Buddhahood is not becoming some superhuman being or dying and being reborn in a Buddha land. It is not built up or acquired through the practice of austerities or higher states of consciousness. The simple truth is that “Buddha” is just a title for someone who is awake to the reality of each moment and thereby draws upon the innate wisdom and compassion that is within us all. A Buddha trusts and rejoices in the Wonderful Dharma. Instead of giving in to weakness, a Buddha steps back, sees clearly what is happening, and then acts in the best interest of all concerned. When one acts like a Buddha, one acts wisely and compassionately instead of reacting out of weakness and ignorance. Becoming a Buddha with this body is not a magic transformation, but rather the manifestation of the Wonderful Dharma in our lives from moment to moment.
Lotus SeedsQuotes
Six Internal Sense Fields
The six internal sense fields refer to the five physical senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch plus mind (the mind is always included with the five senses in Buddhist thought, for a total of six, not the usual Western five). These internal sense fields are the base of all perception, physical or mental. The six external sense fields are the objects perceived by the six internal sense fields. The six consciousnesses are the awarenesses that arise as a consequence of perception at the juncture of internal and external sense fields. The six contacts are the result of the combination of internal sense fields, external sense fields, and consciousness. The six feelings refer to the arising of pain or pleasure with regard to the object perceived immediately after the emergence of consciousness. The six cravings are the reactions of like or dislike born of the feeling of pain or pleasure.
Basic Buddhist Concepts
Changing the World of Ri to the World of Ji
To accept the theory that the realm of Buddha exists and that Śākyamuni Buddha exists in oneself are quite different in meaning. Here the world of “Ri” changes to the world of “Ji” and the theoretical and philosophical doctrine becomes the warm hearted religious doctrine. Nichiren Shōnin said,
“Śākyamuni Buddha within our minds,” (Kanjin Honan
Shō, WNS2, page 146)
and,
“the World Honored One is in my (Nichiren’s) head” (Oto Gozen Goshōsoku).
Ichinen Sanzen of Ji and the Essential Section are based on these words.
Buddha Seed: Understanding the OdaimokuWith Childlike Wonder
Looking into our lives to find those things that prevent us from accomplishing what we wish is fundamental to Buddhist practice. … One common hindrance is to worry obsessively over whether or not we are practicing correctly. By this tight clinging to a need to always get it right or to be perfect we can cause undue stress. Preventing ourselves from experiencing the pure joy of practice hinders our practice. Instead of worrying about whether you are practicing correctly learn to observe what is going on when you do practice. Be generous with yourself. Look for the mystery. Open up to wonder, as if you were a child again.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Emerging from the Dark
If you think where you are is dark and isolated remember that this is also the condition from which butterflies emerge. With our practice of Buddhism it is possible for us to change any karma. We can begin to respond to the things that arise in our life in different ways and thereby experience new outcomes. It isn’t necessary for us to remain trapped in a cycle of suffering or despair.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1The Truth of the Present Moment
“Becoming a Buddha with this body” also means the instant or momentary attainment of Buddhahood. In other words, it explains that each moment is a moment of decision wherein we can give in to the defilements or see and act with the clarity of our Buddha-nature. We should reflect on the fact that we only live from moment to moment. The past is always just a memory. The future is always an unrealized possibility. The present is always just a single passing moment, which is all we ever have. It would be a great mistake, then, to overlook the moment in which we are living because we have been led to believe that nothing significant can happen in such a small amount of time. In truth, all the time that we will ever have is in the present moment. Awakening is not something that we slowly build up over time or earn through countless lifetimes of effort. It is our complete awareness of and engagement with the truth of the present moment in which we are living.
Lotus SeedsCuring Spiritual Malaise
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path constitute an eminently rational method for curing spiritual malaise that is similar in approach to the method used by medical science in curing physical illness. In addition, the Buddha’s system agrees fundamentally with the scientific approach in studying phenomena – natural, cultural, or social – to arrive at general principles, work in accord with these principles, and apply them to the creation of human ideals. On the basis of an understanding of the principle of cause and effect, the Buddhist system accurately identifies mental actions and fate as the effects of causes and applies this principle to the creation of an ideal spiritual condition. This is the basic meaning of the Four Noble Truths.
Basic Buddhist Concepts
The Reality of the Buddha’s Presence in Our Lives
Theoretically Ichinen Sanzen of Ri tells us that we can attain Buddhahood and that all realms of existence, including Buddhahood, can be recognized in every moment of conscious awareness. However, Ichinen Sanzen of Ji tells us that we are in the process of becoming Buddhas and that Buddhahood is a reality already at work in our lives. Even a single moment of taking faith in and rejoicing in this teaching allows us to understand the reality of the Buddha’s presence in our lives.
Buddha Seed: Understanding the OdaimokuThe Core of Our Life
Making the Lotus Sutra the core of our life, the center point, the point from which all else radiates, is key. Our intention should rest on the Lotus Sutra. I challenge you, from this day, to set your intention to practice the Lotus Sutra deeply, intentionally, and centrally. In the morning just after you open your eyes, even before you get out of bed, say to yourself three Odaimoku, three Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Say it with gratitude and generosity. Then after you are dressed make time, even a few minutes if that is all you can, and sit down and chant Odaimoku. Set your intention to be mindful through the day and live your day based on the Lotus Sutra. Also express appreciation to yourself for how you have begun your day. Finally, at the end of the day, right before you go to sleep, even as you are laying in bed, chant Odaimoku again three times, with your mind on the desire for happiness for all beings and appreciation for your day based on the Lotus Sutra.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Displaying the Wisdom and Compassion of a Buddha
Shakyamuni Buddha was no different than any of us, except for his extraordinary wisdom and compassion. He is known as “the” Buddha, not because he attained something that ordinary people cannot attain, but because he was the first person in recorded history to awaken to the truth and to show others how to do so. In that sense, the title “Buddha” is reserved for Shakyamuni simply because he happened to be the one to fulfill the role of teacher and model for all those who would follow his path. However, all of us have the Buddha-nature. Therefore, all of us are capable of displaying the same wisdom and compassion as Shakyamuni Buddha.
Lotus Seeds