Hi,
I have been practicing Buddhism for a while now and I would like to share some quotes from Nichiren Daishonin's Writings. I have found comfort in these quotes and they bring me peace of mind. For those who do not know what this Buddhism is about I will, in my own words, briefly explain the practice. We chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to a mandala called the Gohonzon. The Chant is the title and essence of The Lotus Sutra. Nichiren is the True Buddha. In inscribing the essense of his life in the Gohonzon he has made it possible for all people to attain enlightenment in their lifetime. Our practice and our lives revolve around Nam-myoho-renge-kyo because IT IS LIFE ITSELF.
"Make every possible effort to deepen your faith and reach the pure land of Eagle Peak."
"The Lotus Sutra is the staff that helps all the Buddhas of the three existences as they set their minds on enlightenment. However, you should rely on Nichiren as your staff and pillar. When one uses a staff one will not fall on treacherous mountain paths or rough roads, and when led by the hand, one will never stumble. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will be your staff to take you safely over the mountains of death."
"Money serves various purposes according to our needs. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE LOTUS SUTRA. It is a lantern in the dark or a boat at a crossing. At times it is water and, at times, fire. This being so, the Lotus Sutra assures us of 'peace and security in our present existence and good circumstances in future existences.' Be ever diligent in your faith so that your desire will be fulfilled."
quotes from Gosho "THE SWORDS OF GOOD AND EVIL'
Monday, August 20, 2007
'THE LAW OF RENGE'
"Living beings that pass through the two phases of life and death are the entities of the Ten Worlds, or the entities of Myoho-renge-kyo."
"Living beings and their environments, and the causes and effects at work within them, are all the Law of: Renge (the Lotus). Here living beings and their environments means the phenomena of life and death. Where Life and Death exist, cause and effect, or the Law of the Lotus is at work."
"The two phases of life and death are the wonderful workings of one mind. The two ways of existence and nonexistence are the true functions of an inherently enlightened mind."
"We ordinary human beings are in NO WAY different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death."
"For one who summons up one's faith and chants Nam-myho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that NOW is the last moment of one's life."
"The sufferings of birth and death are nirvana."
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
JoRenge
"Living beings and their environments, and the causes and effects at work within them, are all the Law of: Renge (the Lotus). Here living beings and their environments means the phenomena of life and death. Where Life and Death exist, cause and effect, or the Law of the Lotus is at work."
"The two phases of life and death are the wonderful workings of one mind. The two ways of existence and nonexistence are the true functions of an inherently enlightened mind."
"We ordinary human beings are in NO WAY different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death."
"For one who summons up one's faith and chants Nam-myho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that NOW is the last moment of one's life."
"The sufferings of birth and death are nirvana."
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
JoRenge
"ON OFFERING PRAYERS"
"I have offered prayers to the Gohonzon of Myoho-renge-kyo. Though this mandala has but five or seven characters, it is the teacher of all Buddhas throughout the three existences and the seal that guarantees the enlightenment of all women. It will be a lamp in the darkness of the road to the next world and a fine horse to carry you over the mountains of death. It is like the sun and moon in the heavens or Mount Sumeru on earth. It is a ship to ferry people over the sea of the sufferings of birth and death. It is the teacher ho leads all people to Buddhahood and enlightenment."
"The prescription of medicine differs according to the illness."
"A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by these four great bodhisattva 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, a a voice and its echo or as the moon and its light."
"How reassuring, how encouraging!"
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Nichiren Daishonin
"The prescription of medicine differs according to the illness."
"A woman who takes this efficacious medicine will be surrounded and protected by these four great bodhisattva 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, a a voice and its echo or as the moon and its light."
"How reassuring, how encouraging!"
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Nichiren Daishonin
"THE ULTIMATE LAW OF LIFE"
"Myo represents death, and Ho, life. Living beings that pass through the two phases of life and death are the entities of the *Ten Worlds*, or the entities of Myoho-renge-kyo."
"T'ien-t'ai says that one should understand that living beings and their environments, and the causes and effects at work within them, are all the Law of RENGE (the lotus). Here where life and death exist, cause and effect, or the Law of the Lotus is at work".
"For one who summons up one's faith and chants Name-myoho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that NOW is the last moment of one's life, the sutra proclaims:'When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence.'"
"The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The winds blow away dust and breathe life into plants, animals and human beings. The earth produces the grasses and trees and heaven provides nourishing moisture. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo are also like that. "
"Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyowith 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. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment and that the suffering of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless with the heritage of faith."
*The 10 worlds (from lowest to highest) The 10 worlds are also interpreted as States of Life:
**The Six Paths of Existence are the realms or worlds in which unenlightened beings transmigrate. They are Hell and the realms of hungry spirits, animals, asuras, human beings and heavenly beings.
Nichiren Daishonin
"THE HERITAGE OF THE ULTIMATE LAW OF LIFE"
"T'ien-t'ai says that one should understand that living beings and their environments, and the causes and effects at work within them, are all the Law of RENGE (the lotus). Here where life and death exist, cause and effect, or the Law of the Lotus is at work".
"For one who summons up one's faith and chants Name-myoho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that NOW is the last moment of one's life, the sutra proclaims:'When the lives of these persons come to an end, they will be received into the hands of a thousand Buddhas, who will free them from all fear and keep them from falling into the evil paths of existence.'"
"The function of fire is to burn and give light. The function of water is to wash away filth. The winds blow away dust and breathe life into plants, animals and human beings. The earth produces the grasses and trees and heaven provides nourishing moisture. The five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo are also like that. "
"Be resolved to summon forth the great power of faith, and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyowith 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. Only then will you realize that earthly desires are enlightenment and that the suffering of birth and death are nirvana. Even embracing the Lotus Sutra would be useless with the heritage of faith."
*The 10 worlds (from lowest to highest) The 10 worlds are also interpreted as States of Life:
- HELL
- HUNGER (HUNGRY SPIRITS)
- ANIMALS (ANIMALITY)
- ASURA (a type of contentious and billigerent by nature, demons who fights continuallyu witrh the God Shakra or Indra. The world of auras constitutes one of the 6 Paths of existence**)
- HUMAN BEINGS
- HEAVENLY BEINGS
- VOICE HEARERS
- CAUSE AWAKENED ONES
- BODHISATTVAS
- BUDDHAS (NIRVANA)
**The Six Paths of Existence are the realms or worlds in which unenlightened beings transmigrate. They are Hell and the realms of hungry spirits, animals, asuras, human beings and heavenly beings.
Nichiren Daishonin
"THE HERITAGE OF THE ULTIMATE LAW OF LIFE"
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