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Suggested Study Material for November 2008

SGI-USA Men’s Division Monthly Meetings
Suggested Study Material for November 2008

We continue this month with material drawn from President Ikeda’s new lecture series on "The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin” in the November/December issue (Volume 12, no. 6.)  We want to strongly encourage all Men’s Division members to subscribe to Living Buddhism and read the complete material there, as well as to attend and participate actively in the 4-divisional study meetings in your local organization.

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Lecture on "Hell Is the Land of Tranquil Light"
by SGI President Ikeda

A Buddha in Both Life and Death—Attaining Buddhahood in One's Present Form Means Savoring Joy in Both Life and Death

PASSAGES FROM THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN

"When he was alive, he was a Buddha in life, and now he is a Buddha in death.  He is a Buddha in both life and death.  This is what is meant by that most important doctrine called attaining Buddhahood in one’s present form…."

"Neither the pure land nor hell exists outside oneself; both lie only within one’s heart.  Awakened to this, one is called a Buddha; deluded about it, one is called an ordinary person.  The Lotus Sutra reveals this truth, and one who embraces the Lotus Sutra will realize that hell is itself the Land of Tranquil Light…" 

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"One who, on hearing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, makes even greater efforts in faith is a true seeker of the way.  T’ien-t’ai states, 'From the indigo, an even deeper blue.'  This passage means that, if one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo leaves.  The Lotus Sutra is like the indigo, and the strength of one’s practice is like the deepening blue."  (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp 456-57)

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"…The words of a wise man of old also teach that 'you should base your mind on the ninth consciousness, and carry out your practice in the sixth consciousness.'"  (WND-1, 458)

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EXCERPTS  FROM THE LECTURE
The Spirit and Determination to Encourage Others
(LB 12/6 pp. 41-42)

No matter how trying the hardships that beset him, no matter how exhausted he was, Mr. Toda would summon all his compassion and energy to encourage those who sought him out—whether it be a member struggling with karma and wishing to receive guidance in faith, or a young person eager to learn about Buddhism…..

…To thoroughly encourage each individual, to inspire all to stand up together in pursuit of the noblest mission, worldwide kosen-rufu—that is the fundamental spirit that pervades the mentor-disciple relationship in the Soka Gakkai.  

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(LB 12/6 p. 54)

Encouraging others in faith requires an earnest, all-out effort.  It entails a powerful interaction on the dimension of life itself, invoking the dynamics of the “three thousand realms in a single moment” of each person.  It is a dedicated challenge in which we polish our own lives so that we can consolidate our Buddhahood, while seeking to elevate the lives of our friends so they may do the same. 

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Buddhahood:  The Mystic Principle of Hope and Joy
(LB 12/6 pp. 42-43)

The great teaching of Nichiren Buddhism makes it possible for us to reveal our inherent Buddhahood within this present lifetime and to eternally undergo the cycle of birth and death with complete freedom and boundless hope.

If our lives are filled with joy, then our death will also be filled with joy.  And if our deaths are filled with joy, then our next lives will also be filled with joy.  Nichiren teaches that the cycle of birth and death is a continuum of joy and that the essence of life lies in dedicating ourselves to actually making that joy the reality of our experience and helping others do the same. 

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(LB 12/6, p. 48)

The reason why Nichiren Daishonin spoke of the principle that “hell is itself the Land of Tranquil Light” was to reassure the lay nun Ueno that her late husband had most certainly attained Buddhahood.  It was also to teach her that Buddhahood existed in her own life—a realization that was a source of supreme hope and inspiration—even as she struggled intrepidly to raise her young children on her own.

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(LB 12/6, p. 49-50)

The fundamental principles explained in this writing all teach that the source of supreme hope—Buddhahood—resides within us.  If we can accept this as being true of our own lives and maintain firm belief in this, then that very faith and conviction will dispel the darkness or ignorance that obscures our Buddhahood…. 

The purpose of studying Nichiren’s writings is not only to understand his spirit and deepen our own faith.  It is also important because by learning about the profound principles of Buddhism, we can gain the solid conviction that the source of hope and peace resides within our own hearts, and based on this we can strive earnestly for the happiness of ourselves and others. 

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Winning As We Are: The Struggle To Win Amidst Harsh Circumstances

(LB 12/6, p. 45)

To be a “Buddha in life” means to bring forth our innate Buddhahood based on this awareness and to stand up valiantly on the stage of our mission in the midst of life’s painful realities to work for our own happiness and that of others…. 

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(LB 12/6, p. 46)

The Lotus Sutra is a teaching of changing the place we are right now into a Buddha land.  Faith in the Lotus Sutra means undertaking the challenge to do just that.  Consequently, Nichiren’s followers who persevere in the practice of the Lotus Sutra will not possibly suffer in the world of hell.  They are guaranteed to enjoy a state of absolute freedom. 

(LB 12/6, p. 50)

Naturally, “in our present form” doesn’t mean attaining Buddhahood while wallowing in suffering or surrendering to indolence.  What’s required is a struggle to transform the moment-to-moment focus of our minds.  Nichiren Daishonin revealed the Gohonzon, the object of devotion, so that anyone can undertake this struggle. 

(LB 12/6, p. 52-53)

There is absolutely no need for us to pretend in front of the Gohonzon.  We should chant to the Gohonzon just as we are—with joy when we’re elated, and with sadness when we’re feeling down.  We should regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo steadfastly to the very end.  Through the vast power of the Mystic Law, all of our prayers form part of our Buddhist practice.  Those who continue to resolutely chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, come what may, will achieve true victory.  A person who chants with this spirit and manifests the power of the Mystic Law in their lives is truly a "Buddha in life.” 

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Suggested Discussion Questions

1. What has been the greatest source of encouragement in faith for you?  How can we challenge ourselves to go out into society and offer words and actions that encourage others?
2. President Ikeda explains that the principles of inherent Buddhahood are a profound source of hope.  Have you experienced this?  How can we best share this with others?
3. In today’s tough times, our victories “in the place we are right now” become ever more important.  How can we apply this encouragement to win ourselves?