My ideas about faith and what faith entails are best illustrated in the concluding paragraph of Shōho Jissō Shō, Nichiren’s “Treatise on All Phenomena as Ultimate Reality” [Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 4, Page 79-80]. This is the lone writing of Nichiren’s that I have memorized.
Seated before my altar, I look at the top row of the Mandala Gohonzon with Śākyamuni and Many Treasures Buddhas flanking the Daimoku, with the four great bodhisattvas on either side and all within the protection of Bishamon and Jikoku, the guardian kings of the North and East. Focused on the Mandala Gohonzon I say:
“Have faith in the Great Mandala Gohonzon, the most venerable one in the entire world.
I imagine picking up the medicine left behind by the wise physician.
Looking at the row below, which in my mind looks like the strong shoulders of the Mandala Gohonzon, I say:
“Earnestly endeavor to strengthen your faith”
It is the striving that strengthens faith.
Looking now at the stupa statue in front of the Mandala Gohonzon, I say:
“So that you may be blessed with the protective powers of Śākyamuni Buddha, the Buddha of Many Treasures, and Buddhas in manifestation throughout the Universe.”
I welcome this help.
Looking now at the statue of Nichiren, I say:
“Strive to carry out the two ways of practice and learning.”
For me, Nichiren epitomizes practice and learning.
Looking now at the small Mandala Gohonzon amulet made for me by Ryusho Jeffus Shonin, I say:
“Without practice and learning, Buddhism will cease to exist.”
I remember Ryusho stressing that actualizing our practice in our daily lives brings Buddhism to life.
Looking at the left side of the altar, first at the Kishimojin amulet and the painting, both created by Ryusho, and then up at the Kishimojin Fuda I received from Shoda Kanai Shonin in Las Vegas, I say:
“Endeavor yourself”
I seek to secure the protection Kishimojin and the 10 rākṣasas daughters promised to the person who keeps, reads and recites this sūtra.
Looking beneath the statue of Nichiren at the Seven Happy Gods I say:
“and cause others to practice these two ways of practice and learning, which stem from faith.”
The more I recite sutras, the more daimoku I chant, the more I feed these protective deities and the more their influence grows.
Finally looking at the three memorial tablets, I say:
“If possible, please spread even a word or a phrase of the sūtra to others.”
Each time I consider Nichiren’s words:
The great virtue of Venerable Maudgalyāyana having faith in the Lotus Sūtra not only made himself a Buddha but also his parents Buddhas. Moreover, all the parents in seven generations above and below, and all the parents in the limitless generations above and below became Buddhas unexpectedly. In addition, sons, husbands and wives, their retainers, devotees, and an incalculable number of people all were emancipated from the three evil realms. [Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 4, Page 175]
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