Please present the 3-Minute Gosho (pp. 44–45) at your discussion meetings. For the main study portion of the meeting, you can choose to expand on the 3-Minute Gosho or choose from one of the following:
1) What Do You Think? (pp. 46–47)
2) Material from any recent issue of the World Tribune or Living Buddhism.
3-Minute Gosho
Sharing Buddhism With Sincerity, Perseverance and Passion
Passage
At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. —“The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 385
Background
Nichiren Daishonin was the first to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in this Latter Day of the Law. In this writing, he says he strongly believes that, in the future, people all over the world will chant this phrase. Broadly spreading this teaching is called “kosen-rufu.”
Nichiren wrote this letter to Sairen-bo Nichijo in 1273.
Sairen-bo used to be a priest of the Tendai school. But later, he met Nichiren when they were both exiled to Sado Island. After learning from Nichiren, Sairen-bo began in 1272 to follow his teaching.
In the past, during the Former and Middle Days of the Law, Buddhism spread when rulers or other powerful figures took faith in it. But in the Latter Day, Nichiren explains, his Buddhist teaching will spread from person-to-person, as ordinary people talk to and encourage one another.
From Ikeda Sensei’s The New Human Revolution
To commence the Soka Gakkai’s Year of Study in 1977, Shin’ichi Yamamoto (who represents Ikeda Sensei) published a four-part lecture on “The True Aspect of All Phenomena” in the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun, starting in its New Year’s issue.
Shin’ichi [Yamamoto] emphasized courageous, stand-alone faith.
“At all times, the fundamental and unchanging principle for kosen-rufu is the stand-alone spirit. The Daishonin and [Tsunesaburo] Makiguchi and [Josei] Toda all bravely stood up alone. This is the spirit of Buddhism and the heart of a champion of Soka.
“Concretely speaking, the stand-alone spirit in this regard means for each of us to take full responsibility for the spread of the Mystic Law in our family, in our community and in every part of our environment.
“We all have relationships with family members, relatives and friends that are particular to each of us. From the perspective of the Mystic Law, those relationships are the realm of our mission, and they are profound bonds that connect our lives with others. Each of us is alone responsible and qualified to propagate the Mystic Law exactly where we are. That’s what makes the principle of standing up alone so important. We should keep in mind that we are here now as emissaries of Nichiren Daishonin. As Bodhisattvas of the Earth, we need to stand up, each in our own place, and take action. Never forget that this is the only way kosen-rufu is realized.”
In our daily lives, introducing others to Buddhism is a very ordinary, and at the same time, extremely challenging activity. Because those around us know us so well, pretense and bluff won’t work. The only thing is to strive diligently with honesty, sincerity, perseverance and great passion while showing actual proof. These efforts are where the true essence of our Buddhist practice lies.
“This passage also describes how the realization of kosen-rufu will arise from the people; it will never be achieved by authority. The driving force for kosen-rufu is found in people inspiring one another through Buddhist dialogue.” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 24, pp. 151–52)
Presenting this month’s 3-minute Gosho? Click here for a brief tutorial video.
What Do You Think?
What Helps Us Stay on the Path of Continuing Faith?
Life often feels like a puzzle, with responsibilities, leisure activities and time with family and friends all needing a place. But rather than trying to make everything “fit,” perhaps the deeper question is, What matters most?
Author Stephen R. Covey, known for his books on leadership, suggests not simply prioritizing your schedule but scheduling your priorities. He offers this anecdote:
An instructor places a large jar on a table, showing the students several fist-sized rocks. After placing the rocks in the jar, he asks if it is full. The students say yes. But then he adds gravel, which fills the spaces between the rocks. Is it full now? Not yet. He next adds sand to fill even smaller gaps and finally pours in water, filling every remaining space.
This lesson is about putting the “big rocks”—our most important priorities—first. When we do, everything else can fit around them.[1]
What Are Our ‘Big Rocks’?
In the same way, for those of us who practice Nichiren Buddhism, our “big rocks” are the three basics of faith, practice and study. We chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and do gongyo (recite the sutra) morning and evening. We study Nichiren Daishonin’s writings and Ikeda Sensei’s guidance. And we share Buddhism with others. When we prioritize these basics, we can strengthen our conviction, wisdom, courage and compassion. As a result, the demands of daily life begin to fall into place, helping us move forward with confidence in everything we do.
Just like brushing our teeth every day, we engage in daily Buddhist practice to polish our inner lives. Through consistent effort, we develop a positive rhythm that brings about good fortune and benefit.
Yet, no matter how long we’ve been chanting, it can be a struggle to keep going in our Buddhist practice. As Nichiren states:
Many hear about and accept this sutra, but when great obstacles arise, just as they were told would happen, few remember it and bear it firmly in mind. To accept is easy; to continue is difficult. But Buddhahood lies in continuing faith.[2]
Staying on the Path of ‘Continuing Faith’
Buddhist practice can feel challenging because it isn’t something we simply “fit in” when convenient. It’s a way of life, the way of a bodhisattva who strives for the happiness of self and others.
Winning in the realm of faith is the foundation for winning in all things. We’re fortunate to have a great mentor in Ikeda Sensei, who embodies the bodhisattva way and serves as a model and inspiration. It also helps to have friends in faith who encourage and inspire us to keep going. Sensei says:
Doing gongyo every day is a challenge. Introducing others to the practice is a challenge. [Encouraging] people to subscribe [to SGI publications] is a challenge. Attending meetings is a challenge. Sometimes it can all become too much and leave one feeling negative and wanting to take a break! Since we are human beings, it’s only natural that we might feel this way on occasion.
The important thing, however, is not to spin out of the orbit of faith. I hope you will continue to pursue the path of Buddhahood steadily and patiently, encouraging one another on your journey. …
Life proceeds along a path, though it is invisible. There is definitely a path for human beings that leads to absolute happiness—the path of the Mystic Law. If we continue to advance along this road without abandoning our faith, we will definitely come to savor a state of life in which all our desires are fulfilled both spiritually and materially.[3]
Maybe we overslept yesterday but woke up a little earlier today to chant. Maybe we take time to study with a fellow member or encourage a friend. Little by little, these efforts accumulate, enabling us to bring out the best in ourselves and in others.
Putting ourselves on the path of continuing faith begins with the simple determination to do our best today—and then again tomorrow.
—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department
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