CategoryBuddhist Study

Key highlights from this writing

Buddhism’s ultimate goal has always been to enable people to attain Buddhahood, or enlightenment. Early Buddhists believed, however, that achieving this highest state of life required carrying out incredible efforts over countless lifetimes. The Lotus Sutra expounds a radically different perspective, teaching that rather than a destination to be reached sometime in the future, Buddhahood

The following installment is from “Nichiren: His Life and Legacy,” adapted from Ikeda Sensei’s series The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings. It was originally published in November 2011, Living Buddhism, pp. 41–45. From the Editors Following the execution attempt at Tatsunokuchi Beach, Nichiren Daishonin. was detained under house arrest for about a month in what

The following excerpt is from one of Ikeda Sensei’s essays on the basics of Nichiren Buddhism Faith, Practice, and Study, p. 43. When we are in the depths of despair, reading Nichiren’s writings can make the sun of hope rise in our hearts. When we face an impasse, reading them can help us summon forth

The Great Teacher Dengyo says: “Shakyamuni taught that the shallow is easy to embrace, but the profound is difficult. To discard the shallow and seek the profound is the way of a person of courage.”  “On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 402 Ikeda Sensei’s Encouragement 1. Courage Comes From Defeating

“One who, on hearing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, makes even greater efforts in faith is a true seeker of the way. T’ien-t’ai states, ‘From the indigo, an even deeper blue.’ This passage means that, if one dyes something repeatedly in indigo, it becomes even bluer than the indigo leaves. The Lotus Sutra is

Ikeda Sensei’s Lecture Series—Installment 81

When one lights a torch for someone at night, one brings light not only to another person but to oneself as well. Likewise, when one livens other people’s complexions, one livens one’s own too, when one gives them strength, one gives oneself strength too, when one prolongs their lives, one prolongs one’s own life as

The SGI-USA introductory exam will be held on Oct. 29–30. Study is a vital aspect of our Buddhist practice. Preparing for and taking the introductory exam is an opportunity for members and guests to deepen their understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings through studying his writings, Ikeda Sensei’s commentaries, various Buddhist concepts, and the history Nichiren

Iron, when heated in the flames and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Worthies and sages are tested by abuse. “Letter from Sado,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 303 Nichiren Daishonin wrote this passage in a letter addressed to his disciples in March 1272, five months after surviving an execution attempt and being

Key highlights from the Gosho

The following excerpts are from the introduction to Ikeda Sensei’s series SGI President Ikeda’s Lecture Series: The Opening of the Eyes, pp. 3–9. The central theme of Nichiren Daishonin’s lengthy two-part treatise, “The Opening of the Eyes,” can indeed be summed up in the short phrase opening the eyes. While the Daishonin’s original text of

Though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered. “On Prayer,” The Writings

“Because I have expounded this teaching, I have been exiled and almost killed. As the saying goes, ‘Good advice grates on the ear.’ But still I am not discouraged. The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field.” (“The Essentials for Attaining Buddhahood,” The Writings of Nichiren

Ikeda Sensei’s Lecture Series—Installment 80

Answer: Especially when working hard toward something, an obstacle is often a sign of progress. Keep going, taking every setback as a chance to become stronger and wiser.

Answer: Being proactive is the key to breaking through inertia. Chant, study Nichiren’s writings and take action to help others.

Key highlights from the Gosho

In [founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo] Makiguchi’s copy of the collected writings of Nichiren Daishonin, many passages in “The Opening of the Eyes” are underlined in red and the margins are filled with notes, such as “Propagation,” “Great vow” and “What is the mark of a genuine practitioner?” These notes reflect his solemn spirit to

Answer: Nichiren Daishonin teaches that the imagery and stories in the Lotus Sutra describe our magnificent potential as human beings.