[sgi-tomyfriends-wagatomo] 3rd June 2021 To My Friends & Daily Gosho + 4th June Daily Encouragement

* Hope you can spare just an extra minute or two to read through to the end of the Daily Encouragement today! Some rather important guidance!...

A translation of "To My Friends" published in the Seikyo Newspaper based on President Ikeda's recent guidance, and more.

Thursday, June 3rd, 2021
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
The place where we are 

right now 

is "the place of practice"* 

for our human revolution.
Let's take on the challenges 

that we might be facing 

right now 

with all our might!
Through making such 

persevering efforts,
we can experience 

fulfilment and the joy of life.

*The place where the person upholds and honours the Lotus Sutra is the "place of practice" to which the person proceeds. It is not that he leaves his present place and goes to some other place. The "place of practice" is the place where the living beings of the Ten Worlds reside. And now the place where Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, "whether . . . in mountain valleys or the wide wilderness" (chapter twenty-one, Supernatural Powers), these places are all the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light. This is what is meant by "the place of practice." 

- OTT, page 192

Thursday, June 3rd, 2021
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"Believe in this mandala with all your heart. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"

(Reply to Kyō'ō 

- WND, Vol. 1, page 412)
Selection Source: "Kyo no Hosshin," 

Seikyo Newspaper, June 3rd, 2021

Friday, June 4th, 2021
---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ——
"'Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary [practitioner] of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be a Bodhisattva of the Earth. 

(WND–1, 385; "The True Aspect of All Phenomena")

"It is thought that the Daishonin sent this writing to a priest disciple named Sairen-bo in May 1273, nearly 750 years ago. The Daishonin was 52 at the time and living in exile on Sado island.*

"The title of this writing is 'The True Aspect of All Phenomena.' During our morning and evening gongyo, we recite three times the teaching of 'the true aspect of all phenomena' (Jpn. shoho jisso)** from the 'Expedient Means" chapter of the Lotus Sutra (cf.LSOC2, 57). That's how crucial this teaching is.

"This letter was written in response to Sairen-bo's query about the meaning of 'the true aspect of all phenomena.' Asking questions is very important to the process of learning. Summoning the courage to seek answers from others is how we make new discoveries and experience the joy of understanding new things.

"The Daishonin clearly replies that the true aspect (essence) of all phenomena (things, reality) is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. He says: 'The "true aspect" is another name for Myoho-renge-kyo"*** (WND–1, 384).

"The daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that we chant is the name of the ultimate truth. It is the fundamental principle underlying the universe and life. It is the means by which all people can attain Buddhahood and the source of revitalisation, harmony and happiness that fills us with boundless life force and good fortune.

"All of you who embrace this Mystic Law have tremendous strength and potential. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Mystic Law is that 'switch' that enables you to activate these qualities without limit in the real world."

The Buddhism of the Sun—Illuminating the World, "The True Aspect of All Phenomena"—Take the Lead in Spreading the Philosophy of Respect for the Dignity of Life! June 2020 issue of the Daibyakurenge - Monthly Soka Gakkai study journal, translation released April 2021 

* Sado Exile: The Daishonin's exile to Sado Island in the Sea of Japan from October 1271, immediately following the Tatsunokuchi Persecution on September 12th, 1271, through March 1274. Sairen-bo, the recipient of "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," was also an exile on Sado Island. Inspired by the Daishonin he became his disciple.

** In gongyo, we recite three times: "Sho-i shoho. Nyo ze so. Nyo ze sho. Nyo ze tai. Nyo ze riki. Nyo ze sa. Nyo ze in. Nyo ze en. Nyo ze ka. Nyo ze ho. Nyo ze honmak kukyo to" this translates to: "this reality consists of the appearance, nature, entity, power, influence, internal cause, relation, latent effect, manifest effect and their consistency from beginning to end" (LSOC2, 57).

*** Myoho-renge-kyo is written with five Chinese characters, while Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is written with seven (nam, or namu, being comprised of two characters). The Daishonin often uses Myoho-renge-kyo synonymously with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in his writings.   

The Japanese kanji is available by clicking on Seikyo Shinbun's
http://www.seikyoonline.com/news/wagatomo/

-- WAGA TOMO NI OKURU --
"IMA IRU BASHO" GA
NINGEN KAKUMEI NO DOJO DA.
GANZEN NO KADAI NI ZENRYOKU DE IDOMU.
KONO NEBARI ZUYOI TATAKAI KARA
JUJITSU TO KANKI GA UMARERU.

--- KYO NO GOSHO ---
"KONO MANDARA YOKUYOKU SHINZE SASE TAMOBESHI NANMYOHORENGEKYO WA SHISHIKU NO GOTOSHI IKANARU YAMAI SAWARI O NASU BEKIYA
(Gosho Zenshu page 1124)

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