Whether our words are a formal prayer doesn’t mean they are not indeed a prayer. Our words become the manifestation of what is in our heart and so are indeed a prayer and the beginning of the prayer of action based upon faith. Faith that remains internal is merely ideology and theory. Faith that is manifest in action reveals the true depth of that faith and the true nature of that faith.
Physician's Good MedicineQuotes
Unreal and Real
The individual, as such, is neither real, in the commonly asserted sense of being a personally persistent entity, nor unreal, in the sense that it has no place in existence. It is unreal, be cause it is subject to constant change; but it is real, as a product of causation, as a manifestation of character accumulated by karma.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetThe Ten Realms of True Happiness
Approaching enlightenment, changing your point of view and rejuvenating your ideas, means spiritually changing your values based on the Buddha’s teachings. Values that are easily dominated by delusion or worldly desires will lead to a life of constant troubles. However, a life that has no troubles at all can also be a potential trouble. When we think of a life of happiness based on the Mutual Possession of the Ten Realms, happiness includes unhappiness, emptiness, other emotions and even troubles. Also, within unhappiness, happiness, hope, and joy can exist, as well as other emotions. So, true happiness is a harmonized balance of both, based on another basic teaching of Buddhism, the teaching of the “Middle Way.”
Spring WritingsThe Hard Practice
One of the objections of Nichiren’s contemporaries was the Lotus Sutra was too difficult for people and so some other teaching should be presented. Nichiren’s response was that yes, it was hard; the Buddha said it would be hard; and that is all the more reason why it is the most appropriate teaching for the ages after the death of the Buddha. We should not be surprised that it is difficult to practice and teach the Lotus Sutra. Yet I have met many who are either forgetful of the message from the Buddha, or who did not believe him when he says it will be hard to practice the Lotus Sutra.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraThe Way to Eliminate Suffering
The truth of the way to eliminate suffering is the path we must follow in order to stop clinging and free ourselves from suffering. It is the Middle Way between self-indulgence and self-denial which is also called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Each of these is an aspect of our lives that can be made whole or complete. This wholeness or completeness is what is meant by “right.”
Lotus SeedsThe Key to the Warehouse of Treasures
What does the character Myo “open”? … Myo is a key of great hope. It is the key that opens up for anyone who embraces and practices it, the entire warehouse of treasures contained within the Lotus Sutra, the perfect and the original enlightenment of the Buddha from the infinite past. Myo awakens the Buddha nature hidden deep within the recesses of our lives.
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge KyoWith All Your Heart
“… all of you present here! Understand the Dharma by faith with all your hearts!” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter II)
Though our practice is simple and seemingly easy it should not be thought that we can attain our goal without great effort. As the quote above says, “with all your hearts.” Think of how we pursue something we love and cherish in our heart. Is the effort you put into your practice in accord with your expectation of benefit?
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Activating Myoho Renge Kyo in Our Lives
To Myoho Renge Kyo, or the Lotus Sutra, we add our devotion as expressed in Namu. Namu activates Myoho Renge Kyo in our lives. The degree to which Namu is present in our lives, in our actions, will determine the degree of the manifestation of Myoho Renge Kyo. This manifestation appears both in our internal self as well as our external self, our environment.
Physician's Good MedicineTruth of Things
These teachings were expressed in words and preserved in writings, although to the Buddhist they were not merely letters or words, but truths, and therefore things, as well.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetThe Ten Realms of Love
This teaching, the Mutual Possession of the Ten Realms, brings us various enlightenments. Take “Love” for example. Love is a very important factor in human relationships. According to this teaching, love cannot exist alone. Love consists of emotions such as joy, sadness, hope, ego, respect, anger, doubt, and hatred. Therefore, love has the potential to transform suddenly into hatred or anger. Sometimes love transforms itself into jealousy by mixing with anger, doubt, and ego. With joy, ego, and anger, love can become abusive. We should keep this in mind and have great patience in our relationships with one another, otherwise, we will not be able to tolerate the unexpected changes in others.
Spring Writings