How to Increase Your Belief in YOUR OWN Buddha Nature

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From the November 2015 Living Buddhism:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Nevertheless, 
being no more than an ordinary person, 
I have at times been apt to regret 
having taken such a course." 

From the Gosho "On Rebuking Slanders of the Law and Eradicating Sins" by Nichiren Daishonin.

About this passage, Daisaku Ikeda writes on page 37:

'As Nichiren Daishonin writes here, we are ordinary people, and as such, are likely on occasion to have regrets. 

At times, we may allow ourselves to be defeated by our immediate sufferings and complain about our lot, thinking there is no point in practicing this Buddhism if it is going to involve so many challenges and wondering if we might not have had an easier time if we had not started chanting. 

Well aware of this human trait, Nichiren teaches the means by which ordinary people can walk the path to attaining the noble state of Buddhshood. Genuine Buddhism teaches fundamental trust in and respect for the Buddha Nature inherent within all human beings." 

Daisaku Ikeda, from Living Buddhism, November 2015, pages 36 and 37. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, I know we "know" our lives contain dignity and power and the Buddha Nature. I know we read President Ikeda's Guidance, and the Gosho, and we "understand" them with our minds...but do we understand them with our hearts? 

This is the work we do in front of the Gohonzon. When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo (meaning: I fuse my life with the mystic law of cause and effect through sound vibration) we tap into the power that is our birthright...that is always there for us...and we access that power for ourselves and for others. 

We can access the power to understand the profundity of our lives, the magnificence of our lives, and our true Buddha nature. 

How much do we each realize that we are the Buddha?

I hear people around me putting themselves down all the time. It seems to be part of our culture that we can't go around saying "I am magnificent. I am the Buddha." and I think we can and should change that part of the culture. Putting ourselves down is not helpful...especially when we are talking to ourselves. 

If we can't build ourselves up, who can? That's why I always say "Do not put yourself down. Ever. Not even in your head. you are a magnificent being...a Buddha of the highest respect. A Soka Gakkai Buddhist." 

President Ikeda has told us over and over that we will be remembered forever as the Soka Gakkai Buddhists. Each one of us is living out a drama of the highest significance. Each one of us is showing actual proof of the power of the mystic law to change our lives, change the lives of others and bring about a peaceful world through the power of our vow, and our chanting. 

And it REALLY HELPS if we REALLY believe this. It helps if we believe in the power of our lives and the power of our prayer. How can we really get to this point, that we believe it WITH OUR LIVES...and with every cell in our beings? Well, the answer is easy. 

We can chant to believe in our own magnificence. We can chant to believe in the power of our prayer. We can chant to dispel doubt forever and deepen our prayer at every moment. 

I have been chanting to uphold and see the dignity of my own life at each moment. I have been chanting to be present in each moment, and to BE WITH each person in front of me each moment. And you know what? When we are alone, WE are that person. WE are the one we need to support and uphold. We are the one we have to honor. 

How can we do this? We can start by talking to ourselves just like we would talk to our own very best friends. We can stop saying we are "idiots" or any other negative word. We can stop slandering our own lives 

We can tell ourselves we're doing great! We can tell ourselves we are beautiful, and we get more beautiful every day...inside and out. We can tell ourselves we make a difference. We can build up our own selves, while we are chanting and while we are going about our daily business. 

And we can make daily causes that prove our magnificence...chanting for wisdom...acting in wisdom and bringing forth our best selves! 

What Chanting Does in Our Lives! Overcoming all Doubts and Negativity

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This blog is written by Jamie Lee Silver, a practitioner of Nichiren, SGI, Practical Buddhism for over thirty years. I belong to the SGI and Daisaku Ikeda is my mentor in life. The passages I write here do not officially represent the SGI, they come from my ichinen to use my own life as encouragement as we all take the noble path to kosen-rufu (a world of respects for life) together. Please do not copy and paste this document without noting my name, and the blog address chantforhappiness.com. 

Chanting 

is tapping into 

and transforming 

our belief and access to

 the power within our lives. 

We go from feeling 

"this is impossible..." 

to 

"maybe I can do this..." 

to 

"absolutely this could be..." 

to 

"YES this will be because I can make it happen! 

I am the Buddha of Absolute Freedom~!"

And we focus our prayer and chant every morning and evening towards our desires.

PowerPrayer for Kosen-Rufu in Action! 

(To use a PowerPrayer, 
just read this before chanting to fill you with a burst of positive energy!) 

"As I am chanting I tap into the life force of the Universe as the Buddha I AM and THIS will be so!!!"

"Any, ANY, doubts about my own capabilities, lack of experience, previous flaws or mistakes or failures....
At THIS MOMENT,
as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is coming out of my mouth, 
I am gazing at the Gohonzon, 
communing with the universe of possibility 
that exists within ME, 
at this moment, 
I know I have THIS positive power, 
and I will continue to manifest it through my life, 
NO MATTER WHAT may happen, 
no matter what winds may blow, 
I VOW to do more than ride the surf of my life, 
I vow to take the wheel of the ship that is my life. 

I will summon my own power and use it for good, 
in the best possible way 
that benefits myself and all others...
uplifting everyone 
and being uplifted by all those uplifters around me!
I am kosen-rufu in action! 

I will persevere, with my mentor in life, Daisaku Ikeda. 
I will create a life of benefit for all, 
and all those around me will say 
"Unbelievable! ~  How does she do it?" 
Some will say: 
"Yowza - I will try chanting these words! It doesn't cost anything and I can do it." 
Others will say: 
"She's a Buddhist? Well, that might be a really fine way to live life. It's not for me, but it's worthy of respect." 

And I will step powerfully forward day, after day, after day!

Having a Determined Spirit is Everything!

At the starting line of the state Cross Country Meet

Ben is the first in a white jersey from the left

"An awareness and understanding of death raises our state of life. When we are cognizant of the reality and inevitability of death we begin to seek the eternal, and become determined to make the most valuable use of each moment of life."

Daisaku Ikeda from Ikedaquotes.org

Everything is coming together for an inspiring tribute to Ben's life on Sunday. And you can be there! We are doing a live web simulcast!  We are going to have it real-time on the web so we'll let you know how you can actually be there for the ceremony. 

The Buddhist Ceremony will take place at 10:00 Central Standard Time, and his Life Celebration will be at 1:00 the same day, Sunday, July 12th. Both will have music, video and stories of Ben's Life. 

We are planning to memorialize Ben's Victorious Spirit in a number of ways. We will have a bench and tree in the park right by where we lived. Before we moved from San Francisco to Chicago I chanted for a park in walking distance - where no one had to cross the street - and got it - Whitlock Park in Downers Grove. This park has a running path Aaron and Ben spent many hours running on - and I walked this path over and over.

We are also talking about having the Ben Silver Memorial Mile. Every summer this running community (hundreds of young men and women and their families) will come together and run or walk for a mile on the High School track and then share some time in the American Legion Hall. This is where the team met for a joyous Cross Country Team Banquet every year. Prior to this, there has been no yearly reunion, and Ben's life will change this. We are also looking into other ways to memorialize his great spirit. Send me your ideas! 

Ever since he died, one week ago today, I have thrown open my doors and have had a constant stream of visitors to hug all of us, and to tell us their stories about Ben. 

One coach said he coached seven Olympic athletes, and NONE had the drive and energy Ben did. Ben ran in the state cross country championship three times, more than any athlete at the High School (that's what we understand to be true). The point is he "ATTACKED" every course as if it were the last race he would ever run. People I'd never met used to come up to me at races and ask "Are you Ben Silver's Mom? I came out here today just to watch him run. There's something about watching Ben Silver run. It's so compelling." I think it's because he went full out. He gave every race his all. 

And he gave his other endeavors his all as well. His poems...his songwriting...his acting when he was younger. I posted the original song he performed before a live audience the other day. I know the sound quality is not good. I can post the words if you'd like. They are actually hilarious. 

I am keeping my spirit strong through Daimoku. 

I have not given up one ounce of courage, conviction and strength. Through my sweet boy's death, I am determined to use my life force more fully for the happiness of all. I am fighting for kosen-rufu (a world of respect for all) with all my might. I am determined that no family should ever have to suffer what we've been through these last few years with Ben's illness. Somehow we must find a cure for Schizophrenia. And change the way it is treated. My mission for spreading the word about this incredible Buddhist practice burns more deeply in my heart. Thank you for sharing this blog with others. I will continue using my life to inspire, as I know you are all doing as well! 

Right now Aaron is using my computer to make a video for Ben so it is difficult to answer emails, thank you for your patience! 

You can send written notes, etc., to 
Jamie Lee Silver at 
17w702 Butterfield apt. #104, 
Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181
I am chanting for you ALL to be inspired, more inspired than ever through Ben's courageous life! 

Happy April 28th! The Day Nichiren Chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the first time

On April 28th, in 1253  
Nichiren Daishonin changed our lives forever. 

He chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 
and reclaimed the practice of Buddhism 
for the happiness of all. 

It's fascinating to imagine what it would have been like for him that day. I wonder what he felt when he was pondering the true practice for the age. Remember, he'd made a vow at the age of twelve to be the wisest man in Japan. He'd traveled to Buddhist temples all over reading the sacred scrolls and asking himself the same question over and over: 

"What is the REAL practice for this age? What will lead people to happiness? What is the true lifeblood of Buddhism NOW?" 

He put every cell of his body into finding the answer to this question. There were many forms of Buddhism at the time. All of them promised rewards in the future, but no fulfillment right now. The Pure Land sect focused on happiness after death in the Pure Land. Other sects said you had to atone for every single negative cause you had ever made and after many, many lifetimes attain Buddhahood. Others said you had to be reborn as a man. 

But NONE said that Happiness exists in the here and now, and you can attain Buddhahood, happiness, enlightenment, right here right now in your present form. 

And THAT school was the one Nichiren founded, beginning 762 years ago today by chanting the title of the Lotus Sutra for the first time. I can just imagine the shivers going through his body. I can just imagine the responses of the people around him who were all attached to their own particular beliefs. It took an amazing amount of energy and strength. 

And he continued his religious revolution every day from then on. In the face of multiple persecutions, attacks, hatred...you name it. But he KNEW. He KNEW that one day you and I would be chanting this phrase and changing the world by infusing our lives with the energy of this vibration, advancing, dancing step by step with Nichiren and our mentor in faith Daisaku Ikeda. 

What courage. What strength. 

Those of us who have read the writings Nichiren wrote to his followers know what he went through...being exiled to a gardener's hut with holes in the walls and the ceiling with no provisions in the cold of winter ~ in a graveyard no less...not even a graveyard actually, a place where dead bodies were just left on Sado Island. People were told not to go near the hut or help Nichiren or they would be killed.

And it was from this hut where he wrote the Opening of the Eyes and many of his most important letters "Gosho" saying "I am the happiest man in all Japan!" 
Why was he so happy? Because his persecutions confirmed that this was the correct teaching. We can learn so much through his actions and attitude. 

Happy April 28th! 
We are the Buddhas of this new age! 
All of us are standing on that hill with Nichiren 
facing the rising sun...
boldly proclaiming Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
I CLAIM my life! 
I will live my life with the vow to accomplish a world of respect for all. I will show, through my own life what is possible as a human being.

My noble, noble friends! 
I look forward to hearing your victories on May Third!  

Soka World Youth Media Summit is this week! We need your Daimoku today!

A special note from our dear friend Kate:

You Can Help the International Youth Media Summit being held at 

Soka University this week. 

You can be a part of it! Sponsor a delegate through this link and send your Daimoku! 

http://www.iyms-usa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=156

Much of the wisdom you read at chantforhappiness.com can be owed to my dearest friend Kate Randolph. She introduced me to this practice almost 30 years ago, and I have shared her thoughts and essays with you over the years. She has been involved in a great movement for youth. Here is a letter to you from her. This year's Youth Media Summit will take place at Soka University in California. Please contribute what you can! This is not a official SGI function, but it does fit into what we are all about! 

A note to you from Kate Randolph:

I have traveled to Serbia the past 3 summers to support the INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MEDIA SUMMIT and its mission to bring young people together to dialogue about, and find solutions for, some of the world's most urgent social issues.  Then they choose an issue they would like to focus on and in small teams they make short films about each of the Summit issues: violence, discrimination, poverty, health the environment, women's rights and youth empowerment. They also make declarations of actions that they will take on these issues upon their return to their country. 

This summer, for the first time since the Summit was born, it is coming back to the USA, to be held on the gorgeous campus of Soka University!  But the difficulty with that is that it is nearly impossible for many young people to travel here because of the huge expense.  

Right now we need your Daimoku to help one youth get out of Afganistan and 3 youths out of Pakistan to come to the summit! They have their flights and Visas but live in troubled areas. These youth need to attend! 

Please chant for them! 

(We already have applicants from Liberia, Algeria, Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Palestine, Israel, Iran and Afghanistan and about 12 more countries! )  

Do what you can, or feel comfortable with.  But take a minute to click on the link and see what the Summit is all about! Even just posting a comment of support helps us move further up to the front of the website!

Thank you for helping the youth of the world Unite. We are all fulfilling Daisaku Ikeda's most heartfelt determination for the youth of this world. 

Here's to a fantastic Summit next week at Soka University! 

Kate Randolph

http://igg.me/at/IYMS2014

Winter Always Turns to Spring

Even here is Chicago, winter will turn to spring. We are still facing dangerous temperatures around 0 degrees here, even though the norm is about 41 degrees for this time of year. Please join me in chanting for spring to come to Chicago! This post was forwarded to me from Nalini Prakash and is from the Singapore SGI organization. 

Winter Always Turns to Spring - Advancing Fearlessly towards the Spring of Victory

Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are a if in winter, but winter always turn to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, “If there are those who hear the Law, then not one will fail to attain Buddhahood.”

(The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1, p997)

This letter, written in the fifth month of 1275 when Nichiren Daishonin was 54, was addressed to lay nun Myoichi, who lived in Kamakura.

Lay nun Myoichi and her husband were strong believers who maintained pure faith throughout the most difficult times of the Daishonin’s life from the Tatsunokuchi Persecution to the Sado exile.

But because of their faith in the Lotus Sutra, their estate was confiscated and on top of this, Myoichi’s husband passed away before the Daishonin was pardoned from his sentence of exile on Sado. Besides losing her husband, Myoichi was struggling to raise her children alone. Despite her many difficulties, Myoichi sent her attendant to where the Daishonin was in Sado to serve and protect him.

Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter to encourage her, explaining that believers of the Lotus Sutra are as if in the midst of winter, but that winter unfailingly turns to spring. The Daishonin assured her that there is no doubt about her husband’s attainment of enlightenment since he displayed strong faith by continuing to follow the Daishonin even when his estate was confiscated because of his faith.

**********

Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a teaching of hope that expounds the possibility of changing any kind of karma. The purpose of our practice of faith is to accumulate good fortune each time we overcome hardships in life to attain a life state of absolute happiness that remain indestructible for eternity.

Even though we may be in the midst of a harsh winter in life, there is no doubt that we will usher in the spring of life underscored by victory. The winter of life is filled with harsh adversities is in fact, a turning point that serves as an opportunity for us to establish a life state of Buddhahood, that is, absolute happiness.

This was precisely what Nichiren Daishonin perceived in the life of Myoichi. The Daishonin perceived that this was the crucial moment for Myoichi. She must have been experiencing extreme hardship having lost her husband and left alone to raise her children, one of whom was sickly.

However, from the perspective of the eternity of life, there is absolutely no doubt that both Myoichi and her husband who strove together with the Daishonin through the most difficult times, had already entered the orbit of attaining Buddhahood, that is, realizing a life state of absolute happiness that remains indestructible for eternity.

The Daishonin experienced successive persecutions, some of which were life-threatening, for the sake of propagating the teaching of the Mystic Law that leads all people in the Latter Day to happiness. However, no matter how great the persecution, the Daishonin’s heart remained undefeated. Even in the midst of adversities, the Daishonin wrote, “Not once have I thought of retreat” (WND-2, p465); “I feel immeasurable delight” (WND-1, p386).

The Daishonin established a magnificent life state that remained unaffected by the trials and tribulations in life. Not only did he remain undefeated, the Daishonin waged a tremendous struggle and turned the tables around by actually returning to mainland Japan alive from his exile on Sado, scoring an unprecedented victory.

On top of this, the righteousness of the Daishonin’s teachings was proven when his prediction of foreign invasion was realized with the Mongols’ invasion of Japan.

Based on these actual proofs of victories that the Daishonin demonstrated with his life, the Daishonin called forth to Myoichi with absolute conviction: “Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring.” The Daishonin powerfully convinced Myoichi that it is simply not possible that one who believes in the Lotus Sutra would continue suffering forever.

Through these words, the Daishonin urged Myoichi that she must never harbour any doubts in her practice of faith and that she must continue forging ahead, no matter how difficult it is.

SGI President said in his novel, The New Human Revolution, “When the spring of victory comes after a winter of harsh trials, everything is transformed into happiness and joy. Without having cried, you cannot genuinely laugh; without having suffered, you cannot savor real joy. I’m sure there are times when, in the midst of some difficulties, you think, ‘Why me?’ But that in fact is your change to fulfill the mission you have chosen. The deeper your suffering, the greater your mission.”

Let’s us be convinced of the spring of victory in our lives and continue in our courageous endeavor to construct a youthful SGI.

(Translated and adapted from the February 2012 issue of The Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai's monthly study journal.)

Sensei's Guidance ~ Be Ourselves When We Chant

Friday
21st February
FAITH can be either strong or weak, deep or shallow. 
Only through strong, deep faith
can one develop great joy and great confidence.
He/she can also make himself/herself shine 
throughout his/her life with such faith.


THE issue of birth and death is the most important issue
for human beings, for whom death is inescapable. 
Only when we base ourselves on a true view of life 
- one which clarifies this problem of birth and death - 
can we have a proper perspective on life, 
society and the world.


A person whose heart is continually swayed 
by such occurrences as becoming a leader, 
failing to do so, being strictly scolded, or warmly praised, cannot be said to have faith; nor can a person who takes
his/her position or status for granted and grows decadent.


REVERE the Gohonzon as the fundamental basis of your life, reach out to it and take your problems to it 
as naturally as a child reaches to his/her mother.
When you are suffering or when you are sad, 
there is no need to put on a good face 
or pretend everything is alright; 
just chant daimoku exactly as you are, 
unreservedly giving expression to the feelings in your heart.

THOUGH we may seem to be chanting alone, 
we are not. 
As we chant, untold billions of heavenly deities 
are facing the Gohonzon with us.
In this way, 
the protective forces of the universe assemble en masse
and work to safeguard each one of you, 
manifesting in your environment
as the actions of the people near you, 
the actions of your friends and fellow members.

Preparing for a Three Hour Toso Today ( Three hours of Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo)

I have just finished my second full week of work and I am loving my new position. A whole world of new people and experiences is opening to me as Senior Community Outreach Specialist for a company committed to helping people ages 55 and better live their best lives. 
As you can imagine, I love meeting new people, making new friends and becoming an indispensable member of the team.  
AND I am finding it is really hard to chant my normal hour to an hour and a half every morning! I know you know what I mean. And I don't always have time at night to catch up. 

Daimoku powers my life. My deep chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo gives me peace of mind, powers my intentions, and has a real effect on my life at every moment. 

So I'm going to chant three hours this morning, and set a goal to chant three hours every Sunday morning whenever possible. This is a decision I made, based on my years of practice and my own ichinen (will put into action). No one ever has to chant for three hours. Please don't think it is a required part of Practical Buddhism. Each person chants as much as they want ~ there are no prescriptions or rules to how much to chant. 

To prepare for this three hour toso I woke up early, got ready for my day, invited a chanting buddy, wrote in my journal, decided what I will focus on, and made my tea. 

By the end of these three hours ~

I am determined to feel that 
every action I take throughout this week 
will be guided my my greater self, 
with perfect timing, 
perfect wisdom 
and be a solid, positive cause for my happiness 
and the happiness of others. 
I am determined to shine at every moment 
as the brilliant Buddha I am, 
and use wisdom 
and presence of mind in every encounter. 
I will concentrate on the person in front of me 
at every moment 
and think before I speak. 
I am chanting for the people I love, 
for my district 
and for you. 

As Daisaku Ikeda says:
"The air around us is filled with radio waves of various frequencies. While these are invisible, a television set can collect them and turn them into visible images. The practice of chanting daimoku to the Gohonzon aligns the rhythm of our own lives with the world of Buddhahood in the universe. It "tunes" our lives, so to speak, so that we can manifest the power of Buddhahood in our very beings."
from Faith in Action, p. 118

Daily Guidance by Daisaku Ikeda

24^th January 2014

IN any place, and at any time, voices chanting sincere daimoku with faith in the Gohonzon will be heard by the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout time and space. Such voices will reverberate throughout the universe. Filled with a sense of pride, you should chant daimoku confident that the reverberations of your voice will carry as far as billions of light-years away. By cultivating faith of such great conviction you will be able to receive tremendous benefit.


FAITH enables us to transform not only our day to day problems but our lives at their very foundation. Through the Buddhist practice, we can develop a strong inner core and a solid and inexhaustible reservoir of good fortune.


IN any endeavour, whether the arts or sports or any other pursuits, the master-disciple relationships is both challenging and rewarding. In particular, how strict and yet compassionate the bond is between master and disciple in the practice of faith, which comprises the very fundamentals of life, and in the pursuit of the great goal of kosen-rufu.


NOTHING is more noble than a life dedicated to kosen-rufu. Such people are devoted not only to their own happiness but also that of others. They enjoy good health and a fulfilling life. They accumulate boundless good fortune and benefit. This is the ultimate way of life. And it is the absolute promise of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law.


ONE must not be so narrow-minded as to seek only to increase one's strength or exhibit one's capability. Doing so will obstruct the flow of kosen-rufu. The way to bring about a dynamic and powerful advances of kosen-rufu, like waves building upon waves lies in finding capable people, raising them and diverting them towards the goal of kosen-rufu.

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!" 

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.

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