CategoryBuddhist Study

This article is adapted from An Introduction to Buddhism, pp. 40–45, which serves as the study material for the upcoming SGI-USA Introductory Exam, to be held April 26 and 27 throughout the nation. Some of our problems and sufferings are caused by actions and decisions we have made in this life. But for others we

Attaining Buddhahood is no easier than for men of low status to enter court circles, or for carp to climb the Dragon Gate. Shariputra, for example, practiced bodhisattva austerities for sixty kalpas in order to attain Buddhahood, but finally could persevere no longer and slipped back into the paths of the two vehicles . . .

Buddhism teaches that as the forces of the Buddha increase to awaken more people to lasting happiness, powerful enemies will try to disrupt this noble effort. Rather than incite fear, this teaches that when we face opposition while spreading Buddhism, we can be confident that we are on the right path. The Lotus Sutra teaches

All of us are searching for happiness, but the idea of what makes us happy differs from one person to the next. However, Buddhism expounds a universal happiness that is an expression of our greatest potential, which we also call Buddhahood or enlightenment. Based on the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, second Soka Gakkai President Josei

Never seek this Gohonzon outside yourself. The Gohonzon exists only within the mortal flesh of us ordinary people who embrace the Lotus Sutra and chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. (“The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 832) Background: In 1277, Nichiren Daishonin wrote this letter to a disciple named Nichinyo, who

The founder of Nichiren Buddhism, Nichiren Daishonin, centered his beliefs on the Lotus Sutra, which teaches that all people possess the potential for enlightenment and the compassionate ideal of respect for the dignity and equality of all human beings. Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the greatest means for us to align our

The aim of Nichiren Buddhist practice is to help people develop into individuals who are undefeated by any obstacle and can contribute to the peace and happiness of those around them. An essential aspect of Nichiren Buddhism is sharing its practice with others and helping them establish lives of genuine fulfillment. This process of teaching

New Year’s Day marks the first day, the first month, the beginning of the year, and the start of spring. A person who celebrates this day will accumulate virtue and be loved by all, just as the moon becomes full gradually, moving from west to east, and as the sun shines more brightly, traveling from east to

In 1928, founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi was motivated by a fellow educator to further his understanding of Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching. While familiar with Nichiren and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, this encounter inspired him to learn more about the Daishonin’s philosophy. In particular, he studied Nichiren’s treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the

Many SGI members begin practicing Nichiren Buddhism hoping to change something in their lives or to find a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness. We meet many people in the SGI who have transformed long-term despair into lasting hope, experiencing a great change in the meaning they derive from living. From the standpoint of faith,

“Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others to do the same; that will remain as the only memory of your present life in this human world.” (“Questions and Answers on Embracing the Lotus Sutra,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 64) In the above passage, Nichiren Daishonin says that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing it

The drama that unfolds in the 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra is described by SGI President Ikeda as “a movie on a truly colossal scale projected on the screen of the whole universe” (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 1, p. 66). The drama of this “movie” transcends space and time, depicting many

“Shakyamuni Buddha refused to entrust the mission of propagation to any of these people and gave it instead to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Thus these bodhisattvas are the ones who had thoroughly forged their resolve.” (“General Stone Tiger,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 953) The passage above from Nichiren Daishonin’s writing

The following excerpt, adapted from The Human Revolution, takes place on March 30, 1958, just a few days before second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s passing. Shin’ichi Yamamoto (SGI President Ikeda’s character in the novel) reports to his mentor about having to call out the Nichiren Shoshu’s chief instructor of acolytes (young boys training to

Every aspect of our Buddhist practice—faith, practice and study—creates causes that give rise to happiness, benefit and fortune in our lives. In Nichiren Buddhism, any positive outcome or gain that results from our practice is called a benefit (kudoku in Japanese), which can also be translated as “blessing,” “merit” or “virtue.” Fundamentally, benefits in Buddhism

Great evil portends the arrival of great good. If all of Jambudvipa [the entire world] were to be thrown into chaos, there could be no doubt that [this sutra would] “be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa.” (“The Kalpa of Decrease,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1122) People’s ideals and philosophies determine a society’s

The following article is based on a lecture given at the recent North America and Oceania Study Conference (see pp. 6–8). Since the Soka Gakkai’s beginnings in 1930, its members have continued spreading the practice and ideals of Nichiren Buddhism in order to help people overcome misery and suffering, and become happy. The Nichiren Shoshu

This article is adapted from the booklet An Introduction to Buddhism, which serves as the study material for the SGI-USA Introductory Exam being administered throughout the nation on Sept. 29. A famous passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin states, “I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink, so believe in the Gohonzon with

When we revere Myoho-renge-kyo inherent in our own life as the object of devotion, the Buddha nature within us is summoned forth and manifested by our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what is meant by “Buddha.” To illustrate, when a caged bird sings, birds who are flying in the sky are thereby summoned and gather

In the following excerpt from volume 24 of The New Human Revolution, at a Jan. 15, 1977, Soka Gakkai Study Department meeting, Shin’ichi Yamamoto (depicting SGI President Ikeda) talks about the original role of priests in Buddhism and how the Soka Gakkai today is fulfilling both the role of priests and laity. Buddhism began originally