Today I visited Aaron and Meg in
their new apartment in Chicago.
From the World Tribune for August 2105, Daisaku Ikeda states:
"To personally undergo difficulties
in order to prevent practitioners in future ages
from giving up
is an expression of the Buddha's compassion.
"In one respect, all the challenges and hardships
we of the SGI experience today are for the sake of the eternal future of kosen-rufu
(a world of respect for all, a world of peace and harmony. (notes mine JS)
They will serve as a reference point for distant ages hence, a model and blueprint of kosen-rufu for future generations."
Daisaku Ikeda, Living Buddhism, August 2015, page 60.
WOW~ think about this! The above passage means that we, right here right now, are writing the stories that future generations will read. We are Shijo Kingo, we are the treasured disciples of Nichiren Daishonin and we are living alongside our mentor in life Daisaku Ikeda. Daisaku Ikeda has often said that we will be known as the Soka Gakkai Buddhists.
So these words, and my determination are not just for this moment, but for many years from now. I write for members, for readers of this blog, and for the future. Hello, future readers. I am sure we have traveled together many times in life! I sincerely hope my words, our shared experiences will inspire you that anything is possible!
You know, President Ikeda often writes about having the realization that we "summoned this storm"...we encounter exactly what the problems we need to advance our lives, prove the power of the Mystic law and ultimately be happy.
And then something big happens (like losing a beloved child) and it is so easy to think "Oh no, this must be an exception. There is no way I could have summoned this. Who would ever "choose" to lose a precious child."
This is where our seeking mind, and our faith like flowing water comes into action.
And I have been busy studying, getting guidance, chanting and writing to really understand how I can take this and turn poison into medicine. Why? Because I HAVE to. I am a Bodhisattva of the earth and so are you! My life will have more value than ever through walking through the fire of having a precious son die. It is the only way!
Also from the August Living Buddhism, page 58:
"To practice Nichiren Buddhism
is to live with the unshakable conviction
that the most painful and trying times
are opportunities for changing karma,
for carrying out our human revolution
and that, no matter how difficult the situation,
we can ultimately and without fail
transform them into something positive."
"The greater our problems or sorrow
the greater the happiness we can change it into.
This is the power of chanting
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
That's why those who chant do not fear anything.
There is no need to."
By Daisaku Ikeda from the August 2015 Living Buddhism from the essay "Transforming Karma Into Mission" beginning on page 52.
how beautiful...thank you Jamie
ReplyDeleteHere's the original, from my RSS feed.
ReplyDeleteIn a few moments, I will go visit my wonderful Aaron and Meg in their new apartment in Chicago
(You can now subscribe to this blog by putting your email in the box to the right:)
From the August Living Buddhism, Chapter 10, Transforming Karma into Mission by Daisaku Ikeda:
"To personally undergo difficulties
in order to prevent practitioners in future ages
from giving up
is an expression of the Buddha's compassion.
"In one respect,
all the challenges and hardships
we of the SGI experience today
are for the sake of the eternal future of kosen-rufu
(a world of respect for all, a world of peace and harmony, notes mine.)
They will serve as a reference point
for distant ages hence,
a model and blueprint of kosen-rufu
for future generations."
Daisaku Ikeda, Living Buddhism, August 2015, page 60.
Wow, could it be possible that what I am going through, what each of us is going through is for the sake of kosen-rufu forever? If so, greetings to the readers of the future! Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! I am writing for now and the future, just like my beloved Walt Whitman!
President Ikeda often writes about having the realization that we "summoned this storm"...we encounter exactly the problems we need to advance our lives, prove the power of the Mystic law and ultimately be happy, while encouraging others to be happy.
And then something big happens (like losing a beloved child) and it is so easy to think "Oh no, this must be an exception. There is no way I could have summoned this. Who would ever choose to lose a precious child?"
This is where our seeking mind, and our faith like flowing water comes into action.
I have been studying, talking to my leaders, and chanting. And I've been chanting the way Gene O'Connell suggested, to realize Daisaku Ikeda's dream. (I take that two ways - to "realize" as in really understand, and to "realize" as in make real.) And I feel connected to his dream and mine, of a world, where, even when a child dies, the mother forges ahead resolutely, even MORE inspired than before, and even THROUGH her grief. And in this way I aim to inspire the people around me, you, my readers, and now, future generations.
"Boddhisatvas of the earth always emerge courageously in the most challenging times and the most challenging places."
(Ibid, page 54)
"To turn even sorrow into a source of creativity - that is the way of life of practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism."
(Page 55.)
So, all of you who may be reading this, now, in 2015, and sometime in the future, I will take this great poison, this great obstacle, this great sorrow and turn it into something magnificent! And I vow that I can and will be happier than ever before.
"The greater the problem or sorrow,
the greater the happiness
we can change it into.
This is the power of
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
That's why those who chant
do not fear anything.
There is no need to."
Page 59
Thank you!! This is so profound!
ReplyDelete