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!
