PowerPrayer for Going From Victim to Victor!

This PowerPrayer ~ Fresh Determination
has been inspired by the Gosho Study from the August of 2013 Living Buddhism "The Three Obstacles and Four Devils" written in November 1277 to the youngest Ikegami brother, Munenega, after his brother had been disowned by his father for his faith in Nichiren Buddhism. 
It is a writing I use to refresh my faith over and over. 

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

President Ikeda's lecture from the August 2013 

Living Buddhism on this Gosho includes these words: 

"Though we speak of the "three obstacles and four devils" appearing, no one wishes to have to face adversity. 
That is surely a natural human reaction. 
But Nichiren says that 
the appearance of the three obstacles and four devils 
is a source of JOY. 
How could that be? 
It doesn't seem possible. 
But it is, in fact, 
by overcoming the steep hills and inclines of obstacles 
we can forge our lives 
and ascend the summit of Buddhahood, 
where we can savor the sublime vista of 
eternity, happiness, true self and purity."

He goes on to say:

"We need to "own" them (our obstacles) as something we ourselves have summoned up...we are in charge, we are the protagonists...the struggle against the three obstacles and four devils is indeed a great joy."

President Ikeda goes on to say:
"As Nichiren Daishonin writes: "When a tiger roars, gales blow; when a dragon intones, clouds gather" (The Workings of Brahma and Shakra," WND-1, 799) When we adopt this attitude ~ "I summoned this storm!" ~ our hearts will be filled with the bright sense of hope and purpose." (All quotes from the 2013 August Living Buddhism, pages 21, 22) 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~According to Daisaku Ikeda, we summon the exact set of obstacles we need to springboard our lives to the next level of practice and happiness. 
We will be better off for them.  
We summoned these storms. 

Realizing this takes our lives from Victim to Victory! This simple change in perspective brings incredible power to our Daimoku. When we are chanting we can address our lives and roar like the lions (Buddhas!) we are. What follows is a PowerPrayer I offer you to reclaim your life and move from Victim to Victor. As always, I offer you my writings from my heart, not as an official SGI representative, although I love the organization and encourage everyone to participate - if you are not yet a member please use this link to connect: sgi-usa.org 

PowerPrayer  ~ Fresh Determination

For Moving 

From Victim to VICTOR 

You may want to read this before chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and let the words and gently flow in and out of your mind while chanting. It's a focusing tool ~ that's what a PowerPrayer - A Fresh Determination...

by Jamie Lee Silver from Chantforhappiness.com. 

LIFE !! 
I get it! 
I SUMMONED THIS STORM and I can VANQUISH IT! 
I summoned this storm and I will WIN over it !
I am a Buddha - 
I feel Nam-myoho-renge-kyo throughout my whole body - 
in every cell. I will prove the power of the Gohonzon, the Power of my own life right here, right now! My own sufferings will turn into my happiness and I inspire others and create kosen-rufu through my own life. 

Shoten Zenjin (protective forces of the universe within all life) 
Back me up! 
Support this votary of the Lotus Sutra in these ways:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I vow to PROVE the POWER of the MYSTIC LAW 
through my own victories - 
so I can encourage everyone that 
the IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE!
I will NOW raise my life condition to a level I have never before experienced. 
I see through the eyes of the Buddha, 
I feel with the heart of the Buddha
I AM the Buddha! 
The universe exists within ME! 
I am CLAIMING power over my own life. 
No more complaining for me! 
No More "Woe is me!" 
NO! 
Starting today ~ with this Daimoku ~ 
I bring forth all the wisdom I need
                             to know what I need to do - 
All the courage I need ~ 
                             as I boldly take the right action 
All the perfect timing I need ~ 
                             to accomplish what I want
And the People and Resources I need ~ 
                             ALL appear right now! 
I am a powerful being waging a powerful war against the fundamental darkness inherent in all of life and I will WIN. 
Starting today 
I will win in:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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

For more information about 
SGI Buddhism please go to SGI-USA.org

Write me your victories at Chantforhappiness@gmail.com!

PowerPrayer for Actual Proof Now!

From Daisaku Ikeda: 

"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 (altogether)
and work to safeguard each one of you, 
manifesting in your environment 
and the actions of the people near you, 
the actions of your friends and fellow members." 

~Daisaku Ikeda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the quote I was referring to at our last meeting. I LOVE this quote! 

PowerPrayer to SEE ACTUAL PROOF! 
While in front of the Gohonzon tell your life as you chant: 

LIFE show me this practice works. 
BUDDHAS get busy! I demand results now! 
Every nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant makes a difference. 
With this Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I am CHANGING my life now! WIth This Daimoku
With this Daimoku I am changing my karma. 
Now! Let me see results in _____________________
And reach this goal____________________________
and feel this way_____________________________
Gohonzon, blow me away with actual proof so that all around me will wan to know how I did it. 
And I can tell them Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 
and invite them to a meeting!
Let me encounter the people who are searching for this practice, searching for happiness now! 

__________________________________________________


I am grateful to you my friends. Grateful for every single one of you. You touch my heart. You inspire me. And we are getting to know one another in person at our meetings. 
Every morning when I face the Gohonzon and chant, my first prayer is for the untold billions of deities within my life, body, and spirit to wake up and greet the untold billion deities on the Gohonzon.

And I chant for all who are seeking peace to find this blog, find this practice, and, if we are meant to work together, to find me through my website TapforHappiness.com. All for Kosen Rufu! I chant to have victory in my business and have my life inspire people that they can end their suffering and experience true joy. 

Just like any true professional in the SGI, I strive to make President Ikeda proud of me as his successor, by my professionalism, passion, and results.  

And knowing that untold billions of heavenly deities are with me as I chant my two hours every day. Well, it just boosts my spirit, my daimoku, my hope, and determination. I am the Buddha. And so are you! 

No matter what you are facing, Daimoku will get you through. Please remember that I can't give individual guidance via email. Please go to your local senior in faith for guidance. That is the beauty of the Soka Gakkai. 

Have a great weekend! 

10 tips for Chanting Joyfully for Longer Times !

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10 Tips for Chanting Joyfully 

for Longer Times:

From Chantforhappiness.com by Jamie Lee Silver - 

As always, these are my insights. I'm an enthusiastic SGI member, but I don't represent the SGI in an official capacity in this blog. 

1. Give Yourself Some Credit! Go YOU! 
Realize that what you are about to do...chanting longer than usual ~ doing a Daimoku Toso has profound significance for your life. Give yourself credit for this worthy goal. 

2. Write your goal or goals. 
(Some of these goals may occur to you naturally as you're chanting) You may want to write yourself a fresh determination, also called PowerPrayer and connect your desire to the greater good...to the real difference you want to make in the world. 

Remember that you are a precious votary of the Lotus Sutra and when you break through, the energy is forever changed. You are paving the way for others to break through ~ Your Happiness is IMPORTANT! 

Example of a goal/determination/PowerPrayer:

"I am determined to show actual proof right now! And to have my daimoku spread theoughout the whole world to bring health and eradicate this virus! I will show actual proof with my life, and be able to introduce others to this practice!" 

President Ikeda's guidance says you can chant to have 10,000 times more power in your prayer. So I usually dedicate some time to chanting to increase the power of my daimoku by 10,000 times! 

3. Have your favorite drinks close by.
...tea...water...soft drinks...whatever you like. 

4. Remember YOU are the Buddha! 
Do not beg favors from a 'higher power." You are the higher power. Remember, the Gohonzon cannot get down off the wall and do the Buddha's work in the world. YOU are the Gohonzon; it is inside your life. The Gohonzon is a reflection of the highest life condition that exists within your own life. So when you are chanting CLAIM what is yours! Tell your life what you want. And know that all real change comes from within. 
Chant to do your own Human Revolution.
When we change, our environment changes. 
Take responsibility for your life...not blame. 
5. Put Your Phone AWAY or turn it off. Yes OFF! 

6. Keep Your Favorite Buddhist Study Material Close by
...whatever touches your heart when you read it. And if you find yourself losing focus open it up to any page you want. I have "For Today and Tomorrow" by Daisaku Ikeda next to me right now. Here's a selection:  

"When we chant sonorous Daimoku, the sun rises in our hearts. We are filled with power. Compassion wells forth. Our lives are lit with joy. Our wisdom shines. All Buddhas and Buddhist deities throughout the universe go to work on our behalf. Life becomes exhilarating." 

7. Invite others to chant with you, even though they may be far away. You can text when you begin and end. 

8. Have pen and paper handy. 
You'll want to write down those brilliant ideas that come into your mind while you're chanting. 

9. Take care of your body 
You may want to get up and stretch at the end of every hour. Keep fruit or a snack at hand for an hourly break. Put your electronics away. You are dedicating this time. It takes energy not to dilute it, and it is so important to stay focused! 

10. After you chant, write in your journal.

Above all - Don't give up! You CAN change your problems into benefits. You ARE the Buddha! Collectively we are raising the vibration of the entire world. 

I'd love to hear from those of you who have connected to the SGI through my blog. And send me your experiences, and I may share it on this blog! 

I can be reached at chantforhappiness@gmail.com 

Power-Full Encouragement from Kate Randolph for Right Now!

The one and only Kate Randolph

Hello friends, 

Now is a good time to refresh ourselves with Kate's incredible spirit. Please enjoy her words and experience them as a fresh wave of determination toward your Happiness! 

From Kate: 

"NOW is the time to wake up to joy. 

Now, more than ever, 

SGI members need to summon joy, 

forget complaining about anything, 

and wear a radiant smile on our faces. 

Our smiles must radiate so brightly 

that light comes out of our fingertips 

and we glow as beacons 

so people can learn of the mystic law, 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo from us, 

and be moved to happiness 

just by being in our presence.

We must have Joy 

to show the possibilities of life...

JOY is a REQUIREMENT, 

not an afterthought, 

and it comes from our determination 

to summon it from within our lives 

and express it in our smiles, 

the pep in our step, 

and our lives themselves. 

We can do this! 

We can do this for ourselves, 

and by doing this we change the world." 

"Our smile is a cause, not an effect." we can't sit around waiting for joy to come into our lives. We must be joyful, and invite more. That's how it works! 

She said: "Joy's the leading edge. Wake up and be joyful, smile at the person next to you in bed, smile at the person next to you (6 feet away!) at the store, in the elevator, and at other drivers. BE Kosen Rufu in action!" 

"It's gotta be real, but you can also fake it till you make it. Put that smile on your face and you will spark your happiness. Try to be sad with a huge grin. It doesn't work so well!

"We have to go deeper into our own lives, 
and into the Buddha we are every day. 
We've gotta do this NOW. 
This is it. 
This is our time. 
We're ALIVE! 
Whether we are 17 or 95. 
Grab the moment for all it's got 
and say 
"I am creating the deepest value that's ever been created. NOW. Right this moment. 

There's no other moment. 

There's no other person. 

How we are influencing the person next to us...it is our SMILE...beaming with joy...Joy!"

STOP complaining. 
NOW. It must be replaced, 
even if it's phony at first. 
It may feel phony but it will cause a shift inside your life. 

And we have to keep going deeper and deeper into joy. There can't be a place at which we stop. 

We need constant movement...constantly going deeper." 

~Kate Randolph 

And, if we want to continue Kate's marvelous legacy, let's all be joyful right now! Beaming JOY from our fingertips!

Thank you Kate! 

THiS IS OUR TIME!

Greetings fellow members! 
We are joined across the miles like never before! 
We are meeting by internet, 
meeting on the phone 
and meeting in our hearts.


THIS is the time we were born for. 
THIS is our collective CRUCIAL MOMENT! 

NOW we can show actual proof more than ever. 
We can do what we do best ~ chant for ourselves, chant for our neighbors, friends, family and everyone in the world, and show actual proof !

How do we show actual proof now? How do we become truly happy? 

We rejoice in the fact that we are collectively experiencing a HUGE OBSTACLE, and we can determine to have a HUGE BENEFIT...for ourselves and for the planet. I'll never forget when I met one of the wonderful Japanese friends who came over to encourage us in San Francisco. He said, "Jamie, when I get a huge problem I am soooo happy, because I know I'll have a huge benefit!" 
What a great way to look at our lives right now: poison into benefit. That's the attitude I took when Ben died and look at me now. Living on the beach, helping people live happier lives. Awesome. 

How do we show actual proof? 

We keep our heads up (I mean that literally! Keeping our heads up affects our moods and demeanor)

We chant as much as we can. 
We raise our life condition as we raise the life condition of the planet and the universe. 

We keep smiling and encouraging others. 

We can do more shakubuku than ever because we can connect via phone and via the internet to share our experiences. 

AND we do not HAVE TO BE PERFECT. We are human beings. It's okay for us to experience emotions, and to be our authentic selves. 

How do we do this? How do we generate the lion's roar when we may not feel it every moment? 

Does anyone remember the story of the mudslide in South or Central America? I don't remember the details, but I do know the family inside the house was chanting Daimoku and the mudslide went entirely around the house. The power of our daimoku - Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is STRONG. It is our own life force joined with the life force of the universe. And now is our time to shine and help others. 

Here's your 

PowerPrayer to 

Get our Daimoku ROARING! 

Copywrite Jamie Lee Silver LLC
ChantforHappiness.com, ChantforHappiness@gmail.com

Life! 
I got this! 
This is my crucial moment! 
This is the World's Crucial Moment! 
Even though I might be scared, 
In my heart, I know we got this! 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like THE ROAR OF THE LION! 
And I'm roaring right now. 
Shoten Zenjin, get behind me and have my back!
Make every Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I chant have a million times more impact than ever. 
As I chant I picture the world healthy and glowing. 
I picture my family, myself, and everything around me raising in vibration. 
I will not give in to despair. 
I will not give in to fear. 
I am determined to_________________________
(add your determination here - it can be whatever you want, a daimoku goal, a lifestyle goal. You can chant for others and yourself)
I will SHOW ACTUAL PROOF THROUGH MY LIFE MORE THAN EVER! 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! 

Go get 'em lions! 

PowerPrayer to Raise Our Life Conditions NOW!

Hello beloved readers! Greetings from St. Pete Beach, Florida! 

In these uncertain times, what's a Buddhist to do? 

I have great news for you,  THIS IS OUR TIME! Buddhism shines when times are tough. Now, more than ever we can show actual proof through our lives. Now, more than ever, even if we don't have meetings to go to, we can do shakubuku with our bright shining lives. 

I was just at the grocery store, and yes, I was stocking up on food. Canned goods...pasta...maybe you are doing the same. And the thing is, everyone was moving around like zombies, and while I was shopping I felt like I was in a trance too. Except, I smiled at people. And, when I got to the check out counter I greeted the workers and asked them how they were doing and we had a nice laugh about these crazy times. 

No matter what we are going through we have the option to let our Buddhahood shine through. I'm smiling at everyone. I'm letting cars in, I'm making sure I let pedestrians go past and wave to them. I do these things all the time, but now I do them even more. 

As Buddhists, we are the last ones to give in to hopelessness! We have no hopelessness! We are Buddhas and we dance! As Daisaku Ikeda says: "If we don't have hope we have to Create it." and we have the perfect place to do it! Right in front of our Gohonzons is where it happens.

Now is the time to up our levels of Daimoku. Now is the time to make sure that we are not just mindlessly letting our minds wander while chanting. Now is the time to leave our phones in the other room as we chant! Now is the time to invite our friends to chant with us (if it's advisable where you live) Now is the time to focus and PRAY. Now is the time to raise our life conditions! 

You asked me, so here is something I created for you based on how I am praying right now: 

PowerPrayer to Raise our Life Conditions to make every day a joy no matter WHAT!
By Jamie Lee Silver, chantforhappiness.com 

While chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: 

Gohonzon! My life! 
Now, more than ever 
I am tapping into the life force of the universe 
that is MY life force. 
As I chant, 
I am bringing forth the full power of the universe inside me to raise MY life condition 
and raise the life condition of everyone 
and everything on the planet. 
Right now I am chanting to end the suffering of anyone who is suffering. 
I am determined to keep my life condition SKY HIGH 
so anyone who comes in contact with me 
is brightened by my presence! 
Goohonzon! I am born to win! I am a Buddha!
I am determined not to give in to fear. 
I am determined to keep my head up 
and show actual proof of the power of this practice. 

I am determined to be present. Be smart. Be all I can be. 

This is my moment! This is all our moment. 

All the shoten zenjins in the universe come to our planet right now and end this coronovirus. 

Shoten zenjin! Wherever you are in the universe come to earth right now through the power of my daimoku. 

I am now tapping into my own power as a Buddha 
more than ever before. 
I will win! no matter how our lives may change, 
may we all be strong 
and have such an incredible life force that 
we can overcome and persevere through anything. 
May this planet be more united and positive than ever before. 
May LOVE rule this world...starting with me! 
And, may the youth of the world rise up and realize their power to make this world their own. 

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!!!

PowerPrayer to Change Our Lives!

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How do we approach our lives powerfully? 
How do we make each moment count? 
How do we generate "earnest resolve"?

We KNOW that each moment contains the seed and power of the entire universe within our lives (ichinen sanzen) We KNOW THIS MOMENT is important. What do we need to harness and activate and use this knowledge with every fiber of our being? Here are some insights from the September Gosho study on the Gift of Rice:

The Gosho, the Gift of Rice states: 
"When we carefully consider what exactly "earnest resolve" refers to, it is the doctrine of observing the mind." 
(From the Gift of Rice by Nichiren Daishonin, Living Buddhism September 2015, page 29)

President Ikeda states "Everything is determined by the direction in which our "earnest resolve" orients our minds. When we focus our "earnest resolve" on our Buddhist practice, believing and practicing the Mystic Law that enables all people to attain enlightenment, our inner Buddhahood reveals itself, pervading our lives and the environment." 
LB, 9/15, page 38

How powerfully can earnest resolve work in our lives? 

Akeymi Bailey Haynie, our National SGI Leader said one day she heard her mother cry out from a nightmare, and realized that her mother had been having nightmares every night. (Her mother is a survivor of the WWII bombings in Japan). Akeymi developed a deep resolve in her heart and sat down and chanted 15 minutes of focused Daimoku that her mother would NEVER AGAIN have another nightmare. She reached that level of "now or never" or "NO WAY!" that is so powerful, and her Mom never had another nightmare. 

We all have this power in our lives. Sensei tells us this every day. When we are in front of the Gohonzon it is up to us to summon this resolve, and to focus our minds.

We all have this power! Today I offer you: 

PowerPrayer to Ignite and Focus
Our Inner Resolve
by Jamie Lee Silver from ChantforHappiness.com

LIFE! 
Now it the crucial moment! 
THIS MOMENT 
While I am chanting I am drawing a line in the sand! 
I am changing this KARMA Forever - 
I am rooting the cause from my life now! 
This shall happen:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
and/or THIS shall STOP happening:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I NOW summon all the power vested in me as a worthy votary of the Lotus Sutra. 
My life is Powerful!
I am turning my attention and focus to this powerful intention:
__________________________________________________
My daimoku is Powerful
Shoten Zenjin activate your forces NOW! 
Each Daimoku summons my power!
Each Daimoku has an effect NOW
For the sake of World Peace, I ignite my vow!
I will show actual proof -  inspire myself, inspire others, 
and change the world! 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo!