Fundamentals
of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism (cont.)
To
teach others means to teach this Buddhism to people who don’t yet know of
the faith and practice of Nichiren Shoshu, and lead them to the practice of
Nichiren Shoshu by correcting their wrong views of religion and life.
This merciful behavior of teaching people about true religion is
called Shakubuku. Nichiren
Daishonin indicates this by:
It
is the only memory of our present lives in this human world, to
single-mindedly chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and urge others to do the same.
Regarding
the most important reason we practice this way, he states:
Those
who call themselves Nichiren’s disciples and practice the Lotus Sutra must
all practice as I do.
The
reason is that the True Buddha, Nichiren Daishonin, practiced this way.
We are able to attain Buddhahood by practicing Buddhism the same way
as the True Buddha.
3.
Benefit and Actual Proof
In
general, people think of benefit in material terms, to get a lot of money,
live in a big house, etc.. But
such gains are temporary and do not create true happiness.
It is a wrong viewpoint that is based on one’s attachment to
desires and profit, and it will not create the basis of a truly stable life
in the future. Such thinking to
only satisfy one’s desires is a cause that generates great unhappiness.
The benefit explained in Buddhism is not small benefit that depends
on one’s changing viewpoint rooted in desire.
The benefit in Buddhism does not come easily from external sources.
We have to build our capacity to attain true benefit by cultivating
our faith and practice toward the Gohonzon.
We
have created various types of evil since the remote past.
According to the principle of cause and effect, those immense evils
are the fundamental causes of suffering today and in the future.
If we make continuous efforts to correctly practice for ourselves and
enlighten others, our impure lives will be purified, and our various
sufferings will become sources of happiness.
Then we can open up lives filled with firm confidence.
This is called “Hendoku-Iyaku,” which means, “to change poison
into medicine.” This is the
true, greatest benefit called “Sokushin-Jo’butsu,” which means “the
immediate attainment of Buddhahood.”
By practicing this Buddhism correctly, we can awaken the
Buddha-nature within our lives and become Buddhas.
This is the actual proof of practicing to the Dai-Gohonzon of the
Three Great Secret Laws. Nichiren
Daishonin teaches:
Realize
that you must suffer what there is to suffer, bring forth the joy in what
there is to enjoy, and continue to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo with
consideration of both suffering and joy.
This is “naturally receiving true happiness,” isn’t it?
Strengthen your faith more than ever.
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2008 NST Myosenji All Rights Reserved