a human being, in a way that is true to yourself. I’ll be watching over you.”

Hearing my mentor’s kind and compassionate words, I felt the conflicting emotions that had been weighing heavily on my life evaporated in an instant. Tears of joy flowing from my eyes washed away the delusion in my life completely.

On top of this, President Ikeda wrote the following words on a photograph of one of the bronze statues at the university’s main entrance and presented it to me as a token of encouragement, “Originally, national boundaries did not exist. People created them. Let us not forget to live with the awareness that we are linked together as human beings on a profound level that transcends national boundaries.”

These words shook me to the depth of my being.

I though to myself, “How true! Nations are man-made, and even ethnicity does not separate people on the most fundamental level. Perhaps I’ve been too focused on the past that I’ve closed my eyes to the future.”

I was filled with profound gratitude to have such a wonderful mentor in life. There and then I resolved to respond to my mentor’s encouragement with my whole life. From that point on, I studied with even greater diligence and threw myself into the frontlines of our kosen-rufu movement. I had much to learn and gain through the numerous encounters with people from different walks of life and diverse backgrounds.

I am truly humbled that President Ikeda has even written about this episode of mine in his novel, The New Human Revolution Vol 15, chapter 2 “Soka University”.

Both the validity of the Daishonin’s Buddhism that enables all people to attain happiness and the greatness of our mentor can ultimately be proven only through the commitment and achievements of the disciples. Deeply engraving this in my life, I resolve to continue wagging a united struggle with my mentor.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Chubu WD Study Chief Toshiko Umehara published in the July 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. Ms Umehara became a licensed tax accountant – the first Soka University graduate to do so after she finished her studies at the university.

Reply to Kyo'o - Transforming Misfortune into Fortune

2009-11-29T11:07:00.005+08:00

Kyo's misfortune will change into fortune. Muster your faith, and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved?

(Passage from “Reply to Kyo'o”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p412)

This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin at Ichinosawa in Sado Island. It was written in response to news that Kyo'o had become seriously ill which was conveyed to the Daishonin by a messenger sent by Shijo Kingo and his wife.

From the content of the letter, it is believed that Kyo'o is a baby girl. The Daishonin encouraged Shijo Kingo and his wife wholeheartedly by saying, "Since I heard from you about Kyo'o, I have been praying to the gods of the sun and moon for her every moment of the day."

The Daishonin then revealed that he had embodied in his entire being in the Gohonzon he had inscribed for Kingo and assured him that as long as he maintained indomitable faith, he will surely receive protection from the Buddhist gods (protective functions of the universe).

In this passage that we are studying this month, the Daishonin inscribed the power of the Gohonzon, stating that it can transform misfortune into fortune. In other words, the Daishonin assured us that as long as we remain undefeated and continue challenging the problems based on faith in the Gohonzon, the path will surely open before us. in fact,we will be able to gain more than what we were seeking for at the outset - we will not only overcome all problems and challenges, we will also be able to attain a great life condition imbued in happiness.

For this reason, the Daishonin said, "Muster your faith..." - to set one's mind and summon forth the passion of faith - and pray earnestly to the Gohonzon. "Then what is there that cannot be achieved?" Here, the Daishonin expressed his absolute conviction.

SGI President Ikeda said, "The power of the sincere daimoku offered by our Women Division members is invincible. In light of the great teachings of Buddhism, there is absolutely no doubt that the lives of these members of the Women Division will be illuminated by the 'Buddhism of the Sun' and lead magnificent lives of good health and great victories lifetime after lifetime."

As President Ikeda teaches, when we chant daimoku in great earnestness, the "sun of hope" will rise within our herts and from that moment, a great revolution towards victory commences within our lives.

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Tokaido Region WD Study Chief Kumiko Inatomi related her experience:

I myself have been encouraged by this Gosho passage countless times, especially during my struggle against an illness that attacked me out of the blue. The name of the illness was "Hodgkin's disease" (malignant lymphoma). That was the time when I was in the midst of fulfilling my responsibilities as the Women Division Chief of Yokohama Prefecture.

"Why? Why must it be cancer?" "Why? Why must it be me!?" Questions like these coupled with the fear of death kept attacking me mercilessly. I was in complete agony. "Only daimoku can save me now!" I resolved but my prayers were filled with pessimism. I simply could not bring myself to be positive. In the midst of this inner struggle, I received a card from President Ikeda with words of encouragement written on it. It read:

"Boldly live out your life,
Laughing away your illness,
Winning over your illness,
Proving yourself
As th queen of longevity."

"Laugh away your illness!" - What powerful words! How wonderful it is to have such a mentor in life! I Felt as if an electric current just flowed through my entire body, charging me up with courage and gratitude.

From that day onwards, I immersed myself in daimoku, chanting five to six hours a day, as I took on the challenge to confront my illness.

The challenges were immense, especially the torturing side effects of chemotherapy including the horrifying hair loss. But still, I persevere on. "Even though I'm so ill, I've got a mentor who is cheering me on; who believes in me. What's more, I still have this opportunity to chant daimoku like this." When this realisation dawned upon me, I was overwhelmed by profound emotions that surged forth from the depths of my life.

Previously, I was fighting my illness on an equal footing. However, after this realisation, I could look upon my illness from an elevated life condition.

As I continued chanting daimoku, I found myself released from the fear of death. Instead, I could even perceive death positively as something that will knock on everybody's door one day. This was a precious experience for me as I confronted "death" head on without battling an eye and changed my perspective of life and attitude in offering prayers on a fundamental level.

Nichiren Daishonin stated, "Nam-myoho-rengekyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be of an obstacle?" (WND, p412) The Daishonin is encouraging me to roar like a lion by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! Also, in The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, he said, "The word shi of the word shishi, or 'lion' [which means "teacher"], is the Wonderful Law that is passed on by the teacher. The second shi [which means "child"] is the Wonderful Law as it is received by the disciples. The "roar" is the sound of the teacher and the disciples chanting in unison." (OTT, p111)

Our prayers based n the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple will ensure the validity of the words "what is there that cannot be achieved?" I came to this realisation through my struggle against my sickness.

It has been 11 years since I overcame cancer and I am indeed filled with gratitude that I have the opportunity to share my experience with fellow members who are challenging illnesses, to encourage them.

President Ikeda said, "The Soka Gakkai has always triumphed in every arena through the oneness of mentor and disciple. All progress starts with this spirit of unity. It is in this spirit that the key to victory and glory in all endeavours is found."

A life dedicated to the path of mentor and disciple is one of unsurpassed joy. Cherishing this sense of gratitude to be able to wage a united struggle with our mentor, let us continue to strive cheerfully for the realisation of kosen-rufu.

Translated and adapted from the November 2005 and 2006 issues of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

The Gift of Rice - It All Boils Down to the Heart

2009-10-25T13:00:00.002+08:00

As for the matter of becoming a Buddha, ordinary people keep in mind the words “earnest resolve” and thereby become Buddhas. When we carefully consider what exactly earnest resolve refers to, … it means that offering one’s only robe to the Lotus Sutra is equivalent to peeling off one’s skin; and that in a time of famine, offering the food that is only meant for sustaining one’s life that day to the Buddha is offering one’s life to the Buddha.

(Passage from “The Gift of Rice”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,125-27)

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Mount Minobu in response to an offering of a sack of rice from one of his disciples. Unfortunately, only a portion of this letter is extant and the date and recipient of this letter is unknown.

The title, “The Gift of Rice”, derived from the opening passage of the letter which read, “I have received the sack of polished rice, the sack of yams, and the basket of river laver that you took the trouble to send me by messenger.” (WND, p1,125)

In this letter, the Daishonin explained how lofty it is to make offerings to the Lotus Sutra out of one’s sincere heart.

In the first portion of this letter, the Daishonin emphasized this point through the examples of sages of old who attained enlightenment by giving the most precious treasure – their very lives – as offerings to the Buddha. However, such an extreme practice cannot be carried out by and not necessary for ordinary people in the present age. The Daishonin revealed in this Gosho how ordinary people can attain enlightenment just as the sages of old did.

The Daishonin stated here that in this present age, it is the spirit of “earnest resolve” to dedicate oneself to the Lotus Sutra (Nichiren Buddhism) that is important. Such “earnest resolve” can be expressed as acts of sincere offering. Nichiren Daishonin stated that giving whatever sustains or is of value to our lives, such as “food” and “clothing”, as offerings to the Buddha will ultimately lead us to the path of Buddhahood. He said, “… ordinary people keep in mind the words ‘earnest resolve’ and thereby become Buddhas.”

This “earnest resolve” refers to one’s sincerity that arises from one’s faith, the resolve to devote one’s life for the attainment of kosen-rufu and one’s pledge to wage a united struggle of mentor and disciple. In this way, the key to attaining Buddhahood lies in one’s strong and earnest faith.

In his novel, The New Human Revolution Vol. 4, SGI President Ikeda wrote, “The offerings and financial contributions to the organisation were meant exclusively to accomplish Daishonin’s mandate to widely propagate the Mystic Law. Offerings made towards this end were equivalent to offerings made to the original Buddha. There was, then, no greater offering, no greater good. Certainly, nothing could bring greater benefit.” (p115)

President Ikeda explained here that the context of our present age, sincere financial contributions to our organisation of kosen-rufu are equivalent to sincere offerings to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Making such offerings is itself creating the cause to accrue great fortune in our lives.

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The life of Mitsuko Takada, a Women Division chapter leader in Shiga prefecture, attests to this.

When Mitsuko was in primary four, her mother passed away due to illness. Shortly theresfter, her father remarried but she could not get along with her stepmother. Mitsuko dropped out from high school, ran away from home and become a member of a “hell-riders” motorcycle gang, spending al of her time with them.

She got married at the age of 19 but divorced at the age of 27 after delivering her second child.

Mitsuko and her children lived in a shabby hut. She was so poor that having her water and power supplies cut off became a norm in her life. On top of this, her children were extremely weak in health. All that she could think of everyday was to die with her children. She was mentally and physically exhausted and spent her days wandering aimlessly on the brink of an abyss of hopelessness and despair.

It was at this point in her life that a Soka Gakkai Women Division member introduced her to Nichiren Buddhism with the earnest hope, “I want to become happy!”, despite strong opposition from her father.

She started working to raise her two children and exerted herself sincerely in activities for kosen-rufu. One day, she heard a fellow member about becoming a “kofu member” (members who endeavour to consistently make financial contribution to the organisation). The first thing that came to her mind was, “I want to contribute my part for kosen-rufu, too!”

Since that day onwards, she began saving one coin everyday as she struggled to overcome her dire financial straits based on daimoku. After much struggle, she had saved enough to become a “kofu member”. Although it was only a humble amount, Mitsuko was filled with the “earnest resolve” to contribute in whatever way she could.

As she headed towards the centre to make her contribution, she could not help but look back on her life after her conversion. She said, “When I look back, I realized that after taking up faith, my life did change for the better. Although my financial condition was far from ideal, my water and power supplies have never been cu off since my conversion. My children have also regained their health.” As she recollected, Mitsuko was filled with immense appreciation.

After making her contribution, Mitsuko headed back home in high spirits. Upon reaching home, she was shocked to find her father standing at her doorsteps. On the floor by the foot of her father were bags of rice and fresh vegetables he had bought for her. Her father then placed some pocket money in Mitsuko’s hands and squeezed them tightly with both his hands. Overwhelmed by deep emotions, Mitsuko hugged her father and with tears flowing down her cheeks, she said, for the first time, “Thank you father!” For many years, she had lost contact with her father but at that moment, she felt a current of warmth flowing through her life, bridging the gap between herself and her father.

From that day onwards, Mitsuko continued to take on the challenges of life while cherishing a sense of deep gratitude. She was surprised at how much her life has transformed. Before taking up faith, her life used to be filled with complaints, frustrations and resentment. But now, all of these have been replaced by gratitude. Mitsuko grew by leaps and bounds. She became a leader who always has a warm smile on her face and was well-liked by her fellow members. Wherever she went, she never failed to bring hope and courage to others. Her life was a great actual proof of her practice and faith.

Presently, she is married to a kind man who truly loves her. They have just purchased a new home and have established a harmonious and happy family dedicated to kosen-rufu. To date, Mitsuko has personally converted 23 families to receive the Gohonzon and is now enjoying life to the fullest.

President Ikeda said, “Buddhism teaches that the heart is most important. It all boils down to the heart. One who strives earnestly will surely receive benefits accordingly. On the other hand, those who just put on a front will lose out in the end. Buddhism is strict. This is why those who are earnest and sincere will ultimately win.”

Let us all cherish an “earnest resolve” as we continue to advance together with a deep sense of gratitude.

Translated and adapted from the November 2005 and 2006 issues of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras - Creating the Fundamental Cause for Peace through Dialogue

2009-09-27T17:54:00.001+08:00

Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow.

(Passage from “A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,037-40)

This letter was written in Minobu to Toki Jonin in Shimosa in the fifth month of 1280.

In the sixth month of the previous year (1279), a deegation of Mongolian envoys arrived with a leter for Hojo Tokimune, the regent of the Kamakura regime. However, Tokimune had them beheaded and sent fleet of army to Kyushu to protect Japan from an impending Mongolian invasion. These events threw Japan into turmoil, creating ripples of fear and distress in the lives of the Japanese people throughout the nation. How much it must have pained Nichiren Daishonin to witness such misfortune befalling the people in Japan time and again.

Just before this passage, the Daishonin stated, “Because Buddhism has gradually been turned upside down, the secular world also has been plunged into corruption and chaos.” (WND, p1039) In other words, the Daishonin was saying that because the people in Japan had turned their backs on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, the secular world is in turmoil, plagued by calamities and disasters. The Daishonin was thus teaching us the principles of “Buddhism manifests itself in society” and “Faith equals daily life”.

By saying that “Buddhism is like the body”, the Daishonin revealed that it is Buddhism that determines the condition of the secular world and society.

The statement, “When the body bends, so does the shadow” teaches that if the people base their lives on partial or erroneous teachings, it will not be possible to achieve individual happiness and social prosperity. The Daishonin further explained that true peace and happiness can definitely be achieved based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. In this way, Nichiren Daishonin revealed the profound relationship between Buddhism and the lives of the people and society.

The Chinese character for the word, “bend” also contains the meaning of “distort”. No one “distorts” his or her life intentionally. Such “distortions” in individual lives is a built-up of cumulative evil causes and negative habitual tendencies, which are eventually manifested as a “distorted shadow” in reality as misfortunes in life.

SGI President Ikeda once said that “while all people belong to the world of Humanity, there are some who, in terms of their basic life tendency, act mostly from the world of Hell, for example, and others who act mostly from the world of Bodhisattva” and that “our basic tendency in a sense determines out life.” This means that even though one is born human, it does not automatically mean that one will act with noble human qualities. Thus it is important to consistently polish our lives through the practice of chanting daimoku and mount faith as the central bastion in our lives.

In his “Lecture on the Expedient Means and Life Span Chapters of the Lotus Sutra”, President Ikeda stated, “A body and its shadow are an inseparable entity. If crookedness in the ‘body’ – distortions of philosophy, thought and religion – are not rectified, then all attempts to produce a straight ‘shadow’ are bound to fail. Through our movement to conduct dialogue, we are contributing to society on a fundamental level by helping to straighten out this ‘body’. We are creating the fundamental inherent cause for peace and prosperity.”

What President Ikeda taught here is that although we may not possess any inborn talent, special skills or qualifications, we are in fact contributing to the betterment of society at large through our daily practice of propagation and sharing the humanistic teachings and values of Buddhism with others. With this conviction, let us cherish the society around us – our families, place of work and communities – and cheerfully engage ourselves in heart-to-heart dialogues.

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The life of Mrs Aya Kamio, a Women Division leaderin Akita prefecture, attests to this.

Aya was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in July 1954 by her elder brother who rejoined the working force after overcoming tuberculosis and regaining his health completely through his practice of faith. She decided to take up faith with her husband with the earnest wish of regaining her good health as she had congenital gastrasthenia (inborn disorder of the stomach).

Since her conversion, she practiced her faith single-mindedly and was even appointed the first women division chapter leader of Towada chapter. She exerted herself even more traveling far and wide throughout three prefectures of Amori, Akita and Iwate with her husband, carrying bags of rice and can food, to extend their warm care to poor members and to introduce Nichiren Buddhism to relatives and friends. As a result of their tireless efforts, more than 100 families were able to enjoy true happiness after taking faith in Nichiren Buddhism.

Amidst this struggle, her husband, Hsiao, who was a coal miner, was suddenly expelled from the Coal Miners Union. At that time, being expelled from the union is as good as losing one’s job. The Union’s management had unjustly expelled Mr Hsiao due to their lack of understanding and prejudice towards the Soka Gakkai. They saw the growth and development of the Soka Gakkai as a grave threat to the union and this eventually led to the unreasonable expulsion of Hsiao.

Very soon, Aya, Hsiao and their family were ostracized by the entire coal mining district and their source of income was cut off. The only way Hsiao could find a job was to leave town but he felt that he could not do so: “I’ve done nothing wrong. If we leave this town, who is going to look after our fellow comrades of faith? They’ll be left in the lurch. We’re not going to leave this town.”

Having resolved to dedicate their entire being for the happiness of others, Aya and Hsiao did not retreat a single step. Inspired by their passion and strong faith, not a single member discarded their faith during this trying period.

Mr Hsiao decided to seek court action against his unjust expulsion. Half a year later, the Union offered to have an out-of-court settlement, agreeing to withdraw the order of expulsion of Hsiao. With unwavering faith, the couple had won a complete victory, bringing great joy and conviction to fellow members in their region.

Today, Aya is 84 years old and she enjoys complete good health, just as she had wished for. Her home is not only used as a venue for kosen-rufu activities, it is also open for her community’s residents council and women committee to hold their meetings.

President Ikeda once said, “The root of all matters boils down to ‘courage’ based on the Buddha’s wisdom.” Aya’s and Hsiao’s determination to protect their fellow members even at the cost of their lives are certainly the model examples of people of “courage based on the Buddha’s wisdom”.

Let us continue to exert orselves in expanding the circle of happiness through sincere dialogues in this turbulent world filled with spiritual distortion.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Shin Anyoji, Women Division Study Chief for Akita Prefecture, published on September 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land

2009-08-30T11:40:00.002+08:00

If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquility throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?

(Passage from “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p6-32)

“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” was a leter of admonition submitted to Hojo Tokiyuri, the retired regent but the most influential member of the ruling Hojo clan. It was written on the seventh month of 1260. Nichiren Daishonin was 39 when he wrote this treatise in Kamakura, seven years after declaring the establishment of his teaching. The title, “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”, means realising a peaceful world through human revolution – an inner transformation in the very depths of every individual.

Around the time this document was written, the people in Japan were experiencing enormous suffering as the nation was repeatedly plagued by natural disasters such as severe earthquakes, droughts, typhoons and epidemics which resulted in major famines. The Daishonin pointed out that the cause for the nation’s continual calamities lay in the people turning their backs on the correct Buddhist teaching and instead support erroneous doctrines. He urged Hojo Tokiyori to discard his adherence and support for such teachings and be awakened to the teachings of the Mystic Law.

Nichiren Daishonin knew his admonishment of Hojo Tokiyori would incur the wrath of not only the de factor leader of the nation but also numerous powerful people in the government and religious realm. But the Daishonin was fully prepared for the eventuality of being the target of severe persecutions. Just as the Daishonin expected, he encountered one life-threatening persecution after another since his submission of “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”. It has been said that the Daishonin’s lifetime teachings began and end with the “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”. The Daishonin lived true to his words, dedicating his entire life n pursuit of the realization of a powerful society based on this spirit.

The passage we are studying this month describes the social responsibility of a Buddhist practitioner. The host, which represents the Daishonin in this treatise says to his guest that if one is concerned at all for one’s “personal security”, that is, one’s own happiness, one must first “pray for order and tranquility throughout the four quarters of the land”, that is, the realization of a peaceful society.

If the world and society that we are living n is plagued with constant warfare, conflict or disasters, it will be impossible for us to enjoy personal happiness. In this sense, peace is the foundation of everything.

SGI President Ikeda once wrote that one can never enjoy genuine personal happiness selfishly for oneself alone. He asserted that true happiness can only be savoured when one becomes happy together with others and that in order to achieve this, it is important for the lives of each individual to be firmly rooted in the humanistic philosophy of Buddhism.

President Ikeda further asserted, “War is not only cruel, miserable and ugly, it is the manifestation of the most hideous and wretched functions of human life. It is a devilish act that strips people of the nobility and dignity of life that strips them of everything it is to be human.”

The members of Hiroshima, the land where the first atomic bomb exploded some 60 years ago, have savoured these words with their lives. They have courageously stood up to fight against this most hideous and wretched function of human life and to protect the sanctity of life.

Today, we live in a world where the spirit of “altruism” is scarce; where people are indifferent to the sufferings of others and some even pursue happiness at the expense of others, building their happiness on other’s sufferings. This can well be said to be the “one great evil” that destroy peace and create conflicts.

On the other hand, President Ikeda teaches us to always uphold the spirit of cherishing others as fellow human beings and to treasure our social network in our community. This, itself is the path towards lasting global peace.

************************************

Many fellow SGI members in Hiroshima cannot agree more with this. Mdm Kwok, a vice women division district leader in Hiroshima was an A-bomb victim. She was 17 when she was exposed to the bome. Although she got married, she suffered tremendously from the severe aftereffects of the A-bomb, spending most of the time being bedridden. In addition, her family had difficulty making ends meet. As if these were not enough, Mdm Kwok was a Korean residing in Japan and since young, she had continuously being discriminated against. Burdened with so many sufferings, she wished she was better off dead, but yet she could not die. On the other hand, life was simply too harsh for her to continue living.

In 1958, a neighbour introduced her to Nichiren Buddhism and she decided to take up faith. As she continued her practice, she began regaining her health and her husband’s career became more stabilised. At the same time, through participating in SGI activities, she could feel that something deep in her life began to change and she found that she could now live with pride as a human being, as a Korean residing in Japan.

In 1987, she was approached to share her experience as a Korean A-bomb victim in Japan with students who are visiting Hiroshima on school trips from all over the country. She courageously took up the challenge in the hope of contributing her part for the betterment of the society. Since then, for the past 20 years, she has been relating her experience and the message of peace to visiting students in Hiroshima. In 1996, Mdm Kwok was conferred the Prime Minister’s Award from Korea in recognition of her tremendous contribution.

Mdm Kowk never fails to tell the students on each occasion, “The prime point of peace is found in the act of spreading kindness to the people around you. In order to create a world that is filled with kindness, you must first cultivate yourself – both spiritually and physically.”

Mdm Kwok was once a woman who could only weep over her misfortunes and karma. But through her encounter with Buddhism, she is now a woman who not only prays but also acts for the sake of peace. She has found her unique path of mission. All of us, as individuals, may seem insignificant. However, when we are awakened to our mission through faith in the Mystic Law, we can even “move the entire world”. I believe this is what Mdm Kwok has taught us through her life experience.

Let us become individuals who not only pray but take courageous action for “order and tranquility throughout the four quarters of the land”.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Kimiko Tsuji, Women Division Study Chief for Chugoku Prefecture, published on August 2005 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Reply to Yasaburo - Spurring the Protective Forces of the Universe into Action through Powerful Prayers

2009-07-31T11:33:00.003+08:00

You should pray intently that Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions will all gather and enter into your body to assist you.

(Passage from “Reply to Yasaburo”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p827-830)

Nichiren Daishonin Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu to believer Yasaburo in the eight month of 1277.

Yasaburo had evidently sought the Daishonin’s advice in preparation for an upcoming debate with a priest from the Pure Land School. This letter is the Daishonin’s reply.

This passage is an important teaching to be engraved in our lives when we take up challenge to wage a struggle for kosen-rufu and the challenges in life. In this letter, the Daishonin told Yasaburo that this crucial debate would determine whether he win honour or disgrace. Subsequently, the Daishonin taught the determination with which Yasaburo should pray in order to achieve victory in a crucial battle in this passage.

The Daishonin teaches here that if we fill our lives with the energy of Buddhahood and manifest the great life force of the Buddha, we will never fail to summon forth the protective forces of the Buddhist gods (protective forces of the universe). With this, we can multiply our strength and power by thousand and million folds. It is our prayers that will enable us to transform our lives positively.

SGI President Ikeda taught us how we should offer our prayers in this manner, “The purpose of faith is to achieve victory. Indeed, faith guarantees that we will do so. When we strive with all our might for kosen-rufu and chant powerful daimoku, we spur the protective functions of the universe – the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and all the heavenly deities into action, causing them to open the way to victory.”

************************************

In April 1977, I had the opportunity of meeting Prsident Ikeda during his visit to Chubu and I reported to him that I was getting married. After giving me his well wishes, he encouraged me, “Remember to base your life on faith no matter what may happen in your life.” With this encouragement engraved in my life, I began attending activities as a Women Division member.

After my marriage, I was finally able to give birth to my son after overcoming numerous near-miscarriages. On top of this, I suffered from anaemia and have a difficult labour which lasted two full days before my baby was delivered.

Immediately after my delivery, I sensed that something was very wrong. Besides not hearing my baby’s first cry, doctors and nurses were reacting strangely as if there was an emergency situation in the labour ward. I soon discovered that my newborn son had neonatal asphyxia (born in a state of an apparent death resulting from deprivation of oxygen) but the doctors managed to revive him. He was immediately transferred to a national hospital for treatment.

Since then, everyday was a struggle against despair. Each time I was overwhelmed by a sense of sheer desperation, I recalled President Ikeda’s encouragement to me. I told myself, “You’ve got no other way but to chant” and “You must rise up to this challenge based on faith” and made a profound resolve to emerge victorious through faith in the Gohonzon.

I took up the challenge to offer sincere, earnest daimoku and prayed intently that “Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions will all gather and enter into” my baby’s body to assist him. “Please enable my son to manifest strong life force to overcome this ordeal”, “I will definitely foster him into a great leader of kosen-rufu” – I prayed fervently with my entire being.

Fortunately, the doctors had the wisdom to administer the most appropriate treatment to my son at each critical moment and his condition was stabilized. Although we told by the doctors that if my son had another attack within the next three months, he will suffer from permanent brain damage, we managed to overcome this challenge again based on faith. Our profound, powerful prayers activated the Buddhahood within and this in turn had spurred the Buddhist gods (protective forces of the universe) into action. We were filled with a sense of profound gratitude.

Through this experience, I noticed that the underlying power beneath my prayers began to change – from weak, desperate prayers into specific prayers and then into prayers that are based on a vow.

Another challenge that arose was concerning our business. We unexpectedly lost a major client due to the economic recession and intense competition and we were in deep trouble. However, we told ourselves “there must be a profound significance behind such a development” and continued to chant daimoku wholeheartedly. As a result, there was an unexpected turn of events when we were introduced to another client and this led to the further expansion of our business. In this way, we were able to transform poison into medicine.

The greatest source of happiness and pride is my children – my son is a Soka school graduate and is currently doing research studies as a post-graduate student while my daughter graduated from Soka University and is currently manifesting her full potential on the stage of kosen-rufu.

I will continue to pray that both my children will fulfil their mission as noble successors of kosen-ufu. My family and I are deeply grateful to be able to advance along the lofty path of mentor and disciple together with President and Mrs Ikeda and we shall make it our lifelong pledge to repay our debt of gratitude to our mentor in life through our actions.

Translated and adapted from an article written by Makoto Chikamatsu, Women Division Study Chief for Gifu Prefecture, published on August 2006 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal.

Reply to Lord Nanjo - The Benefits of Offerings in Nichiren Buddhism

2009-06-30T21:24:00.002+08:00

I have received the taros, river laver and wasabi – all that each of you have sent with sincerity comparable to that of a bird warming its egg or a cow licking its calf. Clothes over one’s body, and food sustains one’s life. Hence providing so well for a person who reads the Lotus Sutra in the mountains is to provide for Shakyamuni Buddha and sustain the life of the Lotus Sutra (1), is it not?

(Passage from “Reply to Lord Nanjo”, Gosho Zenshu, p1,530)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter on the 18th day of the third month of 1276 at Minobu at the age of 55. It was addressed to Nanjo Tokimitsu.

This letter was written in response to offerings from Nanjo Tokimitsu, Tachibana Saburo and Taro Taifu. Not much is known about Tachibana and Taro except that they were followers of the Daishonin who lived near Tokimitsu.

Explanation
Expressing his appreciation for the offerings from Nanjo Tokimitsu and other disciples, Nichiren Daishonin said in this passage that the three of them are like “a bird warming its egg or a cow licking its calf”. The Daishonin compared the sincere offerings from these followers to the act of parents nurturing their offspring to emphasize the importance of the spirit with which offerings are made.

The year 1276 when this letter was written, was the third year of the Daishonin’s residence at Mount Minobu. The Daishonin penned many letters of encouragement from there and exerted his utmost in training disciples who gathered from around the country by delivering lectures on the Lotus Sutra and Buddhist teachings.

In this sense, Nichiren Daishonin was waging a tremendous struggle to establish the great Buddhism of the Three Great Secret Laws for the sake of the people in the future.

Nanjo Tokimitsu wholeheartedly supported the Daishonin in his struggle for kosen-rufu and in ensuring the eternal posterity of the Law. Tokimitsu’s offerings sustained the Daishonin’s life and therefore they served as a protection for the Daishonin and become the driving force that realized the propagation of the Mystic Law into the future.

For this reason, the Daishonin stated, “Providing so well for a person who reads the Lotus Sutra in the mountains is to provide for Shakyamuni Buddha and sustain the life of the Lotus Sutra, is it not?” In other words, the sincere offerings made to the Daishonin so that he could continue his struggle for kosen-rufu are offerings made to the Mystic Law.

On the other hand, for Tokimitsu, it was a great joy to be able to contribute his part to the Daishonin. It was with such joy that he made his offerings.

Offerings help to protect Buddhism and serve as a driving force to advance kosen-rufu. As a result, when offerings are made out of wholeheartedly sincerity for the Mystic Law, they accrue tremendous benefits to the person making the offerings. Such good fortune will continue to adorn one’s life eternally over the three existences of life.

In fact, it is accounted that Tokimitsu enjoyed a long, happy and prosperous life of fulfillment and victory. His family continued to prosper after his death. The wellspring of such good fortune can be traced to Tokimitsu’s earnest struggle to protect Nichiren Daishonin, the original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, through his sincere offerings.

Buddhism teaches the Law of Cause and Effect. When one dedicates oneself for the sake of the Law and the people, he or she will enjoy great protection in all aspects.

Let us learn from the spirit of Tokimitsu and devote our lives to our movement for kosen-rufu.

Footnote ”
1. Sustain the life of the Lotus Sutra – To ensure that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra will not be lost. To ensure the posterity of the Law.

Sowing the Seed of the Law - The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood

2009-05-31T10:52:00.001+08:00

Shakyamuni Buddha is the original teacher for all people, and moreover, he is endowed with the virtues of sovereign and parent (1). Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, “Good advice grates on the ear.” (2) But still I am not discouraged. The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field.

(Passage from “The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p746-749)

Background
This letter was written in the eighth month of 1276 at Minobu. It is addressed to Soya, a lay follower who lived in Soya Village in Shimosa Province. His full name and title were Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin, and he was thought to have been a samurai who governed this province.

He was converted to Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching around 1260 and became one of the leading believers in the area, together with Akimoto Taro and Ota Jomya. Soya had social standing and was comparatively more affluent. The fact that most letters addressed to Soya by Nichiren Daishonin were written in classical Chinese indicates that he was also well-educated.

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin made the point that people should understand who their fundamental teacher is. The word “Shakyamuni” here indicates that people should revere Shakyamuni Buddha as their teacher, as opposed to other Buddhas like Amida. The Japanese people during Daishonin’s time had to an extent “lost sight” of Shakyamuni Buddha and his most important teaching, the Lotus Sutra. Here, the Daishonin tried to establish he importance of the original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha in the hope of leading people to the Lotus Sutra and ultimately to his teachings of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

From the view point of Nichiren Buddhism however, the Daishonin himself is the fundamental teacher who taught that the source of enlightenment is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, he faced a series of life-threatening persecutions. He was exiled to Izu and Sado, he was attacked with a sword at Komatsubara, and he was nearly beheaded at Tatsunokuchi.

In the face of all this, the Daishonin said, “Still I am not discouraged.” He courageously expressed the determination to never stop – to always propagate the great Law and lead people to happiness – no matter how great the difficulty.

As SGI members, it is our challenge to maintain the determination to practice faith and strive for kosen-rufu no matter what obstacles we may face. However if we become stagnant or backslide in faith, we will be going against the teachings of the Daishonin.

An important part of the determination to practice as the Daishonin intended involves telling others about the Law. The Daishonin taught in this passage, “The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field.” Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental seed of Buddhahood that allows people to attain limitless happiness and joy. Naturally, we should direct the lives of our friends and family towards enlightenment by “sowing the seed” of Buddhahood. Simply sharing with others, regardless of whether they choose to practice or not, implants benefit in their lives.

Because we are calling forth the Buddha nature of others when we share the Mystic Law with them, it is important to talk about Buddhism with sincerity.

President Ikeda said, “Nichiren Buddhism is the Buddhism of sowing. By sharing the teachings of the Daishonin we are advancing kosen-rufu. For this reason, such actions accrue boundless benefits and good fortune. Such actions constitute upholding justice and the eternal posterity of the true Law.”

Strengthening our Buddhist practice and sharing it with others promotes the advancement of our kosen-rufu movement. Good fortune and virtue lie in our efforts to spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is the correct way to sow the seed of happiness in people’s lives.

Footnotes:
1. Virtues of sovereign and parent - The virtue of sovereign is the power to protect all living beings and the virtue of parent is the compassion to nature and support them.

2. “Good advice grates on the ear” - A saying of Confucius. It means that good advice given out of sincerity usually points to one’s mistakes or weakness and therefore, is not easy to accept.

On the Buddha’s Prophecy

2009-04-30T11:26:00.001+08:00

If, however, in the time after the Buddha’s passing, a person renounces his attachments to the four flavours and three teachings (1), and converts to faith in the Lotus Sutra that is true Mahayana, the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, as well as the bodhisattvas numerous as the dust particles of a thousand worlds (2) who emerged from the ground, will protect him as the votary of the Lotus Sutra. Under their protection, he will [establish and] spread abroad widely throughout Jambudvipa (3) the object of devotion of the essential teaching, or the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo.

(Passage from “On the Buddha’s Prophecy”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p398-404)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter on the eleventh day of the fifth month in the year 1273 during his exile at Ichinosawa on the island of Sado. It is addressed to this disciples and lay supporters in general. The title, “On the Buddha’s Prophecy”, points to two prophecies: One is Shakyamuni Buddha’s prediction that the votary of the Lotus Sutra will appear at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law and spread the teachings of the Lotus Sutra despite great prosecutions. The other is the Daishonin’s own prophecy that in the future his teachings will spread throughout the world to benefit humankind. This letter made clear that the Daishonin himself was the votary of the Lotus Sutra who fulfilled Shakyamuni Buddha’s prophecy.

Explanation
This passage constitutes the second prophecy made by the Daishonin, that the supreme Buddhist teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which he revealed, will spread throughout the entire world in the future.

Firstly, the Daishonin stressed that those who discard theprovisional teachings (referred to here as “the four flavours and three teachings”), which are inappropriate for the times, and devote themselves to the correct teaching for the times, the true Law of the Lotus Sutra, will be protected by the benevolent deities, as well as by the various Bodhisattvas, including the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

By “a person” in this passage, the Daishonin was specifically referring to himself. More broadly, however, this includes anyone who spreads the Mystic Law in the same spirit as he did.

“Under their protection” means that a person who spreads the essence of the Lotus Sutra will cause the powers of the benevolent deities, as well as the worlds of Buddhahood and Bodhisattva, to well forth from within his or her life. This power in turn affords one’s protection. Though Buddhism speaks of the power of benevolent deities, Buddhas, bodhisattvas and the like, such power does not exist outside our own lives. It emerges from within us. As a result of our faith and practice, the life state of Buddhahood is manifested, which then elicits a positive response from other people and from our environment. In this way, these functions act as a protective force.

“The object of devotion of the essential teaching, or the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo” is the fundamental Law or teaching to be spread throughout the world during the Latter Day of the Law. This fundamental Law is none other than Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws. This is called the implicit Lotus Sutra, the in-depth teaching implicit in the Lotus Sutra, which the Daishonin revealed.
With the emergence and development of the SGI, the Mystic Law that the Daishonin revealed more than 750 years ago has spread to 185 countries and territories around the world. From this fact, it is clear that the SGI alone has been concretely realising the Daishonin’s prediction that his teaching will “spread abroad widely throughout Jambudvipa”.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “The SGI has widely declared and spread the Mystic Law throughout the world. It has advanced straight ahead in accord with the Daishonin’s teachings. Those who spend their lives with the SGI will bring forth limitless power, limitless hope and limitless courage from within their lives.”

Those who devote themselves to spreading the Mystic Law together with the SGI will lead superlative lives grounded in happiness that emerges from the innermost depths of life and lasts eternally. With this conviction and pride, let’s strive together in our practice to spread the teachings of Buddhism.

Footnotes :
1. Four flavours and three teachings – Refer to those teachings the Buddha expounded prior to the Lotus Sutra, which are provisional, preparatory and expedients in nature. The “four flavours” refers to the first four flavour of the five flavours, namely fresh milk, cream, curdled milk and butter. The ‘three teachings” are the first three of the four teaching of doctrine – the Tripitaka, connecting and specific teachings,

2. The bodhisattvas numerous as the dust particles of a thousand worlds – Refer to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

3. Jambudvipa – One of the four continents situated in the four directions around Mount Sumeru, according to the ancient Indian worldview. Jambudvipa is located to the south and is the place where the Buddhas appear. It is often used to refer to the entire world.

The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra

2009-03-28T22:00:00.001+08:00

Now at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, I, Nichiren, am the first to embark on propagating, throughout Jambudvipa (1), the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, which are the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all Buddhas (2). During the 2,200 or more years since the Buddha’s passing (3), not even Mahakashyapa, Ananda (4), Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna (5), Nan-yueh, T’ien-t’ai (6), Miao-lo or Dengyo (7) has propagated them. My disciples, form your ranks and follow me, and surpass even Mahakashyapa or Ananda, T’ien-t’ai or Dengyo!

(Passage from “The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p763-782)

Background
This letter was written in 1276 and addressed to lay nun Konichi, a wido who lived in Awa, the Daishonin’s native province. Lay nun was also known as Sage Konichi. Her son, Yashiro, had earlier converted to Daishonin’s teachings, and through him she and her husband became Daishonin’s disciples.

Some time after her conversion, she lost both her beloved son and husband. But through the Daishonin’s continuous and wholehearted encouragement, she overcame her deep sorrow and remained a sincere believer in the Daishonin’s Buddhism to the end of her life.

This Gosho, The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra, is an autobiographical account covering the events of an important period in Nichiren Daishonin’s life – from the arrival of the delegate from the Mongol empire in 1268 shortly before the Tatsunokuchi Persecution, through his two-and-a-half year exile on Sado Island, to his eventual retirement to Mount Minobu. In this Gosho, the Daishonin penned his struggles and persecutions over this period of nine years in great detail.

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin expressed that the teaching to be spread throughout the entire world (Jambudvipa) in the Latter Day of the Law is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the Lotus Sutra. The Daishonin revealed that this Mystic Law is a great teaching which has never been propagated before – not even by the great teachers of the Former and Middle Days of the Law.

Mahakashayapa and Ananda were direct disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. They were considered the Buddhist teachers who had correctly propagated Hinayana teachings for the first 500 years of the Former Day of the Law. Ashvaghosha and Nagarjuna were active as teachers who spread the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism in the second half of the Former Day of the Law in India.

Nan-yueh, T’ien-t’ai, Miao-lo and Dengyo were Buddhist teachers who appeared in China and Japan in the Middle Day of the Law and propagated the theoretical teachings of the Lotus Sutra. All these individuals propagated the appropriate teaching in accord with the age and time in which they appeared but did not spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the essential teaching hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental or original source of Buddhahood that has led and leads all Buddhas to enlightenment. For this reason, the Daishonin referred to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the “eyes of all Buddhas”. He also called it the “heart of the Lotus Sutra” because its teaching is found in the depths of the Lotus Sutra.

It was Nichiren Daishonin who first spread the fundamental teaching of the Mystic Law in the Latter Day of the Law, which the Buddhist teachers of the Former and Middle Days did not propagate. For this reason, the Daishonin is revered as the original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.

The Daishonin opened the way for kosen-rufu in the current age of the Latter Day while enduring life-threatening persecutions. Based on the Buddhist principle of “oneness of mentor and disciple”, we must strive to develop and maintain this direct connection with Nichiren Daishonin and practice faith in exact accordance with the Daishonin’s teachings throughout our lives.

The Daishonin called to us in this passage, “My disciples, form your ranks and follow me.”

The Daishonin is teaching us that the quintessence of faith is to advance on the path of kosen-rufu opened by him in the same mind and spirit as his.

The SGI has all along maintained faith that is directly connected to the Daishonin and advanced the movement of worldwide kosen-rufu in accord with the Daishonin’s decree. This basis of the SGI movement is the greatest proof of the validity of the organisation.

While exerting ourselves in our practice of faith on the stage of kosen-rufu, let us also strive to foster new capable leaders who can join us in “forming our ranks” in following the footsteps of the Daishonin. Based on the spirit of harmonious unity, let us together strive to open a new age for worldwide kosen-rufu.

Footnotes:
1. Jambudvipa – In today’s context, it refers to the entire world.

2. The eye of all Buddhas – The essential teaching that led all Buddhas in the 10 directions and three existences to enlightenment.

3. During the 2,200 or more years since the Buddha’s passing – According to theories prevalent during the Daishonin’s time, the passing of Shakyamuni was believed to be in 949BC. Based on this theory, the year 1276 when this letter was written corresponds to the 2,225th year.

4. Mahakashyapa and Ananda – Two major disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha who correctly taught Hinayana Buddhism in the first half of the Former Day of the Law.

5. Ashvaghosha and Nagarjuna – Buddhist scholars of the Mahayana school in the second half of the Former Day of the Law.

6. Nan-yueh and T’ien-t’ai – Buddhist teachers in the first half of the Middle Day of the Law who correctly expounded Buddhism based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.

7. Miao-lo and Dengyo – Buddhist teachers in the second half of the Middle Day of the Law who correctly spread the teachings of Nan-yueh and T’ien-t’ai.

The Supremacy of the Law

2009-02-28T11:06:00.002+08:00

That is why the Great Teacher Miao-lo (1) stated, “The strong one’s faith, the greater the protection of the gods.” (2) So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods. I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters lend you even greater protection.

(Passage from “The Supremacy of the Law”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p612-617)

Background
This letter was written to the mother of Oto Gozen on 4 August 1275. The mother of Oto was Nichiren Daishonin’s female disciple living in Kamakura. During the Daishonin’s exile to Sado island, she traveled all the way there to visit the Daishonin with her infant daughter, Oto. The journey to Sado was a dangerous one, and the Daishonin was greatly impressed by the strength of faith she had demonstrated. In praise of her oure faith, he called her Sage Nichimyo.

The Mongol forces swept across the southern part of Japan in October of the previous year, terrorizing the whole nation. In this passage, the Daishonin reassured Nichimyo that as long as she continued strengthening her faith, she will be protected by the Buddhist gods, a metaphorical expression for the compassionate protective functions of the universe.

Explanation
Sage Nichimyo, the recipient of this letter, was a woman of resolute faith who had traveled to the distant island of Sado to seek Buddhism from her exiled teacher, Nichiren Daishonin. Touching on the invasion of the Mongol forces in Japan the previous year, Nichiren Daishonin emphasized in this letter that as long as one upholds strong and unwavering faith, one will never fail to be protected by the Buddhist gods.

In this passage, the Daishonin quoted the words of Miao-lo, who stated, “So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods.” This statement explained that it is one’s firm faith that will manifest the protective functions of the Buddhist gods. In other words, whether the functions of the Buddhist gods will be activated depends on the strength of one’s faith.

The term “faith” here means to believe in the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In a broader sense, faith also refers to our life-affirming approach to living based on the Mystic Law, including our care and respect for life. This means that taking precautions to ensure our health and safety is an important aspect of faith. The attitude that “I’ll be protected by the Buddhist gods because I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, so there is no need for me to be careful of what I do,” is not Nichiren Buddhism.

Such attitude of taking things for granted does not constitute “firm faith”. The Buddhist gods are not external forces independent of our lives that we beseech for protection. Only with firm faith and prudence will the protective functions of the Buddhist gods be manifested.

Also in this passage, the Daishonin praised Nichimyo that her faith “has always been admirable”. At the same time, he encouraged her to “strengthen it more than ever”. The Daishonin taught her the importance of further deepening her faith and continuing to strive in her practice.

In other words, the Daishonin is saying that we should not complacently dwell on our past accomplishments and let our faith stagnate. This is because no matter how diligently we had practiced in the past, if we stop challenging ourselves, our innate delusion will grow and our Buddhahood will be overwhelmed by the negative forces of the devilish functions.

This is why it is important to continue striving for kosen-rufu with “ever-advancing faith”. Only then will the protective functions of the Buddhist gods be strengthened and manifested explicitly. On the other hand, if one’s faith stagnates, the functions of the Buddhist gods will be obscured.

SGI President Ikeda has said, “We talk about the ‘Buddhist gods’, but what moves them is ultimately ourselves. It is up to us to open a new path in life, it is up to us to discover our inner treasure house and wisdom, and it is up to us to blaze the trail of victory for all people. To lead such a dynamic existence is the way of life taught by Mahayana Buddhism and, especially, Nichiren Buddhism.”

Let us continue to forge ahead with courage and ever-advancing faith so that we can score great victories in life.

Footnotes:
1. The Great Teacher Miao-lo (711-782) – He is revered as the restorer of the T’ien-t’ai school and wrote commentaries on T’ien-t’ai’s major works, contributing to a classification of the school’s teachings.

2. “The stronger one’s faith, the greater the protection of the gods.” – Passage taken from the eighth volume of The Annotations on “Great Concentration and Insight” by Miao-lo.

New Year's Gosho

2009-01-27T12:30:00.002+08:00

It is clear that those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away….. The believers in the Lotus Sutra are like the sandalwood with its fragrance.

(Passage from “New Year’s Gosho”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,137)

Background
This letter was written to the wife of Lord Omosu whose estate was located on Omosu Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province. The precise year of this letter is unclear.

Lady Omosu is the elder sister of Nanjo Tokimitsu, one of the Daishonin’s foremost disciples. It is accounted that she was converted to the Daishonin’s Buddhism by Nikko Shonin.

Explanation
This letter is Nichiren Daishonin’s response to the offerings of rice cakes and fruits made by the wife of Lord Omosu at the beginning of the year.

He praised the pure faith of believers who make sincere offerings to the Mystic Law and stated that those who believe in the Lotus Sutra (Gohonzon) will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away. The Daishonin taught that the good causes created and implanted in one’s life will surely be manifested as actual proofs of benefits in one’s daily life.

Just as a shadow follows the form of the object, one’s life will depend on how much good fortune one creates and accumulates in one’s life. One who upholds faith in the Gohonzon and exerts oneself for kosen-rufu will engrave great good causes and benefits in one’s life. These good fortunes created in one’s life will definitely be actualized in a life filled with good fortune. On the contrary, when one slanders the Mystic Law, obstructing the flow of kosen-rufu, one will erase one’s good fortune and will be inviting various misfortunes onto oneself.

Buddhism is not just ideology. It exists in a very practical and realistic level. The results of the way we live will without fail become clear, manifesting in our lives as either happiness or unhappiness. The Daishonin explained that those who practise faith in the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will lead lives of boundless happiness.

The metaphor of sandalwood endowed with wonderful fragrance is used to explain that life is inherently endowed with the Buddha nature. Those who strive to practice with pure faith and dedicate their lives for the sake of the Law will manifest the strong and pure life of the Buddha, just as the sandalwood can emit wonderful fragrance. SGI President Ikeda said, “Any action taken for the sake of faith will become the source of your good fortune and benefit. Relations of cause and effect based on the Mystic Law are absolute. All of you working hard for the sake of kosen-rufu and the Law, as well as exerting yourselves for the happiness of your fellow members. Please be convinced that all such efforts will serve to change your karma and return to you as benefit.”

With deep conviction that all our action for kosen-rufu will never fail to become the source of your good fortune and benefit, let us continue to advance with great cheer to achieve total victory for kosen-rufu.

Great Evil and Great Good - Resolve and Take Action to Transform Great Evil into Great Good

2008-12-27T11:24:00.002+08:00

Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows. Since great slander already exists in our land, the great correct Law will spread without fail. What could any of you have to lament? Even if you are not the Venerable Mahakashyapa, you should all perform a dance. Even if you are not Shariputra, you should leap up and dance. When Bodhisattva Superior Practices emerged from the earth, did he not emerge dancing? And when Bodhisattva Universal Worthy arrived, the ground shook in six different ways.

(Passage from “Great Evil and Great Good”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,119)

Background
Neither its date nor its recipient is known about this letter. Judging from the content, it may have been sent to some of Nichiren Daishonin’s believers who were facing difficulties on account of their faith.

Explanation
With the assurance, “When great evil occurs, great good follows”, Nichiren Daishonin encouraged his disciples to regard the hostility they faced as an omen of great good, i.e., the eventual spreading of the correct teaching.

But one crucial point to note here is that, “omen” here does no mean that great good automatically comes after great evil; it means that, by regarding difficulties as opportunities and possessing the firm resolve to take courageous action to transform them into springboards for growth, we can realize great good.

For this reason, the Daishonin said, “What could any of you have to lament?” If one is absolutely convinced that great good will follow great evil, one should rejoice when difficulties arise, instead of lamenting about it.

The Daishonin urged us to rejoice like the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. In the Lotus Sutra, it is stated that countless number of Bodhisattvas of the Earth danced with joy as they emerged from the earth. Bodhisattvas of the Earth are bodhisattvas who have been entrusted with the mission to propagate the teachings of the Mystic Law in the Latter Day of the Law. Their lives are one with the Mystic Law and represent the life entity of joy. Nichiren Daishonin taught that we should bravely confront adversities with great joy based on a firm sense of mission that we are Bodhisattvas of the Earth entrusted with the mission to propagate the Mystic Law.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “Faith in the Daishonin’s Buddhism enables us to change poison into medicine, no matter what the circumstances. It is precisely when some terrible misfortune or catastrophe occurs that we are presented with an opportunity to receive tremendous benefit – or, in the Daishonin’s words, that ‘great good follows’ (WND, 1,119)… The lion king brings forth the greatest strength when the situation is most dire.”

It is so easy for one to feel helpless, lose hope and be defeated amidst present turbulent global conditions where humankind is constantly plagued by fear and insecurity arising from terrorism, natural calamities such as tsunamis, typhoons and earthquakes, diseases such as Sars, bird flu and rising social problems such as aging population, juvenile crimes and growing indifference towards others, or economic uncertainty like the current financial crisis. However, based on the conviction of this Gosho passage, let us strive to lead our friends and family towards happiness and the world towards peace, transforming great evil into great good based on single-minded prayers, undaunted determination and courageous actions.

The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One’s Passing

2008-11-30T10:27:00.004+08:00

Shakyamuni’s practices (1) and the virtues (2) he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of the Myoho-renge-kyo. If we believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same benefits he was.

(Passage from “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p354-382)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin completed this work on the 25th day in the fourth month of 1273 during his exile at Ichinosawa on the island of Sado. It was addressed specifically to Toki Jonin, a leading disciple who lived in Shimosa Province.

The full title of this work is “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One’s Passing”.

The Daishonin had been living in exile for more than one-and-a-half year when this Gosho was written. By this time, the authorities had shifted the Daishonin’s lodging from the Tsukahara hut to Ichinosawa. The living conditions had slightly improved but the Daishonin continued to be placed under strict surveillance and there was still a severe shortage of food. The Nembutsu believers continued to eye threateningly on the Daishonin’s life, waiting for the opportunity to take his life.

In this work that was written amidst such adverse conditions, the Daishonin explained the object of devotion in terms of the Law. He declared that the Gohonzon that embodies the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the object of devotion in the Latter Day of the Law. Together with another of his major works, The Opening of the Eyes, written on Sado island a year earlier in which the Daishonin explained the object of devotion in terms of the Person, “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind” is regarded as one of Daishonin’s most important writings.

Explanation
This passage teaches that when we embrace the Gohonzon and strives to practice both for ourselves and others; we are engaged in true Buddhist practice towards enlightenment. In other words, it elucidates the principle of “embracing the Gohonzon is in itself enlightenment”.

As Nichiren Daishonin stated, “Shakyamuni’s practices and the virtues he consequently attained are all contained within the five characters of the Myoho-renge-kyo.” This means that all the practices which Shakyamuni was engaged in over countless aeons to attain Buddhahood, as well as the effects of the enlightenment he achieved, are all contained in the characters, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

The Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the seed for all Buddhas, the source from which all Buddhas attain their enlightenment. The Daishonin explained that this Law contains al practices and resulting virtues of attaining enlightenment and that those who embrace the Mystic Law can receive these benefits directly. This is what is meant by “if we believe in these five characters, we will naturally be granted the same benefits he was”.

“These five characters” refer to the Gohonzon, with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo inscribed down the centre, and “believe in” means to have faith in the Gohonzon and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is important to note that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not only a practice for oneself, but also for others. As practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, we should continually strive to share our faith with others.

No matter obstacles we may be facing, when we take faith in the Gohonzon and earnestly strive in our practice of chanting for ourselves and others, the great powers of the Buddha and the Law represented on the Gohonzon will be manifested in our lives. In this way, we will be able to establish the life-state of the Buddhahood as the solid foundation of our lives.

For the sake of all people of the Latter Day of the Law, the Daishonin revealed this fundamental Law of life with his inscription of the Gohonzon and thereby opened the path for everyone to attain Buddhahood, the state of absolute happiness.

As this passage clarifies, the Gohonzon contains all the virtues and benefits’ resulting from the Buddha’s innumerable past practices to attain enlightenment. This is why when we embrace the Gohonzon and strive to practice both for ourselves and others, no prayer will go unanswered.

It is the SGI members who have continuously established faith in the Gohonzon as our foundation. Because we have advanced with the Gohonzon as our basis and always strive to directly connect with the Daishonin’s spirit, we have been able to experience clear proof of the validity of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.

Engraving the immense joy of having encountered the Daishonin’s Buddhism, let us strive even harder to spread the teachings of Buddhism to the people around us.

Footnotes:
1. Practices – Buddhist practice to create causes to attain Buddhahood. In other words, it refers to Bodhisattva practices.

2. Virtues – Virtues attained as a result of Bodhisattva practices. In other words, it refers to the virtues of the Buddha.

Unlocking the Buddha's Power - Reply to Kyo'o

2008-10-27T16:09:00.002+08:00

The lion king is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal. In inscribing this Gohonzon for her protection, Nichiren was like the lion king. This is what the sutra means by “the power [of the Buddhas] that has the lion’s ferocity.” Believe in this mandala (1) with all your heart.

(Passage from “Reply to Kyo’o”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p412-413)

Background
Written on the 15th day of the eighth month in 1273, this letter was sent from Sado Island by Nichiren Daishonin to Shijo Kingo in Kamakura. It was written in response to Kingo’s report to Nichiren Daishonin that his one-year-old daughter (or son, according to some accounts), Kyo’o, had fallen gravely ill.

Nichiren Daishonin was in his third year of exile in Sado Island then and he had just been shifted from Tsukahara to Ichinosawa. The Daishonin wrote many letters to encourage his disciples from Ichinosawa.

Explanation
This letter was a reply to Shijo Kingo’s report to Nichiren Daishonin that Kingo’s daughter, Kyo’o, had become seriously ill. Nichiren Daishonin had already conferred upon Kingo earlier the Gohonzon, the object of devotion in Nichiren Buddhism. In this letter, the Daishonin explained the significance of inscribing the Gohonzon and said that he was seriously praying for Kyo’o to overcome her sickness.

The Daishonin wrote, “The lion king is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal.”

Through the example of the lion, the Daishonin explains the importance of exerting our utmost effort in any endeavour.

He went on to say, “In inscribing this Gohonzon for her protection, Nichiren was like the lion king.” In other words, like the lion king, the Daishonin had exerted every ounce of his energy in inscribing the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon is the manisfestation of Nichiren Daishonin’s life, the original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Therefore, it can be said that revering the Gohonzon is equivalent to meeting the Daishonin himself.

The Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental seed of Buddhahood in all of us. By expressing the Mystic Law in the form of the Gohonzon, the Daishonin opened up the path to enlightenment for all people. By embracing faith in the Gohonzon and exerting ourselves in chanting daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) and carrying out the practice for oneself and others, we will be able to establish the Buddha’s life state of absolute happiness through the powers of the Buddha and the Law embodied in the Gohonzon.

The Gohonzon, the object of devotion of the essential teaching, is endowed with the Three Great Secret Laws. The Three Great Secret Laws are the object of devotion of the essential teaching, the sanctuary of the essential teaching and the daimoku of the essential teaching. For this reason, it can be said that the entirety of Nichiren Buddhism is contained in the Gohonzon, the core of the Three Great Secret Laws.

This great power of the Gohonzon, however, is manifested in direct proportion to our power of faith and practice. In this sense, the Gohonzon’s power will not be manifested with weak faith. Thus, the Daishonin urged Kingo, “Believe in this mandala with all your heart.”

The significance and benefits that accrue from the Gohonzon is the same whether it is the Gohonzon enshrined at home or at the Soka activity centres. The difference in benefits is merely the result of the power of our individual’s faith and practice.

The SGI had all along been practicing faith based on the Gohonzon and the one that is directly connected to Nichiren Daishonin. With strong faith based on the profound conviction that “no prayers will go unanswered”, lets continue to exert ourselves in chanting earnest daimoku and achieve victories in all aspects of our lives.

Footnotes:
1. Mandala – Refers to the Gohonzon.

Forging Our Faith - The Hero of the World

2008-09-21T11:38:00.001+08:00

Untempered iron quickly melts in a blazing fire, like ice put in hot water. But a sword, even when exposed to a great fire, withstands the heat for a while, because it has been well forged. In admonishing you this way, I am trying to forge your faith. Buddhism is reason. Reason will win over your lord.

(Passage from “The Hero of the World”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p835-841)

Background
This letter was written to Shinjo Kingo in 1277. When this was written, he was confronting a great challenge, having incurred the wrath of his lord, Ema. Lord Ema’s antagonism towards Shijo Kingo dated back to the Kuwagayatsu Debate when Sammi-bo, the Daishonin’s disciple, refuted Ryuzo-bo, a Tendai priest in the debate, which took place in the sixth month of 1277. Lord Ema then ordered Shinjo Kingo to renounce faith in the Lotus Sutra. However, Shinjo Kingo had expressed his resolve to Nichiren Daishonin to uphold his faith even if he were to be banished from Lord Ema’s residence.

In response to Kingo’s report, Nichiren Daishonin wrote a petition to Lord Ema on Kingo’s behalf (The Letter of Petition from Yorimoto, WND, p 803). The Daishonin also wrote this letter to Kingo, giving him heartfelt encouragement and detailed advice on how to take care to avoid being attacked by his enemies.

Explanation
As explained earlier, at the time Shinjo Kingo received this letter from Nichiren Daishonin, he was pressured by his lord (his employer), to sign a pledge renouncing his faith in the Lotus Sutra.

The Daishonin, in explaining why he was giving strict guidance to Kingo, used the analogies of ice and sword to explain the importance of training in life.

To overcome obstacles, we need to strengthen our life and spirit. This is the meaning of training in Buddhism. To strengthen our life, we need to first strengthen our faith. Strong faith is developed when we practice faith steadily, every day with a challenging spirit. This is the meaning when Daishonin wrote, “I am trying to forge your faith.”

As we exert ourselves in our daily practice of chanting daimoku and reciting the sutra, as well as participating in SGI activities, we will build a profound life condition with which to overcome any obstacle in life.

In this passage, the Daishonin wrote, “Buddhism is reason.” Buddhism is based upon a universal principle that applies to all people. There is nothing magical in how we overcome difficulties and receive benefits; everything is based on the power of the Buddha and the Law that is manifested through the power of our faith and practice. For this reason, when we challenge ourselves with strong faith, we can win over any situation.

Kingo, a respected samurai and skilled physician, was told that if he did not give up his faith, he would be evicted from his land and expelled from service to his lord. Despite this onstacle, Kingo continued to challenge himself based on faith and the guidance given by the Daishonin. Manifesting wisdom and strong life force, Kingo’s perseverance and deep faith finally caused a dramatic change in his circumstances.

At the time, an epidemic was spreading across Japan, and Kingo’s lord fell ill. However, he recovered because of Kingo’s medical treatment. As a result, he was able to win back the trust and appreciation of his lord. He was rewarded with a new property that was three times larger than his previous one. Kingo proved the validity of Daishonin’s teachings, having never given in to demands to renounce his faith.

“Reason will win over your lord”, the Daishonin wrote. Shinjo Kingo won a splendid victory based on his faith and never-give-up spirit. As proven by Kingo, Buddhism is the driving force to all victories in life for it enables us to tap our inner power to win in everything. In this sense, Buddhism can be called the “supreme strategy” for success in life.

SGI President Ikeda said, “Buddhism is win or lose. Life is a struggle. Because you will either win or lose in life, you have no choice but to win. Life is not mere ideology. Each day we must win in the way that befits us most. As we continue in this way, we will be able to build the path of happiness and victory that will last for eternity spanning throughout the three existences of life.”

Forging ourselves in the “fire” of our daily obstacles, let’s resolve to win a new victory each day.

Repaying Our Debt of Gratitude Constitutes Achieving Victory in Kosen-Rufu - On Repaying Debts of Gratitude

2008-08-24T00:00:00.003+08:00

The old fox never forgets the hillock where he was born; the white turtle repaid the kindness he had received from Mao Pao. If even lowly creatures know enough to do this, then how much more should human beings! Thus Yu Jang, a worthy man of old, fell on his sword in order to repay the debt he owed his lord Chih Po, and the minister Hung Yen for similar reasons cut open his stomach and inserted the liver of his dead lord, Duke Yi of Wei. What can we say, then of persons who are devoting themselves to Buddhism? Surely they should not forget the debts of gratitude they owe their parents, their teachers and their country.

(Passage from “On Repaying Debts of Gratitude”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p690-745)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this treatise on the 21st day of the seventh month of 1276 upon receiving news of the death of Dozen-bo, a priest of Seicho-ji temple in Awa Province, who had been the Daishonin’s teacher when he first entered the temple as a boy of 12. The Daishonin wrote this treatise to express his gratitude to Dozen-bo and sent it to Joken-bo and Giji-bo, senior priests at the time he entered the temple, who later became his followers. He requested them to read this treatise aloud in front of the tomb of his late teacher and again at Kasagamori on the summit of Mount Kiyosumi where he first chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

This treatise is one of Nichiren Daishonin’s 10 major writings. In it, the Daishonin declared that the propagation of the supreme teaching of the Three Great Secret Laws will enable the people for the 10,000 years and more of the latter Day of the Law to attain enlightenment. He stated that all the benefits he obtained from propagating the Law would be transferred to his mentor, Dozen-bo, thus indicating that the path of repaying gratitude is the supreme path of humanism.

Explanation
The act of repaying one’s debt of gratitude constitutes a fundamental aspect of human behaviour.

Nichiren Daishonin taught us what is the greatest way of repaying one’s debt of gratitude in this Gosho.

At the outset of this passage, the Daishonin cited stories relating how even animals repaid their debt of gratitude and historical instances where wise men repaid it at the cost of their lives. On top of this, the Daishonin taught that as Buddhist practitioners who practice the supreme way of humanism, we must never forget to repay our debt of gratitude we owe our parents, teacher and country.

Of these debts of gratitude, the Daishonin stressed specifically on the importance of repaying the debt to one’s teacher. The fundamental principle that enables one to grow as an individual human being lies in the mentor-disciple relationship.

The greatest way of repaying one’s debt of gratitude is to enable oneself and others to attain supreme happiness based on the supreme teachings of Buddhism.

The Daishonin also revealed here that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws is the supreme law that leads all people to enlightenment. The Daishonin devoted his entire life, waging a struggle against the three powerful enemies in order to propagate the Mystic Law.

In the concluding portion of this treatise, the Daishonin revealed his absolute conviction in the realization of kosen-rufu in this manner: “If Nichiren’s compassion is truly great and encompassing, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread for 10,000 years and more, for all eternity for it has the beneficial power to open the blind eyes of every living being in the country of Japan, and it blocks off the road that leads to the hell of incessant suffering.” (WND, p736)

Finally, the Daishonin stated that the great benefit he received from propagating the Mystic Law will surely accumulate in the life of his late teacher, Dozen-bo. In other words, the greatest way of repaying one’s debt of gratitude is to live out one’s life for the sake of kosen-rufu.

SGI President Ikeda said, “Those who cherish a mentor n their hearts are strong; such people can tap a wellspring of inexhaustible wisdom. Those who never forget the debt they owe their mentor are eternally beautiful. Betrayal is ugly. One who betrays others suffers for all time. I have carried the message of Mr Makiguchi and Mr Toda to the entire world. I am working unceasingly to repay my debt of gratitude to them. This is the path of mentor and disciple. This is the life I choose when I was still a young man. In this spirit lies the true essence of the SGI.”

Let us continue to strive for kosen-rufu in the spirit of repaying our debt of gratitude no matter what happens.

Transforming Suffering into Happiness - The Pure and Far-Reaching Voice

2008-07-20T00:00:00.003+08:00

The benefit of the Lotus Sutra is such that even a single word of it embodies the threefold blessings of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions. To illustrate, it is like a wish-granting jewel. One such jewel is the same as a hundred such jewels. One wish-granting jewel can rain down countless treasures, and a hundred jewels can likewise produce inexhaustible treasures.

(Passage from “The Pure and Far-Reaching Voice”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p328-335)

Background
This letter was written to Shijo Kingo on the ninth day of the ninth month in the year 1272 in Sado Island. It was prompted by the Daishonin’s gratitude for the offerings that Shijo Kingo had sent to the Daishonin via a messenger for Kingo’s mother’s third annual memorial service (held on the second anniversary of her death).

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin stressed on the great benefits of the Lotus Sutra (Mystic Law).

He said, “The benefit of the Lotus Sutra is such that even a single word of it embodies the threefold blessings of Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions.” The Daishonin taught here about the great benefit of embracing the Mystic Law hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra, that is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental Law that led all Buddhas, including Shakyamuni Buddha, to attain enlightenment.

Since all Buddhas attained enlightenment through the Mystic Law, all the blessings and virtues of the Buddhas are embodied in the Mystic Law. By embracing the Mystic Law, one is able to enjoy all the benefits and blessings of all Buddhas.

The Daishonin used the example of a “wish-granting jewel” to illustrate the power of the Mystic Law.

It was a belief in Japan at that time that a wish-granting jewel has the power of producing inexhaustible treasures – as many as one desires.

Since one’s wish-granting jewel can produce boundless treasures, it will not make a difference whether one has one or numerous wish-granting jewels. Therefore, the Daishonin said, “One such jewel is the same as a hundred such jewels.”

Just as the example of the wish-granting jewel illustrates, by embracing the Mystic Law, all of one’s wishes in life will be fulfilled.

At the same time, no matter what difficulties one may encounter in life, the Mystic Law embodies the power to transform all sufferings into happiness.

For this reason, those who are deeply convinced of the greatness of the beneficial power of the Gohonzon and exert themselves in the practice for oneself and for others can advance fearlessly without being defeated by the obstacles in life.

The key that unlocks this great power of the Gohonzon is none other than the strength of our powers of faith and practice. The powers of Buddha and the Law embodied in the Gohonzon will be manifested in proportion to one’s power of faith and practice.

SGI President Ikeda said, “Without faith, there is no way to bring forth the boundless powers of the Buddha and the Law embodied within the Gohonzon. It is the SGI who has taught and enabled every individual member to arouse the powers of faith and practice from within their lives. For this reason, the SGI is an organisation that overflows with the genuine benefits.”

No prayers offered to the Gohonzon will go unanswered. There is no problem that cannot be resolved when one chants daimoku to the Gohonzon. Let every one of us arouse strong faith and courageously advance forward!

The Power of Chanting - How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra

2008-06-24T21:54:00.006+08:00

When we revere Myoho-renge-kyo inherent in our own life as the object of devotion, the Buddha nature within us summoned forth and manifested by our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what is meant by “Buddha”. To illustrate, when a caged bird sings, birds that are flying in the sky are thereby summoned and gather around, and when the birds flying in the sky gather around, the bird in the cage strives to get out. When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature (1), being summoned, will invariably emerge. The Buddha nature of Brahma and Shakra (2), being called, will protect us, and the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, being summoned, will rejoice.

(Passage from “How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p872-890)

Background
The letter is generally thought to have been written by Nichiren Daishonin in March, on the third year of Kenji (1277). Its recipient was a woman called the lay nun Myoho who lived at Okamiya in Suruga Province (the present Numazu city at Shizuoka Prefecture). Little is known about lay nun Myoho, other than that she was widowed in 1278 and also lost an elder brother. She appeared to have maintained steadfast faith throughout her life.

The word “Lotus Sutra” in this Gosho title should be understood from the hidden and profound meaning to refer to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and not literally to the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra.

Written in a question-and-answer form, this writing first established that, among the various schools of Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra is the foremost. The Daishonin asserted that in this age of the Latter Day of the Law, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo which represents the heart and core of the Lotus Sutra is the Law that can benefit all people.

He further stated that, regardless of whether people believe in the law or slander it, we should teach others about it. Daishonin concluded by explaining about the significance of the daimoku (the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo), that is when we chant daimoku, we are able to summon forth the Buddha nature within our lives.

Explanation
Nichiren Daishonin clearly stated in this Gosho passage the significance of the Gohonzon and the daimoku. It elucidates that the Buddha nature (Myoho-renge-kyo) inherent in our lives is the object of devotion (the Gohonzon), and that the manifestation of this Buddha nature through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the Buddha.

Each of us can become a Buddha. This is true no matter what circumstances we face. Developing the firm conviction that this is true is the point of our Buddhist practice. This conviction, or faith, is essential if we wish to manifest the state of enlightenment. The Gohonzon is a mirror that reflects the object of devotion within us – our Buddha nature. In this sense, the Gohonzon constitutes the environment through which we can manifest our Buddha nature.

The key to bring out the Buddhahood from the depths of our lives is chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. By developing faith in the Gohonzon, which is the manifestation of the Buddha’s life or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and by practicing for oneself and others, we can reveal the wonderful life-condition of Buddhahood. The daimoku, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that we chant is none other than the Gohonzon.

The phrase, “is summoned forth”, means that each of us can summon forth and manifest our own Buddha nature. To illustrate this point, the Daishonin used the analogy of how the singing of a caged bird could attract birds in the sky to gather, this interaction then motivates a caged bird to break free. The singing of the caged bird refers to our chanting of daimoku while the birds in the sky refer to the Gohonzon, which reflects our Buddha nature and help us to summon forth and manifest the state of Buddhahood. Just as the birds in the sky and the caged bird call to one another and strive to gather together, the Buddha nature within us will reveal itself through the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon.

The Daishonin went on to state that we can also reveal the Buddha nature of Brahma and Shakra, as well as the Buddha nature of all Buddhas and bodhisattvas so that they will function to protect us. This means by practicing the Mystic Law, we can also bring forth the Buddha nature from our environment and those around us. This response, which we refer to as the oneness of life and its environment, comes about when we manifest our Buddha nature. The principle of oneness of life and its environment explains that our environment possesses the ten worlds and which state our environment manifests, depends on the life condition of our lives.

In this regard, SGI President Ikeda said, “The power of daimoku is stupendous. It is truly without bound. The Mystic Law is the fundamental Law of the universe, and daimoku is the essential rhythm pervading all life. A person who chants resonant daimoku as he strives towards the goal of kosen-rufu will enjoy limitless expansion and boundless growth in his strength and ability.”

The power that we possess to transform our circumstances towards a positive direction for our lives through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is truly unsurpassed. Let us score victories in our lives by continuously chanting daimoku.

Footnotes:
1. Buddha nature – The internal cause or potential for attaining Buddhahood. Mahayana Buddhism generally holds that all people possess this innate Buddha nature.

2. Brahma and Shakra – The two protective gods of Buddhism. Brahma is also known as the great heavenly king Brahma. Shakra is known as Taishaku, or simply Indra.

On Persecutions Befalling the Sage

2008-05-25T10:05:00.002+08:00

You may rest assured that nothing, not even a person possessed by a powerful demon, can harm Nichiren, because Brahma, Shakra, the gods of the sun and moon, the four heavenly kings, the Sun Goddess, and Hachiman are safe-guarding him. Strengthen your faith day by day and months after month. Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage.

(Passage from “On Persecutions Befalling the Sage”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p996-999)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu in the midst of the Atsuhara Persecution on the first day of the tenth month of 1279 to his followers in general. The Daishonin specifically indicated at the end of that this letter should be kept by Shijo Kingo, who was leading the community of believers in Kamakura.

Around 1275, propagation efforts in the Fuji area began to produce significant results under the leadership of Nikko Shonin. There were a number of converts among both priests and laity, but as the number of new believers increased, so did official pressures. In Atsuhara, a village in the Fuji District of Suruga Province, believers were subjected to a series of threats and harassments known collectively as the Atsuhara Persecution. On the twenty-first day of the ninth month in 1279, 20 believers, all farmers, were arrested on false charges. They were brought to the residence of Hei no Saemon, the deputy chief of the Office of Military and Police Affairs, in Kamakura where they were detained and interrogated.

Upon receiving reports on the persecution, the Daishonin wrote this letter in which he explained the significance of such persecutions for the Law and encouraged his disciples that they must now “summon up the courage of a lion king” to confront and overcome this persecution.

Explanation
Through his own experiences of overcoming severe hardships such as his exiles to Izu and Sado, Nichiren Daishonin declared in this passage that no one, “not even a person possessed by a powerful demon”, could harm him because of the protective functions f life and the universe that he summoned forth through his resolute faith.

The Daishonin was expressing his conviction that as long as our faith is strong and steadfast, any malicious scheme or hardship cannot defeat us due to the powerful protection we receive from our environment.

This letter was written in the midst of the Atsuhara Persecution, while 20 peasant believers – arrested and detained on account of trumped-up charges – were being severely interrogated. The Daishonin encouraged all his disciples to never fear any threat or persecution and to face their difficulties with courage.

He told his disciples in this passage to strengthen their resolve all the more and advance with faith, urging them to “strengthen your faith day by day and month after month”.

To carry on with our faith is, in one sense, a battle between the strength of our innate Buddhahood and the negative functions, both internal and external, to deny it.

In this regard, the Daishonin cautioned us, “Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage.”

If we succumb to doubts and fears in the face of difficulties without trying to resolve them, or if we become complacent and oblivious to the need to constantly challenge against our weaknesses, then life’s negative influence will find its way into our innermost selves.

If an airplane loses the power o propel itself, it will lose speed and eventually crash. The plane is in its most stable state when it is powerfully moving forward.

The same is true of our faith. It is of utmost importance to ceaselessly advance towards the realisation of kosen-rufu and out individual happiness. The ultimate serenity and stability of our lives are to be found in constant challenge. When we cease to advance in faith, we have already begun to backslide and be defeated in faith.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “Our work to advance the movement of kosen-rufu is also an unending struggle. The Daishonin taught that it is a battle between the Buddha and the devilish forces. Therefore any slackening in our efforts to strive against the incessant onslaught of enemies – namely, devilish functions – represents not stagnation but rather regression and, ultimately, defeat.”

Faith for absolute victory is found in our constant challenge against our weaknesses and in our daily discovery of our innate Buddhahood through resolute prayer to the Gohonzon. Those who keep challenging themselves are already winning over their own limitations, and that is the greatest victory one can achieve in life.

The Properties of Rice

2008-04-20T18:58:00.002+08:00

I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. It is stated that “the seeds of Buddhahood sprout as a result of conditions, and for this reason they preach the single vehicle.”

(Passage from “The Properties of Rice”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p1,117-1,118)

Background
Although the date and recipient of this letter remain unknown, judging from the style and content, Nichiren Daishonin probably wrote it after he moved to Mount Minobu, and it was likely addresses to the lay priest Takahashi Rokuro Hyoe. He was a central figure among believers in Fuji District of Suruga Province.

The wife of lay priest Tahahashi was Nikko Shonin’s aunt. As such, he was converted by Nikko Shonin and since then, he played an active role in assisting Nikko Shonin to spread the Daishonin’s teaching in the area. His residence was used as a venue for believers in the Fuji community to gather.

Explanation
By writing “I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province”, Nichiren Daishonin showed his profound trust in his followers and encourages their initiative and sense of responsibility to spread Buddhism in their own communities.

The wide spread of Nichiren Buddhism in each community depends solely on the sense of responsibility of those who live and practice there, since there were no limitations on how much those living elsewhere can do.

In light of the Buddhist principle of “the oneness of life and its environment”, our environment and the land in which we live will begin to change when our lives change. As we strengthen our resolve to spread peace and happiness in our community and take consistent action, we will without doubt begin to see positive changes.

All people, no matter who they are, possess the Buddha nature, that is, the cause for attaining enlightenment. This Buddha nature is stimulated when one comes into contact with Buddhism, blossoming into the life condition of Buddhahood and bears the fruit of indestructible happiness. For this reason, the Buddha nature is sometimes referred to as the seed of Buddhahood.

In this passage, the Daishonin encourages us to share the teaching of the single vehicle – the Mystic Law – with others so that their seed of Buddhahood may be awakened.

Sharing Buddhism is an act of helping other open up their Buddha nature. It can be said to be an act of planting seeds of happiness in the lives of others. Although they may not immediately start practicing, their Buddha nature, once awakened, will undoubtedly become manifest in time. It is therefore of utmost importance that we communicate Buddhism with sincerity.

Human relationships begin with dialogue. Even if we ourselves are convinced of the validity of Nichiren Buddhism, unless we express our confidence in words, others may not understand. In this sense, dialogue and words possess great power to initiate a fundamental change in people and thereby create peace and happiness for all.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “Only human beings can fill the society and the world with dialogue. Dialogue has the power to create great value, irrespective of the wealth or social position of participants… Though meetings with people might be brief and involve an exchange of only a few words, those few words can open up and completely change people’s hearts.”

Let us create a positive change in our communities and move the times towards peace by engaging ourselves in sincere and honest dialogue with friends.

Footnotes:
“The seeds of Buddhahood sprout as a result of conditions, and for this reason they preach the single vehicle”: Passage from the “Expedient Means” (2nd) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. “Vehicle” refers to the Buddha’s teaching which helps to bring people to different life states, e.g. Learning, Realisation, Bodhisattva or Buddhahood. The “single vehicle” refers to the teaching that will lead people to Buddhahood. This passage expounds that the Buddha preaches the single vehicle because the Buddha nature inherent in all living beings are manifested as a results of conditions. The “seeds of Buddhahood” refers to the life state of Buddhahood inherent in all living beings. Specifically, “the single vehicle” refers to the implicit teachings hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra – Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Propagating the Correct Teaching is the Direct Path to Peace

2008-03-24T10:30:00.004+08:00

Therefore you must quickly reform the tenets that you hold in your heart and embrace the one true vehicle, the single good doctrine [of the Lotus Sutra]. If you do so, then the threefold world will become the Buddha land, and how could a Buddha land ever decline? The regions in the ten directions will all become treasure realms, and how could a treasure realm ever suffer harm? If you live in a country that knows no decline or diminution, in a land that suffers no harm or disruption, then your body will find peace and security, and your mind will be calm and untroubled.

(Passage from “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p6-32)

Background
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land is a treatise submitted by Nichiren Daishonin at the age of 39 to Hojo Tokiyori, the most influential figure in the Kamakura shogunate then, on the sixteenth day of the seventh month in 1260.

During that time, Japan was plagued by natural disasters, including violent earthquakes which took many lives. In addition, famines and epidemics swept throughout the land.

Nichiren Daishonin, who was agonising over the great suffering of the people, was prompted by the frightful earthquake of unprecedented scale in 1257 to seek an answer to the cause of these disasters in the scriptural writings of Buddhism. In an effort to clarify the cause, he went to Jisso-ji temple at Iwamoto in Suruga Province and pored over the entire collection of Buddhist scriptures in the temple library.

The Daishonin summarised the conclusion he arrived at in the form of a treatise, On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land, and submitted it to Hojo Tokiyori.

Explanation
This passage aptly summarises the principles of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” (rissho ankoku). This passage can also be said to be the conclusion of the entire treatise. The statement, “Therefore you must quickly reform the tenets that you hold in your heart and embrace the one true vehicle, the single good doctrine [of the Lotus Sutra]”, corresponds to “establishing the correct teaching” (rissho) while “if you do so, then the threefold world will become the Buddha land” corresponds to “peace of the land” (ankoku).

The statement, “Therefore you must quickly reform the tenets that you hold in your heart and embrace the one true vehicle, the single good doctrine [of the Lotus Sutra]”, means that one should discard one’s belief in erroneous teachings and embrace the correct ones. This is because when the people uphold the belief in partial or erroneous teachings, their lives will be “distorted” due to the negative effects that arise from their erroneous beliefs. This will in turn give rise to negative effects in society. On the other hand, when correct teachings are established in the lives of people, they will bring forth wisdom, strength and virtues and their lives will be in peace and harmony. The lives of the people will then exert a positive influence on their surroundings that will eventually lead to the realization of a peaceful society.

The “threefold world” refers to the world of desire, the world of form and the world of formlessness. It refers to the actual world where living beings in the lower six worlds live in. In addition, “ten directions” refer to the entire universe.

The “one true vehicle, the single good doctrine” refers to the Lotus Sutra which expounds the universal teachings of the Mystic Law that will lead all living beings to happiness. By stating that by embracing the Mystic Law, the threefold world and the regions in the ten directions will become the Buddha land, the Daishonin taught that the principle of “establishing the correct teachings for the peace of the land” transcends the framework of time and national boundaries. It is the principle that will bring about the realization of global peace.

The Daishonin also said in this passage, “If you live in a country that knows no decline or diminution, in a land that suffers no harm or disruption, then your body will find peace and security, and your mind will be calm and untroubled.” This statement indicates that one can find genuine peace and security in one’s life only with the realization of peace in the society and nation.

This is because our daily lives can never exist separately from the society or surroundings. When there is instability and decline in our society, there can be no individual happiness. For this reason, Nichiren Daishonin taught that if one seeks personal security and happiness, one should first of all pray and strive for peace and order in the world.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “The Daishonin’s Buddhism is the great teaching for ‘securing peace of the land’. As the number of people who chant the Mystic Law increases, that country and society will naturally be led on a rhythm towards prosperity. There can be no greater and more lasting contribution to the people than this.” In this manner, it is essential that we propagate the Mystic Law far and wide in order to realize peace and prosperity in the world.

Footnotes:
1. The one true vehicle, the single good doctrine [of the Lotus Sutra]: In the Latter Day of the Law, it refers to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Three Great Secret Laws.

2. The threefold world: The world of desire, the world of form and the world of formlessness derived from the six paths (world of hell to rapture). It refers to the actual world where we live in.

3. Treasure realms: Refers to a realm filled with benefits. It is expounded in the “Life Span of the Thus Come One”, (16th) chapter of the Lotus Sutra that the saha world in which the Buddha constantly dwell is the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light (treasure realm).

The Three Kinds of Treasure - The Essence of Buddhist Practice is to Respect All People

2008-02-25T12:00:00.003+08:00

The heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the “Never Disparaging” chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as human being. The wise may be called human, but the thoughtless are more than animals.

(Passage from “The Three Kinds of Treasure”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p851-2)

Background
This letter was written on the eleventh day of the ninth month of the year 1277 to Shijo Kingo.

In the sixth month of the same year, Kingo happened to be an observer at a debate during which the Tendau priest Ryuzo-bo (who had the patronage of Ryokan, the chief priest of Gokuraku-ji temple) was bested by the Daishonin’s disciple Sammi-bo (Kuwagayatsu Debate). After the debate, Ryuzo-bo’s group filed a report to Kingo’s lord, Ema, falsely accusing Kingo of fomenting trouble at the debate by using his weapon to threaten Ryuzo-bo.

Upon receiving this report, Ema threathened to banish Kingo from the Ema residence unless he abandon faith in the Lotus Sutra. However, not long later, Ema fell critically ill and it was Kingo, a skilled physician, who helped to cure him. Through this, Ema’s trust in Kingo was restored. However, because of this, Kingo incurred further jealousy from his fellow colleagues and his life was in grave danger. In this letter, Nichiren Daishonin cautioned Shijo Kingo and instructed him on the most appropriate behaviour in his trying circumstances.

Explanation
When he received this letter from Nichiren Daishonin in 1277, Shijo Kingo was in grave danger of being killed by his jealous colleagues. The Daishonin urged Kingo to be careful of his words and to conduct himself wisely to overcome the crisis.

In this passage, the Daishonin taught that “the heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the ‘Never Disparaging’ chapter”. This chapter described how Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, who is Shakyamuni Buddha in a previous life, spread the Lotus Sutra despite encountering “curses and abuses” from people, some of whom “would take sticks of wood or tiles and stones and beat and pelt him”. (The Lotus Sutra, p267)

The practice of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging was to “bow in obeisance” to all people whom he encountered, and to preach that all of them could attain Buddhahood. (cf, The Lotus Sutra, p266) His actions signified that because all people possess the Buddha nature, the utmost respect should be accorded to them. The significance of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s practice of revering all living beings is, as the Daishonin explained, synonymous with the revelation that the purpose of Shakyamuni Buddha’s appearance in this world lies in his behaviour as a human being.

The Buddha’s essential purpose in this world is to lead all people to awaken their innate Buddhahood. This universality of Buddhahood is the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s actions were an expression of the Buddha’s intent. To act humanely in the midst of reality is the reason we practice Buddhism, and the essence of Buddhist practice is to respect all people.

The Daishonin wrote, “The wise may be called human, but the thoughtless are no more than animals.” Here he stressed the importance of conducting oneself wisely. Self-control through reason and value creation through wisdom – these are proofs of humanity. It is foolish to be at the mercy of immediate interests or transient emotions, and such a tendency is akin to the stage of Animality.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “However we choose to live, we have one life. If we are to live, therefore, why not leave behind a history of our lives? Animals are not capable of creating a history of their moral existences… People who are creating a history of their virtuous lives are truly living as humans; they are genuine sages and victors.”

Let us continue to win the trust of others in our community by conducting ourselves wisely and achieve victory with our exemplary behaviour.

The Good Medicine for All People

2008-01-27T00:00:00.001+08:00

Moreover, the Lotus Sutra states that it is “good medicine for the ills of the people of Jambudvipa.” The people of this world of Jambudvipa are suffering from illness, but they have the medicine of the Lotus Sutra. Now in your case, the three requirements are already present, so how could you fail to recover? But if you have doubts, I am powerless to help you.

(Passage from “Reply to the Lay Priest Takahashi”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p610)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter in 1275 at Minobu to the lay priest Takahashi Rokuro Hyoe, who lived in Kajima, in Fuji District of Suruga Province. Takahashi’s wife was the aunt of Nikko Shonin, and it was through this connection that he converted to the Daishonin’s teaching. He appeared to have been a leading figure among the lay believers in the Fuji area. It is said that Nikko Shonin stayed at his residence when Nikko Shonin waged the propagation movement in the Fuji area, using it as a central base for this movement.

At the beginning of 1275, the year that this letter was written, Takahashi fell seriously ill. This letter was written by Nichiren Daishonin in response to news of Takahashi’s illness and was entrusted to Nikki Shonin to be delivered to Takahashi.

The Daishonin taught in this Gosho that the “good medicine” in the Latter Day of the Law is none other than the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In the concluding portion, the Daishonin encouraged Takahashi by citing examples of King Ajatashatru who overcame his illness through the good medicine of the Lotus Sutra. Shortly after receiving this letter from the Daishonin, Takahashi fully recovered from his illness.

Explanation
In the passage, Nichiren Daishonin offered warm encouragement to the lay priest Takahashi, who was suffering from a grave illness.

Quoting a passage from the “Former Affairs of the Bodhisattva Medicine King” (23rd) Chapter of the Lotus Sutra which states “… this sutra provides good medicine for the ills of the people of Jambudvipa” (The Lotus Sutra, p288), the Daishonin taught that the Lotus Sutra, specifically, the teachings of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the good medicine for the ills of all people in the world.

By stating that “the people of this world of Jambudvipa are suffering from illness”, the Daishonin was speaking in both literal and figurative sense. Not only was he referring to physical sickness of which the recipient of this letter, Takahashi, was suffering, but also of people’s delusions, which Buddhism describes as the three poisons of greed, anger and foolishness.

The Daishonin then explained that the great Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the good medicine that will cure the ills of the body and mind.

By saying that “the three requirements are already present”, the Daishonin was referring to the three elements necessary for the fulfillment of one’s prayers, namely, the sutra, the Buddha and the practitioner.

The sutra that Takahashi is embracing is the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the fundamental seed of Buddhahood while the Buddha is none other than Nichiren Daishonin, the original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. Furthermore, Takahashi himself was sincerely dedicated to Buddhism and had contributed tremendously to kosen-rufu. Thus, Takahashi possessed all that he needed to become well. For this reason, the Daishonin encouraged him that with all three requirements fulfilled, he will overcome his illness without fail.

After Takahashi received his guidance, he did in fact overcome his illness. We can imagine that he must have struggled earnestly through faith and prayer to get well. In the final analysis, it all boils down to one’s determination. No matter how much encouragement we receive, if we have doubt or are weak in faith, our prayers will not be answered.

In the course of our journey in life, there will be times when we experience illness or painful difficulties. However, if we continue to practice sincere faith without harbouring any doubts during such adversities, our lives will never fail to move in the direction of happiness.

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “It is in the midst of adversity that we should arouse a profound and strong ichinen of faith. Only then will we be able to elevate and expand our state of life to be as vast as the great ocean. The resolute ichinen of faith brings about happiness and victory in life.”

Let us always remember that with any struggle, standing up in faith based on firm determination and elevating our life condition is the powerful means to achieving a magnificent victory.

On Prolonging One’s Life Span

2007-12-25T12:00:00.000+08:00

If you are unwilling to make efforts to heal yourself, it will be very difficult to cure your illness. One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system, so first you must muster sincere faith. This is the meaning of the passage in the seventh volume of the Lotus Sutra that states that burning a finger is an offering to the Buddha and the Lotus Sutra is better than donating all the treasures of the major world system. A single life is worth more than the major world system. You still have many years ahead of you, and moreover you have encountered the Lotus Sutra. If you live even one day longer, you can accumulate that much more benefit. How truly precious your life is!

(Passage from “On Prolonging One’s Life Span”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p955)

Background
Nichiren Daishonin sent this letter in 1279 to the lay nun, Toki, the wife of Toki Jonin. Toki Jonin was one of Nichiren Daishonin’s earliest disciples who maintained strong faith throughout his life, exerting himself in protecting the Daishonin through all ordeals. He received many important Gosho from the Daishonin, including “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind”. His wife, Toki, supported him throughout and maintained pure faith till the end.

When this letter was written, Toki was suffering from an illness. Upon receiving report on her illness, Nichiren Daishonin encouraged her in this letter by stating that the power of the Mystic Law can transform even fixed karma and prolong one’s life.

Explanation
Nichiren Daishonin taught the preciousness of life in the light of Buddhism, that even a single day of life surpasses all the treasures in the entire universe. The Lotus Sutra explains that because life is a treasure surpassing all others, dedicating one’s life for the good of others is a cause for creating one’s eternal good fortune. Since life is that precious, the Daishonin encouraged us to try to live even one day longer.

Lay nun, Toki, recipient of this letter, had been suffering from illness. Upon hearing this, the Daishonin penned this letter, encouraging her to first and foremost summon up courage and take action to confront her illness.

People tend to resign themselves to their circumstances, especially when faced with pain and suffering. The Daishonin urged us to challenge such a passive mindset and sense of resignation. He told Toki to keep fighting her illness with profound conviction in the words of the Lotus Sutra that expounds that “one’s life can be prolonged”.

He went on to tell Toki that because she encountered the Lotus Sutra (Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism) in her present lifetime, she could accumulate that much more benefit. Upholding this teaching is itself accumulating good fortune. Furthermore, despite their adverse circumstances, those who uphold the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are already teaching others through their lives, the greatness of the Law.

Therefore, the Daishonin was encouraging Toki, “You must never be defeated by your illness. You must live out your life to the fullest by dedicating it to the happiness of others and to the Mystic Law.”

SGI President Ikeda once said, “So long as we live, while ceaselessly chanting the daimoku of the Mystic Law, let us continually blaze with passionate determination and take action for kosen-rufu. The strong mind of faith forged thereby is the sole driving force which can enable us to confidently overcome the sufferings of birth and death.”

With passionate faith devoted to kosen-rufu, let us forge ahead with power and strength.

The Farther the Source, the Longer the Stream

2007-11-17T00:00:00.000+08:00

Then how does one recognise the sage of the Lotus Sutra in this latter age? The sutra states that one who “can preach this sutra” or who “uphold this sutra” is “the envoy of the Thus Come One”. In other words, one who embraces the eight volumes, or a single volume, chapter, or verse of the Lotus Sutra, or who chants the daimoku, is the Thus Come One’s emissary. Also, one who perseveres through great persecutions and embraces the sutra from beginning to the end is the Thus Come One’s emissary.

(Passage from “The Farther the Source, the Longer the Stream”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p942)

Background
This letter was written on the fifteenth day of the ninth month in the year 1278 to Shinjo Kingo.

When Kingo tried to convert his lord, Ema, in September 1274, he incurred the lord’s wrath. False accusations made against Kingo by jealous colleagues aggravated the situation and brought great agony to him. In June 1277, Lord Ema ordered Kingo to abandon his faith in the Daishonin’s teachings or face the consequence of having his service to the Ema family terminated.

However, Kingo continued to struggle based on faith in exact accordance with the Daishonin’s guidance. As a result, Kingo achieved great victory at the end. Eventually, Ema could clearly perceive Kingo’s sincere and dedicated service and renewed his trust in him. Ema bestowed upon Kingo a fief far larger than the one he already has. He reported this news to the Daishonin immediately. This letter was written in response to Kingo’s report.

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin quoted from the Lotus Sutra to explain in simple terms what “a sage of the Lotus Sutra is, in the Latter Day of the Law.

The Lotus Sutra explains that “a sage of the Lotus Sutra” is an envoy of the Thus Come One, the Buddha and is a person who can preach the Lotus Sutra and also uphold it.

In the present day context, “one who embraces the eight volumes, or a single volume, chapter, or verse of the Lotus Sutra, or who chants the daimoku” refers to anyone who upholds faith in the Gohonzon and shares the benefits of practising the Daishonin’s Buddhism.

The Daishonin also stated, “One who perseveres through great persecutions and embraces the sutra from beginning to the end is the Thus Come One’s emissary.” The true envoys of the Buddha are those who maintain their faith no matter what sort of hardships they encounter.

In light of this passage, SGI members – who embrace the Daishonin’s correct teachings and exert themselves for the sake of others – are the noble envoys of the Buddha.

Social position and wealth do not determine how noble we are. True nobility is determined by the philosophy we choose to uphold, the kind of action we take and by how we live our lives. People who uphold the Mystic Law and strive earnestly in the frontlines of kosen-rufu activities are worthy of the greatest respect.

It is essential, therefore, that we have heartfelt respect for one another and treat one another with utmost kindness and care. By cherishing our fellow members, we are also raising our own state of life and accumulating good fortune.

SGI President Ikeda explained this point in his guidance, “SGI members who are earnestly striving for the realisation of kosen-rufu are the Daishonin’s envoys and the Buddha’s heirs. By praising the members, one accumulates benefits for oneself and strengthens one’s Buddhahood. In fact, though one is praising the other person, one is, in effect, praising one’s own Buddhahood. This is the Buddhist principle of the oneness of oneself and others – that we and others are one and indivisible.”

Let us forge ahead together in the spirit if mutual respect and harmony for the attainment of kosen-rufu.

Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra

2007-10-28T11:14:00.000+08:00

All the various teachings of the Buddha are spread by persons. As T’ien-t’ai said: “Even during the Buddha’s lifetime, the Law was revealed by people. How, then, in the latter age, can one say that the Law is worthy of respect, but that the person who upholds it is to be despised?” Hence, if the Law that one embraces is supreme, then the person who embraces it must accordingly be foremost among all others.

(Passage from “Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p61)

Background
Although there are different opinions concerning the date of this letter, it is generally accepted that Nichiren Daishonin wrote it in the third month of the year 1263, shortly after he had been pardoned from exile on the Izu Peninsular and had returned to Kamakura. The recipient is not known.

As the title indicates, this work discusses the significance of embracing the Lotus Sutra and is written in the form of questions and answers.

Explanation
Nichiren Buddhism, no matter how wonderful its teaching may be, cannot be spread by itself. Nor can it reveal its greatness without practitioners who embrace and spread it widely in society. The future of Nichiren Buddhism is, therefore, determined by its practitioners.

In other words, no matter which era, the people who practice and spread Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings are most essential. So it is important to strengthen our resolve and capacity for the widespread of Buddhism and at the same time, to help others develop themselves into able successors in our community of faith.

Because the Buddhist teaching is important in bringing peace and happiness, the people who uphold and spread it become worthy of respect. This is precisely why T’ien-t’ai expounded that it is erroneous to esteem the Mystic Law while despising its practitioners. He taught that if one finds the Law worthy of respect, one must also respect those who embrace the Law.

As Nichiren Daishonin wrote, “if the Law that one embraces is supreme, then the person who embraces it, must accordingly be foremost among all others”, those who uphold and spread the Mystic Law are worthy of utmost respect, regardless of their social status or secular circumstances.

Because it is the people who spread Buddhism, cherishing each person dedicated to the spread of Buddhism amounts to valuing Buddhism itself. Conversely, despising or slandering the people who uphold Buddhism is equivalent to despising or slandering Buddhism.

In this sense, it is absolutely vital to cherish and encourage one another as fellow members who are practicing Nichiren Buddhism. Protecting and encouraging one person leads to the advancement of all.

Only with unity and solidarity forged through mutual respect and encouragement can the movement of kosen-rufu be advanced. SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “Cherishing every person – this is the tradition of the Soka Gakkai spirit passed down through generations. Extending ourselves to those who are suffering and encouraging them wholeheartedly through dialogue – we must never forget this tradition. There can be no genuine Buddhist practice without wholeheartedly encouraging each person, without taking action for the sake of each person.”

Let us extend mutual respect and encouragement to our fellow members as we continue to advance kosen-rufu with courage and fervour.

Sowing the Seed of the Law

2007-09-09T11:32:00.001+08:00

Shakyamuni Buddha is the original teacher for all people, and moreover, he is endowed with the virtues of sovereign and parent. Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, “Good advice grates on the ear.” But still I am not discouraged. The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the shower, and the people like the field.

(Passage from “The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p748)

Background
This letter was written in the right month of 1276 at Minobu. It is addressed to Soya, a lay follower who lived in Soya Village in Shimosa Province. His full name and title were Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin, and he is thought to have been a samurai who governed this province.

He was converted to Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching around 1260 and became one of the leading believers in the area, together with Akimoto Taro and Ota Jomyo. Soya had social standing and most comparatively more affluent. The fact that most letters addressed to Soya by Nichiren Daishonin were written in classical Chinese indicates that he was also well-educated.

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin made the point that people should understand who their fundamental teacher is. The word, “Shakyamuni”, here indicates that people should revere Shakyamuni Buddha as their teacher, as opposed to other Buddhas like Amida. The Japanese people during the Daishonin’s time had to an extent “lost sight” of Shakyamuni Buddha and his most important teaching, the Lotus Sutra. Here, the Daishonin tried to establish the importance of following the original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha in the hope of leading people to the Lotus Sutra and ultimately to his teachings of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

From the viewpoint of Nichiren Buddhism however, the Daishonin himself is the fundamental teacher who taught that the source of enlightenment is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Because the Daishonin dedicated his life to the spread of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, he faced a series of life-threatening persecutions. He was exiled to Izu and Sado, he was attacked with a sword at Komatsubara, and he was nearly beheaded at Tatsunokuchi.

In the face of all this, the Daishonin said, “Still I am not discouraged.” He courageously expressed he determination to never stop – to always propagate the great Law and lead people to happiness – no matter how great the difficulty.

As SGI members, it is our challenge to maintain the determination to practice faith and strive for kosen-rufu no matter what obstacles we may face. However, if we become stagnant and backslide in faith, we will be going against the teachings of the Daishonin.

An important point of the determination to practice as the Daishonin intended involves telling others about the Law. The Daishonin taught in this passage, “The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the shower, and the people like the field.” Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental seed of Buddhahood that allows people to attain limitless happiness and joy. Naturally, we should direct the lives of our friends and family towards enlightenment by “sowing the seed” of Buddhahood. Simply sharing Buddhism with others, regardless of whether they choose to practice or not, implants benefit in their lives.

Because we are calling forth the Buddha nature of others when we share the Mystic Law with them, it is important to talk about Buddhism with sincerity.

President Ikeda said, “Nichiren Buddhism is the Buddhism of sowing. By sharing the teachings of the Daishonin, we are advancing kosen-rufu. For this reason, such actions accrue boundless benefits and good fortune. Such actions constitute upholding justice and the eternal posterity of the true Law.”

Strengthening our Buddhist practice and sharing it with others promotes the advancement of our kosen-rufu movement. Good fortune and virtue lie in our efforts to spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is the correct way to sow the seed of happiness in people’s lives.

Connecting Directly to Nichiren Daishonin

2007-08-11T23:37:00.000+08:00

Now at the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law, I, Nichiren, am the first to embark on propagating, throughout Jambudvipa, the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, which are the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the eye of all Buddhas. During the 2,200 or more years since the Buddha’s passing, not even Mahakashyapa, Ananda, Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Nan-yueh, T’ien-t’ai, Miao-lo, or Dengyo has propagated them. My disciples, form your ranks and follow me, and surpass even Mahakashyapa or Ananda, T’ien-t’ai or Dengyo!

(Passage from “The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra”, The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p764-5)

Background
This letter was written in 1276 and addressed to the lay nun Konichi, a widow who lives in Awa, the Daishonin’s native province. Lay nun Konichi is also known as Sage Konichi. Her son, Yashiro, had earlier converted to the Daishonin’s teachings, and through him she and her husband became Daishonin’s disciples.

Some time after her conversion, she lost both her beloved son and her husband. But through the Daishonin’s continuous and wholehearted encouragement, she overcame her deep sorrow and remained a sincere believer in the Daishonin’s Buddhism to the end of her life.

This Gosho, The Actions of the Votary of the Lotus Sutra, is an autobiographical account covering the events of an important period in Nichiren Daishonin’s life – from the arrival of a delegate from the Mongol empire in 1268 shortly before the Tatsunokuchi Persecution, through his two-and-a-half year exile on Sado Island, to his eventual retirement to Mount Monobu. In this Gosho, the Daishonin penned his struggles and persecutions over this period of nine years in great detail.

Explanation
In this passage, Nichiren Daishonin expressed that the teachings to be spread throughout the entire world (Jambudvipa) in the Latter Day of the Law is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the Lotus Sutra. The Daishonin revealed that this Mystic Law is a great teaching which has never been propagated before – not even by the great teachers of the Former and Middle Days of the Law.

Mahakashyapa and Anada were direct disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha. They were considered the Buddhist teachers who had correctly propagated Hinayana teachings for the first 500 years of the Former Day of the Law. Ashvaghosha and Nagarjuna were active as teachers who spread the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism in the second half of the Former Day of the Law in India.

Nan-yueh, T’ien-t’ai, Miao-lo and Dengyo are Buddhist teachers who appeared in China and Japan in the Middle Day of the Law and propagated the theoretical teachings of the Lotus Sutra. All these individuals propagated the appropriate teachings in accord with the age and time in which they appeared but did not spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the essential teaching hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the fundamental source of Buddhahood that has led and leads all Buddhas to enlightenment. For this reason, the Daishonin referred to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the “eye of all Buddhas”. He also called it the “heart of the Lotus Sutra” because its teaching is found in the depths of the Lotus Sutra.

It was Nichiren Daishonin who first spread the fundamental teachings of the Mystic Law in the Latter Day of the Law, which the Buddhist teachers of the Former and Middle Days did not propagate. For this reason, the Daishonin is revered as the original Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.

The Daishonin opened the way for kosen-rufu in the current age of the Latter Day while enduring life-threatening persecutions. Based on the Buddhist principle of “oneness of mentor and disciple”, we must strive to develop and maintain this direct connection with Nichiren Daishonin and practice faith in exact accordance with the Daishonin’s teachings throughout our lives.

The Daishonin calls to us in this passage, “My disciples, form your ranks and follow me.” The Daishonin is teaching us that the quintessence of faith is to advance on the path of kosen-rufu opened by the Daishonin in the same mind and spirit as him.

The SGI has all along maintained faith that is directly connected to the Daishonin and advanced the movement of worldwide kosen-rufu in accord with the Daishonin’s decree. This basis of the SGI movement is the greatest proof of the validity of the organization.

While exerting ourselves in our practice of faith on the world stage of kosen-rufu, let us also strive to foster new capable leaders who can join us in “forming our ranks” in following the footsteps of the Daishonin. Based on the spirit of harmonious unity, let us together strive to open a new age for worldwide kosen-rufu.

Determination, Prayer and Action

2007-07-29T10:09:00.000+08:00

When the head swings, the hair sways; when the mind is at work, the body moves; when strong winds blow, trees and grasses do not remain still; when the ground shakes, the great ocean churns. Since this is the case, if one moves Shakyamuni, the lord of teachings*, can any trees or grasses remain unshaken or waters unperturbed?

(Passage from “On Consecrating an Image of Shakyamuni Buddha Made by Nichigen-nyo”, Gosho Zenshu, p 1,187)

* The lord of teachings: The “lord of teachings” refers to one who expounds the Law. In other words, it refers to the Buddha. Nichiren Daishonin refered Shakyamuni who expounded the Lotus Sutra as the “lord of teachings”, in the context of the Latter Day of the Law, the lord of teachings refer to the fundamental Buddha who expounded Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This refers to the Daishonin himself. In addition, in accord with the principle of the oneness of the person and the Law, it refers to the Gohonzon.

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter in the second day of the second month of 1279 to Nichigen-nyo, the wife of Shingo Kingo. This letter was written in response to Nichigen-nyo’s offerings and reports that she had erected a wooden image of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Explanation
When she turned 37, traditionally an unlucky age on Japan, Nichigen-nyo, the wife of Shinjo Kingo, made offerings to Nichiren Daishonin and reported to him that she has made a three-inch image of Shakyamuni.

In response, the Daishonin wrote back to her and praised her faith. This is because many people at that time worshipped Amida Buddha of the Pure Land school and Danichi Buddha of the True Word school as the object of devotion, and she did not. The Daishonin therefore saw her acts of sincerity towards Shakyamuni Buddha as one that is directed towards the Lotus Sutra and the true Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

In Nichiren Buddhism, the object of devotion is the Gohonzon. The Daishonin realizing Nichigen-nyo’s undeveloped understanding of his teachings, considered her act of making the statue of Shakyamuni as one that is directed to this true Law. Considering the time and capacity of the people during that period, the Daishonin often acknowledged that a statue of Shakyamuni was a means to lead followers to the Lotus Sutra and eventually to the Gohonzon.

In this passage, the Daishonin used various analogies of human activity and natural phenomena to explain that the changes and movements one observed actually begin with the changes of a source. The swaying of the hair begins with the swing of the head, the body’s movements begin with the workings of the mind and so on. The Daishonin used these analogies to portray the important principle that one’s circumstances can be changed when the fundamental basis upon which one places one’s belief and determination changes.

When the Daishonin referred to Shakyamuni as the “lord of teachings”, he actually meant the fundamental Buddha, which is the Gohonzon in terms of our practice today.

When we have strong faith in the Gohonzon, pray earnestly and take action towards our goals, everything will move in the direction of our prayer by virtue of the Gohonzon’s power. The Gohonzon’s power is of course, reflective of our life’s innate power of wisdom, life force, courage as well as our ability to draw forth the universal protective functions (or functions of Buddhist gods).

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, inscribed down the centre of the Gohonzon, is the fundamental law which forms the very basis of the existence of all things and phenomena in the universe. When we pray based on this Law, our prayers permeate everything. That is why with the Gohonzon, no prayer goes unanswered. Everything changes for the better with our faith and prayer, but the extent of changes will depend on the power of our faith and practice.

To bring for the power of the Gohonzon, we must base our faith and practice on a strong determination. When we pray and practise with the strong resolve to change our circumstances, we can make the impossible possible.

SGI President Ikeda said, “Prayer is the energy of life, permeating the entire universe and becoming the driving force for change. Radioactivity and ultraviolet rays are invisible, but they definitely exist and affect things. The ‘energy’ of your prayers to the Mystic Law, though invisible, has infinite power.”

With a strong prayer and determination, we can change anything and open up new paths for victory for ourselves and for others.