---- DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT ----
"Only a Buddhist teaching of fundamental transformation -- one that teaches the importance of taking action amid the tumult and turmoil of society -- can offer the means for genuinely changing this strife-filled saha world into a Buddha land and for actualising the principle of establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land.
"Also, the Daishonin says that two thousand years of propagating Buddhism during the Former and Middle Days of the Law are inferior to even a brief time spent doing so during the Latter Day of the Law. Buddhism during the Former and Middle Days was basically a teaching for people of superior capacity, and benefit could be gained through even the partial or implicit teachings.
"The Latter Day, however, is an age of quarrels and disputes,* when the proponents of various partial and implicit teachings will all proclaim their particular school of Buddhism to be perfect and absolute. These teachings will function as negative influences that obstruct the spread of the correct teaching. In such a confused and disordered age, only the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Buddhism of sowing--which directly activates the Buddha nature-- will lead people to enlightenment. That is why propagating the correct teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for even a brief time in the Latter Day is superior to spreading partial or implicit teachings for a long period during the Former and Middle Days of the Law."
"Also, the Daishonin says that two thousand years of propagating Buddhism during the Former and Middle Days of the Law are inferior to even a brief time spent doing so during the Latter Day of the Law. Buddhism during the Former and Middle Days was basically a teaching for people of superior capacity, and benefit could be gained through even the partial or implicit teachings.
"The Latter Day, however, is an age of quarrels and disputes,* when the proponents of various partial and implicit teachings will all proclaim their particular school of Buddhism to be perfect and absolute. These teachings will function as negative influences that obstruct the spread of the correct teaching. In such a confused and disordered age, only the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo of the Buddhism of sowing--which directly activates the Buddha nature-- will lead people to enlightenment. That is why propagating the correct teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for even a brief time in the Latter Day is superior to spreading partial or implicit teachings for a long period during the Former and Middle Days of the Law."
--- DAILY GOSHO ---
"...by all means persist in preaching the Lotus Sutra and causing them to hear it. Those who put their faith in it will surely attain Buddhahood, while those who slander it will establish a "poison-drum relationship"* with it and will likewise attain Buddhahood."
(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 882)
(How Those Initially Aspiring to the Way Can Attain Buddhahood through the Lotus Sutra - The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1, page 882)
*Poison-Drum relationship: Nichiren Buddhism explains that even though some people react negatively upon hearing about the Law, they can eventually attain Buddhahood through this reverse relationship. (This is also called a poison-drum relationship, in reference to a Nirvana Sutra tale of a drum laced with a certain toxin that when beaten causes the deaths of all who hear it, whether or not they wanted to listen to it. Similarly, the Lotus Sutra will provide the seeds of Buddhahood to all who hear its preaching, whether they embrace or oppose it.)
Once they hear about the Mystic Law, they will eventually embrace it, just as a seed, once planted, will eventually sprout. For this reason, regardless of their reactions, it is important to courageously tell others about the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism based on a sincere desire for their happiness— regardless of whether they respond positively or not.
Sowing the seeds by letting one hear the teaching and sowing the seeds by leading one to arouse faith in it— these two stages of planting the seeds of Buddhahood illustrate the importance of sharing Nichiren Buddhism with others and thus helping them form a relationship with the Mystic Law.
Once they hear about the Mystic Law, they will eventually embrace it, just as a seed, once planted, will eventually sprout. For this reason, regardless of their reactions, it is important to courageously tell others about the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism based on a sincere desire for their happiness— regardless of whether they respond positively or not.
Sowing the seeds by letting one hear the teaching and sowing the seeds by leading one to arouse faith in it— these two stages of planting the seeds of Buddhahood illustrate the importance of sharing Nichiren Buddhism with others and thus helping them form a relationship with the Mystic Law.
No comments:
Post a Comment