CategoryNew Members Meeting

“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) It’s wonderful that you would like to study more about Buddhism, and it’s

It’s wonderful that you would like to study more about Buddhism, and it’s very natural to want to learn as much as you can about something before deciding to incorporate it into your life. We approach many things in life in a similar way. For example, when scoping out a new restaurant, we might read

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

Combating stress starts by changing how we feel about our problems. SGI President Ikeda calls our inner resolve our “secret weapon.” He says: “Through the power of strong inner resolve, we can transform ourselves, those around us and the land where we live. Each of you has this tool, this ‘secret weapon.’ There is no

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

Understanding the meaning of the words we recite during gongyo can, of course, help strengthen our confidence and appreciation for our basic Buddhist practice. But as SGI President Ikeda once said: “If you understand and yet fail to practice, it won’t get you anywhere. Moreover, you cannot understand all of the profound significance of the

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

Singing songs rouses people’s spirits, bringing forth the hope and joy that reside in their hearts. Since the early days of the Soka Gakkai, members have created songs to give expression to their vow to widely spread the ideals of Nichiren Buddhism and lead their friends, family and those around them to happiness. SGI President

The following is an excerpt from SGI President Ikeda’s lecture on NichirenDaishonin’s writing “The Supremacy of the Law,” addressing the concept of“true cause” and the importance of always strengthening our faith. So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive thegreat protection of the gods. I say this for your sake. I

“At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify ‘emerging from the earth’?” “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 385 Kosen-rufu—the spread and establishment

When obstacles and hardships arise in our lives, how do we respond? Some people may try to avoid struggles. Others get stopped in their tracks, not knowing how to proceed. There are various responses, of course. As Buddhists, we strive to courageously face hardships head-on. Nichiren Daishonin teaches that in the course of revealing our

An essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra is that anyone at any time can become a Buddha. Buddhas are not deities who dwell in faraway places or special people who have dedicated a certain number of years to Buddhist practice. Rather, a Buddha is an ordinary individual who has awakened to the reality that they

Nichiren Daishonin lived during a tumultuous time in 13th-century Japan when people suffered almost year to year from some form of natural disaster, extreme weather event, famine, epidemic or political instability. Searching for a way to relieve people’s suffering, he delved into Buddhist scriptures and revealed the truth found in the depths of the Lotus

Research shows that expressing gratitude enriches your life both mentally and physically. A study by professors Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough revealed the positive impact of gratitude based on observations of three groups that kept weekly journals. The first group focused on recording things they were grateful for, the second noted events (good or bad)

The following is adapted from An Introduction to Buddhism that serves as study material for the SGI-USA Introductory Exam, which will be administered this year on June 30, Sept. 29 and Dec. 15 throughout the SGI-USA. See pp. 7–10 of the booklet to read this article in its entirety. Nichiren Buddhism encourages a dynamic balance

I am praying that, no matter how troubled the times may become, the Lotus Sutra and the ten demon daughters will protect all of you, praying as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood, or to obtain water from parched ground. (“On Rebuking Slander of the Law,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.

The quick answer is, “No.” Simply put, dialogue and one-to-one exchanges are the unchanging method by which we can most effectively spread Buddhism. With the rise of cell phones, social media and instantaneous digital communications, we may think that there must be a quicker way to spread Nichiren Buddhism and realize peace in the world.