Until a person works on his individual enlightenment and self-improvement, the ability to fulfill our bodhisattva vow to enable all others to attain enlightenment will remain out of reach. It will continue to be a challenge to show the benefit of practice to others if the benefit isn’t manifest in one’s life. Self-work is critical and fundamental to Buddhism.
Physician's Good MedicineQuotes
Embodiment of the Scripture
Much was written on the Lotus — philosophical treatises, miracle stories, poems, and prayers; the book also inspired many painters and sculptors, and we have a rich store of works of art whose subjects are taken from it. But there was none, until Nichiren “read” the book in his original way, who derived from it such a wonderful power of strenuous, militant life, and thereby lived a life of striving toward the ardent zeal exemplified by primeval disciples of Buddha. Indeed, Nichiren deemed himself to be an embodiment of the Scripture, a personal version of its teachings and prophecies and a living testimony to them.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetOur Mind Meld With The Buddha
Nichiren Shu teaches people to chant Odaimoku, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo on a daily basis. The Lotus Sutra, which is the Buddha’s final teaching, expounds the essence of the Buddha’s enlightenment based on the universal law underlying all things in nature. It is said traditionally, that when we chant the Odaimoku (the title of the Lotus Sutra), with all our hearts, and a sense of faith, the Buddha-nature within our minds will fuse with the Buddha’s mind, and we are able to receive the Buddha’s rewards unconsciously – wisdom, compassion, supernatural powers and enlightenment.
Spring WritingsThe Perfect Place for Your Enlightenment
In the Simile of the Herbs, the Dharma rain is falling everywhere, not in only certain places. This place where you practice is the perfect place for your enlightenment. Moving is not the solution, unless you are referring to moving your own life and awakening the inner potential of Buddha within your life. As your life begins to manifest the characteristics of Buddha then your land, your environment will begin to also look like the Buddha’s perfect pure land. You have inherently within your life all the necessary abilities to change your land and your life to one of enlightenment. It is simply a matter of illuminating your life with the Lotus Sutra, or as this parable teaches, water and nourish yourself with the wonderful rain of the Lotus Sutra.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraThe Emptiness of Our Lives
Our lives are not separate from the lives or others or the world around us. Our lives are constantly being changed – physically, mentally, and emotionally – through our interactions with our environment and other living beings. Our lives also have a great impact on our environment, and on the lives of those around us. In many ways, our lives extend beyond our own bodies and touch the far reaches of the universe, and our bodily life depends upon the very structure of that universe in order to maintain its existence. The universe as a whole is in many ways our own extended body, for our body depends upon the gravity exerted by the stars, the warmth of the sun, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the ground we stand on, and the many people and other beings who provide us with food, shelter, and companionship. This is true of our ideas and emotions as well.
Lotus SeedsThree Kinds of Mind
When we can deny ego, we improve our three kinds of mind; We can be grateful for all; we can respect all; and we can be compassionate to all. At the same time, by improving the three kinds of mind, we overcome our selfish ego and improve ourselves through our greater ability to live with others. We want to be persons who realize the joy and suffering of our surroundings.
Buddha Seed: Understanding the Odaimoku
The Mind, the Buddha and the People
Just as Sakyamuni regards all living beings as his own children, so may each individual man do likewise. The Buddha and the people are, in fact, one and the same; there is neither difference nor distinction between them. In the Kegon Kyo it is said that the Mind, the Buddha, and the people are not different from each other, although they have different names and different appearances.
Doctrines of Nichiren (1893)Changing Our Lives
Keep in mind that the practice of the Lotus Sutra is a difficult lifetime endeavor. Unlike hopping on a plane and knowing that the destination is just a matter of hours away, our journey on the Buddhist path is a lifetime endeavor if we are to reach our destination. Along the way we of course have obstacles, turbulence you might say, yet there are truly some victories as well. We can approach our practice as being good regardless of our immediate circumstance, because we know we are changing our lives, something that isn’t easy to accomplish.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Acedia
Acedia is a word we could use more often, although no one would have the foggiest idea what we’re saying. Having no interest or concern about one’s condition – in other words to be unable look at one’s problems and see the work that needs doing – is acedia. It is much easier to see the problems of others. It is easier to do that than to look at our personal issues and weaknesses.
Physician's Good MedicineThe Sun of Nichiren’s Proclamation
The sun, which at its rising had beheld Nichiren’s proclamation, the sun which at noon had witnessed Nichiren’s sermon, set as the hunted prophet made his way through the darkness of a wooded trail; only the evening glow was in the sky. What must his thoughts have been? What prospect could he have cherished in his mind for his future career and for the destiny of his gospel?
Nichiren, The Buddhist Prophet