As we practice and study more, if we didn’t already have the intent to become enlightened, we may soon find ourselves wishing to attain what the Buddha experienced. Yet even still, for some the intention of enlightenment isn’t nearly as clear as the intention to eliminate suffering or overcome some difficult problem. Over time though as we continue to practice, or when we overcome our problem, or even when overcoming our difficulty takes longer than we expected, we loose focus. We may become distracted or discouraged because things are harder than we originally thought they would be. It is, I believe, as easy to be discouraged as it is to be lulled into a sense of complacency. If we can develop these ways of intention in our lives then we too can become the king of our Sumeru-world with unhindered powers and virtues.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Quotes
Ordinary Buddhahood
Another principle of non-duality important in Nichiren Buddhism is the teaching that “with this present body we can become Buddhas.” This principle points to the fact that the state of Buddhahood is not so idealized that it cannot be attained by ordinary people living ordinary lives. A Buddha is not some kind of god-like being, but simply someone who has awakened to the truth and teaches it to others.
Lotus SeedsMental Development and Personal Perfection
Since the elements of our mental and spiritual being are even more intricately connected than those of our physical being, eliminating craving alone will not eliminate suffering. For true development, the entire mental and spiritual being must be improved. All delusions and impediments to attaining the ideal state of enlightenment must be eliminated, and the mind must be liberated to work in a free, healthy way. The program of religious practice set forth in the Eightfold Path stimulates just this kind of overall mental development and personal perfection.
Basic Buddhist Concepts
The Original Vows of the Buddha
The purpose of Risshō Ankoku (Creating a Peaceful and Secure Country through Establishing the Correct Teachings of Buddhism) is to reveal that the Sahā World is the land of tranquil light of the Eternal Buddha. When the whole world is unified with the Odaimoku and all the people devote them selves to the Lotus Sūtra and the ideal world can be realized –
The howling wind will not blow on the branches, falling rain will not erode the soil,”
(Nyosetsu Shugyō Shō, A Phrase A Day, p. 96)
– and this world will be revealed as the Pure Land. This is a wish of the Buddha that all the people will be saved with the Odaimoku, that everyone will become the same as him, that this world will become ideal and pure. These are the original vows of the Buddha with His compassion.
Buddha Seed: Understanding the OdaimokuHaving Great Joy
One of my favorite sentences from the Lotus Sutra says, “when you have great joy you will become a Buddha” – Chapter II. I have said it before, however, I think it is worth saying again. When you have great joy, when you allow the joy of the dharma to fill your life, then you will become a Buddha. This great joy is not the complete elimination of problems, but it is the belief in the assurance of being a Buddha.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1Accepting the Ultimate Truth
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo represents our acceptance of the ultimate truth of the Lotus Sutra, which reveals that all things, even defilements and suffering, can help us realize the true nature of all reality. Instead of being overwhelmed by desires or suffering, the practice of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo lets us view all things in the light of the ultimate truth.
Lotus SeedsConquering Suffering
Buddhism begins with a direct examination of suffering, which figures prominently in most basic Buddhist teachings. For instance, one of the most fundamental of Buddhist doctrines is the four seals of the Law – suffering, impermanence, absence of a permanent self, and nirvana. The first of the Four Noble Truths is that birth is suffering, and in the Twelve-linked Chain of Dependent Origination, the final link, aging and death, is described as lamentable and pitiable suffering. Because of the numerous mentions of suffering in the most ancient scriptures, some people criticize Buddhism as pessimistic or argue that it is too otherworldly and aloof from the affairs of everyday life. But to overcome suffering is the purpose of all religions. The ultimate goal of Buddhism, too, is to conquer suffering, transcend the cycle of transmigrations, and attain the tranquility called nirvana.
Basic Buddhist Concepts
Fulfilling The Buddha’s Wish
The world of the Buddha’s great salvation is spread before us. Unfortunately, many do not realize this great gift. We should recognize it and also help others to do so. To realize and practice, transmitting the Buddha’s salvation is practicing the Odaimoku and Ichinen Sanzen.
You do not need to become a minister to do this. What you need to do is to have faith in the Lotus Sutra; honor the Buddha and Nichiren Shōnin; remain grateful for everything of this world, and appreciate and love it. Pray for everyone’s happiness and chant the Odaimoku with mindfulness. When we do this we fulfill the Buddha’s wish. The Lotus Sutra requests that those who are able to should help the Buddha’s mission. Every single one of us is the Buddha’s messenger who carries the Buddha’s mission in our hearts.
Buddha Seed: Understanding the OdaimokuManifesting Our Inherent Buddha Condition
Practicing Buddhism is a lot about opening ourselves up. We open our lives up to self-exploration and discovery. Through this process we weed out those things that prevent us from manifesting our inherent Buddha condition. We nourish the process through our practice of chanting the sutra and the Odaimoku, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.
Lotus Path: Practicing the Lotus Sutra Volume 1A Peaceful Practice
With the many distractions available to us it can be easy to become diverted from our practice, when our practice should actually be the most enjoyable activity we might engage in. It is a proper practice to always find peaceful pleasure in our practice of the Lotus Sutra, perhaps peace above all.
Lecture on the Lotus Sutra