Questions and Answers
about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Everywhere other than the Capital of Tranquil Light is a realm of suffering. Once you leave the haven of inherent enlightenment, what is there to bring you joy? I pray that you will embrace the Mystic Law, which guarantees that people “will enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences.” This is the only glory that you need seek in your present lifetime, and is the action that will draw you toward Buddhahood in your next existence. Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same; that will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world.
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Background
- Written in 1263 (Shortly after the Daishonin was pardoned and had returned to Kamakura following two years of exile on the Izu Peninsula.)
- As the title suggests, this work discusses how one can attain buddhahood, the supreme life state, through embracing the lotus sutra in the form of 5 questions and answers.
- The 1st question states that it is rare opportunity to be born a human being and the good fortune to encounter buddhism, the questioner asks: which teaching should one practice in order to attain buddhahood quickly? In answer, the daishonin declares that it is lotus sutra.
- The 2nd question daishonin elucidates that his assertion of the sutra's supremacy among all the buddhist teachings is based on the buddha's own words as they appear in the sutras themselves.
- The 3rd question says that the lotus sutra is shakyamuni buddha's ultimate teaching and is the true way that leads to buddhahood.
- In reply to the The 4th question, the daishonin states that by singling out those of the 2 vehicles, for whom buddhahood was denied in the provisional teachings, and asserting that even these people can become buddhas through the power of the lotus sutra, it was made clear that lotus sutra is the teaching that opens the way to buddhahood for all people.
- In the 5th question and answer section, the questioner asks how one should embrace and practise the lotus sutra in order to reach enlightenment quickly.
- Nichiren Daishonin replies that one need not master conceptual thought of meditative practice.
- Rather, the essential thing is simply to have a heart of faith in this sutra, emphasizing the importance of faith.
- on the other hand, the daishonin admonishes that should one lack faith, the buddha's power cannot reach one and therefore, one will not be able to be freed from his sufferings.
- The daishonin also states that because the LS is supreme, the person who embraces it must accordingly be foremost among all others.
- And if that is so, then to speak ill of that person is to speak ill of the law, and therefore, one should refrain from doing so .
- In the concluding passage (which is this passage that we are learning today), the Daishonin stresses the very impermanent (fleeting) nature of human existence and teaches us not to be overwhelmed by arrogance and attachment and waste one's brief yet precious life in the pursuit of worldly fame and profit.
- Rather, one should dedicate oneself to faith in the Lotus Sutra throughout one's life.
- He declares that to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo oneself and to enable others to do the same are the most important tasks in this present existence, as this will remain the only memory of one's present life in this human world.
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Main Points
- Buddhism exists so that reality can be transformed.
- Conviction gives rise to benefits
- The heart of compassion to lead others to happiness is the key to transforming one’s karma
1. Buddhism exists so that reality can be transformed
- The world of enlightenment or the Buddha's land does not exist somewhere away from the real world.
- It is in this world filled with sufferings that the realm of enlightenment, the buddha's land, is found.
- The buddha expounds his teachings so that reality can be transformed.
- The teaching that has the power to transform poison into medicine,
- ... to transform the realm of suffering into the realm of enlightenment
- ... is none other than the Mystic Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
2. Conviction gives rise to benefits
- The phrase, "enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences",
- ...is a passage from "The parable of Medicinal Herbs" (5th) Chapter of LS.
- It means that one who embraces the LS will enjoy peace and security in the present existence and will be born in good circumstances in future existences.
- Here, it is important to correctly understand the meaning of "peace and security"
- ... does not refer to a condition that is free of problems and hardships.
- One can enjoy the life state of "peace and security" only if one has the powerful conviction that one can overcome any obstacle no matter how great, based on faith in the gohonozon.
- If we live in a sturdy house, we will not be worried no matter how bad the weather, or how powerful the typhoon.
- If we are driving a well-serviced, high-performance car, we will not have to worry even if we drive on uneven paths or roads with bad condition.
- The "sturdy house" and "high-performance car" in these analogies correspond to "faith in the Gohonzon".
3. The heart of compassion to lead others to happiness is the key to transforming one's karma
- By stating "single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same" in this passage,
- the Daishonin is teaching us the importance of carrying out the practice of oneself and for others.
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- Bodhisattvas of the earth are bodhisattvas who have vowed to lead all people in the latter day to happiness
- As such, when we take action based on the spirit of compassion to lead others to happiness,
- ... by sharing buddhism with them, it activates the buddha nature from within us,
- ... thus making it possible for us to transform our karma.
- In this way, though it may seem as if we are striving for the happiness of others,
- ... all our efforts made to contribute to the welfare of others,
- ...imparting the light of hope to those around us,
- ...also brightens our own life with fresh hope and makes it shine with good fortune and benefit.
- It is just as the Daishonin says, "If one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one's own way."
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Taking to heart the words from the New Human Revolution,
"There is no more brilliant achievement in life than enabling another person to practice the Daishonin's Buddhism",
let us devote even greater energy to sharing the Daishonin's Buddhism with others
in this Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu!
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- Nichiren Daishonin teaches in this passage that exerting ourselves in the practice of faith, in the spirit of practising for oneself and for others is the path that enables us to live an unsurpassed life of brilliant achievement and glory.
- At the beginning of this passage, the Daishonin says that everywhere other than the "Captial of Tranquil Light" or the "Buddha's Land", is a realm of suffering, and that there is no other way to savour true joy other than manifesting the life state of a Buddha.
- The Daishonin's buddhism teaches that the life state of buddhahood, that enables one to overcome all obstacles and sufferings, is found within the lives of all living beings and that it is through faith based on the Gohonzon that one can manifest this life state from within one's own life.
- By manifesting the buddha nature, thereby carrying out one's human revolution and achieving an inner transformation in one's life, one can consequently transform one's circumstances and surroundings.
- By so doing, one can forge a life state of indestructible happiness that remains undefeated no matter what may happen in the future.
- And this life state of indestructible happiness is not confined to the present existence but will continue in future existences. The Daishonin explains this point by quoting a passage from "the parable of medicinal herbs" 5th chapter of the LS which states that people "will enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences".
- By embracing the teachings of the Mystic law, one will enjoy a life state of peace and security in the present existences without fail. In addition, the Daishonin emphasizes that embracing and practising the Mystic Law will become the foremost glory and brilliant achievement in one's life, serving as the driving force that leads one's life to the correct path in future existences.
- What does it mean to "embrace the mystic law"? The daishonin teaches here that it means to "chant nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same". The Daishonin adds that we should do so "single-mindedly". As taught by the Daishonin here, a life dedicated to kosen-rufu, advancing together with our mentor and fellow members, is one that will remain as the only memory of our present life in the human world.
- SGI President Ikeda says, "No matter how inconspicuous and modest, all actions taken for the sake of kosen-rufu, all that you have shared, all efforts you have exerted, and all hardships you experienced for kosen-rufu, will shine with increasing brilliance with the passage of time, as brilliant achievements in your lives."
- In this "Year of Brilliant Achievements in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu", let's strive to achieve brilliant achievement in our lives and for kosen-rufu by courageously sharing the teachings of the Mystic Law with our friends based on the great conviction that "all people, without a single exception, can all enjoy true happiness in life through this practice of faith"!
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