This study series covers Soka Spirit topics to be presented by a youth or student division member at Soka 2030 meetings on the last Sunday of each month.
Often the biggest issue about a problem is not knowing we can solve it. Amid the challenges we face in our personal lives and in society, Nichiren Buddhism encourages us to look honestly at the root causes of suffering—and, more importantly, at how to transform them.
The deepest cause of suffering is what Buddhism terms our fundamental ignorance. In brief, this means doubting our own and others’ limitless potential or Buddhahood. When we chant, study and practice Buddhism daily, we strengthen our belief in our Buddhahood, enabling us to face hardships courageously, even joyfully.
Nichiren Daishonin refers to confronting the root of suffering as addressing “this one evil,” writing:
Rather than offering up ten thousand prayers for remedy, it would be better simply to outlaw this one evil.[1]
In other words, rather than resolving the symptoms of a problem, it is better to eliminate the underlying cause that is holding us back.
Living in 13th-century Japan, Nichiren witnessed people suffering deeply from disasters, famine and conflict. From a young age, he sought the reason for this suffering. Through his studies, he found his answer in the Lotus Sutra, which teaches both the fundamental cause of suffering and the means to overcome it.
The passage above is from Nichiren’s July 1260 treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” written in dialogue format between a host and a guest.
Nichiren sent this writing to Hojo Tokiyori, the most influential leader in the ruling Hojo clan. In it, he identifies what he calls “one evil”: the popular Nembutsu teaching spread by the priest Honen. This teaching encouraged people to give up striving for happiness in their present existence and instead seek escape from suffering by relying on an all-powerful Buddha (Amida Buddha) to deliver them to a peaceful “pure land” after they died. Ikeda Sensei explained:
This is in exact opposition to the teaching of the Lotus Sutra, which urges us to reveal in this life the supremely noble life state within us, purify the real world in which we live and there build a realm of peace and happiness. The Lotus Sutra teaches that human beings play the determining role in their own lives in this Latter Day of the Law, which is rife with suffering.[2]
For us today, “one evil” doesn’t point to a specific teaching. It refers to a basic mindset that blocks us from believing in the dignity of life.
In our Soka community, this means being mindful of beliefs that distort Buddhist teachings, that denigrate people and create division. On a personal level, this means staying alert to tendencies that blind us from our own and other’s limitless value.
Sensei said:
This passage tells us that in order to attain prosperity and peace for our society, rather than debating various methods and programs, it’s better to first of all put an end to the “one evil” of erroneous beliefs, the fundamental cause of all unhappiness. This also applies to our own lives as individuals.[3]
Sensei teaches that lasting happiness starts not by focusing only on strategies, policies or quick fixes but by confronting the underlying tendency that keeps us from progressing toward genuine fulfillment. Disrespect for the value of our lives and that of others might show up as neglecting our health, being cowardly, prone to anger or struggling to unite with others. Sensei emphasizes:
We must become aware of that fundamental fault or evil in our lives, chant with all our hearts and take thorough action to overcome it. This is the practice of human revolution. We will achieve no progress as long as we just float through life aimlessly. Practice is what counts. If we can overcome our fundamental fault, everything will open up dramatically. We will shine. And even tendencies that we previously thought of as failings will be illuminated as strengths.[4]
What might your one evil look like in your daily life or relationships? When we actively look for what holds us back and apply our faith and practice to transform it, we can bring out our inner Buddhahood. As disciples, identifying and overcoming our “one evil” is how we move forward together, advancing kosen-rufu and creating genuine happiness in our own lives and in the world around us.
New Learning Lab Course on Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
Have you wanted to go a little deeper in learning the meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo? Now, there’s a new way to do it.
On April 28—the day marking the establishment in 1253 of Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—the SGI-USA Study Department launched a new Learning Lab course on Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
This eight-lesson course, now available on the SGI-USA Member Resources portal, explores the background and meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in a simple, enjoyable and engaging way.
Each lesson opens with a short, easy-to-follow video, featuring explanations based on the Lotus Sutra, Nichiren Daishonin’s writings and Ikeda Sensei’s guidance. Every video is followed by a brief quiz—a fun way to reflect on what you’ve learned. Complete the course by passing the 10-question cumulative quiz.
To access the Learning Lab course:
1) Sign in to your Member Resources portal at: portal.sgi-usa.org
2) Navigate to “Personal” > “My Exams” > “Learning Lab”
3) Select “An Introduction to Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”
4) On the right-hand side of the page, click “Start Learning.”
Happy studying!
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