PowerPrayer for Absolute Happiness

What is Absolute Happiness? 

It is unshakable confidence in our OWN life.

It is the knowledge that 

what we do makes a difference... 

Who we ARE makes a difference...

Our lives are meaningful everyday, and we are using our potential to bring out the best in ourselves and others. 

Absolute Happiness is being strong 

in the face of any blowing wind, 

and having the courage to sit down, once more, face the Gohonzon (our lives) and chant truthfully with a seeking spirit to be able to change on the inside so that what we can overcome any hardship or reach any goal. 

Absolute Happiness is 

NEVER being defeated...

never giving up, 

and somehow,having the faith to en-courage others even while facing our own storms. 

Absolute happiness lies in being able to chant wholeheartedly for others, no matter whether we feel they wronged us or not. It is the knowledge that we are all connected, and when we light the way for another, we light it for ourselves. 

Absolute happiness is KNOWING that every one of our obstacles or problems can be a springboard for growth, a reason to chant harder with deeper concentration, and for a longer time...and that we WILL win!

Absolute happiness is knowing that never, never, never is the way lost, because we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we have a wise mentor in life, and we have our friends in the Soka Gakkai by our sides. 

The following is an excerpt from our upcoming book

The BuddhaZone, 

           PowerPrayers for Chanting Your Way 

                                           to Absolute Happiness

PowerPrayer for Absolute Happiness

You have arrived! Go ahead, chant your way to absolute happiness. We've done it. We've proved the power of this prayer. Now it's your turn. If we can do it, you can do it.

Core Strengthening PowerPrayer to chant when experiencing unhappiness of any kind

I am determined to experience my brilliant Buddha-self. 

I am determined to raise my life condition. 

I am determined to develop a strong— 

strong 

core of life 

so that NOTHING 

will bring me to this state of unhappiness ever again. 

I am determined to strengthen my life 

from deep within 

and to radiate happiness wherever I go. 

I don't CARE if unhappiness 

keeps rearing its ugly head along the way. 

I WILL WIN and I will defeat it forever. 

I will defeat you, unhappiness.

I am determined to become happy so I can inspire others to become happy. 

If I can become happy, anyone can become happy.

As I am chanting I am strengthening my life now!

I now embrace absolute happiness 

as my mission.

I will use my happiness to inspire others to chant! 

A New Experience from a Reader in India ~ Removing All Grudges and Complaints

(I'm posting this inspiring experience unedited, straight from the reader. Enjoy! Jamie )

“ As long as we look at our situation with only ordinary reason , there wont be the slightest chances for us to win . But the daishonin tells us plainly that the gohonzon has infinite power . the only question is weather or not we believe him .. If we think that we are really disciples of the daishonin , we frist have to pray powerfully to carry out the kind of practise that can make the impossible possible . “
I came into this practise 4 years ago  with a number of impossible situations  . Today, in addition to my victory , I would like to share my initial impressions.
I had been fascinated since long with mysticism and had tried everything from reiki to gem therapy to affirmations to past life regression to art of living and the secret .  Each time I discovered something new, I became really hopeful for a while but wasn't able to cope up for long .
At the time, I heard about this practise, I was in one of the darkest periods of my life , when even a simple voice outside my window  would startle  and scare me . I did not enough discipline , the  money  or even a stable mindset for anything else . And , here was this practise  which made me feel instantly safe , could be done at anytime of the day or night , for as long as I  wanted and even when I quit  in the middle nobody judged me rather they  encouraged me even more  .  On top of it all   , somebody would come to my house and help me chant  . 
I was one of the lucky few  who starts practising and their life becomes an even bigger mess .  It was a time of deep financial crunch in the family , serious relationship issues for me . There was bitterness and blaming within the immediate family over the losses  .  A time when all that was needed to make me tear up was to ask how I am doing .
During this time we shifted houses to sector 3 chandigarh and I started practising regularly with members . I had always been blessed with many friends . For several years I had suffered with the same relationship problem and had analysed the same behaviours and blamed the other person reaching nowhere different . I was completely  amazed to have these new set of friends in soka gakkai  who did not agree with me when I complained about my life and my very serious troubles rather they would tell me , "  complaining erodes good fortune “  and I simply " must not begrudge my life " no matter how big the situation is outside . These friends assured me that all my problems will help me show actual proof and I  should  even be grateful for my problems and the people causing it . My new friends never encouraged me to skip my office or other duties at home to chant....  but to wake up early , skip a TV series but made sure I chanted to my heart’s content.
They weren’t  the kinds who would  let me end my sad story with how bad the other party is but rather  one leader almost congratulated me and said " 50 % of my problem is over since the karma has has already erupted and now 50 % is upto me to solve to completely transform it  " . She asked me to " chant to awaken to the true cause of my suffering and never blame anyone . " Nothing seemed impossible to these people , it was all upto me and my faith in the practise .
 I read the concepts and understood with my prayers the true cause of my suffering and oneness of self and the environment. I started feeling safe and then slowly i started feeling hopeful . I gave myself  completely into the practice .

Myo means to revive, to rejuvenate, to fully endow . I don’t know how the transformation happened but I started waking up early , got  extremely disciplined with my gongyo , read guidance’s assiduously , never missed any meetings .  I stopped seeing much value in crying over the same matters , even in my own heart . Everytime i wanted to feel sorry for myself , I pondered over the guidance in buddhism that " everything has a reason " and " a Buddha has limitless possibilities " . I chanted strongly to open a way forward from the deadlock .  I was moved by Sensei’s guidance to Young women division on being "  the cheerful sun of the family " no matter what and put the same into practise  . I chanted as though to produce fire from a stone .
My fellow members and new friends never gave me direct advise but told me I  had the wisdom to decide what needed to be done and there was anyways no time left to complaint or feel sorry  for myself anymore . I had to chant for 3 hours along with office .
Our business started again in sep 2010 after getting a big unheard  relief from high court against govt authority of chd  . 
This was a time of hope yet the winter of the problems were no way over.  There was illness in the family , property disputes , serious relationship troubles ,and even depression . I don’t know how many times did  I read the gosho " winter always turns to spring "  and hung on to hope .
Even though things had not changed outside , something in my heart changed completely and it didn’t feel like winter anymore. I got out of a traumatic relationship with almost no trouble ( the only trouble I went through was to follow the guidance of a leader ; Not to blame the other person and take 100 % responsibility for all my suffering, turn around my karma )   .
There came a time when I started noticing how bad  my father’s teeth had become and thats when I realized I had never seen him laughing so much before since he suffered from severe  depression . 
We shifted to a beautiful house and were able to pay off all of our loans . Most of all we all now feel it was a big blessing rather than a failure and there is no blaming or bitterness with each other over the losses .
I prayed to be able to contribute to SGI and my own business revenue has increased manifold . 
We have had a  property dispute case with my father’s brother  since 1995 and we won the case in session court , high court ( this year ) . The other party appealed in supreme court and am happy to report that theirs case has been dismissed in supreme court and we have won yet again . 
Sensei says ,  “Any action taken for the sake of faith will become the source of your good fortune and benefit. Relations of cause and effect based on the Mystic Law are absolute. All of you working hard for the sake of kosen-rufu and the Law, as well as exerting yourselves for the happiness of your fellow members. Please be convinced that all such efforts will serve to change your karma and return to you as benefit.”
Nichiren daishonin says  in New years gosho  . “ Also,  In light of this, it is clear that those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away." 
And good fortune I did attract from millions miles away  :-) . It  came in the form of an awesome man who came in into our lives as a guest.  My family had started looking everywhere for the right match for me , and they cdn’t help but admire this earnest man who had somehow  come right to our doorstep . He was exceptionally brilliant  , kind hearted  and cheerful . Time and again I was amazed at  how the universe literally conspired to get us  to spend more time together . We got engaged around May 3 this year just like my fellow members in SGI had determined  and I feel blessed  to report that we are getting married on October 7th this year .
The practise of Nichiren Budhhism most of all has changed my outlook and attitude towards life and problems. My aunt who is a doctor  recently mentioned that it seems as if i’ve had a complete metamorphosis.  We all know that life without problems doesn’t exist,yet now i feel confident in my ability to deal with those based on faith . Most of my friends say  how inspite of the bitter experiences of the past, I do not seem cynical about relationships or life in general which is biggest benefit of all . 
Nichiren Daishonin says “ Where there is unseen virtue there will be visible reward “ and  I truly believe the unseen virtue  was the  effort in front of the gohonzon  to  remove all grudges and complaints from my heart and my reward is my wonderful fiancée who further showers  me with all possible visible rewards . 
I determine to keep sharing more experiences and to transform the karma of dispute in the family and restore harmony . I pray for all of us here to be able to carry out the kind of practise that makes the impossible possible .
Thank you .

Quote from Sensei

From Daisaku Ikeda:

BUDDHISM elucidates three types of filial piety or natural obligations to parents. Giving one’s parents material goods such as clothing and food is the lowest type of filial piety. Respecting the desires of one’s parents is the middle type. And leading one’s parents to Buddhahood with the Mystic Law is the highest type.
PLEASE do not forget your mother’s love and the hardship she has endured for you. I am convinced that while a person keeps memory of his mother’s loving face alive in his mind, he will never go far astray. Similarly, as long as we bear in mind the Daishonin’s profound compassion and live in deep appreciation of it, our lives will be illuminated brightly by the light of Buddhahood.
In faith, one’s heart is of the utmost importance. A rainbow of beauty and hope shines splendidly in the lives of people who advance harmoniously for the betterment of society with a pure heart.
Social rules and common sense should be followed. We should abide by the laws and rules of society, and as believers in true Buddhism, we should never break such rules.
We must face each issue that crops up, without flinching, solve it, overcome it and move on to the next. That is what human life is really about. That is what it is to be alive. When you triumph over your sufferings, they will all be transformed into joy. And you yourself will grow and expand your life state.

Turn "Why Me?" to "Yes Me!"

Each one of us is a Boddhisatva of the earth. We are the ones here on earth proving the power of the law. 

We can take each one of our challenges and realize that it is our mission, our sacred beautiful mission to change our karma. Because we are interconnected with all of life (dependent origination), whenever we break through, we break through for our families, friends, for the web of life itself. 

When we can take our problems and elevate them to being our mission we have more power and strength. 

We can turn our lives from  "Why me? to YES ME!" and use or faith, and power in our daimoku to open the door through which many will flow after us. 

We are Boddhisatvas of the earth or we would not be chanting Daimoku. How lucky we are! But the minute we start saying "Why me?" and feeling sorry for ourselves we erode our strength and our life force drains our lives.

The next time you are wondering "Why me?" turn it into a "YES ME!" Embrace your challenges. You would not have them if you couldn't change them. 

In the February 15th World Tribune there was a message to the women and young women from SGI Honorary Women's Leader Kaneko Ikeda called "Precious Flowers Blooming in the Garden of Kosen Rufu." 

Kaneko Ikeda states: 

"Times of suffering are times when our faith is put to the test. Our Buddhist practice enables us to face such difficult and painful times with wisdom and fortitude and, supported by the warm encouragement of our fellow members, to move in a positive direction, a direction of hope and fresh growth. 

In his writings, the Daishonin teaches that we can lessen our karmic retribution through our efforts in faith to spread the Mystic Law. It can be said, therefore, that whatever daunting hardships and karmic trials may befall us, they appear precisely because we have the power to transform them. 

From the perpective of Buddhism, everything that happens in our life has a profound meaning. Based on the law of cause and effect, the greater the efforts we make for kosen-rufu, the greater our future happiness. This is something that will become clearly apparent when we look back later." 

(Page C, February 15th World Tribune") 

So today, see if you can turn every "Why me?" Into a "YES ME!" and appreciate and embrace your karma and unique challenges. Make a firm determination that you CAN change anything in your life, and lead others to happiness through your example. 

Kansai Culture Festival in the Rain

Daisaku Ikeda, our mentor in life

This weekend I was at the Chicago Buddhist Center on Saturday and Sunday and saw the film of the Kansai Culture Festival in the rain in 1966 twice. I found a link on youtube for you. It's in Japanese and the quality isn't so great but you might want to see it. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lk-2bvPm0E
or:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vjQQo1PZIY

Imagine 22,000 people in the stands being a human billboard and creating countless works of art with colored boards...imagine over 1,000 young men dressed in white laying down in huge puddles of mud as part of their performance. It was really incredible to see how people can be even more galvanized and determined through the power of the mystic law. Their faces shown with the victory of determination. The young women were dressed all in white in beautiful ballet dresses, and they also had mud all over their faces, dresses, arms...

It was as if the rain came just to help these determined members prove the power of the law. 

The reverberations of the Kansai spirit continue today. Their efforts may be one of the reasons we are all practicing today. So inspiring. 

A few years ago there was a Santa Monica parade in the cold rain of February. The film of that day is also truly amazing. All the young people performing and smiling in the cold California rain...and I lived in California, I KNOW how cold it can get! But their shining faces inspired EVERYONE. 

We are so fortunate to be a part of this organization...a group of lay believers with one inspiring mentor and many devoted and committed members. 

I hope you are all part of our warm Gakkai family. If you haven't started going to meetings in your area I really encourage you to connect! The SGI link to the right will help you. If you have any challenges connecting write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com and I will do what I can to help. 

Happy Monday  Everyone! 

Conspicuous and Inconspicuous Benefit - what we see, and what is revealed later

"There are two kinds of benefit 
that derive from faith in the Gohonzon: 
conspicuous and inconspicuous. 
Conspicuous benefit is the obvious, 
visible benefit of being protected 
or being quickly able 
to surmount a problem when it arises, 
be it an illness 
or a conflict in a personal relationship. 
Inconspicuous benefit 
is good fortune accumulated slowly but steadily, 
like the growth of a tree 
or the rising of the tide, 
which results in the forging 
of a rich and expansive state of life. 
We might not discern any change from day to day, 
but as the years pass, 
it will be clear that we've become happy, 
that we've grown as individuals. "

Persistence Can be Frustrating! I KNOW~ But it is the only way ~

As Soka Gakkai members who base their lives on the mystic law, we are changing ourselves, and the world, through our prayers, and I know, we all know, that some prayers are just harder to manifest, right? And they seem to be different things for different people. Some people fall in love and marry their soulmate and are happy for life...others search and search and chant and chant and still have to persevere to find the love of their lives. Some are born healthy and stay healthy and others fight for their health over and over...some have great careers...you get the picture. 

But it all comes down to one thing, our karma. 
If we really do persevere, and TELL our lives what we want we will eventually achieve it. 

My co-leader Kathy was out of work for over a year, then she got a job that did not turn out to be the right job for her and she was laid off again. This time she said - 

"No way! I am changing this karma forever and I will find the job that I deserve so that I can encourage others for Kosen Rufu" 
- and she began chanting 3 hours a day. 

She only had to do that for a few months and now she has a job where she feels really appreciated and she's learning all kinds of new things. 
If we want to succeed we have to dig in and wrestle our karma to the ground. It's August 2nd, what new determination can you create within your life for you? 

En-Courage-Ment

Yes! We must Plant the seeds of courage. 
Courage is so important. 
Without courage we are just alive, 
but not 
living...with all the full force of our being. 
With courage we strive. 
With courage we move. 
With courage we inspire others just by who we are. 
Courage and strength are essential to our happiness, 
and to kosen-rufu. 

How do we "get" courage? 
We are so fortunate, you know. As daily practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, we strengthen our lives and add to our bank of courage every time we chant. Over time we build a reservoir of courage by chanting every single day. I think it takes courage to chant...to sit in front of the mirror of our inner lives, and tune ourselves through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every morning and evening. 

And we have the added benefit of being able to connect with our fellow practitioners to gain strength and courage when we feel lacking. Last night we had a small meeting and we talked about how wonderful it is to not have any priesthood telling us what to do. We all learn from each other. One moment I am teaching and inspiring people, the next moment a fellow member is teaching and inspiring me. 

I learn from all of you, too!

Thank you for your notes of thanks. Thank you for sending your inspiring experiences. Thank you for emailing me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com. And thank you for sharing these posts with your friends. We had 22,500 hits last month! I appreciate YOU! 

A Note to Us All from Sensei ~ Daisaku Ikeda

"One should not fall into the trap 
thinking that just by praying alone, 
everything will be all right. 
The true power of prayer is only manifested 
to its fullest extent 
when it is accompanied by action. 
Buddhism is a teaching of reason.
Your constant practice for yourself and for others 
will enable you to lead a true sense of fulfillment 
in the depths of your life. 
At the same time, 
you will greatly develop your life-condition. 
Such efforts in practice 
will also allow you to accumulate immeasurable benefits while setting your life on a course towards happiness. Please keep this in mind.
TO actively promote young people of outstanding ability 
to positions of responsibility, 
and allow them to give free rein to their potential, 
accords with the spirit of Buddhism. 
It is also the spirit of the... SGI, 
and it ought to be the spirit of each member-organization. The reason for this is that 
the dynamic activities of young people 
are the fundamental driving force for fresh development.
Having faith in the Gohonzon is important. 
When we as common mortals 
chant daimoku with sincere faith, 
our lives are naturally polished 
and come to emit the brilliance of Buddhahood. 
This brilliance is manifested 
outwardly 
in our daily lives 
in the form of benefits and good fortune, 
and inwardly 
as refreshing humanity, 
rich wisdom and 
vigorous life force.
LIFE is making practical efforts. 
It is challenging ourselves. 
It is advancing. 
Your youth will never come again. 
Please leave behind some achievement; 
please create something, 
as a record of your existence in this world.
By Daisaku Ikeda

Another Cool Experience in Faith ~ From a High Schooler in India

Here's an unedited experience from a reader in India. 

Thank you!

I would like to share my experience of my life after entering to this divine practice.Myself Shreya from India has been into this practice from last one yr.

I was introduced to this practice from my relative in June 1st 2012.She has been into this practice since 6yrs. Initially i started with the practice then bagged faith in it and now iam doing study to know more about this practice as this is a vast sea of knowledge and Wisdom .Iam of a student of Xth .I do attend SGI meetings whenever i get tyme. As this is my last year of high schooling, my aim is to do well in my exams with a high score to get a best colleges in town.I have full faith on my practice that i can achieve success with my utmost efforts.In my home my dad is also into this practice and my sis.

Through this Nichiren Buddhism we saw so many miracles in our lives.I wanna share one of those experiences i.e this year my dad went through bad health karma and had to undergo two surgeries at a tyme. At home it was a tense environment that how would we handle this situation as we didnt had enough funds in our reserves because a month before my sis got married and the expenses were been encountered for her marriage. On May 17th the operation took place and it was successful to some extent.now the major aspect was the expenses of the hospital bills as we need to pay it through cash and the bill amount was upto 1.5 lakhs INR , my brother had a health insurance through his company wherein the expenses of the family member can be borne offf...But the hospital authorities didn't accept sayng that this particular insuarance doesn't account in their netwrk. We were totally upset how to find a solution for this. But i didn't loose hope , i chanted as much as i can and had full faith on my Diamoku that i will find a way ....All of a sudden i got a call from my bro that they accepted the Insurance and the expenses are been taken care from their company and a small amount had to be paid from our end , i was really surprised by this Mystic law of chanting and things get solved, At present the medicines are still in continuation and i know my dad would come out with his health karmas through this devine practice to the earliest.. Now my only aim is to Shokubuku others by sharing my experiences through this practice and my strongest belief on my" Kosen Rufu".

I strongly believe on these lines that transforming our life through Nichiren Buddhism is a process .It doesn't happen overnite. It is a struggle..It starts from our own Human Revolution..Iam also inspired with the blogs and power prayers you post...My heartfelt thanks for  the good works you have carried on for these many years for the betterment of the human revolution.    

By sharing this true experience i guess people who are disheartened and lost hope in lyfe would indulge themselves in making their practice much stronger and carve themselves to attain the victory through their "Lotus Sutra".This practice has changed my inner revolution and made me stronger in each phase of my lyfe and help me to move forward.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Actual Proof ~ Experience of Faith

When you actually accept your karma, 

and are dedicated to changing it - 

you can make the impossible possible. 

Here's an experience of actual proof:

My Life Changing Experience - from a reader in India

I encountered Nichiren Buddhism in June 2012. I was introduced to this practice by one of my dear colleagues when I was under deep depression. My marriage was breaking down. I was completely hopeless and had been crying from months. As guided by my senior leaders, I started chanting for my husband and my 3 yrs old son’s happiness. I was facing challenges on a daily basis and used to feel very weak and victimized. 
Due to this personal challenge, my performance at work also went below acceptance level. I continued chanting. More information started getting revealed which was hidden for the past 5 years of my marriage. I was intensely hurt. My husband declared several times that we must get mutually divorced as I am no longer happy with him and our situation will never change. He seemed not bothered about me and our son. I always felt betrayed.
After a month, courage started building up somewhere deep inside me. And when things got above my tolerance level, I moved out of my husband’s house along with my son.
 I shifted to my parent’s house in another city. There I joined the local BSG community. My leader guided me to pray for my high life condition. I continued chanting for long hours. My desire was to be with my husband ~ however not at the cost of my self-respect. I wanted him to value us. I blamed him for my pain ~ deep wounds in my heart created lots of negativity inside me. I had even developed the fear of talking to my husband on the phone. Even his name was giving me sleepless nights. However, I didn’t want to leave him. I cared for him, but his rejection made me feel powerless and helpless.
I prayed for my Buddha nature to emerge. I started studying and taking part in kosen rufu activities. Slowly I developed acceptance that this is my karma and my environment is a mere reflection. The Buddhist concept of cause & effect gave me power. The emotional baggage started going away when I took responsibility for problems and my own life. I determined "I will change my situation." I will exert in my Buddhist practice and will make all the right causes to manifest the future I desire.
My regular daily practice of gongyo and abundant daimoku gave me calmness and courage. I was a happy person again. I was changing at a fundamental level, as if all my deep rooted sorrows (since childhood) was vanishing. Years of pain were vanishing. Earlier I used to get affected by every little thing, I was so emotionally weak. But now I was much stronger.
In the first week of November, I decided to find a job. I prayed sincerely to get a job by November 18th and made all the efforts through various job portals. I started my new job on November 18th with exactly the salary package and job location I chanted for. My faith strengthened and I felt blessed and fortunate to have this Buddhist practice with me. This was my first conspicuous benefit.
In February 2013, I was presented with a mutual consent divorce paper from my husband.  My family also agreed on this. But my ichinen was different. I cried to the Gohonzon that I do not want this divorce and want to work on our relationship with this new courage and for my son’s future. Mystically the next day my father refused for this divorce to happen. It gave me relief. When we refused to accept this divorce, my husband could not do anything about it. I started feeling powerful. Before that my decisions were focused on what others wanted or did not want. I never had the courage to refuse and say what I wanted. This practice made me a courageous person.
Although the decision of divorce was averted, there was lots of negativity between me and my husband. I then determined to change this poison into medicine. I earnestly chanted for his happiness. I prayed to over come my fundamental darkness and undergo my human revolution. Within weeks I dropped all the negativity from my heart and was fearless and compassionate enough to have a dialogue with him. I was praying consistently and doing kosenrufu activities. One day my father suddenly called him up and asked us to initiate the talk. That day we spoke for 3 hours. I could feel that through my prayers, negativity was not only removed from me but also from his end just like a mirror's reflection.
May 3rd was approaching; I determined to gain my complete victory as a real Kosenrufu person.
In May 2013, we had series of healthy dialogues and we decided to work on our relationship for the future of our son. I finished my pending assignments at work and came back to my husband’s house in June 2013. 
Our relationship is much better than ever. Our son is really happy to see his happy parents around. We are the same and there are Challenges. But fundamental changes in me through my Buddhist practice makes me realize how beautiful life is. I have learned to identify problems for what they truly are – They are opportunities to grow and actually make your life even better.
I pay my sincere gratitude to all my senior leaders and friends in Sokka Gakkai for supporting me through out with their prayers and guidance. 
I have accomplished my Human Revolution, changed my karma and fulfilled my various wishes.


I want to mention some key learnings I had during my struggle:
No matter what problems are daunting us today. They are going to change. We must accept them and understand that we are responsible for our own problems. We can only change them. Making others responsible for our problems make us feel powerless.
We must earnestly pray till the end. Some problems take more time to change. But through our prayers, life will always get unfolded in the best possible way. 
The combination of faith, study and practice always yields results. Study increases our wisdom about life and gives us right direction. It helps us remain stronger in adverse situations.
Kosenrufu is very crucial part of our practice. When we lift somebody else’s life, we lift our lives at the same time. Kosenrufu is a vow we took as the bodhisattvas of the earth.
It is our duty to do it till the end.
Transforming your life through Nichiren Buddhism is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. It is a struggle. It starts with our own Human revolution. We must chant to make changes in ourselves  first. The changes in our environment are eventually reflected.
Prayers must be based on our own ichinen. With our profound wisdom and high life condition gained through chanting, we must take actions in the direction of our ichinen and not opposite to it. No matter who says what.

I hereby dedicate my new life for KosenRufu. 

Thank you

Life contains the capacity, 
like flames that reach toward heaven, 
to transform suffering and pain 
into the energy of value-creation, 
the light that illuminates the dark. 
Like the wind traversing vast spaces unhindered, 
life has the power 
to uproot and overturn all obstacles and difficulties. 
Like clear flowing water, 
it can wash away all stains and impurities. 
And finally, life, 
like the great Earth that sustains plants and vegetation, 
impartially embraces all people 
with its compassionate, nurturing force.

Daisaku Ikeda, Ikedaquotes.org

When You Chant Consistently The Mystic Law is "Righting" Your Life

Changes Might Not Happen Right Away, 

but they WILL COME if We Persevere

The important thing is to keep chanting until the changes DO happen.


As Daisaku Ikeda states:

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

Daisaku Ikeda, Faith in Action page 119.

A Great Human Revolution...

"A great human revolution 
in the life of one person 
can change the destiny of humankind and our planet. 
It is Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra, 
that encourages 
and enables people 
to become aware of their great power, 
to draw it forth and use it. 
Buddhism gives people 
the means to develop themselves thoroughly 
and opens their eyes to the limitless power inherent in their lives."

Daisaku Ikeda, 
From Ikedaquotes.org

You ARE the Buddha ~ and Your Altar is Your "Home Within Your Home"

My altar

Daisaku Ikeda states:

"The Gohonzon is the clearest of al mirrors, which reflects the entire universe exactly as it is. When you chant to the Gohonzon, you can perceive the entity of your life and can tap the inexhaustible life force of Buddhahood."

from Faith in Action page 113

We are all the Buddha! 

You are the Buddha, and I am the Buddha, and everyone else is too. 

What does this mean to us, and to our Buddhist practice? 

It means that when we chant we are speaking TO the life of the Buddha, our eternal life, and we can demand the results we want. It is very important to realize that when we chant we are not asking favors from anyone, we are petitioning no gods and no forces outside of our lives. If, by any chance you have any idols or gods of any kind on your altar, it is a  good idea to take them down so that you are not confused on this point. 

What should the Buddhist altar contain? 
The Gohonzon (scroll representing our highest possible life condition that is within us - and we chant facing this scroll to act as a mirror for our inner selves and draw the life condition of the Buddha from within our lives), 
the Butsudan, (the box or cabinet that has doors that close to protect the scroll). Everything else on the altar is an offering to your highest self. I have fresh fruit, a bell, candles, a plant or greens or flowers and a light illuminating the Gohonzon. Some people like to burn incense. I can't do that ~ it makes me sneeze. And in the morning some Buddhists like to put fresh water on the altar that they drink at night. 

Occasionally I have photos of people on the altar, and I have bulletin boards filled with pictures of the people I am chanting for surrounding the altar. There should be nothing above the Butsudan and no window close by. This is your "home within your home" and it represents YOU. I have heard it said that the way you treat your altar is the way your life treats you, so I keep mine clean and dusted and everything fresh. If I go away on a trip I put some rice, or my favorite non-perishable food on the altar when I'm gone, and replace the fresh fruit when I return.  

And, as I mentioned earlier, I don't have any statues of the Buddha or any other gods on the altar or anywhere near. This is my altar to MY LIFE, and I only address my life here. 

Since you are chanting to YOUR LIFE, you can chant with a command in your heart. Go ahead. TELL YOUR LIFE WHAT YOU WANT. And if you don't know what you want, ASK your life in front of the Gohonzon. For several years I chanted to know what was my mission in life. And I go the answer. I have known my mission in life for years now, and if you're a reader of this blog you probably know what my mission is too, to inspire people with my life...to WIN in all areas of my life so that everyone can see that the impossible is possible if you don't give up! 

If you need some revived inspiration and focus,
I can now offer personal PowerPrayer creation by telephone or email. If you send me an email at chantforhappiness@gmail.com I will give you the details of how it works. 

Linda Kay's Experience ~

I am relatively new to chanting, having only been at it for about 3 months now. I was introduced to it during a time in my life when I was searching for a way to connect on a deeper level with what I call the “mystical.” Having meditated for years, I found myself looking for new and different ways to connect to the “powers” that exist deep inside me, and that are present in my daily life.

My first experience at a district meeting filled me with an energy and deep appreciation for the others in the room.  I found myself experiencing a similar “energy” or vibration when I chanted at home and over the recent month, have committed to chanting twice a day.

Back in March of this year, I lost my job at a clinic where I was a director. Desperate and fearful, I sent my resume out for every job that even “sounded” like a possibility. Then I was introduced to chanting. 

A new job quickly surfaced. Actually, several opportunities quickly surfaced, and I was called for interviews for the majority of them. One company contacted me, flew me out for an interview and made an offer within several days.  I was thrilled to be working again, and I chanted in deep appreciation and gratitude.

Within the first few weeks I began to feel something was terribly wrong with my job. First of all everyone was under such tight deadlines and pressure that they yelled at each other. The owner of the company was receiving chemo therapy for colon cancer during the day, but working till 2:00 am on projects once she got home. The company overpromised each and every client. 

I was under deep stress and found myself almost having an “out-of-body” experience just to cope. The stress and work never stopped. I would wake up at 6:00 am to do work before the day started, and work until 10:00 pm to get caught up. Finally, after working each weekend, I asked another employ on  Sunday about working weekends and was told that “we are expected to be on call 24/7 7 days a week.”

I began to panic and feel very sick. I began to chant earnestly for help, happiness and good health. I can remember coming to one of the meeting, feeling less-than human, but leaving feeling like my old self again. 

One day, barely a month into the new job, I was so stressed that I began to have heart palpations. I thought about calling my doctor but knew that she would want me to go to the emergency room. I had too much work to do, and could not make the time. 

The next day I was fired. 

I know that my chanting protected me. I believe that my job loss was a gift and I am now chanting in deep appreciation for the help, my happiness and good health. 

I have several new job opportunities, and am expected by end of day to commit to one of them. I don’t think that I will take it. I am chanting for something much more than just a job, I am chanting for my own legacy – and while this job will certainly pay my bills, it is nothing more than that, a job that will pay my bills. 

I have two other jobs in the “hopper”. Both of them are exciting and what I am trained and love to do! I think I will hold out for the full-deal, and I am chanting for strength and courage while these opportunities come forward. 

I hope that you learn something from me sharing my experience, I certainly have learned so much from each of you when you share yours. 

Four year Anniversary of my First Post on Chantforhappiness.com

Hello! At the end of July in 2009 I began this blog with a determination to chant 2 hours a day, solve several lifelong problems and take the world along with me - so that I could inspire others to chant. At the time, I was suffering from deep sadness, and I had a pain in my hip that had been bothering me for several years. I was scared  of surgery, and had been told I needed a hip replacement even though I am so young. (They think the cause of my hip problem stemmed from a scooter accident in San Francisco in 1988). I was still trying everything to avoid surgery...physical therapy, massage, energy healing, acupuncture...you name it. But the pain persisted. I was determined to change my deepest karma, and inspire others. 

Right after I began this blog, and my two-hour a day Daimoku Campaign I was asked to help lead the Downers Grove SGI District. Later that fall my blog readers followed my posts as my sweet Mommy died. Even though it was sad, it was also inspiring how we chanted her to her next journey. And in 2010 my Daimoku gave me the courage to have the surgery and walk pain free. I felt surrounded by protection. I have accomplished everything on my list from my determinations, but I am not stopping blogging! You are all a part of my life now. Every time I chant, I chant for all of you. I chant to be able to inspire you and for you to be able to use my blog to inspire others to chant. And together we are helping people become happy and changing the world. As you know, I love hearing from you, and hear from many of you often. Many mornings I wake up to your messages of thanks. I live a wonderful life ! 

I am now offering individual coaching by phone and by email. If you email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com I will explain how that works. 

I thought you might want to read the first blog I ever posted so I'm reprinting it here: 


July 30, 2009

Join me!
I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo 
(pronounced Nahm Meeyoho Raingay Kyo)
It means - I fuse my life with the law of cause and effect through sound vibration, or I am one with the flow of life, or I am the Buddha myself! Chanting these words has a profound and practical impact on my life....and it can on anyone's life.
When you chant these words you tap into the eternal universe that's already inside you...the one you know is there, that you've always known is there. Chanting these words allows you to tap the great power you have always had.
On October 20th of 2009 I will have been chanting these words every day...twice a day for 25 years! Between now and October 20th I will be chanting two hours every single day. By October 20th I will have chanted a million daimoku (pron: diemoku, and it means chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo over and over) with a goal to accomplish many dreams:

Here are my determinations:
I wish to inspire others through sharing my heart, my struggles and my successes.
I wish to share the heart of my mentor Daisaku Ikeda (President of the Soka Gakkai International) with the world.
I will release my life from the underlying sadness I have always felt...the sadness that has no name and no real cause. I believe I was born with this sadness, and that it is my mission in this life to free myself from it.
I will have a body that is pain free! I will be able to move in any way I want. For several years I have been battling with a painful right leg. I believe it is arthritis, but I keep thinking I can solve the pain through some other means than surgery. I have never had surgery and never want to have it!
I will be on the way to losing the rest of the weight I've been challenged with my entire life. (I've already lost 50 pounds).
I will naturally attract opportunities that delight me!
I will make lots of new friends and connections!
I will become a published author!

Turning Poison into Medicine, a quote from Daisaku Ikeda

"Never has there been a time 

when ties of mutual encouragement 

and support are more needed than now.

"As human beings, 

we all experience times of despair.

But if we can endure and overcome those 

difficult times, they can become an 

important source of nourishment 

for our own growth.

"In the long course of life, 

especially with regard to those of us 

who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, 

everything negative in our lives

is definitely transformed 

into something 

positive, 

in accord with the principle of "changing 

poison into medicine." 

Therefore, put your mind at ease 

and live out your lives to the fullest with 

strong faith, 

together with your fellow members."

~ Daisaku Ikeda ~
SGI Newsletter No. 8805, On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu

PowerPrayer for Perceiving Benefit ~ An Excerpt from our Upcoming Book

PowerPrayer for Perceiving Benefit

Seeing IS believing.

As Nichiren Buddhists our faith is based on actual proof that our prayers are having a very concrete and tangible positive effect on our lives. But, we must be open, able and willing to perceive those effects to appreciate the benefit of our practice. We know for sure that during our first few months of the practice we received tons of benefits but something within us sought to dismiss them as coincidences because part of us just could not believe that it was really happening.

Here is a short PowerPrayer that can stand alone or can be incorporated in any of the other prayers to help you perceive your benefits and relish your actual proof.

PowerPrayer to be able to see benefit

My eyes are opening. 
I can now see and recognize the effects of my prayer. 
It's stunning to me. 
Things are starting to happen 
that have never happened before in my life! 
I write down everything that I want 
and I write down the date 
and I give thanks when it happens. 
I am establishing a personal written record of the benefits
that are now undeniably piling up 
and sparkling in my life.