Reandre Jameson Zurbano welcome to the Soka Gakkai. The Fearless - TopicsExpress

Reandre Jameson Zurbano welcome to the Soka Gakkai. The Fearless Lion’s Roar of Daimoku Living Buddhism February 1, 2015 This monthly encouragement by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda was originally published in the January 2015 issue of the Daibyakurenge, the Soka Gakkai’s monthly study journal. To begin the year with a new, revitalized spirit, to move forward with the fresh vitality of New Year’s Day each and every day—surely this is a universal wish. “Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities,” 1 wrote Helen Keller (1880–1968), who refused to let her disabilities stand in the way of contributing to society. As members of the SGI, endowed with “great good fortune from past existences” ( The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 356), we have been able to take faith in the Mystic Law in this lifetime. With the sound of our voices chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we make the sun of time without beginning rise in our hearts each day and each year, revitalizing our lives. Nichiren Daishonin writes: “Myo [of myoho, the Mystic Law] means to revive, that is, to return to life” (“The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 149). The practice of chanting Nam-myoho-rengekyo [daimoku] is the ultimate source of youthfulness and limitless vitality.The daimoku that we chant as Bodhisattvas of the Earth constitutes prayer infused with a deep vow and commitment. It is not a weak, imploring plea for something. It is a lion’s roar that reverberates with all of our being, and is powered by making a personal vow, setting our minds on realizing it and aligning our lives with the fundamental law of the universe. There is no force stronger or more sublime. My mentor, second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, said: “The prayers of those who join Nichiren Daishonin in making a vow and struggling for the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law are certain to be fulfilled. Chant with the unshakable conviction that you can boldly overcome the three obstacles and four devils.” He also said: “The prayers of one person with powerful faith in the Mystic Law will inspire everyone to follow their lead. In the end, all will become happy.” That’s why we must always put daimoku first, whatever the situation. A person who chants strong and consistent daimoku will never be deadlocked. Encouraging a follower [Ota Saemon-no-jo] who was battling illness, Nichiren writes, “The sutra known as the Lotus Sutra is good medicine for the various ills of body and mind” (“On the Importance of the ‘Expedient Means’ and ‘Life Span’ Chapters,” WND-2, 747). In the same letter, he also presents this follower with three passages from the Lotus Sutra: “His illness will be wiped out and he will know neither aging nor death” (LSOC, 330); “They will enjoy peace and security in their present existence and good circumstances in future existences” (LSOC, 136); and “All others who bear you enmity or malice will likewise be wiped out” (see LSOC, 329). We practice the Mystic Law, chanting Nammyoho-renge-kyo ourselves and teaching others to do the same. As such, our lives are one with the life of Nichiren Daishonin. Chanting resonant daimoku enables us to overcome illness and lead long, healthy lives. It allows us to transform any karma into our mission and establish a state of boundless happiness that will endure forever. Let us show actual proof in the form of absolute victory, activating the protective forces of the universe and vanquishing even the most powerful enemies that seek to obstruct our practice. A pioneering women’s division member from Aomori Prefecture in Japan, where it snows heavily in the winter, has delivered the Seikyo Shimbun (the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper), each morning for more than 40 years. In the past, her fellow villagers shunned her because she was a Soka Gakkai member. But she refused to be defeated, resolving to win over every obstacle by bringing forth even greater strength and wisdom. Today, declaring that the community in which she lives is the best in the whole country, she says: “Daimoku has the power to make anything possible. When you chant for someone’s happiness, the right words emerge from your own Buddha nature to touch their Buddha nature. My greatest joy in life is introducing others to this practice and expanding our circle of friendship.” We have entered an age when the daimoku of our infinitely noble and precious SGI members, brimming with courage and hope, enfolds society, locally and globally. In this year of dynamic development, striving to fulfill our shared vow of mentor and disciple, let us again achieve one victory after another, our confident lion’s roar of daimoku resounding powerfully. Chanting daimoku like the lion’s roar, we are fearless, accumulating benefit and victories without end. Note: 1. Helen Keller, My Religion (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Page and Company, 1927), p. 49.