Million Daimoku Campaign Update ~

How is the campaign going for you? It's not too late to join. Just send an email saying you're keeping track of 300 hours of Daimoku. I'd like to post some reports from you. Please email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com to let me know how it's going and to share your determinations if you'd like. 

Many of you have joined the Worldwide Million Daimoku Campaign, and it's not too late to join. 
Just set your sights on chanting 300 hours of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, write your goals for yourself and make or download a chart where you fill in the time you are chanting to add up to 300 hours. You can do a search on 
daimokucharts.org and download one for yourself. Or just make one - it doesn't have to be fancy. 
Most SGI members have goals they have set to reach by November 18th. 


It is natural to experience challenges and negativity after starting a Daimoku campaign. Think of it this way. Your regular life is like a plane going slowly down the runway. There's no resistance from the wind. When you start your daimoku campaign you turn the engines on and rev them up for takeoff, and start going faster. 

What happens to the wind resistance? It increases because your speed increases...just like your obstacles increase when you start a million daimoku campaign. 

But remember, those obstacles are EXACTLY what you need to get to the next level of happiness in your life. Remember the Gosho lecture I wrote about last month. You Summoned those obstacles for your own growth and so you can change your karma forever. 
Think of them as another log on the fire! And as long as you keep chanting, as long as you don't stop, you will take off sailing into the sky. Yes the wind resistance will still be there, but so will all the benefits of being able to look down on all your problems that looked so big while you were on the ground, but now look so much smaller from the air. 

And you will be able to soar over those problems and change them all ~ one after another ~ as your new life flies on and on with the wind of daimoku beneath your wings! 


And now, for November 18th - shakubuku is key. I'm dedicating all my daimoku to helping at least one person discover and reveal their infinite potential through chanting the Mystic Law! 

Love in Action ! Awakening Our INFINITE Potential and helping others awaken THEIRS!

There are so 20 days days left until November 18th, and I know many of us burn with the bright flame of the desire to introduce at least one other person to their own Buddha Nature...to their own infinite potential and capacity for infinite happiness.
I am chanting for the people who have tested these waters to sincerely engage in their practice by getting their Gohonzons....and for those who hear of the Mystic Law for the first time to feel the potential for its power in their lives and decide to give it their all, make their list of desires - receive and enshrine their Gohonzons and chant every day - twice a day! 

When we introduce others to their own faith in their magnificence we are doing more than radiating love - we are LOVE IN ACTION! 

I am chanting to be the example of this light shining brightly, and that, no matter what trials I am facing, that I display the bright, optimistic and unflagging spirit of absolute confidence in my own life, and in my capacity to draw EVERYTHING I need from within my own life to be happy, to WIN, and to bring others to realizing their own happiness. 

This morning I read these passages in the World Tribune and want to share them with you. I can just see the sincere members in Japan during the dark days after World War II in Japan. Josei Toda had just gotten out of jail for opposing the war. His mentor, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi had died in prison...and somehow, the determination to rise from these ashes was the exact formula for the rebirth of the Soka Gakkai.  Here is to YOUR Victory between now and November 18th - whatever that means for you! 

From Living Buddhism, November 2013, Daisaku Ikeda's lecture on "The Embankments of Faith" page 27:

"All people having the capacity for enlightenment means they possess the supremely noble Buddha nature and the infinite potential it represents. More simply, this means no matter how deep the suffering a person may presently be experiencing, they have within them the power to break free of that suffering and become happy." 
"Nichiren points out here that the Lotus Sutra teaches that everyone has the potential for Buddhahood. It is important, therefore that we dispel the dark clouds of delusion and doubt, and have faith in this basic truth. If we do so, our enlightenment is guaranteed.  
...In other words, everything stems from the essential question of whether we can believe in the dignity and worth of our own lives, and that of others..."

In Japan after World War II, there were countless people flled with despair, groaning under the weight of misfortune and bereft of all hope for the future. The members of the Soka Gakkai dove into the midst of these suffering people and encouraged them. They assured them that they could overcome their karmic suffering through practicing Nichiren Buddhism, and they walked the path to happiness alongside them. Through embracing faith in the Mystic Law, inumerable individuals, as a result, were able to smile again, and regain their hope and confidence. They vanquished the fundamental darkness of ignorance that prevented them from believing in their infinite potential. And they reawakened their deep belief in their own Buddhahood ~ a belief that all people inherently possess supreme enlightenment in the depths of their lives." 

What is True Success in Life?

From Daisaku Ikeda, Faith in Action page 68:

"What is success in life? 
Who are the truly successful? 
There are famous and powerful people 
who become pitiful figures in their old age. 
There are people who die alone, 
feeling empty and desolute inside. 

Just what is success? 

The English thinker Walter Plater (1839-94) wrote:

"To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, 
to maintain this ecstasy, 
is success in life."

The person who lives life fully, 
glowing with life's energy, 
is the person who lives a successful life."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know there are are times when our flame burns brightly and other times when it's hard to keep the pilot light on. Yesterday I was talking with Kate and she said "No matter what is going on in your life, chant to expand your practice and your life so that you can grow and have victory in your life. What does "have victory" mean? It means not being defeated, it means living with hope. It means forging ahead brightly and showing others that no matter what...no matter what...we have the resources to deal with ANYTHING. We have the Gohonzon. We can chant. We are the pioneers. We are the few who know about and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. There are so many who don't." And this morning I chanted with focus, in joy and appreciation and happiness. No Matter What ~ I will WIN, for the sake of my family, for the sake of all!  

When We Just Don't Feel Like Chanting!

What's the main thing that keeps us from chanting?

I think it might be our own fundamental darkenss showing up as a feeling of hopelessness...

We think: 

"Why will it matter if I chant? I've been chanting about this problem for_____ days,/years, I don't think it will ever be solved..." 

We have all felt this way, right? Well, I hate to say it but this is our fundamental darkness attempting to get us to stop chanting. 
Having our fundamental darkness attempt to defeat is is PART of this practice. It HAS to happen, right? 

We all know it is something we have to look out for...yet sometimes when it arises we are 'Fooled" not "Fueled". 

How do we become Fueled not Fooled? 

How can we take our own fundamental darkness and say 
"No how, no way, I AM WINNING TODAY!"?

It takes perseverence. Over and over. Perseverance. I am about to go and chant for the third time today, because the first two were just very feeble attempts. I was tired. The phone rang...I got distracted...I couldn't seem to connect to my prayer. It happens sometimes to all of us. So I am going back to the Gohonzon to connect for at least 15 minutes with my phone put away, my thoughts of the day turned off...and my PowerPrayer lighting the way in my brain. I am determined to win and not let the defeat of hopelessness overcome me!
I MUST WIN in all areas of my life. That is my VOW. I must win so I can help lead others to happiness. This is my one precious life!  

Every time we win over our own weaknesses  ~ we win in life. We ALL face this...every single one of us! Let's all win together. 

Does this strike a chord with you? What do you do when you feel hopeless and it is really hard to chant? 

Write me at chantforhappiness.com about your challenges and victories. I am looking for more victories to post! 

Our Power-Full VOW as Boddhisattvas of the Earth

In The New Human Revolution, Daisaku Ikeda's lifetime record of the Soka Gakkai's history, he writes about the vow of the Boddhisatva of the Earth...(each one of us). This passage is from volume 24, chapter 2. 

"The essential characteristic of a Boddhisatva is his or her vow. The vow of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth is to propogate the Lotus Sutra. That's why wholeheartedly chanting to realize our vow of bringing happiness to all around us is important. Strictly speaking, chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo without the vow is not the prayer of the Boddhisatva of the Earth." 

The Bodhisattva vow brims with the Buddha's life force, enabling one to triumph over devilish functions. 

Shini'ichi (Daisaku Ikeda's pen name in the novel) wanted every single member to experience great benefits. He wanted them to overcome all forms of suffering such as illness and poverty, and become happy. The vow to achieve kosen-rufu is the key to fulfilling such prayers. 

We all have various problems and sufferings. Our dedication to kosen-rufu is crucial to surmounting them. For example, if someone suffering from illness vows to overcome that illness to gain the strength and life-force to freely take action for kosen-rufu, and demonstrate the power of their Buddhist practice to others, the vow will bring forth immense strength to overcome that illness. 
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of course results in benefits. But when the prayer "I want to overcome my illness" is infused with a deep sense of mission, we experience a fundamental transformation within our lives, within our state of being and that vow triggers a powerful momentum to change our karma.  When we chant in earnest based on a vow to achieve kosen-rufu the life state of the Boddhisattvas of the Earth manifests itself within us, the life state of Nichiren Daishonin begins to pulse within us, and we are able to manifest our innate Buddhahood,  This is a revolution of our state of life, and it makes possible a dramatic transformation of our karma. 

In addition, when we chant and strive to promote Buddhism and succeed in our struggles for the sake of kosen-rufu, we are already manifesting the the life state of the Boddhisatvas of the Earth. Through practicing this way, each individual is able to overcome and solve his or her personal problems. 

When the bright sun of the life state of the Boddhisatvas of the Earth rises within, the darkness of sufferings is dispelled, and one is able to walk boldly and bravely along the path to happiness." 

From The New Human Revolution, Volume 24, Chapter 2 by Daisaku Ikeda 

PowerPrayer to Appreciate YourSELF

Daisaku Ikeda states: 
"When we practice gongyo and chant daimoku 
in front of the Gohonzon 
the good and evil capacities of our lives 
begin to function as exalted forms 
of fundamental existence. 
Lives that are full of the pain of Hell, 
lives that are in the state of Hunger, 
lives warped by the state of Anger ~ 
such lives too, begin to move in the direction 
of creating personal happiness and value. 
Lives being pulled toward misfortune and unhappiness 
are redirected and pulled in the opposite direction, 
toward good, when they make the mystic law their base." Faith in Action page 120. 

Every day we are tuning our lives to the good, the right and the true when we chant. 
We are revealing our Buddhahood. 

The great writer and humanitarian Louise Hay says that 

the most important thing we all have to learn 

is how to really love ourselves. 

And when we bow to the image in the mirror, 

the image in the mirror bows back to us. 

If we are looking for love, 

we need to love ourselves...

really love ourselves...

realize that WE ARE the Buddha. 

Intellectually that might be easy, 

but actually feeling and living as the Buddha 

requires us to stop listening to the evil twin 

that lives in our brains who never shuts up. 

We need to turn our focus away from that evil twin who always says "you can't do it"...or "You know this will never work out"...or "this is one of those things that works out for other people but never works out for you." I'm sure you know the voice. The more we focus on bringing out our own Buddhahood, and recognizing our own Buddhahood, the more we put that negative voice aside. It may never go completely away, but we can turn our focus, and listen to our positive voices instead. 

Here's a PowerPrayer that has helped me. Here's to your own Buddhahood! When you are chanting you might want to keep your favorite phrases from this PowerPrayer in mind...and let your mind create new PowerPrayers as you are chanting. 

Please do not cut and paste this PowerPrayer. If you want to share it please use the share buttons at the bottom of the post or send the url chantforhappiness.com. 

PowerPrayer for Revealing 

Your Buddha Nature 

and Appreciating YourSELF

"I chant to reveal the pure, sparkling Diamond

of resilience, strength, wisdom-heart

that lies within me. 

I feel that Daimond glowing in my heart/

I chant to appreciate my own shining core

Every single day. 

I chant that every cause I make, 

every single moment of every day 

is a positive cause for my life, 

and all of life, 

and leads me to see more and more of my Buddha nature. 

I chant that my Buddha Nature emerge 

and flow from my life touching everyone I see. 

I chant that I see my life 

as the brilliant sparkling Diamond that it is. 

I chant that throughout the day 

I say only kind words to myself. 

That I praise myself with my every thought. 

I chant to believe in my own goodness 

and to see it revealed in my actions. 

I pray to realize my life as the Buddha I am.

I chant that those around me 

are inspired to begin chanting, 

or to strengthen their practice 

just by seeing my happiness flow. 

I chant to meet the people 

who are looking for the Mystic Law 

and to be able to help them practice.

I glow! 

16 Quotes on Jobs and Careers from Daisaku Ikeda

(These were originally posted on the Facebook Page "The Buddha in My Heart." )

PRESIDENT IKEDA'S WORDS ON JOBS, CAREERS, AND PERSONAL FINANCE-
(Compiled by Bob Hasegawa)

NOTE- Emphasis and headings added**

1. Beauty, benefit and good**

Mr. Makiguchi taught that there are three kinds of value: beauty, benefit and good. In the working world the value of beauty means to find a job you like; the value of benefit is to get a job that earns you a salary that can support your daily life; the value of good means to find a job that helps others and contributes to society. (Faith Into Action, page 45)

2. No more moaning**

President Toda said that the most important thing is to first become indispensable wherever you are. Instead of moaning that a job differs from what you'd like to be doing, he said, become a first-class individual at the job. This will open the path leading to your next phase in life, during which you should also continue doing your best. Such continuous efforts are guaranteed to land you a job that you like, that supports your life, and that allows you to contribute to society. (Faith Into Action, page 45.)

3. The Fundamental Cause of Unhappiness**

Problems as we have seen, are not in themselves the fundamental cause of unhappiness. Lack of power and wisdom to solve them is the real cause. Fortunately we all innately possess infinite power and wisdom; and Buddhism shows us how to develop these qualities.

When in the depths of despair or grappling with a difficult problem, it may be hard to believe that our lives possess unlimited potential. But this is the essence of one of the profoundest Buddhist teachings, known as three thousand realms in a single moment of life, which we will explore in this chapter. (Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death, page 105.)

4. Success Means Not Giving Up**

I hope each of you will realize success in your respective fields, fully recognizing that success means not giving up halfway but resolutely pursuing the path you have chosen. To this end, it is also important that you realize that the place where you work is a place for forging your character and growing as a human being. By extension, therefore, it is a place for your Buddhist practice, a place for practicing your faith. When you view things from this angle, all your complaints will disappear. No one is more pathetic than someone who is constantly complaining. (For Today and Tomorrow, Daily Encouragement, at page 283.)

5. Should you quit?**

Once you have decided on a job, I hope you will not be the kind of people who quit at the drop of a hat and are always insecure and complaining. Nevertheless, if after you've given it your all you decide to move on, that's perfectly all right too. My concern is that you don't forget that you are responsible for your environment when you make your decision. (Faith Into Action, page 46.)

6. Excel at something**

There is a saying that urges us, "Excel at something!" It is important to become trusted by others wherever you are and to shine with excellence. Sometimes people may dislike their job at first but grow to love it once they become serious about doing their best. "What one likes, one will do well," goes another saying. Growing to like your job will also enable you to develop your talent. (Faith Into Action, page 46.)

7. Wisdom vs. Ego**

When working for a company--which is like a society or community all its own--it is important to create harmonious relations with your colleagues and superiors, using wisdom and discretion along the way. If you incur your co-workers' dislike by being selfish or egotistic, you will be a loser in work and society. Wisdom is vital to being successful at one's work. The Daishonin writes, "The wise may be called human, but the thoughtless are no more than animals." (Faith Into Action, page 46.)

8. A Buddhist must not be defeated**

Buddhism is an earnest struggle to win. This is what the Daishonin teaches. A Buddhist must not be defeated. I hope you will maintain an alert and winning spirit in your work and daily life, taking courageous action and showing triumphant actual proof time and time again. (Faith Into Action, page 3.)

9. What is actual proof?**

When we speak of showing actual proof, it doesn't mean we have to try to put on a show of being any more knowledgeable or accomplished than we are. It is my hope that, in the manner that best suits your situation, you will prove the validity of this Buddhism by steadily improving in your daily life, your family, place of work and community and by polishing your character. (Faith Into Action, page 4.)

10. Past failure, past small success**

It's foolish to be obsessed with past failures. It's just as foolish to be self-satisfied with one's small achievements. Buddhism teaches that the present and the future are what are important, not the past. Buddhism teaches us a spirit of unceasing challenge to win over the present and advance toward the future. Those who neglect this spirit of continual striving steer their lives in a ruinous direction. (Faith Into Action, page 17.)

11. Chant to become people of strong will**

Life is a struggle with ourselves. It is a tug-of-war between progress and regression, between happiness and unhappiness. Those short on willpower or self-motivation should chant Daimoku with conviction to become people of strong will who can tackle any problems with seriousness and determination. (Faith Into Action, page 109.)

11. President Toda prohibits borrowing or lending money among members**

Some members felt that it was the individual's right to loan money if he or she saw fit, but to this President Toda said: "I have prohibited the borrowing and lending of money among members, because in the end it will harm the member's faith and destroy the Soka Gakkai, an organization that stands for truth and justice. A leader who has borrowed from members will no longer be able to offer them proper guidance, nor will they be objective. Leadership appointments can also be influenced.

"On the other hand, if a member makes a loan to a leader or fellow member and that person doesn't repay it, the member will begin to doubt his or her faith or the Soka Gakkai, will become resentful, and eventually discard faith altogether. Whenever this has happened in the past, the outcome has been the same. I have prohibited these transactions in order to protect the members. If in spite of this you still want to lend money to another member, go right ahead, but don't expect the Soka Gakkai to have anything to do with it. If you don't get your money back, don't complain. If you simply must lend money, do it as if you were giving it away." (The New Human Revolution Volume 8, pages 236-37.)

12. Faith and deadlocks at work and in life**

Over the long course of your life, you may at times find yourself in a deadlock at work, at school or in your daily affairs. However, these are phenomena of daily life and society which lie on a different plane than faith and are not themselves the essence of faith. Therefore, you must never allow yourself to be swayed by such superficial matters and risk losing your faith entirely. (Daily Guidance, Volume Three, page 183.)

13. Worldly fame and wealth**

Worldly fame and wealth which is not based on Myoho may appear to be sources of happiness for the moment. However, such happiness is merely superficial and cannot last. Through your faith, however, you can change transient, superficial happiness into actual happiness, and temporary enjoyment into everlasting prosperity. Everything boils down to the strength of your faith and the power of your conviction. (Daily Guidance, Volume Three, page 39.)

14. What is faith?**

Everything is contained in a single word faith. It encompasses truth, courage, wisdom and good fortune. It includes compassion and humanity as well as peace, culture, and happiness.

Faith is eternal hope; it is the secret to limitless self-development. Faith is the most basic principle of growth. (Discussions On Youth, Volume 2, pages 163-164.)

15. Faith and Work**

Faith and daily life, faith and work these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate ~ faith is faith, and ~ work is work is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are the same, we should put one hundred percent of our energy into our jobs and one hundred percent into faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life. Faith means to show irrefutable proof of victory amid the realities of society and in our own daily lives. (For Today and Tomorrow, Daily Encouragement, page175.)

16. Strength is Happiness.**

Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is not happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being. A strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayerdeveloping these is victory and the world of Buddhahood. (For Today and Tomorrow, Daily Encouragement, page 50.)

Immediate Results from Chanting for Youth

As I mentioned earlier this week,  I chanted for three hours for the youth of our world on Sunday, my 29th Gohonzon birthday. 

Well I have had some wonderful results this week. 

The day following this 3 hour youth tozo was one of the happiest I have had in a long time. I spent it with my son roaming the trails in the Arboretum in the sun...appreciating every minute that I get to spend with my twenty-year old young man. My heart was just bursting with happiness and enjoyment of the beauty all around us. We walked for a good three miles and enjoyed the exercise and laughter we shared. My heart and mind were filled with peace about my life and his. 

And the next day my world Tribune came and Daisaku Ikeda was talking about how the youth of this age are going to rid the world of nuclear weapons...and his words resounded with me throughout the whole issue. 

Then at last night's District meeting we had two youth division guests and FIVE young people total join us. I have been chanting for one guest we had two weeks ago and she returned. Daimoku WORKS. (We were having so much fun visiting together after the meeting that I totally forgot to take a picture) 

Chanting for Youth Division is such a joy. It actually feels good to take my mind off my own challenges and just chant for the youth of our world. I am repeating the post here:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Originally posted Monday, October 21st)
Hi, yesterday was my 29th Gohonzon birthday. Every year on my birthday I set aside a solid block of time to chant..at least three hours. Yesterday I spent all three hours chanting for youth. And as I was chanting I was realizing some things I wanted to tell you. 

I get many members and readers asking the same question: "If I spend time chanting for these broader things, like kosen-rufu, or shakubuku, or youth ~ what about my OWN desires? Don't I need to chant for them?" 


That's a perfectly understandable question. We have all had the same thoughts. 

Here are a few of my own thoughts on the matter. This is not an official SGI blog, it is my own heart and soul from years of being a district leader and chanting with an open heart to feel and express the heart of my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda. 

So, yesterday I chanted for youth. For three hours. As I chanted, I flooded my thoughts with smiling faces of young people all over the world. I chanted for them to take the vanguard in ending the suffering of all of humanity by cutting through their obstacles, doing shakubuku, and having the vision, creativity and drive to change the world. The rest of us are their supporters, cheerleaders and mentors. We are all working together. 

As I was chanting I felt connected to all of the SGI. I felt like I was chanting Daisaku Ikeda's prayer. I could see the earth in my mind, glowing in peace and happiness, and personal suffering waning, and waning, and waning. I don't have to tell you we live in turbulent times. And I myself, have a youth who is facing challenges right now. 

Chanting for youth made the time fly. Three hours felt like 30 minutes. And I was surrounded with the peace of knowing that no matter what I am facing personally, everything will just work out perfectly. This is not blind faith, resignation or an inability to take action. No. My life is filled with action, but the prayer to shakubuku youth is DEEP. It is the collective prayer of us all. I felt like I was tapping into a swiftly moving current. 

Do you HAVE to chant about youth? No. No one will ever tell you what you HAVE to chant about in this practice, and I am always saying "Chant for what you want. Chant for what you REALLY want." and I believe that. But we all know that raising our prayer towards universal aspirations has incredible power. 

In every World Tribune and Living Buddhism (American SGI publications) Daisaku Ikeda is encouraging us to encourage, support and chant for the youth. He knows that life is eternal, and we need a planet filled with impassioned youth...impassioned for GOOD, impassioned with PURPOSE! 

Having purpose helps us all. It is the most fulfilling way to live. 

So now, I offer you a PowerPrayer for YOUTH. Many people read PowerPrayers before chanting, to help with focus and concentration. 

Please, as always, don't cut and paste the PowerPrayer, but please send links to chantforhappiness.com or use the sharing buttons at the bottom of the post. 

PowerPrayer for YOUTH

Life!
I tap into you with this strong Daimoku!
Every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant is aimed straight for the heart of the youth in this world!
I picture youth chanting
I picture youth singing
I picture youth smiling radiantly and seeing their actions change the world
I chant for every hopeless youth to have HOPE
I chant for them all to connect 
with this incredible law of life 
create happy families, 
and challenge themselves to create a happy world of respect for all (kosen-rufu!)
while introducing their friends to chanting. 
Their Daimoku is MY Daimoku. 
Every moment of my prayer I dedicate to these new, shining, spiritual ones.
My District will have at least ONE new Youth receive Gohonzon by November 18th! 
May they each experience the joy of practice! 
May they each transform their lives
into lives of happy purpose, 
May they transform their families, their schools, their communities and the world!
My prayer is their prayer
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

11 Powerful Tips for Chanting Joy-full Tozos!

When I first began chanting a leader told me our lives and our karma can be compared to a glass with dirt at the bottom. The dirt represents the karma that exists inside our lives. She said when you start to chant you stir up that dirt and see it swirling around...and if you want to really dig deep and clear it out, you might want to chant a Daimoku Tozo (chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for an hour or longer) and to set a goal with specific time targets to chant per day...to do a Million Daimoku Campaign we call it. 

Recently we started a Million Daimoku Campaign to chant a million Daimoku to realize VICTORY in our lives by setting Daimoku goals and keeping track of 300 hours of Daimoku to reach one million. Send me an email at chantforhappiness if you want to join us!

A reader requested I share some ideas about chanting joyfully, and with concentration - especially since so many of you are challenging yourselves to chant for longer periods of time. Thank you for asking.

Please do not copy and paste the 11 Powerful Tips. Please share by sending the chantforhappiness.com url or using the share buttons at the bottom of the post. Thank you! Jamie

11 Powerful tips:
How to Joyfully Chant for Longer Times.
Tozo Power! 

1. Realize that what you are about to do...chanting longer than usual ~ doing a Daimoku Tozo ("Tozo" is usually used for chanting perionds of one hour or longer)  - and accomplishing a million Daimoku...has profound significance for your life. Give yourself credit for this worthy goal, and set a chanting time goal for yourself for each day. 

2. Write your goal or goals. (Some of these goals may occur to you naturally as you're chanting) Write yourself a Power Prayer connected to the greater good...to the real difference you want to make in the world. 

Remember that you are a precious votary of the Lotus Sutra and when you break through, the energy is forever changed. You are paving the way for others to break through ~ Your Happiness is IMPORTANT! 

So address that in your goals and in your chanting For example: 

"I am determined to have the most beautiful, loving relationship so that I can totally inspire other people that great relationships are possible ...I can show actual proof with my life, and be able to introduce others to this practice!" 

President Ikeda's guidance says you can chant to have 10,000 times more power in your prayer. So I usually dedicate some time to chanting to increase the power of my daimoku by 10,000 times! 

3. Have your favorite drinks close by...tea...water...soft drinks...whatever you like. 

4. DEMAND your results! YOU are the Buddha! Do not beg favors from a 'higher power." Remember the Gohonzon cannot get down off the scroll and do the Buddha's work in the world. YOU actually are the Gohonzon; it is inside your life. The scroll is a reflection of the highest life condition that exists within your own life. So when you are chanting CLAIM what is yours! Yes, the Gohonzon consists of the functions in the universe that are in our lives. Tell your life what you want. And know that all real change comes from within.

5. All change comes from within. Take responsibility for your life...not blame. Realize whatever you are going through, whatever is causing you to chant...it's your karma..not your FAULT. Chant to reach the very core of that karma and change it forever. THEN your life circumstances and environment will change to reflect it. You don't have to figure out the deeper cause, don't worry about getting it right. Chanting is experiential, not an intellectual exercise.  

6. Keep your favorite study material close by...whatever touches your heart when you read it. And if you find yourself losing focus open it up to any page you want. I have "For Today and Tomorrow" next to me right now. I just opened it for you right now...I read "When we chant sonorous daimoku, the sun rises in our hearts. We are filled with power. Compassion wells forth. Our lives are lit with joy. Our wisdom shines. All Buddhas and Buddhist deities throughout the universe go to work on our behalf. Life becomes exhilarating." Read your passage and get right back to chanting!!!

7. Invite others to chant with you!

8. Have pen and paper handy. You'll want to write down those brilliant ideas that come into your mind while you're chanting. You'll also want to write down some of those pesky thoughts and reminders that keep coming back...things like "remember to buy dog food." Just write it down and eject it from your brain so you can focus on what really matters.

9. Put your telephone away. Tell people you are busy. 

10. After you chant write in your journal. Write to me too. I love to hear your successes and your challenges. I will only share your victories with your permission! Write me at Chantforhappiness.@gmail.com. 

11. Expect some obstacles to arise after your tozo. And just say "Hello obstacles! I was expecting you!" When you take on the mission to chnge your karma for yourself and others you can compare it to turning your speedboat to HIGH. The faster you go, the more resistance you feel. 

Above all - Don't give up! You CAN change your problems into benefits. You ARE the Buddha! 

Thank you SOOOO much for spreading the words about this campaign.  Thank you for sending the link chantforhappiness to everyone! 

I am chanting for you to accomplish your goals and shine with happiness. 

If you are using the PowerPrayers please let me know how they are working for you! Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com

I'd love to hear from those of you who have connected to the SGI through my blog!
I am sharing your stories with Daisaku Ikeda, Sensei. 

Inspiring Youth Experience of Overcoming Bullying and becoming Happy ~

Zara's story is so inspiring. We met in the summer of 2011. One day she was so upset over harassment from a young man (who originally liked her) that she took off walking from her house and found herself in front of my apartment. She saw people leaving my patio, and asked one of them, Bhavya, where she could get a glass of water. We had all just chanted a rousing hour of daimoku. So, of course, Bhavya directed her to me, and a few moments later this young 16 year old girl, Zara,  knocked on my patio door asking for water. 

Zara explained that she was a runaway, and I invited her in, gave her some water, listened to her story, and invited her to chant. We sat down and chanted together. She did not want to stop! After about 45 minutes I asked her how she felt and she looked at me and said she had never felt this good before and we kept chanting another half hour so. Then I drove her home. 

She had walked a long way - about two miles. She had never left home alone before, and her parents were so worried they had called the police to help find her. When we arrived her Mother got in my car and said "You're my angel." I told her "The worst night of your life has now changed into the best night of your life, because your daughter has brought home a practice that will bring all of you great happiness and change your lives in ways you are going to love!" The next Saturday morning Zara and her mother came to my place and chanted for an hour. They began practicing, studying and coming to meetings every Wednesday night. 

That New Year's Day the family received their Gohonzon. I chanted hours and hours each day the week before New Year's Day.  I knew this was a difficult thing for an Indian Moslem family from Trinidad to embrace. I will never forget the happiness of that day, and the happiness of watching each of them defeat each of their problems is such an ongoing joy! 

Zara's journey is full of victory. Being young is a difficult time. People can be so mean. Every time she told me of classmate who was treating her badly and saying bad things about her my answer was the same: "Chant for that person's happiness." And within a very short time all the people who were bothering her moved away! Chanting for other's happiness always works. 

Zara had been depressed and feeling hopeless for some time before she began chanting. Her mother says she can barely recognize this smiling, glowing and happy young girl! Chanting works. 

Zara also had several surgeries last year, and managed to get through them, stay current with her studies and graduate with her class. She made it to almost every SGI meeting and from the beginning has always volunteered to sing or emcee.  These experiences helped to solidify her dream of becoming a nurse. 

Now Zara is preparing to go to nursing school and taking classes at the nearby community college to get some credits out of the way. She is determined to be a nurse and she will be a great one! 

Raising youth is such a joy! 

As always, please send questions, comments and experiences to chantforhappiness@gmail.com. I also offer personal Buddhist Life Coaching. Email me for more info. 

PowerPrayer for Empowering Youth ~

Hi, yesterday was my 29th Gohonzon birthday. Every year on my birthday I set aside a solid block of time to chant..at least three hours. Yesterday I spent all three hours chanting for youth. And as I was chanitng I was realizing some things I wanted to tell you. 

I get many members and readers asking the same question: "If I spend time chanting for these broader things, like kosen-rufu, or shakubuku, what about my OWN desires? Don't I need to chant for them?" 

That's a perfectly understandable question. We have all had the same thoughts. 

Here are a few of my own thoughts on the matter. This is not an official SGI blog, it is my own heart and soul from years of being a district leader and chanting with an open heart to feel and express the heart of my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda. 

So, yesterday I chanted for youth. For three hours. I flooded my thoughts with smiling faces of young people all over the world. I chanted for them to take the vanguard in ending the suffering of all of humanity by cutting through their obstacles, doing shakubuku, and having the vision, creativity and drive to change the world. The rest of us are their supporters, cheerleaders and mentors. We are all working together. 

As I was chanting I felt connected to all of the SGI. I felt like I was chanting Daisaku Ikeda's prayer. I could see the earth in my mind, glowing in peace and happiness, and personal suffering waning, and waning, and waning. I don't have to tell you we live in turbulent times. And I myself, have a youth who is facing challenges right now. 

Chanting for youth made the time fly. Three hours felt like 30 minutes. And I was surrounded with the peace of knowing that no matter what I am facing personally, everything will just work out perfectly. This is not blind faith, resignation or an inability to take action. No. My life is filled with action, but the prayer to shakubuku youth is DEEP. It is the collective prayer of us all. I felt like I was tapping into a swiftly moving current. 

Do you HAVE to chant about youth? No. No one will ever tell you what you HAVE to chant about in this practice, and I am always saying "Chant for what you want. Chant for what you REALLY want." and I believe that. But we all know that raising our prayer towards universal aspirations has incredible power. 

In every World Tribune and Living Buddhism (American SGI publications) Daisaku Ikeda is talking encouraging youth. He knows that life is eternal, and we need a planet filled with impassioned youth...impassioned for GOOD, impassioned with PURPOSE! 

Having purpose helps us all. It is the most fulfilling way to live. 

So now, I offer you a PowerPrayer for YOUTH. Many people read PowerPrayers before chanting, to help with focus and concentration. 
Please, as always, don't cut and paste it, but please send links to chantforhappiness.com or use the sharing buttons at the bottom of the post. 

PowerPrayer for YOUTH

Life!
I tap into you with this strong Daimoku!
Every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant is aimed straight for the heart of the youth in this world!
I picture youth chanting
I picture youth singing
I picture youth smiling radiantly and seeing their actions change the world
I chant for every hopeless youth to have HOPE
I chant for them all to connect 
with this incredible law of life 
create happy families, 
and challenge themselves to create a happy world of respect for all (kosen-rufu!)
while introducing their friends to chanting. 
Their Daimoku is MY Daimoku. 
Every moment of my prayer I dedicate to these new, shining, spiritual ones.
My District will have at least ONE new Youth receive Gohonzon by November 18th! 
May they each experience the joy of practice! 
May they each transform their lives
into lives of happy purpose, 
May they transform their families, their schools, their communities and the world!
My prayer is their prayer
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!

Kate Randolph's Experience of Absolute Victory in Life and Career

Kate Randolph

This experience is based upon several pivotal concepts, which, through my Buddhist practice, have revolutionized my life.  First, “Faith lies in continuing.” Second, “No prayer of a votary of the Lotus Sutra goes unanswered.”  And the third has to do with confidence, true, real, absolute, unshakeable confidence: how to get it, how important it is, and how destructive we can be to ourselves and others when we don’t have it. 

I began practicing Nichiren Buddhism 37 years ago. I was extremely skeptical.   Although still very young, I was already a jaded New Yorker.   I had given up on many of my dreams. I was a young girl with a lot of health issues and a profound lack of self-confidence.  At the same time, I had a strong desire to make a difference in the world.   Much to my surprise, I experienced dramatic changes in the first year of my practice.  There were undeniable conspicuous benefits.  Recurring health problems disappeared completely, I got a wonderful part-time job doing gratifying work that supported me while I pursued a professional acting career, and I had the opportunity to study in London (which had always been a dream of mine) and live rent-free with a young English woman who practiced Buddhism. 

After several years of practice I began to hit up against walls; what I might now describe as the “walls of my karma.”  I suffered deeply over a lack of self-worth.  My identity was strongly based upon, and wrapped up in, what I did for a living.  When I wasn’t acting I felt like a failure, a loser.  My lack of self-worth would emerge and paralyze me.  

At one of these junctures a chapter leader, and dear friend, said to me, with great conviction: “If you commit unwaveringly to this practice and never stop seeking, put the practice in the center of your life and make it the foundation of everything you do,  you will arrive at a point in your life when every single talent and skill you have will be fully utilized and all of your desires will be fulfilled.  You will be deeply and totally fulfilled.”

I was a trained actress who wanted to touch others’ lives through performing.  I also wanted to travel widely, and to grow spiritually. I wanted a healthy marriage to a man who was loving and supportive.  I wanted financial stability.  But most of all, I wanted to do what I love and make a living doing what I love, while having a positive impact on others.

After training and doing theatre in New York, and practicing consistently for 7 years, I moved to LA and pursued work in commercials and television.   Very soon, I was again suffering.  Gradually I came to the realization that I was pursuing someone else’s dream, not my own.  I didn’t train to sell toilet tissue or to have a guest starring role for which I was paid well to say 10 lines on an episode of LA Law.  And although the pay was more than anything I had ever earned doing theatre, I was not happy.  I was gauging my success upon someone else’s standard.  And my identity was based on that success, or lack of it.  

So I tried other things related to my field, in search of the fulfillment I was seeking. I joined theatre companies, acted in more plays for less money, became an acting teacher at a studio, started my own acting studio, founded and ran a theatre company, directed and produced plays and even a few short films.  With each new venture, because it was unknown territory for me, I would begin from a place of fear, then rely on faith, use my practice to produce a breakthrough, and experience a victory. This brought great fulfillment and satisfaction.  But I observed a pattern:  as I became more comfortable with each new role of teacher, or director, or producer, I would gradually and imperceptibly become identified with that new role.  And that is when I would again begin to suffer.  When I thought of myself as a “director” or a “producer” or an “actress,”  the degree of my happiness directly corresponded to the degree of success, or lack of it, that I was having in that arena.  And the old, painful lack of self-worth would re-emerge. 

At every crossroads I encountered however, I would ask myself: Has my practice become just one more thing that I am doing? or is it in the center of my life? and I would return to the guidance of that first chapter leader: Practice unwaveringly, put the practice in the center of your life, and never stop seeking - through guidance, studying the gosho, and reading Daisaku Ikeda’s writings - to deepen your faith and understanding of Buddhism. When that lack of confidence emerged, which it did frequently and painfully, I always moved, always chanted, always took action, sought guidance, and always took a risk. I would force myself out of my comfort zone. 

I was at just such a crossroads once again when Sensei wrote: “You must decide that pursuing the oneness of mentor and disciple is the primary quest of your life.”  Wow!  Those words shook up my life.  In all aspects of the practice, I had always been skeptical, but had always challenged myself to push through my own resistance.  Here I was again.  This “mentor/ disciple” thing made me very uncomfortable.  Frankly, I didn’t get it.  So, for many months I grappled with this one statement, one word at a time.  I challenged my doubt and disbelieve, my lack of understanding, my resistance and fear of idealizing a person. I  challenged myself to grasp what this man, this enlightened teacher, was trying to convey.  I spent many many months chanting about it one word at a time: “You” “must” “decide” that “pursuing” “the oneness” of  “mentor and disciple” is the “primary” “quest” “of your life!!!!”

Meanwhile, I was once again stuck in my professional life.  I went for guidance to a senior in faith whom I deeply trusted.  She said:  Kate, you are an artist.  You have to pursue your art, your dreams.  Pick a dream, any dream, get it out of the closet, dust it off, and go after it.  Once again, challenge your fearfulness, stop waiting for clarity or for the fear to lift or for your environment to show you the way. Take action in spite of your fear.   Look it in the face, stare it down, move through it. 

There was a play that I had performed many years earlier, a one-woman show based on the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson.  I had been much too young for the role when I was originally cast in it.  I had always wanted to play that role again, when I was the right age and could bring my life experience to it.  Now was the time.   I hired a director. rented a theater, found the costumes and props, had a set built, memorized 80 pages of dialogue, and put my butt on the line once again, based upon prayer.

But now I was a new me.  Now I had been chanting to deepen my understanding of the mentor/ disciple relationship.  Now I had come to the profound realization that the source of my lack of self-worth was that I was basing my life on the transient.  As a result of this realization, I now chanted to grasp what it means to live life as a “Votary of the Lotus Sutra.”  Once again, time to apply the guidance of my chapter chief: Put the practice in the center of your life.   

So I threw myself into the Emily Dickinson endeavor with a greater sense of mission than I had ever embraced when pursuing a professional goal. I began to understand how to marry faith and daily life.  I began to understand turning “karma into mission.”  I began to identify myself first as a votary of the lotus sutra, first as a bodhisattva of the earth, who happens to be an actress, among many other things.   “I will use my unique skills to fulfill my true identity, to contribute to the happiness of others, to touch the lives of others and bring them hope.”  This wish began to emerge as my real and genuine primary desire.   

Once I had total conviction in myself, my role, as a Bodhisattva of the Earth, my way of praying changed.   My entire understanding of what prayer is, changed.  I could confidently chant as a demand, not a plea.  My prayer was no longer an “ask” but a demand, a determination, a vow ...that I would make happen....that I MUST make happen to encourage others and to prove the validity of the law, of this practice.  Also, this was a vow that the shoten zenjin, or supportive forces in my environment, MUST and would support .  After all, “no prayer of a votary of the lotus sutra goes unanswered.”

My life has not been the same since that point.   One door after another has opened up for me professionally.  The show was a huge success.  I received embarrassingly good reviews.  I won an award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Role.  I began touring to schools with the show.  I had an opportunity to train with the prestigious Los Angeles Music Center as a Teaching Artist.  Against all odds, I was the only artist of the 30 that went through the training to be hired by the Music Center's Education Division to be a Resident Theatre Artist, traveling from school to school.  It is the most deeply rewarding work that I have ever done.  And I am paid well.  I am an independent contractor so I can work as many or as few hours as I desire.  And I have the opportunity on a daily basis to powerfully and positively impact the lives of young people of all age groups. 

I am happily married to a loyal and devoted man, I have a beautiful daughter who attends Soka University on an almost full scholarship, and after years ups and downs, we are completely financially stable.   

I also had the opportunity to travel to Europe 2 years ago to be part of the International Youth Media Summit.  I have since been asked to be on the Board of Advisors, traveling to Serbia, all expenses paid, to guide young people how to use media to shape the future.  Next year’s Summit will be hosted by Soka University of America, with whom I served as liaison for the Summit to arrange a partnership based upon the mutual mission statements of both parties. Last year in Belgrade I had the opportunity to introduce three young people to this practice.  One of them just sent me a message via Facebook and signed her message: NMRK.  I will reconnect with her in 10 days and continue the dialogue. 

I truly feel that I am living the life of the Buddha of absolute freedom whenever I chant with the deep conviction that I am a votary of the lotus sutra.  The environment always arises to support me and doors open.  Here I am 37 years of practice later, many years after my first chapter chief made that promise to me, and I can now say, he was absolutely right.   Faith lies in continuing.  Every skill is being utilized, every dream is coming to fruition, and my life is one of supreme satisfaction and fulfillment.  

Finally, through my sincere and ongoing prayer, I have come to understand - and to decide - that pursuing the oneness of mentor and disciple is the primary quest of my life.  

Kate Randolph (Development & Community Outreach Director, International Youth Media Summit) is deeply committed to projects that foster and develop youth.  She served as the Managing Artistic Director for YOUR OWN SKY (YOS), a professional theatre company based in Los Angeles that grew out of her classes with young actors.  She also functioned as the Executive Producer, producing and directing the company’s shows. A small non-profit that received accolades for excellence, the company always functioned in the black.  Kate also ran her own professional acting school, The Randolph Studio for Actors, for many years in Hollywood.  Subsequently, under the YOUR OWN SKY banner, she produced herself in the Tony-award winning one-woman play, The Belle of Amherst, for which she won The Valley Theatre League Best Actress Award.  She currently tours in her acclaimed portrayal of Emily Dickinson.  As a Theatre Artist-in-Residence, she uses the Arts to enrich the lives and learning of thousands of young people each school year.  In addition, she conducts professional development workshops for classroom teachers, guiding them in ways to integrate the Arts into their curriculum. She has served on the Board of Advisors of the International Youth Media Summit for two years and has three times traveled to Serbia to support the activities of the Summit and the youth participants. She has been practicing Nichiren Buddhism for 36 years.www.belletheplay.com; www.iyms-usa.org