Gosho Study for July 2009
Flow 457, pp. 10-17
Flow 457, pp. 10-17
Key Points for Study and Discussion
1. The Mystic Law or Myoho-renge-kyo is the Buddha nature inherent in the life of all of us ordinary people!
- Treasure everyone around us, even our enemies!
- Believe in the Buddha nature inherent in everyone, transcending religion, race and culture.
2. Our Buddha nature is the same as (not inferior to, nor different from) that of all other Buddhas. (Many find this unbelievable!)
- We have unlimited potential!
3. “The blessings of the entire Lotus Sutra are all contained solely within the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo.” [Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man Part One, WND-1-131]
- “The ‘Dharani’ chapter in the eighth volume of the Lotus Sutra says, ‘If you can shield and guard those who accept and uphold the mere name of the Lotus Sutra, your merit will be immeasurable.” [Ibid.]
4. “… when once we chant Myoho-renge-kyo, we summon forth and manifest the Buddha nature of all Buddhas.” [Flow 457, p. 11]
- To “summon forth” means to call out with great conviction the underlying potential inherent in our lives. Hence, to chant with such conviction is required. Similarly, we can summon forth courage, wisdom, and etc. when we chant.
- “To illustrate, when a caged bird sings, birds who are flying in the sky are thereby summoned and gather around, and when the birds flying in the sky gather around, the bird in the cage strives to get out. When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature, being summoned, will invariably emerge. The Buddha nature of Brahma and Shakra, being called, will protect us, and the Buddha nature of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, being summoned, will rejoice.” [Flow 457, p. 11]
- “Therefore, if you recite these words of the daimoku once, then the Buddha nature of all living beings will be summoned and gather around you. At that time the three bodies of the Dharma nature within you—the Dharma body, the reward body, and the manifested body—will be drawn forth and become manifest. This is called attaining Buddhahood.” [Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man Part One, WND-1-131]
5. Why do we resist chanting, even though Nichiren Daishonin tells us in such simple and straightforward terms?
- Fundamental darkness causes the resistance to chant and the source of fundamental darkness is ignorance of the true nature of life. [Ref: Lectures on “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” pp. 38-42]
- Even knowing but not taking action; and knowing but not truly convinced are the manifestation of our fundamental darkness.
- Examples of ignorance in our life, seeking enlightenment outside our own life. [Ref: Lectures on “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” pp.42-47]
6. How to remove the fundamental darkness clouding our Buddha nature?
- We must develop strong faith!
- “Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo [WND-1-4]” [Ref: Lectures on “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” pp.52-59]
- “Become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you [WND-1-502].” Do not let the deluded mind controls our words, thoughts and deeds, but make the Law as the true master. Then we can attain Buddhahood. [Ref: Lectures on “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” pp.68-70]
- Our Buddhist practice is not just to solve external problems around us, but to overcome our inner weakness, from which we built a strong spiritual base so that we can take action (create values) for ourselves and society. [Flow 457, p. 15]
- We must actively and continuously challenge our darkness through chanting and through our daily practice. It is a perpetual and assiduous practice. Not to advance is to regress.
- “It is not something we can hope to achieve if we are halfhearted, simply going through the motions of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Much less will it be achieved by having priests chant for us instead! It is up to each person who chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to wage an individual struggle to dispel the darkness in his or her life. Because this darkness arises from our inner delusion, the struggle to defeat it must be waged within. In short, this struggle means persevering in faith.” [Living Buddhism, March-April 2006, pp. 74-75]
7. How should we chant? What should we think about as we chant? How do we challenge this fundamental darkness?
- We should “revere” the Buddha nature inherent in our own life, to treasure this hidden potential of Buddhahood (analogy of singing caged bird) which longs to emerge.
- Ignorance of our own Buddha nature is like the bird cage which limits the capability of our mind.
- Having the same mind as Nichiren and walking the path of mentor and disciple enables us to accept the correct way to attain Buddhahood.
8. The essence of our practice is to perceive the true nature of our life or mind.
- We need to wage an inner struggle and battle our innate ignorance continuously in order to attain Buddhahood.
- Persist in our faith!
9. How to battle?
- Chanting with “brave and vigorous spirit” and participate in Gakkai activities whole-heartedly!
- Challenging the 10+10+10+1 campaign is in accord with the spirit of waging this inner revolution to continuously take action for others and forge a strong spiritual self!
10. CONCLUSION
- “There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!”
- “Whether or not we continuously battle our innate ignorance is the single most important determinant in whether we attain Buddhahood” [Ref: Lectures on “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” p. 43]
- “Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens.” [Happiness in This World, WND-1-681]
... [contributed by Mr Lee and Angela]
Labels: Gosho Study
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