Daisaku ikeda named poet of peace in Dubai

An experience of a sgi member! Very inspiring! Must read!

25/3/16, 8:25:42 PM: Kwee! Chang: An experience of a sgi member! Very inspiring! Must read!

I was eight years old in 1968, when my father introduced our entire family to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. He was a carpenter and my mother took care of three boys and four girls. We lived in a one bedroom apartment in Panama. My brother, Osvaldo, had been born with a tumor between his right ear and his brain. Every day he grew sicker and sicker. The doctors said Osvaldo's tumor was inoperable and he could not live much longer. My mother did the only thing that she could — she chanted almost day and night and shed many tears. My brothers and sisters chanted with her, but Osvaldo just got worse. He passed out frequently and sometimes did not even recognize us.

He wanted to be like other children and go to school. One of my mother's friends, who was a teacher, accepted Osvaldo in her class. One day he passed out in her classroom. She drove him to the hospital but the doctors could not revive him. They pulled off all ten of his toenails, but there was no reaction. After pronouncing him dead they wrapped him for the morgue. My mother refused to let them take him away. She sat next to him and chanted "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" in his ear. Suddenly, Osvaldo woke up and asked what was happening. His toenails started to bleed. The doctors were amazed. After this, no matter what, my parents never stopped chanting. My father made a butsudan, even though we could not receive the Gohonzon at that time. My mother took the water she offered to the Mystic Law and let Osvaldo drink all but a drop of it. She put the remaining drop in his right ear. Osvaldo wanted to put the drop in his own ear. She let him. In a few weeks, he told her that he had something in his ear. She thought he was teasing. Ten minutes later, he pulled something big but soft out of his ear. It looked like a meatball with tiny roots hanging from it. Doctors examined him, took x-rays, asked other doctors to look and him again and again but could not find any trace of the tumor. The doctors said that he removed his own tumor without pain, surgery or even a single drop of blood. Today my brother is 37 years old. He has five children of his own. My mother received the Gohonzon on Jan. 27, 1969. A year later she bought a new house. Our whole family continues to practice Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and fight with the SGI for kosen rufu.

No matter what, I will never stop practicing. I will continue to chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" until the last moment of my life. I will continue to work for kosen rufu every day.

(This experience was given at a Washington DC Kosen Rufu Gongyo)


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Grace Chew ‘s actual Proof

20/3/16, 6:07:20 PM: Kwee! Chang: Grace Chew 's actual Proof
It was about 4 years ago in Jan 2012. We received SGM email requesting us to assist a WD member to visit and take care of her daughter in prison. She was caught by KK airport custom for drug trafficking and if convicted, she will be sentenced to death.
When i first visited this YWD with her mother, she was panicking and couldn't stop crying. She was in fear and totally helpless, begging her mother to help her to get a lawyer. Her mother consoled her not to be afraid and encouraged her to chant daimoku. I understand that they have stopped attending gakkai activities for quite some time because of her business open at evening time. When her daughter was young, she joined dancing and singing in gakkai activities, but after she started to work, she totally stopped and even stopped per practice.
Her mother was searching everywhere for a lawyer to help her but most of the lawyers did not want to take up that case. Her mother chanted a lot of daimoku day & night to pray for a good lawyer.
After few months of chanting, she managed to get a lawyer who was wiling to help her but the lawyer fees was very expensive. Her family is only selling 'cha-kuih' in a small store & could not afford to pay the lawyer fees. Her mother chanted again and went to see the lawyer to explain her financial situation with him. Her prayer answered, the lawyer was very kind to allow her to pay them by instalments.
At the beginning, i didn't ask this YWD the details how she was framed by her friends, because i was thinking that i am not the lawyer or the judge, so there is no point for me to know the details. My mission is to encourage her to base on faith and i strongly believe this is the only way to change her heavy karma. We also received an email from the former SGM Youth Chief encouraging us to take care of this YWD, she said that this YWD could be our future patriot as SGM basset to foster 100k patriots by 2030. Her words inspired me, i determined to foster this YWD to become one of our future patriot.
I started visiting this YWD (Voon) every week. At first, i shared with her about karma, the only way to change karma is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and recite gongyo and, shakubuku others is the best way to change heavy karma. So, she started to learn gongyo and chanted everyday and also tried to do shakubuku. Because she could not communicate well in BM, she always got into trouble with the other prisoners and always find ways to bully her. Many times she was punished by the policewoman and there was once, she was bitten for no reason. She could not bear the suffering and felt very pitiful over herself, she even thought of committing suicide. Her mother was very worried for her.
Every time before i go to visit her, i need to chant daimoku for wisdom how to empower her to stand up to fight for her heavy karma, i asked myself......
If i were Ikeda Sensei, what should i do?".....
Then i happened to read New Revolution (Courage), there is a passage quoted by Nichiren Daishonin:
"Those who are bearing the most adverse karma also have the noblest mission. This is the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism... and .... when people awaken to their true mission in life, they can solve all their problems...."
Instantly i changed my thought. That's right!!, I must awaken her to her true mission and break through from her bad karma, she must has vowed in her past existence to prove the Mystic Law and to help as many people as possible especially youth to become happy.
When i realized this, i changed my way of encouragement to her, i said to voon: "All this happening that you suffered is not only because of your bad karma, it is because you have a noble mission to prove the Mystic Law. You have a great mission that is to help many youth to become happy especially those youth who are suffering because of drug. All your suffering that you experienced actually trained you to become a strong person with wisdom. Just like a diamond need refining to make it shine and a sharp sword need grinding to make it sharp. In future, you might become a counsellor to help many youth in society with the same problem like you. Therefore, your life in prison is like taking up tough training in a university to qualify you to become a counsellor. So, diligently chant daimoku with strong prayer, you can definitely overcome all prayer, you can definitely overcome all trials in life."
After such inspiration, she was inspired that she has a noble mission to accomplish and not just a pitiful, helpless prisoner. She accepted her mission and prepared to challenge it. She started to chant with great hope and great purpose in life and view her prison life positively as training in university. She also volunteered to take care of other younger prison's mate, sometimes even teach them dancing and singing and they performed together.
I had sent in about 20 books Cosmic to the prison's library, she repeated reading Sensei's guidance over and over again. She also studies Cosmic (SGM monthly magazine) together with her shakubuku and chant with them.
In these 4 years of prison life, she managed to shakubuku 20 person and also shared Buddhist philosophy with many of her Muslim mates.
Her prison's life was tough but all her experiences became a spring board for her growth and carrying out human revolution.
Because of time constrained, I share today 2 incidents happened to her that inspired me most:-
Bitten by police
I shared with her about Toda Sensei when he's in prison, he was also bitten by policemen but he understood this was retribution of his bad karma and he would be released soon. So, Voon also changed her attitude from hatred to sending daimoku to them with gratitude. She chanted for courage to dialogue with the policewoman who bitted her, and eventually solved the mis-understanding with her, gradually many policewomen became her friends. Whenever her prison mates bullied her, she would say "thank you thank you, my karma has reduced again".
One day when i visited her, she was so happy to say to me "Aunty, now I can understand my mission why I was put in this KK prison".
She said when she went to library to read Cosmic, one of the policewomen asked her whether she can request SGM to be the counsellor in their prison holding "ceramah" (similar to discussion meet) for their Buddhist prisoners. She was overjoyed that she won their trust through her human revolution and inspired them to recognize SGM as their Buddhist counsellor. I quickly gave them the SGM contacts for their reference.
Death of her lawyer
Her condition dropped to hell immediately when the policewoman told her that her lawyer died of accident, she was extremely devastated and frightened when she heard this bad news. She chanted daimoku throughout that night trying to understand why this can have happened to her at this crucial moment.
Then, while chanting, she remembered that I warned her earlier she should not rely too much on the lawyer's ability, everything is in a constant flux, only the Mystic Law is absolute and the power of the Mystic Law encompasses the whole universe, she must focus and put her full trust to the Gohonzon.
When i heard this bad news, I was also worried that this would affect her faith. Fortunately, I warned her about this before the accident happened. When I visited her few days later, I encouraged her again: "Your mission is to prove the power of the Mystic Law and not the power of the lawyer, if you have good fortune, even a not well-known lawyer can help you to win the case. But if you do not have the good fortune, the best lawyer in the world would not be able to help you. It is 'you' that is important."
Later the lawyer's son took over his father's case, it is a tough process to replace with another lawyer.
After few court hearings with this new lawyer, the judge ordered Voon to give her self-defense in court. She knew that the real battle has begun, there was no way to escape but to challenge it on her own. I encouraged her to chant for courage to tell the truth in court and pray that her words will touch the hearts of the judge and all the listeners in court.
She chanted more than 10 hours a day to summon forth her full courage and wisdom to face this challenge and she determined to win to prove the power of the Mystic Law. She deeply vowed in her heart to work for worldwide kosen-rufu. In the morning before the court begin, I told Voon that she's not fighting this battle alone, because at that time many youth in KL, Penang & KK were chanting daimoku for her and fighting this battle alongside with her.

During her self-defence session, she spoke with full confidence and courageously revealed the truth and her lawyer also wisely help her to co-ordinate well in giving out her self-defence, she fought a great battle.
I can feel the judge was satisfied with her self-defence but the court did not announce judgement on that day...
Voon was sent back to prison cell. She continued to do shakubuku and encouraged her shakubuku as if she will be leaving them soon. She also continued to chant a lot of daimoku, she prayed that she must win to prove the power of the Mystic Law.
One month later, the day before the last court hearing, as usual, I visited Voon with her mother. Voon was very happy and sharing with her mother all the joyful stories. Then, I turned to the other side, I saw another young prisoner was crying and shouting with anger while her relatives visiting her. I could see a great difference between these 2 young women, one was full of confidence and laughing, the other one was crying and full of anger. I turned to Voon and said "hey, you were exactly like her when the first time I visited you, non-stop crying and fear, and now, you are a totally changed person, happy and confident... this is the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! She responded with a laugh.
The next day, the judge gave his final judgement, he found Voon's self-defence has rebutted the accused charge and announced her "NOT GUILTY". She was discharged and released on the spot.
We were all overjoyed to witness her victory. Voon shed tears with joy and the first words that came from her was : "Aunty, I have proved the power of the Mystic Law". I was really touched by her words, she finally graduated from this 'prison' university.
From Voon's experience, I once again witnessed the power of the Mystic Law that can change any heavy karma, by chanting with strong ichinen to achieve victory and vow to work for kosenrufu and most importantly, carry out shakubuku, definitely can change poison into medicine i.e. changing heavy karma to a noble mission in life.
After Voon was released and gone back to Penang, I also went back to Sandakan to visit my family. The sister that we have tried to shakubuku for more than 20 years, she has started chanting and learning to recite gongyo with my mother every morning together with her daughter. I was so happy and I knew that it was the good fortune that i gained from taking care of Voon.
Lastly i would like to affirm once again that the more you suffer, the more you need to practice shakubuku because this is the best way to change heavy karma and accumulate good fortune.
To align with our SGM objectives in 2016 for 'Expanding our efforts to share Buddhism with others', lets work to do shakubuku together!
Thank you.


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Altruistic practice -- essential

20/3/16, 9:09:53 PM: Chang Cheng Liang: President Toda used to say that someone who just practices on his own without making any effort to advance kosenrufu is like a person who stashes away some sweets so that he can eat them later when no one is around.
___
President Makiguchi wrote: "If you just believe and offer prayer, you will receive benefit without fail. But this alone does not amount to bodhisattva practice. There's no such thing as an egoistic Buddha who only seeks benefit for himself and does not endeavour to help others. Unless we carry out bodhisattva practice, we cannot become Buddhas. True faith, in other words, means spreading the teaching to others with the spirit of a parent toward his or her children. Those who do so are genuine practitioners."


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Phui Wah's victory story pt2

20/3/16, 5:25:10 PM: Edr- Phui Wah: Yes... I recalled that when I was teaching, I dropped my work once I left school at 6pm. Most evenings I did Gakkai activities till 10pm. Home by 1030 pm, washed up and did some housework, read some Buddhism/prepare Gakkai mtgs/ chant about a problem .. and slept by 12pm.

The evening Gakkai work - those few hours that I had to unplugged my mind from school but confront issues together with mbrs who were struggling was a good break for me... I could experience and see life in a more balanced way. I could see what my students need to build so that they could lead a happier life.

I would make use of all the time in school to finish my markings / prepare tutorials / settle admin / help weak students / counsel parents ...
Weekends were for preparing lecture notes / set test papers because I needed focus and enough time in one sitting to do those work.

And if I could finish all these on weekends and there were no Gakkai activities , I would treat myself to a good movie ( went alone, 麻烦 to find a friend ) or join SDU activities ( ☺️very rare but yes I made an effort.. Otw no target for shakubuku ! ) ... In one of which, I met my husband.

I could survive and everything turned out the best way because I never forget to chant to the Gohonzon, always seek Sensei and join activities of SGI organisations in different countries, wherever I live.


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The nature and efficacy of our prayers

The nature and efficacy of our prayers

Disclaimer:

What follows is entirely my personal views and must not implicate the organization SSA or SGI of which I am a proud member of.

While the prayers of some faiths entails, some even just limited to, merely closing their eyes, cupping their hands and verbalizing their deep-seated wish to their god(s), the prayers offered by SSA and SGI members are distinctively different.  Our prayers requires the invocation of the law of the universe: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, chanting hours on end, and taking actions to see to the fulfillment of our prayers. 

In the light of the law of cause and effect, can one sense the sincerity and efficacy of our prayers?

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A Soka educator, transforming poison into medicine

19/3/16, 2:11:16 PM: Edr- Phui Wah: My mindset about things in school changed a fair bit year by year... And I would like to share a few incidents :

1. Like everyone I used to think SH 吃饱没事做,no family and could live in the school office and demand without empathy .. But after dialogues with her I could understand that she had students' welfare in mind and in fact she could have relax for her own good but she didn't .. I chanted and felt she was a good educator too, though her social skills needed help. Once I could see her difficulty , my patience expanded- especially for her.

Of course , colleagues thought I "po" her , but my integrity proven itself when they saw I was still given 苦差事... And she still very strict at my work standard. 😅

Bo chap those rumours or baseless defamation la! .. My joy came from sparkling eyes of my students after I taught them Physics , and their warm friendship - always invite me to their bbqs and gatherings, and those outpour of confession and gratitude at Teachers' Day.

2. I used to dislike all the additional work imposed on teachers - like organise funfair , fund-raising events etc.

But as I complained in front of the Gohonzon , strangely my mind drifted to think of many ideas to nurture my form class into wholesome youths. There were definitely stress for me - I had to expand my ability .. To be manager among the students, to advise them on conduct/ etiquette when they seek sponsors , to liaise with parents, to " push" them to sell their coupons, to promote competition so they would set up attractive and profitable food and game stalls... I became project manager, sales person, PR, promoters, peace-maker, mentor !
By the third FunFair, I could tell the class , " None of my form classes had failed to win an award in the past Fanfairs - we either won " Best Decorated stall " or " Most profitable stall " This year will be no difference ! We can do if we put our hearts and effort into it. Let's start work and have lots of fun! "

At the back of my mind, I was not aiming at the school prize but already prepared to give them an award ( from me ) after the two months long and hard preparation, because I was ready to use this chance to motivate them to manifest their best potential. I saw the great chance to put their study in practice ( apply Physics and mathematics behind the game /food stall they designed ) and character building in the process. They would all be winners if they respond to what I command and strive to meet my expectations.

Everyday in those two months, I chanted for unity and growth. If we bonded well and they trusted my direction/vision, the rest of academic teaching and achievements would be less difficult.

So it was " poison" if my life force was weak and wisdom shallow. The " poison " was such fertile soil of personal growth and tremendous benefits once the mindset changed to be positive and creative.

3. The appraising officer VP observed my lesson and again he was very detailed and strict leader. He commented that if my voice could be less high pitch , it could be better ! 😂

I listened to all his comment and as I chanted about how to improve my weaknesses, I decided that for my good and also to assure the school leaders, I shall design a survey and conduct it at the end of a year. I would administer it to 300-400 students - all who had attended my lectures. That was around 1993-1996, and I could focus on the areas that the students truly need. I learnt so much about my own weaknesses and strengths.

A few years later, appraisal and feedback form became popular and given to teachers to comment on the courses/ trainers at MOE.. I realised that " Gohonzon " had directed me to this good approach of self-check simply by chanting! If I was not prepared to improve or lacks courage to show my weaknesses to students , I would not do the survey. The daimoku and Sensei's guidance helped me.

And I think, wouldn't it be better to show my 17-18 yrs old students -
" I will grow with you. I'll show you how to work hard. "

than

" You will never beat me ... 😏😜 pi-pipi pu-pu ".


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Changing Poison into Medicine | Soka Gakkai International (SGI)

http://www.sgi.org/

Changing Poison into Medicine

"The process of changing poison into medicine begins when we approach difficult experiences as an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and to strengthen and develop our courage and compassion. Suffering can thus serve as a springboard for a deeper experience of happiness. From the perspective of Buddhism, inherent in all negative experiences is this profound positive potential."

SGI members often speak of "turning poison into medicine" when they describe how their Buddhist practice has enabled them to transform a difficult, negative or painful situation into something positive.

In its most fundamental sense, "changing poison into medicine" refers to the transformation of deluded impulses into enlightenment. The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom, attributed to the third-century Indian Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, compares the Lotus Sutra to "a great physician who changes poison into medicine." This is because the Lotus Sutra opens the possibility of enlightenment to people whose arrogance and complacency had caused them to "scorch the seeds of Buddhahood." In earlier sutras such people had been condemned as being incapable of becoming Buddhas. An important implication of this principle, thus, is that there is no one who is beyond redemption.

In his writing, "On First Hearing the Teaching of the Supreme Vehicle," Nichiren develops this idea, stating that by using the power of the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one can transform the three paths of deluded impulses, karma and suffering into the three virtues of the Buddha, i.e., the Dharma body, wisdom and emancipation.

This can be understood to mean that any unfavorable situation can be changed into a source of value. More fundamentally, it is by challenging and overcoming painful circumstances that we grow as human beings.

How we respond to life's inevitable sufferings is the key. Negative, painful experiences are often necessary to motivate us. One Buddhist scripture describes illness as awakening the desire to seek the truth. Likewise, people have been inspired to a lifetime commitment to peace and justice by their experience of war and injustice. related article Youthfulness Buddhism squarely faces the reality of the "four sufferings" of birth, aging, sickness and death, but as SGI President Daisaku Ikeda comments, "There are certainly many people who, as they age, become increasingly vigorous and energetic."

The process of changing poison into medicine begins when we approach difficult experiences as an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and to strengthen and develop our courage and compassion. The more we are able to do this, the more we are able to grow in vitality and wisdom and realize a truly expansive state of life.

Suffering can thus serve as a springboard for a deeper experience of happiness. From the perspective of Buddhism, inherent in all negative experiences is this profound positive potential. However, if we are defeated by suffering or respond to challenging circumstances in negative and destructive ways, the original "poison" is not transformed but remains poison.

Buddhism teaches that suffering derives from karma, the causes that we ourselves have created. The Buddhist teaching of karma is one of personal responsibility. It is therefore our responsibility to transform sufferings into value-creating experiences. The Buddhist view of karma is not fixed or fatalistic--even the most deeply entrenched karmic patterns can be transformed.

By taking a difficult situation--illness, unemployment, bereavement, betrayal--and using it as an opportunity to deepen our sense of personal responsibility, we can gain and develop the kind of self-knowledge from which benefit flows. Buddhism teaches that self-knowledge ultimately is awareness of our own infinite potential, our capacity for inner strength, wisdom and compassion. This infinite potential is referred to as our "Buddha nature."

The original meaning of the phrase "to turn poison into medicine" relates to this level of self-knowledge.

In the "Belief and Understanding" chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Subhuti and others of the Buddha's long-time disciples respond to the prophecy that another disciple, Shariputra, will attain the ultimate enlightenment. The disciples admit that they had long ago given up on becoming Buddhas themselves, but that on hearing the teaching of the Lotus Sutra they renounced their earlier stance of resignation and spiritual laziness: "[T]heir minds were moved as seldom before and danced for joy." Nagarjuna and T'ien-t'ai (538--597) therefore compare the Buddha to a good doctor capable of turning poison (the laziness and resignation of the aged disciples) into medicine (a sincere aspiration for the ultimate enlightenment of Buddhahood). related article The Lotus Sutra The message of the Lotus Sutra is to encourage people's faith in their own Buddha nature, their own inherent capacity for wisdom, courage and compassion.

This teaching of the possibility of profound transformation makes Buddhism a deeply optimistic philosophy. This optimism propels Buddhists as they seek to transform the negative and destructive tendencies within their lives as well as those in society and the world at large.

[Courtesy January 2002 SGI Quarterly]

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Happy are people can leave behind a legacy

17/3/16, 7:38:03 AM: Kwee! Chang: 17th Mar. Daily guidance by Daisaku Ikeda :
Happy are people who at the end of their days have something to leave behind . How much happier , still , are those who leave an endearing legacy in the annals of history. Glory and satisfaction belong to those who fight on undaunted by life's vicissitudes right up until they have completed building their chosen tower . 🙏

3月17日, 池田先生今日指导 :
能够在临终时留下一些东西的人生是幸福的 。更幸福的还是那些在历史上留下不朽的遗物的人 。光荣与满足属于不畏惧周遭的变化, 継续奋斗 , 直到完成了自己所选择的城堡为止的人所有 。 🙏


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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MARCH 16, KOSEN-RUFU DAY

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MARCH 16, KOSEN-RUFU DAY

March 16 is a symbolic day for Soka Gakkai and SGI members, commemorating the occasion on March 16, 1958, when Josei Toda, second president of the Soka Gakkai, then in frail health, made an impassioned speech to 6,000 Soka Gakkai youth, entrusting them with the responsibility for the future of the Soka Gakkai and its efforts to contribute to the creation of a peaceful world and promote understanding of the humanistic philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. In particular, Toda's closest follower, Daisaku Ikeda (current SGI President), took on this responsibility, eventually becoming the third president of the Soka Gakkai in 1960 at the age of 32 and helping to develop the Soka Gakkai as a movement promoting peace, culture and education.

March 16 is now viewed within the Soka Gakkai and the SGI as a day of new departures, "of eternal beginnings and perpetual hope." It is also an occasion for focusing on fostering capable youth.

Mr. Ikeda has stated, "It is a time when people renew their profound resolution to accomplish kosen-rufu, a time when they put their minds together and make a fresh start." 

www.sgi.org

President Ikeda says:

"As you all know, March 16 is the eternal prime point of mentor and disciple — it is the day when the youth stand up and shoulder full responsibility for the realization of kosen-rufu. I hope that each 

of you, in your respective countries and regions, will become a leader determined to show proof of the principle that faith manifests itself in society, who works to create a strong alliance of people committed to justice and humanism.

It is important to have the awareness and sense of responsibility of 

a protagonist of kosen-rufu—the active attitude that "the SGI is part of me" rather than the more passive stance "I am part of the SGI." From the time I was a young man, irrespective of my organizational position, I regarded any and all matters relating to the Soka Gakkai as my personal responsibility. I worried, thought, and chanted about how we could best advance kosen-rufu."

March 16, Kosen-rufu Day. 

"The spirit of this day lies not in magnificent ceremonies or high-sounding words. It lies in being victorious. That is the most crucial thing in all endeavors. In life and in kosen-rufu, we either win or lose. I would like you to be absolute victors in both. No matter what excuses we try to make, giving in to defeat brings misery and loses us the respect of others. I hope each of you without exception will adorn your life with indestructible triumph."

Now, President Ikeda is calling out to his disciples: "Stand up! Take responsibility for the next 50 years!"

What is the future of the disciples? The baton has been handed over to the disciples. Let's create history.

Gakkai spirit -- speak out! | To be a Buddha, do what a Buddha does! | Lotus Sutra -- the salvation of all people

 

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

We must take the enemies of the Buddha to task.  We absolutely cannot remain silent when we see people distorting and corrupting the Daishonin's teaching.  To speak out resolutely and clarify what is correct and what is erroneous is the Soka Gakkai spirit.   If we simply try to be amiable and avoid making waves, then we will play right into the hands of people with malicious intent.

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Buddhism comes down to practice. This means making a personal determination and steadfastly taking action to accomplish it, no matter what obstacles may arise.  If we aren't striving to open a way forward, what we are doing cannot be called Buddhist practice. We will only enter the path to Buddhahood by making tireless effort based on the same determination as the Buddha.

   

Daily Wisdom

From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

[The Nirvana Sutra] compares "it gradually becomes deeper" to the Lotus Sutra leading everyone, from ordinary people who lack understanding to sages who possess it, to attain the Buddha way.

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, page 39
The Universal Salty Taste

Recipient and date unknown

佛教的祈愿 | 佛法 | 国际创价学会 on prayers in Buddhism

http://www.sgi.org/chs/

佛教的祈愿

回一览表

"佛教中的祈愿可被理解为一种结合了祈求、发愿、感恩等思绪的行动。然而其独到之处就在于，佛教视人的生命为尊贵且神圣的存在，作为佛道修行的一环，祈愿是为了唤起自己生命中常住本有的勇气、力量与智慧，而非求助于外在的神明。"

祈愿是日莲佛法基本修行中的主要环节。国际创价学会（SGI）会员在叙述信心体验时常提到"诚心祈求"、"认真地祈求"，以及"祈求得到实现"。这些话究竟有甚么含意呢？

美国出版的《韦伯新国际字典第三版》（Webster's Third New International Dictionary）将祈愿定义为：庄严虔诚地与神祇接触，通常与恳求、请愿、忏悔、赞美和感谢有关。

佛法对祈愿的看法是否符合这定义？假如不符合的话，其差别在哪里？

祈愿是人类共通的普遍行为。历史数据显示，人类自古以来便进行某种形式的祈愿。面对大自然浩瀚的力量，人类意识到自己的渺小与脆弱，于是产生了向其膜拜、祈愿、礼赞和感恩的强烈冲动。

SGI会长池田大作曾写道：宗教源自祈愿……远在宗教出现之前，这种最为原始的人类活动便已经存在，而在各个宗教传统出现后，祈愿才演变为现有的诸多型态。

同样的，佛教中的祈愿也可被理解为一种结合了祈求、发愿、感恩等思绪的行动。然而其独到之处就在于，佛教视人的生命为尊贵且神圣的存在，作为佛道修行的一环，祈愿是为了唤起自己生命中常住本有的勇气、力量与智慧，而非求助于外在的神明。

许多东方宗教都有其具体的祈愿方式。对修行日莲佛法的SGI会员来说，这包含诵读《法华经》的部分经文，与反复唱念"南无妙法莲华经"。"南无妙法莲华经"出自《法华经》（全名：妙法莲华经）的标题，据日莲所阐释，那是所有生命皆含有的妙法（佛性）之名。发出声音唱念"南无妙法莲华经"的修行显示，日莲佛法关乎把生命内在的特质，显现在外在的世界，这与一般坐禅冥想的内向修行有别。

"御本尊"是SGI会员修行祈愿的对象。"御本尊"不是让人供奉或祭祀的"偶像"或"神明"，而是使人"观己心"，开启佛界的一幅曼荼罗。这幅曼荼罗所象征的，是佛的悟得，以及生命至高的境界──"佛界"。

SGI会员的祈愿目标因人而异，许多与面对日常生活的各类问题，以及个人的志向、忧虑、烦恼等有关。佛法上有"烦恼即菩提"一说，日莲佛法非但不主张灭除烦恼，还强调烦恼是成佛（菩提）的因，两者（烦恼与菩提）有密不可分的关系。日莲曾说："烧烦恼之薪，菩提之慧火现前"（"御义口传"，《御书》741页）。

佛教的祈愿是将痛苦和烦恼转变为慈悲与智慧的过程。其中"观心"是不可或缺的重要部分，那不是单单的自我反省，而是与生命中各种负面的感情、欲望、思绪、习性等正面相对。日莲亦说道："习佛教者，若不观心性，则不得出离生死也。"（"一生成佛抄"，《御书》404页）

SGI时常提到，祈愿应伴随着行动。唯有付诸行动的祈愿，方为真实的祈愿。譬如，要取得事业成功，除了修行祈愿，还必须坚忍不拔，奋斗不懈。

佛道修行的最终目的，是唤起生命最高境界──"佛界"。那是人人都拥有的潜能，也是宇宙慈悲的生命本源。佛道修行让人的生命与大宇宙的生命冥合，从中展现佛的智慧、生命力、韧性等种种特征。佛法认为，人和环境之间的关联是无法分割的（详见"依正不二"一文）。内心的变革，会反映在外在的环境。祈求得到"实现"，也是出于相同的道理。

池田大作曾写道，祈求的极致就是誓愿──为他人幸福和社会繁荣贡献心力的誓愿。

发下如此宏愿，毅然行动的人，必能让自己的生命与宇宙的大生命冥合，展现最尊贵、至高的"自我"。

＜SGI国际广报局译自2001年1月《SGI季刊》＞

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變毒為藥 | 佛法 | 國際創價學會. changing poison into medicine

http://www.sgi.org/cht/

變毒為藥

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「把困難視為自我反省，以及磨練自己勇氣和慈悲的機會，這就是『變毒為藥』的開始。生命力和智慧將隨之增強，生命的境涯也將越發擴大。因此，煩惱可以作為跳板，讓我們體會更深的幸福。從佛法上來看，一切不好的經驗都蘊含其善與好的一面。」

就其最根本的意義來說，「變毒為藥」是指將迷惘轉變為悟得。這個法門出自於公元三世紀印度大乘論師龍樹所著的《大智度論》。龍樹稱《法華經》為「變毒為藥的大藥師」。這是因為《法華經》為自身的佛種被我慢（注1）燒焦的人打開成佛的可能性。由於在爾前經（注2），這種人遭彈呵為永遠不得作佛，故「變毒為藥」這個法門的一個重要涵義就是眾生皆可得救。

日蓮大聖人在御書《始聞佛乘義》中更深入地教示，「變毒為藥」是指南無妙法蓮華經的功德，足可將凡夫的「毒」，亦即煩惱、業、苦三道，轉變為法身﹙真理﹚、般若﹙徹底覺知一切事物、現象中道理的智慧﹚、解脫﹙擺脫煩惱的束縛而脫離生死之苦﹚三德的「藥」。這可以理解作逆境可轉為創造價值的絕好機會，而克服痛苦的經歷是助人成長的土壤。

關鍵在於如何應對人生中無法避免的煩惱。痛苦的經歷往往是推動我們前進向上的力量。經典中教示「因病起道心」的原理。同樣的，世上不缺因戰爭或遭受不平待遇，而決意一生為和平、正義奉獻的實例。

把困難視為自我反省，以及磨練自己勇氣和慈悲的機會，這就是「變毒為藥」的開始。生命力和智慧將隨之增強，生命的境界也將越發擴大。

因此，煩惱可以作為跳板，讓我們體會更深的幸福。從佛法上來看，一切不好的經驗都蘊含其善與好的一面。可是，如果被苦惱所敗，而抱持的只是自哀自憐、怨天尤人等消極態度的話，「毒」將依舊是「毒」。

佛法教導，煩惱源自業（注3）。所謂業，就是自己所造的因。佛法教導業是自身的責任。所以，能否將煩惱轉變為富有價值的體驗全看自己的努力。從佛法上來看，業可轉換；再根深蒂固的宿業都能改變。

把諸如生病、失業、痛失親人的苦難視為是轉換宿命的良機，將可以達到使功德源源而至的自覺。根據佛法的教導，此自覺是指意識到自己生命所具備的無限潛能、領悟到自身能夠湧現出無限的生命力、智慧和慈悲。這潛能所指的就是「佛界」。這也是「變毒為藥」的本意。

「變毒為藥」的原理顯示，佛法是一門極為樂觀的人生哲學。正是這種樂觀性推動我們努力於修行日蓮大聖人的佛法，將自己生命中，乃至社會、世界的不好的、破壞性的趨勢加以轉變。

注解： 

（注1） 我慢﹕誇耀自己，看輕他人不從。我慢妨害對正法的信順，是佛道修行時的一大障礙。
（注2） 爾前經﹕《法華經》以前所說的諸經教。根據天台大師，釋尊一代五十年的說法中，至法華經、涅盤經時為止，四十二年間的說法。 
（注3） 業﹕梵語Karma的譯音。有業因業果之分，業因可解為一個人身、口、意的種種所作，造成苦樂果報的因，即善惡的行為。業果即依善惡的業因，而帶來的果報。善業造樂果，惡業造苦果。

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The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks... sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them.

15/3/16, 10:26:16 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: Daily Encouragement
March 15

The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them.

Daisaku Ikeda, SGI President


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“如我等无异”

15/3/16, 10:21:52 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: 每日指导
3月 15日

佛法的目的是为开启人心中的佛界。人世间处处都是"差异"、"歧视"，佛法则看透一切表面的差异，直视人的本心。

国际创价学会会长池田大作


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Our attitude determines how we look at old age

Buddhism Day by Day

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, March 14, 2016

Depending on their outlook, people's old age will dramatically differ, especially in terms of the richness and fulfillment they will experience.   Everything is up to our attitude, how we approach life. Do we look at old age as a descending path to oblivion?  Or is it a period in which we can attain our goals and bring our lives to a rewarding, satisfying completion?

--

Regards,

Mr Chang C.L.

_________________

http://MrChang.com/

Leaders should discern what your members are facing

For Today and Tomorrow

Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda
Monday, March 14, 2016

As SGI leaders, how we interpret the words of members and what we say in response is important.  A genuine leader is someone who gives measured thought to such matters.  When talking with individuals, ask yourselves:  "What are they worried about?" "What are they trying to say?"  "What are they thinking?  "What is it they seek?"  Try to discern these things in others.  Try to know. Try to understand.  This is the challenge of leadership.  From such compassion arises wisdom.

--

Regards,

Mr Chang C.L.

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Win or Lose | Soka Gakkai International (SGI)

http://www.sgi.org/

Win or Lose

"It is only when we push ourselves beyond our limits that our success becomes meaningful to ourselves and respected by others. Living a 'safe' existence in which we merely abide by society's rules is to shirk the bigger challenges involved in living in a way which both maximizes our positive, creative influence and actively tackles those forces which cause suffering and abuse."

The phrase "Buddhism is win or lose" may not sit easily with popular images of a "peaceful" Buddhist approach to life. It may even sound like an invitation to stir up conflict.

However, what this phrase describes is not confrontation between antagonistic individuals, but rather the internal spiritual struggle which is the reality of our lives. As SGI President Daisaku Ikeda says: "The universe, this world and our own lives are the stage for a ceaseless struggle between hatred and compassion, the destructive and constructive aspects of life." Our challenge, moment by moment, is to continue striving to create maximum value and to never be defeated or give up, regardless of the obstacles we may encounter.

The struggles we face might range from the apparently mundane (summoning the energy to take out the trash or write a letter to an aging relative) to the vast (campaigning to ban nuclear weapons), but the essential challenge is the same. It is to overcome our own weakness, fear or inertia in a given moment and take action for the sake of the happiness of ourselves and others.

So where does Buddhism play a role in such daily battles?

Ideally there is no separation between daily life and Buddhism. Buddhism does not exist in the realm of theory, and as Nichiren wrote: "The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being."

Nichiren also stressed that it is victory as a human being--including both tangible achievements and moral or spiritual victories which may be invisible to others--that matters, rather than recognition in the form of promotion or reward in society. In 13th-century Japan, people's lives were utterly dependent on the decisions of their rulers or local lords, so to set one's own internal standards for success required great courage. related article Youthfulness Buddhism squarely faces the reality of the "four sufferings" of birth, aging, sickness and death, but as SGI President Daisaku Ikeda comments, "There are certainly many people who, as they age, become increasingly vigorous and energetic."

He wrote: "Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat, while secular authority is based on the principle of reward and punishment. For this reason, a Buddha is looked up to as the Hero of the World..."

The value of our victory also depends on the scale of the challenge we tackle. For a champion bodybuilder to lift a heavy suitcase scarcely counts as a victory. It is only when we push ourselves beyond our limits that our success becomes meaningful to ourselves and respected by others. Living a "safe" existence in which we merely abide by society's rules is to shirk the bigger challenges involved in living in a way which both maximizes our positive, creative influence and actively tackles those forces which cause suffering and abuse.

Whether we are striving for promotion at work or encouraging a friend battling depression, in order to succeed we need courage, perseverance and the spiritual strength to withstand hardship and moments of hopelessness. Nichiren stresses that if we are fainthearted we will surely fail, and we each know how miserable it feels to be defeated by our own weakness or cowardice.

Nichiren's own life provides an example of supreme courage in the face of opposition and persecution, and the Buddhist practice he established can help us clarify our goals and also provide tools with which to reach them.

For Nichiren Buddhists, the greatest good toward which one can strive is spreading a deeper understanding of the limitless potential for courage, wisdom and compassion which exists in every individual's life--the hidden treasures collectively described as Buddhahood.

Through chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" which activates this potential, we can deepen our resolve to achieve our goals and develop the strength necessary to win over any obstacles, internal and external, which might hinder our progress. And as we see evidence of the efficacy of the combination of this strong prayer, determination and action in concrete positive results in our lives, we dare to take on bigger, broader challenges and also inspire others to tackle their problems with renewed hope of success. related article The Lotus Sutra The message of the Lotus Sutra is to encourage people's faith in their own Buddha nature, their own inherent capacity for wisdom, courage and compassion.

In the words of SGI President Ikeda: "Buddhism concerns itself with winning. When we battle a powerful enemy, either we will triumph or we will be defeated--there is no middle ground. Battling against life's negative functions is an integral part of Buddhism. It is through victory in this struggle that we become Buddhas."

[Courtesy July 2006 SGI Quarterly]

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Guidance by GD Oba -- for Daishonin's Buddhism to continue as a world religion

Guidance by GD Oba

For Daishonin's Buddhism to continue as a world religion:
1. Stand-alone spirit -- 一人立起 精神
2. Be free to engage in heart-to-heart dialogue -- based on the fact that everyone are common inhabitants of planet earth and have to undergo 生老病死, hence we are on equal footing ; no one is more superior or inferior than others. 如我等无异－－都能成佛。
3. Respect and learn the Buddha's compassion from mothers! 佛的慈悲莫过于母亲对子女们的爱与关心。


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Solution is Always Daimoku

14/3/16, 10:17:22 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: This one made my day... i want to share with all of you...

Solution is Always Daimoku

"The solution is always daimoku and if you don't believe that, then chant to believe it. Chant to have the courage to take action. Chant to pullout of your life what you need and when you need it. The moment you feel weak, fight back.

President Ikeda says even if you get knocked down five times, get up six. Always have the spirit to get up. We can change anything in the moment. We can change this moment and tomorrow. We must be courageous; we must challenge those things that we do not believe we can achieve. If we never challenge the impossible, we can never, ever know the full power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

- Linda Johnson


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we are living the happiest path possible

12/3/16, 9:31:45 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: Let's be convinced that we are living the happiest path possible!

____
Daily Encouragement
March 12

As SGI members our work, our mission, is clear. We have the unparalleled task of working for the happiness of all humanity in an endeavor we call kosen-rufu. To participate in SGI activities and challenge ourselves earnestly on the path of our mission are the greatest happiness. It all comes down to whether we can appreciate this point.

Daisaku Ikeda, SGI President


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信心是勇气、希望和智慧的泉

12/3/16, 8:47:26 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: 有信心，有勇气，有希望、有智慧。
信心是勇气、希望和智慧的泉源。


每日指导
3月 12日

人生道路长远，总有挫败之时。然而遭遇挫折时，切勿畏怯。应以狮子王般勇敢的精神，坚持到底，因为信心就是永不破灭的希望。但愿诸位以凛然无畏的勇气及丰富的智慧，向着前方迈进。

国际创价学会会长池田大作


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关键在我们的勤行与唱题 Gongyo and daimoku keeps us in rhythm with the universe

13/3/16, 11:17:50 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: 关键在我们的勤行与唱题
——————
Daily Encouragement
March 13

If we don't practice gongyo, the rhythm of our lives will be thrown off kilter, just as a machine that isn't oiled will rust. Gongyo and chanting daimoku are like starting an automobile's engine every day and driving in the direction of happiness and truth. By doing so day after day, you will gradually attain perfect unity with the universe and the Law. That state is the state of the Buddha.

Daisaku Ikeda, SGI President


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让我们往前看！这正是变毒为药、本因妙佛法！Buddhism of Honinmyo, true cause, changing poison into medicine

13/3/16, 11:15:54 AM: Chang Cheng Liang: 各位地涌菩萨同志们，
让我们往前看！这正是变毒为药、本因妙佛法！
——————
每日指导
3月 13日

失败时能制造胜利的原因，胜利时也会制造失败的原因。日莲大圣人的佛法是"本因妙"的佛法、"现当二世"的佛法。不是回头看过去，而是经常从"现在"向 "未来"展开挑战。

国际创价学会会长池田大作


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Question on Liturgy of SGI instead of NB?

Question on Liturgy of SGI instead of NB?

Answer :
Doctrinally, ND is the buddha who invocated the daimoku and established gohonzon as part of the 3 great secret law. However as far as the practice of liturgy (gongyo) is concerned, it is a practice adopted by the SGI, which is the only legitimate org who truly inherited the spirit of ND to prop the mystic law based on our daily practice of doing gongyo n daimoku for happiness of oneself n others. On the contrary, the NS had clearly deviated from the spirit of ND whose legacy is the propagation of the mystic law for happiness of humankind
Hence it is only appropriate for SGI to adopt the practice to recite the LS and chanting the daimoku as the legitimate practice in this new era. Simply put, this revised gongyo format is no longer the constitition of the NS presently who no longer is the legitimate org carrying out the vow of ND.
Btw, pls take note while ND established the chanting of daimoku and recitation of LS, the gongyo practice was later instituted by NS and precisely they have become so decadent since the 1990s, the SGI as the legitimate org transmitting the spirit of ND, has the responsibility to revise the gongyo format as part of the SGI constitution.
Hence in principle the doctrine of Nichiren Buddhism has been only preserved but upheld by the SGI.


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Changing poison to medicine

9/3/16, 6:20:34 AM: Hui Wen: Hi d4, an article i come across to share
http://www.sgi.org/cht/buddhism/buddhist-concepts/changing-poison-into-medicine.html

http://www.sgi.org/chs/buddhism/buddhist-concepts/prayer-in-buddhism.html


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