Next, the teaching of the “Life Span” chapter is what I, Nichiren, personally depend on. Although T’ien-t’ai and Dengyō also understood it in a general way, they never put it into words or proclaimed it. The same is true of Nāgārjuna and Vasubandhu. The verse section of the chapter states, “... single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha, not hesitating even if it costs them their lives.” As a result of this passage, I have revealed the Buddhahood in my own life. The reason is that it is this sutra passage that has enabled me to embody the Three Great Secret Laws, or the reality of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, that is found in the “Life Span” chapter. But keep this secret, keep it secret.
The Great Teacher of Mount Hiei [Dengyō] journeyed to China and received instruction on the point of this passage. “Single” of “single-mindedly” means the one pure way, and “mind” means all phenomena.2 That is why the Great Teacher T’ien-t’ai, explaining the Chinese character for “mind,” said that its four brush strokes represent the moon and three stars, and that this implies that the mind of the effect [of Buddhahood] is pure and clean. I, Nichiren, say that “single” stands for myō, or mystic, “mind” for hō, or law, “desiring” for ren, or lotus, “see” for ge, or flower, and “Buddha” for kyō, or sutra. In propagating these five characters, practitioners should “not hesitate even if it costs them their lives.”
“Single-mindedly desiring to see the Buddha” may be read as follows: p.390single-mindedly observing the Buddha, concentrating one’s mind on seeing the Buddha, and when looking at one’s own mind, perceiving that it is the Buddha. Having attained the fruit of Buddhahood, the eternally inherent three bodies, I may surpass even T’ien-t’ai and Dengyō, and excel even Nāgārjuna and Mahākāshyapa. The Buddha wrote that one should become the master of one’s mind rather than let one’s mind master oneself.4 This is what I mean when I emphatically urge you to give up even your body, and never begrudge even your life for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo." Letter to Gijo-bo
ReplyDeleteI hope the weekly, racist-mass shootings hat occured under Trump, do not start up again with the fascist Rittenhouse verdict. The fascist Trump was ready to use a tactical nuclear bomb on Iran. This is not ranting and raving they are facts.
All true but nothing to do with the topic of this post.
ReplyDeleteunreliable source here-- sad to see such carelessness regarding authentic teachings and personal spin
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that This writing disagrees with the Five Major Works and the authenticated canon of Nichiren. Just because you say so doesn't make it true. Why don't you point out where this goes against the teachings of the Five Major Works and the authenticated canon of Nichiren.
ReplyDeletesame -- regarding "just because you say so..."
ReplyDeletegood reason why only Buddhist scholars and those capable of refined research regarding "authentic writings and correct translations"; scholars familiar with Classical Chinese , Medieval Japanese-- language history, should publish under headings like, "Nichren's teachings"
also-- good reason why the daimoku-- & emphasis on not needing mediators, etc. is the best manner for propagation. all of the hoopla and grudge matches that arose from americans acting like superiors- as *true Buddhists* has only led to confusion and divisiveness amongst folks who chant the daimoku and actually should regard each other with the highest respect.
does one need these writings to benefit from daimoku? hell, NO.
best kept secret is the simplicity and totally individual based practice--- chanting namu-myoho-renge-kyo SOLO
makes even wanna be nichiren bloggers- OBSOLETE.
letters nichiren wrote to believers -- essentially you are reading someone else's mail-- not cool. self professed authorities lecturing and calling themselves disciples etc. i do recall warnings against this in the lotus sutra
ReplyDeleteOK, I should remain ignorant of what Nichiren wrote like you. I understand. would you stop slandering me, I would call you a disciple of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren.
Delete"Immeasurable thousands, ten thousands, millions,
a great host of bodhisattvas
such as was never seen in the past—
I beg the most honored of two-legged beings to explain
where they have come from,
what causes and conditions bring them together!
Huge in body, with great transcendental powers,
unfathomable in wisdom,
firm in their intent and thought,
with the power of great perseverance,
the kind living beings delight to see—
where have they come from?
Each one of these bodhisattvas
brings with him a retinue
immeasurable in number
like the sands of the Ganges River.
Some of these great bodhisattvas
bring numbers equal to the sands of sixty thousand Ganges Rivers.
And this great multitude
with a single mind seek the buddha way.
These great teachers
equal in number to the sands of sixty thousand Ganges Rivers
together come to offer alms to the Buddha
and to guard and uphold this sutra.
More numerous are those with followers
like the sands of fifty thousand Ganges Rivers,
those with followers like the sands of forty thousand, thirty thousand,
twenty thousand, ten thousand,
one thousand, one hundred,
or the sands of a single Ganges River,
half a Ganges River, one third, one fourth,
or only one part in a million ten thousand;
those with one thousand, ten thousand nayutas,
ten thousand, a million DISCIPLES,
or half a million—
they are more numerous still.
Those with a hundred ten thousand or ten thousand followers,
a thousand or a hundred,
fifty or ten,
three, two, or one,
or those who come alone without followers,
delighting in solitude,
all coming to where the Buddha is—
they are even more numerous than those described above.
you are ignorant as to what is relevant for sincere believers who seek Nichiren’s doctrines. really very similar to how various sects have fluffed up their preaching to lord it over the flock, you evolved into an evangelical Buddhist clone of the sects you trash here.
Deletesome people just have to act like they are superior to others, but nothing is more foolish than the blogger failing to see that he is the unreliable source... across the board!
ReplyDeleteif one is chanting sincere daimoku they will glean what they need from whatever writings they read ... and after decades of sincere daimoku will be humble not haughty. blogger here is clearly not like most... and he uses that distinction to insist he is 'superior'. affiliation with a sect or sgi . where hierarchies are the rule, is a daunting obstacle to overcome...eh blogger?
i didn't start this i am better than you BS. You, the Three Stooge "bodhisisattvas" started it. OK, I do not have a superior understanding than the evil SGI singing forever Sensei and laymen accepting exorbitant alms. You don't even understand duality yet you claim non-duality. Were I you, I would do some serious self reflecting, as I.
ReplyDelete