Gongyo—which includes reciting portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapters of the Lotus Sutra morning and evening—is part of daily practice for Nichiren Buddhists. This series carries Ikeda Sensei’s explanations of gongyo. This section, part of the prose section of the “Life Span” chapter, is no longer recited during our morning and evening prayers, but we have included it here for its invaluable content. The full text can be found in The Heart of the Lotus Sutra, pp. 159–72.
Issai seken. Tennin gyu. Ashu-ra. Kai i kon shaka-muni-butsu. Shus shaku-shi gu. Ko gayajo fu on. Za o dojo. Toku a-noku-ta-ra san-myaku sanbodai. Nen zen-nanshi. Ga jitsu jo-butsu irai. Muryo muhen. Hyaku sen man noku. Nayuta ko.
Literal translation: “In all the worlds the heavenly and human beings and asuras all believe that the present Shakyamuni Buddha, after leaving the palace of the Shakyas, seated himself in the place of enlightenment not far from the city of Gaya and there attained supreme perfect enlightenment. But good men, it has been immeasurable, boundless hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, millions of nayutas of kalpas since I in fact attained Buddhahood.” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, pp. 265–66)
Ikeda Sensei:
Nichiren Buddhism teaches a way of life based on beginningless time. It enables us to address the reality of our situations with a fresh, forward-looking spirit, always basing ourselves on life’s “original moment.”
For us who accept and believe in the Gohonzon, and who carry out the practice of reciting the sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, each day is beginningless time, the eternal origin of life. We can experience every moment as beginningless time. …
When we awaken to beginningless time, this saha world becomes one that is joyful, pure and bright. It becomes a world inhabited entirely by friends in harmony.
In reality, however, this is a world of ceaseless misery and strife. For precisely this reason, we who dwell in the moment of beginningless time are exerting ourselves to carry out the widespread propagation of the Mystic Law for people’s happiness and for world peace.
Our daily activities, based on the prayer for the happiness of all people and realization of true world peace, represent a great movement to open up a new frontier of life.
Now Is the Time to Cast Off the Transient and Reveal the True
If the sanctity of life can become a solid touchstone of wisdom for all people, then humankind’s destiny to repeatedly experience war and misery can be greatly transformed. It is toward this end that we are working. …
In any great transition, there is always an individual who stands up in response to the pressing needs of the time. As long as there is one such outstanding person, then two or three will follow. This is the principle of kosen-rufu.
The Lotus Sutra is the teaching that can enable all people to perceive life’s sanctity unfailingly and to establish a dignified way of life. The lesson of the Lotus Sutra’s theoretical teaching is that all people can uncover the wisdom of the Buddha inherent in their lives.
•••
Rise With the Buddha Every Morning, Rest With the Buddha Every Night
When we exert ourselves in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and carrying out activities for kosen-rufu, our true identity—the Buddha of limitless joy—appears in our lives. Our wisdom is activated, courage wells forth, and we can enjoy a state of life of total freedom. This is what casting off the transient and revealing the true means for us. …
When through faith each of us realizes “Fundamentally, I am a Buddha,” the true self in the present moment, which contains one’s life over both the eternal past and the eternal future, becomes manifest. Then, the Daishonin teaches, we can engage ourselves freely on the great stage of eternal life.
The “Life Span” chapter reveals the cosmic life force we each originally possess.
You are reading {{ meterCount }} of {{ meterMax }} free premium articles