3 Keys to Revving your Chanting Engine! (And getting to an hour a day!)

 

Hello Beloved Friends! 

I took this photo from Mulholland Drive in LA when Aaron and I were visiting LA. He's now in Portland doing his ultrasound fellowship. 

My son's not just a doctor, he's a visionary. There is a new version of ultrasound available to doctors and he aims to be one of the first M.D. academicians teaching it to residents!

I'm here in Phoenix doing my EFT Tapping work (mostly through zoom anywhere in the world) with people who have experienced loss and are ready to reclaim their lives better than ever. I teach people to communicate with their nervous systems in a way that opens a path to peace and happiness. This results in less stress and more self-compassion. With my loving support, we pave a new way. 

3 Keys to Revving Your Daimoku Engine 

(and getting to an hour a day or more) :

1. Show yourself some self-compassion. 

It's okay if you are not perfect from the beginning. Do more and more every day to get to a solid hour. Just don't give up! 

Also, when I began this 100-day campaign, I wasn't sure of my exact targets, but I knew the more I chanted, the more clear they would become. 

Each day strive more and more. 

2. Make a pact with your Buddha Buddies! Find someone to challenge a 100-day daimoku campaign with, that's the best way. And if you can't find someone you know, just join along with me! 

3. Become stronger and stronger each day, and when obstacles arise greet them with joy and say "I was expecting you!" and turn poison into medicine! 

My email is: ChantforHappiness@gmail.com

What does Nam-myoho-renge-kyo mean and why do we chant it?

What does Nam-myoho-renge-kyo mean, 

and why do we chant it? 

By Jamie Lee Silver, ChantforHappiness.com - 
(Not an official SGI site)

(Subscribe by putting your email in the box to the right. 

Translate button is at the top right.)

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the mystic law that means:

"I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect 

through sound vibration (or sutra)." 

It is the title of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha's highest teaching that declares all people possess the Buddha Nature...all people are Buddhas...and we can access this nature, and the wisdom, fortitude, resilience, and happiness that we possess by calling our Buddha Nature forth in our lives using this phrase. 

We are all Buddhas - 

(We do not pray to the Buddha for favors...we pray to connect with our own Buddha-nature and change from the inside, so that our environments may change) 

We possess the key to enlightenment 

we can tap the river of life 

that runs through ALL life 

- summoning the mystic law 
and realizing 
we ARE the Mystic Law. 
We chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ~ 
and we ARE Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ~the Mystic Law. 

When we have something we don't like in our lives, we chant to summon the power of the mystic law, use that power to change from the inside, and show actual proof of the power of our own lives, and our lives will glow with brilliance. People around us will naturally want to know what gives us this glow. 

It works the same way when we have a goal. We chant, "I am determined to fulfill this goal so I can show actual proof and raise the vibration of the entire world!" 

Yes!

I like to think of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as "I am one with the rhythm of all life." It is the rhythm that exists within all of life...the reason for the turning of the tides...the reason for the seasons...the atoms that exist within every single cell...from an elephant to a spec of dust...to the cells in our hearts and minds. Everything possesses this connectedness...this rhythm.  
It is all-encompassing and contains the wisdom and energy of all of life itself...the whole universe. 

When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we tap into that energy and access it for our lives...directed towards our desires and for the fulfillment of happiness for all. In this practice, it's okay to have desires. More than okay! We don't have to alleviate them. Desires make us who we are and lead us to chant. 

When we chant we change the internal life within our lives. We change the core and fiber of our lives. We change our karma. And when we make that internal change, our ENVIRONMENT (meaning everything that is not within our own skin, our jobs, our relationships, our sense of self, everything we experience and think) ALL of that changes to reflect our internal change. We call this "Human Revolution."

When we chant we harness the energy that is our birthright. And we chant for however long we wish, twice a day, every single day, to get and keep our lives in rhythm. 

When we are in rhythm we are in the right place at the right time... to find out about and get the job...or to meet the man of our dreams...or to protect our child from danger. 

When we are in rhythm life isn't so much of a struggle as it is a joy...we see the beauty in everything and we feel our lives overflowing with appreciation. 

We chant for something and get it or something better. We get access to internal happiness and strength that cannot be blown away by any event or obstacle. 

In fact, we view obstacles themselves as benefits, as strange as that may sound....because obstacles make us chant more, and when we chant more we draw even higher life conditions and deeper satisfaction into our lives. 

What can we chant FOR? Anything. We chant for others, we chant for our planet, our countries, and ourselves. 
We can chant for whatever our desire may be...even if it might not be the "right" desire for us. In the act of chanting, we will change our karma and our desires themselves will naturally begin to shift. We will open our lives to the deeper wisdom within...the deeper yearning, the REAL desires that we have forgotten or given up on. We will grow. We will prosper and we will blossom. 

We will gain the wisdom of the right action to take - because ACTION springs from wisdom. 

The challenge is...we need to do it. We have to chant to bring all this rhythm and harmony out. And that's why we practice together as an organization, the SGI, The Soka Gakkai, our fellowship of friends who support each other, chant for each other, and create a new Soka family for each practitioner. We are so fortunate. 

We are in this life together...sharing our challenges and our successes. If you are not yet connected to the SGI please go to sgi-usa.com and find your local members. You will be so glad you did. 

Some Powerful Quotes from our mentor Daisaku Ikeda from Ikedaquotes.org:

THIS moment, this instant, is important, 
not some unknown time in the future. 
Today, this very day is what matters. 
You must put your whole being 
into the time that exists now. 
For future victory rests in the present moment.

BUDDHISM holds that everything 
is in a constant state of flux. 
Thus, the question is 
whether we are to accept change passively 
and be swept away by it, 
or whether we are to take the lead 
and create positive changes on our own initiative. 
While conservatism and self-protection
might be likened to winter, night, and death, 
the spirit of pioneering and attempting to realize 
the ideals evoke the images of spring,
morning and birth.

Do gongyo (our daily recitation of the Lotus Sutra) 

and chant daimoku with a fresh spirit. 
And, filled with renewed vitality, 

Build a history of accumulating fresh benefit."

Daisaku Ikeda, from Ikedaquotes.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 Ways to Really Enjoy the Silent Prayers!

 

Here's a beautiful Phoenix sunset!

Hello my friends! I know it's been ages since I've written. I'm living here in Phoenix where the sun shines every day. 

I moved here to be closer to my son Aaron, knowing he was going to be leaving for a year's medical fellowship in hand-held ultrasound in Portland in July. 

His next adventure is about to begin! After his fellowship, he will teach other doctors this important new skill! He and I have loved living five minutes from each other. We've chanted many mornings at 6:00 am together.

I have been loving my practice of Buddhism. These days I concentrate on getting an hour of Daimoku and luxuriate in the silent prayers. As I appreciate and love my practice, I appreciate and love my life. 

Here are 5 Ways to Really Enjoy the Silent Prayers: 

1. Slow down! What's the hurry? I remember so clearly the day I met Daisaku Ikeda. One of the things that struck me the most was how took time to take everything in. He got out of the car in front of the San Francisco Civic Center, looked up to see the SGI Flag hanging proudly and he stopped and threw his arms open as if he was taking it into his heart. 

I was surprised. I thought a man with as much to do as Sensei would be in a hurry. But he takes it IN. Let's savor and love each moment of our prayers! 

2. Feel the prayers. Really feel them. Thank the Gohonzon, your life, and your scroll. Thank Nichiren Daishonin. Think about how he traveled from temple to temple seeking true Buddhism, and how he made a vow at 16 to be the wisest man in Japan. Pick any of your favorite treasured stories of him, Tatsunokuchi, addressing Hachiman with fury...whatever you wish. 

3. Take TIME thanking Daisaku Ikeda, Josei Toda, and Mr. Makiguchi. I picture them in prison, and all they went through and solemnly thank them. Without them, I would not be chanting. 

4. After having a wonderful time praying for the SGI and your own silent prayers, savor every ring of the bell for your dear friends who are no longer here physically. I ring the bell very slowly as I let each ring of the bell carry the vibration to each of my lovies. And I pray for them, not just say their names. I offer gratitude and love. 

5. In the last prayer I encircle the globe in white light and picture a smile on the face of the world. 

Oh, what a glorious practice we have! I hope you are well and happy. And I hope you love every minute of your practice and your LIFE! 

With Love, Jamie Lee Silver, ChantforHappiness@gmail.com

Inspiring Victory of Dr. Aaron Michael Silver

Dr. Aaron Michael Silver, 

Chief Resident Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. 

One day, when he's not saving the world, Aaron will write his own story, but for now, as Aaron's proud Mom, I want to fill you in with my version! 

I've been practicing for 36 years. When I was pregnant with Aaron 30 years ago I did a million Daimoku for him. I chanted to impact his karma BEFORE he was physically born. I chanted for financial security, a beautiful home, the maturity to be a good mother, and for Aaron's karma to be changed BEFORE birth. I chanted for him to easily make friends, and to be happy, and to have a dream and pursue it. We read "On Attaining Buddhahood" to him in the womb. 

Aaron was amazing from the git-go...happy, engaged, and super active. He bounced off the walls and his father and I bounced right with him  ~ enjoying every moment of our high-energy child! He excelled at everything he did, from acting to baseball, to academics to running. He was elected to lead almost everything he did. He's a natural leader. 

He began chanting as soon as he could talk, and chanted along with me often as a child. His Eight-year-old experience was printed in the World Tribune. He brought his baseball team from the last place to the Championship through Daimoku. Through his wisdom, he took action to host his own extra practices for the team, and that was just what they needed!  

Together, we chanted for the BEST Schools for his life. He got his Omamori Gohonzon when he headed off to the University of Illinois as a PreMed major. In Loyola Medical School (his first choice school) he got his large Gohonzon.

During his first year of Medical School tragedy struck when his best friend, his brother Ben, began losing his mind to Schizophrenia. The next two and a half years were truly terrifying as we did everything, and chanted countless hours of Daimoku to help Ben stay alive. 

Five years ago this Thursday, July 2nd, Ben became eternal. Throughout this challenge, Aaron studied, worked hard, took on leadership in Medical School, and graduated Summa Cum Laud. He won the "Hardship" Award for extraordinary hardship during medical school, then headed out to Phoenix for Residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 

Today, while serving as SGI YMD District Leader, he challenges himself to chant an hour a day. 

He is Chief Resident at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix where the rise of COVID is slamming his hospital. He is chanting that the staff does not get sick. Please join me in chanting for his staff! And in chanting for this virus to go away! I am so proud of this Buddha! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PowerPrayer for Actual Proof Now!

From Daisaku Ikeda: 

"Though we may seem to be chanting alone, 
we are not. 
As we chant, 
untold billions of heavenly deities 
are facing the Gohonzon with us. 
In this way, 
the protective forces of the universe assemble en masse (altogether)
and work to safeguard each one of you, 
manifesting in your environment 
and the actions of the people near you, 
the actions of your friends and fellow members." 

~Daisaku Ikeda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the quote I was referring to at our last meeting. I LOVE this quote! 

PowerPrayer to SEE ACTUAL PROOF! 
While in front of the Gohonzon tell your life as you chant: 

LIFE show me this practice works. 
BUDDHAS get busy! I demand results now! 
Every nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant makes a difference. 
With this Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I am CHANGING my life now! WIth This Daimoku
With this Daimoku I am changing my karma. 
Now! Let me see results in _____________________
And reach this goal____________________________
and feel this way_____________________________
Gohonzon, blow me away with actual proof so that all around me will wan to know how I did it. 
And I can tell them Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 
and invite them to a meeting!
Let me encounter the people who are searching for this practice, searching for happiness now! 

__________________________________________________


I am grateful to you my friends. Grateful for every single one of you. You touch my heart. You inspire me. And we are getting to know one another in person at our meetings. 
Every morning when I face the Gohonzon and chant, my first prayer is for the untold billions of deities within my life, body, and spirit to wake up and greet the untold billion deities on the Gohonzon.

And I chant for all who are seeking peace to find this blog, find this practice, and, if we are meant to work together, to find me through my website TapforHappiness.com. All for Kosen Rufu! I chant to have victory in my business and have my life inspire people that they can end their suffering and experience true joy. 

Just like any true professional in the SGI, I strive to make President Ikeda proud of me as his successor, by my professionalism, passion, and results.  

And knowing that untold billions of heavenly deities are with me as I chant my two hours every day. Well, it just boosts my spirit, my daimoku, my hope, and determination. I am the Buddha. And so are you! 

No matter what you are facing, Daimoku will get you through. Please remember that I can't give individual guidance via email. Please go to your local senior in faith for guidance. That is the beauty of the Soka Gakkai. 

Have a great weekend! 

10 tips for Chanting Joyfully for Longer Times !

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10 Tips for Chanting Joyfully 

for Longer Times:

From Chantforhappiness.com by Jamie Lee Silver - 

As always, these are my insights. I'm an enthusiastic SGI member, but I don't represent the SGI in an official capacity in this blog. 

1. Give Yourself Some Credit! Go YOU! 
Realize that what you are about to do...chanting longer than usual ~ doing a Daimoku Toso has profound significance for your life. Give yourself credit for this worthy goal. 

2. Write your goal or goals. 
(Some of these goals may occur to you naturally as you're chanting) You may want to write yourself a fresh determination, also called PowerPrayer and connect your desire 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! 

Example of a goal/determination/PowerPrayer:

"I am determined to show actual proof right now! And to have my daimoku spread theoughout the whole world to bring health and eradicate this virus! I will 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. Remember YOU are the Buddha! 
Do not beg favors from a 'higher power." You are the higher power. Remember, the Gohonzon cannot get down off the wall and do the Buddha's work in the world. YOU are the Gohonzon; it is inside your life. The Gohonzon is a reflection of the highest life condition that exists within your own life. So when you are chanting CLAIM what is yours! Tell your life what you want. And know that all real change comes from within. 
Chant to do your own Human Revolution.
When we change, our environment changes. 
Take responsibility for your life...not blame. 
5. Put Your Phone AWAY or turn it off. Yes OFF! 

6. Keep Your Favorite Buddhist 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" by Daisaku Ikeda next to me right now. Here's a selection:  

"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." 

7. Invite others to chant with you, even though they may be far away. You can text when you begin and end. 

8. Have pen and paper handy. 
You'll want to write down those brilliant ideas that come into your mind while you're chanting. 

9. Take care of your body 
You may want to get up and stretch at the end of every hour. Keep fruit or a snack at hand for an hourly break. Put your electronics away. You are dedicating this time. It takes energy not to dilute it, and it is so important to stay focused! 

10. After you chant, write in your journal.

Above all - Don't give up! You CAN change your problems into benefits. You ARE the Buddha! Collectively we are raising the vibration of the entire world. 

I'd love to hear from those of you who have connected to the SGI through my blog. And send me your experiences, and I may share it on this blog! 

I can be reached at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

Power-Full Encouragement from Kate Randolph for Right Now!

The one and only Kate Randolph

Hello friends, 

Now is a good time to refresh ourselves with Kate's incredible spirit. Please enjoy her words and experience them as a fresh wave of determination toward your Happiness! 

From Kate: 

"NOW is the time to wake up to joy. 

Now, more than ever, 

SGI members need to summon joy, 

forget complaining about anything, 

and wear a radiant smile on our faces. 

Our smiles must radiate so brightly 

that light comes out of our fingertips 

and we glow as beacons 

so people can learn of the mystic law, 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo from us, 

and be moved to happiness 

just by being in our presence.

We must have Joy 

to show the possibilities of life...

JOY is a REQUIREMENT, 

not an afterthought, 

and it comes from our determination 

to summon it from within our lives 

and express it in our smiles, 

the pep in our step, 

and our lives themselves. 

We can do this! 

We can do this for ourselves, 

and by doing this we change the world." 

"Our smile is a cause, not an effect." we can't sit around waiting for joy to come into our lives. We must be joyful, and invite more. That's how it works! 

She said: "Joy's the leading edge. Wake up and be joyful, smile at the person next to you in bed, smile at the person next to you (6 feet away!) at the store, in the elevator, and at other drivers. BE Kosen Rufu in action!" 

"It's gotta be real, but you can also fake it till you make it. Put that smile on your face and you will spark your happiness. Try to be sad with a huge grin. It doesn't work so well!

"We have to go deeper into our own lives, 
and into the Buddha we are every day. 
We've gotta do this NOW. 
This is it. 
This is our time. 
We're ALIVE! 
Whether we are 17 or 95. 
Grab the moment for all it's got 
and say 
"I am creating the deepest value that's ever been created. NOW. Right this moment. 

There's no other moment. 

There's no other person. 

How we are influencing the person next to us...it is our SMILE...beaming with joy...Joy!"

STOP complaining. 
NOW. It must be replaced, 
even if it's phony at first. 
It may feel phony but it will cause a shift inside your life. 

And we have to keep going deeper and deeper into joy. There can't be a place at which we stop. 

We need constant movement...constantly going deeper." 

~Kate Randolph 

And, if we want to continue Kate's marvelous legacy, let's all be joyful right now! Beaming JOY from our fingertips!

Thank you Kate! 

THiS IS OUR TIME!

Greetings fellow members! 
We are joined across the miles like never before! 
We are meeting by internet, 
meeting on the phone 
and meeting in our hearts.


THIS is the time we were born for. 
THIS is our collective CRUCIAL MOMENT! 

NOW we can show actual proof more than ever. 
We can do what we do best ~ chant for ourselves, chant for our neighbors, friends, family and everyone in the world, and show actual proof !

How do we show actual proof now? How do we become truly happy? 

We rejoice in the fact that we are collectively experiencing a HUGE OBSTACLE, and we can determine to have a HUGE BENEFIT...for ourselves and for the planet. I'll never forget when I met one of the wonderful Japanese friends who came over to encourage us in San Francisco. He said, "Jamie, when I get a huge problem I am soooo happy, because I know I'll have a huge benefit!" 
What a great way to look at our lives right now: poison into benefit. That's the attitude I took when Ben died and look at me now. Living on the beach, helping people live happier lives. Awesome. 

How do we show actual proof? 

We keep our heads up (I mean that literally! Keeping our heads up affects our moods and demeanor)

We chant as much as we can. 
We raise our life condition as we raise the life condition of the planet and the universe. 

We keep smiling and encouraging others. 

We can do more shakubuku than ever because we can connect via phone and via the internet to share our experiences. 

AND we do not HAVE TO BE PERFECT. We are human beings. It's okay for us to experience emotions, and to be our authentic selves. 

How do we do this? How do we generate the lion's roar when we may not feel it every moment? 

Does anyone remember the story of the mudslide in South or Central America? I don't remember the details, but I do know the family inside the house was chanting Daimoku and the mudslide went entirely around the house. The power of our daimoku - Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is STRONG. It is our own life force joined with the life force of the universe. And now is our time to shine and help others. 

Here's your 

PowerPrayer to 

Get our Daimoku ROARING! 

Copywrite Jamie Lee Silver LLC
ChantforHappiness.com, ChantforHappiness@gmail.com

Life! 
I got this! 
This is my crucial moment! 
This is the World's Crucial Moment! 
Even though I might be scared, 
In my heart, I know we got this! 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like THE ROAR OF THE LION! 
And I'm roaring right now. 
Shoten Zenjin, get behind me and have my back!
Make every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant have a million times more impact than ever. 
As I chant I picture the world healthy and glowing. 
I picture my family, myself, and everything around me raising in vibration. 
I will not give in to despair. 
I will not give in to fear. 
I am determined to_________________________
(add your determination here - it can be whatever you want, a daimoku goal, a lifestyle goal. You can chant for others and yourself)
I will SHOW ACTUAL PROOF THROUGH MY LIFE MORE THAN EVER! 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! 

Go get 'em lions! 

PowerPrayer to Raise Our Life Conditions NOW!

Hello beloved readers! Greetings from St. Pete Beach, Florida! 

In these uncertain times, what's a Buddhist to do? 

I have great news for you,  THIS IS OUR TIME! Buddhism shines when times are tough. Now, more than ever we can show actual proof through our lives. Now, more than ever, even if we don't have meetings to go to, we can do shakubuku with our bright shining lives. 

I was just at the grocery store, and yes, I was stocking up on food. Canned goods...pasta...maybe you are doing the same. And the thing is, everyone was moving around like zombies, and while I was shopping I felt like I was in a trance too. Except, I smiled at people. And, when I got to the check out counter I greeted the workers and asked them how they were doing and we had a nice laugh about these crazy times. 

No matter what we are going through we have the option to let our Buddhahood shine through. I'm smiling at everyone. I'm letting cars in, I'm making sure I let pedestrians go past and wave to them. I do these things all the time, but now I do them even more. 

As Buddhists, we are the last ones to give in to hopelessness! We have no hopelessness! We are Buddhas and we dance! As Daisaku Ikeda says: "If we don't have hope we have to Create it." and we have the perfect place to do it! Right in front of our Gohonzons is where it happens.

Now is the time to up our levels of Daimoku. Now is the time to make sure that we are not just mindlessly letting our minds wander while chanting. Now is the time to leave our phones in the other room as we chant! Now is the time to invite our friends to chant with us (if it's advisable where you live) Now is the time to focus and PRAY. Now is the time to raise our life conditions! 

You asked me, so here is something I created for you based on how I am praying right now: 

PowerPrayer to Raise our Life Conditions to make every day a joy no matter WHAT!
By Jamie Lee Silver, chantforhappiness.com 

While chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: 

Gohonzon! My life! 
Now, more than ever 
I am tapping into the life force of the universe 
that is MY life force. 
As I chant, 
I am bringing forth the full power of the universe inside me to raise MY life condition 
and raise the life condition of everyone 
and everything on the planet. 
Right now I am chanting to end the suffering of anyone who is suffering. 
I am determined to keep my life condition SKY HIGH 
so anyone who comes in contact with me 
is brightened by my presence! 
Goohonzon! I am born to win! I am a Buddha!
I am determined not to give in to fear. 
I am determined to keep my head up 
and show actual proof of the power of this practice. 

I am determined to be present. Be smart. Be all I can be. 

This is my moment! This is all our moment. 

All the shoten zenjins in the universe come to our planet right now and end this coronovirus. 

Shoten zenjin! Wherever you are in the universe come to earth right now through the power of my daimoku. 

I am now tapping into my own power as a Buddha 
more than ever before. 
I will win! no matter how our lives may change, 
may we all be strong 
and have such an incredible life force that 
we can overcome and persevere through anything. 
May this planet be more united and positive than ever before. 
May LOVE rule this world...starting with me! 
And, may the youth of the world rise up and realize their power to make this world their own. 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!!!

PowerPrayer to Change Our Lives!

(You can now subscribe to this blog by putting your email in the box to the right)

How do we approach our lives powerfully? 
How do we make each moment count? 
How do we generate "earnest resolve"?

We KNOW that each moment contains the seed and power of the entire universe within our lives (ichinen sanzen) We KNOW THIS MOMENT is important. What do we need to harness and activate and use this knowledge with every fiber of our being? Here are some insights from the September Gosho study on the Gift of Rice:

The Gosho, the Gift of Rice states: 
"When we carefully consider what exactly "earnest resolve" refers to, it is the doctrine of observing the mind." 
(From the Gift of Rice by Nichiren Daishonin, Living Buddhism September 2015, page 29)

President Ikeda states "Everything is determined by the direction in which our "earnest resolve" orients our minds. When we focus our "earnest resolve" on our Buddhist practice, believing and practicing the Mystic Law that enables all people to attain enlightenment, our inner Buddhahood reveals itself, pervading our lives and the environment." 
LB, 9/15, page 38

How powerfully can earnest resolve work in our lives? 

Akeymi Bailey Haynie, our National SGI Leader said one day she heard her mother cry out from a nightmare, and realized that her mother had been having nightmares every night. (Her mother is a survivor of the WWII bombings in Japan). Akeymi developed a deep resolve in her heart and sat down and chanted 15 minutes of focused Daimoku that her mother would NEVER AGAIN have another nightmare. She reached that level of "now or never" or "NO WAY!" that is so powerful, and her Mom never had another nightmare. 

We all have this power in our lives. Sensei tells us this every day. When we are in front of the Gohonzon it is up to us to summon this resolve, and to focus our minds.

We all have this power! Today I offer you: 

PowerPrayer to Ignite and Focus
Our Inner Resolve
by Jamie Lee Silver from ChantforHappiness.com

LIFE! 
Now it the crucial moment! 
THIS MOMENT 
While I am chanting I am drawing a line in the sand! 
I am changing this KARMA Forever - 
I am rooting the cause from my life now! 
This shall happen:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
and/or THIS shall STOP happening:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I NOW summon all the power vested in me as a worthy votary of the Lotus Sutra. 
My life is Powerful!
I am turning my attention and focus to this powerful intention:
__________________________________________________
My daimoku is Powerful
Shoten Zenjin activate your forces NOW! 
Each Daimoku summons my power!
Each Daimoku has an effect NOW
For the sake of World Peace, I ignite my vow!
I will show actual proof -  inspire myself, inspire others, 
and change the world! 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! 

12 Great Quotes on Overcoming Illness by Daisaku Ikeda

12 Buddhists Quotes for Overcoming Illness
(I've been coughing for over a week - 
I hope you all are well!)

From President Ikeda's Lecture series "The Hope-filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin: On Prolonging One's Life Span - Faith for Leading a Long and Healthy Life" in the July-August 08 Living Buddhism. 

1. “Suffering from illness is a means by which you can eradicate your negative karma.”  
President Toda, as quoted by President Ikeda. - pg 70 

2. “To see illness as an opportunity to transform our karma – this strong spirit and resolve can break through all obstacles and devilish functions and open wide the path to happiness.  Like a rocket blasting out of the earth’s atmosphere, the passionate conviction of faith that comes from viewing illness as an opportunity to transform our karma can become a powerful engine propelling us forward not only in this existence but throughout eternity, enabling us to freely savor everlasting happiness.”  Pg 74

3. “Becoming ill in itself is certainly not a sign of defeat.  Even the Buddha, who is said to have ‘few ills and few worries’ (LS, 214), struggles with sickness from time to time.  Accordingly, there will be times when we are confronted with illness.  The important point above all is not to be defeated mentally or emotionally by the prospect of being ill.  Faith is the source of the fighting spirit to stand up to illness.  Therefore, as we noted earlier, Nichiren Daishonin first of all talks about the ‘treasure of faith’.  Pg 77

4. “As Nichiren says, ‘Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way’ (The Good Medicine for All Ills, WND-1, 937).  If a practitioner who upholds faith in the Mystic Law becomes ill, it definitely has some profound meaning.  It could be said that confronting illness is one route to awakening to the eternity of life.  President Toda often said, ‘A person who has overcome a major illness knows how to deeply savor life.’” Pg78

5. From Matilda Buck’s guidance, World Tribune 4/27/01 pg 10 “When We Face Disappointment” – regarding SGI leaders who overcame cancer and chanted this way:  

Through this experience, I will become someone who does not doubt the Gohonzon (my life), no matter what happens.
As a Bodhisattva of the Earth, I have the mission to experience this, and as a Bodhisattva of the Earth, I have the mission to create a victory.
I will share the power of Buddhism with others, even as I grapple with this experience.
I won’t let my spirits stay down.  I won’t make a place in my life for negativity to settle.

6.From The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Volume 6:  “Praying with doubt is like trying to keep water in a bathtub with the plug pulled.  Our good fortune and benefit will drain away.  A passage from the ‘Perceiver of the World’s Sounds’ chapter reads, ‘from thought to thought never entertaining doubt!’  A confident prayer will reverberate powerfully throughout the entire universe.”  Pg 88

From Buddhism Day by Day:

7. “Buddhism views illness as an opportunity to attain a higher, nobler state of life.  It teaches that, instead of agonizing over a serious disease, or despairing of ever overcoming it, we should use illness as a means to build a strong, compassionate self, which in turn will make it possible for us to be truly victorious.”  pg 300

8. “The expansive world lies not in some distant place; it exists right where you are.  That is why you need to win where you are right now.  Today’s victory is linked to your eternal victory.”  Page 314

9, “No matter what the circumstances, you should never concede defeat.  Never conclude that you’ve reached a dead end, that everything is finished.  You possess a glorious future.  And precisely because of that, you must persevere and study.  Life is eternal.  We need to focus on the two existences of the present and the future and not get caught up in the past.  We must always have the spirit to begin anew ‘from this moment,’ to initiate a new struggle each day.” Pg 315

10. “The air around us is filled with radio waves of various frequencies.  While these are invisible, a television set can collect them and turn them into visible images.  The practice of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo aligns the rhythm of our own lives with the world of Buddhahood in the universe.  It ‘tunes’ our lives, so to speak, so that we can manifest the power of Buddhahood in our very beings.”  Pg 314



11. From "For Today and Tomorrow" Daily Encouragement by Daisaku Ikeda: Sept 20 pg. 288:  
When your determination changes, everything else will begin to move in the direction you desire.  The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success.  On the other hand, if you think “This is never going to work out,” then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight, and then everything really will move in the direction of failure.

12. From "For Today and Tomorrow" Aug 15 pg. 249:  
The first thing is to pray.  From the moment we begin to pray, things start moving.  The darker the night, the closer the dawn.  From the moment we chant daimoku with a deep and powerful resolve, the sun begins to rise in our hearts.  Hope – prayer is the sun of hope.  To chant daimoku each time we face a problem, overcoming it and elevating our life-condition as a result – this is the path of “changing earthly desires into enlightenment,” taught in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.