The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
19 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Oneness Of Self And The Environment, Practice, Reflection, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
The misfortune of others is our misfortune. Our happiness is the happiness of others. To see ourselves in others and feel an inner oneness and sense of unity with them represents a fundamental revolution in the way we view and live our lives.
Therefore, discriminating against another person is the same as discriminating against oneself. When we hurt another, we are hurting ourselves. And when we respect others, we respect and elevate our own lives as well.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
18 Oct 2012 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Materialism, Self Awareness, Self Improvement, Transformation
Such things as money, fame, and material possessions offer a fleeting satisfaction, something that can be called relative happiness.
However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established absolute happiness.
If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then nothing—no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life-can undermine or destroy our happiness.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
15 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhist Practice, Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Joy, Lotus Sutra, Mystic Law, Sadness
What is true joy in life? This is a difficult question to answer, and one that has occupied the time of a great many thinkers and philosophers.
Joy is transitory and can quickly give way to suffering. Joy is often short and suffering often long.
Also, what passes for joy in society is superficial. It cannot compare with the joy derived from the Mystic Law. The key therefore, lies in cultivating a state of mind where we can declare without reservation, that life itself is a joy.
This is the purpose of our Buddhist practice.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
30 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhahood, Daisaku Ikeda, Friendship, Good Friend, Practice
What Buddhism terms ‘good friends’, are sincere, honest people without a trace of deceit, who guide others toward the correct path, toward good. It also refers to people who lend their assistance or support to us so that we can practice Buddhism with full assurance.
If you become close to a person who makes you feel “that person is always glowing and animated” or “When I’m with that person I feel strong and secure,” then your faith will naturally deepen, and you will develop bountiful wisdom. In carrying out this Buddhist practice, encountering good friends is the key to obtaining Buddhahood.
– Daisaku Ikeda
28 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Dark Passenger, Enlightenment, Fundamental Darkness, Nichiren Buddhism
With my current struggle with The Dark Passenger continuing, this quotation from Daisaku Ikeda hit the proverbial nail squarely on the head …
In Nichiren Buddhism, attaining enlightenment is not about embarking on some inconceivably long journey to become a resplendent, godlike Buddha; it is about accomplishing a transformation in the depths of one’s being.
In other words, it is not a matter of practicing in order to scale the highest summit of enlightenment at some point in the distant future. Rather, it is a constant, moment-to-moment, inner struggle between revealing our innate Dharma nature, or allowing ourselves to be ruled by our fundamental darkness and delusion.
– Daisaku Ikeda
17 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Happiness, Insight, Joy, Life, Wisdom
There is no one lonelier or more unhappy than a person who does not know the pure joy of creating a life for himself or herself. To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest intelligence or knowledge. To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life.
The struggle to create new life from within is a truly wonderful thing. There is found the brilliant wisdom that guides and directs the workings of reason; the light of insight that penetrates the farthest reaches of the universe; the undaunted will to see justice done that meets and challenges all the assaults of evil; the spirit of unbounded care that embraces all who suffer. When these are fused with that energy of compassion that pours forth from the deepest sources of cosmic life, an ecstatic rhythm arises to colour the lives of all people.
Daisaku Ikeda
From Buddhism Day By Day
30 Jul 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Enlightenment, Practice, Responsibility
Sometimes I surprise myself, or rather something, that in all truth should be blindingly obvious, suddenly permeates my grey matter and comes as a bit of a shock. I’ve been writing my blog for nearly two years now, and over thirty thousand people have visited it in that time, but it struck me today that the whole purpose behind it, and my practice, is to help myself, and others, to reach a state of enlightenment.
Daisaku Ikeda says this of enlightenment, or the state of Buddhahood:
If we attain the state of Buddhahood in this lifetime, that state will forever pervade our lives. Throughout the cycle of birth and death, in each new lifetime, we are endowed with good health, wealth and intelligence, along with a supportive, comfortable environment, and lead lives that overflow with good fortune. Each of us will also possess a unique mission and be born in an appropriate form to fulfil it.
Quite a statement, but how amazing would that be? That was the shock. That my practice and my musings about it each day, are actually helping me, and hopefully you, along the path to the most amazing goal.
Maybe I am a bit dim, maybe I should have realised it sooner, but I hope that my posts help others, even if it is only a simple thought that strikes a chord.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
25 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Gohonzon, Gongyo, Josei Toda, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin, Nikko Shonin, Practice, Prayer, SGI, SGI-UK, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
During morning Gongyo we say four Prayers, the first out loud, the last three silently to ourselves. During evening Gongyo, the first prayer is omitted.
The First Prayer – Appreciation for Life’s Protective Forces (spoken – morning Gongyo)
I offer appreciation to the Shoten Zenjin, the functions in life and in the environment that serve to protect us, and prey that these protective powers may be further strengthened and enhanced through my practice of the Law.
The Second Prayer – Appreciation for the Gohonzon (silent)
I offer my deepest praise and most sincere gratitude to the Dai-Gohonzon of the Three Great Secret Laws, which was bestowed upon the entire world.
I offer my deepest praise and most sincere gratitude to Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.
I offer my deepest praise and most sincere gratitude to Nikko Shonin.
I offer sincere gratitude to Nichimoku Shonin.
The Third Prayer – For the attainment of kosen-rufu (silent)
I pray that the great desire for kosen-rufu is fulfilled, and that the Soka Gakkai International develops eternally in this endeavour.
I offer my most sincere gratitude to the three founding presidents – Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Josei Toda and Daisaku Ikeda – for their eternal example of selfless dedication to the propagation of the Law.
The Fourth Prayer – Personal prayers and prayer for the deceased (silent)
I pray to bring forth Buddhahood from within my life, change my karma and to fulfil my wishes in the present and the future.
(we may offer additional prayers here)
I pray for my deceased relatives and for all those who have passed away, particularly for these individuals:
(we name our relatives and friends here)
I pray for peace throughout the world and for the happiness of all humanity.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
08 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Daisaku Ikeda, Euro 2012, Losers, Point Of View, Winners
So Euro 2012 is finally here and tonight’s games have lived up to all the hype and expectations. With the co-hosts Poland drawing 1-1 with Greece, I imagine the Poles are feeling a little down, letting a one goal and one man advantage slip in the second half.
Russia, on the other hand, must be buzzing, having beaten the Czech Republic 4-1. With more fancied teams playing over the next few days there will be winners and losers, but if the matches live up to the openers, football will be the real winner. But even the teams that come out of their opening games as losers can take heart if they look at the results in a slightly different way.
Daisaku Ikeda had this to say:
“Strength is Happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being.”
Going home with the shiny prize isn’t the only way you can win, again President Ikeda has pearls of Wisdom …
“It is not how you compare to others that is important, but rather how you compare to who you were yesterday. If you’ve advanced even one step, then you’ve achieved something great.”
So whatever kind of opening game your team has, you can look at things in several ways, and still come out of it as a winner.
22 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Arab Spring, Daisaku Ikeda, Human Revolution, Libya
Tonight we had the most beautiful sunset, reds and pinks and oranges covered the sky and I thought about the old saying “Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight”. I think that means that the weather will be fine, but it obviously doesn’t come with any guarantee because right now it’s raining cats and dogs.
Another saying, well more of a quote from Daisaku Ikeda actually, is “A great inner revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of an entire society and, further, will cause a change in the destiny of humankind”. Watching the BBC news tonight showed that the ‘Arab Spring’ is still on going and that Libya looks to be freeing itself (albeit with a great deal of help from the West) of forty years of tyrannical leadership.
When you think how all this started, with one man in Tunisia giving his life for the cause of freedom, maybe some sayings hold more water than others.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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