The person who lives life fully is the person who lives a successful life.

Daily Guidance Sun 04/29

 

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, April 29, 2012 What is success in life?  Who are the truly successful?  There are famous and powerful people who become pitiful figures in their old age. There are people who die alone, feeling empty and desolate inside.  Just what is success? The English thinker Walter Pater (1839-94) wrote: "To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." The person who lives life fully, glowing with life's energy, is the person who lives a successful life.         Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, April 29, 2012 Our efforts for the sake of dialogue, in order to be worthy of the term dialogue, must be carried through to the end. To refuse peaceful exchange and choose force is to compromise and give in to human weakness; it is to admit the defeat of the human spirit. Socrates encourages his youthful disciples to train and strengthen themselves spiritually, to maintain hope and self-control, to advance courageously, choosing virtue over material wealth, truth over fame.       Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Sunday, April 29, 2012 Little streams come together to form the great ocean, and tiny particles of dust accumulate to form Mount Sumeru.  When I, Nichiren, first took faith in the Lotus Sutra, I was like a single drop of water or a single particle of dust in all the country of Japan.  But later, when two people, three people, ten people, and eventually a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, and a million people come to recite the Lotus Sutra and transmit it to others, then they will form a Mount Sumeru of perfect enlightenment, an ocean of great nirvana. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 579 The Selection of the Time Written to Yui in 1275

 

 

--
Regards,

Mr Chang C.L.

_________________
http://MrChang.com

Prayer

Prayer
Mr. Kawai's guidance in faith, conveyed by Mr. Noro, based on President Ikeda's guidance.

We practice this faith not for mere exertion, that is, not for the sake of practice, but for change and progress and as quickly as possible.
Members may say, I'm doing many SGI activities, but so what? The real question is how much have I changed my life, my environment, and my livelihood? How much benefit have I received? There are many members who are doing lots of daimoku, but there is no change in their lives. Something is wrong. Buddhism is not the Law of Cause and Effect in Action. It is the Law of cause and effect in ichinen (determined prayer). For example, faith is not "feeling refreshed" after prayers and activities. Faith exists for us to change our lives. When we wish to travel somewhere, first we decide on the destination, then we plan on the action (route/ mode of transport) and then we travel and reach that destination. Faith is the same.
In faith, we must first have
1.    clear targets
2.    prayer
3.    action
It is important to pray strongly and then take action and we will see the results without fail. It is important to determine to change. That is to pray "I want to change", and then take necessary action. It is absolutely no use to ask the Gohonzon, "What should I do?" There will be no answer. YOU must decide what you want to accomplish, not the Gohonzon. Once we decide / determine on some goal, there may seem no solution. But that is precisely why we pray. If it were possible, we would not need the Gohonzon. If there is a way out, then there really is no need to chant. But we pray to change the impossible to possible. Do not engage in "what shall I do..." daimoku, that is, while chanting to think of strategies / look for options in your mind. There is absolutely no need to think of methodology, because there is no way out! We should simply pray like this "I want to accomplish this. I will accomplish this."
If, while chanting, we think that our desires are unattainable / impossible, then that is the prayer that will be reflected onto the universe. And that is exactly the answer we will get back from the gohonzon... impossible/no solution.
We must pray with 100% confidence in the Gohonzon. I believe in the Gohonzon, my prayer will definitely be answered, just as the Gosho states "no prayer to the Gohonzon will go unanswered". This is the Buddhist formula, which is 100% correct. It is our doubts that get in the way. While chanting, we always try to find ways out of our problem. Therefore, our ichinen is not directed towards the Gohonzon, but directed elsewhere. Thus it follows, that there is no real joy in daimoku and activities. We just keep doing what were told to do.
There was a young lady (student division) who wanted to go to USA from Japan to study. It was impossible, as she had no money etc. So she prayed, not chanted, but deeply prayed "I want to go to USA to study - I will go" One year later, she reported positive results. There had seemed no solution, but a "bridge" was formed through her sincere daimoku. This is the Mystic Law. It is beyond our understanding, which is why it is called Mystic. So there is no need to think, just trust and pray...
There was a WD who came for guidance. Her husband had terminal cancer and doctors said he would not live longer than 3 months. Her question was "can he be cured?" The answer was "I don't know". The leader went on to say that President Toda's guidance was that when we determine that the only one thing we can trust is the gohonzon, then the body begins to recover from sickness.
This means to cure ones own illness by oneself, through faith. The human body is capable of producing 700 types of medicines. But when our life force is weak, then nothing is produced. When our life philosophy is polluted by slander, and impurities then our life cannot produce its healing power. Buddhism is great. Our life is great! It is supreme. It is Divine. It is the life of the Buddha. So through faith we can always manifest this supreme state of the Buddha, this power of the Gohonzon.
People call Buddhism great, but actually it teaches us that our own lives are great. With determination, great life force and wisdom can be manifested from our lives and bodies to overcome sickness which is one's negative karma -the source of which is slander. So the real question is not whether the illness is curable, rather, the question is whether i can determine it is curable. The woman told her husband about this guidance and together both corrected their ichinen and prayed and he was cured.
A Woman's Division leader in Japan could not walk due to pain in her legs caused by rheumatism. She was asked "do you think that your disease can be cured?"
She replied "No!"
"So then that is your desire. Your state of mind and that is why the answer from the Gohonzon is - - no cure!" replied the senior leader. The leader continued by saying that if the medical doctor has given up, if he says there is no cure for your condition, then that is the time to summon up your determination to change the impossible to possible. The very next day, the woman called the leader to report that when she determined, the pain disappeared from her legs and 2 weeks later she was completely cured. Her suffering had been caused by her thinking that it was impossible to be cured, that she would have to live with this life condition. But the moment she determined (ichinen) to overcome through faith in the gohonzon, the power of the mystic law was manifested through her life.
There are 3 kinds of directions:
1.    Forward "Gear". Forward Gear practice consists of: having a clear and specified target and determination to accomplish it through prayer and action, for example: I want a white cat. She must be of Persian species, 3 yrs old, with blue eyes, female. And I want her in 2 weeks. I will get it. In other words, doing a lot of activities and daimoku with no targets and clear goals is no use, as it will not produce any changes in your life.
2.    Neutral "Gear" Neutral Gear Practice is chanting out of duty, with no joy. A habitual practice. E.g.: I am a leader, I have responsibilities, so I'm doing activities. But there is no effect. Its like the car analogy... the engine is full and ready to go... but nothing happens.
3.    Reverse "Gear" Reverse Gear Practice is when the more activities and daimoku one is doing, one is still going backwards, rather than forward in one's life. In other words, one may be making a lot of seemingly good causes, but one is also complaining. There is slander and grudges against others. Or one might be Complaining about ones' own situation on not seeing immediate results. This is dangerous practice.
Just like in automatic transmission car, there is very little difference between Forward and Reverse Gears, from outward appearance it is difficult to tell where one's ichinen is. But one's life will ultimately clearly manifest it.
Slander
Even if you commit slander without realizing it, it is still slander. One should never criticize leaders. Right or wrong, one should not complain at all. Instead, one can chant for them to grow and one will benefit from that too. Similarly, never do "onshitsu" in your family. That is do not complain, criticize or carry a negative feeling towards husband /wife, children or parents. This is your karma. You chose your spouse / partner / children.
Chant for their growth.
Further, do not depend / rely on others. Do not complain that they don't do this or that. Criticism will bring no benefit. But it will certainly bring negative effects.
In conclusion
We must eradicate the following types of prayer:
1.    Out of habit or ritual (that is without any target or determination)
2.    Out of delusion (that is while chanting, trying to find solutions to your problems)
3.    Out of disbelief (that is thinking that this is impossible and will not happen / change)
Instead, pray with your entire heart, your entire being that I am going to build a bridge towards my happiness and those of others by myself, by using the Supreme wisdom of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. One needs to have the experience of benefits / breakthroughs, so as to encourage others. "I have so many benefits through this practice... what about you?" Especially, senior members must receive many benefits. Buddhism is reason. Otherwise what is the use of practicing this faith? If they don't witness changes/ benefits then their faith has become habitual.
Experiences
There was a Men's Division Chapter Chief in Japan, which had a small trading company, which was almost bankrupt. The sales had dropped by half. At that time he prayed deeply that the sales should climb to $3 million. And it became so. The next year, his target was $5 million and the year later $7million. So it is important to determine first, then chant.
An owner of a barber-shop reported drop of sales due to lack of customers. He was advised to determine and pray concretely and in specific detail e.g. exact number of customers for haircuts, for blow dry etc. - detailed prayer, with a deadline.
One member prayed to sell his car. He did, but with no profit at all. Because he did not pray for it.
One woman had severe economic / financial problems. She prayed 3 hours daily in the morning - I want this amount of benefit today. I need it. And she received it.
We need to experience benefits through faith and prayer to show power of Gohonzon and encourage others. President Toda and President Ikeda said there are 10 reasons why no change or benefits occur in senior leaders' lives, even though they have been practicing for a long time.
1.    Unclear determination
2.    No concrete targets in faith
3.    Doing regular Gongyo but no concrete prayer
4.    Passive gongyo and activities from a sense of obligation
5.    A complaining and begrudging attitude about faith
6.    Seeking spirit for senior leaders/ guidance has become weaker
7.    Not working hard in office or home
8.    Depressed because of various sufferings in life
9.    Weak of sense of mission for Kosen Rufu
10.  Sense of responsibility as leader is weaker
Even if one of the above is missing, then faith has become habitual and there is no benefit. We must have dreams, which lead to hope and finally become reality when we chant! Therefore, we must have big dreams!
Experience
The President of a Fisheries Co was very concerned about the drop in catch of fish as it was affecting his sales, so he went for guidance. The leader asked him
"You say that you can't get lots of salmon fish. Does this mean that there is no salmon or are you unable to catch them?"
"I can't get any," he replied.
"Why can't you call them to your net? Did you pray like that?" The leader encouraged.
"No I didn't".
"There is no natural boundary in the ocean. So why don't you pray like that?"
The leader encouraged. So he did. His catch went up from 20 fish to 300 in one day. His company went from deficit to surplus. This is no miracle. This is the Law. This is reason.
What is amazing is when you don't get benefits even though you do chant.
 

We must grow and cultivate our own beauty

 Daily Guidance Fri 04/27

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, April 27, 2012 Age is not an excuse for giving up.  If you allow yourself to grow passive and draw back, it's a sign of personal defeat.  There may be a retirement age at work, but there is no retirement age in life.  How then could there be any "going into retirement" in the world of faith? The Buddhist Law is eternal, extending across the three existences of past, present and future, and one of the benefits of faith is perennial youth and eternal life.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Friday, April 27, 2012 We all long for things of beauty—beauty of nature, of appearance, of life, a beautiful family and so on.  But these cannot be gained if we are withdrawn and isolated, just looking at ourselves.  We must create better relationships with other people and interact with our community and society with an open heart.  We must be kind to nature.  It is only through this process that we really grow and cultivate our own beauty.         Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Friday, April 27, 2012 The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra, contain the benefit amassed through the countless practices and meritorious deeds of all Buddhas throughout the three existences. Then, how can these five characters not include the benefits obtained by observing all of the Buddhas' precepts? The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 481 The Teaching, Practice and Proof Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275

It's final victory in life that counts and that is the reason for our Buddhist practice

Daily Guidance Thur 04/26

 

 

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, April 26, 2012 What matters is winning in the end; the wins and losses along the way are of secondary significance.  It's final victory in life that counts and that is the reason for our Buddhist practice.  No matter how powerful or famous or privileged a person might be, Nichiren Daishonin says, from a Buddhist point of view it is all nothing more than a dream, an illusory pleasure; true happiness can only be attained by revealing the state of Buddhahood within our own life.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Thursday, April 26, 2012 As globalization proceeds, we enter an age in which everybody's actions strongly influence everybody else. When we realize this, we can then alter our mindset and strive to build a global society of mutual coexistence and mutual prosperity. This will be done by going beyond devotion to the interests of the nation-state and devoting ourselves to the interests of all humanity.  As Martin Luther King Jr. said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  The key to the solution is the imagination to care for others.  It is the empathizing heart or what Buddhists refer to when they talk about mercy.         Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Thursday, April 26, 2012 There are two types of illness: minor and serious.  Early treatment by a skilled physician can cure even serious illnesses, not to mention minor ones.  Karma also may be divided into two categories: fixed and unfixed.  Sincere repentance will eradicate even fixed karma, to say nothing of karma that is unfixed. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 954 On Prolonging One's Life Span Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279

3 Holes In Your Fortune Bucket

3 Holes In Your Fortune Bucket

Adversity gives birth to greatness

Daily Guidance Wed 04/25

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Adversity gives birth to greatness. The greater the challenges and difficulties we face, the greater opportunity we have to grow and develop as people. A life without adversity, a life of ease and comfort, produces nothing and leaves us with nothing. This is one of the indisputable facts of life.       Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Wednesday, April 25, 2012 If you think about it, although we may not be destined to die five minutes from now, we are all, without exception, going to die at some point. We can count on it 100 percent. There is nothing surer than this. Victor Hugo says, "We are all under sentence of death, but with a sort of indefinite reprieve." Ideally, we should live every minute of our lives valuably, as if it were the last moment of our lives. Those who live aimlessly are left with a sense of emptiness at the end of their lives, but those who live all-out, striving right to the end, will die peacefully.  Leonardo da Vinci says, "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." One aware that death could come at any time will live each day to the fullest. Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Buddhahood is the most difficult to demonstrate.  But since you possess the other nine worlds, you should believe that you have Buddhahood as well.  Do not permit yourself to have doubts.  Expounding on the human world, the Lotus Sutra says, "The Buddhas wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings." . . . That ordinary people born in the latter age can believe in the Lotus Sutra is due to the fact that the world of Buddhahood is present in the human world. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 358 The Object of Devotion for Observing the mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One's Passing Written to Toki Jonin on April 25, 1273

When youth are awakened to a sense of mission, their power is limitless

Daily Guidance Tue 04/24

Pres Toda with youth division members at a swimming meet, 1953 For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Tuesday, April 24, 2012 When youth are awakened to a sense of mission, their power is limitless. Ultimately, we have to entrust our hopes and visions for the future to the youth. This is a golden rule. Youth is pure. Youth will rise up to fulfill their ideals without calculation or self-interest. The fundamental spirit of a leader must be to reach out to such young people, work with them and bring out their capabilities and direct their youthful energies in a positive direction. Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Tuesday, April 24, 2012 The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, to allow them to attain purity. That is why they appear in the world.  They wish to show the Buddha wisdom to living beings, and therefore they appear in the world. They wish to cause living beings to awaken to the Buddha wisdom, and therefore they appear in the world.  They wish to induce living beings to enter the path of Buddha wisdom, and therefore they appear in the world. -The Lotus Sutra Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Tuesday, April 24, 2012 What matters most is that we honor the Buddha's words. As a rule, people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant.  Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while what is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth.  Even though people may revere [their predecessors' doctrines], if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today?" The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 155 Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro Written to Hoshina Boro Taro on December 5, 1267

Fwd: CHANGING family/health/relationship KARMA -by DR. KAWADA

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Leslie Chang" <leslie@coselec.com.sg>
Date: 26 April, 2012 12:24:59 AM GMT+08:00
To: "Leslie Chang" <leslie@coselec.com.sg>
Subject: FW: CHANGING family/health/relationship KARMA -by DR. KAWADA

Changing karma by Dr. Kawada - SGI Vice President - with gratitude to Vrinda Taneja, YWD District Leader for Euston District for bringing this to our attention

 

Karma is in the subconscious, specifically in the unconscious part of the subconscious.

The subconscious is all of our dormant potential.Happiness and unhappiness arise from there. All our images of life are collected there. It is a broad and expansive place. All our past is packed in there, everything. All the images from our previous lives are stored there; all our experiences, feelings, and sounds,everything. They are in our life and in our brain cells.

Everything from the moment you were born; from when you were in the womb even, all the sounds such as your mother singing, and experiences around you are images stored in the unconscious part of your subconscious. This also includes the images stored by your ancestors thousands of years ago, these images and experiences are carried into yourself. It is your inheritance. It continues on into your offspring, etc. These images become your life and they are what you are now experiencing. For example, if you tend to get into car accidents you can naturally assume that your ancestors were prone to accidents as well. Likewise, if you experience longevity, many of your ancestors also experienced longevity or illness runs in your family, this will probably occur in your life. This is family karma and it is stored in your subconscious. Because of the connectedness of you and your family, you share this karma with them.

When you chant to the Gohonzon you are changing not just your karma,but your whole family's karma at the same time.When one person changes, their whole family can change. Because you carry these images, you carry the same problems; illness,the way you die, poor finances, bad relationships, etc. Unless you change these images, they persist in your life and in that of your offspring. These images come out even if you aren't conscious of them. You are not deciding, but the unconscious image is in control; who you meet, what you do, when you die, if you get sick, etc. These are all results of the images you carry. All these unconscious images have led you to where you are right now. The scientific community is just starting to recognize this. Your unconscious images are your karma.

The right side of the brain has a huge impact on how we alter these images. Appreciation has a huge impact on how we alter that image.Using the words "Thank you" has an enormous impact on changing karma.The right side of the brain is happy to hear the words "Thank You" and responds accordingly. The words Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo in Indian Sanskrit are Namu Saddharm Pundarika Sutra (this is the phonetic spelling) and are translated as "Thank You So Much!".

So then what is the correct way to pray? It is not "Please let this happen to me". It is not begging and not asking for anything. But because we are saying "thank you so much" whenever we recite Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, we should always be chanting with appreciation. Our minds/emotions need to match out words. The most basic human feeling or emotion is gratitude. It is the first emotion we learn as an infant. Beyond the subconscious and unconscious is a very joyful life condition or world.

When we use the right side of our brain it is much easier to chant. We find that we can chant longer using the imagination side of our brain.Never say "please" when chanting. So many other religious practices teach asking for help, etc., not Nichiren Buddhism.

You have to appreciate everything in your life, including everything from your past. You need to make a conscious effort to recall as much as you can from your past and appreciate it. Even the things that you don't think you can appreciate you have to find gratitude for them.Then you have to appreciate your current circumstances as well, even if you are in the midst of a huge obstacle, such as cancer, financial ruin, a divorce, whatever the situation; you still have to appreciate it. You have to thank the Gohonzon (your life) for giving you this problem, because this is your chance to change negative karma to fortune.

What is the correct way to chant when you have a problem? You have to chant with the spirit of "Thank you so much for giving me this problem. Because of this I can change my negative karma and that of my family's. Pray sincerely from the bottom of your heart to appreciate your present circumstances. Because of this you can disconnect or alter your family's karma; you break it and begin to project a new image. You should also set a specific date that you will no longer have this problem.

Dr. Kawada treated fourteen people with stage four cancer. Some were not even SGI members. Their doctors had given up on all of them. One even had to be brought in on a stretcher. All fourteen people joined the SGI. They all learned to chant following this guidance of using the right side of their brain to project an image of no cancer intheir bodies. In the U.S., last-stage cancer patients are encouraged to draw a white cell eating a cancer cell. Though this has been shown to help, practicing Buddhism has an even bigger impact. In two months the person on the stretcher overcame thier cancer. Then his doctor joined. Eventually all fourteen overcame their cancer.

 

*************************************************************************

 

You can change any illness, even allergies and skin rashes, etc. If you are in an abusive relationship, you can create a new and positive image and it will change the relationship, because you are connected to that person even on a subconscious level. Your unconsciousness is linked to unconsciousness. It doesn't matter if they chant or not, they will change. Whoever you have a problem with; you need to chant for them to help change their unconscious image. You have to work on it over and over and eventually your image will be projected by them as well. This is really the truth. You can impact the images for your entire family. You have to use the right side of your brain to do this. That is the purpose and the function of the right side of the brain, so use it. You should write a diary. Not a diary of what happened to you today, but how you want your life to unfold the next 10, 20, 30 years, etc. If you do, your life will change.

You can literally write your own destiny.

 

 

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冬必为春 winter never fails to turn to spring

Be millionaires rich in life force -- to freely make use of the treasures of the universe in lifetime after lifetime and enjoy a journey of eternal happiness

Daily Guidance Sun 04/15

For Today and Tomorrow Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, April 15, 2012 Material possessions cannot be enjoyed after death.  But millionaires rich in life force are able to freely make use of the treasures of the universe in lifetime after lifetime and enjoy a journey of eternal happiness. That is what constitutes proof of true victory in life.         Buddhism Day by Day Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda Sunday, April 15, 2012 Life and death are one, and the entity of our existence is eternal, persisting throughout past, present and future. The setting sun, radiant with joy, gives proof of its undiminished power and at the same time offers a promise of a bright tomorrow. Bringing our lives to a wonderful, satisfying close guarantees us the path to happiness throughout eternity.         Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Sunday, April 15, 201 The Lotus Sutra offers a secret means for leading all living beings to Buddhahood.  It leads one person in the realm of hell, one person in the realm of hungry spirits, and thus one person in each of the nine realms of existence to Buddhahood, and thereby the way is opened for all living beings to attain Buddhahood. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 512 Letter to Horen Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275

CHANGING family/health/relationship KARMA -by DR. KAWADA

CHANGING family/health/relationship KARMA -by DR. KAWADA

USING RIGHT SIDE OF BRAIN WHILE CHANTING

 

Changing karma by Dr. Kawada - SGI Vice President - with gratitude to Vrinda Taneja, YWD District Leader for Euston District for bringing this to our attention

 

Karma is in the subconscious, specifically in the unconscious part of the subconscious.

The subconscious is all of our dormant potential.Happiness and unhappiness arise from there. All our images of life are collected there. It is a broad and expansive place. All our past is packed in there, everything. All the images from our previous lives are stored there; all our experiences, feelings, and sounds,everything. They are in our life and in our brain cells.

Everything from the moment you were born; from when you were in the womb even, all the sounds such as your mother singing, and experiences around you are images stored in the unconscious part of your subconscious. This also includes the images stored by your ancestors thousands of years ago, these images and experiences are carried into yourself. It is your inheritance. It continues on into your offspring, etc. These images become your life and they are what you are now experiencing. For example, if you tend to get into car accidents you can naturally assume that your ancestors were prone to accidents as well. Likewise, if you experience longevity, many of your ancestors also experienced longevity or illness runs in your family, this will probably occur in your life. This is family karma and it is stored in your subconscious. Because of the connectedness of you and your family, you share this karma with them.

When you chant to the Gohonzon you are changing not just your karma,but your whole family's karma at the same time.When one person changes, their whole family can change. Because you carry these images, you carry the same problems; illness,the way you die, poor finances, bad relationships, etc. Unless you change these images, they persist in your life and in that of your offspring. These images come out even if you aren't conscious of them. You are not deciding, but the unconscious image is in control; who you meet, what you do, when you die, if you get sick, etc. These are all results of the images you carry. All these unconscious images have led you to where you are right now. The scientific community is just starting to recognize this. Your unconscious images are your karma.

The right side of the brain has a huge impact on how we alter these images. Appreciation has a huge impact on how we alter that image.Using the words "Thank you" has an enormous impact on changing karma.The right side of the brain is happy to hear the words "Thank You" and responds accordingly. The words Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo in Indian Sanskrit are Namu Saddharm Pundarika Sutra (this is the phonetic spelling) and are translated as "Thank You So Much!".

So then what is the correct way to pray? It is not "Please let this happen to me". It is not begging and not asking for anything. But because we are saying "thank you so much" whenever we recite Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, we should always be chanting with appreciation. Our minds/emotions need to match out words. The most basic human feeling or emotion is gratitude. It is the first emotion we learn as an infant. Beyond the subconscious and unconscious is a very joyful life condition or world.

When we use the right side of our brain it is much easier to chant. We find that we can chant longer using the imagination side of our brain.Never say "please" when chanting. So many other religious practices teach asking for help, etc., not Nichiren Buddhism.

You have to appreciate everything in your life, including everything from your past. You need to make a conscious effort to recall as much as you can from your past and appreciate it. Even the things that you don't think you can appreciate you have to find gratitude for them.Then you have to appreciate your current circumstances as well, even if you are in the midst of a huge obstacle, such as cancer, financial ruin, a divorce, whatever the situation; you still have to appreciate it. You have to thank the Gohonzon (your life) for giving you this problem, because this is your chance to change negative karma to fortune.

What is the correct way to chant when you have a problem? You have to chant with the spirit of "Thank you so much for giving me this problem. Because of this I can change my negative karma and that of my family's. Pray sincerely from the bottom of your heart to appreciate your present circumstances. Because of this you can disconnect or alter your family's karma; you break it and begin to project a new image. You should also set a specific date that you will no longer have this problem.

Dr. Kawada treated fourteen people with stage four cancer. Some were not even SGI members. Their doctors had given up on all of them. One even had to be brought in on a stretcher. All fourteen people joined the SGI. They all learned to chant following this guidance of using the right side of their brain to project an image of no cancer intheir bodies. In the U.S., last-stage cancer patients are encouraged to draw a white cell eating a cancer cell. Though this has been shown to help, practicing Buddhism has an even bigger impact. In two months the person on the stretcher overcame thier cancer. Then his doctor joined. Eventually all fourteen overcame their cancer.

 

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You can change any illness, even allergies and skin rashes, etc. If you are in an abusive relationship, you can create a new and positive image and it will change the relationship, because you are connected to that person even on a subconscious level. Your unconsciousness is linked to unconsciousness. It doesn't matter if they chant or not, they will change. Whoever you have a problem with; you need to chant for them to help change their unconscious image. You have to work on it over and over and eventually your image will be projected by them as well. This is really the truth. You can impact the images for your entire family. You have to use the right side of your brain to do this. That is the purpose and the function of the right side of the brain, so use it. You should write a diary. Not a diary of what happened to you today, but how you want your life to unfold the next 10, 20, 30 years, etc. If you do, your life will change.

You can literally write your own destiny.