RESOLVE
"The benefit of all the other sutras is uncertain,
because they teach that one must first
make good causes and only then
can one become a Buddha at some later time.
With regard to the Lotus Sutra,
when one's hand takes it up,
that hand immediately attains Buddhahood,
and when one's mouth chants it,
that mouth is itself the Buddha,
as for example,
the moon is reflected in the water
the moment it appears from behind the eastern mountains, or as a sound and its echo arise simultaneously."
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin - WND, p.1099
Wu-lung and I-lung. Written to the lay nun Ueno on November 15th.
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How can we, as Buddhists really make a difference in the world? We see the news. We know this is a crucial moment.
We are in the age of Mapo...a time of great challenges and darkness, and we chose to be born now so we can make a difference. We, as microcosms of the universe, can make the changes we need to make by changing ourselves first, by doing shakubuku to enable others to do this as well, and by taking the correct actions to stand up in faith and in the world.
And, for me, it starts in the conviction
of the power of the Daimoku
I am chanting this very moment.
RIGHT NOW, WITH THIS DAIMOKU,
I am changing my life,
and all of life.
I have become aware of some karmic patterns I am determined to change.
Today I have deep resolve that RIGHT NOW, WITH THIS DAIMOKU, I am changing these patterns and changing this karma forever...just like the quote above so mystically says.
"The moon is reflected in the water
the moment it appears
from behind the eastern mountains,
or as a sound and its echo
arise simultaneously."
As I chant I summon up the deep conviction, expressed as the thoughts in my head, that each and every daimoku is changing my karma RIGHT NOW, not at some time in the future.
"THIS DAIMOKU
IS changing this specific karma
right this very second."
I write down the nature of the karma I am changing.
I dig deep into the feelings within my gut - these inner rumblings of fear, and doubt and pure emotion - to change these feelings forever...to be rid of the doubt that my prayer would not work. I do not chant "wishful Daimoku"
I chant "Right here right now I am changing my karma FOREVER" Daimoku.
I pray to deeply realize that this very morning the Daimoku I chanted is a DONE DEAL. I pray to have the conviction that I JUST CHANGED my karma, and I will not be swayed by any doubt.
I believe in my Buddhahood and the Buddhahood of others. I believe in the power of the Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
I have faith in the power of my prayer
and the power of my life
and my Buddhahood.
I can, and will continue to change my karma, change the karma of our troubled world, and create a world for respect for all beings (kosen-rufu) through my own life.
