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.
Spring WritingsQuotes
The Delusion of a Separate Self
In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha states that he actually teaches only bodhisattvas. This means that even the voice-hearers who follow the Four Noble Truths or those who contemplate Dependent Origination are not authentic followers of the Buddha until they have the compassionate heart of a bodhisattva. Thus, it is not enough to simply follow the Eightfold Path. One must also follow it with the spirit of compassionate concern for others. The bodhisattvas do not practice only for their own benefit, they practice for the sake of all beings. This is because they are deeply aware of the interdependent nature of all things. That is, they realize that no one is disconnected from the whole. Therefore, the notion of a self-liberation apart from others is just another symptom of the delusion of a separate self.
Lotus SeedsTalking to This Special Person
Let’s remember that when we sit in front of the Mandala Gohonzon, we are sitting down in a sacred and very spiritual place in order to closely approach the Buddha and Nichiren Shonin. Using a more mundane example, this could be comparable to sitting down to have an important conversation or become closer with someone very special in our lives, such as a good friend, loved one, boyfriend, girlfriend or fiancee. If we meet someone as special as this, then of course we would want to be dressed properly, speak clearly and sincerely, and thoroughly enjoy the time we spend with that person. When we talk to this special person, we will look them directly in the eyes, possibly even feeling great emotion. We will also put all our energy, spirit and attention into addressing that person as we sincerely seek to connect with them. That is, we will use all our heart. It is the same with chanting the Odaimoku.
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge KyoInviting the Protective Deities Into Our Lives
A while back I had a part-time job delivering pizza. My hours were mostly in the evening since that was the only time I had available to work. In the summer it wasn’t so bad making the deliveries at night because it didn’t become dark until almost the time I was scheduled to get off. However, in the fall and winter, when it got dark early, it was very challenging. The problem was folks would order pizza and their houses would either not have house numbers or numbers that were difficult to see from the street, or they would not turn on their house lights.
Our daily service in praise of the Lotus Sutra begins with preparing the altar for service. Then we engage in the practice of reciting the sutra and chanting the sacred title. It is like we are making sure our house numbers show clearly and our lights are turned on as we invite the protective deities of the universe into our lives.
Without the proper directions, markings, and lights it is difficult for the pizza to be delivered. So too, without opening up our lives, and calling upon the universe using the proper praise it is difficult for the protection to be available.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Evolution of You
Consider this: The you that you are today is not the you that you were in the past. There are similarities, and yet you are not the same in many important ways.
Physician's Good MedicineThe Whole Truth
According to Nichiren, the manifold teachings existing are but the varying aspects of the same cosmic principle; and each of those systems represents a certain truth, while errors come from sticking to a particular point of the teachings. The Truth is touched, but the whole Truth is missed.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetReceiving The Rich Man’s Treasures
[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.
Spring WritingsComparisons in Alienation
In the Parable of the Rich Man and His Poor Son the son and the father are disconnected from each other. The son does not realize connection is possible and so does not seek it. The father though, does realize alienation or disconnection or separation from his son. The alienation becomes most strong when the poor son is directly confronted by the great wealth of the father. We may find this occurs in our own lives, we may feel most distant from enlightenment when we compare our lives to the lives of others.
In a way comparisons are a form of ensuring alienation endures.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraShakyamuni Buddha’s Vision
The Mahayana sutras may not be the literal words of Shakyamuni Buddha, but they are in complete harmony with the Three Seals of the Dharma. Therefore, they are recognized as the Buddha’s own teaching. Through their use of myth and poetry to convey the true spirit of the Buddha’s teachings that lie within the words, thed Mahayana sutras may actually be better guides to the true intention or the historical Buddha than those sutras that only attempt to record actual events and discourses. For this reason, we can trust that the Mahayana sutras, and the Lotus Sutra in particular, are authentic expressions of Shakyamuni Buddha’s vision.
Lotus SeedsSincerity and Quality
Reciting abundant Odaimoku is a wonderful thing. In fact, the more we sincerely chant the more merit and good fortune of the Buddha’s enlightened life is accumulated and becomes an integral part of our life. However, we must also be careful not to simply chant out of mere habit or in an empty fashion. Here, sincerity and quality, not mere quantity, is key.
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo