Fundamentals
of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism (cont.)
Thus,
for those who chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the Daimoku of Honmon, all of their
suffering and joy become the unshakable foundation of true happiness in the
future. Based on this, Nichiren
Daishonin teaches:
If
only you chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, then what evil could fail to be
eradicated? What happiness
could fail to come? This is the
truth, and it is of great profundity. You
should believe and accept it.
4.
The Priesthood and Laity
The
Buddhist order consists of both priesthood and laity.
If either one is lacking, the order will not be able to exist.
The priests are direct disciples of the Buddha, solely learning and
practicing Buddhism, correctly protecting it and passing it down to the
future. If they engage in the
occupations of general society, they will be unable to correctly transmit
Buddhism to the next generation. Nichiren
Daishonin states:
Even
though there is Buddhism, if priests didn’t learn it and pass it down,
Buddhism would never have been transmitted down to the Latter Day of the Law
through two thousand years of the Former Day and Middle Day of the Law.
On
the other hand, lay believers carry out correct Buddhist belief and practice
in their actual social life by learning Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism and
receiving guidance from Nichiren Shoshu priests.
They also protect Buddhism by making offerings to the Buddha from
their sustenance. About this,
Nichiren Daishonin states:
It
is only important for you as a layperson to recite Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
without holding any other thought, and make offerings to the priests.
Moreover,
Nichiren Daishonin says:
I
have conviction that, despite the small number of people, we will accomplish
the Great Matter, because Nichiren and his followers are in Itai-Doshin
(many bodies but same in spirit), and the Lotus Sutra will certainly be
propagated.
We,
Nichiren Shoshu priests and lay believers, who are devoted to and practice
Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism, exert ourselves for the bond of Itai-Doshin
(different bodies, same in mind), do Gongyo and Shodai together, propagate
this Buddhism and strive to work in each of our capacities for the
accomplishment of the Great Aspiration of world-wide propagation (Kosen-Rufu).
This is called “True unity between priesthood and laity.”
Nichiren Daishonin indicates this by:
For
example, with a good piece of steel, good flint and good tinder, we make
fire by these three things together. Prayer
is like this. Good priests,
good believers and good doctrine; with these three things together, then our
prayers can be accomplished and great disasters banished from the land.
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2008 NST Myosenji All Rights Reserved