CategoryBuddhist Study

The following excerpt is from Ikeda Sensei’s dialogue series “The World of Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings,” installment 3, published in the June 2002 Living Buddhism, pp. 13–17. This serves as supplemental study for the article titled “Transforming Tendencies That Block Our Happiness,” in the Sept. 18, 2020, issue of the World Tribune. Ikeda Sensei: It is clear

It is through the use of words and letters that the Buddha saves living beings. … If one rejects the use of words and letters, then how can the Buddha’s work be done? (“Letter to Renjo,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, pp. 6–7) Nichiren Daishonin studied the vast body of Buddhist sutras, among

As a youth, Nichiren Daishonin delved into the doctrines of the popular Buddhist schools of his time. He sought a religious practice that could help people overcome suffering and misery rampant in society. He found in the Lotus Sutra a teaching that could enable all people, without exception, to reveal their Buddhahood—their highest potential—transform their circumstances

Most religions recognize and revere a founder, great sage or savior, and many, a supreme deity of some sort. Usually it is not an option for ordinary believers to consider themselves equal to these figures. This was even true among the Buddha’s disciples, who found it difficult to regard themselves as equal to the Buddha.

Niji seson. Ju sanmai. Anjo ni ki.

“What would a healed America be like?” asked historian and Civil Rights activist Vincent Harding in a discussion with Ikeda Sensei. Sensei responded, outlining the ultimate purpose of our Buddhist movement: The root of the English word heal originally included the meanings “totality” and “completeness,” and the word health has the same root. In this sense,

Sharing Buddhism with others is a natural and essential part of Buddhist practice, because by doing so, we are able to develop compassion for ourselves and for others. Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda, speaking about this practice of compassion, once said: Compassionate action is “the work of the Buddha.” It is also truly noble because,

“I entrust you with the propagation of Buddhism in your province. It is stated that ‘the seeds of Buddhahood sprout as a result of the conditions, and for this reason they preach the single vehicle.’ ” (“The Properties of Rice,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1117) In his letter “The Properties of

Overcoming adversity enables us to develop the courage, wisdom and resilience needed to achieve the ultimate aim of revealing our Buddhahood and establishing genuine and lasting happiness. Buddhism describes obstacles in various ways—namely as devilish functions, the three obstacles and four devils and the devil king of the sixth heaven. These negative functions are expressed

Many regard Buddhism as a philosophy of peace and calm, a rejection of the cares and distractions of the world to be sought in austere quietude, away from society’s bustle. A pilgrim making an arduous journey to learn the secrets of life from a secluded hermit comes to mind. Certainly, inner peace is a benefit

“Though we live in the impure land, our hearts reside in the pure land of Eagle Peak. Merely seeing each other’s face would in itself be insignificant. It is the heart that is important.” (“The Drum at the Gate of Thunder,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 949) July 3 is the Day of Mentor

On his first visit to San Francisco in October 1960, while viewing the Golden Gate Bridge, Ikeda Sensei commented on the 27,572 separate strands of wire that hold it up, saying: The individual wires are not very thick, but when bunched together in great numbers, they display incredible strength. … In the Soka Gakkai, too, though

Next month marks 760 years since Nichiren Daishonin submitted his treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” on July 16, 1260, to the rulers of Japan. Despite the centuries that have passed since then, one could say that Nichiren’s treatise is more relevant than ever. From around 1256, the people

“Spur yourself to muster the power of faith. Regard your survival as wondrous. Employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra before any other.” (“The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1001) Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter in 1279 to his trusted disciple Shijo Kingo, a samurai who lived

All people desire to be happy, strong and feel fulfilled. Yet, we face various challenges, impasses and suffering in our lives. While there may be many causes of our struggles, Nichiren Daishonin suggests that they all boil down to one thing. In his treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” he

Nichiren Buddhism teaches us how to bring forth the wisdom to transform the challenges we face in our lives as well as the larger issues impacting society. Nichiren Daishonin teaches that every one of us possesses limitless power to transform even our greatest obstacles into the most beneficial opportunities. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the fundamental Law

Those who believe in the Lotus Sutra are as if in winter, but winter always turns to spring. Never, from ancient times on, has anyone seen or heard of winter turning back to autumn. Nor have we ever heard of a believer in the Lotus Sutra who turned into an ordinary [unenlightened] person. The sutra

Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment countless kalpas ago, the Lotus Sutra that leads all people to Buddhahood, and we ordinary human beings are in no way different or separate from one another. To chant Myoho-renge-kyo with this realization is to inherit the ultimate Law of life and death. This is a matter of the utmost

As the global coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our daily lives and all levels of society, many of us may be left feeling uncertain or fearful. Fortunately, Buddhism stresses that in the face of the greatest adversity, we have the power to bring forth limitless strength, transform our circumstances and create the future we envision.

Severing Attachments That Perpetuate Our Suffering Among the practices that Buddhists carry out is that of almsgiving. There are two types of almsgiving: the offering of goods and the offering of the Law. By engaging in both, we can overcome our sufferings and walk the direct path to Buddhahood. The offering of goods allows us to