….Learning from the Osaka Shakubuku Campaign…. Thirty Selected Passages from the Writings of Nichiren Daishonin The Source of Victory by Linda SGI President Ikeda used numerous passages from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin to teach and encourage members at the time of the “Osaka Shakubuku Campaign” in 1956. We have chosen 30 passages as follows: 1 Make the impossible, possible 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 (WND-444) 2 Strong faith will make your prayers become reality No matter haw earnestly Nichiren prays for you, if you lack faith, it will be like trying to set fire to wet tinder. The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra (WND-1000) 3 Preparation and planning is essential for victory Carefully planning strategy prior to a battle, even one a thousand miles distant, will be the cause for victory. (GZ-183) Daisaku Ikeda Buddhism in Action vol. V p.187: In order to advance your Kosen Rufu activities, you should not take any action arbitrarily or without preparation. Work out your plans with a great deal of deliberation and discussion among all the people concerned; carry them out with everyone working in harmony, united as one. 4 Take action earnestly and single-mindedly If you exert a hundred million eons of effort in a single moment of life, the three enlightened properties of the Buddha will appear within you at each moment. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the practice of genuine and constant devotion. (GZ-790) The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, p.193 5 The Source of Victory After Victory Though evils may be numerous, they cannot prevail over a single great truth, just as many raging fires are quenched by a single shower of rain. Many in Body, One in mind (WND-618) 4/28/2003 1 30 Gosho passages English version1 6 The Lotus Sutra is the greatest of all strategies. Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other. The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra (WND-1000) 7 Rather than strategy, good fortune is most essential When one comes to the end of one’s good fortune, no strategy whatsoever avails. When one’s karmic rewards are exhausted, even one’s retainers no longer follow one. The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra (WND-1000) 8 Unity is the key to victory. If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable. Many in Body, One in Mind (WND-618) 9 The importance of a leader’s determination In battles, soldiers regard the general as their soul. If the general were to lose heart, his soldiers would become cowards. The Supremacy of the Law (WND-613) 10 A sense of responsibility determines everything. If the lord of a castle is brave, its defenders will be strong, too. If the lord hesitates or shows weakness, the defenders will cower. The mind is the lord of the body. (GZ-979) Daisaku Ikeda Buddhism in Action vol. IV p.29 When “the lord of a castle”—that is, a leader—is brave, people under his command will be strong. If he flinches, they will recoil in dread. This tells us that everything depends on the leader’s determination. 11 Fight with wisdom and courage Something uncommon also occurs when an ordinary person attains Buddhahood. At such time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat. The Three Obstacles and Four Devils (WND-637) 4/28/2003 2 30 Gosho passages English version1 12 Stand up with the spirit of a lion king Each of you should summon up the courage of a lion king and never succumb to threats from anyone. The lion king fears no other beast, nor do its cubs. On Persecutions Befalling the Sage (WND-997) 13 Awaken to your mission It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to sustain –as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. The Three Kinds of Treasure (WND-851) 14 The greatest treasure in life More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. The Three Kinds of Treasure (WND-851) 15 Fight until the end; live with no regrets In the light of the above points, this shows, my followers, that you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come. The Problem to Be Pondered Night and Day (WND-622) 16 Never be sidetracked by obstacles. Advance together with your comrades towards Kosen-rufu Whether tempted by good or threatened by evil, if one casts aside the Lotus Sutra one destines oneself for hell. The Opening of The Eyes (II) (WND-280) 17 Continuity is the greatest cause for growth To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith. Those who uphold this sutra should be prepared to meet difficulties. The Difficulty of Sustaining Faith (WND-471) 4/28/2003 3 30 Gosho passages English version1 18 A Courageous person will gain further strength and courage with faith in the Gohonzon. 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 (WND-412) 19 Leap up and dance with joy What could any of you have to lament? Even if you are not the Venerable Mahakashyapa, you should all perform a dance. Even if you are not Shariputra, you should leap up and dance. When Bodhisattva Superior Practices emerged from the earth, did he not emerge dancing? And when Bodhisattva Universal Worthy arrived, the ground shook in six different ways. Great Evil and Great Good (WND-1119) 20 Faith to invite fortune from afar. Now Japan, in becoming an enemy of the Lotus Sutra, has invited misfortune from a thousand miles away. In light of this, it is clear that those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away. New Year’s Gosho (WND-1137) 21 Use the “eyes of faith” to perceive the world There are shadows in the darkness, but people cannot discern them. There are trails in the sky where birds fly, but people cannot recognize them. There are paths in the sea along which fish swim, but people cannot perceive them. All people and things of the four continents are reflected in the moon without a single exception, but people cannot see them. But they are visible to the heavenly eye. An Outline of the “Entrustment” and Other Chapters (WND-915) 22 Benefit is created when one fights together with fellow members for Kosen-rufu. Because the Buddha’s mind is an excellent mind, persons who read this sutra, even though they may not understand its meaning, will gain inestimable benefit. Mugwort that grows in the midst of hemp, or a snake inside a tube [will as a matter of course become straight], and those who associate with people of good character will consequently become upright in heart, deed, and word. The Bodies and Minds of Ordinary Beings (WND-1128) 4/28/2003 4 30 Gosho passages English version1 23 Be a person who shines with the brilliance of the Lotus Sutra This life is like a dream. One cannot be sure that one will live until tomorrow. However wretched a beggar you might become, never disgrace the Lotus Sutra. Since it will be the same in any event, do not betray grief. A Warning Against Begrudging One’s Fief (WND-824) 24 Be true to yourself Cherry, plum, peach or damson blossoms—all, just as they are, possess their own unique qualities. (GZ-784) My Dear Friends in America p.320 This passage confirms that there is no need for everyone to become “cherries” or “plums”, but that each should manifest the unique brilliance of his or her own character. 25 Believe that inconspicuous but steady faith will bring about conspicuous benefit Where there is unseen virtue, there will be visible reward. Unseen Virtue and Visible Reward (WND-907) (GZ-1527) 26 “Prayer” is the infinite source for victory Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime (WND-4) 27 Maintain “pure” faith, regardless of circumstance! Now there is no need to attempt to surmise yourself how things will go. Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend on your faith; [if it is not] I will in no way be blame. When water is clear, the moon is reflected. When the wind blows, the trees shake. Our minds are like the water. Faith that is weak is like muddy water, while faith that is brave is like clear water. Replay to the Lay Nun Nichigon (WND-1079) 28 Omens of victory Great events never have minor omens. When great evil occurs, great good follows. Since great slander already exist in our land, the great correct Law will spread without fail. Great Evil and Great Good (WND-1119) 4/28/2003 5 30 Gosho passages English version1 4/28/2003 6 30 Gosho passages English version1 29 Be aware that “timing” is crucial in battle You must be firmly resolved. Do not begrudge your fief; do not think of your wife and children. And do not depend on others. You must simply make up your mind. Look at the world this year as a mirror. The reason that you have survived until now when so many have died was so that you would meet with this affair. This is where you will cross the Uji River. This is where you will ford the Seta. This will determine whether you win honor of disgrace your name. This is what is meant when it is said that it is difficult to be born as a human being, and that it is difficult to believe in the Lotus Sutra. You should pray intently that Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, and the Buddhas of the ten directions will all gather and enter into your body to assist you. Reply to Yasaburo (WND-829) 30 Advance, advance, advance! Be diligent in developing your faith until the last moment of you 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 (WND-1027) (From the “Daibyaku Renge” Magazine, April 2003, pp. 73 – 78..)
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 09:32:30 +0000
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