Not for Circulation. For the use of district leaders only.
Discussion Meeting Gosho for July 2018
Key Points for Sharing
How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra
When we revere Myoho-renge-kyo inherent in our own life as the object of devotion, theBuddha nature within us is summoned forth and manifested by our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what is meant by "Buddha." To illustrate, when a caged bird sings, birds who are flying in the sky are thereby summoned and gather around, and when the birds flying in the sky gather around, the bird in the cage strives to get out. When with our mouths we chant the Mystic Law, our Buddha nature, being summoned, will invariably emerge.
(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p 887)
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The following key points are to be shared upon understanding and explaining the "Background and Explanation" published in the July 2018 issue of Creative Life. (Included in handout)
Key Points 1. Buddhahood refers to the boundless potential inherent in the lives of all people 2. Myoho-renge-kyo is the name for Buddhahood 3. The power of the Buddha is manifested through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo |
1. Buddhahood refers to the boundless potential inherent in the lives of all people
Shakyamuni Buddha expounded that "one who is awakened to one's true self is a Buddha".
In addition, Shakyamuni also expounded that "the universe is one with the self".
That is to say, since the life of each individual is one with the life of the universe, the power that resides within our lives is as vast and magnificent as that of the universe.
In other words, a Buddha is "one who is awakened to the fact that one's life possesses boundless potential, one that is the same as that of the universe" and "one who can manifest that potential".
And this "boundless potential" refers to "one's Buddha nature (Buddhahood)".
For this reason, the Daishonin expounded that to attain Buddhahood means to "open one's Buddhahood".
Now, how do we "open this boundless potential, the Buddhahood"?
The Daishonin established the practice of chanting the daimokuof Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and inscribed the Gohonzon so that all people, no matter who they may be, can open their Buddhahood.
2. Myoho-renge-kyo is the name for Buddhahood
Although we all possess the life state of Buddhahood, we are not able to see it.
This is why the Daishonin named our Buddha nature (Buddhahood) "Myoho-renge-kyo".
The word "Nam" means to "devote oneself to" or "fuse one's life with".
Another thing that the Daishonin did was to embody this Buddhahood in the form of the Gohonzon.
In another of his writings, the Daishonin says, "Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo." (WND-1, p 832)
We chant daimoku to the Gohonzon so that we can manifest "the Gohonzin that exists within our lives", that is, to activate "the Myoho-renge-kyo that resides within".
And the Gohonzon that the Daishonin inscribed, depicts the ceremony in which Bodhisattvas of the Earth vows to realize kosen-rufu.
In other words, we must never forget that the basis for our practice of faith is to strive to lead all people to happiness.
3. The power of the Buddha is manifested through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
By carrying out the practice of chanting the daimoku of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one is able to manifest the Buddhahood from within our lives.
The Daishonin uses the example of "a bird in a cage" to illustrate the process of manifesting one's Buddhahood.
This "bird in a cage" represents the Buddhahood that resides within our lives. The "cage" here refers to one's fundamental darkness, ignorance, illusions, earthly desires that locks up one's Buddha nature.
The "birds who are flying in the sky" refers to the Buddha nature of all living beings. Through chanting daimoku, we can manifest not only our own Buddha nature but also help summon forth the Buddha nature in the lives of all living beings.
Ikeda Sensei says in his guidance, "When we chant … our Buddha nature emerges in response. This also summons forth the Buddha nature of all others. Our happiness is our responsibility, not someone else's; it is something we must build for ourselves. Blaming our unhappiness on others serves no purpose. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own lives. The sound of our daimokumakes our lives shine their brightest."
This Buddha nature refers to the Buddha's wisdom, courage and strong life force.
By chanting daimoku, we can manifest the power that a Buddha possesses.
By chanting daimoku based on the resolve to fulfill our mission for kosen-rufu, we can change any poison into medicine. This signifies the realization of the transformation of one's karma.
Let us continue to strive and forge our lives as we set our gaze on 2030, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Soka Gakkai. /end
