Of the Six Perfections – generosity, discipline, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom – the perfection of patience refers to the ability to maintain one’s concern and compassion for others even in the face of persecution. We cannot give in to bitterness, hatred, or ideas of retaliation, even when we experience ridicule or persecution at the hands of others. This may be the most difficult of all the perfections. We have to develop deep insight into the pain and confusion of others so that we can understand and forgive those who lash out violently or act callously toward others.
Lotus SeedsQuotes
The Name Nichiren
The word nichi, meaning “sun,” is reference to in the 21st chapter of the Lotus Sutra where it says: “Just as the light of the sun and moon expells all dimness and darkness; so this man, living and working in the world, drives out the darkness (illusion) of all living beings,” The word ren meaning “lotus,” is referred to in chapter 15 of the same sutra where it says: “Be not influenced by environment. Lo, the Lotus blossoms, never to be soiled by the muddy waters whence it grows.
Nichiren, Leader of Buddhist Reformation in JapanTribulations
The way to transform our lives is not by avoiding our tribulations but by going through them and making them the cause for our enlightenment.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Enlightenment Is a Possibility for Each of Us
Enlightenment is a possibility for each of us no matter how ill we have become. Regardless of our circumstances, a cure is possible. We can change. This is the truth of the teaching within the Lotus Sutra.
Physician's Good MedicineDisregarding and Disobeying the Truth
No one is totally destitute of Buddha-nature, which is dormant in the innermost recess of the soul; but none is free from the sin of having disregarded and disobeyed the Truth.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetTeaching Through Example
Transmitting Buddhist faith is just like telling your children the experiences you’ve had throughout your life, along with your idea of faith. It is a natural thing, just as one usually teaches one’s children at home. On the other hand your faith will be tested, because any discipline you give your children does not carry good fruits without action. Teaching faith without action does not communicate any emotion, and others will not adopt a new faith. In order to transmit your faith to your children or others, you must show a good example for them through your actions if they are to have faith.
Spring WritingsPreparing for the Lotus Sutra
The Buddha is saying in the Simile of Herbs that all along – even as he was teaching appropriate to Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas – he was in essence teaching in a way that was preparing for the Lotus Sutra. These initial teachings are all part of the Lotus Sutra. That is why it is important that people not come to a conclusion that the Lotus Sutra replaces or does away with the previous teachings of the Buddha. We have to think of the teachings as being on a continuum that is leading to the ultimate truth revealed by the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra.
The Buddha all along was teaching the same Dharma but he did so according to the capacity of the people he was teaching.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraThe Perfection of Discipline
Of the Six Perfections – generosity, discipline, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom – the perfection of discipline means to live in accord with the precepts. As we have seen, the Five Precepts are: to not kill, to not steal, to not be involved in sexual misconduct, to not speak falsely, and to not use intoxicants that cloud the mind. Buddhism recognizes that until we are awakened it is very difficult to live in full accord with the precepts. It is difficult because the precepts are actually a description of awakened conduct. So as our practice enables us to receive the merits of the Buddha’s awakening, it also enables us to become loving, generous, faithful, truthful, and mindful. Until we are fully awakened, however, the precepts act as guidelines that keep our practice honest and point out how to avoid harming ourselves and others. They are tools for self-reflection and can show us how to maintain our integrity and bring about benefit for ourselves and others.
Lotus SeedsThe Morning of April 28, 1253
For Seven days, he knelt in fervent prayer among the muted pines, preparing himself for the restoration of the true teaching of the Buddha to the people. Finally, on the night of April 27, 1253, his mind clear, his actions fully planned, he rose to his feet and made his way upward to a high peak where the forest of Asahi-ga-mori and the Pacific Ocean spread before him in the sheltering, voiceless darkness.
As the first rays of the morning sun brushed across the horizon, driving away the night and spreading a golden hush across the land, Rencho stood, motionless, facing eastward, his hands clasped in gassho, his face aglow with the truth. Nothing broke the stillness of this high place, neither wind, nor wave, nor song of bird. The world was silent as though it held its breath in patient expectation. And then the silence shattered as a resounding cry echoed from the young priest’s lips: “Namu Myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo!” “Adoration to the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law!” The words thundered and resounded through the clear, mountain air.
It was the morning of April 28, 1253 – the beginning of a new day. The first step in restoring the truth had finally been taken.
Nichiren, Leader of Buddhist Reformation in JapanAdhering to Myoho Renge Kyo
Nichiren Shonin taught us in the Kanjin Honzon Sho, “All good deeds and virtues of Shakyamuni Buddha are manifested in the title of the Lotus Sutra, ‘Myoho Renge Kyo.’ No matter what mistakes we may have committed, we shall be naturally endowed with all the deeds and virtues of the Buddha, if we adhere to these five characters.”
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo