PowerPrayer for Success at Work and in Kosen-rufu!

In The Heart of the Lotus Sutra by Daisaku Ikeda pages 68 through 70 perfectly sum up the nature of attachments and desire in Nichiren Buddhism. 

In his provisional teachings:
"Shakyamuni taught the people of the nine worlds, whose lives were steeped in misery, the path for freeing themselves from such attachments (defined as a 'fetter on one's heart'. That is, he caused them to renounce their attachments. 
"The spirit of the Lotus Sutra, however, is not to eradicate earthly desires. When we base ourselves on the Mystic Law, we can transform desires ~ just as they are ~ into enlightenment. This is the principle that earthly desires are enlightenment."  

This morning I was awake before 4:00 am thinking of all the things I need to get done. Tonight is an SGI planning meeting at my house and I have a guest coming. I am spending the day mostly out of the office at a Rotary Club meeting and a few appointments at my new job for kosen-rufu! My title is Senior Community Outreach Specialist and I generate referrals and new business for the beautiful retirement community I work for. This community has so many ways to help seniors live their best lives. Seniors can live here in Independent Living, Assisted Living, skilled nursing or join us for a respite stay or short term rehabilitation. People who live in the surrounding community can use our non-medical home care, handyman services for work inside or outside the house, or technical support service professionals who can visit their homes to help with telephones, ipads, TVs, etc.  We even have a fitness center and outpatient rehab. And above all it is a community that has a promise of respect for all. Perfect for me, right?
This job is huge benefit, with 300 employees and a fabulous mission for helping people. I meet new people and make new friends every day! 

So, of course there is a lot on my mind, and this morning I wrote a PowerPrayer to increase my peace of mind, remind myself of all I am capable of, focus my goals and keep my life condition high. PowerPrayers are a means to focus while chanting Daimoku. 

PowerPrayer for Success at Work 
by Jamie Lee Silver
from the blog chantforhappiness.com

Life!
I am now generating Peace of Mind 
and composure in all things!
I know I can accomplish all my goals 
with Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 
I am in the right place at the right time! Thank you! 
Make my life condition sky high, so that no matter what happens all day long my life conditions shines for all to see. 
Increase my ability to focus, 
and for wisdom to flow through me. 
I am now more organized and productive than ever! 
I will show actual proof today and every day in all I do. 
This job and my life IS kosen-rufu in ACTION! 
I can do it!
Keep my self confidence high!
Life! 
Wise choices flow through me. 
I have perfect timing! 
I am always in the right place at the right time 
I See and capture every positive opportunity. 
I am in rhythm with my organization 
and moving it forward in a positive direction. 
I accomplish my work goals of _______________by ____________. 
And help others accomplish their goals too. 
With every Daimoku 
I am creating a state of life 
and taking wise action 
to be an indispensable employee. 
Make my heart shine with fire and love and my every action brim with compassion and wisdom
so that President Ikeda would proudly say "Yes! ___________(your name here!)  is my disciple!" 

Finding Love and Sculpting Our Karma ~ An Experience from a Reader in India!

Experience: Ritika 01/01/2014

Relationships. They mystify - they can hurt, they can heal. They can drain, they can energize. While we women talk about them more, men are caught in them as much. I started chanting 5 years ago because I was desperate and hurting in a very bad marriage. While normally I would list out all the things that made him the “bad guy” and contributed to our unhappiness, I know better today.  He and his behavior were only puppets acting out the drama of my causes – obviously negative - from the past. 

I will be honest – it has taken me time – to get this concept of ownership – that I am the author of my destiny. Initially all I could do was chant to not feel pain, not feel humiliated, not feel alone, not feel a failure, and most importantly not feel rage at being the ticket to a Green Card. 

Buddhism taught me that my marriage was showing me my karma, that I had a choice on whether I wanted to change this forever or go the cynical route. That changing it was not only necessary, but possible, and guaranteed.  That rather than brooding over the past, why not use this as learning opportunity for what I need to do differently so I never experience such suffering again.

I had nothing more to lose and chanting was my last shot at finding the key to relationships. To my surprise, a viciously contested divorce, ended amicably and soon. This was my hook. I stepped up my practice. 

I learned that no one but me could change my karma and the way to do so was by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and plenty of it. 

I found myself happy for no reason. 

My first and chance visit to FNCC was life-transforming. I came back energized to work on myself. I wanted to sculpt not just my muscles but my karma. What is it about me that I need to change? So that I can not only magnetize a wonderful human being into my life but also offer this person a new me so we both feel “I cannot be luckier!”

President Ikeda says, 

“To think that things will somehow work out just because we are practicing amounts to taking advantage of faith. After we pray for something, we need to struggle with all our might, giving ourselves completely to actualizing it.” 

(Can find the source). I chanted many hours a day for many months, I planted the seed of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 100s of lives, and several became members – two of whom are in this meeting.  I went back to FNCC several more times to learn how to use this faith to polish my life, to understand what more I can do to change the course of my destiny. 

All through this process, I excelled at my job and also went through several changes – each making me grow and teaching me how to use an adverse situation and convert it into a springboard to leap forward. While I could literally see my life blooming under my nose, my confidence in having a beautiful family yo-yoed from hopeless cynicism and chills to a dream-like wish. I did not understand how I could make it a reality. It was too exhausting. My friends in faith kept encouraging me not to give up, to dig deep, to reach the root cause so I could uproot it. It was not pretty.

The quality of people that I was meeting was abysmal. Within hours of chatting or meeting, I could cut through the façade and walk away knowing that it was not going to work. While I did not realize this then, today I see that it was the protection of my faith – I was able to calmly assess character without being swayed by me emotions. I knew what I wanted, felt confident that I was worth it, and surprisingly patient. 

Nichiren Daishonin in the gosho Real Aspect on the Gohonzon (WND-1, p. 832) states: “A woman who makes offerings to such a Gohonzon invites happiness in this life, and in the next, the Gohonzon will be with her and protect her always. Like a lantern in the dark, like a strong guide and porter on a treacherous mountain path, the Gohonzon will guard and protect you, Nichinyo, wherever you go.” 

These little golden nuggets from the gosho and President Ikeda’s encouragement would help me keep hope alive. My friends would be bar-hopping on weekends, I would be parked in front of the Gohonzon or attend meetings. Changing karma I was learning is serious business. A casual attitude in faith yields less than desired results and I would have no one to be frustrated with but myself. I was learning to become happy just I as was, inspite of my circumstances. That I am told we called this process the emergence of Lotus Beauty in Buddhism.

In January last year I met Navdeep at a networking event. We casually exchanged business cards, meet for coffee several times, moved to dinner, he proposed to me in July and we got married in December. We both complement and bring out the best in each other. Rather than fire, we are like flowing water. We both feel lucky to have found each other. I had a spreadsheet listing all the qualities of my ideal soul mate – 2 pages long – I took the advice of clear goals to heart! I have checked off each line item  Each experience in these last five years has strengthened my confidence in this practice. Today, I have the determination that as long as I am around, any situation will be a bright one. I will be the sun of my family, my district, my community!

Inspiring Experience from a Reader

A very warm Good morning to all of you. My Name is Himani Agarwal and here I stand again to share my experience with you all.

I have been practicing Nichiren’s Buddhism for the last 3 years. I was told that I will become happy after chanting and practicing this Buddhism.  Become HAPPY?? I think until that time in my life I never thought if I am happy or not. I sincerely started chanting and reading Sensei’s writings. The more I read the more I liked this practice. I was naturally drawn to the practice as it says exactly what my heart believed from childhood.

2 years back when I came to Gurgaon to join my job I was a novice and was going through some challenges in my life. I didn’t know anyone in the city except Gakkai members.  I was very low in confidence and used to be quiet and feel very low at times. But somewhere deep in my heart I had faith that if I have NMHRK everything will be fine. I made the Gohonzon my friend.  I used to cry in front of the Gohonzon. Gohonzon knows exactly what’s going on in your heart and mind and if you chant the Universe will respond and support you in any struggle or challenge you go through.

Deep down in my heart that feeling of being alone, useless and not worthy was killing me. 

In Nichiren’s Buddhism we believe that in every person there’s a Buddha and we must respect the Buddha nature in others. The biggest slander which I was creating was that I was disregarding my own Buddha nature. I used to ask my leaders what I had done wrong and what Human Revolution did I need to do. The only answer I was given was that it’s your Karma and you only have to change it. I decided to take complete responsibility of my life and to become totally independent in every aspect of life. I increased my daimoku and the study helped me in understanding the practice correctly. 

Sensei says 

“Prayer is the courage to persevere. It is the struggle to overcome our own weakness and lack of confidence in ourselves. It is the act of impressing in the very depths of our being the conviction that we can change the situation without fail.”

I prayed to understand my own life and do my human revolution. I started having gratitude and appreciation for everything in my environment. I took every negative situation to learn and grow and made kosen rufu my goal. In this journey I was given more responsibly in the Gakkai as a deputy block chief. I tried to support my members to the best of my abilities. As my practice and understanding about Nichiren Buddhism grew, my faith in the Gohonzon also became stronger.

Nichiren says 

“A sword is useless in the hands of a coward.

The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.” 

Reading these lines again and again gave me immense courage and power. I could feel the inner growth day by day. I wanted to pursue a regular course from IIT Delhi with my regular job. I decided to apply the strategy of Lotus Sutra and Chanted for the clarity if this course is right for me this time and how would I be able to do this with my job. 

Sensei says, 

“When your determination changes everything 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 towards your success”.

Through the power of my faith my manager agreed that I can attend college before work and be in the office a little later.  This course worked as catalyst in getting my confidence back. Since long I wanted to have my own Gohonzon but to afford a house in Gurgaon is not easy. Once again I applied my favourite Gosho “Strategy of Lotus Sutra”. and prayed for a place where my mission lies with all the necessary thing I require.

After exploring whole Gurgaon I didn’t get anything and my tenure was ending soon with my existing Landlord where I was living as PG. I did finalize one deal, packed my stuff and went to my new home. To my surprise the landlord cancelled the deal and returned the advanced money paid. I had no place to stay with all my stuff in my car. A friend and his wife helped me and allowed me to stay with them till I get a new place. During this whole episode I was in high life condition not worried. I was chanting to get an accommodation ASAP. 

As I determined in my mind in 3 days I got a call for an available place. I liked the place and moved the very next day and this place is near to my block so I can still take care of my block. 

Sensei says 

“Nothing can match the strength of those whose lives have been shaped and forged through challenging and overcoming hardships. Such people fear nothing. The purpose of our Buddhist practice is to develop such strength and fortitude. To cultivate such an invincible core is in itself a victory.” 

All the incidents in my life helped in growing a better person than yesterday.

I am happy to report that I got my confidence back with immense courage and strength. As Sensei says, your life should motivate others to practice this Buddhism, two of my friends took up the faith. In the whole journey of my practice I learned a lot about about life and human nature. I truly believe now that Result is a reflection of your faith in the Gohonzon.

I re determine Sensei I will win come what may...and work whole heartedly for Kosen Rufu and grow my block in district and spread this practice through my own life.

Looking for Members in Nicaragua

If you are practicing in Nicaragua (or know someone practicing there) can you send me an email at chantforhappiness@gmail.com? We're looking to connect someone there. Thanks 

The Heart of The Lotus Sutra by Daisaku Ikeda

I am reading this new book published by the SGI and written by Daisaku Ikeda. Have you ever read a book that was so good you just want to highlight every single passage? The Heart of the Lotus Sutra explores our beloved Gongyo passages line by line in a way that is making them jump out at me in a new way...and I am gaining a new understanding and appreciation of the Lotus Sutra itself. 
With each sentence I feel like Daisaku Ikeda, Josei Toda, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Nichiren Daishonin are speaking directly to me...and to all of us. This book can be purchased through the SGI-USA.org portal on the right, and possibly at your local SGI Center. 

I have been thinking about the best way to help you gain an understanding along with me, but I really feel the best way would be for you to get the book, if possible, and read it along with me ~ sharing your thoughts and observations. 

Here are just a few of the ideas I'd like to share with you:

According to Daisaku Ikeda this book arose from Josei Toda's lectures on the Lotus Sutra. 
"These lectures arose from the vast state of life of President Toda, who had awakened to the essence of Buddhism while in prison...
..."President Toda began each series of lectures by emphasizing that the Lotus Sutra is expressed differently according to the age..."
"What do the different expressions of the manifold Lotus Sutra have in common? Ultimately, it is the teaching that everyone equally has the potential to attain Buddhahood...Nichiren Daishonin revealed the ultimate truth of the Lotus Sutra as nam-myoho-renge-kyo, enabling all human beings of the Latter Day to attain Buddhahood."

He also says that Toda made this bold declaration: 

"I want to banish the word 'misery' from this world and rid the world of poverty and sickness." and goes on to state: "The passionate cry of the spirit of my mentor, who stood up alone after the war (WWII), still resounds in my ears. This cry of the spirit is none other than the heart of the Lotus Sutra." 

President Ikeda addresses the question that often comes up in Buddhist meetings. What kind of benefit will I get by reciting words I don't understand? He writes:

"I imagine some may wonder how reciting sutra passages you cannot understand could bring about any benefit. Let me reassure you that there is definitely benefit from carrying out this practice. 
The Daishonin writes:

A baby does not know the difference between water and fire, and cannot distinguish medicine from poison. But when the baby sucks milk, its life is nourished and sustained. Although one may not be versed (in the various sutras)...if one listens to even one character of the Lotus Sutra, one cannot fail to attain Buddhahood. (WND-1, 513)"

As we are "chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we are speaking in the language of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Even though you may not understand what you are saying, your voice definitely reaches the Gohonzon, all Buddhist deities, and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas over the three existences (past, present and future ~JS) and in the ten directions. In response, the entire universe bathes you in the light of good fortune.
At the same time, of course, if you study the sutra with this practice as your basis and with a seeking spirit, you can as a matter of course deepen your confidence and strengthen your faith."

In a later passage, Daisaku Ikeda states:

"Nichiren's intent is for each person to shine as a celebrity of the Mystic law in their community and in society at large. By making dedicated efforts in faith, we are certain to develop such a reputation." 

There is so much more I'd like to write, but it is time to start my day. I have been enjoying every moment of my life. I love my new job. I love the people I work with. I am enjoying the new man in my life. Yesterday we went to the boat show in Chicago and I am allowing myself to believe that there will be wonderful days of Sunshine and boating in my future. Boating is one of those things I have always wanted to spend more time doing. It's another example of "Making the impossible possible!" Today I am going to a concert celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, and having my sons and some friends over to watch the 49er/Seattle Seahawks football game. (My son Aaron is a diehard fan of the 49ers...and he was born in San Francisco after all!) Ben is doing great. He's enjoying his new job and looking forward to some college courses coming up in a few weeks. My fortune is overflowing and I continually pray the same for you. 

Guest Blog for a Happy Marriage!

Here is a guest blog from a reader sharing her new realization and fresh determination to create a happy marriage: 

"I Just read your reply to 'Broken Heart' and had a little ponder to myself.  

When I first started practising, I was incandescent and could not understand why the whole world was not chanting.  My zealousness scared my husband and we had some major clashes and at one point he threatened to leave me.  I kept chanting, getting guidance, chanting for him and myself. At the point he threatened to leave, my practice was strong enough that I could say quite calmly ' you must do what makes you happy, if that does t not include me we can come to a fair arrangement over the business and the boys, but I will not give up this practice.' I think it shocked him how strong I had become, I did not fear being alone. (broke yes, but not alone). 

   

Six years passed and the Gohonzon is enshrined in the heart of our home, my husband sits at the computer while I 'drone'.  Things settled down and I am so grateful!  This week we had our first clash in ages; it started as a business/money row but once again he turned angry at my practice. (2 meetings in one week). Well, I muttered to myself for the day, went over and over the argument in my head with better more crushing responses, leading to my triumph....we had a polite and silent night, then the next day I chanted while driving and I had a light bulb moment, an epiphany. 

I wasn't practicing, I was cruising! 

I had stopped chanting for his happiness!  

I immediately turned off all my slandering nit picky criticisms of his character and started a list of all the great things that he is and when I got home I wrote them down and formed a prayer. I chanted for my Buddha nature to reach out and recognize his.  I really want a partner in faith, I really want him to chant, and most of all I realized, I want him to be happy. 

His purpose in my life is to to challenge my faith to make it stronger, I just needed reminding. 

After all, if I hadn't been so unhappy with my life and him, I would not have gone to the library and found 'The Buddha in your  Mirror.' in the first place...he brought me to the practice really! 

I mentioned this at the meeting last night and said I am chanting to reduce my fight/flight/defensive response to my husband's criticism of the practice.  The study was "Reply to Yasaburo", where Nichiren is giving pointers on how to conduct oneself in debate, and I think the key is to be better prepared with study. And in my case maybe some stock answers.  It's not as if my husband is a great orator; his standard reply to any religious belief is 'it's all bollocks' which is hardly a well thought out argument, not based on any experience and he dismisses all my proofs;  so I will be chanting to find the angle that hooks him, the right words to make him pause.  

Wouldn't it be great if he took the 'Amos challenge'!  (And took on practicing just to prove I am wasting my time. That's how Amos began chanting, and he's still chanting and inspiring people more than 40 years later) 

My husband is such a strong, energetic determined man.  I remember at the beginning I set myself a target of 10 years to get him to chant with me.  I better re-determine that and get a move on!

Anyway glad to get that off my chest, I feel I must be making some small progress for kosen rufu and my practice for this to happen this week.  

With love and respect,        

a reader of chantforhappiness.com"

Healing a Broken Heart

I received a comment from a woman with a broken heart. She's been chanting for five months and the man that she was in love with left her. I wish to address her here:

Dear Broken Hearted, 
Please do not give up. I can truly understand. The reason I began this blog was my broken heart. I was longing for a man who went away. Every morning I would wake up with his face in my mind...and I felt a constant physical ache in my belly....constant...real pain. It was hard to breathe sometimes. I felt like I was living in a nightmare...in the world of hunger. I could not get him out of my mind. 
Because of the suffering I went through then...and my fierce determination to change my life from the INSIDE so that I would never ever experience this intense pain again...this blog was born, and so was my incredibly beautiful life that I have now. 
The broken heart spurred me to chant 2 hours a day and sit in front of the Gohonzon chanting from the bottom of my soul to CHANGE MY KARMA FOREVER....to CHANGE WHATEVER WAS IN MY LIFE THAT ATTRACTED THIS HEARTACHE....to tear the ROOT of my suffering where men were concerned OUT of my life, AND to LOVE MYSELF SO MUCH....and most of all to USE my victory to prove the power of the Gohonzon (my own life), inspire others to rise from their own suffering and that this kind of pain would go away forever. Forever. 

I chanted to raise my life condition because I was in the world of hunger, or the world of hungry spirits. That is the closest world to hell as many of us know. In the world of hunger there is insatiable desire. I chanted with all my heart to raise my life condition and experience life as the Buddha I am. 

Of course I spent a lot of time chanting to get him back too...because I wanted him back, and believe that chanting sincerely for what you really want is the fuel that fires all your results in life. So I chanted to have him back...and I did get him back...for a time. But in my heart I knew that this relationship was just not meant to be...and gradually, over time, eventually moved on. 

I embraced my SGI district and chanted for each person every day. I chanted to change the heartache in my life for the sake of every woman who ever suffered in this way. 
I really know how you feel.

If you can sit in front of your Gohonzon and chant resonant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for exactly what you desire...you will win. Don't worry if your desire is "correct"...ALL your desires are correct. They are yours. Chant from the bottom of your heart. USE THIS PAIN TO FUEL YOUR BEAUTIFUL FUTURE!
Here I am now...I have my own sweet, beautiful little apartment in a gorgeous area with a pond, a pool and a health club. I have a miraculous new job where I am able to really have an impact. I have many friends, and a really happy life. 

And my happiness doesn't depend on anyone or anything. My focus is on doing my own human revolution, knowing that any real change happens within my life and is reflected on the outside in everything and everyone. 

That is the real key in life. Follow President Ikeda's Guidance. Chant for those you love...and those you don't love...and you WILL free yourself  from this pain. 
I promise. If I can do it so can you!

All my best, 

Jamie

Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

Daily guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

WHEN we dwell in the world of the Mystic Law, 
the sun of hope continually rises in our hearts 
and we experience a new dawning of life at each moment. Kosen-rufu is an activity for the purpose 
of building a glorious land 
where shines the sun of eternal peace. 
It is a battle to rid the world of misery and unhappiness, 
and call forth the dawn of happiness and security.

OUR daily life is a constant struggle 
to break through deadlocks. 
Yet, no matter what may happen to us, 
there is no need to become pessimistic. 
Viewed from a more profound perspective, 
every problem is a test of our faith; 
it provides us with an opportunity, 
and a turning point, 
to increase our happiness 
and further advance towards attaining Buddhahood.

A mirror that is tarnished or dirty will not reflect anything. 
It must be polished. 
Chanting daimoku with faith in the Gohonzon 
is the act whereby we polish the mirror of our life. 
The Daishonin established the Gohonzon 
solely so that people could polish their lives and
powerfully manifest the Gohonzon existing within.

WINNING is not a matter of form or appearances. 
It has nothing to do with vanity. 
Nor is it a matter of simply navigating one's way
smoothly through an organization 
that has already been created.
Victory in life 
ultimately hinges on whether one has truly strived,
whether one has truly advanced.

A struggle means making strenuous, 
painstaking efforts behind the scenes, 
always being the first to take action on all fronts, 
always thinking ahead 
and being well prepared in advance, 
in order to open a sure path to victory.

Daisaku Ikeda

1 Main Difference between Nichiren Buddhism and the "Law of Attraction"

This is my personal opinion about how our practice compares with the Law of Attraction. I have not heard of any official stance on this by the SGI, this is just my personal observation based on practicing for the last 28 years. Jamie Lee Silver, Chantforhappiness.com 

I am very familiar with the law of attraction. I have read The Secret and studied the Law of Attractionand I DO believe that what we focus on is very important. But that's not ALL their is...

One Main Difference:  

The Law of Attraction says we need to focus on the positive, and what we want to bring into our lives. Yes...but...the Secret is missing any recognition of karma, and a consistent practice to elevate each person's vibration. Every day, by chanting, we elevating our life-condition. We intone the rhythm of the name of the universe itself, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, meaning: I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration.

Let's face it, some things are easier to change than others, right? For some things you can just focus on, watch how others are accomplishing them and just make the change and make it happen. Other things, well...they could take years; they are more embedded karma, but they CAN be changed with this practice. 

Without the tool to tap into the source vibration itself and elevate our life condition, some of the things we want to change may never change. This is why we chant. And we receive actual proof every day that this practice works! 

We know that changing our karma is not easy. That's why we chant twice a day - every day! We fight to change our karma. We know that we must not just change our own karma and become happy for ourselves ~ but we also are in the daily process of helping others achieve happiness too, and spreading the word of the mystic law. If the law of attraction by itself really worked for all people, wouldn't everyone who focuses on what they want already have achieved their goals? 

As we know, Karma is the sum total of all our past deeds of every lifetime we have ever lived. Karma is not our FAULT, we are not bad people for having karma. We all have karma. SGI Buddhism tells us we don't have to spend lifetime after lifetime paying our karmic debt. We can change it right here, right now by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and challenging ourselves in faith, practice and study. 

What does this mean? It means that we get out of chanting what we put into it. The Gohonzon is a mirror of our lives. It is the vast sonic mirror that reflects the highest potential life condition, the life condition of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha who was predicted to be born in the Latter Day of the Law and teach us all the correct Buddhist practice for our time. After studying and researching for years, Nichiren realized that the title of Shakyamumi's highest teaching, the Lotus Sutra, was the correct practice and he began chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in the 1200s in Japan. He inscribed the Gohonzon to enable people to bring out the highest state of life within each person. 

Even though the Gohonzon, the scroll we face when we chant, is our object of worship, we are not praying TO it. Since the Gohonzon is depicting our highest life condition, it is actually within all of us. We chant to bring forth the wisdom, the energy, the Buddhahood we ALREADY possess. 

When we chant we are chanting to our own life, our own essence, our own Buddha nature. We don't chant to Buddha! We chant to our own highest selves...deeper than our subconscious minds...the part of us that is connected to the whole universe. It is, of course, impossible to explain and must be experienced. If you are reading this blog and haven't experienced chanting...well, the only way to experience it is to DO it! Join us! Come to an SGI meeting. They are happening all over the world.  

When I first began, I chanted 5 minutes every morning and 5 minutes every evening, and I went to SGI meetings to learn more.  I had a "seeking spirit" and felt I was onto something. 28 year later I am still "onto something" and live my life to help others tap into the power within themselves. When we live this way life is an incredible joy...and all our problems FUEL our happiness! To find a meeting in your area, click the SGI Portal on the right. 

6 Actions and A PowerPrayer to Reveal Your Buddhahood and Appreciate YourSELF

Your words DO have great power. 

Make sure when you speak to yourself 

that you use kind and loving words. 

Often we are hardest on our own selves, right? 

It is up to each one of us to reinforce what is RIGHT with us. Changing our focus to the positive is at the core of revealing our own Buddha Nature. 

Of course, as we all know, the law of cause and effect operates in our lives all the time. If we focus our daimoku on what we are doing right, chant to make positive causes, and to reveal our Buddha Nature, we will see positive effects in our lives. 

So, my ideas for changing a negatively focused life to a positively focused one follow:

1. Before you get out of bed in the morning think of at least 10 things you are grateful for. They can be anything from health to friendships to ANYTHING. What are you grateful for? I advised my sweet Mommy to do this when she was feeling depressed, and she said it entirely lifted her depression. This is one of those things that sounds like a good idea, but really, if you try it, it does make a difference. 

2. When you chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo every morning and evening, start with a feeling of gratitude. SUMMON gratitude. Work your spiritual muscle. Think of what you are grateful for, and make your own life, and your own self be part of that prayer. We are all so fortunate to have heard of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.  We are all fortunate to be practicing, to have a Gohonzon, and to be a part of the Soka Gakkai organization with our mentor Daisaku Ikeda and countless sincere members worldwide.  Bring forth that feeling of appreciation when you chant. 

3. Chant to reveal your Buddha nature. Chant to believe in the goodness within yourself. Chant to shine your life from within. 

4. When you focus on your life being the actual proof that this practice works you will see benefit. When you focus on being an example, and having your life and actions inspire others to begin chanting, you will see benefit flowing in all directions into your life. Chant to do shakubuku and help others become happy, and you will experience greater joy than ever before. 

5. Realize that you ARE the Buddha. You are the walking, talking embodiment of someone who is awakened to the law of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This realization alone is a great cause for your happiness. Chant to see yourself as a Buddha and to feel yourself as the true Buddha you are. 

6. I chant to see the world through Daisaku Ikeda's eyes and to share his heart for Kosen Rufu. Sometimes when I chant I imagine him sitting here with me, and that our prayers for the happiness of all people are joined. 

Power Prayer for revealing 
our Buddha Nature and Appreciating OurSelves

"I chant to reveal the pure, sparkling Diamond
 of resilience, strength, wisdom and heart
 that lies within me. 
I chant to be more and more aware 
of my Buddhahood every single day. 
I chant that every cause I make, 
at every single moment of every single day 
leads me to see more and more of my Buddha nature. 
I chant that my Buddha Nature emerge 
and flow from my life touching everyone I see. 
I chant that I see my life 
as the brilliant sparkling Diamond that it is. 
I chant that throughout the day 
I say only nice words to myself and others. 
I chant to praise myself with my every thought. 
I chant to believe in my own goodness 
and to see it revealed in my actions. 
I pray to realize my life as the Buddha I am.
I chant that those around me are inspired to begin chanting, 
just by seeing my happiness flow. 
I chant to meet the people who are looking for this law, 
and to be able to help them practice"

As always, feel free to write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com

Heart-to-Heart Dialogue Transcends Time and Space

This Guidance came to me through my good friend in faith Amos Snell. 

It is based on SGI Vice President Mr. Matsushita's guidance given at FNCC.

Heart-to-Heart Dialogue 

can be carried out 

anywhere, 

anytime 

to anyone.

In 1992 Sensei took a walk in the cemetery to converse with the souls who were greeting him joyfully. They were having a heart to heart dialogue. He said Dialogue requires heart-to-heart connection. True Dialogue. 

Sensei said you can have dialogue in your heart with anyone anywhere at any time, living or dead. 

What is the first step to touching another person's heart? Appreciation. 

Chant to develop appreciation. The path of the Bodhisattva lies in developing and expressing appreciation. 

How to Increase Our Efforts by 100X

In 1993 Sensei said he was going to increase his efforts 100 times more than ever before. His trusted advisers were perplexed. He was already doing so much, how could he make this happen? They thought he might just be saying this to encourage them, but they couldn't imagine it happening. But, he DID increase his efforts by 100 times. 

And he explained how to accomplish this:

Sensei said: 

I always focus on the here and on the now. 

I strive to see this very moment. 

It's the only one I have. 

I put 100% of my life, my effort, 

into changing that moment. 

Anyone who lives their life this way 

will have tremendous fortune. 

Everything begins with Gongyo. 

Who will I present to the Gohonzon today? 

WIll I present someone without confidence...

someone who questions if he deserves his benefits 

and is begging the Gohonzon to save him? 

Or will I present my true eternal self. 

If I chant with 

Optimism, 

Concrete Goals, 

Courage, 

Wisdom 

and Compassion 

I will generate the conviction that 

"I will make this happen 

based on the power of the Buddha Inside." 

When we chant our life fuses with the Mystic Law. 

Our life is as expansive as the whole universe  - 

it expands beyond our skin 

into the far reaches of the universe. 

Our life, 

powered with Daimoku 

can move anything in the universe.