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Daily Life

3 Keys to Breaking Through Stagnation

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1) Prayer Based On a Vow

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo based on a vow enables us to bring forth Buddhahood. Ikeda Sensei writes of this great vow: “The heart of the great vow for kosen-rufu and the life state of Buddhahood are one and the same. Therefore, when we dedicate our lives to this vow, we can bring forth the supreme nobility, strength and greatness of our lives.” (January 2014 Living Buddhism, p. 8)

2) Change Begins Within

When we reach a deadlock, it’s easy to look for answers outside ourselves, but our prayers diminish in power when we do so. Sensei explains why: “To seek the Mystic Law somewhere outside of us essentially amounts to evading responsibility for our own lives.” (On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime: SGI President Ikeda’s Lecture Series, p. 31)

3) Do Your Best

Half-hearted prayer and action lead us to deadlock. Sensei encourages us to exert ourselves fully in any battle to win: “When facing any challenge, it is important to attack it with all our might. Focusing all our efforts on this challenge is the way to victory.” (June 2, 2017, World Tribune, p. 3)

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