We are living in exciting times, and you can just feel the excitement in the air...
In President Ikeda's Lecture in Living Buddhism about the Gosho
"On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" he states:
The Chinese character myo of myoho, or mystic Law, has the meaning "to open," as does the Chinese character for the number eight. The curtain has risen on the Soka Gakkai's 80th anniversary year, a year when everything will open up ~ or rather, a year in which we must open the way to victory in all areas.
Open the way with prayer
based on the shared commitment of mentor and disciple!
Open the way with the courage
to forge ahead bravely and victoriously!
Open the way with the wisdom
to perceive the essential truth and changing circumstances!
Open the way with self-assured and confident action!
He points out that the Soka Gakkai's focus is to grow and pioneer new frontiers for Kosen Rufu (world peace) always maintaining a direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin by basing everything on his writings. That's why we read the gosho~the letters he wrote to his followers.
For those new to the blog let me remind you that the advent of Nichiren Daishonin in 1222 AD was foretold by the original Buddha. He said that a Buddha would come along who would reinterpret his writings for the people of the Latter Day of the Law ~ the time in which we live. In 1222 the Daishonin was born in samurai time in Japan. Before he entered the priesthood he made a vow to become the wisest man in Japan...then he went around to all the temples reading the Buddhist scrolls ~ searching to find which of the schools of Buddhism was the lifeblood of the original Buddha ~ which one had the power to transform people's lives. When he began chanting the title of the Buddha's highest teaching (the Lotus Sutra) Myoho Renge Kyo he immediately saw the power in it. He added Nam at the beginning to signify devotion or focus, and he was on his way. Immediately all sorts of persecutions came upon him and he was even more certain that he had found the true teaching.
Now, we study his letters to his followers called the Gosho, literally "honorific writings." These are the lifeblood of the Buddhism we practice. Nicherin found the key to the real, useful, words of Shayamuni Buddha.
The Gosho we are studying this month explains that each of us who practice and chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo will suffer various persecutions as we move our lives forward with the deep prayer for Kosen Rufu...and this is inevitable and meant to be. If we run from our troubles when they occur we will not be able to stand as a strong confident lion, overlooking all that we have accomplished by overcoming the storms that come our way. These storms are NECCESSARY in order to turn "Poison into Medicine" ...or transform any harm or negative consequence into positive outcomes. Everyone who chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo needs to understand that problems are inevitable and important! Only through overcoming a great evil will we know the power of the mystic law. I think each of us has our own great evil in a way. I always saw my weight as the great evil in my life. And now that I have slayed that dragon I do feel so powerful!
What dragon will you slay? Don't turn away when the going gets rough! That's why it is so important to join with your fellow Buddhists! The true practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism is done together with your fellow members. If you practice on your own you will not have the lifeblood of the faith!
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