Align Personal Goals with Kosen-rufu

Gosho: On Prolonging Life

Kosen-rufu, the widespread propagation of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, is the process by which we enable one person after another to awaken to the priceless jewel of Buddhahood within his or her life by teaching each one to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. A commitment to this lofty goal opens your life to a degree of good fortune and satisfaction that someone bound by purely egotistical concerns could never experience. I am convinced that when you live your life on the basis of a deep desire to contribute to kosen-rufu, you can change any immutable karma, no matter how stubborn it may be. But without a real determination to strive for kosen-rufu, you cannot change it substantially. Juse mouthing your determination has no place in Buddhist practice - you must work to materialize it through your actions adn cherish it in your heart, or ichinen.

When are firmly resolved that, no matter what, you must live to fulfill your mission for kosen-rufu, then you can summon the life-force to conquer illness and prolong your life. In a sense, the least we can do for kosen-rufu is to live long. Moreover, we must be healthy if we are to fulfill our mission. This means that being healthy is our responsibility. We cannot afford to flirt with illness, so to speak. As President Toda once said, we may become ill occasionally, but we should never allow our illness to defeat us in our determination to attain enlightenment and to propagate the teaching of Nichiren Daishonin.

Source: George M Williams, Vice President SGI

The Only Practice that Celebrates You being 'You'

Gosho: The Swords of Good and Evil

"Cherry, peach, plum and damson blossoms all have their own qualities, and they manifest the three properties of the life of the originzal Buddha without changing their own character." In other words, you do not have to give up your own identity; you attain Buddhahood "as you are." The Buddhist principle of "attaining Buddhahood in one's present form" means that, based upon faith in the Mystic Law, all your individual qualities, whatever they may be, will definitely serve a purpose for kosen-rufu.
Take the case of someone who is extremely hot-tempered and always losing jobs and alienating his family and friends because of his violent outbursts. No matter how sincerely such a man may chant daimoku, chances are that he will never become cool and unemotional; it is not his nature. But instead, his hot temper will begin to express itself in an enlightened way, perhaps as a great passion for justice. In other words, the very same trait that used to cause him so much pain and trouble will begin working to benefit both himself and others. And this holds true with every single person.

Source: George M Williams, Vice President SGI

How to Fulfil Your Wishes - A Special Way to Pray

Experience from the New Human Revolution Volume 22

A year earlier when Hasebe was visiting Japan, he conferred with Shin'ichi about whether he should try to buy a house in France. Smiling, Shin'ichi said: "That must mean that your paintings are selling well enough that you can afford a house."

"No," deferred Hasebe, "I'm just thinking about what I should be aiming for in the future."
Shin'ichi responded: "Instead of putting it off into the future, you should have the attitude that you're going to buy it right now. I think you should purchase a house. To be accepted by French society (which is where Hasebe now lived), it's important for you to have a house, put down roots in your community, and win people's trust. The thing to do is to firmly decide that you're going to buy a house and then chant hard to make that a reality. That said, if your only motivation is that you simply want a house, it might take a long time for your prayer to be answered."

Somewhat taken aback, Hasebe asked: "Is there a special way I should pray?"

"Yes," replied Shin'ichi. "You should make a pledge to carry out kosen-rufu for the sake of the happiness and prosperity of the people of France, and chant wholeheartedly for that. For example, you can pray, 'I will dedicate my life to achieving kosen-rufu in France. Therefore, I need a hhouse so that I may gain trust in the community and be able to provide members with a place to meet. Please give me a nice, big house for that purpose.'

"Daimoku based on a vow and wish to achieve kosen-rufu by showing people the way to attain absolute happiness is the same type of daimoku chanted by all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Earth. When you pray like this, the Buddha nature within your own life will open up and raise your life-condition to such a degree that you can even move the universe. When that happens, you will be able to realise your wish to buy a house without fail.

'On the other hand, if you're just praying for a big, fancy house because you want one for yourself, your life-state won't expand much, and it may take a long time for you to see your wish fulfiled. For us, the foundation of prayer is always kosen-rufu. And daimoku that originates in the determination to contribute to kosen-rufu produces immeasurable and unlimited benefits.
Making a pledge for kosen-rufu leads to a fulfilment of all one's wishes

The Osaka Campaign - Part 2

"In order to achieve victory, two things are vital: "strong daimoku" and "first-rate strategy and action."
... the "first rate strategy" was clearly shown in President Ikeda's behavior and in his 'Early Morning Gosho Lectures.' Simply put, the "first rate strategy is to be in complete rhythm with Sensei.
... The directions given by President Ikeda during the morning Gosho lecture was in-fact the "best strategy."
- Osaka campaign Value creation Jan 2007
I have come across this guidance each time while re-reading the Osaka campaign. While I kind of understood 'strong daimoku,' I could never wrap my head around 'first rate strategy and action.' What did it mean, I wondered. If I knew what the best strategy was, wouldn't I have already gone ahead and executed it? If it was so simple to take a certain action, would I not have already...well, taken that action?
The passage excerpt above explained what these terms mean at the most fundamental level for us as practitioners of Nichiren Daishonin's buddhism. 'First rate strategy & action' mean being one with out mentor. To strive each day to chant to be in same mind as him. To read the New Human revolution series to understand Sensei at a deeper level and learn how he lives and behaves in daily life.
Mentor disciple is a very difficult concept to understand..but striving to understand it is in fact a part of adopting first rate strategy and action. When we begin to understand our mentor, a lot of big words like 'kosen-rufu,' and 'bodhisattva of the earth,' will start to make that much more sense and our life will start expanding tremendously. So towards July 3rd, which is celebrated as Mentor Disciple day, let's try and chant this day onwards to connect with Sensei. It may not come naturally to you in the beginning and that's ok. The important thing is to have the ichinen to begin to understand Sensei's significance in our lives at some point and be able to follow him truly. Then we will truly be like a 'blue fly clinging to a thorough bred horse.' (will not explain that here...thats another post.)
You can read more about the mentor and disciple concept here

Clear direction from Sensei

"Everything has a purpose, a mission. The mission of flowers is to bloom. The mission of the sun is to give off light and warmth The mission of water is to flow, to purify and to nourish life.
You and I are Bodhisattvas of the Earth, born into this world to actualise the fundamental mission of kosen-rufu, Failing to do so is like a flower that doesn't bloom or a sun that doesn't shine. In that case, we cannot know true joy or fulfilment.
It is of course important to do our best and become foremost employees at our places of work, but we also mustn't forget why we are living - that is, to contribute to others and to society. In short, it is to realize kosen-rufu, an undertaking to eliminate misery from the world and bring happiness and peace to all. Never forgetting our primary purpose, we need to become victors in our workplaces, establish wonderful families and develop ourselves into trusted members of the community and people who are genuinely happy and fulfilled. That is how we demonstrate the power of Buddhism."
-Daisaku Ikeda, Value creation May 2015

My mission as a bodhisattva of the earth

Till quite recently in my practice, every-time I used to face a personal problem, the guidance I would get from my seniors in faith would revolve around three things -

1. Mentor
2. Kosen-rufu
3. Mission as bodhisattva

And it used to irritate the hell out of me!(still does sometimes...shhh)

Simply because I was looking at this practice as a fix for my problem rather than seeing my problem as a fix for my practice and hence life.

Lost me there, didn't you. Don't worry... I lost myself there too. Let me try and explain.

So how I saw this was -
1. have a problem? 
2. will chant, study, attend meetings, tell others about philosophy ie "kosen-rufu" 
3. Will overcome problem. Happiness abounds...

The actual equation and its rationale according to what I have understood:

1. have a problem? Good. I asked for this problem aeons ago when I raised up my hand to say "I will contribute to propagating the Law in the latter day of the law by overcoming this problem and showing actual proof that the Law works! So this is actually my mission."
2. Will chant, study, attend meetings, tell others about this philosophy while at each moment developing an ichinen to contribute to kosen rufu with my secular actions ie gaining trust at work, establishing unity with my better half, and fostering friendships in my environment, thus living the law 24/7 and not only when I am chanting/attending meetings.
3. Will overcome problem for Kosen rufu - so that others are encouraged by my experience of not only overcoming the problem and turning poison into medicine but also by my upbeat and encouraging demeanor while I was neck deep in the problem.

Tadaaaa! so the answer there is to have mission-oriented faith rather than benefit oriented faith. And don't you worry about benefits. In benefit-oriented faith, what you get is a trickle compared to what you get in a mission-oriented faith ...which is more like a dormant volcano come to life!!!

President Toda's Timeless Guidance

President Toda gave the following guidance: "Once we have embarked on a challenge, we must win. Please never forget for a moment that the sole driving force for success in all things is thoroughly chanting daimoku and earnestly praying to the Gohonzon."

He also declared: "No matter what happens, the one key point you must never forget is strong faith. For with faith, you can triumph over anything."...If we truly have faith, we can win over any situation...
All prayers that lead to your happiness will definitely be fulfilled. There is absolutely no mistake about this. Such is the power of the Mystic Law and faith. I hope you will bear this deeply in mind.

He also said: "We can make the impossible possible because we wring forth every ounce of what little wisdom we possess and exert ourselves with all our might. Those efforts bring forth the protection of the Gohonzon." It is just as he says...
When we have a fervent resolve to realize kosen-rufu and take all-out action towards that end, we will be protected by the Gohonzon.

Value Creation, May 2014

Working for Others = Sacrificing Oneself?

On response to a member's question if working for others means sacrificing oneself -

President Ikeda - "That is an important question. Thinking only about oneself can lead to selfishness, while thinking only about others can lead to self-sacrifice. The point however, is to avoid either of these extremes, and instead strive so that all of us - both ourselfves and others - can enjoy life, grow and become happy together. 

I once presented students of Kansai Soka Schools with the words; "True happiness is not built on the misfortune of others."

The Daishonin also writes: "If one lights a (lantern) for others one will brighten one's own way." The actions we take for others' happiness lead to our own happiness as well. Above all, they cause our own lives to shine brightly. To live with a true spirit of altruism means to have the strength and wisdom to cherish both ourselves and others." 

The SGI is spreading this perspective of happiness throughout society and the world." 

-Value Creation, Feb 2014

Eternal March 16

Excerpt paraphrased from July 2013 Value creation "Eternal March 16" By Shin'ichi Yamamoto

On the morning of 15 march 2013, Sensei received the happy news that two blossoms on the Youth Cherry Tree in front of the Soka Gakkai Visitors Centre flowered. "Undefeated by the trials of winter, the Youth Cherry Tree exudes a spirit of eternal youth. year after year, as if coming out to warmly greet neighbourhood residents and visitors, it blooms with all its might." Sensei likens the Tree to the youth division members contributing to their communities and society through dialogue.
"To be full of energy is the distinguishing characteristic of youth. Youth are the future; they are the embodiment of hope. They are challengers, pioneers, and builders."
March 16 1958, a 'dress rehearsal' for kosen-rufu. Sensei likened it with the same significance as the ceremony in the air, where Shakyamuni entrusted the law to his disciples as depicted in the Lotus Sutra. March 16 was a ceremony of entrustment from mentor to disciple as well as youth who rose up to respond to their mentor.
How best can youth respond to the mentor, how can they reassure their mentor? By "diligently seeking the buddha way." Diligently means to constantly make an effort to achieve something.
Our daily practice of Gongyo and chanting daimoku also has a significance linked to the Ceremony in the Air. The Daishonin writes: This mandala (the Gohonzon) is in no way my invention. It is the object of devotion that depicts Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, seated in the treasure tower of Many Treasures Buddha, and the Buddhas who were Shakyamuni's emanations as perfectly as a print matches its woodblock."
As this passage indicates, the Gohonzon is a depiction of the Ceremony in the Air.
Through chanting earnestly before the Gohonzon, we make a vow for kosen-rufu and then take action in society. Because of that vow, limitless power wells forth within us as Bodhisattvas of the Earth, filling us with courage and wisdom.
"I will open the way for Kosen-rufu! I will challenge this task today! I will lead the way to victory!" - whenever I sit before the Gohonzon, I (Shin'ichi) deepen my pledge to Nichiren Daishonin and my mentor Josei Toda, who called forth vast numbers of Bodhisattvas of the Earth in the present age.

How to Encourage Someone

LISTEN to what they have to say and offer even just a few words of encouragement. That is all it may take for the flame of “life” to spring up anew in the heart of someone who is suffering deeply. Just knowing that someone cares about them causes their “life-space” to expand.
- Daisaku Ikeda

Sensei's Guidance

"WHEN one dedicates himself/herself to the Gohonzon and advances in practice for the sake of his/her own enlightenment and for kosen-rufu, then, without doubt, he/she will become capable of truly loving others, and others in turn will say to themselves that there is something about him/her that shines." - Ikeda Sensei

Sensei' on Mission and Not Begrudging One's Life: NHR excerpt

"The crucial thing to remember is that what you decide to devote yourself to or give your life to is what determines whether your life will be happy or unhappy. The Daishonin teaches us that the highest and most fundamental kind of devotion is to the Gohonzon of the oneness of the Person and the Law - that is, to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
Shin'ichi spoke with increasing force: "More specifically, we might say that this devotion is dedicating ourselves to the realisation of kosen-rufu, with the resolve to widely propagate Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the Gohonzon of the oneness of the person and the Law as our lifes' purpose and lifelong goal. This is the path that leads to absolute happiness.
"I'm sure some of you regard expressions such as 'not begrudging one's life' and 'dedicating one's life to Buddhism' as encouraging a sort of self-sacrifice, some kind of tragic self-immolation. but the state of mind underlying the kind of devotion I am talking about is entirely different. It is a state of complete, self-assured calm adn peace, a state utterly without fear.
"Devotion to the Mystic Law means breaking through your 'lesser self,' the small you that has been driven and hounded by all kinds of petty, selfish wants and desires. It means returning to your greater self,' the self that is one with the universe, that is as vast as the cosmos itself. When that happens, you will shine with your highest human potential. The process by which this comes about is called human revolution."
From NHR volume 6, Young Eagles Chapter.

Daily Guidance

"THE age when silence is considered an indication of wisdom is over. The age of the people means an age of dialogue, a time when people must share their opinions and discuss matters over and over again. You must never withdraw into your own world of quiet contemplation. Such withdrawal leads to defeat in life." - Ikeda Sensei

Power of Daimoku - Ikeda Sensei

Power of Daimoku

"If you underestimate the power of daimoku and use other strategies you will lose in the end. You can accumulate good fortune only when you fight for the kosen-rufu without begrudging your life. Unless your prayers are united, your fight for kosen-rufu cannot gain momentum. No matter what anybody says, or does, nothing can defeat the power of daimoku. But without action, you cannot call it faith. The Gohonzon can penetrate through everything.

The world of faith is very mystic and once you become serious, you can gain 1000 or 10000 times more benefits. When you chant abundant daimoku, you have the power to open even the heaviest iron-door that stands in your way i.e, you can overcome the most massive obstacles in your life. You can definitely change your negative karma. The world of faith is the place where many of us, all of us chant powerful daimoku in unity, thus creating power like the force of a huge wind. There is nothing but Daimoku. Daimoku determines everything. Daimoku has more power than 1 million guidance or a million books of philosophy.

Chant abundant Daimoku and pray to the Gohonzon. Ask the Gohonzon whatever you need. Everything will come true as your wish and the path of kosen-rufu will open up in front of you. Everything depends upon how much Daimoku you chant. When you chant a lot of Daimoku, you will naturally feel that you need to study more. When you chant Daimoku, your work will become more fulfilling.

There may be times that you will experience great sufferings and deep sorrow. There maybe nights when tears will not stop flowing. There may also be times when you are terribly hurt. At such times my heart will be open to you. I am always here to listen you. I, too, will share tears with you. You don't need to tell me anything if you are happy. I can tell just by looking at your face. Just tell me about the problems and pains that you have. I will carry half of your heavy burden and walk together with you."