Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, June 13, 2012:
When an evil ruler in consort with priests of erroneous teachings tries to destroy the correct teaching and do away with a man of wisdom, those with the heart of a lion king are sure to attain Buddhahood. Like Nichiren, for example. I say this not out of arrogance but because I am deeply committed to the correct teaching.
Letter to Sado
Written to Toki Jonin on March 20, 1272
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Supremacy of the Law
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 12, 2012:
I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters lend you even greater protection.
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 12, 2012:
I say this for your sake. I know your faith has always been admirable, but now you must strengthen it more than ever. Only then will the ten demon daughters lend you even greater protection.
The Supremacy of the Law
Written to Oto and her mother, Nichimyo, on August 4, 1275
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Entity of the Mystic Law
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, June 11, 2012:
The mystic principle that is the essential nature of phenomena possesses two aspects, the defiled aspect and the pure aspect. If the defiled aspect is operative, this is called delusion. If the pure aspect is operative, this is called enlightenment. Enlightenment constitutes the realm of Buddhahood. Delusion constitutes the realms of ordinary mortals.
The Entity of the Mystic Law
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo; date unknown
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, June 11, 2012:
The mystic principle that is the essential nature of phenomena possesses two aspects, the defiled aspect and the pure aspect. If the defiled aspect is operative, this is called delusion. If the pure aspect is operative, this is called enlightenment. Enlightenment constitutes the realm of Buddhahood. Delusion constitutes the realms of ordinary mortals.
The Entity of the Mystic Law
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo; date unknown
The Selection of the Time
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, June 10, 2012:
When it comes to studying the teachings of Buddhism, one must first learn to understand the time.
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, June 10, 2012:
When it comes to studying the teachings of Buddhism, one must first learn to understand the time.
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Old Man
Spiritual Story by Jonathan Robinson
Once long ago, there lived an old man.
He had no money. He had no plan.
All that he had was a horse oh so grand
and he and his horse lived off the land.
The King offered riches for this horse oh so fine,
�I�ll give you money if you�ll make your horse mine.�
But the old man said, �My horse will not be sold,
he lives with me. He lives free and bold.�
Then one day the horse was plain gone.
�The horse had been stolen,� the townsfolk cried on.
The old man said, �Friends, don�t look so sad,
Though the horse be gone that may not be so sad.�
�You foolish old man, look what you�ve done.
You had a fine horse and now you have none.
A curse it is and a curse it will be,
you shouldn�t have let your horse wander free!�
The horse soon returned with others by its side.
There were twelve now of beauty and pride.
The townsfolk said, �Old man, you were right.
You are blessed to have horses of unearthly delight!�
�I have 12 horses, yes that is true
but that does not mean I am blessed with them too.
It is too soon to judge, who knows what will be?
Try not to make stories from the little you see.�
As it came to pass, the old man�s only son
tried riding a horse, just for fun.
Yet he broke both his legs while playing this game
and the townsfolk cried, �Oh what a shame!�
The old man said, �Friends don�t speak so soon.
You hear just one note yet you sing an entire tune.
Who�s to say what the future may hold?
My son�s legs are broken but the future lies untold.�
Soon there was war, and the young men of town
were all sent to fight and were shot down.
But the old man�s son was saved from this plight.
He had broken his legs, he was forced not to fight.
And the townfolk cried out, �Again you were right!�
But the old man replied, �Have you no sight?
Only God knows what is and will be.
To live and let live is to live and live free.�
Once long ago, there lived an old man.
He had no money. He had no plan.
All that he had was a horse oh so grand
and he and his horse lived off the land.
The King offered riches for this horse oh so fine,
�I�ll give you money if you�ll make your horse mine.�
But the old man said, �My horse will not be sold,
he lives with me. He lives free and bold.�
Then one day the horse was plain gone.
�The horse had been stolen,� the townsfolk cried on.
The old man said, �Friends, don�t look so sad,
Though the horse be gone that may not be so sad.�
�You foolish old man, look what you�ve done.
You had a fine horse and now you have none.
A curse it is and a curse it will be,
you shouldn�t have let your horse wander free!�
The horse soon returned with others by its side.
There were twelve now of beauty and pride.
The townsfolk said, �Old man, you were right.
You are blessed to have horses of unearthly delight!�
�I have 12 horses, yes that is true
but that does not mean I am blessed with them too.
It is too soon to judge, who knows what will be?
Try not to make stories from the little you see.�
As it came to pass, the old man�s only son
tried riding a horse, just for fun.
Yet he broke both his legs while playing this game
and the townsfolk cried, �Oh what a shame!�
The old man said, �Friends don�t speak so soon.
You hear just one note yet you sing an entire tune.
Who�s to say what the future may hold?
My son�s legs are broken but the future lies untold.�
Soon there was war, and the young men of town
were all sent to fight and were shot down.
But the old man�s son was saved from this plight.
He had broken his legs, he was forced not to fight.
And the townfolk cried out, �Again you were right!�
But the old man replied, �Have you no sight?
Only God knows what is and will be.
To live and let live is to live and live free.�
On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, June 9, 2012:
I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground.
On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins
Written to Shijo Kingo in 1273
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, June 9, 2012:
I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground.
On Rebuking Slander of the Law and Eradicating Sins
Written to Shijo Kingo in 1273
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, June 8, 2012:
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life.
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on February 11, 1272
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, June 8, 2012:
Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the prayer that your faith will be steadfast and correct at the moment of death. Never seek any other way to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death, and manifest it in your life.
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on February 11, 1272
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The New New
Spiritual Story by Keith Beasley
It was a sober atmosphere in the boardroom at Gnuchi and Gnichi. All around the large, oval, glass, table sat the directors and senior managers, each looking as glum as the next. "OK. We all know why we're here" the chairman opened the crisis meeting "accounts 20% down, no new campaigns in the offering, the whole food sector gone soft and the first 6 months loss since this company started.
Come on, I'm paying you lot a fortune, what are we going to do about it?" His key staff all looked down at the blank pieces of paper in front of them. There was a rumble of nervous swallowing and clearing of throats... though no one has anything to say.
"I'm waiting..."
Sir Peter Pepper was not noted for his patience, certainly not with ineffective managers. They all knew that this could be their last day unless someone came up with something... quick. But most had too much to lose and, even though in the advertising industry, had too little courage to speak with any originality. Most, but not all.
Timothy Robbins, known to the others as �young Tim', had nothing to lose. He hadn't worked at Gnuchi and Gnichi long enough to have built up a pension, but his TV stardom, that had also given him his job at this, seemingly, prestigious firm meant that he could walk into a job anywhere.
"Ahem. Sir Peter, if I may?"
"You might as well Tim, since nobody else seems to have the balls to say anything. The floor's yours."
Tim looked around the packed boardroom nervously. He saw a few encouraging faces, mainly from the leisure industries sector, where he'd built up a bit of a fan base for his light wit and sparks of genius. "I just wonder if it's time we faced the truth here."
Many of the board groaned audibly but Sir Peter nodded "and what might that be?"
"Well, it's all �been there done that, isn't it? This advertising business I mean. There are no new colours we can use on our posters. There are no new jokes we can bring into our TV campaigns. There are no really new materials we can use to add sparkle." He looked around to gauge reaction.
He was hit with a range of facial expression from puzzlement to outright antagonism� with a fair amount of denial in-between. But from the face that mattered, the chairman's, he saw interest... even perhaps a smile. Before it could fade, he went on. "But most of all, there are no new products. None. It's all been done before. No wonder we can't get any interest going, there's nothing worth getting enthusiastic about!"
Seeing his boss nod slightly, he continued. "Look, I know that most folk who take notice of our adverts are pretty much sheep, but even they are becoming jaded, worn out by all this, our, media hype. And, dare I say it, some are even becoming discerning!" There was a gasp from at least two old-school colleagues and a sense of shock from the more unaware of the board.
Sir Peter Pepper beamed "You're right. Totally right. Why hasn't anyone else told me this?" As he looked at each of them in turn, his executives all buried their faces again. "Your prognosis is spot on Tim, but does that wise, young, head have any suggestions for keeping this company in profit, or do these truths mean it's time to shut up shop?"
Now the prevailing emotion around the table was one of fear: no job, no money, no status... but not from Sir Pepper nor young Tim. Though coming from very different places and with a lifetime of experience between them, both knew this was an opportunity, a chance to break the mould and make a difference... not just to their own lives, but perhaps to society as a whole.
"It is perhaps a matter of choice" Tim responded. "Punters are wise enough now to see that there is no real difference between brand X and brand Y, they know that this new recipe or that new feature make sod all difference to them, the user. It's time to stop treating the purchasing public as stupid and treat them as thinking, feeling, individuals." More stifled gasps spluttered from the assembled section heads and once high-flying account managers.
"So what are you suggesting?"
"Instead of advertising things that don't matter, promote things that do. Why don't we put our weight and creative skills behind..."
"Behind what?"
Douglas Daggers could keep quiet no longer. "You mean �Green' products and �New Age' stuff?" he spat our cynically. �Been there, done that'" he quoted sarcastically. His chairman looked at him, weighing up his previously dependable deputy.
"You're fired."
He let the words echo around the room. "Times are changing, We have to change with them. Douglas, leave now. Thank you." Douglas looked around at the stunned faces, wanting to argue his case but knowing there was no arguing against Sir P once he'd made up his mind. Mouth open in shock he rose from his chair and made his way to the door, clutching at each chair for support as he passed.
Sir Peter had been through many rollercoaster highs and lows in his varied and hugely successful career. Indeed, his knighthood reflected his highly respected entrepreneurial status... and nose for whole new business ventures. He knew when to changes horses. He nodded at young Tim to continue.
"The trouble with our �Green' and �New Age' campaigns is that we've tried to use old style advertising on them. But as I've just said, old hype and superficial floss just doesn't work any more... certainly not with the folks who are interested in genuinely useful products, in authentic goods, or in services that encourage and enable us to think for ourselves, to express our creativity and share or co-operate. Humanity is waking up. We're no longer cannon fodder. To survive we have to be part of the emerging awareness of our inner spiritual nature and the one, interconnected, global reality... and to accept responsibility..."
"� for humanity's future" The chairman completed the sentence for him. "Heart and Soul, ladies and gentlemen, that is the New, New. And it has to come from our heart and soul. If a product isn't authentic, we don't promote it. If a service doesn't help the greater good, we don't advertise it. No more campaigns of empty words, no more relying on so-called big names or big budgets. Each job has to feel right.
"Tim, I want you to start a new department working for and with currently unheard of businesses that fit into all this." Spotting his Finance Director about to jump in he held up his hand for silence. "It may be true that, at present, such companies can't afford our fees. So, we'll subsidise the initial campaigns for each of them. Choose the best and throw our resources behind them.
"And where's the money coming from?" His boss of finances could keep quiet no longer.
"You've heard of "Frenzy' drinks?"
"Isn't that your alco-pop company?"
"Was. Just had an offer I couldn't refuse... from Poca Pola. They might be happy to fuel binge drinking, but not me. I'm committing all the proceeds from this sale to the new project we've just agreed. "
"You," he addressed his three section heads, "how many spare staff do you have?" Peter, choose the ones most in keeping with our Authenticity Project. They now work for you."
"Any questions?"
Needless to say there were probably millions of questions buzzing around inside the heads of his key staff, but none, they knew, were worth asking. Their jobs, their world, had changed.
It was a sober atmosphere in the boardroom at Gnuchi and Gnichi. All around the large, oval, glass, table sat the directors and senior managers, each looking as glum as the next. "OK. We all know why we're here" the chairman opened the crisis meeting "accounts 20% down, no new campaigns in the offering, the whole food sector gone soft and the first 6 months loss since this company started.
Come on, I'm paying you lot a fortune, what are we going to do about it?" His key staff all looked down at the blank pieces of paper in front of them. There was a rumble of nervous swallowing and clearing of throats... though no one has anything to say.
"I'm waiting..."
Sir Peter Pepper was not noted for his patience, certainly not with ineffective managers. They all knew that this could be their last day unless someone came up with something... quick. But most had too much to lose and, even though in the advertising industry, had too little courage to speak with any originality. Most, but not all.
Timothy Robbins, known to the others as �young Tim', had nothing to lose. He hadn't worked at Gnuchi and Gnichi long enough to have built up a pension, but his TV stardom, that had also given him his job at this, seemingly, prestigious firm meant that he could walk into a job anywhere.
"Ahem. Sir Peter, if I may?"
"You might as well Tim, since nobody else seems to have the balls to say anything. The floor's yours."
Tim looked around the packed boardroom nervously. He saw a few encouraging faces, mainly from the leisure industries sector, where he'd built up a bit of a fan base for his light wit and sparks of genius. "I just wonder if it's time we faced the truth here."
Many of the board groaned audibly but Sir Peter nodded "and what might that be?"
"Well, it's all �been there done that, isn't it? This advertising business I mean. There are no new colours we can use on our posters. There are no new jokes we can bring into our TV campaigns. There are no really new materials we can use to add sparkle." He looked around to gauge reaction.
He was hit with a range of facial expression from puzzlement to outright antagonism� with a fair amount of denial in-between. But from the face that mattered, the chairman's, he saw interest... even perhaps a smile. Before it could fade, he went on. "But most of all, there are no new products. None. It's all been done before. No wonder we can't get any interest going, there's nothing worth getting enthusiastic about!"
Seeing his boss nod slightly, he continued. "Look, I know that most folk who take notice of our adverts are pretty much sheep, but even they are becoming jaded, worn out by all this, our, media hype. And, dare I say it, some are even becoming discerning!" There was a gasp from at least two old-school colleagues and a sense of shock from the more unaware of the board.
Sir Peter Pepper beamed "You're right. Totally right. Why hasn't anyone else told me this?" As he looked at each of them in turn, his executives all buried their faces again. "Your prognosis is spot on Tim, but does that wise, young, head have any suggestions for keeping this company in profit, or do these truths mean it's time to shut up shop?"
Now the prevailing emotion around the table was one of fear: no job, no money, no status... but not from Sir Pepper nor young Tim. Though coming from very different places and with a lifetime of experience between them, both knew this was an opportunity, a chance to break the mould and make a difference... not just to their own lives, but perhaps to society as a whole.
"It is perhaps a matter of choice" Tim responded. "Punters are wise enough now to see that there is no real difference between brand X and brand Y, they know that this new recipe or that new feature make sod all difference to them, the user. It's time to stop treating the purchasing public as stupid and treat them as thinking, feeling, individuals." More stifled gasps spluttered from the assembled section heads and once high-flying account managers.
"So what are you suggesting?"
"Instead of advertising things that don't matter, promote things that do. Why don't we put our weight and creative skills behind..."
"Behind what?"
Douglas Daggers could keep quiet no longer. "You mean �Green' products and �New Age' stuff?" he spat our cynically. �Been there, done that'" he quoted sarcastically. His chairman looked at him, weighing up his previously dependable deputy.
"You're fired."
He let the words echo around the room. "Times are changing, We have to change with them. Douglas, leave now. Thank you." Douglas looked around at the stunned faces, wanting to argue his case but knowing there was no arguing against Sir P once he'd made up his mind. Mouth open in shock he rose from his chair and made his way to the door, clutching at each chair for support as he passed.
Sir Peter had been through many rollercoaster highs and lows in his varied and hugely successful career. Indeed, his knighthood reflected his highly respected entrepreneurial status... and nose for whole new business ventures. He knew when to changes horses. He nodded at young Tim to continue.
"The trouble with our �Green' and �New Age' campaigns is that we've tried to use old style advertising on them. But as I've just said, old hype and superficial floss just doesn't work any more... certainly not with the folks who are interested in genuinely useful products, in authentic goods, or in services that encourage and enable us to think for ourselves, to express our creativity and share or co-operate. Humanity is waking up. We're no longer cannon fodder. To survive we have to be part of the emerging awareness of our inner spiritual nature and the one, interconnected, global reality... and to accept responsibility..."
"� for humanity's future" The chairman completed the sentence for him. "Heart and Soul, ladies and gentlemen, that is the New, New. And it has to come from our heart and soul. If a product isn't authentic, we don't promote it. If a service doesn't help the greater good, we don't advertise it. No more campaigns of empty words, no more relying on so-called big names or big budgets. Each job has to feel right.
"Tim, I want you to start a new department working for and with currently unheard of businesses that fit into all this." Spotting his Finance Director about to jump in he held up his hand for silence. "It may be true that, at present, such companies can't afford our fees. So, we'll subsidise the initial campaigns for each of them. Choose the best and throw our resources behind them.
"And where's the money coming from?" His boss of finances could keep quiet no longer.
"You've heard of "Frenzy' drinks?"
"Isn't that your alco-pop company?"
"Was. Just had an offer I couldn't refuse... from Poca Pola. They might be happy to fuel binge drinking, but not me. I'm committing all the proceeds from this sale to the new project we've just agreed. "
"You," he addressed his three section heads, "how many spare staff do you have?" Peter, choose the ones most in keeping with our Authenticity Project. They now work for you."
"Any questions?"
Needless to say there were probably millions of questions buzzing around inside the heads of his key staff, but none, they knew, were worth asking. Their jobs, their world, had changed.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, June 7, 2012:
Thus, as we have seen, even those who lack understanding, so long as they chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, can avoid the evil paths. This is like lotus flowers, which turn as the sun does, though the lotus has no mind to direct it, or like the plantain that grows with the rumbling of thunder, though this plant has no ears to hear it. Now we are like the lotus or the plantain, and the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the sun or the thunder.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, June 7, 2012:
Thus, as we have seen, even those who lack understanding, so long as they chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, can avoid the evil paths. This is like lotus flowers, which turn as the sun does, though the lotus has no mind to direct it, or like the plantain that grows with the rumbling of thunder, though this plant has no ears to hear it. Now we are like the lotus or the plantain, and the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the sun or the thunder.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, June 6, 2012:
The Great Teacher Dengyo says: "Neither teachers nor disciples need undergo countless kalpas of austere practice in order to attain Buddhahood. Through the power of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law they can do so in their present form." This means that both the teacher who expounds the principles of the Lotus Sutra and the disciple who receives his teachings will, in no long time, together become Buddhas through the power of the Lotus Sutra.
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, June 6, 2012:
The Great Teacher Dengyo says: "Neither teachers nor disciples need undergo countless kalpas of austere practice in order to attain Buddhahood. Through the power of the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law they can do so in their present form." This means that both the teacher who expounds the principles of the Lotus Sutra and the disciple who receives his teachings will, in no long time, together become Buddhas through the power of the Lotus Sutra.
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Compassionate Fists
Lucia Rijker grew up in Amsterdam. She learned kickboxing and ultimately fought her way to multiple titles as an international champion. She achieved fame, financial success, and traveled the world, learning about boxing and other cultures. She had no life outside of her career.
A friend from England visited her in Amsterdam and brought her to her first Buddhist discussion meeting. At first, Lucia made fun of chanting, but as her friend taught her gongyo and Buddhist concepts, she realized that "it was the first time that someone gave me something without wanting anything in return."
At that time, the Gohonzon was not available, so she chanted three hours a day to a wall and saw immediate results.
She came to America for a vacation and was able to receive her own Gohonzon.
After escaping serious injury in a major car accident she was forced to look at herself. She said: "I had all this talent and capability and I wasn't using it. As Nichiren Daishonin says, 'A sword is useless in the hands of a coward.'" At this point, she knew what she wanted to do — she found work as a trainer and kickboxing teacher.
A promoter noticed her and offered to mold her into a female Mike Tyson. She turned him down. She explains: "I stand for something. I'm becoming a strong woman who will set people free by what I'm doing. My words are worth nothing if I let someone take my soul and replace it with his own. Now I'm about to have it all — money and everything — on my own terms. [She is scheduled for several pay-per-view bouts.] Because I was patient enough to wait until it came to me."
Professional boxing is full of "trash talk" with one fighter pitted against another, but Lucia says: "No matter what is said by others, I respect all my opponents; as Buddhism teaches, the only way to prove my true strength is to defeat a strong opponent."
Lucia's will is to empower and liberate people through her boxing, not to cause pain or glorify violence.
Is she ever afraid? "Yes." She says: "Fear is natural and important because it make me go deep within myself to find my real strength."
[A more complete version of this experience is on page 9 of the October 17, 1997, World Tribune.]
A friend from England visited her in Amsterdam and brought her to her first Buddhist discussion meeting. At first, Lucia made fun of chanting, but as her friend taught her gongyo and Buddhist concepts, she realized that "it was the first time that someone gave me something without wanting anything in return."
At that time, the Gohonzon was not available, so she chanted three hours a day to a wall and saw immediate results.
She came to America for a vacation and was able to receive her own Gohonzon.
After escaping serious injury in a major car accident she was forced to look at herself. She said: "I had all this talent and capability and I wasn't using it. As Nichiren Daishonin says, 'A sword is useless in the hands of a coward.'" At this point, she knew what she wanted to do — she found work as a trainer and kickboxing teacher.
A promoter noticed her and offered to mold her into a female Mike Tyson. She turned him down. She explains: "I stand for something. I'm becoming a strong woman who will set people free by what I'm doing. My words are worth nothing if I let someone take my soul and replace it with his own. Now I'm about to have it all — money and everything — on my own terms. [She is scheduled for several pay-per-view bouts.] Because I was patient enough to wait until it came to me."
Professional boxing is full of "trash talk" with one fighter pitted against another, but Lucia says: "No matter what is said by others, I respect all my opponents; as Buddhism teaches, the only way to prove my true strength is to defeat a strong opponent."
Lucia's will is to empower and liberate people through her boxing, not to cause pain or glorify violence.
Is she ever afraid? "Yes." She says: "Fear is natural and important because it make me go deep within myself to find my real strength."
[A more complete version of this experience is on page 9 of the October 17, 1997, World Tribune.]
The Net
Spiritual Story by Dr. Willard Harley
Marriage is like a fishing net. Each day fishermen use their nets to catch fish and sell them at the market. One fisherman takes his fish from the net every day, but let's debris from the ocean accumulate. Eventually so much debris is caught in the net that he can hardly cast it out of the boat, and when he does, it's almost impossible to retrieve. Finally, in a fit of anger, he cuts the net loose and goes home without it. He's unable to catch and sell fish again until he buys another net.
Another fisherman removes debris every time he retrieves the net with the fish he caught. Each time he casts his net, it's clean and ready to catch more fish. As a result, he catches and sells enough fish to support himself and his family.
In this parable, the fish are emotional needs met in marriage and the debris are Love Busters, habits that cause unhappiness.
Bad marriages are like the first fisherman's net. Selfish demands, disrespectful judgments, angry outbursts, independent behavior and dishonesty accumulate over time. The burden of the unhappiness they cause ruins a couple's willingness and ability to meet each other's emotional needs. Eventually the marriage supplies no benefits to either spouse and ends in divorce or emotional separation.
Good marriages are like the second fisherman's net. Love Busters are eliminated as soon as they appear, making it easy for each spouse to meet the other's emotional needs.
Marriage is like a fishing net. Each day fishermen use their nets to catch fish and sell them at the market. One fisherman takes his fish from the net every day, but let's debris from the ocean accumulate. Eventually so much debris is caught in the net that he can hardly cast it out of the boat, and when he does, it's almost impossible to retrieve. Finally, in a fit of anger, he cuts the net loose and goes home without it. He's unable to catch and sell fish again until he buys another net.
Another fisherman removes debris every time he retrieves the net with the fish he caught. Each time he casts his net, it's clean and ready to catch more fish. As a result, he catches and sells enough fish to support himself and his family.
In this parable, the fish are emotional needs met in marriage and the debris are Love Busters, habits that cause unhappiness.
Bad marriages are like the first fisherman's net. Selfish demands, disrespectful judgments, angry outbursts, independent behavior and dishonesty accumulate over time. The burden of the unhappiness they cause ruins a couple's willingness and ability to meet each other's emotional needs. Eventually the marriage supplies no benefits to either spouse and ends in divorce or emotional separation.
Good marriages are like the second fisherman's net. Love Busters are eliminated as soon as they appear, making it easy for each spouse to meet the other's emotional needs.
Opening the Eyes of Wooden and Painted Images
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 5, 2012:
A person can know another's mind by listening to the voice. This is because the physical aspect reveals the spiritual aspect. The physical and spiritual, which are one in essence, manifest themselves as two distinct aspects; thus the Buddha's mind found expression as the written words of the Lotus Sutra. These written words are the Buddha's mind in a different form. Therefore, those who read the Lotus Sutra must not regard it as consisting of mere written words, for those words are in themselves the Buddha's mind.
Opening the Eyes of Wooden and Painted Images
Recipient unknown; written in 1264
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, June 5, 2012:
A person can know another's mind by listening to the voice. This is because the physical aspect reveals the spiritual aspect. The physical and spiritual, which are one in essence, manifest themselves as two distinct aspects; thus the Buddha's mind found expression as the written words of the Lotus Sutra. These written words are the Buddha's mind in a different form. Therefore, those who read the Lotus Sutra must not regard it as consisting of mere written words, for those words are in themselves the Buddha's mind.
Opening the Eyes of Wooden and Painted Images
Recipient unknown; written in 1264
Encouragement to a Sick Person
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, June 4, 2012:
However great the good causes one may make, or even if one reads and copies the entirety of the Lotus Sutra a thousand or ten thousand times, or attains the way of perceiving three thousand realms in a single moment of life, if one fails to denounce the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, it will be impossible to attain the way.
Encouragement to a Sick Person
Written to Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro on December 13, 1264
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, June 4, 2012:
However great the good causes one may make, or even if one reads and copies the entirety of the Lotus Sutra a thousand or ten thousand times, or attains the way of perceiving three thousand realms in a single moment of life, if one fails to denounce the enemies of the Lotus Sutra, it will be impossible to attain the way.
Encouragement to a Sick Person
Written to Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro on December 13, 1264
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Healing of a Child's Daimoku
Robin's mom came up to Massachusetts from New York to visit. She mostly wanted to see Ana, her 2 and 1/2 year old granddaughter.
Robin's mom is a Holocaust survivor. In the kitchen, with Ana on her father's lap, Robin's mom spoke of her experiences in Nazi Germany.
She said that one day they replaced her teacher with a Nazi. The Nazi made her and the other Jewish children sit in the back of the class. The work they did was ignored. She begged her mom to keep her home from school.
Her father's business was taken and given to a Nazi. He had to take a train to get to a menial job. The train passed his old business every day.
On Nov. 9, 1938, Nazis burned the synagogues and went from home to home beating Jews throughout the night. At 4:00 a.m., the bell rang — it was the Nazis. They beat her father and left him for dead in a pool of blood in the middle of the street. He managed to get back to the apartment. Blood was everywhere. No ambulance would come for a Jew. They had to take him to a Nazi doctor, who stitched his head with no anesthesia and sent him home.
The next morning the Nazis came again. They took her father to the Dachau concentration camp.
Robin fought back her tears. Ana, who was still sitting on her father's lap, put her little hands together and loudly chanted "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" without stopping. Robin and her mom broke into tears.
Robin's mother is not a member but she understood. She said, "Now, look at that — I am telling about this horrible horror that happened to our family, and it's as if she is trying to say: 'This is the way to heal. This is the way to peace.'"
Robin said, "Ana's great-grandfather was pulled from his home and beaten because he was a Jew. Now, almost 60 years later, his great-granddaughter is chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra naturally, the sound bursting from her life like the rising sun. Thank you, Nichiren Daishonin, and presidents Ikeda, Toda, and Makiguchi, for making it possible for Ana to chant the Mystic Law, ensuring the happiness of her ancestors and the happiness of all mankind to come."
[A longer version of this experience is in the Nov. 21, 1997, World Tribune.]
Robin's mom is a Holocaust survivor. In the kitchen, with Ana on her father's lap, Robin's mom spoke of her experiences in Nazi Germany.
She said that one day they replaced her teacher with a Nazi. The Nazi made her and the other Jewish children sit in the back of the class. The work they did was ignored. She begged her mom to keep her home from school.
Her father's business was taken and given to a Nazi. He had to take a train to get to a menial job. The train passed his old business every day.
On Nov. 9, 1938, Nazis burned the synagogues and went from home to home beating Jews throughout the night. At 4:00 a.m., the bell rang — it was the Nazis. They beat her father and left him for dead in a pool of blood in the middle of the street. He managed to get back to the apartment. Blood was everywhere. No ambulance would come for a Jew. They had to take him to a Nazi doctor, who stitched his head with no anesthesia and sent him home.
The next morning the Nazis came again. They took her father to the Dachau concentration camp.
Robin fought back her tears. Ana, who was still sitting on her father's lap, put her little hands together and loudly chanted "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" without stopping. Robin and her mom broke into tears.
Robin's mother is not a member but she understood. She said, "Now, look at that — I am telling about this horrible horror that happened to our family, and it's as if she is trying to say: 'This is the way to heal. This is the way to peace.'"
Robin said, "Ana's great-grandfather was pulled from his home and beaten because he was a Jew. Now, almost 60 years later, his great-granddaughter is chanting the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra naturally, the sound bursting from her life like the rising sun. Thank you, Nichiren Daishonin, and presidents Ikeda, Toda, and Makiguchi, for making it possible for Ana to chant the Mystic Law, ensuring the happiness of her ancestors and the happiness of all mankind to come."
[A longer version of this experience is in the Nov. 21, 1997, World Tribune.]
The Naturist Nuns
Spiritual Story by Keith Beasley
It was a cold February morning when they first met and the solar powered central heating had not yet been commissioned. The refectory looked like that at any other abbey, except that the sisters each wore habits of different denominations; from their original orders. The long wooden tables and benches held the remains of their first meal together. It had been simple but healthy: only empty bowls and platters were left.
The reporter from Health & Efficiency looked up to the Mother Superior as she began her speech of introduction. This assignment certainly made a change from the usual reporting of the latest naturist club or clothes optional holiday!
"Welcome to Laylum Abbey. It's a pleasure to see so many of you here. Perhaps your old orders were glad to see the backs of you..." she paused to let the laughter die down.
Sister Susan bit her bottom lip and chuckled. The H&E photographer managed to capture the rising and falling of her shoulders as she remembered the dressing downs she been given by her previous Mother Superior:
"Sister Susan, how many times must I remind you. Sex is a sin. We have taken vows of chastity and purity."
"Yes, reverent Mother" she'd sighed. The simplicity of the live she'd taken to, the regular praying, the hard physical work in the garden, even the lack of male company, but every so often she needed touch. She needed to express that part of her that was most definitely female. It didn't seem natural to deny these feelings.
Susan shook her head to clear the memories and to concentrate once again on the head of the new order:
"We here are real women" She paused again, this time for cheers. "We acknowledge that God has given us breasts. We acknowledge that our sensuality is part of our being. To deny it is as much of a sin as to deny the beauty of the flowers and trees." She looked around to see all the smiling faces and vibrant individuals. It was not her intention to build an order of closeted clones. These ladies must be allowed to live fully, to know their true being. Her eyes moved to the bemused reporter and brought her back down to earth.
"We have one major hurdle to over-come" she went on, her face becoming serious: "We are going to be misunderstood. We are going to be accused of holding full-time orgies, we are going to be threatened, propositioned and ridiculed. We must give the outside observers no cause for such accusations. We must show, by words and actions that we are not nymphomaniacs . . . we are naturists." She looked amongst her flock to get a feeling for how this had gone down. Most of the women sat at the benches were thoughtful. Sister Fiona, she noticed, sniggered; she made a mental note to keep an eye on her.
As the weather warmed up, habits were shed and the sisters wore as much, or as little, as they needed to feel comfortable. Those on duty in the wash-room were well pleased. Maybe a few more towels to see to, but their work load was well down. As the days got brighter and the sun hotter, many sisters went back to wearing their head gear - they made very good sun-shades!
Wendy, the H&E lady, came back regularly to see how they were getting on and to provide a regular feature for her magazine. At first she'd not taken them seriously, agreeing with the sceptics that it wouldn't last, that it would only be a matter of time before some scandal would force this 'experiment' to close. When she first saw the nuns wearing their wimples, but nothing else, she just stood and gaped. All her years reporting on naturist from Norway to Norfolk had not prepared her for this. There was such a feeling of natural energy that emanated from them. It was not the innocence that she saw in child naturists on the beeches, it was more than that. Besides, these ladies were no innocents. Many knew more positions from the Kama Sutra than she did . . and that was saying something. They were naked and yet they were respectable; just not into 'that sort of thing'.
She had thought that most of the naturist she met in clubs were natural and above the sleaze, but here it was at another level. She was pondering the difference as the Mother Superior joined here. She looked deep into Wendy's eyes: "Does it appeal to you?"
Wendy stared into the warm, welcoming, face and felt drawn by the sheer love that she saw there. She nodded. Only after five minutes of this did Wendy notice that this religious leader was naked . . except for a pair of sandals which she'd put on for gardening in. Wendy watched spellbound as the reverend mother picked up a basket and seemed to float onto the vegetable patch. Peacefully and with respect, she picked the runner beans that would form part of their evening meal.
Close to the abbey building a shower (solar heated of course) had been installed. As Wendy watched, Sisters Susan and Fiona returned from their task of mucking out the various animals, their bodies splattered with muck of one
Exquisite relaxation products at Discount Prices.
sort or another. The shower was turned on and they let the warm water flow over them. Susan passed a bar of home made soap to her co-worker "Do my back will you?" Fiona took the soap and worked up a good lather on her hands and applied it to the back of the other girl: first briskly, to remove the sweat and grime, then more gently. As the movements of her hands became caresses Susan turned round and gave a deep satisfied sigh as her sensitive skin received a loving massage. Smiling serenely she took the soap back and returned the compliment.
Again Wendy stood open mouthed. Here, in the garden of a nunnery! The reverent mother glided over and slowly shook her head, smiling "Can you think of a better way of loving each other?"
It was Wendy's turn to shake her head. She watched as Susan and Fiona disappeared into the sleeping quarter together, almost dancing in their joy.
"We wont see much more of them tonight" the Mother remarked, smiling at Wendy again.
Wendy looked around for other signs of such sexual exuberance but saw only nuns working away in the gardens, some singing quietly to themselves, others taking a few minutes rest under the apple trees.
"It's knowing how to keep it in perspective, that's the key" her guide explained. "I was worried about Fiona, but Susan's taken care of her. Helped her to put her love into everything she does. She used to be a prostitute you know. She gave her love the only way she knew. Then she had a bad experience with a client and joined a convent in Shropshire to try to forget it all - never did quite fit in there. But look at her now!"
Looking around Wendy saw other nuns busy and happy in their respective activities. They didn't consider them chores. Besides the gardening, cooking and laundry, a number worked in, and for, the visitors centre, that they ran: partly to help with the running costs, but also to help spread their particular message about God and nature.
Each day they opened a different part of the abbey up to the visitors, careful not to over expose any particular sister. There was no rule about dress on open days, it was up to each nun to decide for themselves. The public knew what to expect. Few of the sisters took much notice of the open mouthed visitors. The avowed ladies carried on with the weaving and painting, smiling, laughing and talking to those who wanted to
At first there had been problems. Youths coming to ogle. But the sisters merely looked the young boys in the eyes. Few continued their cat-calls after that. To one or two of the persistent voyeurs an invitation was offered "Strip off and join us".
"Better to have converts" the Mother Superior had argued� but most of the lads had run away never to be seen again.
Wendy had done them proud with tasteful photos and a very positive series in the naturist press. She'd done quite well out of it, selling her story to the national weekend magazines. It wasn't long before the Sport and Sun were poking around trying to find an angle for their 'readers.' The sisters took it all in their stride, smiling sweetly at the cameras. They knew that by sticking to natural poses, that they would come across as open people, not as sex objects. They were above board� the gutter press soon lost interest.
As with many religious orders they relied on the skills of their members as painters, and potters. They sold photos and poems, and any spare produce. And they also ran workshops and offered counselling. Gradually they expanded their holistic services to include massage and herbal remedies, relaxation techniques and so on. Their reputation for bringing their visitors back from near breakdown to full health was growing. Professionals from all walks of life came and experienced, first hand, true naturism. Not only the physical freedom of feeling the sun and wind on a naked body, but the mental freedom from expectations. Back into conventional medicine, engineering, even politics, went rejuvenated men and women. Individuals changed for good by their brief stay at Laylum Abbey. In the past they, like their colleagues, would have got angry and frustrated over trivia, now they just remembered the sparkle in the eyes of the naturist sisters. Whatever the provocation, the response was the same� a warm smile.
Over lunch Wendy finally blurted out the questions that had been building up inside: "How? Why is it working so well?"
The Mother Superior laid her hand gently on Wendy's arm and smiled at her. "It's taken a long time. A lot of hard work. By all of us". Wendy was still looking puzzled, so she went on "These eyes" she gave Wendy a sample of their brightness and sincerity "are windows from the souls. We have all been around on this world, and others. We have seen suffering, we have suffered. We have experienced desire� and the pain of loss. We have learnt that as everything is important, so nothing is that important. We live to love others, to share our knowledge. To help others to see the beauty in all things."
Wendy felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders and she cried. Tear of relief, of freedom, flowed freely. Her new friend gave her a long reassuring hug. She searched around for something on which to dry Wendy's cheeks:
"That's the one problem with going naturist" she said "There's nowhere to put a hankie!"
It was a cold February morning when they first met and the solar powered central heating had not yet been commissioned. The refectory looked like that at any other abbey, except that the sisters each wore habits of different denominations; from their original orders. The long wooden tables and benches held the remains of their first meal together. It had been simple but healthy: only empty bowls and platters were left.
The reporter from Health & Efficiency looked up to the Mother Superior as she began her speech of introduction. This assignment certainly made a change from the usual reporting of the latest naturist club or clothes optional holiday!
"Welcome to Laylum Abbey. It's a pleasure to see so many of you here. Perhaps your old orders were glad to see the backs of you..." she paused to let the laughter die down.
Sister Susan bit her bottom lip and chuckled. The H&E photographer managed to capture the rising and falling of her shoulders as she remembered the dressing downs she been given by her previous Mother Superior:
"Sister Susan, how many times must I remind you. Sex is a sin. We have taken vows of chastity and purity."
"Yes, reverent Mother" she'd sighed. The simplicity of the live she'd taken to, the regular praying, the hard physical work in the garden, even the lack of male company, but every so often she needed touch. She needed to express that part of her that was most definitely female. It didn't seem natural to deny these feelings.
Susan shook her head to clear the memories and to concentrate once again on the head of the new order:
"We here are real women" She paused again, this time for cheers. "We acknowledge that God has given us breasts. We acknowledge that our sensuality is part of our being. To deny it is as much of a sin as to deny the beauty of the flowers and trees." She looked around to see all the smiling faces and vibrant individuals. It was not her intention to build an order of closeted clones. These ladies must be allowed to live fully, to know their true being. Her eyes moved to the bemused reporter and brought her back down to earth.
"We have one major hurdle to over-come" she went on, her face becoming serious: "We are going to be misunderstood. We are going to be accused of holding full-time orgies, we are going to be threatened, propositioned and ridiculed. We must give the outside observers no cause for such accusations. We must show, by words and actions that we are not nymphomaniacs . . . we are naturists." She looked amongst her flock to get a feeling for how this had gone down. Most of the women sat at the benches were thoughtful. Sister Fiona, she noticed, sniggered; she made a mental note to keep an eye on her.
As the weather warmed up, habits were shed and the sisters wore as much, or as little, as they needed to feel comfortable. Those on duty in the wash-room were well pleased. Maybe a few more towels to see to, but their work load was well down. As the days got brighter and the sun hotter, many sisters went back to wearing their head gear - they made very good sun-shades!
Wendy, the H&E lady, came back regularly to see how they were getting on and to provide a regular feature for her magazine. At first she'd not taken them seriously, agreeing with the sceptics that it wouldn't last, that it would only be a matter of time before some scandal would force this 'experiment' to close. When she first saw the nuns wearing their wimples, but nothing else, she just stood and gaped. All her years reporting on naturist from Norway to Norfolk had not prepared her for this. There was such a feeling of natural energy that emanated from them. It was not the innocence that she saw in child naturists on the beeches, it was more than that. Besides, these ladies were no innocents. Many knew more positions from the Kama Sutra than she did . . and that was saying something. They were naked and yet they were respectable; just not into 'that sort of thing'.
She had thought that most of the naturist she met in clubs were natural and above the sleaze, but here it was at another level. She was pondering the difference as the Mother Superior joined here. She looked deep into Wendy's eyes: "Does it appeal to you?"
Wendy stared into the warm, welcoming, face and felt drawn by the sheer love that she saw there. She nodded. Only after five minutes of this did Wendy notice that this religious leader was naked . . except for a pair of sandals which she'd put on for gardening in. Wendy watched spellbound as the reverend mother picked up a basket and seemed to float onto the vegetable patch. Peacefully and with respect, she picked the runner beans that would form part of their evening meal.
Close to the abbey building a shower (solar heated of course) had been installed. As Wendy watched, Sisters Susan and Fiona returned from their task of mucking out the various animals, their bodies splattered with muck of one
Exquisite relaxation products at Discount Prices.
sort or another. The shower was turned on and they let the warm water flow over them. Susan passed a bar of home made soap to her co-worker "Do my back will you?" Fiona took the soap and worked up a good lather on her hands and applied it to the back of the other girl: first briskly, to remove the sweat and grime, then more gently. As the movements of her hands became caresses Susan turned round and gave a deep satisfied sigh as her sensitive skin received a loving massage. Smiling serenely she took the soap back and returned the compliment.
Again Wendy stood open mouthed. Here, in the garden of a nunnery! The reverent mother glided over and slowly shook her head, smiling "Can you think of a better way of loving each other?"
It was Wendy's turn to shake her head. She watched as Susan and Fiona disappeared into the sleeping quarter together, almost dancing in their joy.
"We wont see much more of them tonight" the Mother remarked, smiling at Wendy again.
Wendy looked around for other signs of such sexual exuberance but saw only nuns working away in the gardens, some singing quietly to themselves, others taking a few minutes rest under the apple trees.
"It's knowing how to keep it in perspective, that's the key" her guide explained. "I was worried about Fiona, but Susan's taken care of her. Helped her to put her love into everything she does. She used to be a prostitute you know. She gave her love the only way she knew. Then she had a bad experience with a client and joined a convent in Shropshire to try to forget it all - never did quite fit in there. But look at her now!"
Looking around Wendy saw other nuns busy and happy in their respective activities. They didn't consider them chores. Besides the gardening, cooking and laundry, a number worked in, and for, the visitors centre, that they ran: partly to help with the running costs, but also to help spread their particular message about God and nature.
Each day they opened a different part of the abbey up to the visitors, careful not to over expose any particular sister. There was no rule about dress on open days, it was up to each nun to decide for themselves. The public knew what to expect. Few of the sisters took much notice of the open mouthed visitors. The avowed ladies carried on with the weaving and painting, smiling, laughing and talking to those who wanted to
At first there had been problems. Youths coming to ogle. But the sisters merely looked the young boys in the eyes. Few continued their cat-calls after that. To one or two of the persistent voyeurs an invitation was offered "Strip off and join us".
"Better to have converts" the Mother Superior had argued� but most of the lads had run away never to be seen again.
Wendy had done them proud with tasteful photos and a very positive series in the naturist press. She'd done quite well out of it, selling her story to the national weekend magazines. It wasn't long before the Sport and Sun were poking around trying to find an angle for their 'readers.' The sisters took it all in their stride, smiling sweetly at the cameras. They knew that by sticking to natural poses, that they would come across as open people, not as sex objects. They were above board� the gutter press soon lost interest.
As with many religious orders they relied on the skills of their members as painters, and potters. They sold photos and poems, and any spare produce. And they also ran workshops and offered counselling. Gradually they expanded their holistic services to include massage and herbal remedies, relaxation techniques and so on. Their reputation for bringing their visitors back from near breakdown to full health was growing. Professionals from all walks of life came and experienced, first hand, true naturism. Not only the physical freedom of feeling the sun and wind on a naked body, but the mental freedom from expectations. Back into conventional medicine, engineering, even politics, went rejuvenated men and women. Individuals changed for good by their brief stay at Laylum Abbey. In the past they, like their colleagues, would have got angry and frustrated over trivia, now they just remembered the sparkle in the eyes of the naturist sisters. Whatever the provocation, the response was the same� a warm smile.
Over lunch Wendy finally blurted out the questions that had been building up inside: "How? Why is it working so well?"
The Mother Superior laid her hand gently on Wendy's arm and smiled at her. "It's taken a long time. A lot of hard work. By all of us". Wendy was still looking puzzled, so she went on "These eyes" she gave Wendy a sample of their brightness and sincerity "are windows from the souls. We have all been around on this world, and others. We have seen suffering, we have suffered. We have experienced desire� and the pain of loss. We have learnt that as everything is important, so nothing is that important. We live to love others, to share our knowledge. To help others to see the beauty in all things."
Wendy felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders and she cried. Tear of relief, of freedom, flowed freely. Her new friend gave her a long reassuring hug. She searched around for something on which to dry Wendy's cheeks:
"That's the one problem with going naturist" she said "There's nowhere to put a hankie!"
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, June 3, 2012:
As I said before, though no chapter of the Lotus Sutra is negligible, among the entire twenty-eight chapters, the "Expedient Means" chapter and the "Life Span" chapter are particularly outstanding. The remaining chapters are all in a sense the branches and leaves of these two chapters. Therefore, for your regular recitation, I recommend that you practice reading the prose sections of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" chapters.
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto's wife on April 17, 1264
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, June 3, 2012:
As I said before, though no chapter of the Lotus Sutra is negligible, among the entire twenty-eight chapters, the "Expedient Means" chapter and the "Life Span" chapter are particularly outstanding. The remaining chapters are all in a sense the branches and leaves of these two chapters. Therefore, for your regular recitation, I recommend that you practice reading the prose sections of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" chapters.
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto's wife on April 17, 1264
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, June 2, 2012:
Rather than offering up ten thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better simply to outlaw this one evil.
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, June 2, 2012:
Rather than offering up ten thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better simply to outlaw this one evil.
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, June 1, 2012:
The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the "Never Disparaging" chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being.
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, June 1, 2012:
The heart of the Buddha's lifetime of teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the "Never Disparaging" chapter. What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging's profound respect for people signify? The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being.
The Three Kinds of Treasure
Written to Shijo Kingo on September 11, 1277
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Winter Always Turns to Spring
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 31, 2012:
Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, "If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood."
Winter Always Turns to Spring
Written to the lay nun Myoichi in May 1275
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 31, 2012:
Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone heard or seen of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary person. The sutra reads, "If there are those who hear the Law, then not a one will fail to attain Buddhahood."
Winter Always Turns to Spring
Written to the lay nun Myoichi in May 1275
A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward.
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 30, 2012:
But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.
Reply to Kyo'o
Written to Kyo'o and her parents, Shijo Kingo and Nichigen-nyo, on August 15, 1273
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 30, 2012:
But your faith alone will determine all these things. A sword will be useless in the hands of a coward. The mighty sword of the Lotus Sutra must be wielded by one courageous in faith. Then one will be as strong as a demon armed with an iron staff.
Reply to Kyo'o
Written to Kyo'o and her parents, Shijo Kingo and Nichigen-nyo, on August 15, 1273
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 29, 2012:
When one carries out the single practice of exercising faith in Myoho-renge-kyo, there are no blessings that fail to come to one, and no good karma that does not begin to work on one's behalf. It is like the case of a fishing net: though the net is composed of innumerable small meshes, when one pulls on the main cord of the net, there are no meshes that do not move. Or it is like a garment: though the garment is composed of countless tiny threads, when one pulls on a corner of the garment, there are no threads that are not drawn along.
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 29, 2012:
When one carries out the single practice of exercising faith in Myoho-renge-kyo, there are no blessings that fail to come to one, and no good karma that does not begin to work on one's behalf. It is like the case of a fishing net: though the net is composed of innumerable small meshes, when one pulls on the main cord of the net, there are no meshes that do not move. Or it is like a garment: though the garment is composed of countless tiny threads, when one pulls on a corner of the garment, there are no threads that are not drawn along.
Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man
Recipient unknown; written in 1265
Letter to Gijo-bo
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 28, 2012:
"Single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha" may be read as follows: single-mindedly observing the Buddha, concentrating one's mind on seeing the Buddha, and when looking at one's own mind, perceiving that it is the Buddha.
Letter to Gijo-bo
Written to Gijo-bo on May 28, 1273
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 28, 2012:
"Single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha" may be read as follows: single-mindedly observing the Buddha, concentrating one's mind on seeing the Buddha, and when looking at one's own mind, perceiving that it is the Buddha.
Letter to Gijo-bo
Written to Gijo-bo on May 28, 1273
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 27, 2012:
To accept, uphold, read, recite, take delight in, and protect all the eight volumes and twenty-eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra is called the comprehensive practice. To accept, uphold, and protect the "Expedient Means" chapter and the "Life Span" chapter is called the abbreviated practice. And simply to chant one four-phrase verse or the daimoku, and to protect those who do so, is called the essential practice. Hence, among these three kinds of practice, comprehensive, abbreviated, and essential, the daimoku is defined as the essential practice.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 27, 2012:
To accept, uphold, read, recite, take delight in, and protect all the eight volumes and twenty-eight chapters of the Lotus Sutra is called the comprehensive practice. To accept, uphold, and protect the "Expedient Means" chapter and the "Life Span" chapter is called the abbreviated practice. And simply to chant one four-phrase verse or the daimoku, and to protect those who do so, is called the essential practice. Hence, among these three kinds of practice, comprehensive, abbreviated, and essential, the daimoku is defined as the essential practice.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 26, 2012:
Because Buddhism has gradually been turned upside down, the secular world also has been plunged into corruption and chaos. Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow. How fortunate that all of my disciples who follow the Buddha's true intention will naturally flow into the ocean of comprehensive wisdom!
A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras
Written to Toki Jonin on May 26, 1280
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 26, 2012:
Because Buddhism has gradually been turned upside down, the secular world also has been plunged into corruption and chaos. Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow. How fortunate that all of my disciples who follow the Buddha's true intention will naturally flow into the ocean of comprehensive wisdom!
A Comparison of the Lotus and Other Sutras
Written to Toki Jonin on May 26, 1280
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Offering of an Unlined Robe
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 25, 2012:
If a spark as small as a bean is set to a single blade of grass in a spring field of a thousand square ri thick with grass, it becomes in an instant an immeasurable, boundless blaze. Such is also the case with this robe [you have offered]. Though only one robe, it has been offered to the Buddhas of all the characters of the Lotus Sutra. Be firmly convinced that the benefits from this will extend to your parents, your grandparents, nay, even to countless living beings, not to mention your own husband, whom you hold most dear.
The Offering of an Unlined Robe
Written to the lady of Sajiki on May 25, 1275
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 25, 2012:
If a spark as small as a bean is set to a single blade of grass in a spring field of a thousand square ri thick with grass, it becomes in an instant an immeasurable, boundless blaze. Such is also the case with this robe [you have offered]. Though only one robe, it has been offered to the Buddhas of all the characters of the Lotus Sutra. Be firmly convinced that the benefits from this will extend to your parents, your grandparents, nay, even to countless living beings, not to mention your own husband, whom you hold most dear.
The Offering of an Unlined Robe
Written to the lady of Sajiki on May 25, 1275
Reply to Niiama
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 24, 2012:
Though I have long since ceased to think about my home, seeing this laver brings back many familiar memories, and I am saddened and find it hard to bear. It is the same kind of laver I saw long ago on the shore at Kataumi, Ichikawa, and Kominato. I feel an unwarranted resentment that, while the color, shape, and taste of this laver have remained unchanged, my parents have passed away, and I cannot restrain my tears.
Reply to Niiama
Written to the younger nun Niiama on February 16, 1275
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 24, 2012:
Though I have long since ceased to think about my home, seeing this laver brings back many familiar memories, and I am saddened and find it hard to bear. It is the same kind of laver I saw long ago on the shore at Kataumi, Ichikawa, and Kominato. I feel an unwarranted resentment that, while the color, shape, and taste of this laver have remained unchanged, my parents have passed away, and I cannot restrain my tears.
Reply to Niiama
Written to the younger nun Niiama on February 16, 1275
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The heart of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 23, 2012:
Ch'ung-hua and Yü were the children of commoners, but both were extremely filial. Hearing of this, King Yao and King Shun summoned Ch'ung-hua and Yü, and abdicated their thrones to them. Commoners became royalty in a day. Just as a commoner can become a king in this present life, so can an ordinary person become a Buddha instantly. This is the heart of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.
Letter to the Sage Nichimyo
Written to Nichimyo on May 25, 1272
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 23, 2012:
Ch'ung-hua and Yü were the children of commoners, but both were extremely filial. Hearing of this, King Yao and King Shun summoned Ch'ung-hua and Yü, and abdicated their thrones to them. Commoners became royalty in a day. Just as a commoner can become a king in this present life, so can an ordinary person become a Buddha instantly. This is the heart of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.
Letter to the Sage Nichimyo
Written to Nichimyo on May 25, 1272
Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 22, 2012:
When one has had the rare good fortune to be born a human being, and the further good fortune to encounter the teachings of Buddhism, how can one waste this opportunity? If one is going to take faith at all, then among all the various teachings of the Mahayana and the Hinayana, provisional and true doctrines, one should believe in the one vehicle, the true purpose for which the Buddhas come into this world and the direct path to attaining enlightenment for all living beings.
Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written in March 1263
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 22, 2012:
When one has had the rare good fortune to be born a human being, and the further good fortune to encounter the teachings of Buddhism, how can one waste this opportunity? If one is going to take faith at all, then among all the various teachings of the Mahayana and the Hinayana, provisional and true doctrines, one should believe in the one vehicle, the true purpose for which the Buddhas come into this world and the direct path to attaining enlightenment for all living beings.
Questions and Answers about Embracing the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written in March 1263
Saturday, February 18, 2012
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 21, 2012:
If the nation is destroyed and people's homes are wiped out, then where can one flee for safety? If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 21, 2012:
If the nation is destroyed and people's homes are wiped out, then where can one flee for safety? If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?
On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
Submitted to Hojo Tokiyori on July 16, 1260
The Gods Same Birth and Same Name
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 20, 2012:
Both of you were born as commoners and live in Kamakura, yet you believe in the Lotus Sutra without concern for the prying eyes of others or the danger it may pose to your lives. This is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Gods Same Birth and Same Name
Written to Nichigen-nyo in April 1272
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 20, 2012:
Both of you were born as commoners and live in Kamakura, yet you believe in the Lotus Sutra without concern for the prying eyes of others or the danger it may pose to your lives. This is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Gods Same Birth and Same Name
Written to Nichigen-nyo in April 1272
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Gift of Rice
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 19, 2012:
Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life.
The Gift of Rice
Recipient and date unknown
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 19, 2012:
Life is the foremost of all treasures. It is expounded that even the treasures of the entire major world system cannot equal the value of one's body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life.
The Gift of Rice
Recipient and date unknown
The Meaning of Faith
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 18, 2012:
What we call faith is nothing unusual. Faith means putting one's trust in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a woman cherishes her husband, as a man lays down his life for his wife, as parents refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother.
The Meaning of Faith
Written to the lay nun Myoichi on May 18, 1280
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 18, 2012:
What we call faith is nothing unusual. Faith means putting one's trust in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a woman cherishes her husband, as a man lays down his life for his wife, as parents refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother.
The Meaning of Faith
Written to the lay nun Myoichi on May 18, 1280
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 17, 2012:
The sutra states: "If one [of these good men or women in the time after I have passed into extinction] is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work." Who else but us can this possibly refer to?
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 17, 2012:
The sutra states: "If one [of these good men or women in the time after I have passed into extinction] is able to secretly expound the Lotus Sutra to one person, even one phrase of it, then you should know that he or she is the envoy of the Thus Come One. He has been dispatched by the Thus Come One and carries out the Thus Come One's work." Who else but us can this possibly refer to?
The True Aspect of All Phenomena
Written to Sairen-bo Nichijo on May 17, 1273
On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 16, 2012:
From a mundane view, I am the poorest person in Japan, but in light of Buddhism, I am the wealthiest person in all Jambudvipa. When I consider that this is all because the time is right, I am overwhelmed with joy and cannot restrain my tears.
On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion
Written to Toki Jonin on May 17, 1279
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 16, 2012:
From a mundane view, I am the poorest person in Japan, but in light of Buddhism, I am the wealthiest person in all Jambudvipa. When I consider that this is all because the time is right, I am overwhelmed with joy and cannot restrain my tears.
On Establishing the Four Bodhisattvas as the Object of Devotion
Written to Toki Jonin on May 17, 1279
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Workings of Brahma and Shakra
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 15, 2012:
There are a few in this province of Kai who have expressed their desire to take faith. Yet I make it a rule not to permit them to join us unless they remain steadfast in their resolve. Some people, despite their shallow understanding, pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus often disrupting the faith of others.
The Workings of Brahma and Shakra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on May 15, 1277
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 15, 2012:
There are a few in this province of Kai who have expressed their desire to take faith. Yet I make it a rule not to permit them to join us unless they remain steadfast in their resolve. Some people, despite their shallow understanding, pretend staunch faith and speak contemptuously to their fellow believers, thus often disrupting the faith of others.
The Workings of Brahma and Shakra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on May 15, 1277
The Kalpa of Decrease
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 14, 2012:
The Lotus Sutra states, "[The doctrines that they preach. . . ] will never be contrary to the true reality." T'ien-t'ai commented on this, saying that "no worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality." A person of wisdom is not one who practices Buddhism apart from worldly affairs but, rather, one who thoroughly understands the principles by which the world is governed.
The Kalpa of Decrease
Recipient and date unknown
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 14, 2012:
The Lotus Sutra states, "[The doctrines that they preach. . . ] will never be contrary to the true reality." T'ien-t'ai commented on this, saying that "no worldly affairs of life or work are ever contrary to the true reality." A person of wisdom is not one who practices Buddhism apart from worldly affairs but, rather, one who thoroughly understands the principles by which the world is governed.
The Kalpa of Decrease
Recipient and date unknown
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
On Prayer
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 13, 2012:
Therefore, we know that the prayers offered by a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will be answered just as an echo answers a sound, as a shadow follows a form, as the reflection of the moon appears in clear water, as a mirror collects dewdrops, as a magnet attracts iron, as amber attracts particles of dust, or as a clear mirror reflects the color of an object.
On Prayer
Written to Sairen-bo in 1272
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 13, 2012:
Therefore, we know that the prayers offered by a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra will be answered just as an echo answers a sound, as a shadow follows a form, as the reflection of the moon appears in clear water, as a mirror collects dewdrops, as a magnet attracts iron, as amber attracts particles of dust, or as a clear mirror reflects the color of an object.
On Prayer
Written to Sairen-bo in 1272
The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 12, 2012:
The Lotus Sutra is both the teaching of the Buddha and the embodiment of the Buddha wisdom. If one puts sincere faith in each character and brushstroke in it, then one will become a Buddha in one's present form.
The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo on May 2, 1279
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 12, 2012:
The Lotus Sutra is both the teaching of the Buddha and the embodiment of the Buddha wisdom. If one puts sincere faith in each character and brushstroke in it, then one will become a Buddha in one's present form.
The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo on May 2, 1279
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Mighty Oak
Spiritual Story by Jason Hudson
As a young boy stares in bewilderment at an old enormous oak tree, he asks his father, " How did that tree grow so big and so high?"
The father replies, " Well, it didnt start out that way! First, it was a seed that soaked up water and sunlight and it then it formed roots to give it strength to grow even stronger. It would then have to survive the cold snow of the long winters but that snow also provided that seed with protection and water that it would need to survive.
"After the first winter would pass, the seed's roots would grow stronger and bigger. With each passing summer, the seed would stretch its roots and would start to produce leaves. Although the tree would lose its leaves every fall, they would always grow back from where they came.
"So, as each year passes, nature performs its perfect job and the seed transforms itself into a tree each year by growing stronger, bigger and more beautiful than the year before."
As a young boy stares in bewilderment at an old enormous oak tree, he asks his father, " How did that tree grow so big and so high?"
The father replies, " Well, it didnt start out that way! First, it was a seed that soaked up water and sunlight and it then it formed roots to give it strength to grow even stronger. It would then have to survive the cold snow of the long winters but that snow also provided that seed with protection and water that it would need to survive.
"After the first winter would pass, the seed's roots would grow stronger and bigger. With each passing summer, the seed would stretch its roots and would start to produce leaves. Although the tree would lose its leaves every fall, they would always grow back from where they came.
"So, as each year passes, nature performs its perfect job and the seed transforms itself into a tree each year by growing stronger, bigger and more beautiful than the year before."
On the Buddha's Prophecy
Daily Wisdom
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 11, 2012:
The moon appears in the west and sheds its light eastward, but the sun rises in the east and casts its rays to the west. The same is true of Buddhism. It spread from west to east in the Former and Middle Days of the Law, but will travel from east to west in the Latter Day.
On the Buddha's Prophecy
Written to all disciples and lay supporters on May 11, 1273
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 11, 2012:
The moon appears in the west and sheds its light eastward, but the sun rises in the east and casts its rays to the west. The same is true of Buddhism. It spread from west to east in the Former and Middle Days of the Law, but will travel from east to west in the Latter Day.
On the Buddha's Prophecy
Written to all disciples and lay supporters on May 11, 1273
Daily Wisdom - On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 10, 2012:
A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by these four great bodhisattvas at all times. When she rises to her feet, so too will the bodhisattvas, and when she walks along the road, they will also do the same. She and they will be as inseparable as a body and its shadow, as fish and water, as a voice and its echo, or as the moon and its light.
On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
Recipient and date unknown
Thursday, May 10, 2012:
A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by these four great bodhisattvas at all times. When she rises to her feet, so too will the bodhisattvas, and when she walks along the road, they will also do the same. She and they will be as inseparable as a body and its shadow, as fish and water, as a voice and its echo, or as the moon and its light.
On Offering Prayers to the Mandala of the Mystic Law
Recipient and date unknown
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Daily Wisdom - Persecution by Sword and Staff
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 9, 2012:
As you crave food when hungry, seek water when thirsty, long to see a lover, beg for medicine when ill, or as a beautiful woman desires powder and rouge, so should you put your faith in the Lotus Sutra. If you do not, you will regret it later.
Persecution by Sword and Staff
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 20, 1279
Wednesday, May 9, 2012:
As you crave food when hungry, seek water when thirsty, long to see a lover, beg for medicine when ill, or as a beautiful woman desires powder and rouge, so should you put your faith in the Lotus Sutra. If you do not, you will regret it later.
Persecution by Sword and Staff
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 20, 1279
Daily Wisdom - Repaying kindness
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 8, 2012:
The master of the house in private treated us with compassion. Though outwardly he appeared to be fearful of the authorities, at heart he had great pity for us, something that I will never forget in any future lifetime. At that time, he meant more to me than the very parents who gave me birth. However great the obligations I incurred to him, I must endeavor to repay them. Even more, I must not fail to do what I had promised him.
Letter to the Lay Priest Ichinosawa
Written to the wife of the lay priest Ichinosawa on May 8, 1275
Tuesday, May 8, 2012:
The master of the house in private treated us with compassion. Though outwardly he appeared to be fearful of the authorities, at heart he had great pity for us, something that I will never forget in any future lifetime. At that time, he meant more to me than the very parents who gave me birth. However great the obligations I incurred to him, I must endeavor to repay them. Even more, I must not fail to do what I had promised him.
Letter to the Lay Priest Ichinosawa
Written to the wife of the lay priest Ichinosawa on May 8, 1275
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Daily Wisdom - Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, May 7, 2012:
Even the darkness becomes bright when a lantern is lit, and even muddy water becomes clear when the moon shines on it. Can anything exceed the sun and the moon in brightness? Can anything surpass the lotus flower in purity? The Lotus Sutra is the sun and moon and the lotus flower. Therefore, it is called the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law. Nichiren, too, is like the sun and moon and the lotus flower. If the water of your faith is clear, the moon of blessings will surely cast its reflection on it and protect you.
Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child
Written to Nichigen-nyo on May 7, 1271
Monday, May 7, 2012:
Even the darkness becomes bright when a lantern is lit, and even muddy water becomes clear when the moon shines on it. Can anything exceed the sun and the moon in brightness? Can anything surpass the lotus flower in purity? The Lotus Sutra is the sun and moon and the lotus flower. Therefore, it is called the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law. Nichiren, too, is like the sun and moon and the lotus flower. If the water of your faith is clear, the moon of blessings will surely cast its reflection on it and protect you.
Easy Delivery of a Fortune Child
Written to Nichigen-nyo on May 7, 1271
Daily Wisdom - The Proof of the Lotus Sutra
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, May 6, 2012:
How does the mirror of the Lotus Sutra portray the people who, in the evil world of the latter age, believe in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra just as they are set forth in the sutra? Shakyamuni Buddha has left us words from his golden mouth revealing that such people have already made offerings to a hundred thousand million Buddhas in their past existences.
The Proof of the Lotus Sutra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on February 28, 1282
Sunday, May 6, 2012:
How does the mirror of the Lotus Sutra portray the people who, in the evil world of the latter age, believe in the teachings of the Lotus Sutra just as they are set forth in the sutra? Shakyamuni Buddha has left us words from his golden mouth revealing that such people have already made offerings to a hundred thousand million Buddhas in their past existences.
The Proof of the Lotus Sutra
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on February 28, 1282
Friday, February 10, 2012
Daily Wisdom - Be diligent in developing your faith
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, May 5, 2012:
Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?
Letter to Niike
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280
Saturday, May 5, 2012:
Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of your life. Otherwise you will have regrets. For example, the journey from Kamakura to Kyoto takes twelve days. If you travel for eleven but stop with only one day remaining, how can you admire the moon over the capital?
Letter to Niike
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo in February 1280
Daily Wisdom - On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings
Daily Wisdom From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, May 4, 2012:
The most important thing in practicing the Buddhist teachings is to follow and uphold the Buddha's golden words, not the opinions of others.
On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings
Written to all followers in May 1273
Friday, May 4, 2012:
The most important thing in practicing the Buddhist teachings is to follow and uphold the Buddha's golden words, not the opinions of others.
On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings
Written to all followers in May 1273
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Daily Wisdom - On Prolonging One's Life Span
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, May 3, 2012:
Life is the most precious of all treasures. Even one extra day of life is worth more than ten million ryo of gold. The Lotus Sutra surpasses all the other sacred teachings of the Buddha's lifetime because of the "Life Span" chapter. The greatest prince in the land of Jambudvipa would be of less consequence than a blade of grass if he died in childhood. If he died young, even a person whose wisdom shone as brilliantly as the sun would be less than a living dog. So you must hasten to accumulate the treasure of faith and quickly conquer your illness.
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
Thursday, May 3, 2012:
Life is the most precious of all treasures. Even one extra day of life is worth more than ten million ryo of gold. The Lotus Sutra surpasses all the other sacred teachings of the Buddha's lifetime because of the "Life Span" chapter. The greatest prince in the land of Jambudvipa would be of less consequence than a blade of grass if he died in childhood. If he died young, even a person whose wisdom shone as brilliantly as the sun would be less than a living dog. So you must hasten to accumulate the treasure of faith and quickly conquer your illness.
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
Daily Wisdom - The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, May 2, 2012:
All the other sutras are examples of preaching in accordance with the minds of others, because, when expounding them, the Buddha adjusted himself to the minds of all other living beings. But the Lotus Sutra is an example of preaching in accordance with the Buddha's own mind, because in it the Buddha had all living beings comply with his own mind.
The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo on May 2, 1279
Wednesday, May 2, 2012:
All the other sutras are examples of preaching in accordance with the minds of others, because, when expounding them, the Buddha adjusted himself to the minds of all other living beings. But the Lotus Sutra is an example of preaching in accordance with the Buddha's own mind, because in it the Buddha had all living beings comply with his own mind.
The Teaching That Accords with the Buddha's Mind
Written to Niike Saemon-no-jo on May 2, 1279
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Messenger
Spiritual Story by Naria Satrick
The light jazz fades behind me as the sound of rushing air reaches my ears. I've just walked out of the coffee shop, one hand trying to hold onto the plastic cup just a little too hot to handle, the other keeping the door from slamming.
Nothing to see here, just trying to balance all the things I'm carrying as I step out into the bright sun. I'd reach a hand up to shield my eyes but something would have to fall. So I blink, as the sun warms the tops of my eyelids and slowly bright spots flow into vision.
There's still a black spot in the upper right of my periphery. A few moments later its moving, it becomes a leaf high above the top of the tallest building in the shopping center. A dark green leaf, soaring on a wind current barely trembling - though I feel no breeze - and high enough above to be a bird.
I look around me three hundred and sixty degrees : not a tree in sight. I'm in the middle of chrome city, concrete and glass and electric lights. I look up again and the leaf still sits there, defiant on its wave of light, fluttering slightly like an insect wing - I suddenly wonder what butterfly-wing hurricanes have brought it to this place. A speck of nature, intruding like a drop of dye in crystal water.
Fascinated, I watch it spin slowly down, losing altitude slowly but steadily as it falls from side to side like a discarded feather.
I feel a rush of air as the door opens behind me, someone's squeezing past. A few seconds of a trumpet solo reach my ears, but I don't recognize the tune. I hear a snippet of 20 conversations in soft voices and suddently I can't move, hypnotized by the dance of the leaf on the sky.
Closer now, I could almost reach up and touch it. Its a deep dark green, one side glossy and one side dim, with deep veins engraved like roots in shallow earth. Curved and coming to a tip that almost looks sharp. It spins as it moves from left to right, left to right the hypnotists ruddy green light.
Everyone is watching the leaf. I see the man in the pickup truck notice it as he drives by. A child leans out the back window of a red minivan, watching the leaf in excited contemplation as his mother waits at the stoplight. Even the plane overhead seems to slow, and faces inside the coffee shop turn toward the glass, people walk by and I see the pupils of their eyes stretch to see, just a glimpse, just a second of green.
I wonder again where it has come from, and how far, and why the winds would bring it here, where its only fate would be to fall to the roads or sidewalks and get trampled. For a moment I consider this a cruel destiny, then I hear my own voice say in the back of my mind, "It's just a leaf."
Picking up speed now, nose-diving to that gray pavement-death, I wonder if the tree laments the missing leaf. I wonder if someone plucked it from the branch and tossed it into the air, or if it sought adventure and tore itself away. Funny thoughts to have, I laugh to myself.
The leaf hovers two feet above the ground, it swirls in the air in front of me like a cautious moth. I reach out a hand as if to catch it but in that moment it rises again, more swiftly than it fell, as a sudden gust of wind pulls it steadly up, up. It rose into the sky heading back the way it came. Once it is out of sight (did I ever see it at all?) behind the buildings my arms and legs unfreeze. I walk to my car, my spirits strangely lifted, a hope and happiness filling me where before there was none.
For we all may fall or fly, far from where we came - but winds can always change.
The light jazz fades behind me as the sound of rushing air reaches my ears. I've just walked out of the coffee shop, one hand trying to hold onto the plastic cup just a little too hot to handle, the other keeping the door from slamming.
Nothing to see here, just trying to balance all the things I'm carrying as I step out into the bright sun. I'd reach a hand up to shield my eyes but something would have to fall. So I blink, as the sun warms the tops of my eyelids and slowly bright spots flow into vision.
There's still a black spot in the upper right of my periphery. A few moments later its moving, it becomes a leaf high above the top of the tallest building in the shopping center. A dark green leaf, soaring on a wind current barely trembling - though I feel no breeze - and high enough above to be a bird.
I look around me three hundred and sixty degrees : not a tree in sight. I'm in the middle of chrome city, concrete and glass and electric lights. I look up again and the leaf still sits there, defiant on its wave of light, fluttering slightly like an insect wing - I suddenly wonder what butterfly-wing hurricanes have brought it to this place. A speck of nature, intruding like a drop of dye in crystal water.
Fascinated, I watch it spin slowly down, losing altitude slowly but steadily as it falls from side to side like a discarded feather.
I feel a rush of air as the door opens behind me, someone's squeezing past. A few seconds of a trumpet solo reach my ears, but I don't recognize the tune. I hear a snippet of 20 conversations in soft voices and suddently I can't move, hypnotized by the dance of the leaf on the sky.
Closer now, I could almost reach up and touch it. Its a deep dark green, one side glossy and one side dim, with deep veins engraved like roots in shallow earth. Curved and coming to a tip that almost looks sharp. It spins as it moves from left to right, left to right the hypnotists ruddy green light.
Everyone is watching the leaf. I see the man in the pickup truck notice it as he drives by. A child leans out the back window of a red minivan, watching the leaf in excited contemplation as his mother waits at the stoplight. Even the plane overhead seems to slow, and faces inside the coffee shop turn toward the glass, people walk by and I see the pupils of their eyes stretch to see, just a glimpse, just a second of green.
I wonder again where it has come from, and how far, and why the winds would bring it here, where its only fate would be to fall to the roads or sidewalks and get trampled. For a moment I consider this a cruel destiny, then I hear my own voice say in the back of my mind, "It's just a leaf."
Picking up speed now, nose-diving to that gray pavement-death, I wonder if the tree laments the missing leaf. I wonder if someone plucked it from the branch and tossed it into the air, or if it sought adventure and tore itself away. Funny thoughts to have, I laugh to myself.
The leaf hovers two feet above the ground, it swirls in the air in front of me like a cautious moth. I reach out a hand as if to catch it but in that moment it rises again, more swiftly than it fell, as a sudden gust of wind pulls it steadly up, up. It rose into the sky heading back the way it came. Once it is out of sight (did I ever see it at all?) behind the buildings my arms and legs unfreeze. I walk to my car, my spirits strangely lifted, a hope and happiness filling me where before there was none.
For we all may fall or fly, far from where we came - but winds can always change.
Daily Wisdom - Earthly Desires are Enlightenment
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, May 1, 2012:
Though the teaching that I am now propagating seems limited, it is extremely profound. That is because it goes deeper than the teaching expounded by T'ien-t'ai, Dengyo, and others. It is the three important matters in the "Life Span" chapter of the essential teaching. Practicing only the seven characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo seems limited, but since they are the master of all the Buddhas of the three existences, the teacher of all the bodhisattvas in the ten directions, and the guide that enables all living beings to attain the Buddha way, it is profound.
Earthly Desires are Enlightenment
Written to Shijo Kingo on May 2, 1272
Tuesday, May 1, 2012:
Though the teaching that I am now propagating seems limited, it is extremely profound. That is because it goes deeper than the teaching expounded by T'ien-t'ai, Dengyo, and others. It is the three important matters in the "Life Span" chapter of the essential teaching. Practicing only the seven characters of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo seems limited, but since they are the master of all the Buddhas of the three existences, the teacher of all the bodhisattvas in the ten directions, and the guide that enables all living beings to attain the Buddha way, it is profound.
Earthly Desires are Enlightenment
Written to Shijo Kingo on May 2, 1272
Daily Wisdom - The Embankments of Faith
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, April 30, 2012:
You are indeed an unusual woman since you asked me to explain the effects of various degrees of slander. You are every bit as praiseworthy as the dragon king's daughter when she said, "I unfold the doctrines of the great vehicle to rescue living beings from suffering." The Lotus Sutra reads, "If one can ask about its meaning, that will be difficult indeed." There are very few people who inquire about the meaning of the Lotus Sutra.
The Embankments of Faith
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on September 3, 1275
Monday, April 30, 2012:
You are indeed an unusual woman since you asked me to explain the effects of various degrees of slander. You are every bit as praiseworthy as the dragon king's daughter when she said, "I unfold the doctrines of the great vehicle to rescue living beings from suffering." The Lotus Sutra reads, "If one can ask about its meaning, that will be difficult indeed." There are very few people who inquire about the meaning of the Lotus Sutra.
The Embankments of Faith
Written to the lay nun Sennichi on September 3, 1275
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The King
Spiritual Story by Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy
One day a passerby saw a homeless man on the roadside. He stopped for a moment to hand him some loose change and casually said "God bless you, my friend".
"I thank God," said the homeless man, "I am never unhappy."
"What do you mean?" the passerby asked.
"Well," he said, "when the sun is out, I thank God -- when it rains, I thank God. When I am full, I thank God and when I am hungry, I thank God. And, since God's will is my will, and whatever pleases Him pleases me, why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?"
The man looked at him in astonishment and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am a King," said he.
"Where, then, is your Kingdom?" asked the man.
"In my heart." The homeless man replied.
One day a passerby saw a homeless man on the roadside. He stopped for a moment to hand him some loose change and casually said "God bless you, my friend".
"I thank God," said the homeless man, "I am never unhappy."
"What do you mean?" the passerby asked.
"Well," he said, "when the sun is out, I thank God -- when it rains, I thank God. When I am full, I thank God and when I am hungry, I thank God. And, since God's will is my will, and whatever pleases Him pleases me, why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?"
The man looked at him in astonishment and asked, "Who are you?"
"I am a King," said he.
"Where, then, is your Kingdom?" asked the man.
"In my heart." The homeless man replied.
Daily Wisdom - The Selection of the Time
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, April 29, 2012:
Little streams come together to form the great ocean, and tiny particles of dust accumulate to form Mount Sumeru. When I, Nichiren, first took faith in the Lotus Sutra, I was like a single drop of water or a single particle of dust in all the country of Japan. But later, when two people, three people, ten people, and eventually a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, and a million people come to recite the Lotus Sutra and transmit it to others, then they will form a Mount Sumeru of perfect enlightenment, an ocean of great nirvana.
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
Sunday, April 29, 2012:
Little streams come together to form the great ocean, and tiny particles of dust accumulate to form Mount Sumeru. When I, Nichiren, first took faith in the Lotus Sutra, I was like a single drop of water or a single particle of dust in all the country of Japan. But later, when two people, three people, ten people, and eventually a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, and a million people come to recite the Lotus Sutra and transmit it to others, then they will form a Mount Sumeru of perfect enlightenment, an ocean of great nirvana.
The Selection of the Time
Written to Yui in 1275
Daily Wisdom - A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, April 28, 2012:
The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith. Doesn't a fire burn more briskly when logs are added? All rivers flow into the sea, but does the sea turn back their waters? The currents of hardship pour into the sea of the Lotus Sutra and rush against its votary. The river is not rejected by the ocean; nor does the votary reject suffering. Were it not for the flowing rivers, there would be no sea. Likewise, without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra.
A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1261
Saturday, April 28, 2012:
The greater the hardships befalling him, the greater the delight he feels, because of his strong faith. Doesn't a fire burn more briskly when logs are added? All rivers flow into the sea, but does the sea turn back their waters? The currents of hardship pour into the sea of the Lotus Sutra and rush against its votary. The river is not rejected by the ocean; nor does the votary reject suffering. Were it not for the flowing rivers, there would be no sea. Likewise, without tribulation there would be no votary of the Lotus Sutra.
A Ship to Cross the Sea of Suffering
Written to Shiji Shiro on April 28, 1261
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Joy of Spring
The Joy of Spring
Spiritual Story by Brenda Barnhart
I am Jolly Joy, and I'm a happiness! But you, as a human, might know of me as simply, 'sunflower'. Little do you know that we flowers have our own identities and souls, for indeed we do, along with divine purpose and goals, albeit our goals are much simpler than yours?
For instance, my goal in this new incarnation is to feel the Joy of Spring! To you this may seem frivolous, but to me, it is everything. It is all I know, all I yearn for, and all that I live for. The life of a 'sunflower' is nothing if not for spring.
You see, for me, it all began with a seed, and this seed was watered and nurtured by the sun and the earth, so that I may come and experience my Joy of Spring. This is all I want, this is all I will be, and this is simply perfect and divine, at least for me.
The sun and the earth know who and what I am. They know me more than as simply 'sunflower'. They know my essence, they know my needs, and they know my true divinity. Indeed, the sun and the earth know me, as intimately as they know you! And they love me just the same, too.
For the sun and the earth are like my 'parents', as you know parents to be, at least. They incepted me, grow me and support me all throughout my experience. Even after I am picked by human hands, the sun and the earth still look after me, for you see, once my experience with the Joy of Spring is over, it is back to the sun and the earth that I return.
But that is for a later day, indeed, for now my focus is on the New! Spring is here and the time is now for me to join humanity and sprout my seed, spread my roots, and become the bloom I'm meant to be, and it's all for Spring, you see?
The Joy of Spring means drinking up the morning dew, quenching my thirst and feeling the breath of life move through my being down through my stem, into the beloved earth below. Then feeling the suns caressive rays permeating my silken petals as the sweet little bumble bee drinks of my nectar, spreading my essence for future sunflowers, making it possible for my descendants to experience the Joys of Spring.
Spiritual Story by Brenda Barnhart
I am Jolly Joy, and I'm a happiness! But you, as a human, might know of me as simply, 'sunflower'. Little do you know that we flowers have our own identities and souls, for indeed we do, along with divine purpose and goals, albeit our goals are much simpler than yours?
For instance, my goal in this new incarnation is to feel the Joy of Spring! To you this may seem frivolous, but to me, it is everything. It is all I know, all I yearn for, and all that I live for. The life of a 'sunflower' is nothing if not for spring.
You see, for me, it all began with a seed, and this seed was watered and nurtured by the sun and the earth, so that I may come and experience my Joy of Spring. This is all I want, this is all I will be, and this is simply perfect and divine, at least for me.
The sun and the earth know who and what I am. They know me more than as simply 'sunflower'. They know my essence, they know my needs, and they know my true divinity. Indeed, the sun and the earth know me, as intimately as they know you! And they love me just the same, too.
For the sun and the earth are like my 'parents', as you know parents to be, at least. They incepted me, grow me and support me all throughout my experience. Even after I am picked by human hands, the sun and the earth still look after me, for you see, once my experience with the Joy of Spring is over, it is back to the sun and the earth that I return.
But that is for a later day, indeed, for now my focus is on the New! Spring is here and the time is now for me to join humanity and sprout my seed, spread my roots, and become the bloom I'm meant to be, and it's all for Spring, you see?
The Joy of Spring means drinking up the morning dew, quenching my thirst and feeling the breath of life move through my being down through my stem, into the beloved earth below. Then feeling the suns caressive rays permeating my silken petals as the sweet little bumble bee drinks of my nectar, spreading my essence for future sunflowers, making it possible for my descendants to experience the Joys of Spring.
Daily Wisdom - The Teaching, Practice and Proof
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, April 27, 2012:
The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra, contain the benefit amassed through the countless practices and meritorious deeds of all Buddhas throughout the three existences. Then, how can these five characters not include the benefits obtained by observing all of the Buddhas' precepts?
The Teaching, Practice and Proof
Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275
Friday, April 27, 2012:
The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra, contain the benefit amassed through the countless practices and meritorious deeds of all Buddhas throughout the three existences. Then, how can these five characters not include the benefits obtained by observing all of the Buddhas' precepts?
The Teaching, Practice and Proof
Written to Sammi-bo on March 21, 1275
Daily Wisdom - Overcoming Karma
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, April 26, 2012:
There are two types of illness: minor and serious. Early treatment by a skilled physician can cure even serious illnesses, not to mention minor ones. Karma also may be divided into two categories: fixed and unfixed. Sincere repentance will eradicate even fixed karma, to say nothing of karma that is unfixed.
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
Thursday, April 26, 2012:
There are two types of illness: minor and serious. Early treatment by a skilled physician can cure even serious illnesses, not to mention minor ones. Karma also may be divided into two categories: fixed and unfixed. Sincere repentance will eradicate even fixed karma, to say nothing of karma that is unfixed.
On Prolonging One's Life Span
Written to the lay nun Myojo in 1279
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Harvest
Spiritual Story by Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy
There was once a spider who lived in a cornfield. He was a big spider and he had spun a beautiful web between the corn stalks. He got fat eating all the bugs that would get caught in his web. He liked his home and planned to stay there for the rest of his life.
One day the spider caught a little bug in his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the bug said, "If you let me go I will tell you something important that will save your life." The spider paused for a moment and listened because he was amused. "You better get out of this cornfield," the little bug said, "The harvest is coming!"
The spider smiled and said, "What is this harvest you are talking about? I think you are just telling me a story." But the little bug said, "Oh no, it is true. The owner of this field is coming to harvest it soon. All the stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered up. You will be killed by the giant machines if you stay here."
The spider said, "I don't believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down corn stalks. How can you prove this?" The little bug continued, "Just look at the corn. See how it is planted in rows? It proves this field was created by an intelligent designer." The spider laughed and mockingly said, "This field has evolved and has nothing to do with a creator. Corn always grows that way."
The bug went on to explain, "Oh no. This field belongs to the owner who planted it, and the harvest is coming soon." The spider grinned and said to the little bug, "I don't believe you," and then the spider ate the little bug for lunch.
A few days later, the spider was laughing about the story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself, "A harvest! What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my life and nothing has ever disturbed me. I have been here since these stalks were just a foot off the ground, and I'll be here for the rest of my life, because nothing is ever going to change in this field. Life is good, and I have it made."
The next day was a beautiful sunny day in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and there was no wind at all. That afternoon as the spider was about to take a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could hear the roar of a great engine and he said to himself, "I wonder what that could be?"
There was once a spider who lived in a cornfield. He was a big spider and he had spun a beautiful web between the corn stalks. He got fat eating all the bugs that would get caught in his web. He liked his home and planned to stay there for the rest of his life.
One day the spider caught a little bug in his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the bug said, "If you let me go I will tell you something important that will save your life." The spider paused for a moment and listened because he was amused. "You better get out of this cornfield," the little bug said, "The harvest is coming!"
The spider smiled and said, "What is this harvest you are talking about? I think you are just telling me a story." But the little bug said, "Oh no, it is true. The owner of this field is coming to harvest it soon. All the stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered up. You will be killed by the giant machines if you stay here."
The spider said, "I don't believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down corn stalks. How can you prove this?" The little bug continued, "Just look at the corn. See how it is planted in rows? It proves this field was created by an intelligent designer." The spider laughed and mockingly said, "This field has evolved and has nothing to do with a creator. Corn always grows that way."
The bug went on to explain, "Oh no. This field belongs to the owner who planted it, and the harvest is coming soon." The spider grinned and said to the little bug, "I don't believe you," and then the spider ate the little bug for lunch.
A few days later, the spider was laughing about the story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself, "A harvest! What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my life and nothing has ever disturbed me. I have been here since these stalks were just a foot off the ground, and I'll be here for the rest of my life, because nothing is ever going to change in this field. Life is good, and I have it made."
The next day was a beautiful sunny day in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and there was no wind at all. That afternoon as the spider was about to take a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could hear the roar of a great engine and he said to himself, "I wonder what that could be?"
Daily Wisdom - The world of Buddhahood is present in the human world
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, April 25, 2012:
Buddhahood is the most difficult to demonstrate. But since you possess the other nine worlds, you should believe that you have Buddhahood as well. Do not permit yourself to have doubts. Expounding on the human world, the Lotus Sutra says, "The Buddhas wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings." . . . That ordinary people born in the latter age can believe in the Lotus Sutra is due to the fact that the world of Buddhahood is present in the human world.
The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One's Passing
Written to Toki Jonin on April 25, 1273
Wednesday, April 25, 2012:
Buddhahood is the most difficult to demonstrate. But since you possess the other nine worlds, you should believe that you have Buddhahood as well. Do not permit yourself to have doubts. Expounding on the human world, the Lotus Sutra says, "The Buddhas wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings." . . . That ordinary people born in the latter age can believe in the Lotus Sutra is due to the fact that the world of Buddhahood is present in the human world.
The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind Established in the Fifth Five-Hundred-Year Period after the Thus Come One's Passing
Written to Toki Jonin on April 25, 1273
Daily Wisdom - Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, April 24, 2012:
What matters most is that we honor the Buddha's words. As a rule, people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant. Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while what is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth. Even though people may revere [their predecessors' doctrines], if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today?
Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro
Written to Hoshina Goro Taro on December 5, 1267
Tuesday, April 24, 2012:
What matters most is that we honor the Buddha's words. As a rule, people in the world value what is distant and despise what is near, but this is the conduct of the ignorant. Even the distant should be repudiated if it is wrong, while what is near should not be discarded if it accords with the truth. Even though people may revere [their predecessors' doctrines], if those doctrines are in error, how can we employ them today?
Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro
Written to Hoshina Goro Taro on December 5, 1267
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Daily Wisdom - Unseen Virtue and Visible Reward
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, April 23, 2012:
As I have often mentioned before, it is said that, where there is unseen virtue, there will be visible reward. Your fellow samurai all slandered you to your lord, and he also has wondered if it was true, but because you have for some years now honestly maintained a strong desire for your lord's welfare in his next life, you received a blessing like this. This is just the beginning; be confident that the great reward also is sure to come.
Unseen Virtue and Visible Reward
Written to Shijo Kingo on April 23, 1278
Monday, April 23, 2012:
As I have often mentioned before, it is said that, where there is unseen virtue, there will be visible reward. Your fellow samurai all slandered you to your lord, and he also has wondered if it was true, but because you have for some years now honestly maintained a strong desire for your lord's welfare in his next life, you received a blessing like this. This is just the beginning; be confident that the great reward also is sure to come.
Unseen Virtue and Visible Reward
Written to Shijo Kingo on April 23, 1278
Daily Wisdom - On the Treasure Tower
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, April 22, 2012:
In the Latter Day of the Law, no treasure tower exists other than the figures of the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra. It follows, therefore, that whether eminent or humble, high or low, those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are themselves the treasure tower, and, likewise, are themselves the Thus Come One Many Treasures.
On the Treasure Tower
Written to Abutsu-bo Nittoku on March 13, 1272
Sunday, April 22, 2012:
In the Latter Day of the Law, no treasure tower exists other than the figures of the men and women who embrace the Lotus Sutra. It follows, therefore, that whether eminent or humble, high or low, those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are themselves the treasure tower, and, likewise, are themselves the Thus Come One Many Treasures.
On the Treasure Tower
Written to Abutsu-bo Nittoku on March 13, 1272
The Happiness Box
Spiritual Story by Naria Satrick
In a nameless fishing village on the shores of a nameless sea, there lived a young boy whose joy it was to run up and down the beach, collecting pebbles and shells. At the end of each day, he would keep only the most beautiful of those he had collected, and bring them back to his secret place in the village - an old cellar beneath the ruins of a hut swept away by a long forgotten flood. There he polished them with bits of cloth and ribbon he had scavenged from his mother's sewing. He polished them until they gleamed and reflected the light, until he could see his blurred reflection on the surface.
One day, the boy was walking across the packed, wet sand, he saw a small box, no bigger than his closed fist, sitting on the ground. He watched it for a moment, curious, as the gentle foam rose and fell, covering it and uncovering it. It was deep blue in color, like the deepest parts of the ocean, and perfectly square. The day was growing late, and each wave that crashed was stronger than the last. The box trembled as the waters washed over it, and the boy knew that in a few more minutes it would be gone, pulled back to sea. Without giving it another thought, he leaned over and picked it up, and dropped it into his bag of shells and stones.
That night, he polished the box until it glowed in the candlelight, cleaning off the corrosion of the ocean. It seemed to be illuminated from within, its surface strangely iridescent, the light played across it almost as if something within were moving. The box was held closed by two latches, one on either side, both were heavily corroded. The boy painstakingly chipped off the ocean's grime until the hinges gleamed. Almost subconsciously, the boy found himself building a shrine from the pebbles, decorating the shells. Almost reverently, he placed the box on top of this makeshift temple. And there it stayed.
It wasn't until years later, when that young boy was almost a man, who had long since given up his daily collecting, that curiousity finally overcame him. He crawled beneath the ruins to the compartment below, that had seemed so much bigger before. The box seemed to be humming, to be filling the entire chamber with a strange blue light. He removed it from its pedestal and twisted the latches. Despite his careful cleaning of them, the left-most latch was stuck. He tried to unlodge it with the point of his pocket knife,but it wouldn't move. Frustrated, he wedged the knife beneath the latch and slammed the hilt, hard, against the ground. The latch flew off, impacting the ground several feet away. The blue light in the room seemed to swirl and dim. Suddenly aghast, he placed the box back in its place on the top of the 'altar', and climbed out of the chamber.
Shortly afterwards, the dreams began. A voice would come to him in the night, though it didn't seem to be talking to him. Many of the words he did not understand. The voice said, "Inside the box you will find happiness. Step inside and you will be filled with happiness for the rest of your days. You may leave the box at any time, though I must say, no one who has ever entered it has left. Why would they? They were happy."
Just that, and sometimes he'd hear the ocean. As he grew older he kept having the dream, though his daily life, once one of play, was now one of toil. Each day he'd steer his boats and cast his nets, each day he'd haul in and clean the fish, and each morning he'd walk several miles to the market where he'd lay them on the stalls. He'd stand till the heat of midday touched him, then return to his boats and cast off again. All the young women of his village had long since found husbands and left, and he found himself growing old and alone, with nothing but his work. He wasn't unhappy, but nor did he work with joy. Day by day, he began to feel more and more empty.
He still had the dream, though much less often now. More and more often he wondered why he had never opened the box, but the memory of the spinning blue dimness still warned him away. But what if it were true? What if by stepping inside the box he could be happy always? And end his daily toil? What if within that box were all the answers he had spent his life seeking?
But then he would struggle with the idea. For how could he know joy, if he had never known sorrow? What would happiness mean, if it was only a dream overlaid on his soul? But then reason would gnaw at him, for if he were truly 'happy', inside the box, such questions would not concern him. Only bliss. He'd worked hard for everything in his life, and it was the work he enjoyed. Yes, his collection of shells and stones was beautiful, but it was the years he spent perfecting him that brought him joy, not looking upon them now.
So the years went by, until the once-boy was now a bent and stooped old man, with long white hair. The last winter had been very hard, and he knew that he would not survive another. He forced his aching body to climb down into the hole in the ground and retrieve the box where it had stayed, undisturbed, for almost a century. And then he walked across the sand, up to the highest cliff overlooking the sea where the water breaks itself apart upon the jagged rocks below. It was evening, and the sun had just started to paint the distant waves a glassy yellow, the sky had just started to dim. He drove the end of his walking-stick into the ground, then stepped past it, to the edge of the precipice. This will be my only marker, he thinks.
And then, holding the box in his hands, thinking how small it seemed now in these old, decrepit hands, he leaned forward only slightly, but enough for the wind to pick up his robes and lift him aloft, and then he spiralled down, like a wounded butterfly falling to earth. His body was never found.
Was he broken apart by the rocks, and swept far out to see? Or did he open the box, in the last moments of his life, to accept the promised gift of happiness from within? Why did he bring the box with him, if not for this? Or maybe he sought to send it to the depths from which it came, so that others will not be tempted. No one will ever know what became of him or of the box that he carried.
The only answers we can find are the ones when we look within ourselves and ask:
"Would you open the box?"
In a nameless fishing village on the shores of a nameless sea, there lived a young boy whose joy it was to run up and down the beach, collecting pebbles and shells. At the end of each day, he would keep only the most beautiful of those he had collected, and bring them back to his secret place in the village - an old cellar beneath the ruins of a hut swept away by a long forgotten flood. There he polished them with bits of cloth and ribbon he had scavenged from his mother's sewing. He polished them until they gleamed and reflected the light, until he could see his blurred reflection on the surface.
One day, the boy was walking across the packed, wet sand, he saw a small box, no bigger than his closed fist, sitting on the ground. He watched it for a moment, curious, as the gentle foam rose and fell, covering it and uncovering it. It was deep blue in color, like the deepest parts of the ocean, and perfectly square. The day was growing late, and each wave that crashed was stronger than the last. The box trembled as the waters washed over it, and the boy knew that in a few more minutes it would be gone, pulled back to sea. Without giving it another thought, he leaned over and picked it up, and dropped it into his bag of shells and stones.
That night, he polished the box until it glowed in the candlelight, cleaning off the corrosion of the ocean. It seemed to be illuminated from within, its surface strangely iridescent, the light played across it almost as if something within were moving. The box was held closed by two latches, one on either side, both were heavily corroded. The boy painstakingly chipped off the ocean's grime until the hinges gleamed. Almost subconsciously, the boy found himself building a shrine from the pebbles, decorating the shells. Almost reverently, he placed the box on top of this makeshift temple. And there it stayed.
It wasn't until years later, when that young boy was almost a man, who had long since given up his daily collecting, that curiousity finally overcame him. He crawled beneath the ruins to the compartment below, that had seemed so much bigger before. The box seemed to be humming, to be filling the entire chamber with a strange blue light. He removed it from its pedestal and twisted the latches. Despite his careful cleaning of them, the left-most latch was stuck. He tried to unlodge it with the point of his pocket knife,but it wouldn't move. Frustrated, he wedged the knife beneath the latch and slammed the hilt, hard, against the ground. The latch flew off, impacting the ground several feet away. The blue light in the room seemed to swirl and dim. Suddenly aghast, he placed the box back in its place on the top of the 'altar', and climbed out of the chamber.
Shortly afterwards, the dreams began. A voice would come to him in the night, though it didn't seem to be talking to him. Many of the words he did not understand. The voice said, "Inside the box you will find happiness. Step inside and you will be filled with happiness for the rest of your days. You may leave the box at any time, though I must say, no one who has ever entered it has left. Why would they? They were happy."
Just that, and sometimes he'd hear the ocean. As he grew older he kept having the dream, though his daily life, once one of play, was now one of toil. Each day he'd steer his boats and cast his nets, each day he'd haul in and clean the fish, and each morning he'd walk several miles to the market where he'd lay them on the stalls. He'd stand till the heat of midday touched him, then return to his boats and cast off again. All the young women of his village had long since found husbands and left, and he found himself growing old and alone, with nothing but his work. He wasn't unhappy, but nor did he work with joy. Day by day, he began to feel more and more empty.
He still had the dream, though much less often now. More and more often he wondered why he had never opened the box, but the memory of the spinning blue dimness still warned him away. But what if it were true? What if by stepping inside the box he could be happy always? And end his daily toil? What if within that box were all the answers he had spent his life seeking?
But then he would struggle with the idea. For how could he know joy, if he had never known sorrow? What would happiness mean, if it was only a dream overlaid on his soul? But then reason would gnaw at him, for if he were truly 'happy', inside the box, such questions would not concern him. Only bliss. He'd worked hard for everything in his life, and it was the work he enjoyed. Yes, his collection of shells and stones was beautiful, but it was the years he spent perfecting him that brought him joy, not looking upon them now.
So the years went by, until the once-boy was now a bent and stooped old man, with long white hair. The last winter had been very hard, and he knew that he would not survive another. He forced his aching body to climb down into the hole in the ground and retrieve the box where it had stayed, undisturbed, for almost a century. And then he walked across the sand, up to the highest cliff overlooking the sea where the water breaks itself apart upon the jagged rocks below. It was evening, and the sun had just started to paint the distant waves a glassy yellow, the sky had just started to dim. He drove the end of his walking-stick into the ground, then stepped past it, to the edge of the precipice. This will be my only marker, he thinks.
And then, holding the box in his hands, thinking how small it seemed now in these old, decrepit hands, he leaned forward only slightly, but enough for the wind to pick up his robes and lift him aloft, and then he spiralled down, like a wounded butterfly falling to earth. His body was never found.
Was he broken apart by the rocks, and swept far out to see? Or did he open the box, in the last moments of his life, to accept the promised gift of happiness from within? Why did he bring the box with him, if not for this? Or maybe he sought to send it to the depths from which it came, so that others will not be tempted. No one will ever know what became of him or of the box that he carried.
The only answers we can find are the ones when we look within ourselves and ask:
"Would you open the box?"
Friday, February 3, 2012
Daily Wisdom - The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, April 21, 2012:
Amber draws dust, and a magnet attracts iron particles; here our evil karma is like the dust or iron, and the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the amber or the magnet. If we consider these [analogies, we can see why] we should always chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
Saturday, April 21, 2012:
Amber draws dust, and a magnet attracts iron particles; here our evil karma is like the dust or iron, and the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra is like the amber or the magnet. If we consider these [analogies, we can see why] we should always chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra
Recipient unknown; written on January 6, 1266
Daily Wisdom - Persecution by Sword and Staff
rom the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Friday, April 20, 2012:
From the time that I was born until today, I, Nichiren, have never known a moment's ease; I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. I do not know how long I or anyone else may live, but without fail, I will be with you at the time of your death and guide you from this life to the next.
Persecution by Sword and Staff
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 20, 1279
Friday, April 20, 2012:
From the time that I was born until today, I, Nichiren, have never known a moment's ease; I have thought only of propagating the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra. I do not know how long I or anyone else may live, but without fail, I will be with you at the time of your death and guide you from this life to the next.
Persecution by Sword and Staff
Written to Nanjo Tokimitsu on April 20, 1279
The Forgotten Path to Abundance
Spiritual Story by Sandy Penny
For years I have practiced "Prosperity Through Generosity" sometimes known as tithing or sharing the wealth. Whenever I receive money, I share it with others even though I may not have a lot of cash at the time. I have learned that, by continuing to share, the energy keeps moving and more money comes in. I also tithe in time by doing my work for no charge when someone can truly not afford it. This has afforded me the opportunity to do many things that I might not have done because of lack of funds. One day, while musing on the subject, I got a little hungry, so off I went to one of my favorite restaurants, not knowing that Spirit had a special challenge and a lesson for me.
I headed over to the Enchanted Garden (nice name eh?), and they knew me because I ate there a lot. It was one of my regular hangouts. When I walked in, the regular waitress came over and introduced me to a new waitress. The new waitress, Mary, knowing that I was into spiritual studies had a story and a question for me. She told me how she had been out of work and down to her last $43. She was driving to a job interview and on the way saw a woman holding a baby and a sign that said, "Baby needs Dr. please help." Being soft-hearted, she pulled over to the woman and reached into her purse and handed her $3. As she drove away, in the rear view mirror, she could see the woman clasping her hands and shouting, "Thank you, thank you, thank the Lord."
She thought, "Wow, a lousy $3 makes her so happy," and she felt good about having given it to her even though her funds were low. When she arrived at her interview, she looked in her purse and found that she had given the woman two twenties and a one instead of three ones. She now had $2 to her name. She was kicking herself and couldn't believe she had given away her last money. The next day she got the job at Enchanted Garden. She asked what I thought about all that.
I told her not to be upset about the money, that perhaps that woman needed exactly that amount for the doctor and that she may have been praying for it. Mary may have been the instrument to answer her prayer and change her belief about prayers being answered and about life in general. She said that was a good way to look at it. That being said, I headed for the ladies room.
While in the ladies room, my guides said to me, "Give her back the money." I protested that I did not get paid for two more days and I wasn't even sure if I had that much in my bank account. They insisted, so I wrote a check for $50 and wrote prosperity through generosity at the bottom. I asked the other waitress to give it to her after I left so she wouldn't refuse it and wouldn't be embarrassed.
But that started me thinking about my checking account, so I went to balance it and see if all my checks were in and how much money I actually had left. I did not want my gesture to be negated by a bounced check. When I did that, I found that I had an extra $500 that could not be accounted for anywhere in my deposits, and all the checks had cleared the account. Suddenly I had 10 times what I had just given away. I felt it was a major sign for me. And that was a huge lesson, but the biggest lesson was yet to come.
A month later I received a letter from Mary. She said, "I don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to tell you that I never cashed your check for $50. Money started to come to me from all directions. I framed the check and put it on my wall, and whenever anyone comes into my home, I tell them the story of your generosity."
I choked up and cried. I still can't tell that story without
getting misty. And I got the message to think about how many people were being affected by that simple gesture while following my guidance. I will never know exactly how many people were moved by that story, but it was a very powerful lesson for me, and a much better reward than the $500. The small random acts of kindness that we do ripple out into the world and create all kinds of abundance, and it comes back from all directions.
Ever since that day, when I give a tip, pay my bills or receive money of any sort, I hold the money in my hands (and the hands of the giver and receiver whenever possible) and say this... "Divine Love through me blesses and multiplies all the good I am and have, all the good I give and receive, Bless the gift, the giver and the receiver. Bless and multiply and multiply and multiply."
After telling that story at a class, one of my students tried it and was amazed at what happened. She stopped to buy a sandwich from a charity fund raiser. They were complaining that business was slow because of rain. When she paid them, she said the blessing out loud so they could hear her. They thanked her, and immediately three cars drove up and placed large orders for food. They looked at her and said, "You did that." She smiled and continued her day, knowing that however it happened, that something had happened. It became a mystical experience for all concerned. She felt great and continues to do this all the time now!
For years I have practiced "Prosperity Through Generosity" sometimes known as tithing or sharing the wealth. Whenever I receive money, I share it with others even though I may not have a lot of cash at the time. I have learned that, by continuing to share, the energy keeps moving and more money comes in. I also tithe in time by doing my work for no charge when someone can truly not afford it. This has afforded me the opportunity to do many things that I might not have done because of lack of funds. One day, while musing on the subject, I got a little hungry, so off I went to one of my favorite restaurants, not knowing that Spirit had a special challenge and a lesson for me.
I headed over to the Enchanted Garden (nice name eh?), and they knew me because I ate there a lot. It was one of my regular hangouts. When I walked in, the regular waitress came over and introduced me to a new waitress. The new waitress, Mary, knowing that I was into spiritual studies had a story and a question for me. She told me how she had been out of work and down to her last $43. She was driving to a job interview and on the way saw a woman holding a baby and a sign that said, "Baby needs Dr. please help." Being soft-hearted, she pulled over to the woman and reached into her purse and handed her $3. As she drove away, in the rear view mirror, she could see the woman clasping her hands and shouting, "Thank you, thank you, thank the Lord."
She thought, "Wow, a lousy $3 makes her so happy," and she felt good about having given it to her even though her funds were low. When she arrived at her interview, she looked in her purse and found that she had given the woman two twenties and a one instead of three ones. She now had $2 to her name. She was kicking herself and couldn't believe she had given away her last money. The next day she got the job at Enchanted Garden. She asked what I thought about all that.
I told her not to be upset about the money, that perhaps that woman needed exactly that amount for the doctor and that she may have been praying for it. Mary may have been the instrument to answer her prayer and change her belief about prayers being answered and about life in general. She said that was a good way to look at it. That being said, I headed for the ladies room.
While in the ladies room, my guides said to me, "Give her back the money." I protested that I did not get paid for two more days and I wasn't even sure if I had that much in my bank account. They insisted, so I wrote a check for $50 and wrote prosperity through generosity at the bottom. I asked the other waitress to give it to her after I left so she wouldn't refuse it and wouldn't be embarrassed.
But that started me thinking about my checking account, so I went to balance it and see if all my checks were in and how much money I actually had left. I did not want my gesture to be negated by a bounced check. When I did that, I found that I had an extra $500 that could not be accounted for anywhere in my deposits, and all the checks had cleared the account. Suddenly I had 10 times what I had just given away. I felt it was a major sign for me. And that was a huge lesson, but the biggest lesson was yet to come.
A month later I received a letter from Mary. She said, "I don't know if you remember me, but I just wanted to tell you that I never cashed your check for $50. Money started to come to me from all directions. I framed the check and put it on my wall, and whenever anyone comes into my home, I tell them the story of your generosity."
I choked up and cried. I still can't tell that story without
getting misty. And I got the message to think about how many people were being affected by that simple gesture while following my guidance. I will never know exactly how many people were moved by that story, but it was a very powerful lesson for me, and a much better reward than the $500. The small random acts of kindness that we do ripple out into the world and create all kinds of abundance, and it comes back from all directions.
Ever since that day, when I give a tip, pay my bills or receive money of any sort, I hold the money in my hands (and the hands of the giver and receiver whenever possible) and say this... "Divine Love through me blesses and multiplies all the good I am and have, all the good I give and receive, Bless the gift, the giver and the receiver. Bless and multiply and multiply and multiply."
After telling that story at a class, one of my students tried it and was amazed at what happened. She stopped to buy a sandwich from a charity fund raiser. They were complaining that business was slow because of rain. When she paid them, she said the blessing out loud so they could hear her. They thanked her, and immediately three cars drove up and placed large orders for food. They looked at her and said, "You did that." She smiled and continued her day, knowing that however it happened, that something had happened. It became a mystical experience for all concerned. She felt great and continues to do this all the time now!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Daily Wisdom - Reply to the Lay Priest of Ko
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Thursday, April 19, 2012:
The human mind is inconstant; it is ever-changing and unfixed. I thought it wondrous that you pledged faith in my teachings while I was in the province of Sado, and your sincerity in sending your husband all the way here is even more remarkable. The provinces we live in are far apart, and months and years have passed, so I was concerned that you might slacken in your resolve. However, you are increasingly demonstrating the depth of your faith and accumulating good deeds. Surely this is not a result of practice over just one or two previous lifetimes.
Reply to the Lay Priest of Ko
Written to the Lay Priest of Ko on April 12, 1275
Thursday, April 19, 2012:
The human mind is inconstant; it is ever-changing and unfixed. I thought it wondrous that you pledged faith in my teachings while I was in the province of Sado, and your sincerity in sending your husband all the way here is even more remarkable. The provinces we live in are far apart, and months and years have passed, so I was concerned that you might slacken in your resolve. However, you are increasingly demonstrating the depth of your faith and accumulating good deeds. Surely this is not a result of practice over just one or two previous lifetimes.
Reply to the Lay Priest of Ko
Written to the Lay Priest of Ko on April 12, 1275
Daily Wisdom - The Essence of the "Life Span" Chapter
rom the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Wednesday, April 18, 2012:
Were it not for the presence of the "Life Span" chapter among all the teachings of Shakyamuni, they would be like the heavens without the sun and moon, a kingdom without a king, the mountains and seas without treasures, or a person without a soul. This being so, without the "Life Span" chapter, all the sutras are meaningless.
The Essence of the "Life Span" Chapter
Recipient unknown; written on April 17, 1271
Wednesday, April 18, 2012:
Were it not for the presence of the "Life Span" chapter among all the teachings of Shakyamuni, they would be like the heavens without the sun and moon, a kingdom without a king, the mountains and seas without treasures, or a person without a soul. This being so, without the "Life Span" chapter, all the sutras are meaningless.
The Essence of the "Life Span" Chapter
Recipient unknown; written on April 17, 1271
The File Room
Spiritual Story by Brian Moore
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird.
"Books I Have Read,"
"Lies I Have Told,"
"Comfort I have Given,"
"Jokes I Have Laughed at."
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness:
"Things I've yelled at my brothers."
Others I couldn't laugh at:
"Things I Have Done in My Anger"
"Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.
" I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched ," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind:
No one must ever see these cards!
No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"
In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.
Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With."
The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.
The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards.
I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments, couldn't bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.
He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.
His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird.
"Books I Have Read,"
"Lies I Have Told,"
"Comfort I have Given,"
"Jokes I Have Laughed at."
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness:
"Things I've yelled at my brothers."
Others I couldn't laugh at:
"Things I Have Done in My Anger"
"Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.
" I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched ," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind:
No one must ever see these cards!
No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"
In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.
Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With."
The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.
The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards.
I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments, couldn't bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.
He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.
His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Daily Wisdom - Believeing in the Lotus Sutra
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Tuesday, April 17, 2012:
Even if the sun and moon should never again emerge from the east, even if the great earth itself should turn over, even if the tides of the great ocean should cease to ebb and flow, even if broken stones are made whole, and even if the waters of the streams and rivers cease to flow into the ocean, no woman who believes in the Lotus Sutra could ever be dragged down by worldly faults and fall into the evil paths.
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to the wife of Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto on April 17, 1264
Tuesday, April 17, 2012:
Even if the sun and moon should never again emerge from the east, even if the great earth itself should turn over, even if the tides of the great ocean should cease to ebb and flow, even if broken stones are made whole, and even if the waters of the streams and rivers cease to flow into the ocean, no woman who believes in the Lotus Sutra could ever be dragged down by worldly faults and fall into the evil paths.
The Recitation of the "Expedient Means" and "Life Span" Chapters
Written to the wife of Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto on April 17, 1264
Daily Wisdom -The three obstacles and four devils
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Monday, April 16, 2012:
[T'ien-t'ai writes:] "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. . . . One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching." This statement not only applies to me, but also is a guide for my followers. Reverently make this teaching your own, and transmit it as an axiom of faith for future generations.
Letter to the Brothers
Written to Ikegami Munenaka and Ikegami Munenaga on April 16, 1275
Monday, April 16, 2012:
[T'ien-t'ai writes:] "As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. . . . One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. If one falls under their influence, one will be led into the paths of evil. If one is frightened by them, one will be prevented from practicing the correct teaching." This statement not only applies to me, but also is a guide for my followers. Reverently make this teaching your own, and transmit it as an axiom of faith for future generations.
Letter to the Brothers
Written to Ikegami Munenaka and Ikegami Munenaga on April 16, 1275
The Devil's Dreams
Spiritual Story by Steven Aitchison
The street lights barley lit the empty, darkened road as yet another human slowly walked, looking around him wondering why he was there. Rows and rows of buildings with black doors lined the road. And then he appeared, the Devil, dressed in a black suit, black shining shoes and a smile as wide as the Golden Gate.
“What is this place?” asked the human
“Your life!” replied the devil smiling excitedly “Your life, and all it’s darkest moments filled with regret, sadness and despair.” The devil led the human to one of the doors and motioned for the human to open the door.
Tentatively the human slowly opened the door and peaked at what lay beyond it. His mouth opened wide at the sight before him.
He saw himself in a beautiful house laughing and fooling around with his children and his wife looking at them in the background, content and happy. There was his dream car sitting in the driveway, a dog barking excitedly running around and chasing birds on the lawn and neighbours mulling around doing their gardens. The human looked at the devil:
“What is this, I split up from my wife years ago?”
“Yes you did!” the devil replied, laughing and almost skipping to the next door. “Look in this one, look in this one.”
The human, puzzled, opened another black door. Again his mouth fell open. He saw himself again sunning himself on the deck of a boat with his family and friends around him enjoying time together. His son sat at one end of the boat fishing whilst his other son was sitting next to him reading a book. He closed the door with a heavy heart.
“I don’t understand” the human said looking into the eyes of the devil.
“Ah, most people don’t. I love it, I love it!” the devil could barely contain himself. “Try another one.”
The human opened another door and saw himself working in some kind of workshop speaking to some other people he did not know. He looked around and saw a sign which read ‘DreamHomes’. The human gasped, this was the business he had always dreamt of starting up and didn’t follow through with it. It had been a pipedream to him and although his wife had encouraged him to go for it he never got round to it, instead electing to work for another building company with long hours and low pay. It started to dawn on the human, this was his dream life he was looking at, all the doors contained elements of his dream life.
“Why?” was all the human could ask.
“Why show you this? because this is all mine, for every dream you didn’t act on, I stole it and started living it. I live millions of dreams and it’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.” The devil was almost skipping with joy. “You human’s haven’t a clue. You are put on earth to live for around 70 years, you go to school for 20 of those years, work for 45 of those years and suffer for around five of those years until you eventually die. Yeah, you have a few enlightening moments and you follow a few dreams, which annoys the hell out of me, but on the whole you are all pretty much the same. It’s wonderful, I get to live out all these dreams.”
The human, saddened by the devils words, kept walking and came to a white door. The devil stopped smiling and looked at the human. “That’s your door.” he said, “this is where you live.” The human opened the door and saw himself working on a building site, he was high up on some scaffolding just staring out into the sunset and at that moment he was catapulted back to the building site, no devil, no road, just himself watching the sunset.
He looked at his watch, a few hours to go and he had to rush back to phone his son to ask him how his gig at the club went, his son had been playing in a band for a while and they were starting to get noticed. At that moment, he decided he was going to go to the club to see his son live instead of asking about it. He climbed down the scaffolding, walked to the site office, took off his hardhat and bid goodnight to the foreman.
The street lights barley lit the empty, darkened road as yet another human slowly walked, looking around him wondering why he was there. Rows and rows of buildings with black doors lined the road. And then he appeared, the Devil, dressed in a black suit, black shining shoes and a smile as wide as the Golden Gate.
“What is this place?” asked the human
“Your life!” replied the devil smiling excitedly “Your life, and all it’s darkest moments filled with regret, sadness and despair.” The devil led the human to one of the doors and motioned for the human to open the door.
Tentatively the human slowly opened the door and peaked at what lay beyond it. His mouth opened wide at the sight before him.
He saw himself in a beautiful house laughing and fooling around with his children and his wife looking at them in the background, content and happy. There was his dream car sitting in the driveway, a dog barking excitedly running around and chasing birds on the lawn and neighbours mulling around doing their gardens. The human looked at the devil:
“What is this, I split up from my wife years ago?”
“Yes you did!” the devil replied, laughing and almost skipping to the next door. “Look in this one, look in this one.”
The human, puzzled, opened another black door. Again his mouth fell open. He saw himself again sunning himself on the deck of a boat with his family and friends around him enjoying time together. His son sat at one end of the boat fishing whilst his other son was sitting next to him reading a book. He closed the door with a heavy heart.
“I don’t understand” the human said looking into the eyes of the devil.
“Ah, most people don’t. I love it, I love it!” the devil could barely contain himself. “Try another one.”
The human opened another door and saw himself working in some kind of workshop speaking to some other people he did not know. He looked around and saw a sign which read ‘DreamHomes’. The human gasped, this was the business he had always dreamt of starting up and didn’t follow through with it. It had been a pipedream to him and although his wife had encouraged him to go for it he never got round to it, instead electing to work for another building company with long hours and low pay. It started to dawn on the human, this was his dream life he was looking at, all the doors contained elements of his dream life.
“Why?” was all the human could ask.
“Why show you this? because this is all mine, for every dream you didn’t act on, I stole it and started living it. I live millions of dreams and it’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.” The devil was almost skipping with joy. “You human’s haven’t a clue. You are put on earth to live for around 70 years, you go to school for 20 of those years, work for 45 of those years and suffer for around five of those years until you eventually die. Yeah, you have a few enlightening moments and you follow a few dreams, which annoys the hell out of me, but on the whole you are all pretty much the same. It’s wonderful, I get to live out all these dreams.”
The human, saddened by the devils words, kept walking and came to a white door. The devil stopped smiling and looked at the human. “That’s your door.” he said, “this is where you live.” The human opened the door and saw himself working on a building site, he was high up on some scaffolding just staring out into the sunset and at that moment he was catapulted back to the building site, no devil, no road, just himself watching the sunset.
He looked at his watch, a few hours to go and he had to rush back to phone his son to ask him how his gig at the club went, his son had been playing in a band for a while and they were starting to get noticed. At that moment, he decided he was going to go to the club to see his son live instead of asking about it. He climbed down the scaffolding, walked to the site office, took off his hardhat and bid goodnight to the foreman.
Daily Wisdom - The Lotus Sutra
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Sunday, April 15, 2012:
The Lotus Sutra offers a secret means for leading all living beings to Buddhahood. It leads one person in the realm of hell, one person in the realm of hungry spirits, and thus one person in each of the nine realms of existence to Buddhahood, and thereby the way is opened for all living beings to attain Buddhahood.
Letter to Horen
Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275
Sunday, April 15, 2012:
The Lotus Sutra offers a secret means for leading all living beings to Buddhahood. It leads one person in the realm of hell, one person in the realm of hungry spirits, and thus one person in each of the nine realms of existence to Buddhahood, and thereby the way is opened for all living beings to attain Buddhahood.
Letter to Horen
Written to Soya Kyoshin in April 1275
Daily Wisdom - Flowering and Bearing Grain
From the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin
Saturday, April 14, 2012:
The rice plant flowers and bears grain, but its spirit remains in the soil. This is the reason the stalk sprouts to flower and bear grain once again. The blessings that Nichiren obtains from propagating the Lotus Sutra will always return to Dozen-bo. How sublime! It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything.
Flowering and Bearing Grain
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo in April 1278
Saturday, April 14, 2012:
The rice plant flowers and bears grain, but its spirit remains in the soil. This is the reason the stalk sprouts to flower and bear grain once again. The blessings that Nichiren obtains from propagating the Lotus Sutra will always return to Dozen-bo. How sublime! It is said that, if a teacher has a good disciple, both will gain the fruit of Buddhahood, but if a teacher fosters a bad disciple, both will fall into hell. If teacher and disciple are of different minds, they will never accomplish anything.
Flowering and Bearing Grain
Written to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo in April 1278
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