A translation of President Ikeda's "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shimbun and more.
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Nothing is more convincing than someone's personal experience.
Let's, therefore, enthusiastically share with others
how happy our lives have become
and all the benefits of practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
The philosophy of this Buddhism is very clearly proven though actual proof.*
*Actual proof means that the teaching actually changes people's lives for the better, that there is undeniable improvement that anyone can see. Nichiren argued that actual proof is the most important of the three: "In judging the relative merit of Buddhist doctrines, I, Nichiren, believe that the best standards are those of reason and documentary proof. And even more valuable than reason and documentary proof is the proof of actual fact" ("Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 599). http://www.sgi-usa.org/newmembers/resources/faqs/isitokaytotry.php
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"If votaries of the Lotus Sutra carry out religious practice as the sutra directs, then every one of them without exception will surely attain Buddhahood within his or her present lifetime. To cite an analogy, if one plants the fields in spring and summer, then, whether it be early or late, one is certain to reap a harvest withint the year.
Votaries of the Lotus Sutra fall into three categories, superior, middling, and inferior, depending upon their capacities, and yet all will invariably attain enlightenment within a single lifetime."
(The Doctrine of Three Thousand Realms in a Single Moment of Life - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol.2, page 88)
Selection source: Basics of Buddhism, Seikyo Shimbun, October 23rd, 2011
Monday, October 24th, 2011
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"When I started practising the Daishonin's Buddhism at the age of 19, my family were initially against it, which put me in a difficult situation. But Mr. Toda said: 'In faith, what matters is not length of practise or organisational position, but courage. Courageous faith will change you, your present situation, and your future.'
"It is important, therefore, that we not only encourage and support new members, but strive together with them in summoning forth courageous faith and actively sharing the Daishonin's Buddhism with others. The first step is to practise closely with new members—joining together with them in chanting, taking action, and engaging in Buddhist dialogue for the happiness of others. Through carrying out this bodhisattva practice, one comes to experience indescribable fulfillment and joy and gain strong conviction in the power of the Mystic Law. This is the honourable tradition of fostering capable people in the SGI."
SGI Newsletter No. 8362, SGI President Ikeda's Editorial, Supporting and Fostering New Members in Faith Translated October 20th, 2011, from the November 2011 issue of Daibyakurenge.
* The Japanese kanji for To My Friends is available by clicking on
Seikyo Shimbun's web-site address at
http://www.seikyoonline.jp/news/index.html
--- WAGATOMO NI OKURU ---
TAIKEN NI MASARU CHIKARA WA NARI.
IKIIKITO
KUDOKU NO YOROKOBI O KATARO!
BUPPO NO TETSURI WA
JISSHO NI YOTTE KAGAYAKU!
-- KYO NO GOSHO --
"HOKEKYO NO GYOJA WA NYOSETSU SHUGYO SEBA KANARAZU ISSHO NO NAKA NI HITORI MO NOKORAZU JOBUTSU SUBESHI TATOEBA HARU NATSU TA O TSUKURU NI WASE OKU AREDOMO ICHINEN NO NAKA NIWA KANARAZU KORE O OSAMU HOKKE NO GYOJA MO JO CHU GE KON AREDOMO KANARAZU ISSHO NO NAKA NI SHOTOKU SU"
(Gosho Zenshu, page 416)
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