Waking The Buddha! This is Our Time!

Clark Strand and Jamie Lee Silver

May 18th 2014

Yesterday, Clark Strand, author of Waking the Buddha spoke at the SGI-USA Chicago Culture Center.  

This important book that has come along at the perfect time for the spread of worldwide kosen-rufu. 

The book itself is part personal memoir, and part religious history of the SGI. It's an easily accessible book - a perfect book to pass along to shakubuku and members. 

Clark Strand is a former Zen Buddhist monk, former editor at Tricycle, a Buddhist magazine distributed widely, and a well-respected writer. He is not an SGI member ~ which, in my opinion, lends even more credence to his views. 

There is so much I'd like to relate to you. For now, before I head off to work, I will mention a few things that make Waking the Buddha so important. 

As Clark said yesterday, Waking the Buddha is a mirror of what the SGI movement is and what we as individuals are doing. We live with the constant thought and intention of using our lives and the examples of actual proof we show to encourage others to become happy.

We have spread this teaching of the Mystic Law in a unique way...person to person...candle to candle. The SGI is the world in miniature...a microcosm of the peace we know is possible, and are ushering in with every Nam-myoho-renge kyo we chant. 

Clark Strand has the force of spirit to say 

(I paraphrase for now - I will directly quote in future posts) 

"Look at you, the SGI! You are doing it! You are an organization unique in all the world. The SGI is the most diverse Buddhist movement, religious movement on the face of the earth. You are the fastest growing, best organized and you serve no clergy. The SGI exists for the sake of the happiness of the members. This is revolutionary. You are already successful. This is your time. This is your time!" 

He even has a rebuttal for those who would comment "Aren't those the Buddhists who chant for cars?" He answers "Yes, and they chant for the happiness of others, and for world peace, and for their families and to be better at their jobs. They chant for everything! Isn't that great?"

There is so much more to write. Stay tuned. Write me your impressions and how you are using this book at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

And as always, send me your victories to share! 

Waking the Buddha is published by Middleway Press and is available through SGI centers in America, is on Amazon.com and is also on the website SGI-USA.org. 

Challenging the Fierce Storms of Our Karma! We are Victorious!

Challenge! 

Where there is challenge, there is progress. 
Where there is challenge, there is hope. 
Where there is challenge, there is joy.
Where there is challenge, there is happiness. 
Where there is challenge, there is victory. 

All things in the universe 
are constantly engaged in challenge. 
Flowers strive to break through the deep snows 
to send up new sprouts. 
Waves crash tirelessly against rocks on the shore, 
wearing them down. 
Day after day, the sun bursts forth from the darkness 
and emerges joyously.
All things quietly and tenaciously persevere, 
working unceasingly to fulfill their unique mission, 
whether seen or unseen. 
Challenge! 
Challenge!
Challenge!
That is what it means to be alive. 

We will take on the challenge ~~
to teach one friend after another the way to happiness, 
for the sake of peace and prosperity for all people;
to stand defiant 
in the face of the fierce storms of our karma, 
so we can demonstrate the true potential of human beings;
to lead a life in which we can enjoy ourselves
at ease (see the Lotus Sutra and it's opening and closing Sutras, p. 272),
so we can proudly declare how happy we are! 

I will keep moving forward ~~
for my single, small step today
will eventually forge a great path! 
I will not be defeated~~
for I know that, even after dark nights of raging blizzards, 
the sun of victory will rise again tomorrow without fail!

Daisaku Ikeda, 
from The New Human Revolution, Volume 26, Chapter 2, installment 1. as excerpted in the May 2014 Living Buddhism

"At That Time" Our Determination Changes EVERYTHING~!

Deciding to "Stand Up and Fight" Changes Everything!

The beginning of the "Expedient Means" chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which we recite during morning and evening Gongyo begins with the phrase "At that time the World Honored One calmly arose from his samedhi and addressed Shariputra"

In "The Heart of the Lotus Sutra" Daisaku Ikeda states: 

"In terms of our practice, therefore, I would like to stress that "that time" exists only when we pray to the Gohonzon and manifest determination and awareness of our mission for kosen-rufu. (World peace through our own human revolution - using our problems to FUEL our happiness and light the way of inspiration for all by showing the impossible is possible through our lives, notes mine, js) 

We have to make a determination, 
pray and take action. 
Unless we do so, 
our environment will not change in the least, 
though five or ten years may pass, 
that time" will never arrive.

Our single minded determination for kosen rufu, 
and that alone, 
creates the "time." 
"That time" is 
when we set our lives in motion, 
when we stand up 
of our own volition and by our own will and strength. "That time" is when we summon forth strong faith 
and take our place on the grand stage of kosen-rufu.

Goethe writes, "The moment alone is decisive; Fixes the life of man, and his further destiny settles." 
"That time" is the moment you resolve 
from the depths of your heart: 

"Now I will stand up and fight!" 

From that moment, 
your destiny changes. 
Your life develops. 
History begins. "

(note from Jamie: When I sit in front of my Gohonzon, and look into the mirror of my life... I chant in appreciation for my problems and VOW to show actual proof to others that the impossible is possible, and that each one of my problems leads us closer to a world of happiness for all...because one more woman stood up and said "NO WAY!" "I will WIN!" I picture the outcome already secure and chant in happiness.) 

Mother Poem

The Most beautiful poem about mothers. By Daisaku Ikeda

Mother, what a wondrous, nourishing power you have!
Were it not for you in this world,
People would lose the earth to return to,
And wander for all eternity.

Mother, our mother.
Persevering through the storm,
You offered prayers in sadness.

I pray you will stay in good health until the day
When all your wishes are fulfilled,
And, as though endowed with wings,
you take flight toward the heavens.

Mother, with your ideas and wisdom,
I hope you will perform a melody of peace on the earth,
Where people look forward to the arrival of spring.
Thus, you will become the mother of the Century of Humanity

Preparing for a Daimoku Toso

What's a toso and why do Nichiren Buddhists do them? 

A Toso is an extended chanting session...an hour...two hours...three or more. They are not required or suggested or enforced in any way. People who do tosos just feel like doing tosos. Today I doing a toso because I really feel like chanting. Remember that scene in Forest Gump? WHen he's interviewed after running across the country and back for so long and he's asked why he did it, he says: "I just felt like Running." 

I have many challenges. No doubt you have many challenges too. We live in very challenging and uncertain times. 

I am writing my list of things to chant about, making tea, having a friend join me and here I go!
Join me! 

Wisdom from Daisaku Ikeda

FAITH is the fundamental source of vitality. Do not be defeated by a slump in faith. It is important to strive in chanting daimoku, and in association with one’s fellow believers. Although we speak of activities for kosen-rufu, the benefit of all such efforts ultimately returns to oneself.


BUDDHISM expounds the principle that “earthly desires are enlightenment”. In like manner it may well be said that hardships are benefits. As long as you maintain faith in the Gohonzon, you can definitely make your problems and sufferings the springboard towards great happiness.

THE question is whether or not prayer is at the basis of your action. Both a sense of responsibility and compassion are manifested in prayer. Action without prayer is nothing but an artifice.


NICHIREN DAISHONIN said, “Do not expect good times but take the bad times for granted” (WND, p998). If you engrave this teaching in your life, you will have nothing to fear. Nor will you ever become deadlocked. The important thing is to take that first step. If you barely overcome one small fear, it will give you the courage to take on the next one.

WHETHER or not one has attended this or that school is a trivial matter when viewed from the cosmic scope of Buddhism. Please take pride in the fact that you are studying in the eternal university if life, which teaches the supreme law of cause and effect – the Mystic Law – and the way to lead lives of absolute freedom.

THE ultimate aim of attending university is also to become happy. Likewise, gaining a good position in society is also merely a means to attain happiness. In contrast, faith constitutes the direct path to happiness. It connects directly to that goal. Guiding people to happiness is the SGI’s mission.

OUR Buddhist practice entails much hard work and effort, but there is also the tremendous joy of human revolution that could never be derived from merely leading a life of idle pleasure. That is why Nichiren Daishonin sternly warns that we must not forget the promises we have made when the crucial moment comes.

BUDDHISM teaches that it is possible to live to be 120 years old. In this sense, we are all still very young and our lives are just beginning. Our spirit to live “from this moment on” makes our lives youthful and refreshed.

CAN one live a truly happy existence if he spends it uneventfully never experiencing the waves and storms of hardships or painful experiences? I doubt it. In the process of struggling through and overcoming wave upon wave of tribulation, you can discipline yourself and elevate your state of life. In so doing, you can lead a life which is far more valuable than that of the one who never experiences storms of hardship.

FIRST, be healthy. 

Second, establish your economic base. 

Third, be trusted on your job. 

Fourth, raise your children with affection, 

and establish a secure family life. 

These are all aspects of daily life, 

and apart from daily life, there is no Buddhism.

 

Source: Daily guidance by Daisaku ikeda, Vol. 1 to 5, Singapore soka association.

True Wisdom from Daisaku Ikeda

PRACTICE and study are like the two wheels of a cart and faith is like its axle. No matter how great your knowledge of Buddhist doctrines, without practice, it will be incomplete.

REALIZING eternal freedom and happiness is the goal of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. It constitutes the purpose of our faith and of our life as a whole. You can never relive this particular existence. If you are to crown your life with the laurels of victory, you must never be cowardly. In every instance, I hope you will summon forth the courage to advance along the great path of attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.

WHAT seems like a misfortune can be an opportunity. Wherever we find ourselves, we are in the Land of Eternally Tranquil Light. Complaining does not help. Whining does not produce anything of benefit. When faced with trouble, the way to rouse one’s courage is to think positively. If one sets a positive goal - to learn something new, to regain one's health, to live a richer life - courage, hope and wisdom will well forth to meet the challenge.


ONLY when you experience the crushing, painful depths of sufferings can you begin to understand the true meaning of life. Precisely because you have experienced great sufferings, it is imperative that you go on living. The important thing is to keep moving forward. If you use your sadness as a source of growth, you will become a person of greater depth and breadth - an even more wonderful you. This is the harvest of your pain and sufferings.

SOCIAL progress, economic progress, and in fact all progress depends upon the progress of human beings themselves, who are the protagonists in these endeavours. At the same time, if the faith or ideology that human beings take as their foundation does not advance, there will be no real human progress.

FIRST of all, it is vital that we practise faith as part of the SGI organization, for only the SGI are people working together towards kosen-rufu in the unity of "many in body, one in mind". Some people may think that practicing faith alone, unconnected to the organization, is easier. But when people practice alone, their faith tends to become selfish and their actions, egocentric. This is a frightening thing.

YOU have to pray to the Gohonzon to become more broad-minded and tolerant. You have to chant and look unflinchingly at the people and the things in your life that are making you unhappy. 

Running away from things you find unpleasant is what causes suffering. 

But, if you face and challenge such situations, they will enrich your life.

NICHIREN DAISHONIN told us that "One who perseveres through great persecutions and embraces the sutra from beginning to end is the Buddha's emissary". (MW 3, p290) As long as we are striving to realise kosen-rufu, we are sure to encounter persecution. 

And it is the very presence 

of great obstacles 

that serves to strengthen our faith 

and forge 

the state of Buddhahood within us.

FAITH in the Mystic Law is the fundamental power to overcome the four sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death and to develop an eternally free and joyous state of existence.


YOUR Buddhist study will greatly support your efforts to develop a faith that never wavers, no matter what obstacles may arise. I hope you will have this spirit to read the Gosho, as it is a wonderful expression of your faith.

 

Source: Volume 1 to 5, Daily Guidance, Singapore Soka Association