The Six Perfections – generosity, discipline, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom – are an important element of Buddhist practice. From one perspective, they lead us to Buddhahood. From another perspective, they describe the way of life of one who has achieved Buddhahood. Nichiren Buddhism emphasizes the latter interpretation and views our ability to embody the Six Perfections as the fruit of our practice of Namu Myoho Rcnge Kyo. The more we actualize our capacity for Buddhahood through the practice of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, the more we will bring forth the qualities of generosity, discipline, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom.
Lotus SeedsCategory Archives: Lotus Seeds
Primary and Auxiliary Practice
In addition to the primary practice of chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, the daily practice of Nichiren Buddhism includes the auxiliary practice of reciting selections from the Second and Sixteenth chapter of the Lotus Sutra. In this way, we are able to keep the core teachings of the Lotus Sutra fresh in our minds and hearts so that we can benefit from their deep meaning and share its teachings with others.
Lotus SeedsThe Most Important Cause We Can Make
The primary practice of Nichiren Buddhism is chanting Namu Myoho Reng Kyo. In reciting the Odaimoku, we are upholding the spiritual essence of the Lotus Sutra, which is the spiritual essence of the Buddha’s teaching. Likewise, we become one with the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha by upholding the Wonderful Dharma. This is the most important cause we can make.
Lotus SeedsCreating a Pure Land of Peace and Tranquility
By faithfully following this teaching and practice, Nichiren Buddhists make the cause that enables them to manifest the perfect wisdom and great compassion of the Buddha in all circumstances. This allows them to transform not only their own lives but also the lives of others so this world can cease to be the world of suffering and become a pure land of peace and tranquility.
Lotus SeedsThe Living Mirror of Our Buddha-Nature
In order to practice the Three Great Secret Dharmas and to follow the recommendation of the Lotus Sutra to “keep, read, recite, study, and copy” the sutra, Nichiren Buddhists regularly recite selections from the Lotus Sutra and chant the Odaimoku at the beginning and at the end of the day in the presence of the Gohonzon (usually in the form of a calligraphic mandala). In doing so, we recall that the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha, the living mirror of our own Buddha-nature, is continuously transferring the Dharma to us so we can awaken to the Truth in every moment.
Lotus SeedsMaking the World a Better Place
Nichiren Shonin’s teaching for practicing the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra allows us to awaken to the infinite awareness of the Buddha’s awakening. By making the concepts, practices, and foundation of Buddhism accessible to all people without changing their essential meaning, Nichiren Buddhism has clarified that awakening is possible for all people, not just monks, nuns, and hermits. In this process, we not only make ourselves better people, we improve our society and the world as a whole.
Lotus SeedsThree Great Secret Dharmas, Three Treasures and Threefold Training
The Three Great Secret Dharmas can also be understood as a clarification of both of the Three Treasures and of the Threefold Training.
The Three Great Secret Dharmas are not meant to replace or to change the traditional Three Treasures and Threefold Training. Rather, the Three Great Secret Dharmas are a way of clarifying and expressing their deepest meaning. Nichiren Buddhism is the Buddhism of Shakyamuni Buddha, but unlike other schools, it strives to practice according to the Buddha’s true intentions as expressed in the Lotus Sutra and as clarified by Nichiren Shonin.
Lotus SeedsThe Actualization of Ichinen Sanzen.
Ichinen Sanzen, the theoretical expression of the interdependent nature of all reality, teaches that all states of life are constantly present in all phenomena and are subject to the law of cause and effect. Therefore, the state of Buddhahood is an ever-present possibility that requires the right cause and conditions in order to make itself fully known. The Three Great Secret Dharmas produce those causes and conditions, in that they are the signs of the Buddha-nature within our life and the means for attaining Buddhahood. For this reason, Nichiren Shonin regarded the Three Great Secret Dharmas as the actualization of Ichinen Sanzen.
Lotus SeedsWherever and Whenever One Chants Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
There is another important point regarding Odaimoku: Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is not simply one of the Three Great Secret Dharmas, but is itself all three. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is the Wonderful Dharma, which is the true nature of reality–the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha. When we chant Odaimoku, we abide in the presence of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha, the true Focus of Devotion. Upholding Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is itself the most essential precept; thus, anywhere we chant is transformed into the Precept Platform at that time. Wherever and whenever one chants Namu Myoho Renge Kyo all Three Great Secret Dharmas are present.
Lotus SeedsAspiration for Awakening, Awakening and Sharing
In Nichiren Buddhism, our practice begins with our own finite efforts and aspirations. These seemingly limited qualities are actually expressions of the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha’s real presence within our lives, and thus can effect our transformation into a more awakened state. Due to this transformation, our practice naturally becomes beneficial to all sentient beings. Odaimoku is the practice that carries us through these stages and is itself the manifestation of these stages. Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is the aspiration for awakening, the awakening itself, and the sharing of that awakening.
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