It seems difficult to transmit faith to our children and others, but it is no more difficult than transmitting our life experiences to them. The teachings of the Buddha have a strong character as a “way of life,” a way to live as it is, rather than being a religion. We seek universal truth for enlightenment, cultivate our own nature by ourselves, and raise our own spirit by ourselves, in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings, which will lead all human beings and living things to attain Buddhahood. This is the way to live life in order to become a Buddha.

[T]he Buddha nature we develop will enlighten us, so we can realize that our own life in the past, while it may have seemed empty, in fact, had great meaning, and we will also understand how to live in the future. Although you may have previously despised Buddhism, and didn’t care about attaining enlightenment, you will realize you have a Buddha-nature, and you are Buddha’s child. Then you will automatically succeed the Buddha’s wisdom and virtue, just like the poor man who succeeded the rich man’s treasures.

Even if we meet the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, which makes us awaken our Buddha-nature, most of us do not study or understand it because it is a difficult teaching and is too noble, and we run away just like the son when he saw the rich man. After all, we alone are responsible for making our lives empty or fruitless, because we are unaware of our ability or potential. Even though we tend to be like this, the Eternal Buddha always wishes to lead and support all of us, as his children, with great compassion. In order to make us awaken the Buddha-nature, He leads us according to our natures, capacities and circumstances, and dispatches someone to us to give us various advice, even if it takes a long time. It is just like the rich man who approached his son wearing dirty clothing, to encourage him.

We were born with the Buddha nature, as well as desires and attachments, however we cover the Buddha nature with defilements so much that it does not function. Thus, we have troubles or suffering, or are uneasy constantly. We seek pleasure in addiction, and satisfy ourselves with temporary enjoyment. No one cares how they have lived, what the purpose of their life is, or where they are going to in the future. They look like they’re just wandering through life.

Buddhism is sometimes regarded as a very difficult teaching, but in fact most of the teachings are expounded using practical parables, so that we can understand them easily. The reason for using parables is because it is the best way to expound enlightenment, which is something we haven’t experienced before. The Buddha places His compassion and wisdom inside each teaching in order to give us hope and peace of mind.

Nichiren Shonin attained enlightenment with the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, and controlled his mind with Odaimoku. Odaimoku has the power to lead us safely through life. Nichiren Shonin’s whole life shows us this. As you know, although Nichiren Shonin faced many persecutions and terrorism, he was able to survive and live through his 60 years of life because of his faith in the Lotus Sutra. We are always protected by Odaimoku. We should always keep a sincere mind for enlightenment, and chant Odaimoku.

The Lotus Sutra expounds that we, human beings, have multiple evils in our mind such as demon-like, hellish, and animal behavior, but we also have a noble mind, with emotions such as compassion, kindness, sympathy, and Buddha-nature. Therefore, our minds can be influenced or tempted by those states to make people become sages, wise men, bad men, foolish men, and occasionally, terrorists. We humans always have the potential to be good or bad. In order to control our nature, or minds, Buddhism has expounded the teachings of enlightenment for over 2000 years. What is enlightenment? It is difficult to explain simply, but I dare to say, “It improves the values in your life.”

There are ten realms in the human mind: Hell, Gaki, Animal, Ashura, Human, Ninten, Sravaka, Pratyekabuddha, Bodhisattva, and Buddha. Hell means having a hellish mind, filled with things such as hatred and suffering. Gaki means having an ignorant mind, an ego, and selfishness. Animal means being driven by instinctive desire, as an animal is. Ashura means anger, jealousy, and combat. Human being means love, sadness, and regret. Ninten means joy and happiness. Sravaka means sympathy. Pratyekabuddha means emptiness. Bodhisattva means patience and unconditional love. Buddha means compassion and wisdom. Our human mind is always moving throughout the ten realms as a result of stimulation, or the situations we are in. … Even if your mind changes constantly, there is a level or realm that you will occupy most often. That realm is your level of enlightenment so far. This teaching is called Ichinen Sanzen or “One Thought Contains Three Thousand Worlds,” which is the central core of the doctrine of the Lotus Sutra. This shows us a handy principle of enlightenment.

The Lotus Sutra teaches us, “See it as it is, accept it as it is” without any prejudice, discrimination, or ideas based on stereotypes. Terrorism was not caused by a demon or a god. It was caused by a human being. Human history records the killing of many innocent people, and the destruction of irretrievable things. Someone once asked, “What is the most fearful thing on this earth? A ghost, devil, demon, earthquake or a disaster?” No, it is a human being. They destroy everything, even themselves.

Everything is constantly changing and we’re troubled if we mistake an impermanent thing for a permanent thing. However, although everything is changing, there is one thing which does not change: the voice of Odaimoku “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” It is the essence of the Buddha’s enlightenment, which was taught by Nichiren Shonin.