About to Chant for 3 Hours - Join us if you can!

From a friend's patio right here in the Chicago Area

We've had 22 days of sub-zero weather this winter, more snow in one month than in many seasons, and almost no sun. If anyone needs to keep up with three hours of Daimoku on Sunday Mornings it is me! 

I'm starting in a few moments. 

Sorry I couldn't post yesterday.

This morning I am focusing on the prayer that Daisaku Ikeda says is the most important for our Human Revolution:

The Secret 

to Achieving Your Human Revolution

"Pray that instead of devils 

or negative, destructive forces 

infiltrating your being, 

Brahma ("Bonten"in Japanese),

Shakra ("Taishaku" in Japanese),

and the gods of the Sun and the Moon

~ the positive, protective forces of the universe ~

will enter your life!

Pray that they will enter the lives 

of all members in your region

and the entire membership of the SGI, as well.

If you do this, 

your strength will multiply 

a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

With such prayer,

with such faith, 

you will realize a 

fundamental transformation

in the very depths of your life. 

This is the secret to achieving your human revolution."

SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, World Tribune, 9/8/2000

I am praying this prayer every day, for my own life, for the lives of my family members, my new work family, all the members in Chicago, throughout the world and YOU. I feel such peace. Every moment is truly joyous. 

Daisaku Ikeda says in 

The Heart of the Lotus Sutra, page 106: 

"Those in the world of heaven

are typically bright and smiling in their appearance. 

In their nature, 

since they feel uplifted ~

~As though ascending into the sky, as it were ~

anything they see makes them happy. 

Their power and influence 

tend to make those around them

feel buoyant and uplifted too."

From The Heart of the Lotus Sutra

On page 107 Daisaku Ikeda says:

"What is important is the vision 

to profoundly and deftly

perceive the true nature of shifting phenomena. 

The Buddha is one who has mastered this principle." 

and continuing on page 109:

"The vision that enables the Buddha

to perceive the true aspect

that exists in all phenomena

is also the eye of compassion to save all people 

and enable them to become Buddhas.

"...As seen with the Buddha's eye,

this world,

this universe, 

is shining with life, 

resounding with the chorus of all things. 

The Buddha perceives the irreplaceable uniqueness

and value of all things in the world. 

The Buddha's wisdom 

is a state of life 

filled with boundless exhilaration 

and joy in living."

YES!