Daisaku Ikeda on Creating Happiness ~

What is Happiness?

by Daisaku Ikeda

What is the purpose of life? It is to become happy. Whatever country or society people live in, they all have the same deep desire: to become happy.

Yet, there are few ideals as difficult to grasp as that of happiness. In our daily life we constantly experience happiness and unhappiness, but we are still quite ignorant as to what happiness really is. 

A young friend of mine once spent a long time trying to work out what happiness was, particularly happiness for women. When she first thought about happiness, she saw it as a matter of becoming financially secure or getting married. (The view in Japanese society then was that happiness for a woman was only to be found in marriage.) But looking at friends who were married, she realized that marriage didn’t necessarily guarantee happiness. 

She saw couples who had been passionately in love suffering from discord soon after their wedding. She saw women who had married men with money or status but who fought constantly with their husbands. 

Gradually, she realized that the secret of happiness lay in building a strong inner self that no trial or hardship could ruin. She saw that happiness for anyone—man or woman—does not come simply from having a formal education, from wealth or from marriage. It begins with having the strength to confront and conquer one’s own weaknesses. Only then does it become possible to lead a truly happy life and enjoy a successful marriage. 

She finally told me, “Now I can say with confidence that happiness doesn’t exist in the past or in the future. It only exists within our state of life right now, here in the present, as we face the challenges of daily life.” 

I agree entirely. You yourself know best whether you are feeling joy or struggling with suffering. These things are not known to other people. Even a man who has great wealth, social recognition and many awards may still be shadowed by indescribable suffering deep in his heart. On the other hand, an elderly woman who is not fortunate financially, leading a simple life alone, may feel the sun of joy and happiness rising in her heart each day. 

Happiness is not a life without problems, but rather the strength to overcome the problems that come our way. There is no such thing as a problem-free life; difficulties are unavoidable. But how we experience and react to our problems depends on us. 

Buddhism teaches that we are each responsible for our own happiness or unhappiness. Our vitality—the amount of energy or “life-force” we have—is in fact the single most important factor in determining whether or not we are happy. 

True happiness is to be found within, in the state of our hearts. It does not exist on the far side of some distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. However much you try, you can never run away from yourself. And if you are weak, suffering will follow you wherever you go. You will never find happiness if you don’t challenge your weaknesses and change yourself from within. 

Happiness is to be found in the dynamism and energy of your own life as you struggle to overcome one obstacle after another. This is why I believe that a person who is active and free from fear is truly happy. 

The challenges we face in life can be compared to a tall mountain, rising before a mountain climber. For someone who has not trained properly, whose muscles and reflexes are weak and slow, every inch of the climb will be filled with terror and pain. The exact same climb, however, will be a thrilling journey for someone who is prepared, whose legs and arms have been strengthened by constant training. With each step forward and up, beautiful new views will come into sight. 

My teacher used to talk about two kinds of happiness—“relative” and “absolute” happiness. Relative happiness is happiness that depends on things outside ourselves: friends and family, surroundings, the size of our home or family income. 

This is what we feel when a desire is fulfilled, or when something we have longed for is obtained. While the happiness such things bring us is certainly real, the fact is that none of this lasts forever. Things change. People change. This kind of happiness shatters easily when external conditions alter. 

Relative happiness is also based on comparison with others. We may feel this kind of happiness at having a newer or bigger home than our neighbors. But that feeling turns to misery the moment they start making new additions to theirs! 

Absolute happiness, on the other hand, is something we must find within. It means establishing a state of life in which we are never defeated by trials, and where just being alive is a source of great joy. This persists no matter what we might be lacking, or what might happen around us. A deep sense of joy is something that can only exist in the innermost reaches of our life, and which cannot be destroyed by any external forces. It is eternal and inexhaustible. 

This kind of satisfaction is to be found in consistent and repeated effort, so that we can say, “Today, again, I did my very best. Today, again, I have no regrets. Today, again, I won.” The accumulated result of such efforts is a life of great victory. 

What we should compare is not ourselves against others. We should compare who we are today against who we were yesterday, who we are today against who we will be tomorrow. While this may seem simple and obvious, true happiness is found in a life of constant advancement. And, the same worries that could have made us miserable, can actually be a source of growth when we approach them with courage and wisdom. 

One friend whose dramatic life proved this was Natalia Sats, who founded the first children’s theater in Moscow. In the 1930s, she and her husband were marked by the Soviet Union’s secret police. Even though they were guilty of no crime, her husband was arrested and executed and she was sent to a prison camp in the frozen depths of Siberia. 

After she recovered from the initial shock, she started looking at her situation, not with despair, but for opportunity. She realized that many of her fellow prisoners had special skills and talents. She began organizing a “university,” encouraging the prisoners to share their knowledge. “You. You are a scientist. Teach us about science. You are an artist. Talk to us about art.” 

In this way, the boredom and terror of the prison camp were transformed into the joy of learning and teaching. Eventually, Mrs. Sats even made use of her own unique talents to organize a theater group. She survived the five-year prison sentence, and dedicated the rest of her long life to creating children’s theater. When we met for the first time in Moscow in 1981, she was already in her eighties. She was as radiant and buoyant as a young girl. Her smile was the smile of someone who has triumphed over the hardships of life. Hers is the kind of spirit I had in mind when I wrote the following poem on happiness: 

A person with a vast heart is happy.
Such a person lives each day with a broad and embracing spirit.
A person with a strong will is happy.
Such a person can confidently enjoy life, never defeated by suffering.
A person with a profound spirit is happy.
Such a person can savor life’s depths
while creating meaning and value that will last for eternity.
A person with a pure mind is happy.
Such a person is always surrounded by refreshing breezes of joy.

How to Make Good Friends in Faith

 Good friends in faith! 

Good Friends In Faith
A Collection of Quotes by Daisaku Ikeda

The way of Buddhism is profound, and its wisdom is difficult to fathom. No matter how wise or knowledgeable one may appear, the wisdom of common mortals is trifling by comparison. Therefore, to pursue the way to Buddhahood, we have no choice but to make a "good friend" in faith. If we do so, the power of such a good friend will enable us to pursue the correct course toward enlightenment without error. (12/12/87)

A good friend in faith means someone who encourages your Buddhist practice and guides you toward the path of enlightenment. The same applies to our own practice of faith. The Gohonzon is always the basis of our practice. Needless to say, carrying out our correct faith is what is most important. However, if you no longer have someone who can teach you faith and guide your practice correctly, or if you follow the wrong person, it will become difficult for you to forge on along the great path of faith toward enlightenment. A good friend is, as it were, an important support in completing your faith and practice. Therefore, the most important point in faith is what kind of people you have as friends. In this sense, I hope you deeply understand that there is profound meaning behind the existence of the Soka Gakkai, which teaches correct faith and is advancing together along the path of kosen-rufu.(3/1/88)

Naturally, the Mystic Law is the foundation of all things. However, without "good friends" who can lead us to the Gohonzon, practically speaking, it would be impossible to attain Buddhahood. Fellow members who sincerely encourage us and the organization for kosen-rufu that enables us to follow the path of correct faith are the good friends we need. All fellow members who sincerely practice faith are good friends to one another. Though there may be differences in members' organizational positions and length of time practicing, we are all equal before the Gohonzon. There is absolutely no discrimination in the world of faith. Good friends are people who, in their respective capacities, encourage and pray for the development of one another. While traveling hand in hand along the path of eternal happiness, they invite others to join them so that they, too, may receive immeasurable benefit. Let us truly become such good friends to each other. (5/24/89)

The Nirvana Sutra states that even if we are killed by "evil elephants"—which in modern terms would correspond to automobiles, tanks, etc.—our bodies may he destroyed, but our minds will remain intact. However, if evil friends lead to our undoing, destroying both mind and body, we will fall into Hell. Therefore, we must above all fear falling under the influence of evil friends, and we should identify those who are crooked of heart and ward them off. Such persons appear as friends but function to destroy faith. Through the clever use of words, they try to persuade people to abandon their Buddhist practice. This is the nature of evil friends. Such bad friends are the greatest enemy of one's happiness and the greatest impediment to one's attaining Buddhahood.(6/18/91)

Good friends are those who encourage us in faith, strive with us to strengthen practice and study and work with us in harmony to advance kosen-rufu. The Soka Gakkai is the fore-most gathering of good friends. (6/18/91)

Good friends base themselves on the law. Therefore, we base ourselves on the Gohonzon and on the Gosho. Evil friends are self-centered and egoistic. For these reasons, such people will speak and act differently, depending on the situation. As the Lotus Sutra and the Gosho make clear, it is only natural that the further kosen-rufu advances in any country; the more numerous will be the evil friends who appear. By seeing through the disguises of such individuals and defeating them, you will be able to open up a vast, cheerful, sunny green field of happiness for all members. (6/18/91)

Good friends in faith essentially are sincere, honest people without a trace of deceit who guide others toward the correct path, toward good. They are also people who lend their assistance or support to us so that we can practice the True Law with assurance. If you become close to a person who makes you feel "that person is always glowing and animated" or "when I'm with that person I feel strong and secure;' then your faith will naturally deepen and you will develop bountiful wisdom. In carrying out this Buddhist practice, encountering good friends is the key to achieving Buddhahood.(7/28/91)

Our lives are determined by the relationships we form. And the SGI is a cluster of relationships of the very best kind. In a society pervaded with cruel relationships, where many people delight in others' misfortunes, we find the greatest solidarity and peace of mind with our fellow members. We have to resolutely protect the noble gathering of SGI members. (8/21/96)

DAISAKU IKEDA


Some practical ideas on how to cultivate good friends in faith:

Good friends in Faith are eternal treasures of the heart. And the beauty of it all is this: If you don't have good friends in faith you can chant to have them. Put "make friends with people who inspire me and encourage me in my practice" on your list and take action to make it happen. Look for people who inspire you. Take the opportunity to chat with them. Take some time after SGI meetings to get to know people, and get there early if you can. Ask if you can help out. 
If you see a person give an experience that inspires you, reach out to them and express your appreciation. Set up a time to chant with them. 

Let me illustrate through a story. 

Years ago I saw a woman give her experience at New Year's Gongyo. She was on fire with Daimoku. She had overcome cancer that year and looked younger than she did when I first met her many years before. I was inspired! I made a goal to rekindle our friendship. Over the next few months I saw her at meetings, and asked her to join me for coffee after a meeting. Then we started getting together to chant. I really listened to what she had to say. This blog was born from that friendship. She and I decided to chant two hours a day together, and this blog was born from that Daimoku campaign. My goal was to overcome my life-long depression and I wanted to use life to inspire others to chant and join the SGI. As many of you know I have overcome that depression. And if I can do that - YOU can do anything! 

Some other tips for making friends: "To have a good friend, you must be one." Give people a chance. Don't be so quick to criticize. And don't talk behind people's backs. Chant to be able to see good friends. And take time to call or chant with them. Encourage others to the best of your ability. Be open to being a friend!

I'm hearing from many of you who are going to their first SGI meetings, and making determinations to strengthen you practices within this remarkable organization. I look forward to posting your experiences as we inspire each other. 

Power Prayer to Root the Cause of Suffering Out of Your Life

If you've been chanting to change things in your life...if you've been chanting about relationships, your career etc...consider looking inward and chanting to change yourself. Changing your SELF - doing your human revolution is vital to your success~full practice. 

What is the process?

1. Own the problem...realize that whatever you want to change may LOOK like it is outside yourself...but its roots are within your life. That means that you cannot complain or say "WHY ME?". Really you have to own it...not BLAME yourself (or anyone else) for it...and not feel guilty about it. 

2. Turn your prayer INWARD. Chant to change YOURSELF. Chant to have the courage to make the changes you need to make in order to generate the results you want to create in your life. Remember that all change starts from within. And your environment will change to reflect the inner changes you have made. 

3. Take action to encourage others. Lighting a lantern for another lights your own way. 

A Power Prayer to accomplish this could be:

"I am determined to make any changes I need to make in my thoughts, my actions, my chanting, to make continual positive causes that will result in rooting the cause of my negative karma OUT OF MY LIFE!  I am determined to make the changes inside myself...to do my own human revolution and raise my life condition to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha. I am determined to change in any way I need to change to accomplish________________ (you fill in the blank). Life! I am bringing the determination, wisdom and fire I need to create the life of my dreams. I AM NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO! I AM ROARING LIKE A LION IN MY OWN LIFE! I WILL CREATE MY LIFE! I do this not only for me, but for everyone who is suffering. I am determined to glow within my own life. I am determined to be a shining light for all who are suffering. I am determined to be the beacon of hope that ANYONE can solve their problems by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I am ready to meet people who are ready to hear about this practice!  I chant to have the most inspiring life. Gohonzon (my life) I need to see these results now!"

You can do this...You Buddha YOU!

In Faith in Action Daisaku Ikeda states: 
Our sincere prayers for kosen-rufu reach the Gohonzon on a profound level, thereby activating the protective functions of the Buddhist Gods. In the long-range view, a sincere and honest person is alway a victor. No matter how circumdtnces may change, no one can take away the truth in others' hearts. Page 163

"Become Like the Sun"

"Become like the sun. 
If you do so, all darkness will be dispelled. 
No matter what happens, 
live confidently 
with the conviction that you, yourself are the “sun.” 
Of course, in life there are sunny days and cloudy days. 
But even on cloudy days, the sun is still there. 
Even when you are suffering, 
it is vital that you strive to keep the sun shining brightly in your heart." 

Daisaku Ikeda

The Buddha's Birthday - Celebrate by Realizing YOU are the Buddha and Praising Your Life

The message of the original Buddha is simple. 
We are all Buddhas. 
We are ALL connected to the all. 
We are ALL expressions of the universe, 
and we all have access right within our reach by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, or the name of the rhythm that exists within everything. Everything. (For notes on why I chose this picture see below)

Daisaku Ikeda puts it succinctly, as always:

"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 daimoku to the Gohonzon 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." Faith in Action page 118. 

"The Daishonin taught us that through gongyo and chanting daimoku we can reach an elevated state in which, while engaged in our daily lives, we travel throughout the entire universe. When you worship the Gohonzon, the door to your microcosm is opened to the entire universe, the macrocosm, and you experience a great, boundless joy as if you were looking out over the entire cosmos. You feel great satisfaction and joy, a great wisdom, as if you held the entire universe in your palm." Faith in Action page 118-119

We DO hold the universe in the palm of our hand through chanting. 

The picture I posted here is very intriguing. I have never put a picture of the Buddha on chantforhappiness before. Nichiren Buddhists do not keep statues of the Buddha, because those statues came into use when people began thinking of the Buddha as a god. And that is not the intent of the Buddha. He never wanted people to worship him. He was enlightened to the fact that he was the universe, and so is everyone else. Yet, some pray TO him, confusing his original intent. But this picture I thought was pretty cool. It shows how we keep the negative forces at bay by engaging in our daily practice. It shows the bubble of shoten zenjin who protect practitioners of the mystic law. 

Today when I was chanting about you and composing my message for you, I was chanting to PRAISE MY LIFE. I am the Buddha...just like YOU. My power prayer for you is simple today. Chant to praise your life. What a great prayer...and as you're chanting think of all your reasons to be grateful. Your time of chanting will fly, and you may chant more than ever. See how much joy you can muster with every syllable. 

Strength is Happiness

"Strength is happiness. 
Strength is itself victory. 
In weakness and cowardice there is no 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 prayer—
developing these is victory and the world of Buddhahood." 

Daisaku Ikeda

Power Prayer to WIN over Sadness

I received this question this morning. 

And I know the answer through my own life experience. 

Dear Jamie  

Why do old negative feelings surface after I chant? I was emotionally abused in my marriage. I decided to divorce over two years ago. However I don't feel so sad about the divorce, I feel more sadness from the abuse.

The chanting brings these hurt feelings to the surface. I know that I need to keep on chanting. But how come it works this way?

Signed, 

Sincere Seeking Mind

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

Dear Sincere Seeking Mind, 

Great question. 

When I started this blog in 2009 I was in the throes of deep sadness. I had experienced a heartache, it is true, but I knew there was a deeper cause, what we call "fundamental darkness". Chanting brought these feelings to the surface ~ so I could change them once and for all.  

When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (the rhythm of life itself - literally "I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration"), we reach a level of our lives that is very deep. And through the vibration of this chant, and our strong determination, we can change life-long tendencies, i.e. karma, forever. 

We can use our negative emotions as fuel to create a level of strength and happiness that NOTHING can shake. This "Absolute Happiness" is the goal of our practice of Practical Buddhism. 

Through chanting twice a day - every day, I was able to understand and conquer the sadness forever. I received this wise guidance in the early days of my practice: "Nothing can come out of you that wasn't already in your life. No anger, no sadness, nothing can come out that wasn't there. We may think it is in response to our environment, a man, a relationship, abuse etc. But in reality that emotion is WITHIN our lives and may have been within our lives for many lifetimes. Since we have chosen to be Bodhisattvas of the Earth this lifetime, and we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo we can finally vanquish these feeling once and for all in this lifetime." 

I knew in my heart that the sadness I was experiencing, was  a deep sadness that I had felt on an off all of my life. Throughout my life I'd seen my mother experiencing it, too. 

I embraced it as my karmic mission to overcome it and turn it into a benefit. 

Daisaku Ikeda says:

"There is no suffering or hardship that a Boddhisatva of the Earth cannot surmount. So no matter what happens, I would like you to steadily advance, one step at a time, always chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with vibrant voices." Faith in Action page 93.

He also says:

"Nichiren Daishonin writes, "If you light a lantern for another, it will also brighten your own way" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 1598). Please be confident that the higher your flame of altruistic action burns, the more its light will suffuse your life with happiness. Those who possess an altruistic spirit are the happiest people of all" (Faith in Action pages 93-94). 

And, of course, I remembered the immortal line I ingrained in my life from the Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho Letter from Sado. (I sincerely encourage all of us to study the Gosho with our lives. The Daishonin wrote this letter during his exile on Sado Island knowing that this exile was proof of the correctness of his teaching. If you don't have the Gosho, please go to the link to the SGI to the right and get it right away. Studying the Gosho is truly "A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering") 

"Only by defeating a powerful enemy can one prove his real strength." (Letter from Sado)

I saw my sadness as a "great enemy", one that had been shadowing me forever. And I made a sincere dertermination to change it once and for all, for myself and for seven generations in the past and seven generations in the future, and for everyone whose lives I could touch through my blog and my life. 

That emotion, that karma, was the FUEL for this blog that now is read by almost 20,000 people a month. I fueled my determination with a two-hour a day daimoku campaign. 

I determined that "I must overcome this suffering so that I can encourage others that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE and they can change ANYTHING if I can do this...because changing a deep seated karmic emotion IS impossible. And we chant to make the impossible possible. Anyone can change the possible things. But by embracing the Daishonin's Buddhism and practicing within the SGI we can make the impossible possible. 

Here is the determination and deep Power Prayer I embraced and chanted every day:

"Life! Gohonzon! I am determined to be happy. I am determined to root the cause of this suffering, this depression, this emotion out of my lilfe forever. I vow to be happy so that I can lead others to happiness. Through my own example I will inspire others that anything is possible."

Now, this feeling did not go away the first time I chanted this way, or the second or the third. No. This was a fierce battle that continued on for quite some time, but based on President Ikeda's guidance I was determined to win. "Buddhism is win or lose" he says over and over. This was a battle with my life. My dear friend and mentor, shom I called in tears over and over asking "Will I ever get over this sadness?" gave me her own prayer that had vanquished her life-long feeling of depression and resignation:

"I don't CARE how many times I have to chant to rid my life of this depression! I DON''T CARE how many hours I have to sit in front of this Gohonzon chanting. I will WIN over this fundamental darkness. I will win! You don't scare me! I will win!" 

And I embraced this prayer and made a fresh determination every day that I would win this battle, and win it I did. 

I AM FREE. I no longer feel this feeling. It is gone forever. I used all the tools available to me as a Boddhisattva of the Earth. I chanted, studied, spent my time encouraging others, and consulted my dear Myoho sister, friend in the SGI. And I won. You can too. It takes work and determination, but being "A Buddha of Absolute Freedom" is worth it! 

 To your VICTORY!

Jamie 

You Are the Buddha - Create a Powerful Practice

To create a Powerful Buddhist practice and a powerful life, remember that you are not chanting to something outside your life....you are chanting to your very life itself...
and the life of the entire universe.  

Through chanting Daimoku 
you have the keys to access the power of the universe. There is no need to beg. 

There is a need to VOW, and DETERMINE...and to clearly tell your life that you want results from your chanting NOW!!!

That's the power of chanting Daimoku. And please, do not chant under your breath! Chant as if you mean it! You are speaking to the universe...be strong. Take deep breaths, remember to breathe. Breathe from your belly...feel the energy surging through your body. SIT UP STRAIGHT! Be STRONG! You're chanting! 

Chant strongly. Chant twice a day. Attend meetings. Study and teach others to the best of your ability. THAT is the formula for absolute happiness. If you're not happy strengthen your practice. You are the only one who can do this. 

I received a question about doing Gongyo. (Reciting from the Lotus Sutra)

When you do Gongyo you are speaking the Buddha's words. 

YOU ARE THE BUDDHA. I believe that is the purpose of doing gongyo...and it puts you in rhythm. It is very important, and once you know how to do it...it's fun. 

Do Gongyo and Daimoku every single day - twice a day...and make your list of what you want...and go for it! Take action! You can't just chant, you must also take action. Buddhism is common sense. 

Make sure you are connecting to the SGI. It is the best way to become strong and happy! Go to the link at the right to get connected. Write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com if you have any questions or to share your experiences. 

Respect our Children - Quote from Daisaku Ikeda

Power Prayer to Turn Problems into Benefits

All of our challenges exist so that we can overcome them and prove the power of this practice. Do we really understand this? If we do, if we REALLY feel this in our hearts we have a whole different view of life. 

When we KNOW that all our challenges are FUEL for our happiness, then none of them will ever truly get us down. Realizing we are the Buddha and have the ultimate tool to change ANYTHING is the secret of our success. 

No Buddha is defeated. No Buddha has a problem they can't solve. Actually we Buddhas do MORE than solve our problems, we turn them into great benefits. 

I remember my dear Japanese friend saying: "I love it when I get HUGE problems, because I know I will get HUGE benefit!" 

I know many of us believe this in theory, but how do we understand it in practice, with our very lives, and how do we turn poison into benefit? 

First we must realize that the problem is OURS, not the other person's. We cannot spend our time blaming our environment or the people in it. The moment we do that we have lost the battle. We are no longer Buddhas. 

I remember when I was in the process of realizing that it was time to move on from my marriage, I had to get to the point of not blaming my husband for anything. I just had to own the situation. I made a fierce determination that all members of my family would be happier once we split up. ALL members. And that our split was going to inspire people to chant. I determined to have people look at us and say "Wait a minute, they are going through a divorce and everyone's so happy? What is up with that? How can it be?" And this is exactly what I created. 

The book Julia Landis and I are writing for you:

The Buddha Zone
Power Prayers for Chanting Your Way to Absolute Happiness

is currently being written because Julia saw us going through our divorce and being a happy family. She was so shocked she began chanting and hasn't stopped! 

I accomplished my goal. 
My husband and I are happier than ever and our sons are happy too. We don't argue about anything. As a matter of fact we haven't argued at all since we made the decision to separate. And all of this was powered by my Daimoku and my determination. We still celebrate every holiday and get together as a family often. We are harmonious. 

I took something that was a huge problem for me, and I turned it into a benefit through chanting. 

Power prayer to change problems into benefits:

I am determined to use my situation to strengthen my faith. I know thatthat Nam-Myoho-renge-kyo is the core of my life, and stronger than ANY problem ~ no matter what is happening. I see every problem and challenge as fuel for my happiness, and the happiness of others

As a Bodhisattva of the Earth, I have the karma to experience this; therefore, I have the mission to overcome it and to be victorious.” I roar like a lion at the problems in my life. Daimoku overcomes everything! daimoku. I am a Buddha and I will live as a Buddha. I see through the eyes of the Buddha and I live with the daily conviction that at every moment I am paving the way for others to become happy. I live my life as an inspiration that ANYTHING is possible. I am determined to ________________________________________________________________________(you fill in the blank for your life)

President Ikeda has said: “A person may have all the wealth and treasure in the world, but viewed from the perspective of the ultimate reality of life, such things are but mere illusions…. The most important thing is to build an indestructible palace of happiness within our lives…. It is through experiencing hardship that we can savor true joy. It is through making efforts that we can grow.”

Our Words Make ALL the Difference

Power Prayer for Strengthening our ability to feel and express Gratitude.

Gratitude IS a decision, 

and an attitude we can 

strengthen in our lives. 

We all know we should live "lives of gratitude", but sometimes we find it hard to do this. Thoughts of complaint, thoughts of "why me?", and thoughts that blame other people or circumstances keep thoughts of gratitude from our minds, and feelings of gratitude from our hearts. 

Sure, it may be easier to slip into these negative thoughts. It's always easy to blame something else for our troubles, but as practicing Buddhists we know there really IS no one to blame! Our life is a reflection or our selves. 

And these negative thoughts breed more negative thoughts and are actually negative causes to make for our own happiness. 

We can so easily change our focus to Gratitude. We can choose and reinforce gratitude in out lives. We can  CULTIVATE AND EXPAND GRATITUDE IN OUR LIVES. 

Our mentors in faith, and many others, lived rich lives of gratitude. Nichiren Daishonin's letters to his followers were all written in gratitude. Daisaku Ikeda lives every moment in gratitude to his mentor Josei Toda. 

Daisaku Ikeda states:
"To "enjoy what there is to enjoy" (quote from the Gosho 'Happiness in this World') means to cause the "mystic lotus of the heart' to blossom brightly with a sense of appreciation and joy. Someone who can find joy, who can feel appreciation, experiences a snowballing exhilaration and joy in life. Such is the heart's function. (Faith in Action page 7)

Many of us WANT to feel gratitude, but how do we build the muscle of gratitude? How can we expand it in our lives.?

The answer is this: we make the conscious choice, and know, in our hearts, that the cause for gratitude will bring more to be grateful for. It is worth making the cause to develop gratitude. 

How do we cultivate gratitude? Well, I start by summoning prayers of gratitude while I am chanting. With every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I tune my life to gratitude. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the name of the rhythm of life itself. Our prayers while chanting become Power Prayers for the happiness of all. I think about what I want to create from my prayer today, and I express gratitude in that direction. 

The other day I was thinking about my next deep and loving relationship with a man, and I spent an hour chanting in deep and loving gratitude for the men who have loved me with all their hearts. I felt the warmth of their love, remembered some wonderful times and chanted in appreciation for them, and for their happiness. It was one of the most delicious hours I have ever spent in prayer. 

And a feeling of gratitude builds on itself, doesn't it? When I chant in gratitude I find more to be grateful for at every moment. This morning I was thinking of you while chanting and this power prayer came to mind:

Gratitude Power Prayer
Life! I am determined to feel gratitude in every moment. I am seeing through grateful eyes and living with a grateful heart. At every moment I am looking for everything I can be grateful for, and finding new ways to express that gratitude. I am determined to live in the energy of gratitude and attract even more reasons to be grateful. I am determined to radiate positive energy so that I can spread the word of this incredible practice to others. 

This moment I am so grateful for____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (fill in the blanks and keep the feeling of gratitude for as long as you can) 
and I am chanttng for the happiness of ____________________________________________________________________________________________________(and here you picture the people whose happiness you will chant for).

And then, this very day, take some actions to express your gratitude. Call someone on the phone. Send an email. Send a card. Take real action today and I promise you, it will add to your happiness and give you even more reasons to be grateful!

I am GRATEFUL TO YOU for all your emails and comments. (chantforhappiness@gmail.com) 
I am grateful to every single one of you for reading this blog and for forwarding the link to your friends or liking chant for happiness on facebook. I am grateful to you for re-determining to be happy, and for seeing you advance in happiness every day. Your practice, your happiness, your determination changes the entire world. I am grateful to be your partner on this journey! One day I hope to visit you in every country and see your smiles in person. Until then...chanting in gratitude for you. 

Tribute to the Women's Division by Daisaku Ikeda

THE LIGHT OF THE CENTURY OF HUMANITY

By Shin’ichi Yamamoto (Pen name for Daisaku Ikeda)

Like Flowers of the Field

One morning, I heard my wife softly singing to herself—a song at once familiar and at the same time completely fresh to my ears:

Like flowers of the field,
tossed by the wind.
Like flowers of the field,
delighting all who see.

“What’s that song?” I asked. “It’s quite famous,” she replied. It was “Flowers of the Field,” a beautiful melody that had been made popular by the Japanese husband-and-wife duo Da Capo.

Smiling, my wife continued:

Like flowers of the field,
beaten by the rain.
Like flowers of the field,
soothing all who see.

“What a nice song,” I said. “It captures the heroic spirit of ordinary people.” Hearing it set me quietly contemplating.

*

“Flowers of the field”—the name of no specific flower is mentioned in the lyrics. This might be a good thing. Different people living in different places have different images of “flowers of the field.” For instance, in Japan, we might picture cudweed, or cymbidium orchids, or violets, or field mustard blossoms, or lilies, or cosmos.
The north country is still under a deep blanket of snow. When the snow finally melts and the first shoots of Japanese butterbur and amur adonis begin to appear at the foot of the mountains, people’s hearts will leap with joy, knowing that spring has come.
The Echizen daffodil grows even on the steep cliffs facing the pounding waves of the Japan Sea, enduring winter’s fierce winds until spring arrives.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastated by the atom bomb. People thought it would be decades before plant life could grow once more in its scorched earth. But oleanders quickly bloomed there again, bringing hope and courage to the survivors struggling to rebuild their lives.
I think we all have an image in our hearts of hardy flowers of the field blooming cheerfully, undaunted by wind or rain.
Whether noticed or not, these wildflowers, in the place where they have taken root, put forth stems, spread their leaves, and flower beautifully, each in their own distinct way. Some bloom by the wayside in such inconspicuous and incongruous places that they invite our astonishment and admiration for their strength and tenacity. I have frequently photographed such blossoms, pressing the shutter as a way of applauding their unheralded efforts.

“‘Flowers of the Field’—why, it’s the perfect anthem for our women’s division,” I commented.

Nodding in agreement, my wife said: “Yes. As a matter of fact, it was a women’s division member from Meguro who told me about the song in a letter she sent me.”
The woman, it turned out, was a member of the first graduating class of Kansai Soka Junior and Senior High Schools. She had been struggling hard, doing her best to care for a daughter afflicted with a chronic illness. She had been chanting earnestly and forging ahead valiantly, one day after another without rest or respite. Then she heard this song and began to sing it to herself:

Life is sometimes filled with hardships,
But rainy and cloudy days, too, are followed by sunshine,
That’s when you appreciate
the dauntless spirit of flowers of the field.

“Dauntless spirit”—surely that is another way of describing courage. Life is a series of on-going challenges; it is a struggle to bring the flowers of happiness into bloom, regardless of the difficulties we may face along the way.

My wife, her eyes bright with emotion and her words full of praise and admiration, is always recounting to me the courageous struggles and noble victories of our women’s and young women’s division members in different parts of Japan and throughout the world.

Once during a visit to Hyogo Prefecture in the Kansai region, I shared a poem I had read in my childhood:

Trampled
and trampled again
still it blooms—
the smiling dandelion.

This poem is a wonderful description of the many ordinary men and women who bravely live out their lives, a smile on their faces, no matter what hardship and adversity they encounter.

Why isn’t the dandelion defeated by constant trampling? The key to its strength is its long and sturdy root, which extends deep into the earth. Dandelions may have a taproot more than one full meter in length.
The same principle applies to people. The true victors in life are those who, enduring repeated challenges and setbacks, have sent the roots of their being to such a depth that nothing can shake them. The German writer Schiller captured this image perfectly in The Maid of Orleans, his play about Joan of Arc, in the phrase: “O beauteous flower of victory!”

On February 12, the 3,000th installment of The New Human Revolution was published. The heroines of this novel are ordinary women. Some of these characters are based on women living in foreign countries, wracked by homesickness, weeping as they gazed over the seas toward their land of birth. Encountering the Mystic Law, these women rose to the challenge of transforming their own karma and courageously embarked on a new life as proud pioneers of worldwide kosen-rufu. Around the globe and in Japan, these intrepid Soka women struggled bravely against illness, accidents, economic hardship, family discord, and a host of other problems. Overcoming one painful, trying obstacle after another, they created great dramas of personal victory exemplifying Nichiren Daishonin’s words: “Winter always turns to spring” (WND, 536). Today, these women are enjoying truly wonderful golden years, overflowing with happiness and good fortune.

In contrast, arrogant individuals or groups who ridiculed and inflicted pain on these noble women of kosen-rufu have, as we all know, sunk into utter obscurity. As the Daishonin declared: “In the past, and in the present Latter Day of the Law, the rulers, high ministers, and people who despise the votaries of the Lotus Sutra seem to be free from punishment at first, but eventually they are all doomed to fall” (WND, 997). These are stern and uncompromising words.

Our pioneering Soka women have been uncrowned ordinary citizens, without special social status, wealth, or fame. And it is these very women who have built the Soka Gakkai into the great organization it is today. Buddhism exists so that these women can become happy.

The Daishonin declares that in the Lotus Sutra “the enlightenment of women is expounded as a model [for the enlightenment of all living beings]” (WND, 930). Buddhism teaches that women who have made the greatest efforts, who are challenging themselves the most, will be wreathed in unsurpassed flowers of happiness. This is the brilliant path to happiness for all women struggling with hardship and difficulties in the real world.

A poet wrote:

Gaze down calmly
on washed-out pretenders,
and follow your own
flower-adorned path
without regret.

Wildflowers are neither vain nor haughty, neither jealous nor servile. Living in accord with their unique mission, characterizing the Buddhist principle of “cherry, peach, plum, and damson blossoms,” they neither envy other flowers nor belittle themselves. They take pride in their identity, knowing that each is a flower with a bloom like no other.

Even the prettiest and most delicate wildflowers are by no means weak. They may seem fragile, but they are strong. They are not perturbed by rain or wind. Embodying the same indomitable spirit, our motto is “Nothing can defeat us!”

My wife, too, regards the frontline struggles for kosen-rufu she has carried out since her youth as her greatest pride and honor. When the youth division was established in July 1951 by President Toda, I was a young men’s division group chief and my wife was a young women’s division group chief. The following month, a new young woman joined the Soka Gakkai, and my wife visited her home to enshrine her Gohonzon. My wife was younger than her, but senior in faith. She became close to the young woman and did her utmost to be there for her, listening to her problems, offering advice, and encouraging her. That member grew tremendously and became a young women’s division leader herself. Later, she went on to serve admirably as one of the top leaders of the women’s division until the end of her life.

During the historic February Campaign of 1952, the youth division, burning with the spirit of refuting the erroneous and revealing the true, held a study presentation meeting with President Toda attending. My wife rose to the podium as a representative of the young women’s division and gave a presentation on the erroneous belief that personal misfortune was caused by the negative workings of deceased spirits, an idea that was especially popular among several of the new religions that appeared in Japan after World War II. She explained the issues with great clarity and resoundingly debunked the idea.

A smiling Mr. Toda watched warmly over my wife and the other young women. It was his conviction that the growing strength of the young women’s division members based on Buddhist study is the flower of hope of kosen-rufu.

Renowned Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai took time out of her extremely busy schedule during her recent trip to Japan to visit me at the Seikyo Shimbun building on February 18. The founder of the Green Belt Movement, Dr. Maathai is a “green crusader” who was awarded the Nobel Peace prize last year (2004).

Members of the Soka University Pan-African Friendship Society welcomed Dr. Maathai with a rendition of the Kenyan song “This Is Our Home.” Dr. Maathai sang along cheerfully as she swayed to the music’s infectious rhythm:

This is our home.
Our aim is to plant trees here.
Our home is a home of womenfolk.
Come, let’s carry the tree seedlings and plant.

In the past, the Green Belt Movement was persecuted, and Dr. Maathai herself was jailed for her activism on several occasions. She was even tortured. Throughout everything, and while raising three children, she courageously acted on her beliefs in her effort to break the vicious cycle of poverty and environmental destruction.

I have heard that the first seven trees Dr. Maathai ever planted were African tulip trees, known for their fiery red flowers. The red flame of courage burning in her heart has, over the last three decades, kindled similar flames in the hearts of over 100,000 people, while the planting of those first seven trees has led to more than 30 million trees being planted.

In A Quiet Revolution, a film on environmental issues produced with the cooperation of the SGI, Dr. Maathai says: “It is very important for us to take action at the local level, because sometimes when we think of the global problems, we get disempowered, but when we take action at the local level, we are empowered.”

These words resonate with the philosophy that drives the grassroots activities and networks of our women’s and young women’s divisions. That is why Dr. Maathai has also expressed her sincere empathy with our Soka philosophy and movement, which values the individual and society, and life and the environment.

Dr. Maathai, who herself espouses a philosophy of hope, has declared: “We know that the little we are doing is making positive change. If we can multiply that several million times, we can change the world—definitely.” It is just as she says.

We need to continue expanding our network of “flowers of the field,” bringing one blossom after another into harmonious and happy bloom. This is how we will achieve a truly spectacular “quiet revolution” in the century of women. Harmony is life’s greatest beauty, its flower.

I remember an incident that took place many years ago, when the Soka Gakkai was still a small organization. My mentor Josei Toda’s business was in dire straits: we had no money, no capable staff, and were at rock bottom. One day, Mr. Toda suddenly plucked a flower nearby and put it in my shirt pocket, as if it were a medal of honor. I was spending my days striving desperately and completely alone to serve, fight for, and protect my mentor. Mr. Toda said to me: “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you. You’re really doing a fine job, Daisaku.” Some snickered at my floral medal of honor, but to me it was an award for kosen-rufu presented by my mentor in kosen-rufu. No tribute could have been greater.

When I returned to my shabby apartment, I placed the flower before the Gohonzon and chanted daimoku with deep gratitude. I still wear my mentor’s floral medal of honor in my heart, and I continue my struggle in the same spirit as that youth so long ago. The flower my mentor bestowed on me has now been transformed into 23 shining national medals of honor from countries around the world.

Buddhism says that the disciple is like the plant and the teacher, the earth. It also sets forth the path of repaying debts of gratitude, explaining that the flowers of victory brought to bloom by the disciple will return to the earth as good fortune for the mentor, and that new flowers of victory will be born from the earth of mentor and disciple. My wife and I are proud to have followed this path throughout our lives. Our foremost wish is to bestow all our sincere, dedicated Soka women with a floral crown of happiness that sparkles brighter than any jewel-encrusted tiara. We wish to present them with a floral crown of absolute victory, a floral crown of eternity, happiness, true self, and purity.

*
Our conversation that morning began with a song about flowers of the field.
“Another day of fresh challenges lies ahead of us, doesn’t it?” my wife said.
“That’s right!” I responded. “Let’s keep working for the happiness and victory of ordinary people, who are the most precious of all!”
A smile blossomed on my wife’s face like a lovely flower.
The flowers of the field, too, rise up excitedly:“Spring is here! Spring!”

(Translated from the March 5, 2005 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai daily newspaper)

Fabulous Mother's Day ~ Overflowing with Benefits

Baby Buddha (Heather) and her three Buddha Moms at the Chicago SGI Center

 My sweet YWD Shazara 

Ben, Aaron and me at dinner

I had the absolute best Mother's Day and I sincerely hope you did too. My life is overflowing with the benefits I receive through devoting myself to this practice.

I was out the door at 8:00am to go the the Chicago SGI Center and see our USA General Director, Danny Nagashima. It was one of the most beautiful SGI meetings I've ever attended. The Men's Jazz band was incredible, and several of President Ikeda's beautiful poems about mothers and women were read. Danny gave a talk about the SGI, Nichiren Daishonin and Daisaku Ikeda's views of women. The main theme was that world peace will arrive when women are appreciated and respected by all. He also said this November 18th will be a day of incredible significance when the new world headquarters of the SGI is completed in Tokyo and suggested we all keep a count of the days until then, and establish impossible goals for ourselves. 

For the other pictures:

It was Heather's last meeting in Chicago for awhile. She's moving to Colorado Springs. When Danny told us a new SGI center opened YESTERDAY in Colorado Springs Heather and I cried tears of joy. She is going to fulfill her mission for Kosen Rufu there. She's been my sweet "Baby Buddha" (her chosen nickname) for almost three years. She comes from a traditional orthodox Buddhist background that says you shouldn't desire anything. The idea that she could chant for what she wanted was a difficult one for her to grasp...but once she started chanting twice a day she really deepened her undertanding and began to chant sincerely for her desires. I can feel how strong her life is becoming. 

The other picture is me and 17 year-old Shazara. I've written about her amazing successes many times. She found me at a dark time in her life and is the picture of life and happiness right now, despite having some health issues this year. She brought me these beautiful flowers. 

I spent the whole afternoon with my son Ben who just got home from college yesterday, and we had dinner with Aaron who is about to leave for Bolivia as part of his medical school experience. It is my greatest honor and joy to be their mother. We ended the evening doing Gongyo together to Aaron's newly enshrined full-size Gohonzon. Nothing, nothing makes me happier than chanting with my Buddha Boys. 

My heart is overflowing with appreciation this mother's day. My life is overflowing with benefits. 

This practice absolutely works. I am happier than I ever dreamed possible, and you can be too. 

Just keep chanting and don't give up! 

I am sending love to all of you! 

Receiving Your Gohonzon

How do you receive a Gohonzon?

The Gohonzon (scroll we face when we chant) is the reflection of the "Gohonzon" that exists within your very life itself. It as a depiction of the highest possible life condition of happiness, strength and fulfillment. It represents the world of Buddhahood...the highest life consition possible. 

You can't buy it. 
It is bestowed upon you for your life by the Soka Gakkai. 

I can't speak for how it works in other countries, but I can tell you how you get a Gohonzon here in America. 

First of all you begin practicing and you go to meetings regularly. You begin learning Gongyo (the recitation of the Lotus Sutra we recite every morning and evening). And you chant as much as you can. 

Then you decide where you will put your "home within your home". You choose a wall with no window over it, or too close to it. You make sure nothing is above the Gohonzon. You get a Butsudan (box or "house" for your Gohonzon"). You can get this at the local SGI Buddhist Center or at SGI-USA.org. You can also search for one on the web, or you may find a local member who will sell or give you theirs when they upgrade. 

Then you prepare your altar area with fruit, a plant or greens if you wish, and my favorite thing: a bell. I love the sound of the bell.

You fill out your application, get it signed and pay a nominal fee. 

The day you get your Gohonzon will forever be a significant date for you. Every year on the anniversary of that date I chant for as long as I like and rewrite my goals and determinations and honor my life! I usually connect with my mentors in faith on that day too. 

You receive your Gohonzon in a ceremony at a meeting, then  soon after that have an enshrinement ceremony at your home. 

You can make it a party if you wish! It is a glorious day! 

Happy Mother's Day My Dear Friends