Be the Sun! Encouragement from Daisaku Ikeda

Last night after chanting I studied the Gosho in January's Living Buddhism. I sincerely hope all of you subscribe to the SGI publications in your country. They are the letters our mentor in faith is sending to you.

The Gosho for January is called "The Bow and Arrow." In it, Nichiren Daishonin encourages the Lay Nun Toki Jonin with all his heart. My favorite passage says:

"There is nothing to lament 
when we consider that we will surely become Buddhas. 
Even if one were to become an emperor's consort, 
of what use would it be? 
Even if one were to be reborn in heaven, 
what end would it serve? 
Instead you will follow the way 
of the Dragon King's daughter 
and rank with the nun Mahaprajapati. 
How Wonderful! 
How Wonderful! 
Please chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, 
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

With my deep respect, 
Nichiren
(WND-1, 657)

In the commentary, Daisaku Ikeda writes that Nichiren Daishonin is assuring Toki:

"We cannot fail to attain Buddhahood. No matter how painful things are now, we are certain to triumph in the end. We will enjoy ourselves freely in the realm of life that is eternal throughout the three existences of past, present and future. When you are sure of that, what reason do you have to lament?"
He goes on to say:
"Nichiren's encouragement in this passage is a deeply moving expression of his compassionate wish to dispel the anxiety plaguing the lay nun Toki's heart and free her from her sorrow. 
"And the words. "How wonderful! How wonderful! (WND-1657) articulate the joy one experiences when one emerges from the clouds of sorrow to savor a state of being where all clouds have disappeared and one's heart is serene like a clear blue sky. It is a state of hope, optimism and delight.
There may be many difficult and painful events in the course of one's life. But those who remain steadfast in their practice of the Mystic Law need never sink into the more of suffering. Instead of feeling depressed and sad, their spirits are buoyant and their hearts light as they look to the future. 
"The key is to chant resonantly with joy and courage. The lives of those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo embody the principle of "earthly desires leading to enlightenment." They are already victorious. They have triumphed, rising above all suffering." 
And, as people who achieved this state of life, we naturally encourage others. 
"Mr. Toda said that the essence of guidance is encouragement. He personally continued to make energetic efforts to encourage those who came to see him for guidance, until they had roused courage to stand up and face life's challenges again."

Daisaku Ikeda wraps up this essay with this bold, encouraging declatation:

"If you are without hope now, create hope! 
If you are unhappy now, create your own happiness.  
You be the sun, imparting sunshine to all around you!

"The heavenly dieties and all Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions and three existences will safeguard and protect the members of the SGI, who are striving for kosen-rufu as practitioners of the Lotus Sutra, just as Nichiren teaches. The entire universe is our ally. We have nothing to fear.

"Our lives are wellsprings of infinite value creation. We are entities of everlasting hope, dispelling the darkness of despair." 
(All quotes are from the January 2014 issue of Living Buddhism, pages 30-32) 

And I will add we are all so much more important than we may know. We are unusual. People are watching us. Our practice is the key to tapping into the vast life-source of the universe. We live bold and noble lives. Whatever we are struggling with - we can create value, and encourage others.  

It is Christmas eve here, and as I write this the sky is bright and I see sunshine, and lovely snowflakes coming down. How beautiful! A White Christmas. I hope we can all fill our hearts with joy!

As always, you can email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com

Holiday Mood-Lifting, Doubt-Busting Power-Prayer!

Recently I've changed the way I chant. Now I totally turn off my phone (Yes!) and I never leave my chair until I have chanted all my Daimoku (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) and finished Gongyo. (Morning and evening chanting - the recitation of parts of the Lotus Sutra). 
I keep my focus on the Gohonzon (scroll that represents the power of my life itself) as much as possible, although I do occasionally write something down that I want to share with you. And when I get to the prayers at the end, I take my time. I really concentrate on what they are saying and FEEL the gratitude in each prayer. 

And today, I just woke up out of sorts. As my friend in the UK would say "In the glums." (Hi Morag!) And this morning a fellow member came over and chanted an hour with me, and I still felt a bit impatient and agitated. 

Christmas is this week, and it is really, really cold here. It is 2 degrees as I write this. Bitter cold. Scary cold. Many people are also feeling some holiday stress. During the last few days before the holiday emotions get a bit magnified. Traffic gets snarled. Lines at stores can be long. People are rushing to have gifts bought and wrapped. And, of course, many of us think back to Christmases in the past, and loved ones who are no longer with us. 

Today I went out and did some last minute errands and still felt this agitation. So this evening I sat down to chant a really powerful hour of Daimoku. 

During this Daimoku I had the following prayers in my head.
Read this before chanting and enjoy your Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! (Please do not copy and paste this prayer, but feel free to share the blog's address: chantforhappiness.com)

Holiday Mood-Lifting ~ Doubt-Busting PowerPrayer!

Life!
I am determined that for my prayer 
to be as expansive as the entire universe...
for the power of my Daimoku 
to reach into the heart of every single person 
who is feeling like I feel right now, 
and for their hearts to be lightened. 
I chant for every person in front of their Gohonzons 
to chant the most powerful prayer 
and to really connect with their lives. 
I chant for every single reader of this blog, 
and every member of the SGI, 
and all those who don't practice. 
I chant for everyone who is seeking this practice to find it, 
as I did, almost 30 years ago. 
I now rip every thread of self pity and doubt out of my life.
Make my life 
and the power of my prayer 
as expansive as the entire universe. 
Let my prayer's energy uplift everyone who is suffering. 
And I chant for everyone who is chanting to shed their doubts and strengthen their determination and happiness too. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
And Wow do I feel great! Here's to you! Here's to the strength of your practice and to your happiness!

I want to make it clear that this blog is written by me, Jamie Lee Silver, and I have been practicing with the incredible SGI organization since the fall of 1985. My mentor in life is Daisaku Ikeda. Every day I chant to realize his dream for kosen-rufu, a world of respect and peace for all. I am a District Leader in the SGI and devote much of my time to chanting with members everywhere. Every blogpost is my own interpretation of this practice and is not an official representation of the Soka Gakkai Organization. It's personal. This blog came from my determination to change my karma, and to be an example for others that the impossible is possible. If I can alleviate depression and anxiety, lose 70 pounds, and live almost every moment with no fear - then ANYONE can do it. I am not special.

 I am devoted to revealing the power inherent in my life through this practice.

 I have found that practicing within the embrace of the Soka Gakkai is the only way to go. I cherish my leaders and my members and all my friends in faith. I wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with your friends in faith through the SGI. You can click on the portal to the right to find your local organization. Or email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com and I can help you connect with the SGI

Write me about anything at chantforhappiness@gmail.com. 

Hope is Life's Treasure

Hope Is Life's Treasure

Hope is
life's treasure.

Those
who have hope
are always happy.

One can have
all the wealth, power and fame
in the world,
but if one loses hope,
one will falter and stumble
in life.

The ancient Roman orator
Cicero wrote:
"Our capital is invested in hope
rather than in money;
if that hope be abandoned,
all else will be amassed
only to be lost later on."

The arrogant
who ridicule the hopeful
invariably fall in defeat,
left with naught but regret.

On no account
must we ruin
our lives,
which shine with such promise!

Hope is
a jewel that inspires and uplifts.
As long as we have hope,
we will never be deadlocked.

Victory always awaits
and happy smiles spread
where there is hope.

In the words of
the admirable Wangari Maathai,
the Kenyan environmental activist
and friend whom my wife and I
will never forget:
"Hope is like a flower,
which, when it blooms,
does so no matter
what mood it's in
or who is watching.
It always gives its best.
We can too."

Hope is
a flower that blossoms
in effort and perseverance.
Hope is
the noble visible reward
of those who accumulate unseen virtue.

People who live out their lives
with hope
never become jaded
or apathetic.

A contributive life
of giving hope
to those who are suffering
is a source of growth,
fulfillment,
learning,
creativity
and solidarity.

The great Spanish author
Miguel de Cervantes wrote,
"Just as light shines
more brightly in darkness,
so hope should be
more steadfast in trials."

Hope is the hallmark
of invincible fortitude.
Life is a struggle -
hence, our challenge is to live
with optimism and strength,
year after year.

InazoNitobe,
the great Tohoku-born educator,
friend of first Soka Gakkai president
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi,
declared that hope
can be found
even in the darkest gloom.

Such hope, he said,
is "visible only
to the eye of
faith and courage."

Even while imprisones dor his beliefs,
President Makiguchi wrote serenely,
"Depending on one's frame of mind,
even hell can be enjoyable."

Josei Toda later said
in gratitude to his martyred mentor,
"In your vast and boundless compassion,
you let me accompany you
even to prison."

As the third Soka Gakkai president,
I have steadfastly walked
the profoundly solemn
path of selfless dedication
of mentor and disciple.

I have given my life
to realizing all
the cherished hopes of
my mentor.
My heart is clear and bright,
without a cloud of regret.

As Nichiren Daishonin writes,
"The sun breaks through
the pitch-black dark."
Courageous faith is
the sun of limitless hope.

Mentor and disciple
committed to the noblest cause
will rise above all trials and adversity;
the unsurpassed brilliance of their lives
shining on forever.

Infinite hope!
The mystic law is the source.
A boundless state of life!
Faith and practice are the key.

In the Lotus Sutra,
we find these truly generous words:
"We beg that the merit (we have) gained...
may be spread far and wide to everyone,
so that we and other beings
all together may attain the Buddha way."

Kosen-rufu us
the supreme and colossal hope
of elevating
all humanity
to a vast life-state
of peace and happiness.

Ah---
Hope! Hope! Hope!
Hope is life's treasure.

At the start of a new year,
a new day,
let us set forth,
brimming with bright hope,
the sun of time without beginning
brimming in our hearts!

Let us boldly break through
even the deepest turmoil
of these troubled times,
and be the ones to create new hope!

Let us advance in triumph,
imparting the hope
of absolute victory
to one person after another!

The French writer and activist
Romain Rolland said,
"The last hope of our day
lies in youth."

I now wish to declare for all to hear:
"The greatest hope for the future lies in Soka youth."

My young friends,
never be defeated!

No matter what trials and hardships
may befall you,
never lose sight of
the golden light of hope!

Oh my friends,
my beloved friends
whom I trust with all my heart,
live out your lives with hope!
Be victorious without fail!

Daisaku Ikeda
--on my 84th birthday,

January 2nd, 2012

Universal Power Prayer for Peace on Earth and Absolute Happiness for ALL

Hello! First of all, I want to make it clear that this blog is written by me, Jamie Lee Silver, and I have been practicing with the incredible SGI organization since the fall of 1985. My mentor in life is Daisaku Ikeda. Every day I chant to realize his dream for kosen-rufu, a world of respect and peace for all. I am a District Leader in the SGI and devote much of my time to chanting with members everywhere. Every blogpost is my own interpretation of this practice and is not an official representation of the Soka Gakkai Organization. It's personal. This blog came from my determination to change my karma, and to be an example for others that the impossible is possible. If I can alleviate depression and anxiety, lose 70 pounds, find my soulmate, and live almost every moment with no fear - then ANYONE can do it. I am not special. But I am devoted to revealing the power inherent in my life through this practice. I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every single day. My minimum amount is usually an hour and sometimes much more. (And there are days I can't chant as much ~ this is a lifelong practice, so if one day I only chant a little Daimoku (But I always do morning and evening Gongyo) I redetermine for the next day. I have found that practicing within the embrace of the Soka Gakkai is the only way to go. I cherish my leaders and my members and all my friends in faith. I wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with your friends in faith through the SGI. You can click on the portal to the right to find your local organization. Or email me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com and I can help you. 

What is PowerPrayer?

PowerPrayer is our suggested wording to focus on exactly what you want while you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. As you are chanting, the PowerPrayers come into your mind like arrows and you aim them directly at your chosen targets. 

PowerPrayer is also what we have come to call our determination... or … replacement for our continuous conversation in our minds. If you begin to observe your mind with any degree of seriousness you will realize that your life and your thoughts actually do match one another. For instance, If a person prays once, for a rather brief moment in their day, about wanting something they felt astir deep in their heart, but then goes on to spend hours a day complaining— or worse, doubting— that their prayer can take form in the world, their prayer will not manifest. Their prayer, we might say, is not powerful. We have come to realize that it is a power within our own life that answers our prayers and not a “higher power.” When a person beseeches and asks of a “higher power” greater than themselves to grant wishes, they are claiming a role that is vastly inferior to the part of our life that can answer that prayer. Yes, that's right. We repeat, we believe, because we have found it to be true, that it is a power within our own life (that we access through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) that answers prayers and grants wishes, and the sooner we realize it, the better. And the more we come to appreciate and enjoy the process, the better.

In the meanwhile, We can use our minds as Buddha-minds; minds-- co-equivalent with the full force of consciousness that we call the universe, minds deep enough in compassion to grant wishes in the most wise and beneficial ways. Minds that 

are     

that

Powerful.

Become A force for Good

The heart is infinitely compassionate...

its fathomless rudder,

wisdom

—J. Landis

As Nichiren Buddhists we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to summon up our fathomless wisdom while steering our life-craft in the direction of our innermost desires. We chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo over and over and over again. We call this chanting Daimoku (Die-MO-Koo). Daimoku means title and the title of the Lotus Sutra (Shakyamuni Buddha’s self-proclaimed highest teaching) is  Myoho-Renge-Kyo.  The founder of this practice, Nichiren Daishonin, added to Myoho-renge-kyo  the syllable Nam which means “I devote my life to.” So, a brief translation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is, “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.

It actually becomes very natural over time to focus on a personal PowerPrayer while chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.  It is nothing more than putting your deepest fundamental wish into action. By chanting and focusing on our most cherished desire, we come to steer our lives with confidence in the direction of Buddhahood. Our lives become lives of immense creativity, wisdom and value, and most of all Love. For as we chant, rhythmically and powerfully, we exude into our environment a music that evokes our deepest, innermost capacity and transforms any manner of poison (problem) into a medicine (benefit), and further, into a nectar (deep happiness). 

Universal PowerPrayer for Happiness for ALL

Every Daimoku I chant

reaches every other person who is chanting

I deepen the power of my faith by 10,000

so that all who are chanting can also deepen their faith, spread the word of this great teaching 

to those still suffering

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, within their DNA itself 

within every cell in their body

that this practice works!

I chant for all who are chanting. 

May my prayer increase the power of their prayer! 

Today's Post

I'm running out to catch a train! I am enjoying my life so much! I wish you all a fabulous day and will post tomorrow. If my dreams can come true so can yours! 

It all Begins With Gongyo

A recent Sunset here in the Chicago Area...

Sometimes Gongyo (our morning and evening chanting of the Lotus Sutra) can become just another routine in our lives. We might not notice it at first. We may return a text, or answer a call, or get distracted. Then, we return to Daisaku Ikeda's words and we begin afresh with the spirit of "Hon nim myo" (meaning "from this moment forth"). 

After I read this guidance below I decided to tune up my own Gongyo and increase my concentration. From now on I turn my phone off. Yes. Off. And if I am interrupted, I begin again, so I can do a complete Gongyo. And I am concentrating on not doing anything...not leaving my seat, not looking away from the Gohonzon, until I have finished the prayers at the end. I am putting 100% of my effort into the solemn ceremony I perform twice a day. It feels wonderful. 

This Guidance came to me through my good friend in faith Amos Snell. 

It is based on SGI Vice President Mr. Matsushita's guidance given at FNCC to the Arts Division:

Sensei said: 

I always focus on the here and on the now. 

I strive to see this very moment. 

It's the only one I have. 

I put 100% of my life, my effort, 

into changing that moment. 

Anyone who lives their life this way 

will have tremendous fortune. 

Everything begins with Gongyo. 

Who will I present to the Gohonzon? 

WIll I present someone without confidence...

someone who questions if he deserves his benefits 

and is begging the Gohonzon to save him? 

Or will I present my true eternal self. 

If I chant with 

Optimism, 

Concrete Goals, 

Courage, 

Wisdom 

and Compassion 

I will generate the conviction that 

"I will make this happen 

based on the power of the Buddha Inside. 

When we chant our life fuses with the Mystic Law. 

Our life is as expansive as the whole universe  - 

it expands beyond our skin 

into the far reaches of the universe. 

Our life, 

powered with Daimoku 

can move anything in the universe. 

Thank you all for contacting me. I really enjoy hearing from you and receiving your feedback. I'm working on a post about attracting our soulmate. Do any of you have something you would like to offer the readers? Do you have victories to share? Or questions? Email chantforhappiness@gmail.com

How do we Love Ourselves, Really LOVE Ourselves?

A reader asked me to write about developing love for ourselves. What a wonderful request. Thank you so much! 

As the great woman sage of our time, Louise Hay says, loving ourselves is the most important thing we can do. All our happiness is ultimately based on this. And as Buddhists we innately understand that the love we feel for ourselves is reflected back at us every moment in the mirror that is our life. 

And Daisaku Ikeda has the key in this quote...facing our weaknesses is the real source of developing self love and mastery: 

The important thing is to firmly fix our gaze on our own weaknesses, not run away from them, but to battle them head-on and establish a solid self that nothing can sway. Hardships forge and polish our lives, so that eventually they shine with brilliant fortune and benefit. If left in its raw, unpolished form, even the most magnificent gem will not sparkle. The same applies to our lives.
From Ikedaquotes.org

For me, learning to love myself has been a life-long endeavor. From earliest memory I experienced shame and depression. I don't know where it came from...it was my karma. It was what I chose to come into this world with...so I could change it and be a Bodhisattva for everyone who is suffering. My motto has always been "If I can do it, I can encourage others."

Of course I knew self-love was one of the most important keys to unlocking this door, but wondered how do I achieve this? How do I turn it from a good idea to reality? How can I experience loving my own self? 

I have used many, many ways to build self-love. I find the solution in my Daimoku and in my body. When I began doing a form of Yoga I released energy that was holding me back. That was a turning point for me. part of the Yoga training I received required us to say to ourselves every night and every morning "I love you _____" to ourselves (Fill in your name here) That was not easy! I did it as faithfully as I could, and it made me realize I still had a lot to change to really believe this.  

Through study of Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho, Daisaku Ikeda's writings, and through my dear SGI friends in faith I embedded in my daimoku the continual prayer to experience life as the Buddha I am...to see myself as the Buddha I am...to love and respect myself as the Buddha I am..to be humble and open to changing in any way to be more aware of my Buddhahood...and to be the most inspiring, glowing Buddha I can be. We are all Buddhahood Rising! I've chanted to strengthen my inner core and to feel the glowing essence of the diamond I am within my life. I do these things so I can help YOU to realize these things within your life. 

We are the Buddha. We are the Diamond. We are strength itself. We are awakening in love for ourselves and love for others...even the difficult ones. They need our prayers. If they were not suffering, they would not make others suffer. We are all walking paths of such honor and respect...chanting for people on our paths...chanting for kosen-rufu, a world of respect for all beings. We are the magnificent Bodhisattvas of the Earth. We have arisen. We can love ourselves JUST AS WE ARE...and continually strive to be better people, to love ourselves and others more. That is our chosen path. It is such an honor to walk it along with you. 

Have wisdom to offer the other 35,000 readers of this blog? Share ways you have come to love and honor yourself please write me at chantforhappiness@gmail.com. You can also email me questions or comments.