How do I know i have chanted Enough daimoku?

"你怎么知道你以唱诵足够的题目？足够的 *南无妙法莲华经* ？

当你没有恐惧，当你快乐时，当所有的障碍看起来像机会，而不是问题，那就证明你以唱诵足够的题目了！如果你害怕，或担心......或困扰，那是时候坐下来好好的认真唱题，就能高枕无忧。唱诵到喜悦和安慰涌现。在生活的所有领域都能取得胜利的境界。的确有时候很艰难。也很难专注，有时候我们周围的人会打断我们，想要我们关注。我知道，要放下手机也很难，专注于自己的生活，并全心全意地唱题实在很难。但是，我承诺、日莲大圣人也承诺，以及池田大作都能承诺的是，只要你以全生命贯彻信心去唱题，绝无疑问的， 就 *可以* 变得开心...比你能想象的更快乐...。但关键是你必须自己去体会！除了你之外，他人是无法净化您的生命。他人也无法替代您为自己的幸福而以全神贯注的唱题。唯有你自己，绝无他人。如果你没有这种能把幸福的姿态以题目涌现的本事，你也根本无法读到这篇文章。你行的！你绝对可以开心。你必须以全生命力唱诵题目，使用这把无穷力量的钥匙，将幸福的门打开...南无妙法莲华经

取自 - 国际创价学会加拿大，刊物。 *(注：不是专业翻译)*


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Message from sensei...

_excerpt from Sensei's message to the 30th Headquarters Leaders Meeting of the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu,_ on January 7, 2018:

Today, I would like to make an announcement concerning The New Human Revolution. After I have completed the fifth chapter of volume 30, "Kachidoki" (Cheers of Victory; tentative translation), which is presently being serialized in the Seikyo Shimbun, I will begin writing the sixth and final chapter titled "Seigan" (Vow; tentative translation).

In that final chapter, I will recount the story of the Soka Gakkai's triumph over persecution by "arrogant false sages," the third of the three powerful enemies, and its exhilarating spiritual liberation; its subsequent amazing growth and emergence as a global Buddhist movement illuminating our planet; as well as its vision for the future.

I hope you will look forward to this final chapter. I will continue writing to the limits of my strength as if engaging in conversation and heart-to-heart exchange with my precious fellow members throughout the world.
*

A life dedicated to realizing the vow of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is a drama of human revolution that is incomparably noble, empowering, and positive. It does not seek salvation from some external power or depend on someone else for happiness. Embodying the Mystic Law, we unite with our mentor to make a vow, chant, take action, and accomplish one great goal after another. We strive to build a realm of true peace and happiness in the place where we have voluntarily chosen to appear and fulfill our mission.

Our vow is the source of courage that enables us to bring forth the wisdom and power of the Buddha inherent in our lives.

Our vow is the banner of unending victory that causes cheers of jubilation to reverberate as we change karma into mission.

Our vow is the light of hope that expands our network of "many in body, one in mind," transcending all differences.

And through our vow, mentor and disciple are eternally one and united, across time and space.

Now, at the start of the Year of Brilliant Achievement, let us return to our original vow of time without beginning and, with a thoroughly revitalized life force, forge ahead bravely and vigorously to pave the way to happiness and security of all, a peaceful and harmonious world, and a transformation in the destiny of humankind.


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March 2018 Gosho : Winter Always Turns to Spring

Winter Always Turns to Spring

Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring.  Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person.  The sutra reads, “If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood.”

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p 536)

1. Believing in the Gohonzon means to believe that everything is progressing towards a positive direction

In this Gosho, Nichiren Daishonin declares with absolute conviction as a votary of the Lotus Sutra that one who continues practicing faith in the Lotus Sutra will definitely attain Buddhahood just as winter always turns to spring.

In this way, the Daishonin assures lay nun Myoichi that there is no doubt that her deceased husband, who had continued to maintain strong faith despite having his estate confiscated because of his faith, had attained enlightenment.

Buddhism teaches that one's inner thoughts exert a strong influence on reality.

One's heart is reflected in one's circumstances.

If one is uncertain if one's prayers will be answered, his or her prayers will not be answered.

On top of this, individuals with such inner thoughts will always blame the Gohonzon and harbour doubts in faith when things does not go smoothly in life.

With regard to this point, Ikeda Sensei says in his guidance

*** Ikeda Sensei says in his guidance: “Everything depends on what is in our hearts.  Heartfelt prayers will definitely be answered. If we decide that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even things possible will become impossible.  On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, we are already one step closer to achieving it. "

2. It is important to cherish a sense of gratitude even amidst adversities

The journey of life dedicated to the realization of kosen-rufu entails a fierce struggle to transform our karma, as well as to overcome the various challenges posed by the three obstacles and four devils.

We can say that this corresponds to the harsh winter.

However, through the beneficial power of the Mystic Law, one can experience sufferings from the effects of bad karma from the past to a lesser degree.

As such, we must always cherish a sense of gratitude even though we may encounter hardships.

***Toda Sensei once said: “Chant resounding daimoku and strive on with a burning sense of gratitude!  ‘This is truly gratifying! I am overjoyed!’ As long as you hve such burning faith, your prayers will be answered.”

***Ikeda Sensei said: “The daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo that we chant is the fundamental rhythm that permeates through the entire universe as well as our own lives.  Power prayers infused with our sense of joy and appreciation for the opportunity to strive for kosen-rufu will activate the power of Buddhahood from the depths of our lives as well as the benevolent power of the protective forces in the universe.

In this way, offering prayers infused with as sense of appreciation is crucial.

3. One who can manifest one's inherent potential to the fullest is a Buddha

The Daishonin teaches in this Gosho passage that winter turns into spring and that it does not become autumn for this is an unchanging principle of nature.

In the same way, the Daishonin says, those who uphold the Mystic Law, will never remain in the deluded state of an ordinary, unenlightened person.

And the Daishonin declares that those who hear and embrace the Mystic Law will all attain Buddhahood without a single exception.

***Nichiren Buddhism teaches that “attaining Buddhahood” means to “open or manifest one’s Buddha nature from within one’s life.”

… However, one’s Buddha nature is not visible to the naked eyes.  As such, the Daishonin named the life state of Buddhahood “Myoho-renge-kyo”.  

This is why when one chants “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”, one is able to manifest one’s inherent potential to the fullest.

To conclude...

SGI President Ikeda says in his guidance, “No matter how cold and bitter the winter, spring will definitely come.  All who have faith in the Lotus Sutra will attain Buddhahood without exception.  Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism exists so that those who have suffered the most can achieve happiness.  As members of the SGI, we earnestly take action to help people overcome all kinds of hardships and sufferings and usher in a springtime of hope and victory in their lives.”

The Soka Gakkai has advanced with faith for surmounting obstacles till today and opened the great path forward to happiness.

With absolute conviction that we will surely attain happiness by practicing faith in the Daishonin’s teachings, let’s open the way forward to a victorious life for ourselves and others!

[sensei lecture] March 2018 Gosho --- Winter always turns to spring

From Sensei’s Study Lecture:

The Trials of Winter Bring Forth Flowers of Victory

The important point here is that the joy of spring is made real by the winter that precedes it.

Only by overcoming the trials of winter with the power of faith can we come to savor a springtime of victory.

Let us take the example of cherry (sakura) trees that bloom in spring.  

The flower buds first form in the summer, and then enter a period of dormancy in autumn.

These buds must go through the cold of winter before thay can begin their full-fledged growth towards blossoming -- a period known as “breaking dormancy.”

The chill of winter is necessary for the buds’ development.  

The buds, once awakened from their slumber, begin to swell further with the rising temperatures of spring and eventually flower.

Winter can function to awaken inherent power and latent potential -- this principle applies to both life and buddhist practice.

All living beings possess the seed of Buddhahood, otherwise known as the Buddha nature.

This seed contains potential as vast and boundless as the universe itself.

It is awakened from dormancy and brought to fruition by faith in the Lotus Sutra, which enables us to surmount the trials of winter.  

In other words, it is achieved through our struggles against the obstacles that arise in the course of our Buddhist practice -- namely, against the three obstacles and four devils, and the three powerful enemies.  

We can bring brilliant flowers of victory to bloom in our lives when we weather the hardships of winter and emerge triumphant based on our practice of the Mystic Law.

If, however, in the midst of life’s winters, we refrain from the struggle of progressing in faith, if we doubt the power of faith and slacken in our Buddhist practice, we will end up with incomplete results at best.

Even for cherry trees, it is said, if the period of winter chill required for breaking dormancy is insufficient, the flowering of the buds will be delayed and the blossoms will be irregular.

The key to victory in our lives lies in how hard we struggle when we are in winter, how wisely we use that time, and how meaningfully we will live each day confident that spring will definitely come.

Faith in the Lotus Sutra means bravely making our way through the winters of adversity.  

By taking on the arduous task of changing our karma, we are able to greet the spring and build happiness and good fortune in our lives.

Therefore, we must not avoid the trials of winter.  

If we have the courage to face winter’s challenges, then we can advance boundlessly towards the wonderful springtime of attaining Buddhahood and achieving kosen-rufu.

The Lotus Sutra teaches the importance of surmounting life’s winters.

And the Daishonin assures us: “Winter always turns to spring.”

Our continuous effort to transform winter into spring is the fundamental path for achieving unsurpassed fulfillment and growth in our lives.  

By advancing with all our might on this path, we can open the way to attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime and enjoy a glorious, spring-like state of being that will shine with immeasurable good fortune and benefit across the three existences of past, present, and future.

🙏ON PRAYER🙏

🙏ON PRAYER🙏

"There are many elements involved in a prayer being answered, but the important thing is to keep praying until it is. By continuing to pray, you can reflect on yourself with unflinching honesty and begin to move your life in a positive direction on the path of earnest, steady effort. Even if your prayer doesn't produce concrete results immediately, your continual prayer will at some time manifest itself in a form greater than you had ever hoped"

"Even though you practise faith, you may encounter an unfortunate incident. But meeting with misfortune does not mean that your prayer to the Gohonzon will not be answered - your prayer will definitely be answered. You may see something that makes you wonder why it happened, but as you persevere you will later see that everything is moving in a positive direction for your happiness within the protection of MyoHo."

"Why is it that sometimes our prayers seem not to be answered? This is a manifestation of the Buddha's wisdom, so that we can deepen our prayers, become stronger people, live more profound lives and secure deeper, more lasting good fortune. If our slightest prayer was answered immediately, we would become lazy and degenerate. And we could not hope to build a life of great dignity and substance."

"Our prayers are answered only to the extent that we exert ourselves to realize the Buddha's wish for the happiness of all humanity. The Gohonzon (Mystic Law) has no obligation to answer our prayers. It has not asked us to chant to it. We request the privilege of being allowed to pray to the Gohonzon. If we have such a sense of gratitude and appreciation, our prayers will be answered more quickly."

"Determined that "I will change my destiny" and that "I will have my prayers fulfilled", please offer fresh prayers to the Gohonzon everyday and adorn each page of your life with beautiful actual proof of victory."

"There maybe times when you grow impatient and anxious because it seems like your prayers will never be answered. But all prayers that lead to your happiness will definitely be fulfilled. There is absolutely no mistake about this.

Daisaku Ikeda


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Assurance of the Great Mission of practitioners Daishonin’s Buddhism

“奋勇前进” 的正义之声 Making the triumphant song of our shared struggle resound

If u are strong physically, intellectually and spiritually, you are invincible

Significance of 3.16

https://youtu.be/j7gwYsSxqAU

https://youtu.be/YHhzst-so4w

https://youtu.be/VYpl-PkYO8U

👆found this lyrics ifu dodo nu uta English version however yet to find the English song,