PowerPrayers for Men and Women

In Learning from the Writings, The Hope Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin SGI President Ikeda's Lecture Series, published 2009 by World Tribune Press (available through the SGI link to the right) we found a very interesting passage regarding the difference in the faith of men and women. Julia (my writing partner) and I are working on the PowerPrayer section of the book and decided to write two power prayers for this passage, one for women and one for men. President Ikeda's insights are so fascinating, we want to build on their concepts and develop power prayers that expand the strength of both women and men. We have offered this PowerPrayer to one of the men we are working with and he has reported Power-full results. Enjoy!

First, I'll share the passage, and the PowerPrayers follow. 

The passage is on page 8 of Learning from the Writing. President Ikeda states:

"For we generally find that it is women ~ more so than men, who often let egoism and appearances hold them back ~ who demonstrate the infinite power of the Mystic Law at a crucial moment, just as the teachings instruct. The power of belief leads to a state of mind free of fear and doubt, which is the very essence of what it means to have faith. No devilish function can possibly defeat a woman who has attained such a state of mind. A women of deep faith who correctly practices the Mystic Law possesses the wisdom to instantly distinguish between right and wrong. She has the essential courage to sweep away the three poisons - greed, anger and foolishness. She is endowed with compassion. Inspired by a teacher awakened to the Mystic Law, her wisdom, courage and compassion fuse together in a firm, unwavering resolve. Such a women will never be swayed by the maneuvers of any devilish function."

For Men:

The power of my life enables me to prevent egoism and appearances from holding me back any longer. I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my deepest, most secret wish to become happy and turn it into a powerful VOW.  A Vow that is the very essence of what it means to have faith. No devilish function can possibly defeat a man who has attained such a state of mind. The immense power of my life has given me the wisdom to instantly distinguish between right and wrong, for I am a man who correctly practices the mystic law. I have within my powerful core the essential courage to sweep away all obstacles, including greed, anger and foolishness. I am no longer concerned with appearances. The treasure of my heart is way more powerful and shines like a beacon illuminating my way and the way for a great, great many. 

PowerPrayer for Women: 

The power of my life leads me to a state of mind free of fear or doubt. I now deepen my faith! I see every devilish function for exactly what it is ~ another log on the fire to fuel and deepen my faith. 
No devilish function can possibly defeat me!
I instantly distinguish between right and wrong. 
I now possess the essential courage to sweep away greed, anger and foolishness. 
I expand my capacity for all nurturing compassion. 
My wisdom, courage and compassion fuse together in a firm, unwavering resolve. 
I am NEVER defeated by obstacles. 

Ultimate PowerPrayer for Human Revolution

When we are determined to change our lives it has to start from within. When we change, our environment changes. It is simply a fact of life. What's a good PowerPrayer for this?

Here's one of my absolute favorites from my upcoming book:

"Life! I am determined to make any changes I need to make in my thoughts, my actions, my chanting, to make continual positive causes that will result in rooting the cause of my negative karma OUT OF MY LIFE!  I am determined to make the changes inside myself...to do my own human revolution and raise my life condition! I am determined to change in any way I need to change to attract the ____________________(you fill in the blank) into my life. Life! I am bringing the determination, wisdom and fire I need to create the life of my dreams. 

I AM NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO! I AM ROARING LIKE A LION IN MY OWN LIFE! I WILL CREATE MY LIFE! 

I do this not only for me, but for everyone who is suffering. I am determined to glow within my own life. I am determined to be a shining light for all who are suffering. I am determined to be the beacon of hope that ANYONE can solve their problems by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I am ready to meet people who are ready to hear about this practice!  I chant to have the most inspiring life. Gohonzon (my life) I need to see these results now!"

The Most Powerful Way to Overcome Your Fundamental Darkness

This says it all. How much do you really want to be happy? You can totally change your life by recognizing and overcoming your fundamental darkness by establishing a rock-hard consistent practice of doing gongyo and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo twice a day - every day.  

Last night was a Gosho study here. We studied "The Workings of Brahma and Shakra", by Nichiren Daishonin. 
The line that stands out the most from President Ikeda's Gosho lecture is this:

"When devilish functions are recognized for what they are, they lose their power."

Daisaku Ikeda, June 2013, Living Buddhism page 23. 

And as I always say, be FUELED by your devilish functions (obstacles) not FOOLED! When you see them for what they are ROAR them out of your life! 

Ok. How CAN we see our fundamental darkness for what is it, and how do we overcome it?

Last night one of our visiting members said he was having trouble doing evening gongyo. As we were discussing this he came to see that whatever was stopping him was a manifestation of his own fundamental darkness...the forces in life that try to hold us back. 
Whatever stops you chanting HAS to be fundamental darkness. And once you see it for what it is you can just make a fierce determination to do gongyo twice a day ~ and do it. Your friends in the SGI will support you. They will come to your house, call or text you. Whatever you want. Just ask for the support and you will get it. You can even get support on Facebook if you want. Reach out and your friends will be there. 

The beautiful thing is this: When you overcome the fundamental darkness that keeps you from practicing consistently you will SIMULTANEOUSLY break through in all areas of your life. Put the effort into your practice and the rest of your life flows more easily. Please don't believe me when I say this. Please experience this phenomenon by DOING it. There is no other way. 

A few other thoughts:

What IS fundamental darkness? It exists within every person. It was in the original Buddha, it was in Nichiren Daishonin and all three Presidents. We ALL have it. We don't have to be scared of it and we can defeat it, over and over and over again! It manifests in different ways in all of us.  

For myself, my fundamental darkness used to appear often as depression. Many times I called my mentor in faith to request guidance and she'd say "It's back! That's just your fundamental darkness!" That freed me. 

I am just like you. When I see fundamental darkness for what it is I get rid of it through Daimoku. Knowing what it is gives me power. And it's easier for me to do this because of my strong practice. I chant at least an hour every single morning...and sometimes much more. I chant evening gongyo consistently, even if I don't particularly feel like doing it! 

And I have overcome the deep depression I used to experience on a regular basis. I've also overcome the extreme longing I lived with every day. These are benefits of practice. This is the promise of this wonderful Buddhism.

So, just like the meme above says - think about what you want MOST. And use your powerful practice to get it! 

PowerPrayer Book Questions for You...

Feelings ARE like waves aren't they? 

Right now I'm feeling pretty darn good. Julia and I are making a lot of progress on the 

The Buddha Zone, 

PowerPrayers

 for Chanting for your Absolute Happiness. 

How do you like the title? Any suggestions? 

Can you send me some questions you would like answered, or that you think people new to this practice should know? 

Are there PowerPrayers that have helped you? have you used the ones from this blog, or have you written your own? I would love to hear from you at chantforhappiness@gmail.com

A Quote to Engrave in Our Lives

The Chicago River at Night ~ 

looking out towards Lake Michigan

Determination

"When your determination changes, 
everything else will begin to move 
in the direction you desire. 
The moment you resolve to be victorious, 
every nerve and fiber in your being 
will immediately orient itself toward your success.
On the other hand, if you think 
"This is never going to work out," 
then at that instant every cell in your being 
will be deflated and give up the fight, 
and then everything really will move in the direction 
of failure."

President Ikeda

Friendship Depends on You

Carl Sagan quote about the Power of the Written Word

Thank you Carl! Well said. 

I'll bet he would have said this 

about the written words in blogs too.