I recently finished reading Nikkyō Niwano’s autobiography Lifetime Beginner and, frankly, I’m glad that I read Buddhism for Today before reading this. The book was originally published in Japan in 1975 and the first English translation published in 1978. As explained by Rissho Kosei-kai:
This is a refreshingly candid account of the author’s life, from his childhood on a small farm in northern Japan, through his years of religious search, and finally to the founding and growth of Rissho Kosei-kai, a lay Buddhist organization with well over six million members throughout the world.
As with all things Rissho Kosei-kai, I’m ambivalent, but rather than dwell on the troublesome aspects I want to underscore the important teaching I found.
Two Halves of the Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sutra is divided into two sections. In the first half, defined as the “Law of Appearance,” the World-honored One, the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, discusses the organization of the universe, human life, and human relationships on the basis of his experience and enlightenment. This section of the sutra teaches human beings how they ought to live. In the second half, the “Law of Origin,” Shakyamuni Buddha expands his teachings. For the first time, he says that the true Buddha exists without beginning and without end and that he himself has consistently preached the Law and taught people throughout the universe since the infinite past.
The Buddha of the Law of Origin—the Eternal Original Buddha— is the basic life-force of the universe; he is the truth, life, and law of the entire cosmos. The teachings of the Law of Origin inform us that by tuning the wavelength of our own lives to that of the universe we can achieve the spiritual state we should attain and become truly happy. The Law of Appearance contains what is often called the expedient teachings; the Law of Origin contains the true teachings. The former is essential for a transition into the latter, but neither teaching is superior to the other: they are the complementary halves of a single Truth. (p160)
The Essential Unity
The completely egalitarian Lotus Sutra teaches that not only human beings but all beings in the universe share the potential to attain buddhahood through full manifestation and complete development of their essences, each according to their true natures. When all things, including humanity, have attained this state, we shall achieve perfect peace in the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light, which ought to be the ultimate goal of all mankind.
This is the ideal concept of the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, but it is not sufficient to save man, who is weak and requires spiritual support to be able to live in peace. All things in the world of phenomena are transient, and nothing is permanent enough to serve as a spiritual support except the Eternal Original Buddha, the great force of life that is the origin of the universe. Human beings and all other beings are but visible manifestations of this great invisible universal life-force.
Since the life-force is eternal and indestructible, in essence human life too is eternal, though the manifested physical body dies. A person enlightened to this truth in the deepest part of his understanding experiences everlasting tranquility. This very tranquility itself is at the same time the joy of life that throbs in man’s physical and spiritual being.
Profound enlightenment to this truth leads to an awareness of the essential unity binding all things into one great family of life. This awareness in turn inspires a deep sense of equality and love for all beings, a greater love that is called compassion. A person who is compassionate in this sense is truly valuable, and a society of such people is a paradise. This is fundamental in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Living daily in correct spiritual and physical attunement with these teachings inspires the joy of living with the Eternal Original Buddha, generates love and compassion, and eliminates the need for the kind of spiritual support provided by revelations from protective deities.
(p161-162)
Bruce Springsteen told the concert crowd at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, “At 15, it’s all tomorrows. And at 73, it’s a whole lot of yesterdays.” That’s certainly how I feel today at 71 years of age. I wish I had heard at age 15 the advice Nikkyō Niwano gave to Rissho Kosei-kai youth in January 1958:
“You young people are filled with energy and with the power to absorb things. This is why I want all of you to read at least part of the Threefold Lotus Sutra daily. Even a few lines are enough if you are very busy. But try to read the entire sutra once a month. If you do this, in three or four years you will make new spiritual discoveries within yourself. These discoveries will be an inspiration to you and will bring great light and good tidings into your life. Remember that we make our own happiness. And with this in mind, go forward with determination.” (p170-171)
In March 2015, I began my 32 Days of the Lotus Sutra Practice. Next month will mark the completion of the eighth year of my monthly reading of the Lotus Sutra. In that time I’ve made “new spiritual discoveries” and these discoveries have brought “great light and good tidings” into my life.
