The story of my path to Buddhahood through the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin
16 Apr 2014 2 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Chanting, Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Poison Into Medicine, Practice
Some days we are strong, some days not so strong. Nichiren says this …
When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake.
Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water.
Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.
~ Nichiren
05 Apr 2014 3 Comments
in Buddhism Tags: Birth, Death, Enlightenment, Faith, Nichiren Daishonin, Suffering, Universal Truths
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death.
Never seek any other way to inherit the Ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life.
Only then will you realise that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.
Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.
~ Nichiren
23 Feb 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Beauty, Belief, Faith, Heart, Point Of View, Viewpoint, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
A great work of art is one that truly moves and inspires you. The test is when you yourself are moved. Don’t look at art with anyone else’s eyes. Don’t listen to music with others’ ears. You should view art with your own feelings, your own heart and mind.
If you allow yourself to be swayed by the opinions of others, ‘It must be good, because everyone else is raving about it’ or ‘It must be bad, because nobody else likes it’, your feelings, your sensibilities, even your confidence, which are the basis of every artistic experience, may wither and die.
To enjoy art to the fullest, you must abandon any preconceived notions, and look at things through fresh eyes. You should then confront the work directly, with your whole being. If you find that you are deeply moved, then for you, that is a great work of art.
Precisely the same applies to your faith. What moves you is a personal thing, it should not be based on what other people feel, nor should they influence you in any way. Have the wisdom, courage and compassion to stand firm and hold onto your own beliefs.
22 Feb 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Belief, Buddhist Practice, Buddhist Principles, Faith, Point Of View, Questions, World View
Having confidence in yourself, in your faith, and in my case, my practice is a really comfortable place to be. But simply having someone else question that confidence can be a good thing at times, even though it might leave you questioning yourself.
When you find yourself being quizzed about aspects of your life, it is all too easy to become defensive, even annoyed by the questions. Who does this person think they are, putting my self confidence under the microscope?
But taking the time to think carefully about the questions, to see things from their point of view and to reflect upon what you see, is a good thing.
Of course it can make you question your own beliefs, about yourself, about the way things really are, and not just the way you see them. It can cause you to pull up short and may even make you realise that the situation is not quite the way you had imagined.
But it also gives you the opportunity to take stock and, where necessary, make changes to align your world view with the real world. Our own little universe is sometimes at odds with the way things really are, so if someone asks you awkward questions, don’t come out with all guns blazing, it may just be that they have a more realistic idea of the situation.
16 Feb 2014 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Dark Passenger, Determination, Enlightenment, Faith, Fundamental Darkness, Heart, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Wisdom Courage and Compassion
In his writings regarding Buddhist practice, Nichiren repeatedly emphasized the importance of the heart.
While teaching that faith and courage are the powers and functions of the heart that enable us to open the world of Buddhahood in our lives, he also cautioned us against the heart’s negative functions, such as disbelief and cowardice, which close us off to our potential for Buddhahood.
So when we say that we chant with all our heart, we must ensure that we are indeed doing just that. Our fundamental darkness lives deep in our hearts and minds and will, if left unchecked, promote disbelief and cowardice, under the disguise of self protection in some instances.
Confront your fears, examine the thoughts that your Dark Passenger will bring. Be determined to resolve the issues and with a focused mind and a strong heart, chant to increase your faith and courage, ever onward towards enlightenment.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
04 Jan 2014 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddha, Buddha Nature, Buddhahood, Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin
Nichiren Buddhists believe that, not only does everyone have the World of Buddhahood within them, but that it can be achieved within this lifetime.
Think about that, everyone you know has the potential to reach Buddhahood, your family, friends, work colleagues, everyone. And not only those people you like, but those you don’t like so much too.
But how do we achieve this state of Buddhahood? The Daishonin had this to say …
“When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror, that will shine like a jewel when polished.
A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure it become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena, and the true aspect of reality.
Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.”
So there it is, such a simple Practice, so easy to learn, that when applied with faith and diligence, will allow us to reveal the Buddha in each and every one of us.
27 Dec 2013 1 Comment
in Buddhism Tags: Belief, Buddha Nature, Faith, Nature, Nichiren Buddhism
Shortly after he had finished his practice, an old man opened his eyes to see a scorpion floating helplessly in the river that was flowing slowly past his feet.
As the scorpion was washed closer to the tree, the old man quickly stretched himself out on one of the long roots that branched out into the river and reached out to rescue the drowning creature.
As soon as he touched it, the scorpion stung him. Instinctively the man withdrew his hand. A minute later, after he had regained his balance, he stretched himself out again on the roots to save the scorpion. This time the scorpion stung him so badly with its poisonous tail that his hand became swollen and bloody and his face contorted with pain.
At that moment, a passer-by saw the old man stretched out on the roots struggling with the scorpion and shouted: “Hey, stupid old man, what’s wrong with you? Only a fool would risk his life for the sake of an ugly, evil creature. Don’t you know you could kill yourself trying to save that ungrateful scorpion?”
The old man turned his head. Looking into the stranger’s eyes he said calmly, “My friend, just because it is the scorpion’s nature to sting, that does not change my own nature to save”. There are times when, despite adversities, we need to hold true to our beliefs and faith, even when it may attract ridicule and criticism from others.
29 Nov 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Buddhahood, Daisaku Ikeda, Faith, Happiness, Life-State, Nichiren Buddhism
There is an expansive life-state of profound, secure happiness, that transcends any material or social advantage.
It is called faith; it is called the life-state of Buddhahood.
As Nichiren reminds us:
“It is the heart that is important.”
It is in the heart of faith that Buddhahood resides and boundless and immeasurable happiness shines forth. Happiness is not something located far away.
We must realise that it exists within our own lives. Nichiren Buddhism teaches this and shows us how to attain indestructible happiness.
~ Daisaku Ikeda
07 Nov 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Chanting, Faith, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin, Principles, Reflection
Some days we are strong, some days not so strong.
When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Understand that the trees are like principles, and the wind that shakes them is like the recitation of the sutra.
~ Nichiren
When we realise that we are weak, we must continue to be guided by our principles and chant with all our might, that we may become stronger.
09 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in Buddhism Tags: Birth, Death, Enlightenment, Faith, Nichiren Daishonin, Suffering, Universal Truths
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death.
Never seek any other way to inherit the Ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life.
Only then will you realise that earthly desires are enlightenment, and that the sufferings of birth and death are nirvana.
Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless without the heritage of faith.
~ Nichiren
The Search For Enlightenment 
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