What if You are dealing with illness?

I received a question from a reader who's illness has gotten worse since she started chanting. 


She was asking for confirmation that she should keep chanting, even though facing these concerns. 


Today I atended a lecture at the Chicago Buddhist Center by Linda Johnson. She talked about many things, health included. I'll paraphrase a bit here. 


She said May is a time for us to reaffirm our mission to be able to demonstrate the power of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in our own lives in order to encourage others. 


Transforming our own destiny has nothing to do with anyone or anything outside of our own lives. It is something that we have to change from within. 


Nichiren Daishonin was a revolutionary during his time, and he is still a revolutionary NOW because he tells us to look within to solve our problems, not to look outside ourselves. 


Everything operates on the strict law of cause and effect. Everything around us, all the people, the job, everything, no exception (including illness) is operating on the law of cause and effect. And we have to realize that we have caused the effects we see in our lives today. But don't get upset and close your computer and run away when I tell you this! Understanding this fact is the only way that you will get mastery over your life!


All you have to do is OWN that you, living lifetime after lifetime, made the causes that have you in the place you are right now....with whatever sadness, sickness, loneliness, etc. You need to own your karma....only THEN can you make the deep determination to change it. 


But! Very important to KNOW! ~
Owning your karma is not the same as BLAME, GUILT, SHAME. Do not think of it as your FAULT...and above all, do not waste your time analyzing it and trying to figure it out. DON'T DO IT! IT WON'T GET YOU ANYWHERE!!!


All you need to do is recognize the interconnectedness of life, and see that the one common denominator in all your problems is YOU. And with that knowledge and power...YOU can change it! There is nothing Nam Myoho Renge Kyo can't change!!!!


Chant to get to the core of your karma...chant to reach into your life and uproot the karmic cause of suffering by the roots and dash it out of your body!!! 


Shut off your brain. Stop analyzing it! 


Just chant to change it! 


Pray to change it from a place you can use to encourage others. Chant "I must change this so I can be happy and my happiness will encourage others!!!"


About illness ~ Linda said chant to wake up every one of your cells to the power of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo... and send it through your entire body! She told a story about a woman whose son had lymphoma and the doctors had said he only had a short time to live. The mother chanted this way...sending Nam Myoho Renge Kyo through his bloodstream and now he is cancer free. 


You are powerful! 
Summon up the faith to change your karma. 
Please realize that chanting brings forth all you need to change to become happy, and change every single thing until you are happy and don't give up!! 

Gosho Quote for you

On this, the one year anniversary of my Mom's death, I share with you these words that have been inscribed in my heart.

This is one of the only religions that has the actual texts of the founder in written format...not someone else's interpretation of the founder's words. This quote reinforces how incredibly fortunate we are to have the Gohonzon and be able to draw the rich power of the universe from within our lives.

...from Reply to Kyo'o

This was written to Shijo Kingo's infant daughter, but meant for his parents. They had been followers for many years, and had recently been bestowed with the Gohonzon. They were one of the first families...and they had written the Daishonin to inform him that Kyo'o was very sick. This letter was his response. It was written August 15th, 1273.

Gosho Quote (This is almost the whole of this short Gosho):

Since I heard from you about Kyo'o Gozen, I have been praying to the gods of the sun and moon for her every moment of the day. Always cherish the Gohonzon which I sent you some time ago for her protection. This Gohonzon was never known, let alone inscribed by anyone in the Former or the Middle Day of the Law. The Lion, king of beasts, is said to advance three steps, then gather himself to spring, unleashing the same power whether he traps a tiny ant or attacks a fierce animal. In inscribing this Gohonzon for her protection, Nichiren is like the lion king. This is what the sutra means in "the power of an attacking lion." Believe in this mandala with all your heart. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like the roar of a lion, what sickness can therefore be an obstacle?

...Wherever your daughter may frolic or play, no harm will come to her, she will be free from fear like the lion king... But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then he will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff. I Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi, so believe in this Gohonzon with your whole heart. The Buddha's will is the Lotus Sutra, but the soul of Nichiren is none other than Nam Myoho Renge kyo. Miao-lo states in his interpretations, "The revelation of the Buddha's original enlightenment is the heart of the sutra."

Kyo'o Gozen's misfortunes will change into fortune. Muster your faith and pray to this Gohonzon. Then what is there that cannot be achieved? You should believe the Lotus Sutra when it says, "This sutra fulfills one's desires. It is the pond's cool, clear water that quenches thirst." and "They will have peace and security in this life and good circumstances in the next. When I am pardoned from exile in this province, I will hasten to Kamakura where we will meet. If one considers the power of the Lotus Sutra, he will find perpetual youth and eternal life before his eyes...."

Thank you Nichiren Daishonin!

Love to you!

Jamie