A translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Shinbun based on President Ikeda's recent guidance, and more.
Saturday, February 4th, 2017
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Let's make every possible effort
Saturday, February 4th, 2017
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Let's make every possible effort
to be by our friend's side
when they're facing a problem
and to understand what they are struggling with.
To listen to all that they have to say
when they're facing a problem
and to understand what they are struggling with.
To listen to all that they have to say
with the utmost care and attention
and to empathise with them
is the very essence of engaging in dialogue.
and to empathise with them
is the very essence of engaging in dialogue.
Saturday, February 4th, 2017
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"If we inquire into the origin of Mount Sumeru, we find that it began with a single speck of dust; and likewise, the great ocean began with a single drop of dew. One added to one becomes two, two becomes three, and so on to make ten, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or an asamkhya. Yet 'one' is the mother of all."
(The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"If we inquire into the origin of Mount Sumeru, we find that it began with a single speck of dust; and likewise, the great ocean began with a single drop of dew. One added to one becomes two, two becomes three, and so on to make ten, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or an asamkhya. Yet 'one' is the mother of all."
(The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra
- WND, Vol. I, page 667)
Selection source:
Selection source:
SGI President Ikeda's guidance,
Seikyo Shinbun, February 4th, 2017
Sunday, February 5th, 2017
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"The purpose of the Soka Gakkai organisation is nothing other than advancing kosen-rufu. The organization also exists to support and safeguard the path by which each person can grow in faith and attain Buddhahood. In that respect, the organisation for kosen-rufu is a gathering of countless good friends.
Sunday, February 5th, 2017
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"The purpose of the Soka Gakkai organisation is nothing other than advancing kosen-rufu. The organization also exists to support and safeguard the path by which each person can grow in faith and attain Buddhahood. In that respect, the organisation for kosen-rufu is a gathering of countless good friends.
"In the opening of his letter 'Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain,' Nichiren Daishonin stresses the importance of good friends:
"'When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path.' (WND-1, 598)
"This makes perfect sense; surely no one would deny it. It's important to remember that Buddhist teachings are always expressions of reason that everyone can understand and accept.
"Even those who are new to Buddhist practice and lack strong faith can stay on the right path to attaining Buddhahood if they have strong support. On the other hand, even those who assume their faith is strong will find it no easy matter to remain steady and on course when facing adversity unassisted, buffeted by the winds of the 'three obstacles and four devils.' That's why we need fellow members, why we need good friends and the organisation, to support us in our faith and practice.
"Of course, attaining Buddhahood depends on our own Buddhist practice and efforts. We each need to be prepared to stand up alone and make progress without depending upon anyone else. But the organisation and our fellow members are important in encouraging and inspiring us in our individual practice. They play a supportive role in our personal attainment of Buddhahood—but that supportive role is absolutely vital."
"'When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path.' (WND-1, 598)
"This makes perfect sense; surely no one would deny it. It's important to remember that Buddhist teachings are always expressions of reason that everyone can understand and accept.
"Even those who are new to Buddhist practice and lack strong faith can stay on the right path to attaining Buddhahood if they have strong support. On the other hand, even those who assume their faith is strong will find it no easy matter to remain steady and on course when facing adversity unassisted, buffeted by the winds of the 'three obstacles and four devils.' That's why we need fellow members, why we need good friends and the organisation, to support us in our faith and practice.
"Of course, attaining Buddhahood depends on our own Buddhist practice and efforts. We each need to be prepared to stand up alone and make progress without depending upon anyone else. But the organisation and our fellow members are important in encouraging and inspiring us in our individual practice. They play a supportive role in our personal attainment of Buddhahood—but that supportive role is absolutely vital."
SGI Newsletter No. 9542, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 3: Kosen-rufu and World Peace, Chapter 22: The Organisation for Advancing Kosen-rufu—Part 1 [of 2], 22.2 The Soka Gakkai Is a Gathering of Good Friends, from the November 2016 issue of the Daibyakurenge, translation released 3rd Feb. 2017
* The Japanese kanji is available by clicking on Seikyo Shinbun's web-site address at
http://www.seikyoonline.jp/news/index.html
-- WAGATOMO NI OKURU --
NAYAMERU TOMO NI YORISOI
SAIDAI NO RIKAISHA NI NARO!
KENMEINI MIMI O KATAMUKE
DOKU SHIYUKU KOTO GA
WARERA NO TAIWA NO SHINZUI DA.
--- KYO NO GOSHO ---
"SORE SHUMISEN NO HAJIME O TAZUNUREBA ICHIJIN NARI TAIKAI NO HAJIME WA ICHIRO NARI ICHI O KASANUREBA NI TO NARI ICHI O KASANUREBA NI TO NARI NI O KASANUREBA SAN NAISHI JU HYAKU SEN MAN OKU ASOGI NO HAHA WA TADA ICHI NARU BESHI"
(Gosho Zenshu - Page 1237)
http://www.seikyoonline.jp/news/index.html
-- WAGATOMO NI OKURU --
NAYAMERU TOMO NI YORISOI
SAIDAI NO RIKAISHA NI NARO!
KENMEINI MIMI O KATAMUKE
DOKU SHIYUKU KOTO GA
WARERA NO TAIWA NO SHINZUI DA.
--- KYO NO GOSHO ---
"SORE SHUMISEN NO HAJIME O TAZUNUREBA ICHIJIN NARI TAIKAI NO HAJIME WA ICHIRO NARI ICHI O KASANUREBA NI TO NARI ICHI O KASANUREBA NI TO NARI NI O KASANUREBA SAN NAISHI JU HYAKU SEN MAN OKU ASOGI NO HAHA WA TADA ICHI NARU BESHI"
(Gosho Zenshu - Page 1237)
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Posted by: Scobie-John Le May-Grellan <sjlmg@yahoo.co.uk>
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If you have a friend(s) who would like to get To My Friends directly get them to send an E-mail to the following address and just simply write - "subscribe"
: SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk
from there on it is all automatic!
ALSO if you want to introduce a friend to the SGI but just don't know where to start, share with them the following addresses and they can read and watch some very well put together explanations about the SGI. Check it out yourself!
http://www.sgi.org/
http://www.sgi-uk.org/buddhism/practice
Check out the following address if you are looking for an important gosho quote
http://www.nichirenlibrary.org
And for the children there's a wonderful new web-site
http://treasures-of-heart.com/
And if you are looking for back editions of To My Friends click on...
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo/conversations/messages
To unsubscribe from this group send an email to:
SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo-unsubscribe@egroups.com
But do drop us a line at sjlmg@wta.att.ne.jp when you leave and tell us why you are leaving as it often can help us to improve the service! Please!
To modify your subscription from receiving daily to picking up as you wish go to http://www.egroups.com/mygroups
: SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk
from there on it is all automatic!
ALSO if you want to introduce a friend to the SGI but just don't know where to start, share with them the following addresses and they can read and watch some very well put together explanations about the SGI. Check it out yourself!
http://www.sgi.org/
http://www.sgi-uk.org/buddhism/practice
Check out the following address if you are looking for an important gosho quote
http://www.nichirenlibrary.org
And for the children there's a wonderful new web-site
http://treasures-of-heart.com/
And if you are looking for back editions of To My Friends click on...
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo/conversations/messages
To unsubscribe from this group send an email to:
SGI-ToMyFriends-Wagatomo-unsubscribe@egroups.com
But do drop us a line at sjlmg@wta.att.ne.jp when you leave and tell us why you are leaving as it often can help us to improve the service! Please!
To modify your subscription from receiving daily to picking up as you wish go to http://www.egroups.com/mygroups
.
__,_._,___
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