Universal Power Prayer for Ourselves and the Planet

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As Nichiren Buddhists, we are the Buddha  ~  
as we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo summoning our fathomless wisdom while steering our life in the direction of our innermost desires...both for ourselves and for others. 

We chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo over and over and over again. We call this "chanting Daimoku"(Die-MOH-Koo). Daimoku means title. The title of the Lotus Sutra (Shakyamuni Buddha’s self-proclaimed highest teaching) is  Myoho-Renge-Kyo.  

Nichiren Daishonin added "Nam" (devotion - focusing) before Myoho-renge-kyo to make the phrase mean “I devote my life to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration,” or, “I am one with the very rhythm of life.”

“Myoho-renge-kyo is the name of the ultimate mystic truth, and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo  is the name of the life state of Buddhas who embody and reveal this truth.” 

p.28 Lectures on “On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime”, Daisaku Ikeda

What follows is a Universal PowerPrayer to tap into our desire for happiness for all beings...the real vow we all make as Buddhas! 

Here's a PowerPrayer for you. You can read this before chanting to help focus your brain while chanting: 

Universal PowerPrayer 
for the Happiness for ALL

By Jamie Lee Silver of Chantforhappiness.com

Every Daimoku I chant 
remakes my VOW as a Buddha 
for Victory in my own life 
so that all others can achieve VICTORY in theirs! 

reaches every other person who is chanting. 
I see everyone chanting...
tapping into the deepest prayer they have ever felt ~

At this moment 
I deepen the power of my prayer by 10,000 times
Just like my mentor describes ~

so that all who are chanting can also deepen their faith, 
and bring forth the results they desire 
as we 
spread the word of this great teaching 

to those still suffering

we all become absolutely happy

and create a happy and peaceful world!

I chant that every single person who is chanting 

feels the full power 

sees the full power

experiences the full power

of this faith in their lives. 

I chant for all members to have faith

receive incredible 

benefits

and to know, and feel 

within every cell in their body

the power welling forth 
with each Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!!

Together we create kosen-rufu
the total energy shift of our planet! 

Chanting for Kosen Rufu

I just finished today's first hour of chanting just for kosen- rufu. I felt totally connected to my own power... the power we all possess...the power of the universe....Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

How do we define Kosen rufu? 

In Faith into Action, pages 226-230 there are many quotes from Sensei on Kosen Rufu. Here are a few:

"A Buddha holds others in the highest regard; the ability to do so is the Buddha's intrinsic virtue. Kosen-rufu means promulgating this attitude of respect for human beings." page 227

"Joy is no simply your personal, egoistic happiness. Nor is it making others happy at the expense of your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together - this is the Mystic law and the wondrous thing about our realm of kosen-rufu. The Daishonin states, "Joy means that both oneself and others have wisdom and compassion." p. 227

"Our spirit changes our being. It changes our lives. Why does the Buddha have an indestructible, diamond-like life? Shakyamuni explains it is because he has steadfastly and thoroughly protected the true law. Having a strong spirit for kosen-rufu enables us to develop diamond-like lives." p. 228

and:

"Those who struggle to the full extent of their abilities now, at this time, will also gain eternal honor. Imagine 100 or 200 years hence when our descendants proudly say. "Think of it, my ancestors devoted their lives to kosen-rufu in this area." p. 228

As I was chanting, I kept the intention for kosen-rufu in my mind while visions of kosen-rufu came tumbling into my mind's eye...a world of respect for all beings, happy people smiling at one another, no weapons poised for war, people speaking in loving tones with loving, glowing hearts and minds. 
As I was chanting for kosen-rufu I could feel my prayers activating the gears of the universe. I felt myself and all the Buddhist deities, all pulling...all heading for what is good, and true and right. Occasionally some other thoughts entered my mind, my family smiling, all of you facing the Gohonzon with happiness and appreciation in your hearts...

And as I was chanting I was releasing my concerns...all the things on my list...all my desires... and just enjoying this feeling that everything will be taken care of...and that somehow, in this one prayer for the happiness of all beings, that everything I need will just be taken care of...and the wisdom to take the most correct action will flow into my life...and I will take it...advancing always. 

I wish you a glorious day full of love and light and laughter. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

Outstanding Disciples - The Key to Happiness and Meaning

What does it mean to be an outstanding disciple? 

Many of us have heard of the Mentor Disciple Relationship and we understand it in different ways. How can it help you to become happy and infuse your life with meaning? Can the Mentor Disciple relationship do this? 

Well, the answer for me is yes, but it takes focus and concentration. And Work. And a Vow. All the things it takes to develop the mentor disciple relationship are also the things that give life meaning and bring happiness. 

First I'll share a quote from Faith in Action about Mr. Toda and Mr. Makiguchi. I've been thinking about them all week, and just marveling about having the kind of conviction that you are willing to go to JAIL for your beliefs in order to inspire those in the future, and really make a difference in the world. This takes extraordinary guts and conviction.

Here is President Ikeda's quote: 

"When Mr. Toda was released from prison, the Soka Gakkai was left with only a handful of members. Even before the war, the membership had stood at only about 3,000. The organization's presence in Japanese society was, therefore, minuscule. Nevertheless, Mr. Toda characterized President Makiguchi as "a great man of global stature." And he encouraged us to be aware that we are disciples of this outstanding individual. Nobility is the mark of a true disciple. And Mr. Toda was an example of an exceptional disciple." 

Daisaku Ikeda, Faith in Action, page 231

In my opinion the mentor disciple relationship is self generated. It doesn't just happen, you have to search for it, understand it and internalize it. And when you do gain the understanding you do become proud and noble, and your faith becomes like the fly on the tail of the horse...

Okay, if the mentor disciple relationship needs to be generated from the disciple ~ how do you do it? 

For me, it starts with study. I read President Ikeda's words every single day. And I chant about what I read. I also chant to see with Daisaku Ikeda's eyes, to chant with the same conviction her has. I literally chant to have my daimoku be as strong and as far reaching as his...for my daimoku itself to become 10,000 times stronger, and develop my faith that much deeper. I chant to share his heart for humankind and kosen-rufu. I chant to develop as wise a life. 
I don't "worship" him, I aim to emulate and understand his heart. And this has had a profound effect on my faith, my happiness and my life. I chant for my every action to make him proud, and for all the words I write to resonate - and be the words he might say too. 
And I am so grateful I was born at this time, with him, and with YOU, so we can carry out kosen rufu together! 

Chanting for kosen-rufu and taking action for world peace unlocks our own happiness

Do you realize how strong and capable we all are? 

All of us who chant Daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) have the power to ROAR LIKE LIONS and create the lives of our dreams! 
All we have to do is realize it, and when we chant...demand results from our own life. 
When we chant we are connecting with our own life, so we are not asking anyone or anything for "favors." 
No, we are connecting with our highest life power...that of the entire life and power of the whole universe. 
Nam-myoho renge-kyo is the name of the rhythm of life itself. It is already inside you. 
Please chant with the knowledge that Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is your life itself. And claim your birthright. Claim your power. Don't settle for a life of suffering. 

We also need to understand the shared struggle of mentor and disciple. It is essential to our Buddhist Practice. 

In the May Living Buddhism (SGI-USA publication) President Ikeda states "Therefore, when we embrace faith in the GOhonzon it is important that we wholeheartedly believe in the justice of Nichiren Daishonin's struggle. Unless we have the resolve to share in this struggle and participate in widely propagating the mystic law, the supremely noble life state of  Buddhahood will not manifest powerfully within us. The essence of faith in Nichiren Buddhism is for disciples to strive for kosen-rufu with the same spirit as their mentor. (May, 2013 Living Buddhism page 20)

"What is kosen-rufu? According to the same edition of Living Buddhism the definition is as follows: Literally "to widely declare and spread." Nichiren Daishonin defines Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the Law to be widely declared and spread throughout the world. Kosen-rufu refers to the process of securing lasting peace and happiness for all humanity bt establishing the humanistic ideals of Nichiren Buddhism in society." May 2013 Living Buddhism, page 3. 

I have also heard kosen-rufu described as a world with respect for all of life. 

All of us, striving every day for kosen-rufu will create a world of fulfillment and happiness for all people, through our own happiness. Our own Human Revolution and happiness is where it starts.  

"Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like the roar of a lion, what sickness can therefore be an obstacle?" Nichiren Daishonin, Letter to Niike

"Sickness" in the above quote means any problem, any challenge, any trouble ~ from illness to relationships, to depression...ANYTHING. 
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...and your chanting can break through anything. You just have to dig deep and realize Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself, and chant with conviction. 

You are an honorable Buddha - you deserve the absolute best. 

Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with happiness and conviction. Write a list of what you want for your life. 
Chant to have the kind of benefit that will strengthen your faith. 
Chant to strengthen your faith! When you chant with the faith that you know your prayers will have an impact - they will. Every determination should have the greater prayer of kosen-rufu as part of its fulfillment. Such as: "I am determined to win in all aspects of my life so that I can show actual proof of this practice and inspire others to chant."

I know you have heard me say these things over and over, but I repeat them so that we can all be reminded of the correct way of practice to become true victors in our lives. 

Chanting takes courage. You can do it. You can make any change you want to see for yourself and others. 

What is a High Life-Condition, and Why is it Important?

Today we had World Peace Prayer for April at the Chicago SGI Center. I'd arranged a meeting between one of the senior leaders and a youth member from my district. And I'd lined up lunch with the other young women in my district after the meeting. We were all looking forward to a great day. 

We set off in high spirits with plenty of time to spare from somewhere close to where this picture is taken, to head east and into the city. When we got there we found that the Shamrock Shuffle race was going on and all the streets leading to the SGI center were blocked from where we were. Here's where having a "high life condition" comes in. 
Click "read more" below to see the rest of this post.

What if We Don't Know Exactly What We Want?

"What is youth?
The French philosopher Roher Gaurady suggests that while
most people believe a person is born young and then ages and dies,
in reality, acquiring youth in the deepest sense is a very long and challenging process.
The youth of which he speaks is the spiritual strength
not to stagnate or grow resistant to change
but to stay ever open to new possibilities.
It is the power of the spirit
that refuses to succumb to complacency and strives forward. "
Daisaku Ikeda, For Today and Tomorrow p. 71

I am often recommending that we all write and rewrite our lists of what we want in our lives, and continue to hone our desires so that we can achieve what we really want in life. 

Being specific is always a good idea...

But what if we don't know what we want? Does that mean our lives will not advance and that our happiness will always elude us? 
No. No. No. 
If we don't know exactly what we want, we can still activate a very powerful prayer on our own behalf. If we focus our prayer on using our lives for kosen-rufu (world peace) we can continue to advance our happiness even if we don't really know exactly what we want. 

Right now, as many of you know, I am looking at the next phase of my life and chanting about my next job/life endeavor. And I have an all-encompassing prayer, rather than a narrow and exact prayer. 

I chant to use every one of talents for kosen-rufu, fulfilling my real mission in life among people who inspire and delight me. I chant to be well-compensated and happy and fulfilled. 
That is enough. 

I don't have to have a clearer vision until I do have one. At some time I may have something specific that catches my eye, and chant for that. In the meantime this is still a powerful prayer.

We can adopt this idea for any prayer...to find love for kosen-rufu...to buy a new house for kosen-rufu, for anything you want for kosen-rufu. 
Basing our lives on kosen rufu will move our lives in the direction of our happiness. That us just the way it is. We can't go wrong. 
The prayer for kosen-rufu is a deep prayer for the happiness of all...the happiness of all beings. Basing our lives on everyone's happiness is a noble and beautiful way to live. Our happiness is assured when we have such a strong prayer.