Urban Buddha

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

The Life of Nichiren Daishonin-Part 1 (Feb 16, 1222 - April 28, 1253)

YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/ZQw7pJp8MIE?si=A080c__cedlso0TO

Quiz Link - https://quizizz.com/join?gc=92542542

Key Points / Summary:

Early Years (Born - Declaring Nam Myoho Renge Kyo) (From 1222 - 1253)

Born in February 16, 1222.
Belonged to commoner family which used to earn livelihood from fishing.
He had deep desire to lead everyone towards happiness and eradicate the fundamental sufferings of life and death.
He vowed to become the wisest person in entire Japan and started exerted himself in Buddhist studies.
To do so, he got enrolled in a nearby temple called “Seicho-Ji” at a young age of 12.
By the age 16, he formally entered into priesthood at the same temple - Seicho-Ji under a senior priest named Dozen-Bo
In pursuit of ultimate truth, he kept on moving from one city to another such as Kyoto, Kamakura and Nara which were Buddhist learning centres of that time.
He visited different Buddhist schools such as Pure Land, Zen etc and read all the Buddhist scriptures.
His fundamental question was that if the originator of Buddhism is only one person - i.e. Shakyamuni Buddha then why there are multiple schools !!
Ultimately there has to be a single sutra that will be preaching the absolute truth and should be a single source of truth.
Finally, after pursuing his quest for truth, he read Lotus Sutra and identified it to contain the absolute truth of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teaching.
Once he understood the ultimate working of universe, got the reasoning for fundamental suffering of life and death, he went back to the place from where he started his journey.
That is, he went back to Seicho-Ji temple and on April 28, 1953 he declared the supremacy of Lotus Sutra over other Buddhist schools and chanted “Nam Myoho Renge kyo” for the first time.
Before moving ahead, let’s look back at the journey of a boy who started the pursuit at the young, tender age of 12 !!
So,
1. He was born on Feb 16, 1222,
2. Entered into Seicho-Ji temple at the age of 12 i.e. 1233,
3. Entered into Priesthood at the age of 16 i.e. 1237
4. Declared Lotus Sutra as supreme teaching and Nam Myoho Renge Kyo as the key to unlock the benefits of Lotus Sutra on April 28, 1953 i.e. When he was 32 years old.
5. You must be wondering that why I am not able to do a simple calculation of age but I am calculating age as per Japanese culture at that time, which puts person’s age upon birth at 1 year old.
6. So, it was a pursuit of (32-12 = 20) twenty years wherein he kept on moving from one temple to another, one city to another to find that one teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha which can be considered as holy grail of Buddha’s teaching.
7. Not just that, distilling down the teaching and providing a simple and easy way to get all the benefits of Lotus Sutra was one of the hallmark of Nichiren’s finding and discovery.
8. Think of it like this way - All the great scientist studied, experimented, failed and again started for number of years before they “discovered” the law of nature. Such as law of gravity, law of relativity.
9. The beauty of these scientist is not just discovering this naturally occuring phenomenon, but distilling down the entire number of years of their research into simple equation or formula.
10. If you apply that formula, you will be able to harness the power of those nature’s law with same intensity.
11. The similar thing was done by scientist of Buddhist scriptures i.e. Nichiren Daishonin. Who not only discovered the nature’s law or which we also call - Law of Universe but distilled it down into simple formula or mantra so that we all can benefit from it.
12. I am sure you now understand and appreciate the deep compassion and burning desire of Nichiren Daishonin to lead all people to happiness.
13. By the way, the original name of Nichiren Daishonin was Zenichimaro but after finding the truth and declaring it, he changed his name to “Nichiren” which means “Sun Lotus”.
With this, we have concluded Part - 1 of Life of Nichiren Daishonin.

Before moving to Part - 2, I want all of you to attempt a simple quiz to refresh your memory, reinforce the learning and remember the important milestones.

The ultimate aim of this study is to gain knowledge and also demonstrate it in exam. isn’t it?

With that intent, the reinforcement is very important. Highly recommended to attempt the quiz before moving to part-2.

The link of Quiz is provided in description.

Thank you. See you in Part-2 of “The Life of Nichiren Daishonin”

Sunday, March 18, 2012

My Experience

Good evening all. I am sumit gupta practising this life transforming philosophy since 2004. Today what i am going to share with you all is my experience and the journey in faith over the three years i spent in BSG-Rourkela.
Just after graduating from engg i got an offer to join one of india’s best public sector undertaking and subsequently got posted in Rourkela, Orissa . Soon after going to Rourkela, i became member of bsg- Rourkela which was a small block with me as a single ymd. . Being born and brought up in delhi, i found it very difficult to adjust in a small township. Right from the day 1 i always wanted to get back to delhi. I applied for many job openings, prepared for CAT but i didn’t find any good opportunity to get back to delhi or nearby to it. It’s not only the place and the language difference but the job as well which was making my life difficult. To get back to delhi was the only thing that was in my mind .Soon i found myself in depression and anxiety. i used to feel miserable and helpless. Everything around me seemed to be working to create unhappiness for me. During that time i came across sensei’s guidance.
I quote “If your underlying ichinen is full of complaints and dissatisfaction, you will create a gloomy life controlled by unhappy, frustrated feelings. Everything that weaken your happiness is nothing but a product of your own weak ichinen . However if you take everything with a profound sense of appreciation and joy, you will be able to build happiness and fortune at an accelerated rate.”
I felt as if it was written for me only and i could connect to the writing immediately. I again started chanting to strengthen my ichinen and started taking active participation in the meetings. I tried hard to appreciate all the things in my life. Again, During the ymd training course at Kolkata, i received a guidance to start appreciating and have gratitude for my job and try to know my mission. As there are no coincidences in Buddhism, i must chant and find the purpose of my coming to Rourkela .
It was very difficult for me to like my job as i ddnt like it at all. And the work environment reflected the same. My boss used to think that i am escapist and used to yell at me in front of all the people.It became daily routine for me to get reprimanded on one thing or the other.
After the training course, i tried to apply the guidance. Meantime i came across another sensei’s guidance, i quote “If you practise faith yet have an attitude of complaint, you will destroy your good fortune in direct proportion, those who are full of complaint are not respected by others. From both Buddhist and secular perspective, their behaviour does not befit a wise or worthy person.”
For the first time i realized the slander i was doing all the while knowingly or unknowingly. I chanted and determined not to begrudge my life from that moment onwards and to appreciate my job and my boss, and for that matter everything in my daily life. Meanwhile, By basing and focussing on discussion meetings, and working on the basics of practise, the member’s faith and number began to increase. I also started to take charge at my work place and enjoy the task given to me. Over the time, situation at my work front improved mystically. The same boss started liking my efforts and started to appreciate me and started supporting me to an extent that i used to get charge in case of emergency and sometimes given a charge to handle the entire plant alone.
Meanwhile I took an apartment so that the ymd’s can come to my home and chant at any time. chanting with the ymds and studying the Buddhist concept became the daily routine. The gosho and sensei’s writing kept me motivated all through the lonely time in my apartment. The love and affection of bsg-rourkela helped me in getting out of depression . The sincerity and seeking spirit of the members was something that i had never seen before. I gave my all to encourage every single member . Being working in shifts, i tried to do daily home visit whenever my work time permited. Though i Still wanted to come back to delhi and to pursue an MBA but this time around i wanted to foster capable ymd’s and other members before departing.
Being from humble schooling background and average marks in boards with 2 years of dropping after 12th, i was always worried about my chances of getting into the premier B-school and to study finance as a subject. Though i got an admission in one good B school last year but due to high fee and financial liabilities i couldn’t take admission. One of my cousin suggested me a certification program in finance which though very difficult can help me in gaining good knowledge and to also help me to mollify my average marks in school. But to write the exam i needed a passport and quite a good amount of money. As i didn’t have passport i applied for it but i was running short of time. Mystically on the last day of deadline i received my passport and at the same time got the requisite money from my friend to apply. I could truly feel the working of shoten-zenjin in my environment.
It was difficult for me to understand the topics but by chanting and studying i able to read more than 4000 pages twice and understand the topics which were completely new to me, in a span of just 4 months. Meanwhile, the bodhisattvas started to emerge and the member’s increased so much so that Rourkela became 2 districts. The strength of Ymd’s also increased from single to 12. Their seeking spirit was so high that to attend a meeting they all with me travel more than 400 km by bus to Bhubaneswar.
The BSG-india also recognised the faith and sincerity of Rourkela member and trusted us with an exhibition of “building the culture of peace for the children of the world” With just over 100 members and with no experience of managing such an exhibition, it was a difficult task for us. But by chanting and putting faith first, we managed to put forth the great show. By spreading the awareness about the exhibition and BSG we managed to get the venue for free and moreover sponsorship from SAIL. Ymds took active participation in arranging for accommodation, transportation of panels , visiting and inviting schools for the exhibition. Apart from that, members raised sponsorship from as far as Mumbai and more than 1500 people attended the exhibition including the CEO of SAIL-RSP unit.
Mystically on the same day as inaugural of exhibition the result of the cfa international level 1 exam declared and i am happy to report that i have passed level 1 exam in a single attempt.
Meantime i applied for a private bank sponsored MBA programme. I chanted to be in high life condition and perform my best. I cleared the written exam and called for gd/ pi round. I cleared the GD round which was elimination round. I am happy to report to you that i have cleared all the round and one of the few to get selected in this coveted leadership programme.
As this is a sponsored programme i don’t need to worry about fees. Infact i will be getting stipend per month for 2 years of an mba which for a year is more than my current salary. Apart from that i will get an opportunity to do MBA in finance and to learn from the best in industry and will join india’s no 1 private bank at a profile offered not even to the graduates of premier B school with a six figure salary. I am happy to report that i am one of the youngest person to get into this programme. mystically the result came a day before i intended to leave Rourkela.
As sensei says and i quote “ the real benefit of mystic law is inconspicuous. Just as trees grows taller and stronger year after year , adding growth rings that are imperceptible to the human eye, we too will grow towards a victorious existence. For this reason it is important that we lead tenacious and balanced lives based on faith” unquote. To me personally as well the biggest benefit i think i have received is accumulating the treasure of heart. I find myself more sensitive to the worries of people and start appreciating good in each and everyone. To really respect and appreciate the cultural diversity and to really acknowledge the buddhahood in each and every person. I owe this to the members of BSG Rourkela who showered me with the love and affection to an extent that i stopped missing my home lately. They never allowed me to get into depression and made sure that i feel at home in Rourkela. And with the bodhisattava’s emerging and taking responsibility i am rest assured of the kosen rufu in Rourkela. The years i spend there will always remain the best years of my life and BSG-rourkela will always be very close to my heart.
Today i determine to strengthen my faith practice and study and to work for kosen rufu at any place where my mission takes me to.
Thank you.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

ARE YOU PRACTISING CORRECTLY....

friends, i came across this cartoons which explain the correct way to do gongyo and daimoku.
It conveys the message in a simple and funny way....
so here it is

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Now the time has arrived
for the widespread propagation
of the correct teaching,
we stake our lives
on the single character myo

Thursday, July 22, 2010

THE BENEFITS OF THE TEACHER OF THE LAW

i was reading lotus sutra other day and in chapter 17. i found this verses.
these verses expounds the benefit which one will receive for upholding the lotus sutra and hence nichiren daishonin's buddhism

The faculties of this person's tongue will be so pure
that he will never experience any bad tastes,
but all that he eats
will become like sweet dew.
With his deep, pure and wonderful voice
he will preach the Law in the great assembly,
employing causes, conditions and similes
to lead and guide the minds of living beings.
All who hear him will rejoice
and offer him their finest alms.
Heavenly beings, dragons, yakshas,
as well as asuras and others
will all approach him with reverent minds
and together come to hear the Law.
If this preacher of the Law
wishes to use his wonderful voice
to fill the three thousand worlds
he can do so at will.
Wheel-turning kings great and small
and their thousand sons and retinues
will press their palms together with reverent minds
and constantly come to hear and accept the Law.
Heavenly beings, dragons, yakshas,
rakshasas and pishachas
likewise with rejoicing minds
will constantly delight in coming to bring alms.
The heavenly king Brahma, the devil king,
the deities Freedom and Great Freedom,
all the multitude of heavenly beings
will constantly come to where he is.
The Buddhas and their disciples,
hearing the sound of him teaching the Law,
will keep him constantly in their thoughts and guard him
and at times show themselves for his sake.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

jewel in the topknot

Once upon a time there was a great king. He was the greatest of kings and was called the Wheel-Rolling King. It was said that he owned a magical wheel of jewels that would spin while he governed.

The king was a fine ruler, and when he found a country that was run by evil people, he would wage war against it. He continually fought such evil countries until he had crushed them all.

The king was very glad to see that some of his soldiers were very brave in war. He rewarded these soldiers with treasures such as gold, silver, shell, agate, coral, and amber. He gave some of them farms, houses, villages, and cities. He also gave elephants, horses, and vehicles to those who were worthy.

Every time the soldiers were given these gifts from the king, they boasted, saying “I received golden rings and necklaces from the Wheel-Rolling King.”

Or: “He gave me a fabulous elephant and an ox-cart, praising my brave fight in the war.”

Or: “It was clothes this time for me. But I’ll get much more next time for my valiant fight.”

Or: “But you’ll not outdo me. I’ll be fighting with all my might, too.”

There was one thing that the king kept for himself: the brilliant gem which he was keeping in his topknot. This gem was the only one of its kind in the world. If he had given it to anyone, his followers would have been shocked.

Finally, one day, the Wheel-Rolling King saw an especially brave soldier and gave him that precious gem.

The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs

The Parable of the Medicinal Herbs

The world has many kinds of plants — more kinds than can be named. There are bushes and trees, mosses and ferns, flowers and grains. There are herbs that can be made into medicines.

All over the earth there are plants growing. Different plants grow in different areas: on the tops of mountains and at the bottom of the sea, in the desert and in the jungle.

Clouds also cover the earth. In one moment, a cloud can rain life-giving water onto the plants. The rain nurtures the plants and soaks the soil.

Through the soil, the water soaks down, down, down to the plants’ roots. Some of the roots are woody and big. Some are thin and fine. The water goes to all the millions of kinds of plants.

Each plant uses this water according to what kind of plant it is. Some plants may blossom. Some trees may bear fruit. Some mushrooms may grow. Some vines may grow long. Some herbs may grow to be used for medicine. Each plant uses the water differently.

Although all these plants and trees grow in the same earth and are moistened by the same rain, each has its differences. But all may be nourished.

such a simple analogy to explain so profound things. isnt it:)
well just like plants are different, we are all different, we all have our own individuality , characteristics, and basic tendancies.
but inspite of all that just like mother earth treats them all equally, lotus sutra makes them all equal and eligible to attain buddhahood. and whats more?
all that in this lifetime only.

The Parable of the Impoverished Son

The Parable of the Impoverished Son
From the Lotus Sutra Chapter 4, Belief and Understanding

Once a boy ran away from home and wandered for many years becoming more and more poor and confused.

The boy’s father loved his son very much, but had no idea where to find him. As time went on, the father became very rich.

Fifty years passed. One day, the son showed up at his father's estate. He did not know whose grand home this was, but wondered if he could find a job there. The father recognized his son, and set messengers to greet him. The father was overjoyed that his son had returned.

But the son misunderstood. He thought the messengers were trying to arrest him for doing something wrong.

The father saw his son’s fear and confusion. He realized his son was not ready to accept the truth, so he told the messengers to leave his son alone.

Later the father had some of his servants dress in rags. He had these servants go to his son and offer him a job shoveling excrement. The son had been living so poorly for so long, he saw this job as a wonderful opportunity.

Over the years, the father showed an interest in his son. He praised him, increasing his pay, and gave him better jobs. But he never told him his true identity.

After twenty years, the father was old and near death. By then the son was in charge of all of the wealthy man’s business. The son had become a responsible but humble man.

Finally, just before his death, the father gathered all of his friends and all the powerful people of the city to his bedside. He told them all the true identity of his son. He said his son was heir to all his fortune.

THREE CARTS AND THE BURNING HOUSE

The Three Carts and the Burning House
[from the Hiyu chapter (Chapter 3) of the Lotus Sutra]

One day, a fire brokes out in the house of a wealthy man who had many children. The wealthy man shouts at his children inside the burning house to flee. But, the children are absorbed in their games and cannot understand his warning, though the house is being consumed by flames.

Then, the wealthy man devises a practical way to lure the children from the burning house. Knowing that the children are fond of interesting playthings, he calls out to them, “Listen! Outside the gate are the carts that you have always wanted: carts pulled by goats, carts pulled by deer, and carts pulled by oxen. Why don't you come out and play with them?"

The wealthy man knows that these things will be irresistible to his children.

The children immediately race out to get into the carts. In this way, the wealthy man is able to get his children safely away from the burning house.

Once outside, the children demand the carts they have been promised. Instead, the wealthy man gives them a much finer and larger cart — one that runs as swiftly as the wind — adorned with many jewels and drawn by a great white ox. This cart is called the Great White Ox Cart.