Faith Equals Daily Life

 

Quiz - https://quizizz.com/join?gc=86204440

Key Points / Summary:

Concepts that are core to practising Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism in daily life

1. The Causality of Benefit and Loss
2. Heavenly Gods and Benevolent Deities
3. Many in Body, One in Mind
4. Faith Equals Daily Life
5. Importance of one’s behavior as a human being

1. The Causality of Benefit and Loss

Causality of Benefit

Cause (action) = Practising and upholding Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

Benefit (Effect) = Reward by practising Ultimate Law of Universe

What is Law of Universe = Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Practising Means = Practise for oneself and for others (Compassion)

So What are the Rewards

1. Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime = Absolute Happiness, Happiness that doesn’t depend on our external environment
2. Protected by Heavenly Gods and Deities
3. Wisdom and Courage to Overcome our problems and challenges
4. Derive Good Fortune and Happiness from any situation or circumstance.

More on Rewards:

1. Our Buddhist practice enables us to tap and manifest our Buddha nature, and clear proof of this will appear as benefit in our everyday affairs and over the course of our lives. We will be able to live each day filled with happiness and good fortune without fail
2. Those who uphold and practice the mystic law will exude from within the fragrance of happiness and virtue, will be loved and trusted by others, and will be protected and supported in their daily endeavors and throughout their lives

What Nichiren Daishonin States about these rewards?

1. “Believe in this Mandala (Gohonzon) with all your heart. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle?”
2. It is written that those who embrace the daimoku of the Lotus Sutra will be protected by the Mother of Demon Children and by the ten demon daughters. Such persons will enjoy the happiness of the wisdom king Craving-filled and the good fortune of the heavenly king Vaishravana. Wherever your daughter may frolic or play, no harm will come to her; she will move about without fear like lion king.
3. Those who now believe in the Lotus Sutra will gather fortune from ten thousand miles away.

Now let’s talk about

Causality of Loss

Cause (action) = Slandering / Disparaging Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Going Against the principles of cause & effect.

Loss (Effect) = Experiencing bad effects / actual loss in the context of their daily lives.

So, if you are experiencing loss in your daily life. Then

1. Take it as a warning, become aware of it, Reflect on it and seek to correct one’s attitude in faith
2. Summon the resolve to practice the mystic law more deeply and sincerely.
3. Use it as an opportunity to go to correct path and reclaim rewards.

2. Heavenly Gods and Benevolent Deities

1. Symbolic way to articulate that those who practice law of universe will get protection from environment.
2. The forces in environment that protect us are personified in Buddhism as Gods and Deities.
3. Helps in visualizing these protective forces in our environment.
4. These protective forces increases if we practice correctly.
5. The strength of the protection we receive depends on the strength of our faith and practice as we uphold and protect the mystic law.

3. Many in Body, One in Mind

Introduction of Concept:

1. Many in body, One in mind is one of the most important concepts in Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism.
2. This concept also underlines fundamental principle of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism i.e. respecting each and every life and their unique traits.
3. Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism doesn't impose any physical appearance conformity in terms of dress code or look.
4. Rather, it respects and cherishes the diversity.

Let's understand what this concept is all about and how we can apply it in our day to day life

Explaining "Many in Body"

1. Many in body means the diversity among individuals.
2. Every individual has their own unique characteristics, personalities, qualities, and abilities and social position.
3. Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism teaches us that we need not talk or look similar but we should respect each person's individuality.
4. Respect and treasure one another, accept the way they are, and help to bring the best in one another.
5. Every person is unique with their unique circumstances. We should embrace, acknowledge and respect it while learning from each other.
6. Allowing each other's potential to shine and become better every day.

Just like cherry, Plum and Peach are all unique and different in their own way, similarly, when we look around ourselves, we see that every individual even in our family has their own unique personality.

Explaining "One in Mind"

One in Mind = Same Intent and Purpose

Joining our hearts and minds in sharing the great wish and vow to achieve kosen-rufu.

1. One in Mind means to work together towards common goal of worldwide kosen rufu i.e. world peace by spreading Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.
2. While respecting each other's unique traits, we should all move ahead together in same direction of practising Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism for oneself and for others.
3. One in Mind indicates faith, to join our heart and mind to advance while challenging and overcoming various problems and hardships through unity in faith.

Nichiren Daishonin says "If the spirit of "Many in body, one in Mind" prevails among other people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas, in one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable"

Let's take the example of Bamboo tree. Each bamboo stalk sprouts up independently , but underground their roots are connected. The world of faith is same . Because we share the same roots, because we share a common spirit and purpose , each one of us can grow limitlessly.

Summarising

This is a beautiful concept and shows the basic tenet of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism.

1. Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism doesn't intend to bring any dress or look conformity among members,
2. Rather it aspires and preaches members to respect one another, help one another and work together to bring kosen rufu.
3. Many in body and one in mind can only be implemented when we respect one another and cherish one another’s unique attributes and abilities, while working in harmony to compensate for one another’s weaknesses.

To talk behind others backs, to gripe and complain and to plot and scheme- such behaviour points to selfishness and ego. It leads to gravest of offenses in buddhism as it disrupts the harmonious community of practitioners. Each person must set aside attachment to self and accomplish a profound inner transformation, what we call human revolution.

Work together, consistently meet others, engage in heart-to-heart dialogue, and study Sensei's guidance and writings.

4. Faith Equals Daily Life

In Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, faith and daily life are not regarded.

Nichiren Daishonin states that “Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra”

Service to Lord = Work which we do in daily life : Job, Profession, Business. Responsibilities such as spouse, kids, parents etc.

Daily Life = Battleground where we apply Nichiren Buddhism’s principles and show actual proofs of Human Revolution.

It is not like that you are behaving good in meetings while at workplace you are regarded as unfriendly person or person who is not commanding respect.

We must be trusted by people in society and to win in all aspect of living.

5. One’s Behavior as a Human Being

Daishonin states, “The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behavior as a human being”

This concept is somewhat related to “Faith Equals Daily Life”

The main purpose of Buddhism is to become “Better Human Being”

By applying faith in daily life

1. Show actual proof
2. Be a person of character - Trusted and Respected at work, communities
3. Also respect other people

3rd point is very important - Respecting others and totally believing in their Buddha nature.

Let’s look at the practice of “Boddhisattva Never Disparaging”

1. He always respected the potential for Buddhahood in all people
2. He used to meet with utmost respect with people
3. Whenever he encountered someone, Bodhisattva Never Disparaging preached the “24-character Lotus Sutra,” bowing respectfully and praising them: “I have profound reverence for you, I would never dare treat you with disparagement or arrogance. Why? Because you will all practice the bodhisattva way and will then be able to attain Buddhahood”

“Whether a person who has heard about Buddhism chooses to practice it or not is up to them. What matters is how many people we’re able to share Buddhism with, based on our genuine desire for their happiness.

We are all ‘Bodhisattvas Never Disparaging’ of the modern day, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. We’re following the same great path of Buddhist practice as Nichiren.