Facing the Eight Winds

FACING THE EIGHT WINDS

"Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away

by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure,

suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved

by decline."

"The Eight Winds," (WND-1, 794)

How much time do we spend trying to fit in, hoping to impress people and avoid

criticism? How much time do we spend working on self-improvement?

Naturally, we feel good when people say nice things about us and feel down when people

treat us badly. In Nichiren Daishonin's quote above, he isn't saying that worthy people

simply don't care about how they are treated; he's saying that worthy people are not

controlled or overpowered by negative or positive treatment.

The "eight winds" have one thing in common: all of them originate outside ourselves.

As such, none of them can be basis for true happiness, as true happiness is built from

within and cannot be taken away by external circumstances. Also, the four negative winds

can only really harm us if we give them that power, if we are "carried away" by them, as

Nichiren says. This is true of the positive winds as well.

SGI President Ikeda writes: "Many automatically think that one who boasts of high status

in society is fortunate; that one who enjoys fame is admirable; and that one who has a great

deal of money and property is respectable. These perceptions are misguided illusions.

Who, then, is fortunate? Who is genuinely a person of truth and integrity? Granted, these

are difficult questions, but be assured that the answers have nothing to do with outward

appearances" (Discussions on Youth, 2nd Edition, 30).

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone faces embarrassment at some point. And everyone

has moments when they are acknowledged, rewarded or praised for their actions. But

from the Daishonin's perspective, life is long and such highs and lows are fleeting. A life of

faith, compassion and wisdom developed through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and

sharing the Daishonin's teachings with others creates lasting happiness and fulfillment

generated from within. Chanting and supporting others through good and bad times praise

the Buddha within us and within all life, and in the long run that's the praise that matters

most.

Living Buddhism (Sept-Oct 2011) The Writings – Awakening (P. 20)

FACING THE EIGHT WINDS

"Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away

by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure,

suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved

by decline."

"The Eight Winds," (WND-1, 794)

How much time do we spend trying to fit in, hoping to impress people and avoid

criticism? How much time do we spend working on self-improvement?

Naturally, we feel good when people say nice things about us and feel down when people

treat us badly. In Nichiren Daishonin's quote above, he isn't saying that worthy people

simply don't care about how they are treated; he's saying that worthy people are not

controlled or overpowered by negative or positive treatment.

The "eight winds" have one thing in common: all of them originate outside ourselves.

As such, none of them can be basis for true happiness, as true happiness is built from

within and cannot be taken away by external circumstances. Also, the four negative winds

can only really harm us if we give them that power, if we are "carried away" by them, as

Nichiren says. This is true of the positive winds as well.

SGI President Ikeda writes: "Many automatically think that one who boasts of high status

in society is fortunate; that one who enjoys fame is admirable; and that one who has a great

deal of money and property is respectable. These perceptions are misguided illusions.

Who, then, is fortunate? Who is genuinely a person of truth and integrity? Granted, these

are difficult questions, but be assured that the answers have nothing to do with outward

appearances" (Discussions on Youth, 2nd Edition, 30).

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone faces embarrassment at some point. And everyone

has moments when they are acknowledged, rewarded or praised for their actions. But

from the Daishonin's perspective, life is long and such highs and lows are fleeting. A life of

faith, compassion and wisdom developed through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and

sharing the Daishonin's teachings with others creates lasting happiness and fulfillment

generated from within. Chanting and supporting others through good and bad times praise

the Buddha within us and within all life, and in the long run that's the praise that matters

most.

Living Buddhism (Sept-Oct 2011) The Writings – Awakening (P. 20)

President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement September 30, 2011

Those who strengthen their faith day by day and month after month are genuine practitioners. Our daily practice of gongyo, therefore, is important, as well as attending meetings every month. We must not let our faith grow weak. We must make it stronger today than yesterday, stronger this month than last. Buddhist practice is a succession of such untiring efforts, the ultimate goal of which is attaining the summit of Buddhahood.

It is important to remember that your worth as a person is not based on your profession. It is not based on wealth, fame or academic credentials. What counts is how hard you have striven in your chosen path, how much good you have accomplished, how earnestly you have devoted your energies to it. It is your spirit of devotion, your sincerity, that determines your true worth. For that reason, our individuality constitutes the basis for leading a life of dignity and meaning as a human being.

GOSHO PASSAGE

The meaning of this passage is that those who obtained benefit during the Former and Middle Days of the Law received "conspicuous" benefit, because the relationship they formed with the Lotus Sutra during the lifetime of the Buddha had finally matured. On the other hand, those born today in the Latter Day of the Law receive the seeds of Buddhahood for the first time, and their benefit is therefore "inconspicuous."

(WND 474) The Teaching, Practice and Proof
Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275

BUDDHISM DAY BY DAY - WISDOM FOR MODERN LIFE

Knowledge gives rise to wisdom. If you like, knowledge is the pump; wisdom is the water that we get from the pump. If we can't obtain water, the pump is useless. At the same time, without knowledge, without the pump, we won't be able to obtain water.

A YOUTHFUL DIARY - Monday, January 11 (1960) Cloudy then clear

   "You must strive with all your hearts/ and remove yourselves from indulgence and laxity" (LS1, 20).
   How is the engine of my ship for the important embarkation into my thirties?
   Discussed the staff's salary at the headquarters.
   Considered carefully the harmony among all the staff, their family circumstances, their abilities and so on. Although their work is in the realm of faith, I must give serious thought to the foundation of their living in the reality of society.
   In the evening, met with associates of N. at K. We discussed various issues regarding paper stock for the newspaper.
   No matter what meeting I attend, I feel Sensei's heart, his image, is reflected in my mind's eye.
   On my way back from the headquarters, finishing reading Sensei's The Detailed Commentary on the "Expedient Means" and "The Life Span of the Thus Come One" Chapters of the Lotus Sutra. Felt infinitely nostalgic.
   Chanted one thousand daimoku.
   Inscribed "Dawn" and "Boundless joy from the Law" on calligraphy paper as mementos.
   Couldn't go to bed until a little after 2:00.

 

8th Ikeda Forum, "Greater Self" Videos, "Soft Power" Talk Anniversary

In This Issue 8th Ikeda Forum Greater Self Videos The Age of Soft Power September 2011  E-Newsletter The Ikeda Center e-newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with our activities in support of peace, learning, and dialogue.   Quick Links   Ikeda Center Website   E-Newsletter Archive Print Newsletter Archive Dialogue Path Press on Facebook!	Cultivating the Greater Self  8th Annual Ikeda Forum for Intercultural Dialogue to take place October 22      The "greater self" of Mahayana Buddhism, writes Daisaku Ikeda, "always seeks ways of alleviating the pain, and augmenting the happiness, of others, here, amid the realities of everyday life." Building on this Buddhist foundation, this year's Ikeda Forum will consider the greater self from a range of philosophical perspectives, with emphasis on ways that education and dialogue can encourage this enlightened state. Throughout the day, we will ask: How might widespread awakening to the greater self help us realize a more harmonious and ultimately peaceful world? Speakers include Virginia Benson, Ann Diller, Bernice Lerner, and Lou Marinoff. Please join us on Saturday, October 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for "Cultivating the Greater Self."   >> Learn more about the event!    >> Register to attend!         Social Healing and the Greater Self   Judith Thompson featured in new video series     Judith Thompson recently talked with us about the many ways that the lense of social healing enables us to develop an expansive vision of self and community, one in which the well being of both are intertwined and interconnected.     Practicing compassion, she says, we grow beyond our isolated, lesser selves, thus transcending what she calls "the delusion of separation." Other topics include social healing as  an evolutionary paradigm, the paradox of compassion, the role of self healing, and the value of evolving narratives. Dr. Thompson is Co-Director of the Social Healing Project. This video series features five brief clips.     >> View the videos          "The Age of Soft Power and Inner-Motivated Philosophy"     September marks 20th anniversary of Ikeda lecture           Twenty years ago this month, Center founder Daisaku Ikeda spoke at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government on the philosophical dimensions of "soft power," a term introduced and first explored by Harvard's Joseph Nye in his 1990 book, Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power.     In his talk, called "The Age of Soft Power and Inner-Motivated Philosophy," Ikeda argues that a rejection of the coercive methods of "hard power" must be accompanied by a "corresponding strengthening of the inner resources" of individuals along with an inner-motivated commitment to the well being of society.  For inspiration, Ikeda looks to the Japanese tradition of Bushido as well as figures such as Blaise Pascal and Ralph Waldo Emerson.     >> Read the lecture
Contact Information Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue  396 Harvard Street * Cambridge, MA 02138 phone 617-491-1090 * www.ikedacenter.org

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SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement September 16, 2011

SGI  President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement September 16, 2011

A nurse who cared for many terminal patients has observed, "Ultimately, people only die as they have lived." To die happily is therefore extremely difficult. And since death is the final settlement of accounts for one's life, it is when our true self comes to the fore. We practice faith to live happily and also to die happily. One who has faith in the Mystic Law will not die an unhappy death.

The workings of our mind are truly subtle. Some have noted that despite what is commonly believed, our memory doesn't necessarily deteriorate as we get older. Even supposing a certain degree of decline is inevitable, our acceptance of people's assertions that memory function deteriorates as a fact, usually causes us to become more forgetful. In reality, however, our brain is made so that we can keep learning at any age.


BUDDHISM DAY BY DAY - WISDOM FOR MODERN LIFE

One thing is certain: That is that the power of belief, the power of thought, will move reality in the direction of what we believe and conceive of it. If you really believe you can do something, you can. That is a fact.

A YOUTHFUL DIARY - Monday, December 28 (1959) Clear

   Felt under the weather this morning. Took a taxi to work, though I felt wasteful in doing so. Could not help it.
   Was extremely busy offering guidance and encouragement at the headquarters. Many came - men, women, youth.
   Attended a Mukojima Chapter leaders meeting at 7:00 p.m. It was my last Gakkai activity for this 707th year since the establishment of the Daishonin's Buddhism. On the way back, stopped by the Mukojima Community Center and talked with fellow members until midnight about our memories of President Toda.
   Home late. My peaceful, bright home.

 

(1) Experience: Managing arrogance, (2) Perspective: Worst Lies

(1) Experience: Managing arrogance, 

(2) Perspective: Worst Lies

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement September 12, 2011

1271: Tatsunokuchi Persecution. The Daishonin, who is about to be beheaded by government troops, is saved when a flash of light in the night sky frightens the executioners away. The government later decides to exile him to Sado Island.

I hope you members of the youth division will, in the spirit of Shijo Kingo, advance with the Daishonin and also with Mr. Makiguchi, Mr. Toda and myself. This spirit of joint struggle shared by mentor and disciple is the very heart of the SGI. It represents a solidarity in which people are linked by a true unity of purpose and commitment. May each one of you lead the most valuable, meaningful youth. The age belongs to you.

Your success or failure in life is not decided on your achievements and results in school. To win true victory in life requires that you keep polishing the unequaled jewel of your unique potential as you make your way through life, bringing it to shine with supreme brilliance.

 

BUDDHISM DAY BY DAY - WISDOM FOR MODERN LIFE

Buddhism teaches that all people are inherently Buddhas. I believe that this Buddhist view of humanity embodies a fundamental principle for world peace. You are a Buddha and I am a Buddha. That's why we must not fight each other. That's why we must respect each other.

A YOUTHFUL DIARY - Thursday, December 24 (1959) Fair

   Very cold last night. Have I caught cold too? Had a fever of a little over 100°. Rested in the morning. Asked my wife to call the headquarters immediately. While laying down, read A Biography of Bokudo Inukai.
   Went to the headquarters in the afternoon.
   Wrote three works of calligraphy upon returning home:
   "Simple and innocent."
   "Pure and awakened."
   "Uncrowned Emperors."

 

--
Regards,

Mr Chang C.L.

_________________
http://MrChang.com

Faith Manifests in Daily Life... WORKING FOR BEAUTY, GAIN AND GOOD

We often hear people say they aren't capable. But this is a defeatist attitude. If you feel you aren't capable, then tap into the great reservoir of potential that lies inside you. Since we embrace the Daishonin's Buddhism, we have recourse to daimoku. If we chant daimoku to the Gohonzon, we can bring forth all the ability and strength we will ever needed.

The purpose of our lives, to the very last moment, is to achieve something of value. There is no life more noble than that of individuals who dedicate themselves to something they believe in and strive for it wholeheartedly, individuals who give their lives selflessly to their beliefs.

___

Writings for Discussion Meetings – WT, July 15, 2011

 

WORKING FOR BEAUTY, GAIN AND GOOD

 

No matter how poor these estates might be, avoid complaining of it, either to others or to your lord. If you say, "They are excellent, excellent lands," your lord may add to your fiefs again.

"The Receipt of New Fiefs" (WND-1, 945)

 

     At times, we may have to do things in life we don't particularly like. Or we may have a job that's not ideal, not the one we'd want if given a choice. Yet, we persevere. Life involves this kind of struggle.

     Some may want to complain, but they don't. Or they do complain and run the risk of losing trust, being demoted or fired.

     First Soka Gakkai president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi ascribed three components to the quality called "value,' the first being beauty, the second gain or benefit, and the third, good.

     His disciple and successor, second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, applied these three kinds of value to a person's work or career. In work, beauty means to have a job one enjoys; gain, or benefit, accords with a job that pays well or from which one can profit materially; and good describes a job that contributes to the well-being of others or to the betterment of society.

     It would be ideal to have a job that satisfies these three components of value: an enjoyable job that offers financial security and enables one to contribute meaningfully to society. But of all the working people in the world, few find this sort of job, especially early in their careers.

     Rather, many work at jobs they never planned to have, doing things they never expected or hoped to do. To find work that fulfills even two of the three criteria for value is rare. You may like the work you do, but it may not pay that well. Or the income may be sufficient, but you may not feel you are contributing much to the world and are just working to bring home a paycheck. The reality is that in any job or any life endeavor, we have to take the good with the bad as we pursue our dreams.

    The important thing, President Toda always emphasized, is first to become indispensable wherever you are. Instead of moaning that a job falls short of what you'd like to be doing, he said, become a first-class individual at that job.

     SGI President Ikeda elaborates: "This will open the path leading to your next phase in life, during which you should also continue doing your best. Such continuous efforts are guaranteed to land you a job that you like, that supports your life and that allows you to contribute to society" (The Way of Youth, 94).

     Nichiren Daishonin wrote the above passage to a disciple who was thinking of quitting his job, a samurai vassal named Shijo Kingo. His job was to serve and protect his feudal lord, Ema. But though he did his best, Kingo's fellow samurai became jealous of him and resentful of his Buddhist faith, and spread false rumors about him to their feudal lord. As a result, Ema threatened to confiscate Kingo's estates. Nevertheless, Kingo continued serving his lord while persevering in his Buddhist faith and practice. This enabled him to earn his lord's renewed trust, and Ema granted him an estate larger than the original one.

     However, Kingo found that his new lands yielded him little revenue. Discouraged, he began to think, "Is this the reward I get for risking my life to serve my lord?" Nothing is more demoralizing than receiving no recognition for strenuous effort, and Kingo was about to abandon everything.

     In the letter, Nichiren sent to Shijo Kingo cited above, he praises Kingo highly for the great victory that led to his increased landholdings. Recognizing Kingo' efforts, the Daishonin also tells him that no matter how frustrated or disappointed he becomes, if he continues to treat his lord and his fellow samurai will and act wisely, "Your lord may add to your fiefs again." Nichiren's message: By continuing to work hard without giving in to complaint, you will surely see a clear positive result.

     An important concept in this teaching, Nichiren is telling us, is that "faith manifests itself in daily life." Because we practice Buddhism, aiming for our own happiness and that of others, it is important that we always refresh our spirit to do our best at work and other life responsibilities. In this way, we build a strong foundation for a life of genuine value and fortune.

     President Ikeda says: "We practice Nichiren Buddhism so that we can develop and improve ourselves, and carry out our human revolution in our workplaces, in our families and in our communities. We do so in order to create the greatest value where we are right now…

     "Nichiren Buddhism is a living philosophy for changing reality. That is why one of the titles of the Buddha is 'Hero of the World.' The SGI has followed this courageous path" (April 30, 2010, Seize the Day, E).

 

-        Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

 

Discussions

 

1.     What does it mean to manifest faith in daily life?

 

2.     Can you share a time when your faith enabled you to win in your workplace?

 

 

The Strategy of Human Revolution

SGI-USA WOMEN'S LEADER MATILDA BUCK
THE STRATEGY OF HUMAN REVOLUTION

The keys to victory in life are determination, prayer and action.

The conclusion of a two-part essay on human revolution. Part 1 can be found in the July
18 issue.

SGI President Ikeda tells us over and over that the keys to victory in life are determination,
prayer and action. A Soka Gakkai leader in Kansai once suggested that these components bear fruit only when we do not bear grudges. Maybe we can use these guidelines to map out a strategy for our human revolution.

• Determination: We are chanting because, on the deepest level, we are Bodhisattvas of
the Earth—we are connected to something greater than our own needs, and we made a
vow as such. A vow contains both pledge and desire.

The Buddha desires to save all people, to make all people equal to the Buddha. If we
develop the desire of the Buddha, we will awaken the power of the Buddha within us.
The most sustaining kind of determination comes from a higher perspective of the
meaning and purpose of life—like Nelson Mandela, like the first three presidents of the
Soka Gakkai, like Ronnie Smith.

But sometimes our determination comes from a much more human, yet still effective,
spot. For example, the feeling that "I won't live like this anymore." That's what happened
to me several years ago.

President Ikeda has said that determinations have a shelf life of about three days, so he
advises us to renew them about a hundred times a year!

• Prayer: If we start with the premise that, because we are Bodhisattvas of the Earth, we
will do such and such, then our prayers should match that level of seriousness. We can pray resolutely for wisdom to find solutions, pray strongly for people's happiness and growth.

Nichiren Daishonin tells us, "Therefore, when you chant myoho and recite renge, you must
summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself " (The Writings of Nichiren
Daishonin, p. 3).

Chant until you feel confident in your prayer. Nothing can match the power and
outcome of chanting abundantly.

• Action: Our self-mastery, our models of humanity and transformation make us always
free to act, no matter what the circumstance. It is our existence that can lead others to
happiness.

Action also includes stopping actions of negative value. We may pray hard for a job or
to finally lose weight or to improve a relationship, but if our actions contradict our desire,
we gain nothing but frustration.

How we actualize our prayer is the greatest challenge in human revolution.

It is not enough to chant like a Buddha; we must also act like one. The energy we put
into helping others find the Law and practice it is the important thing. Our commitment
to our Buddhist community, our actions to protect it from the ill-intended, to ensure its
growth and protection all reflect our determination toward our human revolution.

• Living without grudge: Bearing a grudge is the opposite of transformation, revolution
or transcendence. It is isolation, joylessness, and it breeds divisiveness and unhappiness.

But, well, 'fess up. It feels so righteous, doesn't it? Don't you think people like Nelson
Mandela and Ronnie Smith had a right to hold the biggest grudge in the world?

But they knew it would only poison them.

The secret to ridding ourselves of grudge is to be proactive, to say: "This is no good,
rotten, unfair, and for this very reason I will definitely use this for my human revolution,
my polishing, my self-mastery. It will not use me."

Back in 1996, an SGI leader once shared with a small group of us one of the most
succinct explanations I have ever heard about human revolution. He said: "What you are
feeling and going through right now is your true Buddhist training. Use it for the sake of
the future."

He urged us to challenge our situations, but not by judging or evaluating others.

"Determine to use it to develop yourself," he said. "Because you are pained by this, you
must take it on. If you don't take it as your mission to improve the situation, you will never
hit that thing that is exactly what you need for your personal development." He cautioned
us not to let it get the better of us.

Solving problems is an endless process, he continued. "Don't get pulled into a quagmire
and become deluded yourself. Instead use it to catapult yourself to change. Rejuvenate
yourself through prayer. It will bring out the conviction and courage that you can solve the
problem. If you truly struggle with this as your problem (not someone else's) and listen to
many voices as a source of wisdom, faith will show you a way. Don't analyze it, saying,
'If only this person would change (or disappear),' thinking that they must change in order
to end your suffering. If they change, that will be part of the solution, but not the whole
resolution.

"If you take it as your problem, then you create your own solution, one that can never
be taken from you, your human revolution. If you can feel that 'this is my work to solve
this' and if you suspend criticism and really pray deeply to affect some change, you need
never again feel trapped or hopeless or apathetic. Each breakthrough builds strength," he
said.

He inspired us to take responsibility, pray deeply, listen, talk together, exchange
wisdom.

"When you approach problems in this way, determining all can become capable, when
you can say, 'I will find the humanity in my life and in this situation,' this is human
revolution," he said.

As Bodhisattvas of the Earth, we can identify our karma (no matter how troublesome)
as our mission. With these tools, we can find inner riches and true spiritual freedom.
In Webster's Dictionary, I found these definitions of freedom: free of restraints, capacity
to exercise choice, full access. As long as we continue practicing Nichiren Buddhism, we
have this freedom.

And if all of this is too much to remember, here is the simplest thing I once heard
President Ikeda say about human revolution: It is not some great huge mysterious thing, it
is really simple. For instance, if you don't like to read, but you know it will improve your
life to know more, then try reading even just 15 minutes a day. At the end of the year, you
will have done quite a lot.

If we take this example and say our lives are a book and each day a page, when we exert
the effort to "read" each "page," then when we come to the end of our book, we will have
done quite a bit—and I dare to call it human revolution.

KEYS TO HUMAN REVOLUTION

There are many components of human revolution. Some of the important ones outlined by
SGI-USA Women's Leader Matilda Buck (see her article on this page) are:

• a desire to transform our suffering
• a sense of mission
• a desire for humanity's happiness
• remembering the bodhisattva vow to help others
• having a mentor to strive with forever 

Changing My Family Karma - Zalde Gallardo

Changing My Family Karma

Sunday, 31 October 2010 by Chant for a Better Life

 

Through strong faith in Nichiren Buddhism, Zalde Gallardo, a member from the Philippines, found the answer to a number of questions he had about life and succeeded in changing his family's life. Influenced by his mother, Angelina, and following her lead to take up faith, chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and participating wholeheartedly in Gakkai and kosen-rufu activities, Zalde was able to achieve successful results in his study, overcome the poverty he and his family were facing and recovered from an illness. In addition, he and his family also succeeded in encouraging his father, who opposed their practice, to take up faith in Nichiren Buddhism, thus achieving their family kosen-rufu. Zalde hopes that the experience he and his family went through can inspire others to take faith in the Mystic Law and become truly happy despite all the problems in life.
 
My name is Zalde Gallardo from SGI-Philippines and this is my experience in faith:

 
"Why some people were born in so much poverty, with an ugly appearance and with low intelligence to match? On the other hand, why some people were so privileged who were born not only rich but with beauty and talent as well and high level of intelligence? If we are all created by a benevolent God, why the discrepancy among people are so extreme?"
 
These are the questions that I sought for an answer since my early childhood. I grew up in one of the slums in Manila, capital city of the Philippines. My parents were both from the provinces who escaped the poverty in their own families and went to the city in search of a "greener pasture".
 
Since both of them are uneducated and not familiar with the city, they ended up working for a rich Chinese-Filipino family as housemaid and family driver respectively. There, they met, fell in love and finally got married.
 
As they could no longer stay together in the house of their employer when they got married, they settled down in a rented room located beside a filthy creek inhabited by squatters in the city who, like them, tried their luck in Manila.
 
There, all of their four children were born. We were so poor that sometimes we have to skip meals or subsist on rice porridge or rice and dried fish everyday just to keep us alive. All of us children were of course undernourished and most of the time wanting from a comfortable living environment.
 
The creek beside our "house" is so filthy due to garbage thrown by the residents and it also served as our comfort room since we didn't have a toilet. To make the situation even worst, my mother developed a heart condition where it enlarged beyond its normal size causing so much discomfort for her as she became weak and couldn't sleep well lying down as she felt that she's drowning.
Despite our situation, my mother didn't complain. Like a majority of Filipinos, she's also a devout Catholic who regularly goes to church and pray the rosary every day. In fact, I became a religious boy myself and was even trained as an altar boy when I was eight years old. I regularly received lectures from the Bible and instructed to be prayerful as much as I could.
 
I even dreamt of becoming a Catholic priest when I grow up. But since the abovementioned questions linger on my mind, I asked our parish priest for an answer. He said that we cannot question God because he is God and we are mere common mortals. I just have to continue to be faithful and my rewards will be in "heaven".
 
In short, I was not convinced but nonetheless don't want to end up in "hell" after I die if I continue questioning my faith.
Then, in 1977, when I was 10 years old, our house was demolished by the government to give way for the flood control project of the city. I came home from school with our house being stripped off of its roof and walls. And since it's just made up of wood and almost already dilapidated to start with, it took the demolition team no time at all to tear it down completely.
 
I couldn't forget that day when I saw my mother quietly packing our things with tears in her eyes and telling us to take whatever useful possessions were left for us.
 
My father looked for a place where we could move to and make a new start. Fortunately, he has relatives living in the outskirt of Manila who upon hearing our situation took pity on us and find a place where we can stay.
 
Although the house where we transferred was not so different from the one we used to live, we were grateful because it's not beside a dirty creek and there's no possibility that we will be booted out like animals once again.
 
Despite our traumatic experience, our family continued to live as normal as possible. My father gave up his job as a family driver since the place where we transferred was far away from his employer. He became a cab (taxi) driver.
 
To help my father earn additional income, my mother started peddling vegetables and fish in the neighborhood with a friend who invested a small capital for such a business. They went from door to door early in the morning each day to sell.
 
One of their regular customers happens to be an SGI Women Division (WD) member and told them about a "prayer" that will surely attract customers and will make them (my mother and her friend) happy. Of course, what will make them happy is to attract customers and have all of their merchandise sold!
 
She wrote down in a piece of cigarette foil the word – Nam-myoho-renge-kyo – and instructed my mother and her friend to recite it over and over again. She promised that they will experience good results if they do that morning and evening. Thinking that it's a magic word, they tried chanting and see what will happen.
 
And as if by luck, they had better sales everyday and they go home earlier than before since they sold out everything early and some customers were still asking for more.
 
They were thrilled by this newfound "prayer" and became interested to find out what this is all about. When they returned to the lady who introduced the chant to them, she invited them to attend a discussion meeting to be held in her house that evening. In that meeting, they learned that the chant is actually a Nichiren Buddhist chant and they also heard testimonials of its efficacy from the members who attended.
 
At first, my mother and her friend were reluctant to continue chanting but they were challenged by the WD member who introduced it to them by saying that if they want to change their destiny and become truly happy, then they should try this Nichiren Buddhism and continue chanting.
 
At that time, my mother's friend was experiencing a difficult relationship with her husband's relatives, which affected their family, and my mother was suffering from a heart disease and we we are in dire poverty. So, they decided to give it a try and thought that if it won't work, then, they can just quit the practice altogether.
 
We were surprised to see one day that instead of the Catholic prayer of the rosary that my mother used to do everyday, she's now repeating a strange word over and over while kneel sitting with her palms pressed together.
 
It made us even more confused when some members came over and enshrined a scroll of paper in a wooden box which my mother asked my father to make. Thinking that it would be a medicine cabinet or something, he obliged; only to be dismayed when he found out what it was really for.
 
However, my mother was undaunted and seriously put this Buddhism to test through chanting and attending discussion meetings. She felt something real about this chant because whenever she chants, she becomes energized and the feeling of weakness disappears.
 
She can now sleep lying down without difficulty in breathing, which for sometime had been her major problem. And within three months of continuous practice of this faith, she regained her health and X-ray tests showed that her heart returned to its normal size.
That was her first major benefit from her practice and convinced her all the more that this philosophy is true. Meanwhile, my mother's friend also experienced great benefit with her family encouraging each one of them to continue the practice with members in the SGI-Philippines.
 
Soon, my mother also encouraged me to chant and brought me to a meeting so that I can hear something about Buddhism directly from leaders and long time members. At that meeting, I asked the same questions (which are at the beginning of this testimonial) that have been bothering me for a long time.
 
There, I heard about the theory of Karma, the Buddhist principle of cause and effect and the Eternity of Life. The one who answered my questions reiterated that based on the Buddhist law of cause and effect, everything happens for a reason and everyone's condition in life differs from one another due to individual karma each of us had created from our previous lives; that you should not blame a God or your parents or anybody for your circumstances because you, yourself, had created either positive or negative causes that made you who you are and the situations you are now in.
 
But since you cannot go back to your past lives, it's important that you create value or good causes in the present so you can change your destiny and truly become happy. That made sense to me.
 
In fact, that was the answer that I've been long searching for! It gave me hope and courage to go on living because now I have the opportunity to change my destiny as well as my family!
 
I was 11 years old at that time but I made up my mind to try this Buddhism with the hope that our family's situation will turn for the better. Together with my mother, I started chanting and involved myself with SGI activities such as zadankais (discussion meetings) and daimoku toso (chanting sessions) in our area.
 
We became the butt of joke in our neighborhood. Many thought that my mother became insane because of too much poverty that we were suffering from. They said that perhaps because we lacked food to eat most of the time, and my mother became lunatic and entered a religion, which might be of the "devil".
 
My father also didn't approve of my mother's conversion to Buddhism. He said that he will respect my mother's decision to change religion but he will never follow suit. His relatives in a way also tried to persuade my father to talk to my mother to return to being a Catholic.
 
But my mother became persistent with her new faith. She said that, through chanting, she found hope and courage to overcome her problems. She never felt as much happiness inside of her now that she's chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
 
She told me that those people who were trying to dissuade her from this practice didn't genuinely care for our family's happiness and only say nasty things because they didn't know anything about Buddhism. With that conviction, she continued chanting and attending SGI activities.
 
Because of my mother's influence, I chanted for me to be able to go to high school since we couldn't afford the tuition fee. During that time, only the elementary education was offered for free by public schools in the Philippines but not tuition fees for secondary level.
 
I'm the second child, and my older brother who is less than two years older than me, could barely make it to high school because of our financial condition. So, that's the first thing that I chanted for, to be able to attend high school despite our situation.
 
My mother encouraged me to chant at least 30 minutes everyday to make my dreams come true. I even learned to do gongyo ahead of her since she had difficulty in pronouncing the words. I also encouraged my other siblings to chant and pray to the Gohonzon everyday.
 
Because of this, I received my first big benefit, as I was able to enter high school for free. I was able to top the entrance examination given to freshmen students which I really didn't expect. I was just an average student back in my elementary years and was very shy.
 
Due to lack of food and school materials like books and notebooks, I couldn't really concentrate on my studies. Most of the time, my siblings and I were discouraged to go to school because we didn't have proper school uniforms or school supplies required by our teachers.
 
Seldom would I've eaten breakfast before going to school since we didn't have any. I was very skinny and suffered from chronic colds. Thus, it was no wonder that my school performance was not that impressive. But I know that I could do better if given the opportunity.
 
That opportunity came when I started practicing this Buddhism. As I have topped the entrance examination in high school, I was given academic scholarship that allowed me to study in high school for free.
 
Because of the discipline and confidence I developed through participating in SGI activities such as the drum and bugle corps and culture festivals, I was able to maintain my scholarship all throughout my years in secondary level, became active in school activities, and graduated at the top of my class.
 
I attribute this achievement to my faith in the Gohonzon and my conviction that through chanting, I will change my destiny.
Because of that benefit of graduating as the class valedictorian in high school, I was able to enter college, once again, as an academic scholar. I never thought that I could finish high school much more enter a university!
But things that I prayed for are now coming true!
 
I was so elated by these benefits and continued participating in SGI activities as much as I could to show my appreciation to the Gohonzon. We were on our fifth year of practice and our family's fortune was turning for the better.
 
My father was able to work in the Middle East as a truck driver which was actually a benefit that my mother chanted for. But since a lot of Filipinos were able to go to the Middle East to work during that time, my father didn't consider that as a benefit of our faith.
I thought that since my mother, my other siblings and myself were sincerely practicing this faith, everything will be fine. Until one morning, I woke up coughing out blood! I was horrified!
 
I thought that the simple cough and colds that I was chronically suffering from was nothing to worry about. But I was wrong. It turned out that I was in moderately advance stage of pulmonary tuberculosis and I should take time out from school and recuperate by taking a combination of anti-TB drugs.
 
I was devastated because I was only 17 then and there were so many things in mind to accomplish. I turned to the Gohonzon and chanted even though I have no voice at that time.
 
I recall, based on our study of Ikeda sensei's novel "The Human Revolution", that sensei himself also suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis and was told that he won't reach the age of 30 because of his afflictions. However, due to his strong faith in the Gohonzon and rock- solid determination, he was able to overcome that illness and became the SGI President.
That gave me the inspiration to use my faith to defeat this obstacle. I clinged on to the Gosho passage that says, "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion, what sickness can therefore be an obstacle?"
 
With that conviction in mind, I chanted for seven hours a day while I took a leave of absence from the university. I took the doctor's prescriptions and stayed at home for a while. In two weeks' time, I was able to go back to school but under medication and continued my SGI activities.
 
My doctor assured me that as long as I was on medication, chances that I could infect other people was minimal. I just had to be careful with my personal hygiene, cover my mouth when coughing, and separate my eating utensils from the rest of my family.
With that, I continued with my studies and my other activities as if I was not sick. After six months of intensive treatment, and lots of daimoku chanting, I was able to overcome my disease. I believe that it's the power of prayer that made my recuperation really fast. Once again, I was really full of appreciation for this benefit.
 
I finished college with a degree in Medical Technology at the Far Eastern University in Manila, with honors (Cum Laude), among almost 300 graduates. This was my most cherished dream, to have a college diploma, which has been the main reason why I started practicing.
 
At last, I was able to achieve what seems to be impossible when I was just a small kid! Now, I can proudly say that chanting really works! That this faith can really change anyone's bad karma!
My benefits were far more than what I expected.
 
After, graduating from college, I took the licensure exams for Medical Technologists so I could practice my profession. I once again used my faith and the discipline I gained from this practice and applied myself in studying to pass the exams. Among the almost 2,000 examinees, I landed sixth place overall and number one from my university. Indeed, with faith nothing is impossible!
However, despite my achievements in school, I found out that finding a job where I could use what I learned from the university was really difficult. I was offered a teaching job from my own college but the salary was not enough to cover my daily expenses.
I have a younger sister whom I promised to help to go to college. Although my father was still working abroad, he was also having problems with his employers and had to transfer from one company to another. As a result, he irregularly sent money to our family which made it difficult for my other younger siblings to go to college as well.
 
By using once again the power of the Law, I chanted and chanted to have a job that would provide my family financial stability so that I could send my youngest sister to college.
 
I gave up my teaching job in the university and became involved in the pharmaceutical industry as a Medical Representative wherein we represented our company and visited target doctors to convince them to use our brand of medicine on their patients.
It was a tough job with so much pressure because it was sales related. But I enjoyed talking to doctors, convincing them, giving them information about our products and I loved the challenges that went with it.
 
I tried to introduce some of these doctors who became my friends to Nichiren Buddhism and SGI. The salary was good enough to support my family and send my sister to a university. And for the next 20 years, I was with the industry acting in different capacity from a medical representative to a sales manager.
 
I also considered those as benefits since I was, indeed, able to send my sister to college where she graduated as a Physical Therapist. She now lives in New Zealand together with her husband and two children.
 
I also chanted for my partner in life and for kosen-rufu. I believed that, through the workings of the Mystic Law, that my schoolmate in high school (who became my wife) and I were able to see each other again after several years on a commuter bus.
I had just attended an Young Men Division (YMD) discussion meeting in our Culture Center and on my way home, we chanced upon each other on the bus. After some asking "how's life going on" kind of questions, we decided to meet again for some more catchup.
 
We became really good friends and after some time fell in love with each other. At first we never talked about our respective religions. She knew that I'm a practicing Buddhist and she respects my belief.
 
However, I chanted and prayed to the Gohonzon that she would be able to see the greatness of this faith so she can also become truly happy. She would ask me to join her to attend Catholic mass on Sundays, which I did for quite sometime. Then, I invited her to attend one of our SGI-meetings.
 
On the first meeting she attended, she noticed a familiar face in front of the members and told me that she thought she knew that lady sitting in front. As she was an SGI leader, I told her the name of that woman. She said that she was not sure because she looks like the lady who was their leader in their parish church when she was a kid. She said that that woman was a devout Catholic and couldn't be the same person sitting in front of that SGI meeting.
 
Then, after the activity, we went to that SGI-WD leader so I could introduce my then-girl friend of one year to her. To my surprise, my girlfriend realized that she was the same lady who used to be their prayer leader and a very devout Catholic at that.
Because of that meeting, my then-girlfriend became intrigued about this Buddhism and started to read publications and asked questions to me and to other leaders about this faith. Eventually, she came to her own decision to practice and become a member of SGI. And before we finally got married, she's already an active Young Women Division (YWD) member who chants daimoku and attends meetings together with me. That was a truly great benefit for me which I really chanted for!
 
My father, perhaps because of the actual proof that our family is showing, became less critical of our faith. However, he was caught in the middle of the Middle East crisis in 1990 and experienced the terror of war when the Iraqi soldiers conquered Kuwait where he was working.
 
For almost a year, we lost any form of contact with him and we didn't know if he was still alive or not. Through all this uncertain times, my family and I only relied on our faith to the Gohonzon that somehow, our father would return home alive.
And that was what exactly happened!
 
He was repatriated back to the Philippines after the Americans and the Allied Forces were able to free Kuwait from Iraq. Although we were happy to see him back, my father was disillusioned and disappointed when he returned home.
 
He felt that all those years that he spent working away from his family were useless after all because all of his savings were taken away by the Iraqi soldiers and he went back home penniless just like before.
 
Despite our encouragement, he indulged himself in self-pity and most of the time quiet and sad. He blamed the Iraqis for his misfortune. He blamed himself for not putting his savings in the bank. He blamed my mother for not saving enough.
Through all these, we chanted for his happiness and the wisdom to realize that material things or money should not be the basis for his and our family's happiness. For sometime, my father questioned why those things happened to him despite the fact he has been kind and fair to everybody and he believed in God with all his heart.
 
Then, on New Year's Eve in 1998, almost 20 years after my mother and I started to practice, my father finally chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on his own. That was another great benefit that we received from this practice. Finally, we were able to achieve our family kosen-rufu!
 
Now, my father is an active leader of the Men Division (MD) in our chapter who treats the members like his own children.
After more than 30 years of practicing Nichiren Buddhism, I can truly say that my family and I were really able to change our karma. My wife and I are now living in our own modest house together with our two kids, a son and a daughter, which is definitely a far cry from the house where I grew up.
 
I am now an entrepreneur who owns a small school supply shop and convenient store. My children will not be lacked of school supplies anymore and children can buy from our store on a discount because I wouldn't like to see them refusing to go to school because their parents can't afford to buy the things they need for school.
 
Not only did we conquer poverty and hopelessness, we are able to live our lives with a noble purpose and share the happiness of practicing this faith to other people who at one time in their lives also suffering from the same difficulties that we had.
I am forever grateful to my mother who has always been strong in her beliefs and encouraged all of her children to chant and practice sincerely.
 
On 15 February 2010, my mother, Angelina Gallardo, peacefully passed away in her sleep at the age of 65 after succumbing from stroke. She had several episodes of stroke in the past and we attributed the prolongation of her life (since her first attack in 1998) to her strong faith in the Gohonzon. And to my father, who despite his initial antagonistic view toward our practice became the reason why we developed our human revolution.
 
Maraming salamat po, Nanay at Tatay! (Thank you very much, Mom and Dad!)
 
I will forever cherish the Mystic Law and the Gohonzon and promise to share this Nichiren Buddhism to as many people as possible through words of encouragement and actual proof.
 
No matter what happens in my life, whether good or bad, I always apply the Gosho passage: "Suffer what there is to suffer, and 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."

The Ultimate Freedom

FROM SGI-USA WOMEN'S LEADER MATILDA BUCK THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM What is this thing called human revolution? It's far more than mere self-improvement, Matilda Buck tells us. Part 1 of a two-part essay on human revolution. Everybody wants to improve. Just look at all the people hovering around the magazine racks and book sections that dispense information on self-improvement. When I was a girl of 10 or 11, there was a magazine called American Girl. It featured articles on character building, how to be a good friend, three new ponytail styles. The ads in the back enticed readers to send away for free booklets: How To Find Your Special Look, Make Over Your Bedroom and my bible, Guide to Clear Skin. I wanted to improve. Self-improvement, however, implies that we lack something or need to fix something in order to be OK. Nichiren Buddhism points us to a more profound life change: realizing our deepest identity, our innate Buddhahood and the transformation that comes with it— our "human revolution." "The Lotus Sutra teaches of the great hidden treasure of the heart, as vast as the universe itself, which dispels any feelings of powerlessness," says SGI President Ikeda. "It teaches a dynamic way of living in which we breathe the immense life of the universe itself. It teaches the true adventure of self-reformation" (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 1, p. 14). Sometimes I think we interpret human revolution as self-improvement. Losing weight. Breaking bad habits. Putting up with a bad situation. All of these things might be part of our human revolution, but they are not the ultimate dynamic. Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda said that another name for human revolution is attaining Buddhahood. In Nichiren Buddhism, attaining Buddhahood is discovering the greatness of our life and others'. Human revolution is the great cause and great effect of our practice. We make the cause for human revolution when we transcend a given situation by saying "I will challenge this for the sake of my growth as a Bodhisattva of the Earth." Conversely, the effect of human revolution is experienced as we continue our practice day by day and realize that we have naturally deepened our compassion and profoundly changed our character. Its scope is huge, yet it is necessary that each individual do this for the attainment of kosen-rufu. In fact, our individual human revolution, collectively, is kosen-rufu. Mr. Toda described his human revolution when he was imprisoned—a good example of this cause and effect. Because he chanted to understand a certain point in the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra (the 34 negatives)—which led to his profound understanding that the Buddha is life itself—he gained the deep conviction that he was a Bodhisattva of the Earth. Based on this, he resolved to make the Buddha's will to spread Nam-myoho-renge-kyo his own. Isn't it interesting that a prison cell—a place of no freedom at all—was exactly the place of Mr. Toda's enlightenment? Instead of bitterness and blame in his cell, he strove to understand, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo over and over. In a sense, the SGI was born in that tiny cell. Someone once said that Nelson Mandela spent 28 years in prison preparing to become the president of South Africa. His determination to not hate his guards spiritually expanded a physically constricted life. He worked to build a sense of community with all prisoners, even those who had been enemies. He took courses in law and economics by mail. Those 28 years were spent polishing himself so that he could show the world a great victory that manifested a great social change. It is this unshakable foundation that allows him to say at age 84 what he said almost 50 years ago: "The struggle is my life." These are great examples of people who transcended their circumstances. Not only did they find great freedom, they initiated important changes for humanity. Their examples inspire us to be better people. So what about us? We may think that our spheres of influence are limited. Yet the Lotus Sutra says everyone is a potential Buddha, and Nichiren Daishonin made it possible to embody this way of life. President Ikeda tells us that there is no one without an important mission to fulfill (see "A Revitalized Humanity," right, for President Ikeda's explanation of the essential process of human revolution). At this very important time, it is many common individuals—like you and me—undertaking lives of human revolution, building a groundswell of peace and thus changing the destiny of humankind. Enlightenment is not an intellectual process. Only through strenuous practice can we find it. As humans we must deal with ego; we become confused and clouded when we encounter difficulty. The way out of this is to awaken to a cause greater than our ego. In that way, our eternal self can emerge from within our small self or ego. It is the first act of human revolution, and the results can never be taken away from us. I'd like to share the experience—just one part—of Ronnie Smith, SGI-USA senior vice general director. In the 1970s, when Ronnie had been chanting only a short time, he needed to find full-time employment and found an apprentice-level opening at the sheet metal workers union. This racially closed union had just been sued by the federal government to open its program to people of color. The local shop where he was assigned was not happy that this had been forced on them. He was not welcomed by the other men, and the shop steward was determined to see Ronnie fired. He gave him harder tasks, very little instruction and absolutely no encouragement. Ronnie ate lunch alone, overhearing the grumblings of the men who purposefully used the "N" word. Every night, Ronnie chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo just to continue, no matter what, to learn the trade and to have the spiritual energy to go to work the next day. The steward became increasingly hostile and abusive. Finally, Ronnie had enough. He talked to a senior SGI-USA member who listened for a long time and then said: "You know what? You need to chant for this guy's happiness." Ronnie thought it was crazy, but he did it. Every night, he came home and chanted for his boss's happiness. After about a week, something began to happen. When Ronnie chanted for his boss's happiness, he himself began to feel nothing but pure hate. He would try to rise above it, feel Buddhist compassion, but more and more the imbedded hate flowed from him, anger that he had no idea he owned. As he persevered, keeping his eye on his goals to learn the trade and challenge his anger and hate, things began to change. He became an expert artisan (he is called to work on the White House), and his example changed the minds and hearts of his fellow workers. Ronnie says the boss's highhanded behavior never changed except toward Ronnie who, strangely, became his pride. And Ronnie's pride came when a successor arrived at the door one morning, the next African-American apprentice. The boss put his arm around Ronnie and said, "Yeah, takes me back to when you first began." In the series "The World of Nichiren Daishonin's Writings," President Ikeda says: "The Tatsunokuchi Persecution showed the Daishonin's victorious conduct as a human being. The Daishonin, as an ordinary person, defeated the devilish nature of power and moved the Buddhist gods from throughout the universe to action" (March Living Buddhism, p. 32). It goes on to say that it was because of his great vow that he could bring forth such strength. Of course, the Daishonin's great vow to save humanity by establishing and spreading the correct teaching is huge. His determined stand at Tatsunokuchi shook his life of all negativity. But doesn't Ronnie's experience contain the same element? When he continued chanting for that man's happiness, for something bigger than survival or reprisal, Ronnie was fulfilling his vow as a Bodhisattva of the Earth. When he took that higher perspective, even though he felt like a fake as his own anger poured out, he was creating a deep revolution in his life. He transformed his own devils, his anger, his racism. The boss responded to Ronnie's inner struggle, and the men saw a great example. The shop was forever integrated. It was win–win–win. But the greater winner is Ronnie—he is a man of true strength who can transform anything. He is free. A REVITALIZED HUMANITY In SGI President Ikeda's 2002 peace proposal, "The Humanism of the Middle Way: Dawn of a Global Civilization" (May 2002 Living Buddhism, p. 19), he describes the essential process of human revolution: It is…imperative that we maintain clear focus as we continue the inner spiritual struggle to awaken the forces of good within. This ceaseless effort to polish our lives empowers us to avoid stagnation, the tendency to view present conditions as fixed and immutable. We can then exercise the self-mastery required to respond creatively to the unique problems and possibilities of each moment. It is through sustaining and ingraining this habit of struggle that the most positive and creative energy becomes established as the fundamental tenor of our lives and the basis for our life-activity. As individuals, it is in this way of life marked by ceaseless striving and growth that we find the true significance of the Buddhist concept of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds.

SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement September 3, 2011 [ true character, mentor disciple relationship ]

True character is only forged through hardship and suffering. Moreover, it is the mentor-disciple relationship, not organizational structures, that builds character. Many great scholars, pioneers and leaders of the world have come to note how crucial the mentor-disciple relationship is.

One must live with dignity. Character is the foundation of human rights. It is far more valuable than money. No true peace can be achieved as long as seek only material wealth.

GOSHO PASSAGE

Suppose there is a ship that sails on the open sea. Though the ship is stoutly built, if it is flooded by a leak, those on the ship are sure to drown together. Though the embankment between rice fields is firm, if there is an ant hole in it, then surely, in the long run, it will not remain full of water. Bail the seawater of slander and disbelief out of the ship of your life, and solidify the embankments of your faith.

(WND 626) The Embankments of Faith
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on September 3, 1275

BUDDHISM DAY BY DAY - WISDOM FOR MODERN LIFE

Viewing events and situations in a positive light is important. The strength, wisdom and cheerfulness that accompany such an attitude lead to happiness. To regard everything in a positive light or with a spirit of goodwill, however, does not mean being foolishly gullible and allowing people to take advantage of your good nature. It means having the wisdom and perception to actually move things in a positive direction by seeing things in their best light, while all the time keeping your eyes firmly focused on reality.

A YOUTHFUL DIARY - Friday, November 20 (1959) Clear

   On the 17th, the sixty-fifth high priest, Nichijun Horigome, died.
   High Priest Nittatsu Hosoi's new era has begun. Determined to realize kosen-rufu without fail during the tenure of this new high priest.
   Each day is becoming busier.
   Sense the dawn of kosen-rufu is near.

Gems: Where To Find Happiness?

Where to  Find Happiness

By GREG MARTIN (SGI-USA Study Department Vice Leader) WT, 12/04/1998)

You must never seek any of Shakyamuni's teachings or the Buddhas and bodhisattvas
of the universe outside yourself. Your mastery of the Buddhist teachings will not
relieve you of mortal sufferings in the least unless you perceive the nature of your own
life. If you seek enlightenment outside yourself, any discipline or good deed will be
meaningless. For example, a poor man cannot earn a penny just by counting his
neighbor's wealth, even if he does so night and day. That is why Miao-lo states,
"Unless one perceives the nature of his life, he cannot eradicate his evil karma." He
means here that unless one perceives the nature of his life, his practice will become an
endless, painful austerity. Miao-lo therefore condemns such students of Buddhism as
non-Buddhist. He refers to the passage in the Maka Shikan, "Although they study
Buddhism, their views revert to those of non-Buddhists." (The Major Writings of
Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 4)

Perceive the nature of your own life. What exactly does this mean? In this passage from
"On Attaining Buddhahood," Nichiren Daishonin stresses the importance of perceiving the
true nature of one's life when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Earlier in this letter, the
Daishonin says that the nature of one's life means that Myoho-renge-kyo is one's life itself.

Your life is the entity of the Mystic Law — the embodiment of the principle that a lifemoment
possesses 3,000 realms. Your life is Buddha. The true nature of your life is that
you are eternally endowed with the life-state of Buddha — as you are.
"The lives of ordinary people," SGI President Ikeda writes, "are themselves mystic. The
Lotus Sutra proclaims that the human being is sublime. We must never forget this. There
isn't some mystic place or wondrous mystic being existing apart from the reality of our
lives…"

That's the theory anyway. But this may be the most difficult thing for a human being to
believe.

Knowing ourselves very well — our weaknesses and negativity, our imperfections — it
can be extremely difficult to believe that we are also Buddhas. It is this difficulty to
believe, this delusion about one's true nature, that the Daishonin is describing when he
writes: "While deluded, one is called a common mortal, but once enlightened, he is called a
Buddha" (MW-1, 4), and "The common mortal fails to realize that he himself possesses
both the entity and function of the Buddha's three properties" (MW-1, 91).

Seeking our happiness outside ourselves cannot change our karma.

Having difficulty believing that we possess all the qualities of the Buddha's life within
us, we continue to seek these things outside ourselves: Looking for the cause of our
unhappiness in the actions of others and events outside our lives. Looking for the solution
to our problems and relief from suffering outside as well. Thinking that if this or that
situation were changed, then we'd be happy. Or thinking that a change in the behavior of
another person will solve our problem.

In the end, however, even though we may chant and recite the sutra, and even though we
may have mastered Buddhist doctrine, to practice Buddhism while looking outside
ourselves for our happiness is no more beneficial than counting someone else's money.
And our practice, if it is so outwardly focused, will eventually become an endless painful
austerity — an EPA. Those practicing in this fashion, although they carry out the activities
of a Buddhist, may, in the strictest sense, not be practicing Buddhism at all.

Chanting is not a magic formula. Our mind of faith as we chant in front of the Gohonzon
is what's important. The quality of our prayer is as important as the quantity.

Looking for absolute happiness in a change of external circumstances or the
accumulation of pleasurable things is a delusion, a denial of one's Buddhahood.

And changing one's destiny and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime with such a prayer
of self-denial is impossible. Deluded prayer cannot change one's karma or bring forth
enlightenment "even if you practice lifetime after lifetime for countless aeons" (MW-1, 4).

Our prayers are answered when we believe in ourselves

Delusions, though, can be difficult to identify. They are subtle and blinding at times. It
can be difficult to know when you are practicing but remaining deluded.

How can you tell if your prayer is misdirected in this way? EPA is the key. If your
prayer about a problem, desire or situation has become an endless painful ordeal, then,
according to this passage, you are looking outside yourself. Your are in denial of your
responsibility and power, very often trying to change the wrong person.

"If we believe that there may be a more wonderful place in some other world," President
Ikeda continues, "or that there may be some method superior to that of faith in the Mystic
Law, it will greatly undermine our ability to manifest the world of Buddhahood."

That is why the Daishonin encourages us, "When you chant the Mystic Law and recite
the Lotus Sutra, you must summon up deep conviction that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life
itself" (MW-1, 4). Our ability to manifest maximum karma-busting, Buddha-attaining
benefit from our practice depends on whether we can believe in ourselves as we pray in
front of the Gohonzon.

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Source: ??