PowerPrayer for Overcoming Anything !

A reader asked me if an hour is the minimum time we should chant. 

There is absolutely 
no mimimum time to chant. You can break your time chanting into as many segments as you want. 
If you're aiming towards an hour a day you can chant 1/2 an hour in the morning and 1/2 an hour at night, or intermittently throughout the day. Just turn your cell phone off, get off Facebook and chant for as long as you like any time you like. 
Although many SGI Buddhists who have practiced for a while feel it is beneficial to chant at least an hour a day.  When I was a "Baby Buddhist" I could only chant 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening. That was it. That was all I could do. As I gained strength and the sailboat of my life picked up wind and resistance, I started chanting an hour a day to power the boat forward. I began to realize that I could change my karma...I chanted a bad boss out of my life and changed my "boss karma" forever with one hour a day every morning. 


Never underestimate the power of a few moments of Daimoku. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the name of the Mystic Law within ever atom and cell in the universe. it is in the far-off stars and in the eyebrows that we cannot see on our faces. When we chant the name of this Mystic Law all forces in the universe begin to move in our favor. And this happens whether we believe in the power of the Mystic Law or not. It's a Law - when we chant it, things will change. That's just the way it is!

When we are practicing correctly, obstacles will arise. This is pure physics. We then chant to overcome these obstacles and become happy. To support ourselves and others we chant in the SGI. Soka Gakkai International. We foster each other. We educate, inspire and encourage each other in faith. If you are not connected to the SGI, be assured that your Buddhist Family is waiting for you, chanting for you, and will be so glad to see you when you click on the SGI link to the right and connect. 

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 musfortune and unhappiness are redirected and pulled int he opposite direction, toward good, when they make the Mystic Law their basis."
(Faith in Action page 119)

We can change whatever karma we have. I was born with a deep well of sadness, and that sadness went everywhere with me until I faced it and chanted it out of my life. There came a time when I felt I was strong enough, and sad enough to sit in front of my Gohonzon for 2 hours a day and chant using this PowerPrayer from my wonderful mentor Kate, who led the way by chanting depression out of her life.

What is your suffering? Lack of self-confidence? Lack of hope? Anger? Loneliness? Physical pain? Whatever it is, you can use this Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to break the bonds of your karma once and for all.  While chanting you may want to keep this PowerPrayer in mind from time to time. 
If you want to share it, please share a copy of the link chantforhappiness.com. The share buttons are at the bottom of this post. 

PowerPrayer to Overcome ANYTHING! 

"I don't CARE how many times this depression 
(or ___________) resurfaces. 
I am Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and I will get it out of my life. 
I WILL WIN! 
As I am chanting I am rooting the cause of this suffering 
out of my life forever! 
And I will defeat this depression (or _____________)
not just for me, 
but for all who who are suffering from any affliction, because if I can rid my life of this sadness,(__________) 
If I can do this, 
then I can inspire anyone 
that they can overcome their deepest suffering too 
by chanting the name of the Mystic law itself...
the law that is WITHIN my life and all of Life, 
I am Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
I can change my karma and create a better world for us all! 


Please email me your comments, questions and experiences to me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com! 

18 Types of Fortune and 3 Ways to Build Unlimited and Powerful Good Fortune

Lately I am getting a lot of emails asking how to get money  ~ and asking "Is it ok to chant for money? First I would would like to say to chant for exactly what you want. If you need money chant for money~! You deserve to have what you need. There are many, many examples of people chanting for money and getting it. I chanted for 5K and got it immediately. 

But underlying the need for money there is a deeper and more exciting benefit that we can access within our lives. We can access and build TRUE FORTUNE into our lives. 


What is FORTUNE? How do we build it for ourselves?

First of all, fortune is self made. No matter what our levels of fortune may be before we begin practicing Buddhism, once we begin intoning the name of the Law of Cause and Effect, the Mystic Law itself, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, our lives begin to move in the direction of fortune. 

With our Daimoku (chanting) we begin "changing from the inside out", the ONLY way to affect true and lasting change. 

And with each passing day of chanting, studying, encouraging others and introducing people to this practice our fortune grows and grows.

Fortune :

Daisaku Ikeda states: "Governments come and go, economies rise and fall, and society changes constantly. Only the good fortune we accumulate during our lives lasts forever. True victors are those who cultivate the tree of Buddhahood in the vast earth of their lives while achieving success both in society and in their personal lives through true faith and a true way of living. (Faith in Action page 110)

Fortune is being in rhythm so that we KNOW what to do, and have the spirit, conviction and courage to make the best possible causes at all times! 

Fortune is being in the right place at the right time. 

Fortune is Happiness and the ability to overcome any suffering and turn poison into medicine.

Fortune is strength and resiliency. 

Fortune is getting a call from an associate about a job opportunity that happens to be perfect for you. 

Fortune is having the courage and wisdom to say what must be said and do what must be done at the crucial moment. 
I had one of these crucial moments yesterday and I trusted myself to take the correct action and I'm really satisfied that I did the right thing... the absolute right action. buddhist wisdom in action. That's fortune. 

Fortune is always having what you need when you need it. 

Fortune is having the time to chant to our heart's content and encourage others, too. 

Fortune is being able to join harmoniously with our fellow SGI members creating a new kind of family for us all. 

Fortune is being born at the same time as Daisaku Ikeda and learning how to engrave the mentor disciple relationship into our lives so that it is a living, powerful source of energy and wisdom in our lives.  

Fortune is the finding solace and peace even when we have lost a loved one. 

Fortune is experiencing the true depth of friendship... knowing how to be a friend, attracting, keeping and appreciating quality people in our lives.  

Fortune is experiencing how to love and be loved in return. 

Fortune is the freedom to live our lives as we want...traveling freely and happily. 

Fortune is health. 

Fortune is the ability to laugh.  

Fortune is the ability to sit in front or our Gohonzons and cary out a meaningful dialogue within our own lives that makes the impossible possible,and brings happiness to ourselves and our families, friends and world.

Fortune is seeing that advertisement for exactly what we need when we need it. A few years ago I kick started my 70 pound weight loss by turning on the TV and seeing a weight loss program being advertised that I ordered and really worked for me. Another time I googled "Agents looking for authors" and found out about a Writer's Digest Conference in New York. A week later I was on a plane to a conference that really forwarded my writing career. 

How do we build fortune for ourselves?

1. First we must build a strong practice.  
The more "work" we put into building our practice...the less "work" we have to put into our lives...the less struggling we have to do. We can use all the resources at our disposal to CREATE the discipline to be able to chant twice a day every day and participate in activities. Being a part of the SGI is crucial. Click on the link to the right or send me an email if you need help finding your local organization. Having the wisdom to ask for assistance is crucial. Having a seeking mind to understand how and why the Mystic law can have such a profound effect on our lives is important. Studying our SGI publications is important. We call this having a seeking spirit. Chanting at least an hour a day is the fuel most people need to get the motor of their lives started. Some people prefer two hours or more. (If you don't have this time right now you can chant to have more time to chant!)

Fortune Comes from Having the spirit and the prayer: 

"I will WIN because my life is important. I will use my life as a shining example that this practice works!! My winning will be a real "win/win" because I will inspire others to the greatness of their own lives! I will win for kosen-rufu. I will win over my own negativity. I will absolutely do this!" 

2. Determine and believe we DESERVE what we want fuels our fortune. Every action we take all day long is a cause for our happiness. What do we want? Why do we want it? What can we do to fuel that desire? When I was 70 pounds heavier I wrote all the reasons I wanted to be thin. And I read that list all the time. I still have it. I found pictures of how I wanted to look, and I looked at them frequently. I visualized walking into a store and being able to buy any clothes I wanted! I fueled my determination. I fueled the conviction that losing weight was possible for me because I chant, and all my past failures just didn't count. 
Hon Nim Myo - "from this moment forth". Every time we chant we begin life anew. From this moment forth I will win. From this moment forth is EVERY MOMENT. We have the power to change. NOW. We chant the MYSTIC LAW underlying all of life. Wow. We are filled with fortune!

3. Chant for what we want, and Chant for STRENGTH of practice and strength of mind and heart! If we want money, we chant for money. If we want to NEVER WORRY ABOUT MONEY AGAIN - we chant with this in mind. If we want a job we chant for it. The world is OURS. We chant for exactly what we want!

What does fortune mean for you? Write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com with your experiences and comments! 

4 Tips for Starting a Gratitude Journal for Absolute Happiness

 

Studies are showing that summoning and expressing feelings of Gratitude leads to Happiness. Gratitude is a MUSCLE we can all exercise. We exercise the muscle of faith by chanting, and we exercise the muscle of Gratitude by focusing on it! I have a challenge for you. Start a gratitude journal and share with others on this blog how it feels and how it has changed your life. 
And express gratitude more and more each day. Who can you express gratitude to today? 

3 Tips for Starting a Gratitude Journal 

Tip #1 ~ 
Fill your heart with gratitude while you are chanting. Chant to see how great your life is! 

Tip #2 ~

Start a "Rampage of Appreciation Journal" 

for everything in your life. 

Take a journal or spiral notebook 
and put headings on the top: 

Your body ~ 
Write a list of all you appreciate, and usually take for granted...everything from the five senses to whatever you can think of...go slowly, throughout your whole body starting from the top and write what you appreciate:

Sample journal entry:
I appreciate that I can see colors, I appreciate that I can see 3D, I appreciate that I can remember, that I can sing, that I can laugh. 

Little details add up. We are wonderous in so many ways. Gratitude draws more thing to be grateful for! And keep going ~ you get the picture. See if you can fill a whole page. 

Your Family ~ what do you appreciate? What could you appreciate?

Your friends ~ what do you appreciate in the past and the present about your friends. 

Your Beloved ~ if you don't have a beloved at the moment fill this page with things you have loved about past loves in your life...only the positive things.

Your practice and the SGI ~ What brings you joy? Our daily practice, our living mentor, the Gosho, our SGI friends, meetings, laughter, songs...

Your Work/Career ~ what do you appreciate, what can you appreciate? 

Your home: you get the idea

Our wonderful planet:

Your Country: 

Your possessions: 
Car...clothes...furniture...this is a RAMPAGE of appreciation!

Other Categories? What would you add? 

Tip #3
Write in this Gratitude Journal Frequently. One friend said he began a gratitude journal last year and has had the best year of his life. If you focus on the good - well, it focuses back to you! 

Tip # 4
Express this gratitude every day! Who can you express gratitude to today? Email me your stories to share!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today as I sat down to chant, and go into dialogue with my own life, I thought "What do I want to chant for?" and gratitude came flooding into my thoughts...

I am full of Gratitude that I live an absolutely fearless life ~

Because I chant ~

I am confident that I will always have everything I need. I am not worried or afraid of anything. I do not live in fear of anything. I know the resources for ALL I need are within my own life, within my own Daimoku. I am the Mystic Law...and so are YOU!
I am not worried about whether or not my dreams will come true - as long as I keep steadily advancing, I know that everything I dream will be possible.
I am grateful for having time to chant!
I am grateful that now it is time to search for a job and I have the strength and confidence to proceed with a smile on my face and a hopeful outlook. I will find a job in business development that I really enjoy and where I can make kosen-rufu happen.
I am grateful for my health, and that I look so much younger and healthier than I did ten years ago...aaaahhh the youthening power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (and eating well, exercising and drinking LOTS of water!)
I am grateful that my son is so much better. He's driving and getting his life in order. He is smiling and moving forward. I have enjoyed our wonderful time together this fall, walking in the arboretum on the sunny days we've shared.
I am grateful for this practice, and for my friends in faith. I always know where to turn when I am seeking encouragement.
I am grateful to YOU, my readers, who send me encouragment, appreciation, insights, questions, experiences and guestblogs. Email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com.  My next book will be all experiences! Please keep your journals if you can, and write brilliant persectives on your victories. The world awaits your words of wisdom. Let me share them for you with the 35,000 readers of this blog.
I am also grateful for YOU for sending links to this blog and sharing it with others. I write it from my heart to share what I have learned with others, and to connect us all together.
I am grateful for Kate, and my co-leaders and all the members of my district and the SGI
I am grateful for my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda. 
Enjoy and have a great day ~ Jamie 

Never Give Up! from Sensei

Love YourSelf! Keep Your Eyes Open While Chanting and Enjoy Your Daimoku!

One of my early Buddhist mentors said we should greet the Gohonzon as we would a lover...to have that feeling of love in our hearts while we are chanting. 

We are, after all, greeting ourselves, aren't we? 

And love for ourselves is the most crucial and key element of happiness and contentment that makes all things flourish. Since our environment is a reflection of ourselves, it makes so much sense to fill our hearts and ourselves with self love. 

I recently saw the beginning of a video of a person I really respect ~ Louise Hay, founder of Hay House Publishing. She is now in her eighties and STILL living a vibrant, exciting and contributive life. Her main message was that all happiness stems from loving yourself. That's where it begins and ends. 

How do we love ourselves? 

I believe this is a life-long journey with many facets and twists and turns in the road. And I KNOW that I made huge strides the moment I decided to speak nicely to myself in my head. I challenge you to stop saying mean things to yourself. 

Stop calling yourself a failure, or an idiot, or stupid ~ stop getting mad at your imperfections and focus on words of praise! 

Tell yourself "Look how far you've come! you are definitely on the right track! I am so proud of you!" It might sound corny, but being NICE to yourself will change your life. So will making a vow with yourself not to complain. 

I think how we greet the Gohonzon is key to how we greet our lives, because the Gohonzon, is, after all, our life itself. 

I offer you these quotes from Sensei! 

Enjoy!

Daisaku Ikeda says:
"It's best to keep your eyes open 
and to look at the Gohonzon. 
It's generally considered impolite 
not to look others in the eye while talking to them. 
This is also true 
when we are facing and addressing the Gohonzon 
as we do Gongyo and chant daimoku. 
If you do close your eyes occasionally, 
there's no need to worry. 
It's just that when we close our eyes, 
it can be more difficult 
to commune strongly with the Gohonzon. 
This, of course, 
does not apply to people who are blind 
or vision-impaired 
who need to simply chant or do gongyo 
to the Gohonzon within their hearts. " 
From Faith in Action page 122. 

Also:

"It's very important to sit before the Gohonzon 
as though going to meet the original Buddha, 
Nichiren Daishonin, 
and that daimoku and gongyo be enjoyable. 
What's most important 
is that you continue 
in your Buddhist practice throughout life. 
There's no need to be overly concerned with formality." Faith in Action, Page 122

8 Tips for Chanting the First Time

You can change anything through chanting because you change yourself. We call this "doing our Human Revolution" and when we change on the inside, because of the interconnectivity of all life, our environment HAS to change too. 

Connecting with they Mystic law, the Law of Cause and Effect has a deep impact on us. Intoning the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo means "I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration" or, as some say "I tune my life to the rhythm of life." Saying these words is a great cause that can allow you to break through all suffering and create a life of happiness. 

"Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a Lion. What sickness could therefore be an obstacle?" 
~Nichiren Daishonin 

Ideally you will chant for the first time with another person who will be able to guide you in your practice. use the SGI Portal Link to the right to find people in your area, or chant first with the person who referred you to this post. 

1. Make a list of what you really want in life. Take a fresh look at your desires and write them down.  Dream big. What do you really want? What do you want for yourself? What do you want for others? What do you want for the world? Make a list. Write it down and put the date on it. 

Many people began chanting with desires that later turned into other desires. So don't worry about your current desires, and whether they are the "right" desires to have. Chanting is progressive, both you and your desires will evolve. I know people who began a very rewarding practice chanting for things that were important at the time, but later changed into other desires. 

One of my friends chanted for a month to prove to his wife that this practice doesn't work. More than 40 years later he is still practicing. In Nichiren Buddhism your desires ARE enlightenment. It is okay to desire whatever you desire, whether it's money, the happiness of someone else, a relationship, a job, or peace of mind and contentment. With continued practice you will see that your dreams for yourself actually become tied to the dreams of happiness for all. 

Chant for what is really in your heart. Be true to yourself. 

2. Start a Journal. No, you don't HAVE to do this. But I think it helps! Writing in a journal helps you become aware of your progress and benefits.

3. Choose a place to chant comfortably and consistently. Find your "home" with your home, where you can feel comfortable chanting out loud, having a dialogue with your life itself. 

4. Choose a focus point on the wall. Some people chant to a blank wall; I chanted to a moon in a picture. Please do not print a photo of the Gohonzon from the internet, or use any kind of idol or or person to focus on. Choose a focal point slightly above eye level. 

5. You may wish to have a small table nearby for tea or your journal. 

6. Write the words Nam Myoho Renge Kyo 
on a piece of paper. 

The words are pronounced as follows: 

Nam ~    Nahm, rhymes with Mom, 
Myoho ~ meeyohoh,  
Renge ~  rain gay, 
Kyo ~     kee oh. 
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. 
Nahm Meeyohoh Rain Gay Kee Oh
(Phonetic spelling) 

7. Begin to chant. Hold your hands with the palms facing in and touching each other in front of your heart. Sit with your back as straight as possible (but be comfortable, as I already stated - this practice is not about formalities) and say Nam-myoho-renge-kyo over and over and over again. 

8. Go to a Soka Gakkai meeting as soon as you can. The SGI Portal to the right will help you locate a center near you, and you can call that center to connect to your local meeting house. 

When you're chanting:

You do not have to concentrate on anything at first. Just say the words. Breathe whenever you have to for as long as you like. See if you can chant for a few minutes, then a few minutes more. Chant for as long as you can!  

The rhythm should sound like a train moving, or horses running. There should be some energy to it. You can chant as fast or as slow as you wish. Your speed of chanting is up to you. 
If you want to hear how it sounds you can go to the top right corner of this blog and chant with me. I begin slowly and speed up with more energy. 

Can you get to the point where you don’t have to think about the words, but can actually think about what you want? It may take a little time. Naturally you will begin to chant for what is in your heart. 

Many religions and forms of practice do not encourage people to have their OWN desires. Most of us grew up in cultures where religions never talked of our own Happiness...but this practice is different. Please mull this over. Your desires are YOU. Your desires are inspired from the depths of your life, they are as beautiful and wonderful as you are. 

When you are finished chanting you can write in your journal, if you'd like.

Start by writing an assessment of your life right now. What’s going well, what you’d like to improve on... Then write how you felt before chanting and after chanting. In your journal set a goal for how much you want to chant every day.  When I started, chanted five minutes a day in the morning and five minutes in the evening. That was enough. I had a timer next to me and I’m sure there were times I stopped before I’d even reached five minutes! You will build up momentum! 

Commit to chant twice a day every day. Establishing a twice a day rhythm to your chanting is important. It gets the wheels of your life moving. 

Keep your goals in mind and you’ll remember your reasons for chanting! 

These words and this vibration go deep into the heart of your life itself. They summon forth your highest wisdom, vitality and sense of purpose. They also uproot the karma that is making you suffer, and give you the opportunity to change this karma forever. 

When you chant you are entering into a dialogue with your life itself. You are not chanting to any god or asking for favors. Instead, you are connecting with the rhythm of the universe itself. 

As Nichiren Daishonin says in the famous writing (Gosho) "On Attaining Buddhahood" :

"If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent in all living beings. This truth is Myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life...It is called the mystic truth because it explains the mutually inclusive relationship of life and all phenomena. 
"Life at each moment encompasses the body and mind and the self and environment of all sentient beings in the ten worlds, as well as all insentient beings in the three thousand realms, including plants, sky and earth, and even the most minute particles of dust. Life at each moment permeates the universe and is revealed in all phenomena. One awakened to this principle himself embodies this relationship. However, even though you chant and believe in Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the mystic law but some inferior teaching."
From Lectures on Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime by Daisaku Ikeda, 2007  

In other words, when you chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo you are accessing the mystic law which has always been within your life. 

You will still have challenges and problems in life when you chant...but eventually you will see them as the opportunities they are. Problems are the FUEL you need to catapult your life into a life of happiness and joy. You have begun a journey to uncover the true happiness that exists in your shining Buddha life. Congratulations!

It is crucial to a successful Nichiren Buddhist practice to join the family of fellow practitioners, your fellow Soka Gakkai (SGI) members. There are many ways to locate the Soka Gakkai practitioners in your area. You can click on the SGI-USA portal to the right. 

You can also do a search on Soka Gakkai followed by whatever country you live in. Then call the center closest to your home and ask to be connected to the nearest district. 

The correct form of this practice cannot be done alone. It must be done within the orbit of faith. Joining with fellow travelers is essential. Other Soka Gakkai members will be happy to help you learn to chant, overcome your problems, and reveal your brilliant, wonderful self!  
and go to IKEDAQUOTES.org to read Daisaku Ikeda's words. He is lighting the way for us all...and for YOU!
Websites that might be helpful include SGI-USA.org and SGI.org. They contain information that is very useful. 
You may want to scroll through the titles of other posts on this blog as well. 

Let me know if I can help you. Email me with questions at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

Happy Diwali from a Reader

Such a Beautiful Blessing I received  ~ I have to share it with you. Thank you my dear friend Reet!


Today is Diwali- it's a Festival of Lights - of celebrations of good  over evil. I wish you the very best always that life has to offer.

May the sparkling and mellow flames of this Festival of Lights sweep away the cobwebs of darkness from our hearts and mind.

May the lights illumine our thinking with love and tolerance for each other.

May happiness, good health and prosperity be yours constantly!
HAPPY DIWALI


Best- Reet
Sent from my iPhone

PowerPrayer for Unleashing the Power of Our Own Lives

We all limit ourselves at times, 
or limit the vision of what we can achieve. 

Our lives are so deeply and infinitely powerful. 

This is a PowerPrayer from "The BuddhaZone, PowerPrayers for Chanting for Your Absolute Happiness", to help us to focus our chanting to achieve even more than we ever thought possible ~ 

PowerPrayer for 

Unleashing the power of the Gohonzon

(Your Life Itself)

Note: Not for the Faint of Heart!

I now unleash the unlimited power of the Gohonzon 

in my life

and I un-limit the Gohonzon 

by chanting for what is truly best for me.

I am determined to increase my levels of strength and fortitude 

to be equal to the full force of the activated

Gohonzon, my life itself.

As I chant, the positive energy within my life 

continues to overpower my fear and negativity.

Each day I am moving closer and closer to my goal

on behalf of myself 

and of all others.

Awakening Our Infinite Potential, and Helping Others Do the Same!

Wow, November is already here! How are you doing? Write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com.

I am chanting up a storm for shakubuku. Each hour I chant is going so quickly. I am dedicating my life to awakening in one YWD her infinite potential. She has been to three meetings and I am chanting for her to feel the effects of chanting, and to get her own Gohonzon so that she can fully bring forth her brilliant power. I am chanting for the District and chanting that through this prayer for shakubuku for one person, ALL are awakened to their infinite potential, and each person who is seeking happiness can awaken to their own beaming Budhahood. 

And, of course, through having this deep prayer for others, all my challenges are working themselves out without me really having to think about them. Problems I was worried about last week are just gone. I feel confident, happy, and the sun is rising in my heart every day. Those of you who read this blog regularly know that my son was sick over the last few months. He is stable now, and showing more signs of improvement every day.  
As, Sensei says "Adversity is the stage for future growth." (November Living Buddhism page 40, excerpt from the New Human REvolution Volume 25) I have been cherishing spending time with my son during these days that he would normally be so far away from me. I can feel and see Daimoku in his life. You know, Sensei always says it only takes ONE family memebr chanting to transform an entire family. I really see that now, more than ever. 

Million Daimoku Campaign Update ~

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is True Success in Life?

From Daisaku Ikeda, Faith in Action page 68:

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

Just what is success? 

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

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

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

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

When We Just Don't Feel Like Chanting!

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

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

We think: 

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

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

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

How do we become Fueled not Fooled? 

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

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

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

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

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

Our Power-Full VOW as Boddhisattvas of the Earth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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