Friday 26 October 2012

Daily Gosho - The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings


"The accepting and upholding of this original Law is expressed in the single word "belief" or "faith". The single word "belief" is the same sharp sword with which one confronts and overcomes fundamental darkness or ignorance. The commentary [Words and Phrases] says, "Belief means to be without doubt." You should think about this."

(The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 120) Selection source: "Kyo no Hosshin", August 30th, 2012

Just brilliant, this extract... No matter how many hours we chant, does that daimoku really count if we don't actually believe, fundamentally, that this practice can change the darkest of fundamental darkness? As we discussed in last night's vibrant discussion meeting, our Actual Proof Campaign was launched this month; inspiring us to create the most amazing victories in our lives by 18th November 2013. Please see e-bulletin, issue 82 for more guidance.
18th November 2013 is the anniversary of the founding of the Soka Gakkai in 1930 and marks the completion of the new Soka Gakkai General Headquarters building - "the castle of worldwide kosen-rufu".

Quoting this month's Art Of Living magazine "President Ikeda is encouraging us to realise great victories in our lives that can stand out as "actual proof" of faith that is as grand and impressive as the new seven-storey headquarters building. So now is the time to ask yourself:

What is the challenge facing me that I really want to break through?

What is my grand vision for my life or my family?

What positive advance could I make in my home life, place of work or study?

Is there a secret dream locked in my heart that I have not yet dared to really pray to realise?

What will be my great actual proof that I will proudly share with others?

So let's yield that sharp sword of faith and truly banish the 'fundamental darkness' that stops us from being truly and absolutely happy... Looking forward to hearing all about your victories...




Wednesday 24 October 2012

Daily Gosho - The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon



Where do we find these good companions that Nichiren Daishonin writes of? I think first and foremost, within our Soka family. Let's forge even stronger bonds of friendship - supporting our members who may be struggling, and sharing the victories of others. There are so many ways to support and inspire - a phone call, an old-school letter, a home visit, domei daimoku - let's use our wisdom to reach out to every member of our district, bravely advancing together in unity...

"Thrust aside evil friends and associate with good companions."

(The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 832) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=831 Selection source: New Human Revolution, Atsuta Village - 60, Seikyo Shimbun, August 24th, 2012


Background
In this reply to Nichinyo, Nichiren Daishonin expresses his gratitude for her offerings to the Gohonzon and explains the significance of the object of devotion. The exact identity of Nichinyo is unclear. She is thought to have been either the wife of Ikegami Munenaka, the older of the Ikegami brothers, or a daughter of the lay priest Matsuno Rokuro Saemon, an earnest believer in Suruga Province. Judging from two letters the Daishonin sent her, she seems to have been a woman of good education and considerable affluence. Moreover, as the recipient of a Gohonzon, or object of devotion, she was evidently a sincere believer. This letter contains a description of the Gohonzon that details the figures represented therein and their significance. The Daishonin also underscores the importance of faith in the Gohonzon.
In the first half of the letter, the Daishonin points out the rarity and importance of the Gohonzon. He cites the Lotus Sutra and other works to show that the Gohonzon is the embodiment of “the true aspect of all phenomena” and “the three thousand realms in a single moment of life.”
In the second half, describing the great benefit of faith in the Gohonzon, the Daishonin declares, “Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself,” adding that the Gohonzon is also found only in faith. Sharing two examples from secular tradition, the Daishonin reminds Nichinyo that faith is by far the most important element in manifesting “the Gohonzon” in one’s life. He concludes by stressing that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith is the most complete form of Buddhist practice.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Daily Gosho - The Supremacy of the Law


I can imagine when Nichimyo received this letter from Nichiren Daishonin, she felt as reassured as I do when I read the Gosho. His compassion for his disciples just shines through his writing, urging us to redetermine with every gongyo we do, and daimoku we chant. Doesn't life seem to run more smoothly when we've chanted abundant and vibrant daimoku? Protection abounds from the universe when our lives are in rhythm with the Mystic Law, when our daimoku is based on achieving kosen-rufu and we practice with the same heart as our mentor...

"That is why the Great Teacher Miaolo stated, 'The stronger one's faith, the greater the protection of the gods.' So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods."

(The Supremacy of the Law - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 614) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=613 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 27th, 2012


Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu in the eighth month of the first year of Kenji (1275). It was addressed to Oto, the daughter of Nichimyo, an earnest believer living in Kamakura. This letter, though addressed to Oto, was obviously meant for her mother, whom the Daishonin had called the Sage Nichimyo in a letter dated the fifth month of 1272.
Virtually nothing is known about Nichimyo other than that she visited the Daishonin, with her daughter, while he was in exile on Sado Island. The journey to Sado was a dangerous one, and the Daishonin was greatly impressed by the strength of faith she demonstrated.
In this letter, the Daishonin says, “Ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. Blue dye comes from indigo, but when something is repeatedly dyed in it, the color is better than that of the indigo plant.” With this paraphrase of a passage in the well-known Chinese classic, Hsün Tzu, he encourages Nichimyo to strengthen her faith still more so she can gain even greater vitality and good fortune.
The title for this letter derives from a passage in The Annotations on the Nirvana Sutra that reads, “One’s body is insignificant while the Law is supreme. One should give one’s life in order to propagate the Law.” The Daishonin declares that however much people hate and persecute him, because the Law is supreme, it will spread without fail. Then, after his death, his remains, he adds, will be respected, as will those who have aided him.

Monday 22 October 2012

Daily Gosho - On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime


Ok, so it's lighting the candles, making sure my butsudan is clean, and offering incense at gongyo time - but actually, it's so much more than that. These rituals are part of our daily practice of course, but they bring great benefits to our lives, without fail. We're offering them to the Gohonzon, but really, to ourselves. 
It sometimes becomes second nature to do these things so I'm really determined to think about every part of my practice, making sure I keep the spirit of Nichiren Daishonin in my heart. That strong belief that every act I carry out is creating 'treasures of the heart'' in my life. And of course, like everything in this practice, it's the spirit that's most important. Not giving 'cause I think I'll get something back, and not begrudging my giving. 

"Whether you chant the Buddha's name, recite the sutra, or merely offer flowers and incense, all your virtuous acts will implant benefits and roots of goodness in your life. With this conviction you should strive in faith."

(On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 4) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=3 Selection source: The New Human Revolution, Seikyo Shimbun, August 25th, 2012

Background
This letter was written to Toki Jonin in the seventh year of Kencho (1255), two years after Nichiren Daishonin established his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. At the time of this letter, the Daishonin was thirty-four years old and was living in Kamakura, the seat of the military government. Toki was a staunch follower of the Daishonin who lived in Wakamiya in Shimosa Province. He received some thirty letters, including Letter from Sado and one of the major treatises, The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind. A retainer of Lord Chiba, the constable of Shimosa, Toki had become a follower of the Daishonin around 1254.
Of all his writings from the mids, On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime focuses most clearly on the tenets of the Daishonin’s Buddhism; many of the other works of this period are aimed chiefly at refuting the erroneous doctrines of other schools and discussing theoretical questions. This short essay not only reflects the theories T’ien-t’ai formulated based on the Lotus Sutra, but also reveals the concrete practice for attaining Buddhahood - namely, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - that is missing in T’ient’ai’s theoretical framework.
Myoho-renge-kyo is the title of the Lotus Sutra, but to the Daishonin it is much more; it is the essence of the sutra, the revelation of the supreme Law itself. Apparent in this work are both the depth of his thought and his conviction that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the only teaching that can lead people to Buddhahood in this lifetime.

Sunday 21 October 2012

Daily Gosho - The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings



Anyone else find shakubuku a little bit nerve-wracking? It's not easy...it can attract opposition, ridicule and slander in my experience. Sensei writes in the New Human Revolution vol 6, that when we base our lives on the Mystic Law, naturally the topic of Buddhism comes up when we converse with others. It's a bit harder for me, I must admit! But do you know what, I'm going to keep trying. Out of compassion for other people's lives and their future happiness.  Not in a "numbers" way; but with a real desire to share this wonderful philosophy so that everyone I connect with, can too reach their true potential and create lives of unshakeable, absolute happiness...

"The 'great vow' refers to the propagation of the Lotus Sutra."

(The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings, page 82) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 6th, 2012 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 29th, 2012

For further reading on 'Shakubuku', you may enjoy http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php?id=1974 and http://www.sgiquarterly.org/buddhism2011Apr-1.html


Thursday 18 October 2012

Daily Practice - "Appreciating others just as they are"

Really wanted to share this link today; an experience from an SGI Australia member's victory in transforming her relationships with other people. Thank you Andreja for sharing. I am redetermining, after reading this, to truly value everyone and their unique qualities, especially during the times when we might not be working in complete harmony :) http://www.sgi.org/about-us/members-stories/the-courage-to-deepen-my-relationships.html

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Daily Gosho - Reply to Yasaburo


Seems a common theme in my district this week; that is, our battle to decisively win, no matter what.  Between us, we have some karmic retribution to lessen, and we're at the junction of Win or Lose. And I've just reached the point on my daimoku chart entitled "Crossroads of the Crucial Moment". Mystic, innit...
And of course, as we have nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we will win. May not be today, might not be tomorrow, but we will most definitely triumph. As Nichiren Daishonin writes, it's in our lives to meet with the obstacle that's personal to us, at this exact moment. We made the causes to be in this particular situation, now to take responsibility for it, and keep forging on with our strong determined prayer. We are on the battlefield with the best armoury at our disposal - our daimoku.
Let's win together, my friends and comrades-in-faith...

"You must simply make up your mind. Look at the world this year as a mirror. The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair."

(Reply to Yasaburo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 829) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=827 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 25th, 2012

Background
This letter was written at Minobu to the believer Yasaburo. One explanation identifies Yasaburo with a man named Saito Yasaburo, who lived at Numazu in Suruga Province. The wording of the last paragraph suggests that he may have been a samurai.
Yasaburo had evidently sought the Daishonin’s advice in preparation for an upcoming debate with a priest of the Pure Land school. This letter is the Daishonin’s reply. It can be roughly divided into two parts. The first and longer part outlines the general argument that the Daishonin suggests Yasaburo should present in debating with a follower of the Pure Land school. The second, beginning from “Now if that priest objects . . . ,” instructs Yasaburo in how to press his opponent on specific points and urges him to muster up a resolute spirit.
The letter states that only Shakyamuni possesses the three virtues of sovereign, teacher, and parent with respect to the people of this saha world. In the Daishonin’s day, due to the growing influence of the Pure Land school, people tended increasingly to place their trust in Amida Buddha of the Western Paradise, hoping to win rebirth in his Pure Land after death. But the Daishonin stressed the importance of reverence for Shakyamuni, the historical founder of Buddhism who actually appeared in this world. Here he asserts that to worship Amida and slight Shakyamuni is an act of utter disloyalty. Thus, though the believers in Amida may seem to be devoted to pious acts, they are in fact guilty of an offense far worse than that of impious men with no religious awareness whatsoever. Their grave error, the Daishonin says, is bringing disaster on the country in the form of famine, epidemics, and the impending Mongol invasion.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Buddhist in America - The Story of Spoken Word Poet George Yamazawa Jr

Another amazing video from our SGI-USA members published on YouTube. This episode features Spoken Word Poet, George Yamazawa Jr giving a beautiful and sincere performance. Thank you George!

Saturday 13 October 2012

Daily Gosho - On Persecutions Befalling the Sage


Embodying the spirit of the sincere disciples from Atsuhara, let's really engrave this Gosho into our hearts, and live our daily lives with the kind of deep courage that comes from the absolute conviction that we are Buddhas. And as we are Buddhas, we do not need to have fear - any difficulty can be transformed with our sincere prayer - and we most certainly can achieve our absolutely fullest potential. Let's roar together, united with our mentor...

"Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs."

(On Persecutions Befalling the Sage - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 997)  http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=996Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 24th, 2012


Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter at Minobu on the first day of the tenth month of the second year of Koan (1279) to his followers in general. It reviews some of the outstanding incidents in his life. But more importantly, it contains the sole allusion to his inscription of the object of devotion for all humanity as the purpose of his life, a task that he accomplished on the twelfth day of the same month.
Around 1275, propagation efforts in the Fuji area began to produce significant results under the leadership of Nikko Shonin. There were a number of converts among both priests and laity, but as the number of new believers increased, so did official pressures. In Atsuhara, a village in Fuji District of Suruga Province, believers were subjected to a series of threats and harassments known collectively as the Atsuhara Persecution. Twenty believers, all farmers, were arrested on the twenty first day of the ninth month, 1279, on false charges, and three of them were later beheaded. In spite of these persecutions, not one of the twenty farmers abandoned their faith.
Seeing that his followers were now ready to give their lives if necessary to protect the Law, the Daishonin realized that the time had come to fulfill the purpose of his life, as is described in the first paragraph: “For me it took twenty-seven years.” “It” here means the reason for his appearance in the world— that is, the inscription of the object of devotion for the sake of all humankind.
Next, details concerning the persecutions encountered by Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin are presented. The important prophecies in the Lotus Sutra for the Latter Day of the Law are also outlined.
The types of ill effects suffered by slanderers are explained to show the impact of the strict law of cause and effect on individuals and on society. The Daishonin states that the miserable fate of several treacherous disciples, as well as the crisis facing Japan at the time, is retribution for hostility shown toward the votary of the Lotus Sutra.
At the same time the Daishonin tells his disciples that they must now “summon up the courage of a lion king.” Furthermore, he urges believers in the Atsuhara area to be prepared for the worst.
In the last section, the Daishonin cites the example of Sammi-bo, one of his earliest disciples, who was highly esteemed for his debating skill and great learning, but forsook his faith and died a tragic death during the Atsuhara Persecution.


Friday 5 October 2012

Daily Gosho - On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law

Applicable to men too! When we make great causes for the sake of kosen-rufu, offering our time and efforts, actually we're making these offerings to our own lives and our future happiness. Let's summon up this great protection with the Mystic Law at the centre of our lives, side by side with our mentor... 

"A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by these four great bodhisattvas at all times. When she rises to her feet, so too will the bodhisattvas, and when she walks along the road, they will also do the same."

On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=414 The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 415) Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 23rd, 2012

Background
Neither the date nor the recipient of this letter is known. But it is generally supposed that the letter was given to the lay nun Sennichi, the wife of Abutsubo, in the tenth year of Bun’ei (1273). The “Mystic Law” in the title indicates both the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo and the seven characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The mandala of the Mystic Law refers to the Gohonzon— the object of devotion inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo down its center. The Daishonin also mentions elsewhere that the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra should be made into an object of devotion.

In terms of the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, the daimoku down the center of the Gohonzon represents the enlightened “single moment of life” of Nichiren Daishonin, and the characters on both sides of it, “the three thousand realms.” Because the former includes the latter, the Daishonin says that “this mandala has but five or seven characters.”

The Daishonin emphasizes that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the medicine that will cure the illnesses (that is, sufferings) of all people in the Latter Day of the Law, and that the lay nun Sennichi, a woman who chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, will be protected by the four bodhisattvas at all times.

Daily Practice - latest SGI-UK e-bulletin out now!


Latest issue of the SGI-UK e-bulletin is online now at  http://www.sgi-uk.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sgi_e_bulletin_issue81.pdf Featuring the Hiroshima Peace Day at LIPC  and as ever, packed with inspirational stories of victory from our members, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth!



Thursday 4 October 2012

Latest Art of Living Magazine - out now!

The latest Art of Living Magazine was welcomed to our homes this week. Packed full of heartfelt experiences, thought-provoking study material, inspiring guidance and best of all, the experiences from our Mimosas and Young Eagles.


If you don't have your copy yet, you can subscribe easily at http://www.sgi-uk.org/sites/default/files/aol_form.pdf  Enjoy this issue!

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Daily Gosho - The True Aspect of All Phenomena

Big thanks to @JoanneBurtonMe for helping me on this one - my Buddha wisdom had gone walkabouts :) 

So looking at this Gosho extract, to me it's saying that we common mortals have the same qualities as the Buddha - we shouldn't forget it! As the lecturer at Saturday's Introduction to Buddhism at the London Ikeda Peace Centre said - when we chant one minute, and then slander ourselves the next, it's like one hand is pulling us forward, and the other hand is pulling us back. I like that anology :)

Here's Joanne's take on it - "Think it means that Buddha isn't an external being sent to save us, but a manifestation of our desire to overcome suffering."

Be really interested to hear what you all thought when you read the extract. More enlightenment always welcome :)

"In that case, though it is thought that Shakyamuni Buddha possesses the three virtues of sovereign, teacher, and parent for the sake of all of us living beings, that is not so. On the contrary, it is common mortals who endow him with the three virtues."

(The True Aspect of All Phenomena - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 384) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=383 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 22nd, 2012

Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter to Sairen-bo Nichijo while at Ichinosawa on Sado Island in the fifth month of the tenth year of Bun’ei (1273). For some reason Sairen-bo was also in exile on Sado, where he had been converted by the Daishonin in the second month of 1272. A former Tendai priest, he already knew something about “the true aspect of all phenomena”; it was a fundamental concept in the Tendai school of Buddhism. He could not, however, satisfactorily come to grips with this concept through T’ien-t’ai’s theory alone, so he asked the Daishonin for an explanation. The True Aspect of All Phenomena is the Daishonin’s reply.
Though comparatively short, this document elucidates two important elements of the Daishonin’s Buddhism. It was completed a month after Nichiren Daishonin wrote The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind, in which he explained the Gohonzon, the object of devotion that can lead all people in the Latter Day of the Law to enlightenment. True Aspect of All Phenomena begins with a passage from the “Expedient Means” chapter — the heart of the theoretical teaching of the Lotus Sutra — that implies that no phenomenon is in any way different from the true aspect, or Myoho-renge-kyo. It also implies that all the innumerable forms and realities that exist, both concrete and abstract, are manifestations of Myoho-renge-kyo. The Daishonin then explains the essence of the Lotus Sutra, Myoho-renge-kyo, and its embodiment, the Gohonzon. This is the first element — the object of devotion in terms of the Law.
After clarifying the ultimate teaching of the Lotus Sutra, the Daishonin states that Bodhisattva Superior Practices, the leader of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, will propagate that teaching, and that he himself is carrying out the mission entrusted to that bodhisattva. In light of his own behavior and his fulfillment of the predictions in the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Daishonin suggests that he himself is Bodhisattva Superior Practices. A more profound interpretation, however, identifies him as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, whose purpose was to establish the Gohonzon for the enlightenment of all people in the Latter Day. Thus True Aspect of All Phenomena also explains the object of devotion in terms of the Person. This is the second element. Referring to both the Person and the Law, the Daishonin clarifies the fundamental object of devotion for the people of the Latter Day. He brings together the points he expounded in The Opening of the Eyes completed in 1272, which focuses on the second element, and in The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind, which focuses on the first element.
The latter half of this letter explains to Sairen-bo that those who devote themselves to propagating the correct teaching in the same spirit as the Daishonin are themselves Bodhisattvas of the Earth. The Daishonin predicts that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will spread widely in the future, and concludes by setting forth the key elements of Buddhist practice in the Latter Day of the Law— namely, faith, practice, and study.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Gosho - Letter to the Sage Nichimyo


Describing us, the votaries of the Lotus Sutra - all shapes and sizes and all true lion kings...

"A cub sired by a lion king will become a lion king."

(Letter to the Sage Nichimyo - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.1, page 323) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=321 Selection source: Buddhist study, Seikyo Shimbun, August 21st, 2012


Background
Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter while at Ichinosawa on Sado Island and addressed it to a follower in Kamakura, a woman who had separated from her husband at a young age. Little is known about her except that she undertook the long and perilous journey from Kamakura with her infant daughter Oto to visit the Daishonin during his exile on Sado. The Daishonin was so impressed with this demonstration of faith that he wrote this letter, giving her the Buddhist name Sage Nichimyo (Sun Wonderful).
After the Daishonin went to live at Minobu, she again visited him there, and later, in the eighth month of 1275, the Daishonin sent her a letter addressed to her daughter, which was later given the title The Supremacy of the Law, suggesting that she was welcome to stay at Minobu should there be the need.
In the beginning of this letter, the Daishonin cites seven stories of Shakyamuni’s bodhisattva practices in his past existences. By carrying out such severe practices in pursuit of Buddhism, Shakyamuni was able to attain Buddhahood. In effect, the Daishonin likens Nichimyo’s efforts in journeying to Sado to these bodhisattva austerities, and implies that her seeking spirit will ensure her enlightenment.
In the next part, Nichiren Daishonin explains that the practice of his Buddhism is not as difficult as that of Shakyamuni’s Buddhism, because Nam-myoho-renge-kyo contains all the benefits that Shakyamuni Buddha accumulated through lifetimes of bodhisattva austerities. Therefore, by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we ordinary people can in this lifetime attain the same virtues and benefits as Shakyamuni Buddha himself. This is the central theme of this letter, in which the Daishonin explains the essence of his teaching: By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, an ordinary person can become a Buddha.
In the final portion, the Daishonin praises her strong faith and confers upon her the title of sage, indicating that she will become a Buddha.

SGI-USA Future Division Newscast - Episode 2

Thanks to the Future Division of SGI-USA for sharing their latest newscast - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5x5mbMKSvg&feature=em-uploademail-new        Our future is assured!

Happy SGI World Peace Day!

Woke up and actually got up :) Fantastic morning gongyo with vibrant daimoku to follow. Today, I'm going to reflect and determine on what more I can do to acheive world peace through my practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. What better way to celebrate SGI World Peace Day... http://www.sgi.org/resource-center/study-materials/october-2-sgi-world-peace-day.html

Monday 1 October 2012

Daily Gosho - Happiness in This World


My fave lines from my favourite Gosho... Crap stuff is going to happen in our lives...fact. The difference is that as we have Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo in our lives, we can do something about it. We can take action. We can lessen our karmic retribution. We can change poison into medicine and change our suffering into mission.  We might not enjoy a stress-free existence but with every gongyo, and every minute of daimoku we chant, we are polishing the mirror inside and making the cause (and effect) for future happiness. Empowering or what!

"Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. no matter what happens."

(Happiness in This World - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 681) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=681 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 20th, 2012


Background
In the third month of 1275, about one year before this letter was written, Nichiren Daishonin warned Shijo Kingo, his loyal samurai follower who was an early convert, that as a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra he must be prepared to meet further difficulties and hardships.
In the present work, the Daishonin explains the nature of true happiness. It lies, he says, in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Suffering is unavoidable, he adds, encouraging Shijo Kingo to “regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens.” The Daishonin emphasizes that this is the way to experience “the boundless joy of the Law,” or the state of Buddhahood.