CategoryBuddhist Study

“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

As practice progresses and understanding grows, the three obstacles and four devils emerge in confusing form, vying with one another to interfere. … One should be neither influenced nor frightened by them. (“Letter to the Brothers,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 501) The “three obstacles and four devils” symbolize the internal and

In the Feb. 21World Tribune, we learned how the 67th high priest of Nichiren Shoshu, Nikken Abe, embodied the third powerful enemy whose function is to orchestrate an effort to dismantle the movement for kosen-rufu. In this article, we will learn about Nikken’s successor, 68th high priest Nichinyo Hayase, who has inherited this role of

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