Nichiren Shonin attained enlightenment with the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, and controlled his mind with Odaimoku. Odaimoku has the power to lead us safely through life. Nichiren Shonin’s whole life shows us this. As you know, although Nichiren Shonin faced many persecutions and terrorism, he was able to survive and live through his 60 years of life because of his faith in the Lotus Sutra. We are always protected by Odaimoku. We should always keep a sincere mind for enlightenment, and chant Odaimoku.
Spring WritingsQuotes
The Importance of Connection, Elevation and Transfer
The wealth of the man in the Parable of the Rich Man and His Poor Son may be presented in terms of money, gems, and land – in other words material possessions – but remember the wealthy man was not happy until he was able to reconnect with his son, was able to raise his son’s life condition, and finally was able to pass on his fortune. The idea of connection, elevation, and transfer are important concepts for us to keep in mind more so than focusing on the accumulation of material possessions.
If what we do in life does not encourage or enhance connections then it is doubtful we could effectively carry out the mission of being a Bodhisattva. Without connections with others we will not be able to cause them to elevate their life conditions nor will we really be able to teach them Buddhism. The treasure that we really gain from practicing Buddhism is the indestructible joy that arises from the depth of our life and is not dependent upon outside circumstances. Our greatest joy though I believe ultimately comes from “sharing that wealth” with others through establishing a bond with them and then showing through the example of our own life how to practice Buddhism and make the necessary changes.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraThree Seals of the Dharma
It is important to understand that the Mahayana sutras are not meant to be literal records of actual sermons by the historical Shakyamuni Buddha. Nevertheless, they are recognized by Mahayana Buddhists as the “word” of the Buddha. This is because they conform to the “Three Seals or the Dharma.” The Three Seals of the Dharma refer to impermanence, selflessness, and the perfect peace of Nirvana. Traditionally, these three seals summarize the core insight of Shakyamuni Buddha. Any teaching that is consistent with them can be considered an authentic teaching of the Buddha.
Lotus SeedsBussho
In Nichiren Shu, the mantra of the Odaimoku is … considered a fundamental practice that facilitates transformation. The phrase Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is the heart of the Lotus Sutra and the Eternal Buddha’s enlightenment. Nichiren Shonin taught us that by chanting these enlightened words of the Buddha, we too are able to open the enlightenment that has slept within our lives since ages past, referred to in Buddhist terms as Bussho, or our Buddha-nature. Bussho can also be translated as the “life of the Buddha” within each and every one of us. Therefore, the more we chant, the closer we become to the Buddha and the more our own Buddha-nature begins to grow, develop and blossom in a very natural and day-to-day manner.
Odaimoku: The Significance Of Chanting Namu Myoho Renge KyoOur Effort
We cannot expect our practice of Buddhism, wishing to become enlightened, to take a short period of time, or little effort. Yet we can destroy all that we have attained all that we have accomplished within a short period of time by being discouraged and abandoning our practice.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1This Moment of Life
Today I make peace with my past. I am not the same person I was 60 years ago, and I’m not the same person I will be a week from today. I am responsible for my actions in this moment, but no longer in control or have power over my actions in the past moment. This moment only allows me to experience the effects of previous causes and decide how I will proceed into the future. In a way, the past does not exist. It doesn’t exist yet we cling to it as if it were life and death, when in fact the past is only death, and the present represents our life.
Physician's Good MedicineLiving in an Earthly Heaven
It is by mankind, in all kinds of existence, that the ideal perfection is to be achieved, and therefore the stage of its realization is this world, the abode of mankind. The Buddhist ideal of enlightenment is man’s awaking to the fundamental unity of his present existence with the primeval Buddhahood; while the key to make this world a hell or to transform it into a heaven is in our own hands. The use of the key consists in first calling forth the primeval Buddhahood in the innermost recess of our own soul, and in viewing this actual world as a heaven. This transfiguration means not merely imagining that earth is heaven, but living in conformity with the assumption, under the guidance of the enlightened mind. This ideal was realized by Buddha when he preached the Lotus of Truth on Vulture Peak, and the scene of the revelation was transfigured into a paradise. Nichiren had no doubt about the Scripture narrative, and now, in Minobu, he was himself experiencing such a transfiguration of his own abode.
Nichiren, The Buddhist ProphetImproving the Values in Your Life
The Lotus Sutra expounds that we, human beings, have multiple evils in our mind such as demon-like, hellish, and animal behavior, but we also have a noble mind, with emotions such as compassion, kindness, sympathy, and Buddha-nature. Therefore, our minds can be influenced or tempted by those states to make people become sages, wise men, bad men, foolish men, and occasionally, terrorists. We humans always have the potential to be good or bad. In order to control our nature, or minds, Buddhism has expounded the teachings of enlightenment for over 2000 years. What is enlightenment? It is difficult to explain simply, but I dare to say, “It improves the values in your life.”
Spring WritingsOne Candle
It says in the sutra, and Nichiren repeats it in his letters, it only takes one candle to instantly eliminate the darkness that has filled a cave for thousands of years. Chanting Odaimoku is like that candle. No matter how small or feeble, that one candle does begin to light up your life. That spark of hope can be the foundation of faith in your life that anything is possible to change if you follow the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
Lecture on the Lotus SutraStriving to Become Buddhas
Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the Buddha actually has three bodies: a historical body; an ideal body, which can only be seen by bodhisattvas; and a transcendent universal body, which is ultimate reality itself. In its highest form, Mahayana Buddhism teaches that we all have Buddha-nature and that we should all strive to become Buddhas ourselves.
Lotus Seeds