I've had several people contact me about the new silent prayers, and the fact that we no longer have a specific silvent prayer to the shoten zenjin (protective forces of the universe within all life) at the beginning of morning gongyo. People have written me asking why, and some are not happy about the change.
This change doesn't bother me at all and I'll tell you why. As always, I speak for myself, and as an SGI member ~ I am not an official representative of the organization. I write this blog to encourage people through my own life experiences and insights.
I don't know the reason that prayer is no longer part of morning gongyo but it doesn't bother me a bit because I address the shoten zenjin when I chant daimoku. I speak to them when I am chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo. I thank them for their protection and ask that their protection be spread far and wide while I am chanting my daimoku. I always feel connected to them.
I directly address them as I am chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: "Thank you shoten zenjin!"...or "Shoten zenjin I need this right now!" or "Shoten zenjin, please send all your forces to this planet right now ~ we need you more than ever! Help people to WAKE UP and realize xenophobia and hatred is not the path toward peace!" When chanting I think "Let me be aware of the protective forces of the universe at all times and in rhythm with them."
I am aware of their presence throughout the day. The other day I didn't see a car coming towards me, but the other driver was aware and didn't hit my car. I said (out loud probably!) "Thank you Shoten Zenjin!" When I drop a glove and someone calls out "You dropped a glove!" I think "Thank you shoten zenjin!"
The Shoten zenjin are a part of my daily life, and they are a part of yours as well. All we really have to do is chant abundant daimoku and raise our awareness of them.
We can be constantly aware that they are with us every moment. That doesn't mean we can be careless and take risks. President Ikeda says we need to be more careful because our lives are so precious!
On another note, I am compiling all of Ben's story - past, present and future. If my blogs about him and the struggles and triumphs we had have touched your life or inspired you - You can be a part of Ben's story.
Please write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com
There's a very interesting quote in the March Living Buddhism Magazine (published by the SGI-USA, go to SGI-USA.org for subscription information.)
On Page 21 the lecture by Daisaku Ikeda on the Gosho "The Actions nof the Votary of the Lotus Sutra" states:
"On May 3, 1951, Josei Toda was inaugurated as the second Soka Gakkai president. He regarded that event as signifying "casting off the transient and revealing the true" by the Soka Gakkai, as an organization of believers directly connected in faith to Nichiren Daishonin.
"Mr. Toda explained that his mentor and first president Tsunesaburo Makiguchi often used to say that the Soka Gakkai must "cast-off the transient and reveal the true" - referring to the Buddhist concept that means to discard one's transient status and show one's true identity or highest potential. Mr. Toda said he had asked himself what that meant in terms of the Soka Gakkai. None of the other members knew what Makiguchi meant, either. But after spending two years in prison for his beliefs, Mr. Toda said, he finally had a realization that led him to proclaim to his deceased mentor: "Our lives are eternal...We (the members of the Soka Gakkai) are Bodhisatvas of the earth with the great mission to propagate the seven-character Lotus Sutra (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) in the Latter Day of the Law." This awareness gradually spread through the entire organization, with members gradually coming to understand that they shared this lofty mission as the true followers of Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day. Mr. Toda declared that his inauguration was proof of his own personal awareness and commitment in this regard, and thus marked the moment of the Soka Gakkai's casting off the transient and revealing the true, which Mr. Makiguchi had longed to see."
That's it. We ARE the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law. We have inherited the direct line of Buddhahood by chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo." Now is our time. Now is the time for us to have more benefits, bring forth more power and be absolutely incredibly happy for the sake of the world, for the sake of hope and for the sake of peace. We can do it.
In other words, we can all "Cast-off the transient and reveal the true" within our own lives.
How can we do this, and why would we want to?
For me, "Casting off the transient and revealing the true" means bringing forth my own Buddhahood and claiming my responsibility and honor as a Boddhisatva of the earth. The more I can activate the power of my true self...the true self that lies beyond my mind, beyond my heart, and is the power of the universe itself, the more my environment will change to reflect my truest desires.
This quote, and a wonderful conversation with my mentor Kate, led me to chant a new Power Prayer today. I chanted three hours this morning of absolutely focused and targeted Daimoku.
Power Prayer to Reveal my True Self and create the Profession that uses ALL my talents:
I chant to discard the transient and reveal the true in all aspects of my life. Today I am willing to discard everything that no longer serves me. I discard all doubt, all negativity and any feelings of not being good enough or not knowing what I should do.
I am determined for my profession (whether working for myself or with others) to be fulfilling in every possible way, and to utilize every single one of my skills, and joys and potential.
I am richly compensated and prove the power of a human being realizing her true potential.
I am in an organization that is thriving with self-fulfilled individuals living their passion every day. My professional environment reflects my true identity, my real, magnificent self, and is filled with appreciation and love.
I am DONE with the karma of being unappreciated. I permanently root that karma from my life.
I permanently wash doubt and negativity from my life. I don't care how many times it arises. Each time I feel doubt I will chant and chase it our of my brain like the fierce lioness I am.
Everything I need right now to achieve my goals comes to me immediately and my mind is cleared of confusion. I easily make decisions and move forward in all areas of my life.
My power to help people is inexhaustible and unlimited and I trust myself to let it flow.
I surround myself with trusted, wise and loyal advisors in all areas, law, health, accounting, and technology etc.
All that I need flows to me effortlessly. I easily make choices and move forward. I tap into my deepest and most trustworthy wisdom right now. President Ikeda's spirit runs through me and I chant to live a brilliant, sparkling, dedicated life that would make him proud.
I now release the full, unlimited power of the Gohonzon in my life. I access the full power of my conscious and subconscious mind to create the reality of all I desire. I tap into the vast resources of my life and help others to do the same.
