Commemorating the birth of Josei Toda

Celebrating today, Josei Toda's birth in 1900, his life and achievements. 

http://www.sgi.org/about-us/history-of-sgi/josei-toda-second-president-of-the-soka-gakkai.html

Prayer beads Toda made from 
milk-bottle tops while in prison, 
and a slate on which he kept a record of 
the daimoku he chanted in prison

Daily Gosho - The Properties of Rice

So, wherever we are living, in whatever circles we move in, our own area is our personal province of kosen-rufu, and exactly where we need to win. Nichiren Daishonin trusts us with this lofty mission, so let's open up our hearts, and share this wonderful practice within our communities...

"I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. It is stated that 'the seeds of Buddhahood sprout as a result of conditions, and for this reason they preach the single vehicle.'"

(The Properties of Rice - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 1117) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=1117 Selection Source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shinbun September 15th, 2012

Background

Only a fragment of this letter remains, and its recipient and the date of its writing are not known. It was once thought to represent the concluding portion of The True Aspect of All Phenomena, written on Sado Island in the fifth month of 1273, but in view of its style and content it is now considered to be a fragment of a letter written after Nichiren Daishonin moved to Mount Minobu. Likewise, it is thought that it may have been sent to the lay priest Takahashi Rokuro Hyoe, who lived at Kajima in Fuji District of Suruga Province. Takahashi’s wife was Nikko Shonin’s aunt, and Takahashi and his family appear to have actively supported the propagation movement in the Fuji area.

It is worthy of note that, in closing, the Daishonin entrusts the letter’s recipient with the responsibility for propagation in his province, suggesting that the recipient had strong faith and was a leading figure among the believers in that area.

 

 

Daily Gosho - Nikko Shonin's 26 Admonitions

This is the Soka stand-up spirit isn't it? When we have our mission at the centre of our lives, based on the oneness of mentor and disciple, we can take action willingly and with great joy, working in unity with our mentor to achieve the great vow we made in the distant past...

"Until kosen-rufu is achieved, propagate the Law to the full extent of your ability without begrudging your life."

(Nikko Shonin's 26 Admonitions - Gosho Zenshu, page 1617) Selection Source: "Kyo no Hosshin", Seikyo Shinbun September 13th, 2012

November 18th - Anniversary of the establishment of Soka Gakkai

A day spent chanting in gratitude for our three presidents' efforts on this auspicious day - the anniversary of the establishment of Soka Gakkai. I redetermine to repay my debt of gratitude by striving even harder to share the Mystic Law with the people of Essex, and beyond :) Hope everyone has had a victorious day! 

http://www.sgi.org/resource-center/study-materials/celebrating-the-founding-of-the-soka-gakkai.html 

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

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 Gosho - The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day

So this Gosho is the reason why I don't get my sleep quota! And by the sounds of it, I'm not alone! I'm cutting short my sleep time because I made a vow in the distant past to propogate the Mystic Law, and if that means less sleep, so be it! This is my mission, this is my aim, and I will not begrudge my life in achieving kosen-rufu. I'm not superhuman, I am tired, but my sense of purpose and my vow to my mentor is overiding... *PS, it's important to remember that we need a sense of balance in our lives too - let's use our wisdom and use our time carefully!


"In the light of the above points, this shows, my followers, that you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come."

(The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 622)  http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=620 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, August 11th, 2012

Background

This letter was written to Toki Jonin, a learned and dedicated disciple who lived in Shimosa Province. In it Nichiren Daishonin stresses the extreme seriousness of the offense of slander and also the importance of embracing the supreme Buddhist teaching. The letter is dated simply the twenty-third day of the eighth month, and though it is generally thought to have been written in the first year of Kenji (1275) at Minobu, no firm conclusion has been reached in this regard. Other opinions are that the Daishonin wrote it in 1276 or even in 1273 while he was still on Sado Island.

In the Daishonin’s teaching, rather than adherence to a specific code of conduct, one’s fundamental posture toward the Mystic Law, or ultimate reality, determines one’s happiness or unhappiness in life. A person who seeks and awakens to the ultimate truth within will attain enlightenment, while one who remains in ignorance of it or even slanders it will continue to be bound by suffering. Hence the Daishonin’s emphasis on exclusive commitment to the Lotus Sutra, which teaches the direct attainment of Buddhahood for all people.

In the last part of this letter, the Daishonin raises a question that had crossed many people’s minds: on the basis of what sort of insight does he dare to criticize such eminent teachers of the past as Kobo, Jikaku, and Chisho? However, instead of answering this question directly, he simply says, “You had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this!” This passage, from which the letter takes its name, suggests that the most important task of our human existence is to seek out and uphold the correct teaching leading to enlightenment.

Daily Gosho - The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings

Loving the reminder of the 'great vow' that we, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, all made at Eagle Peak. That we would stand up, united with our mentor, and propagate the Lotus Sutra.  As Sensei says in his speech "On Eagle's Peak" (17th September 2006), 

"To strive in faith with the same commitment as one’s mentor means to continue advancing amid great difficulty and adversity with unwavering resolve together with the mentor toward the goal of realizing the great vow of kosen-rufu. Those who maintain this spirit in faith throughout their lives will be able to gain the vast and expansive life-state of the pure land of Eagle Peak -the state of Buddhahood - for all eternity. Moreover, they will be able to lead their family and loved ones to that state of life as well."

Unwavering. Determined. Committed. Let's strive even harder, creating unity based on the oneness of mentor and disciple, and propagate with courage, conviction and compassion....

"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

Daily Study - The Selection of the Time

The Selection of the Time http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=538

I'm writing these study notes while my neighbours are having yet another blazing row. This Gosho has reminded me of our mission to propagate Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism so that we can alleviate suffering like that of the people next door...
As Sensei says on p11 of August's AOL, by awakening to our mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, we live our lives with the "fundamental spirit of empathy and caring for others".  Nichiren Daishonin stood up, alone and persecuted so that we could meet the practice in the Latter Day of the Law. We should practice with his spirit and become "the foremost votary of the Lotus Sutra in the entire land of Jambudvipa (the entire world).  It was Nichiren Daishonin's supreme compassion for us to become enlightened that enabled him to make this his mission in life. And he took responsibility for that mission, completely, understanding that it was only him, as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, who could make this mission a reality.
Sensei writes that with this spirit of transforming our lives, and helping others to transform theirs, we can prove our worth as a human being.  It isn't down to how powerful we are, or what our status is, the true measure of a human being is how by we help people overcome their suffering.
We are fortunate in England not to suffer major religious persecution such as Nichiren Daishonin did, but in his day in 1275, his teachings certainly ruffled a few feathers to say the least.  The 'evil demons' which had taken over the priests and rulers of his time, did everything in their power to cut Nichiren Daishonin down to size, to banish him in exile. But still he carried out, out of sincerity and respect for all human beings. He would not be silenced.  He recognised that their slander of the Law was having grave effects on the country and the people, but also, sadly realised that these 'eminent priests' would accept his word as true, when it was too late.
So, how do we achieve our mission for widespread propagation - by treasuring the person right in front of us! As Sensei writes on p17, "It all starts with one person. That person's passion and commitment will inspire another person, and then another..." becoming a Mount Sumeru of perfect enlightenment. 
In our recent Chapter Study lecture, our wonderful Women's Division leader spoke of determining in front of the Gohonzon, every day, on how we can "consolidate our strong foundation" and then build on this foundation. That it starts with us, determining to live our life to the absolute fullest. 
Sensei gives us guidance that we shouldn't begrudge our own lives; that we can't fully commit to the struggle with a half-hearted attitude. "Without a thoroughgoing commitment, one cannot persevere in the struggle to propagate the correct teaching in the Latter Day of the Law. But unless this struggle is undertaken, the teaching of the Lotus Sutra will become obscured and lost, and the Latter Day will remain in darkness." 
We are reminded of the examples of the farmers at Atsuhara, of Shijo Kingo and the Ikegami brothers - people with pure and strong faith who took on this struggle whole-heartedly, no matter what the cost to themselves or their lives. Similarly, what  personal sacrifices have our three presidents undertaken for their mission - Makiguchi dying in prison, Toda's selfless struggle to rebuild the Soka Gakkai and achieve his determination of 750,000 households practicing, and Sensei Ikeda's ongoing efforts to achieve worldwide kosen-rufu amidst persecution, slander, arrest to name but a few of the challenges he has had to face - and overcome.
As he says, "Now is the time to show brilliant actual proof of worldwide kosen-rufu by reading with our lives the Daishonin's words:  'Try practising as the Lotus Sutra teaches, exerting yourselves without begrudging your lives! Test the truth of Buddhism now!"
This is our mission! Let's do it!  I'm going to start with my neighbours :)

Daily Gosho - The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life

Let's redetermine our vow to work alongside our mentor for kosen-rufu. We chose our mission in the distant past; now is the time to stand up in our respective communities and countries. Watch us, Sensei!

"It must be ties of karma from the distant past that have destined you to become my disciple at a time like this. Shakyamuni and Many Treasures certainly realized this truth. The sutra's statement, "Those persons who had heard the Law dwelled here and there in various Buddha lands, constantly reborn in company with their teachers," cannot be false in any way."

(The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume 1, page 217) http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=216 Selection source: Kyo no Hosshin, Seikyo Shimbun, July 30th, 2012


Background
This letter, dated the eleventh day of the second month in 1272, was sent by Nichiren Daishonin to Sairen-bo Nichijo, a former Tendai priest who, for reasons that are unclear, was also living in exile on Sado Island. Details about Sairen-bo are scarce, but it is known that he was originally from Kyoto, and that he had studied at Mount Hiei, the seat of the Tendai school, before his exile. He was also present at the Tsukahara Debate, held in front of Sammai-do, the Daishonin’s dwelling at Tsukahara, on the sixteenth and seventeenth days of the first month in 1272. In this debate the Daishonin was the clear victor over Pure Land, True Word, and other priests from Sado and from various provinces of northern Japan. A number of people converted to his teachings at this time, among them Sairen-bo.
Sairen-bo was a highly educated priest to whom the Daishonin sent several important essays, including The True Aspect of All Phenomena and The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life. He had a number of unresolved questions about Buddhist theory, and he addressed them one by one to the Daishonin, who in turn answered these questions in written form. The Daishonin praised him, saying, “How admirable that you have asked about the transmission of the ultimate Law of life and death!” In his reply the Daishonin offers a look into the wonder of the Buddha’s own enlightenment, as well as the practical means whereby ordinary people may attain the same end.
In the first paragraph, the Daishonin states that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the heritage of the ultimate Law of life, and that the transmission of this Law is made from the Buddha to all living beings. Then he refers to the question of how we can inherit the ultimate Law of life and manifest it within ourselves.
This Law flows in the depths of the lives of those who believe in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, practice in exact accord with them, and chant the daimoku. The Daishonin declares that there is no distinction whatsoever between Shakyamuni Buddha, the Lotus Sutra, and us, ordinary people.
Viewed from the standpoint of the Daishonin’s Buddhism, this can be taken as a declaration that there is absolutely no difference or separation between Nichiren Daishonin as the Buddha of the Latter Day, the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo - or the Gohonzon which embodies that Law - and ourselves, who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
In terms of time, the heritage - the mystic relationship between the Law and the lives of the people - courses eternally through past, present, and future, unbroken in any lifetime. In terms of space, the Daishonin proclaims that the heritage of the ultimate Law flows within the lives of his disciples and lay supporters who work in perfect unity for the realization of a peaceful world and happiness for all humanity.
Having stated that the ultimate Law is within the lives of human beings, Nichiren Daishonin further explains how to inherit the Law. He emphasizes the importance of the attitude, “now is the last moment . . . ,” in order to manifest innate Buddhahood, a state that transcends both life and death.
In discussing the thousand Buddhas and the ten kings of hell, he reveals the continuity of cause and effect spanning past, present, and future. Whatever state of life predominates while one is alive will continue in the next life. Whether one can succeed to the heritage of the Law depends entirely on one’s faith. This is why he strictly warns in his conclusion, “Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.”

Celebrating Men's Division Day!

The chinese character "Men" of Men Division (MD) literally means "men in the prime of life". It is important therefore that the Men's Division members, while on the one hand being self-possessed and level-headed, continue on the other to demonstrate courage, energy, and action as people who burn with a passionate commitment to kosen-rufu. If the Men's Division develop remarkably and establish a solid framework for kosen-rufu, our organization will remain secure forever. President Ikeda

Wishing our wonderful Men's Division a victorious day!

Daily Practice - Chanting for safety during the Olympics

Guidance for Wednesday 8th August Peace and security daimoku proposal ELA'12:  

Josei Toda often said: "The Gohonzon represents the strongest concentration of the universal life force. When we connect with the Gohonzon in our lives, our life force also gains that same strength." 
When we are actively striving for the kosen-rufu movement and for the sake of the happiness of others, we are filled with vibrant life force. NL8470

Daily Practice - our beautiful castles of peace

Every time I visit a centre, I am filled with gratitude. Here's our wonderful Taplow Court in all its springtime glory.

I am so fortunate to have centres within driving distance. So grateful to our wonderful pioneer members who have contributed so much, in order that future generations benefit from these beautiful castles of peace http://www.sgi-uk.org/about-us/local-sgi-uk-centres

First post... hello and welcome!

Most of my day is spent online. Both personally and professionally. I check my Facebook, my blog stats (a little too compusively, I must admit) and process hundreds of work emails a day.

And amidst all of that traffic, I had a revelation.  After finding lots of Soka friends on Twitter today, I realised that whilst I spend huge amounts of time communicating, I rarely communicate about what I really do, where my heart is really at and what my mission really is. 

So here goes. I am:

A practitioner of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism
A chanter of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
A disciple of my mentor Sensei Ikeda, with my utmost gratitude
A proud member of Romford District, North-East London, England
A loving mother of a Young Eagle (SGI Buddhist boys, aged 7-12)
An encouraging support for Naitoku members (someone who practices without Gohonzon)
An Essex girl - don't judge!

Today, I determine to use my lowly online skills to share this wonderful philosophy - after all, I think that's what the internet was first designed for - to share, discuss and collaborate.

I would love to meet other members and interested parties. Let's start talking!