Oct 2024 Discussion Meeting Gosho
Supplementary Resources for Leaders Sharing the Discussion Meeting Gosho (Oct)
Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path. (WND-1, p 598) |
(A) Background and Overview
Please refer to October 2024 issue of "Creative Life" and summarize.
(B) Key Points for Sharing
Key Learning Points of the Gosho Passage: 1. Striving In Our Buddhist Practice with "Good Friends" Is the Path to Attaining Buddhahood 2. The Soka Gakkai Is An Organisation Where "Good Friends" Strive in Mutual Encouragement 3. Seeking Out "Good Friends" and Striving to Become One Is the Path of A Disciple |
1. Striving In Our Buddhist Practice with "Good Friends" Is the Path to Attaining Buddhahood
Lay priest Nishiyama, the recipient of this letter, was a leading disciple of Nichiren Daishonin who lived in the area around Mt Fuji, where many of the Shogunate officials owned land.
It is believed that Lay Priest Nishiyama faced various pressures from priests from other schools and the authorities who were hostile to Nichiren Daishonin.
Despite these challenges, Nishiyama remained steadfast in his faith that brimmed with seeking spirit and continued making offerings to the Daishonin.
Amidst such trying times for his disciples, Nichiren Daishonin teaches Nishiyama to remain close to fellow practitioners, who are "good friends" (positive influence) andto support and encourage each other.
The Buddhist term "chishiki" (Chn zhishi) of "zen-chishiki" ((Chn shan zhishi) derives from the Sanskrit word "mitra" which literally means "friend". Henceforth, "zen-chishiki" ((Chn shan zhishi) refers to a good friend, a positive influence. "Good friends" refers to those who guideothers towards good and the correct path of the Buddhism.
Here in this Gosho passage, the Daishonin underscores the importance of "good friends" who help guide us towardsthe correct path of faith through these analogies:
"When a tree has been transplanted, though fierce winds may blow, it will not topple if it has a firm stake to hold it up. But even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak. Even a feeble person will not stumble if those supporting him are strong, but a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path."
In this way, "good friends" are the important support we need in order to advance along the correct path of faith and not fall into the three evil paths.
Ikeda Sensei explains the importance of having "good friends" in this manner:
A Buddhist scripture records an exchange between Shakyamuni and his disciple Ananda. One day, Ananda asks Shakyamuni: "It seems to me that by having good friends and advancing together with them, one has already halfway attained the Buddha way. Is this way of thinking correct?" Shakyamuni responds unequivocally: "Ananda, this way of thinking is not correct. Having good friends and advancing together with them is not half the Buddha way but all the Buddha way." This describes the essence of Buddhist practice. We need to have "good friends" who help and support us if we are to stay on the correct path of faith and lead a life of genuine victory. (From President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series, "Buddhism of the Sun, Illuminating the World") |
In this way, the path to enlightenment is found in our efforts to practice faith together with fellow members of the Soka Gakkai, who are our "good friends" in our journey of faith.
2. The Soka Gakkai Is An Organisation Where "Good Friends" Strive in Mutual Encouragement
The Daishonin says here in the passage, "…. even a tree that has grown up in place may fall over if its roots are weak." This means that even if a person has been practicing faith for a long time, if he lacks conviction, he will be defeated in the face of hardship.
When one's "roots are weak", it means that one's conviction is weak and when one encounters hardship, one begins to harbour doubts in faith.
In order to strengthen one's faith, it is important to study Buddhism and accumulate actual proofs of faith in one's life. And it is the Soka Gakkai, which is a gathering of "good friends", that helps us do so.
In his guidance, Ikeda Sensei explains the function of "good friends" in this manner:
The function of "good friends" is to protect practitioners, so that they may carry out a peaceful and secure practice. It is also to encourage each other in practice and to show them the correct teachings of Buddhism and direct them towards doing good. In other words, all of you, the leaders of kosen-rufu who guide and point the way towards kosen-rufu, the Gohonzon, the Mystic Law and to the path of enlightenment, encouraging others to do gongyo, chant daimoku, attend meetings and read and study the Gosho, are noble and virtuous "good friends". (From Ikeda Sensei's guidance given at a joint general meeting of Toshima, Taito, Sumida and Meguro wards, held at the Soka Culture Centre in Tokyo on December 12, 1987) |
For all of us Soka Gakkai members, "good friends" refer to fellow members who encourage us in faith, and to the Soka Gakkai, an organization dedicated to kosen-rufu. The important thing is to never leave the Soka Gakkai, the organization that teaches us correct faith and one that is dedicated to the realization of kosen-rufu.
3. Seeking Out "Good Friends" and Striving to Become One Is the Path of A Disciple
The Daishonin further says in this Gosho passage, "… a person of considerable strength, when alone, may fall down on an uneven path." In order to maintain one's faith throughout one's life, it is essential to have a mentor (a correct and good teacher) and fellow members who continues to support us in our practice of faith.
The Daishonin then goes on to stress just how rare it is to encounter a "good friend" who can lead us to the correct path of faith no matter which age we may be living in. Why is this so? This is because the Latter Day of the Law is a time when the world is rife with "evil companions" who leads us away from the correct teachings.
Therefore, it is important that we actively seek out "good friends".
Ikeda Sensei explains the importance of seeking out "good friends" in this manner:
Evil friends try to sow doubt and destroy people's faith by various subtle and devious means. And in the corrupt age of the Latter Day of the Law, positive influences are rare, while negative influences are everywhere. That's why it is great good fortune to encounter good friends and form a connection with them. (From President Ikeda's Study Lecture Series, "Buddhism of the Sun, Illuminating the World") |
Our three successive presidents of the Soka Gakkai can be said to be the forerunners of "good friends". The mentors and disciples of Soka have placed utmost importance on "actual proofs" of faith while advancing kosen-rufu. The fact that the Soka Gakkai has realized worldwide kosen-rufu by spreading the Daishonin's Buddhism to 192 countries and territories across the globe by transcending all differences is the greatest proof that the Soka Gakkai is an organization that accords with the Buddha's intent and decree.
In addition, the platform where Soka Gakkai members gather to share actual proofs of faith is none other than our discussion meetings, a cherished tradition of the Soka Gakkai. Making efforts to actively seek out "good friends" and advance alongside fellow members is the trajectory of victory in life.
< end of supplementary resources >
Prepared by SGS Study Department
