The practice of Buddhism is about changing our lives deep at the core. Buddhism calls on us to examine the causes of our suffering in brutal honesty. After making this self-assessment we then take the next step and make the necessary changes so we can free ourselves from the cycle of suffering in ignorance. The essays in the book are short; usually only several hundred words. It is possible to read them quite quickly. That however, is not what I intended and so I have concluded each essay with either some questions for you to consider or suggestions for actions you might decide would be beneficial. You will get the most value out of this book if you take your time and use the essays and the follow-up comments as tools. Use the book sparingly, sampling each essay as if it were a most delicious candy. This book will be of the most value to you if you actually try to use it as a tool for making changes in your life.
“… all of you present here! Understand the Dharma by faith with all your hearts!” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter II)
Though our practice is simple and seemingly easy it should not be thought that we can attain our goal without great effort. As the quote above says, “with all your hearts.” Think of how we pursue something we love and cherish in our heart. Is the effort you put into your practice in accord with your expectation of benefit?
With confidence that we can overcome all of our obstacles through the power of faith in the Lotus Sutra, through the power of our upholding the Odaimoku, we can purify our world and travel over clear paths lined with golden ropes and jeweled trees. All of these we create through our practice.
I think one of the neat things about Buddhism is that while it can be confusing at times, there are usually many ways of understanding or explaining the teachings. But ultimately it is through our practice and faith that we can most deeply understand the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Just as it is possible to travel to a strange country not speaking the language and have a good time, see a variety of things, and have wonderful experiences, it isn’t necessary to have a scholar’s understanding of the Lotus Sutra. We do not need to master theory, though we should try to understand the basics, where we need to excel is in our practice and faith.
It isn’t easy sometimes to look at our situation and be thankful or even rejoice, especially when faced with multiple and seemingly complex problems. It isn’t easy to always be rejoicing at the appearance of yet one more difficult situation. It is only by taking the test that we can pass. It is only by facing the problem will we be able to change our lives. Never giving up, always striving, holding firm faith, and steadfast practice assures us all of the great benefit of enlightenment. A practice based firmly on the Lotus Sutra assures us of an enlightenment equal to that of all the Buddhas.
Monk Nichiren Calming the Stormy Sea by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1835
There is a story told of Nichiren on his way to his second exile, his trip to Sado Island. It is said that the water was so rough that all those on board the boat feared for their lives. According to the story, Nichiren took one of the oars and with the blade wrote the Odaimoku onto the surface of the water in order to calm the sea.
Whether or not you believe this happened exactly as it is told, there is certain documentary support for believing that he actually did attempt to do this. Still, the fact of the matter is that Nichiren placed all of his faith in the power of the Lotus Sutra. We too can cast the Odaimoku upon the ocean of our suffering, and with our practice we can calm the waters. We can change ourselves so that we can safely and confidently navigate the rough seas in which we may find ourselves.
When I was training to become a priest, I was at an advanced age. There were many potential places where I could have failed, and some folks were always eager to point out that I might not make it. In my mind and even on occasion I said, “there is no wasted effort in Buddhism.” If you think about this, no matter had I succeeded or not I would have learned and experienced more even in failure than I would have not trying.
I know it isn’t easy to change one’s outlook on life. That too takes tremendous, even heroic, effort. Even to just try for one moment to change our thinking for many may seem impossible or wrought with potential failure. Please do not think that because you are incapable of succeeding today, that it was without benefit. Every attempt, no matter how small, is actually a victory in itself. How heroic the attempt!
It is difficult to reprogram your mind to respond to different messages from those currently playing. I won’t pretend to oversimplify the process. If however a person is able to change the outlook on failure and view it as an opportunity to explore possibilities I think it leads to greater happiness. I also firmly believe that, especially in Buddhism, there is no wasted effort. Anything we do, no matter how seemingly small and insignificant, and no matter if we completely succeed or not, is not a wasted effort.
Appreciation, genuine and sincere, for other people is an important practice. Remember it isn’t that someone does something for us and we thank them, although that we should definitely practice. The kind of appreciation we can try to practice is an expression of the value of their very existence, their presence in our life, good or bad. Regardless of the energy they bring us, they allow us to change to grow and to practice the Bodhisattva way.
We have a choice over how we carry out the activities of our daily life. We can choose to be either weighted down by heavy burdens or we can choose to approach our obligations with a joyful heart. It is a fact that our perception is a very powerful influence over our life condition. How we choose to view things affects how we experience those things. When we can look at our lives as lives that are continually manifesting the benefit of the Lotus Sutra we can experience greater joy. Is this merely mind over matter? I would say not. The reason why I would disagree is because we are not relying on some empty promise. Because we can know the outcome we have a freedom to enjoy the process. And we truly do know the outcome if we maintain our consistent daily effort and practice of the Lotus Sutra.
