The Quotable Nichiren *LIFE* Rice may seem like a very small thing, yet it is what sustains human life. And the Buddha says that life is something that cannot be purchased even for a price of an entire major world system. (WND, 983) The most dreadful things in the world are the pain of fire, the flashing of swords, and the shadow of death. Even horses and cattle fear being killed; no wonder human beings are afraid of death. Even a leper clings to life; how much more so a healthy person. The Buddha teaches that even filling the entire major world system with the seven kinds of treasures does not match offering ones little finger to the Buddha and the [Lotus] Sutra. (WND, 301) 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 ones body and life. Even the treasures that fill the major world system are no substitute for life. (WND, 1125) Life at each moment encompasses the body and mind and the self and environment of all sentient beings in the Ten Worlds as well as all insentient beings in the three thousand realms, including plants, sky, earth, and even the minutest particles of dust. Life at each moment permeates the entire realm of phenomena and is revealed in all phenomena. To be awakened to this principle is itself the mutually inclusive relationship of life at each moment and all phenomena. (WND, 3) A single life is worth more than the major world system. You still have many years ahead of you, and, moreover you have encountered the Lotus Sutra. If you live even one day longer, you can accumulate that much more benefit. How truly precious you life is! (WND, 955) How swiftly the days pass! It makes us realize how few are the years we have left. Friends enjoy the cherry blossoms together on spring mornings, and then they are gone, carried away like the blossoms by the winds of impermanence, leaving nothing but their names. Although the blossoms have scattered, the cherry trees will bloom again with the coming of spring, but when will those people be reborn? (WND, 1027) Words for Daily Living
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:38:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015