February 13 2019
RESPONSE My particular study strategy stems from my understanding of what is the purpose of Buddhism, i.e. the faith of mine that is equal to my daily life. In terms of my relationship to the Gohonzon, my faith is representative of the profound, yet very understandable principle of Three Thousand Realms in a Single Moment (ichinen sanzen), the Law of Causality, or Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. From my perspective then, keeping with the Three Great Secret Laws has been the most relevant and meaningful promise for me to access the necessary wisdom I need daily, which always leads me to happiness. For purposes of distinction on what materials take precedence, President Ikeda, founder of the political party Komeito in Japan, seeks to enlist others to share in his particular vision of kosen-rufu based on a combination of the teachings of Nichiren with his mission, which is representative of a liberal progressive Democrat ideology; a type of leadership that makes the SGI a particular sect of Buddhism from other Nichiren sects, and arguably a religion. And though I greatly appreciate the access to Nichiren’s teachings the SGI has provided me, it is more so in my interest to uphold the Buddha’s golden words, than the opinion of others. Essentially, it is President Ikeda’s aim to realize a GOVERNMENT with Buddhist principles of compassion and respect for life as its basis, which I see as separate endeavors. In 2017 Ikeda wrote a letter to the US President about his deep disappointment that the US withdrew from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement. He wrote, “Climate change disproportionately affects the world’s poorest communities, and our faith traditions compel us to bear witness to their suffering.” What if you don’t believe in climate change, but instead recognize weather complications as a result of weather modification, cloud seeding, military chaffing, chem trails, etc., and you are not looking to become a subject citizen of UN global governance or the New World Order? My objective and strategy of study therefore, is mainly in grasping Buddhist principles and concepts to lead myself and others to happiness, through my practice of the central principle of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. When we understand and practice this Law, the true nature of any phenomenon in our own lives lights up and we get to see it for what it really is, so we can take the appropriate courses of action toward absolute happiness. So, studying Buddhism for me means the practical application of principles and concepts in one’s daily life that Nichiren shares with us in his Gosho. They help me solve problems, with worship to neither deity or leader. Some principles are more difficult than others to understand, such as might be for some; the unification of the three truths, yet when we summon our faith with a firm desire to dispel the suffering from the demons we face in our lives, the true nature of phenomena always becomes clear in time and we are able to strip away every fundamental darkness amounting to what appear to be insurmountable illusions to reveal the true nature of reality. The Gohonzon represents our life itself, and the wisdom we inherently possess, and it is in that place in our mind where we can find the many Buddhist principles and concepts that Nichiren reveals and aims to make lucid in his teachings for us to apply. And with the use of SGI’s wonderful Buddhist dictionary we are able to make sense of it all. During the Former Day of the Law, when Shakyamuni expounded the Lotus Sutra people did not possess the capacity to understand the Law so he taught each individual according to his or her particular capacity to understand what he was expounding that would lead them to the Law, to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Today, in the Latter Day of the Law, what that Law is becomes apparent to those who embark on the journey with a steadfast seeking spirit. Thus, what a busy life means to me as a Nichiren Buddhist was very succinctly put by Nichiren when he said “A sword is 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.” Studying arms me with the faith to face evil in the face and strike it down, everyday.
Response to EB: What is your study strategy? Between the gosho, Ikeda’s many many books/lectures/commentaries, and the LB/WT, how do you prioritize your study efforts with a busy life? Just curious to see what others do. 📷:)