The Power of Repeated Words

Transcription

1 Living the LOTUS Buddhism in Everyday Life VOL. 122 Founder s Essay I N contemporary society, it s easy to find parents lamenting the fact that today s children simply refuse to obey. But before parents complain about this situation, I would like to ask them to try to tell their children what kind of people they would like them to become. Telling them once does not seem to work, so they must do this over and over again. Looking back on my more than eighty years of life, I see that what made me happiest was the awareness that I had been guided to the teaching of the Buddha, and was able to walk the bodhisattva way. I believe, however, that I had been guided to such a life by the words of my grandfather and father. In my childhood, my grandfather, carrying me on his back, used to tell me that I should be the kind of person that would be of use to society and to other people. My father advised me that I should take a hard, long-working, and low-paying job. The Power of Repeated Words Seeing the daily behavior of my grandfather and father, I obediently followed their example. This turned out to be the bodhisattva practice itself. If we are willing to do a difficult job with little reward, those around us will be considerate toward us and our happiness will spontaneously descend upon us, without us having to strive for it. Children have trust in their parents and depend on them, even if they do not express it in words. I believe that what parents repeatedly tell their children will be instilled deep within their children s minds, and this will ultimately determine quality of the children s lives. From Kaisozuikan 8 (Kosei Publishing Co.), pp Published by Rissho Kosei-kai International, Fumonkan, Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL: FAX: Senior Editor: Shoko Mizutani Editor: Etsuko Nakamura Copy Editor: Allan Carpenter, Shigemitsu Takanashi Editorial Staff of RK International Rissho Kosei-kai is a lay Buddhist organization whose holy scripture is the Threefold Lotus Sutra. It was established by Founder Nikkyo Niwano and Cofounder Myoko Naganuma in This organization is composed of ordinary men and women who have faith in the Buddha and strive to enrich their spirituality by applying his teachings to their daily lives. At both the local community and international levels, we, under the guidance of President Nichiko Niwano, are very active in promoting peace and well-being through altruistic activities and cooperation with other organizations. The title, Living the Lotus Buddhism in Everyday Life, is meant to convey our hope of striving to practice the teachings of the Lotus Sutra in daily life, to enrich and make our lives more worthwhile, like lotus flowers blooming in a muddy pond. The online edition aims to make Buddhism more practicable in the daily lives of people around the world.

2 Basic Buddhism through Comics by Mitsutoshi Furuya 1

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4 Guidance by President Niwano Never Despise Others by Nichiko Niwano President of Rissho Kosei-kai In the Bodhisattva Never Despise chapter of the Lotus Sutra, as I think you well know, the phrase I cannot despise you appears. In the context of our daily lives, what does it mean to not despise people, in the concrete terms of our behavior and attitude? In the first place, why is it important that we do not despise people usually this is something that we think of as going without saying, so let us give it some consideration. As Zen master Dogen ( ) articulated that all existence is the buddha-nature, we learn from this that everything in our world, to say nothing of us as human beings, is, in and of itself, the buddha-nature. We are, all of us, the life of the Buddha. Zen master Ikkyu ( ), regarding just how worthy of respect our existence as human beings is, declared, All living beings are no different from the Buddha. What separates them from the Buddha is just an illusory thought. If we were aware of this, respecting and revering other people would be our natural attitude. Some of you might think, I cannot believe that someone like me, who has not accomplished much, is the buddha-nature itself, or I hate certain people and I am sometimes greedy, so how can anyone say that I am the same as the Buddha. However, such reflections upon oneself can be called signs of something deeper from within. In fact, they are themselves the workings of the buddha-nature and proof that each of us is none other than the life of the Buddha. In the Flower Garland Sutra appears the phrase, At the time of the first aspiration to the Way, true awakening has already been attained. This means that at the moment one gives rise to the mind of seeking the Way, one has already realized true awakening. Now, as you read this, each one of you is becoming aware that you yourself are worthy of respect as well as also giving rise to the mind of revering others. Then, what is important in order to make a connection between such awareness and the practice of daily life and to not despise other people? It is, even regarding those with whom you have a very close relationship, not forgetting the necessary self-regulation and not ignoring good manners, in other words, cautioning yourself against becoming too familiar and candid.

5 Guidance by President Niwano People usually don t speak rudely to others on their first meeting, but even in the case of a close relation it is desirable that one does not speak roughly but uses proper speech, and talks politely to the other person. As much as possible, we should observe other people s strengths and praise them. Of course, we should never forget the spirit of putting our palms together reverently. Such things build harmonious human relationships. At first, even if our minds do not go along, if we are always showing the form, doing this will of its own accord influence our minds and we will make our own the Bodhisattva Never Despise s attitude of never despising others. On the one hand, you might say that because you hold another person in high regard you are strict in your feelings about that person. At those times when you wish that someone would grow and mature, it is important to reflect on yourself and ask whether you are seeing the person before you as the life of the Buddha. If you do so, then you will not use the sort of sharp words that you are apt to say when your emotions run high, which might hurt the other person s feelings, and you will be able to calmly persuade him or her of what you feel needs to be comprehended. Speaking and behaving in this way is nothing other than the spiritual progress of each and every one of us, and furthermore, it is an opportunity for the people we come into contact with to become aware of their self-worth such exchanges are the interactions of minds that function as desired for us as honorable human beings. Even so, as much as we think that we are respecting the other person, sometimes we must endure and show tolerance. Fortunately, we have opportunities that allow us to reflect on our attitude, such as morning and evening sutra recitations. By following the example of the Bodhisattva Never Despise s practice of putting his palms together in reverence, in the morning you vow to pass the day in the spirit of putting my palms together reverently, and in the evening you can reflect asking yourself, Did I not look down on someone today? and look forward to the next day. I think that such steady practice is the foundation of a peaceful life. From Kosei, November Translated by Kosei Publishing Co.

6 Spiritual Journey Supported by Many Okagesama by Ms. Donna Hunt Rissho Kosei-kai of Hawaii I WAS born fifty-five years ago the moment I opened my eyes, I was already a Rissho Kosei-kai member, and three generations of my family were already actively participating in spreading the Dharma in Hawaii. Looking back, I had a great childhood going to the Dharma center, and to the airport to greet guests from Japan and the neighboring Hawaiian islands. But at the time, I didn t have any appreciation for my family s dedication to the Buddha. My parents weren t rich, and we always had just enough. On the weekends, my father would take us riding around the island or to the beach, my mother would pack a lunch, and we d stay all day. Or my parents would take us window shopping. I have very nice memories. When I was eight, my parents started their own business and our lives changed. My mother went to work with my father and came home after dark. During some evenings and weekends she had the Dharma center s activities, and she would bring us along with her. I remember attending home prayer services and visiting people in the hospital. My mother strongly encouraged us to follow her to the center. She d make us feel guilty if we didn t want to go. As we got older, we had to cook dinner and clean up, but we didn t know how and I remember we would always get scolded for forgetting to do something. Looking back, I never thought that knowing how to prepare meals would be such a great asset to me. Because we had to rely on each other at a young age, I feel that this is the beginning of the bond that holds my sisters and me together. Later my aunt would say, Don t force your boys to go to the center, and I would say, Aunty, I have to. It s the only way I know how! My parents were forced to close their business. They were in deep debt and had to sell all their property. My mother asked me to help her, I couldn t refuse, and luckily my husband agreed. We purchased our family home from my parents. I wasn t happy, and I only dreamed of living separately. This religious testimony was delivered during the ceremony for a Bon Festival at the Hawaii Dharma Center on July 5, I can only now see that I was making myself unhappy, and that my boys were very happy to enjoy the love of my parents daily. My older sister returned from living in California and came to live with us. My younger sister divorced her second husband and came with her two children to live with us. Years passed and my mother suddenly fell ill and passed away within a week. We were all devastated because she was the glue that held everyone together. She was the one who did everything for everyone. My grandfather was aging and he also came to live with us. My husband began feeling used, and said he wanted a divorce. I knew I couldn t pay the mortgage and feed my family on my salary alone. I had to be more humble and accept all that he had to say. I had to appreciate everything he had done for my family. I had to change myself. At a hundred years old, my grandfather passed away, surrounded by his family. My father was a good son and cared for his father for ten years. After my grandfather passed away, we noticed little things about my father. We took him to the Doctor and, unknown to us, he had over ten mini strokes in his brain. He wasn t thinking rationally and his body Ms. Hunt delivers her religious testimony during a ceremony for the Bon Festival at the Hawaii Dharma Center.

7 Spiritual Journey became very frail. He was always a very active sportsman, so it was very sad to see him so weak. It got to the point where my older sister had to work only half days, my sons would watch my father during the breaks, I would watch him in the evenings, and we took turns on the weekends. My younger sister was in charge of his finances and visited him during her lunch breaks from work. About seven months later, in 2013, he passed away peacefully. Last year my husband placed his ninety-eight-year-old mother into a nursing home. She was so upset. She didn t want to be there. He visited her everyday, but she wasn t happy. He decided to sell her apartment and get a larger one. She did not want to live with us in my family home. She wanted us to get another place together. This June, we moved her from the nursing home to a home we own together. It s only been three weeks, and my husband is trying his best to care for his mother, but I can see he is stressed. I try to help as much as I can. I cook for her and keep her clean. Both my sons assist in her care. She is physically strong, but she has dementia and sometimes does not recognize her son. My wish was for my sons to care for us one day, but maybe now I have changed my mind. My new wish is to accept whatever the future holds for me. We have just begun our monthly home ancestor s appreciation service, especially to thank our parents and grandparents for providing us with a firm spiritual foundation. Without the teachings from the Buddha or the interpretation of the Lotus Sutra from Founder Nikkyo Niwano, I think I would not be able to appreciate that I am living a wonderful life, I have a good husband and children, and I have supportive sisters, nieces and nephews. It is the okagesama of many people, that is, I am thankful that I was able to help my parents, grandparents and mother-in-law in this lifetime. I think I would be a bitter old and lonely person if I did not know or put into practice the Six Perfections (generosity, keeping the precepts, fprbearance, diligence, concentration, and wisdom). I am lucky to be surrounded by my family, and I can truly say I am happy with my life, come what may. All thanks to my parents and grandparents, the Eternal Buddha Shakyamuni, Founder Nikkyo Niwano, and President Nichiko Niwano. Ms. Hunt (first row, far right) recites the posthumous names for deceased members in a service performed during the equinoctial week at the Hawaii Dharma Center.

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14 Column L Making the Home Country a Bodhisa va Nation AST September, the Security Related Bills were passed by the plenary session of the House of Councilors (the Upper House) of the Japanese Diet. It is regretful that the passage of these bills opens the door to the use of military force by Japan. This is historically a great divergence for the nation of Japan. The experience of this political process has helped make it clear to me what kind of nation I wish Japan to become. The ideal of Japan which I envision is not that of an ordinary nation, which tries to secure peace by means of military deterrence, strengthening its own military power and military alliances with other nations. My ideal is a bodhisattva nation which tries to eliminate factors that threaten peace, and to build trust with people in the world through dialogue and cooperation. Through experiencing this historical diversion, a project of creating a Japan which dedicates itself to world peace began to form in my heart. Let me work hard to make Japan a bodhisattva nation. To my fellow sangha members of Rissho Kosei-kai, I would like to say, let us work together to make our respective home country a bodhisattva nation. R E V. S H O K O M I Z U T A N I Director of Rissho Kosei-kai International Rissho Kosei-kai International Branches

15 2015 Rissho Kosei-kai Overseas Dharma Centers Rissho Kosei-kai International 5F Fumon Hall, Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan Tel: Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai International of North America (RKINA) 2707 East First Street Suite #1 Los Angeles CA U.S.A Tel: Fax: Branch under RKINA Rissho Kosei-kai of Tampa Bay 2470 Nursery Rd.Clearwater, FL 33764, USA Tel: (727) Rissho Kosei-kai International of South Asia (RKISA) 201 Soi 15/1, Praram 9 Road, Bangkapi, Huaykhwang Bangkok 10310, Thailand Tel: Fax: thairissho@csloxinfo.com Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii 2280 Auhuhu Street, Pearl City, HI 96782, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: info@rkhawaii.org Rissho Kosei-kai Maui Dharma Center 1817 Nani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai Kona Dharma Center Mamalahoa Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Los Angeles 2707 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: rk-la@sbcglobal.net Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of San Antonio 6083 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78240, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: dharmasanantonio@gmail.com Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Arizona Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Colorado Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of San Diego Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Las Vegas Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Dallas Rissho Kosei-kai of San Francisco 1031 Valencia Way, Pacifica, CA 94044, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: info@rksf.org Rissho Kosei-kai of Seattle s Buddhist Learning Center Pacific Highway South, Federal Way, WA 98003, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: rkseattle@juno.com Rissho Kosei-kai of Sacramento Rissho Kosei-kai of San Jose Rissho Kosei-kai of Vancouver Rissho Kosei-kai of New York 320 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A. Tel: Fax: rkny39@gmail.com Rissho Kosei-kai of Chicago 1 West Euclid Ave., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056, U.S.A. Tel : murakami4838@aol.com rkchi/ Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Center of Fort Myers Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Center of Oklahoma 2745 N.W. 40th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, U.S.A. Tel & Fax: rkokdc@gmail.com Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Klamath Falls 1660 Portland St. Klamath Falls, OR 97601, U.S.A. Rissho Kosei-kai, Dharma Center of Denver 1571 Race Street, Denver, Colorado 80206, U.S.A. Tel: Rissho Kosei-kai Dharma Center of Dayton 635 Kling Dr, Dayton, OH 45419, U.S.A. Risho Kossei-kai do Brasil Rua Dr. José Estefno 40, Vila Mariana, São Paulo-SP, CEP , Brasil Tel: / Fax: risho@terra.com.br Risho Kossei-kai de Mogi das Cruzes Av. Ipiranga 1575-Ap 1, Mogi das Cruzes-SP, CEP , Brasil Tel: / Rissho Kosei-kai of Taipei 4F, No. 10 Hengyang Road, Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100, Taiwan Tel: Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai of Taichung No. 19, Lane 260, Dongying 15th St., East Dist., Taichung City 401, Taiwan Tel: / Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai of Tainan No. 45, Chongming 23rd Street, East District, Tainan City 701, Taiwan Tel: Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai of Pingtung Korean Rissho Kosei-kai 6-3, 8 gil Hannamdaero Yongsan gu, Seoul, 04420, Republic of Korea Tel: Fax: krkk1125@hotmail.com Korean Rissho Kosei-kai of Pusan , Dae-Hyun-2-dong, Nam-ku, Kwang-yok-shi, Pusan, , Republic of Korea Tel: Fax: Branches under the Headquarters Rissho Kosei-kai of Hong Kong Flat D, 5/F, Kiu Hing Mansion, 14 King s Road, North Point, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People s Republic of China Tel & Fax:

16 Rissho Kosei-kai of Ulaanbaatar 15f Express tower, Enkh taiwnii urgun chuluu, 1st khoroo, Chingeltei district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Tel: Rissho Kosei-kai of Sakhalin 4 Gruzinski Alley, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk , Russian Federation Tel & Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai of Roma Via Torino, Roma, Italia Tel & Fax : roma@rk-euro.org Rissho Kosei-kai of the UK Rissho Kosei-kai of Venezia Castello Venezia Ve Italy Rissho Kosei-kai of Paris 86 AV Jean Jaures Tentin Paris, France Rissho Kosei-kai of Sydney International Buddhist Congregation (IBC) 5F Fumon Hall, Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan Tel: Fax: ibcrk@kosei-kai.or.jp Rissho Kosei-kai of South Asia Division 5F Fumon Hall, Wada, Suginami, Tokyo, , Japan Tel: Fax: Thai Rissho Friendship Foundation 201 Soi 15/1, Praram 9 Road, Bangkapi, Huaykhwang Bangkok 10310, Thailand Tel: Fax: info.thairissho@gmail.com Rissho Kosei-kai Dhamma Foundation, Sri Lanka 382/17, N.A.S. Silva Mawatha, Pepiliyana, Boralesgamuwa, Sri Lanka Tel & Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai of Polonnaruwa Rissho Kosei-kai of Habarana 151, Damulla Road, Habarana, Sri Lanka Branches under the South Asia Division Rissho Kosei-kai of Central Delhi 224 Site No.1, Shankar Road, New Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, , India Rissho Kosei-kai of West Delhi 66D, Sector-6, DDA-Flats, Dwarka New Delhi , India Rissho Kosei-kai of Kolkata E-243 B. P. Township, P. O. Panchasayar, Kolkata , India Rissho Kosei-kai of Kolkata North AE/D/12 Arjunpur East, Teghoria, Kolkata , West Bengal, India Rissho Kosei-kai of Kathmandu Ward No. 3, Jhamsilhel, Sancepa-1, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: Fax: nrkk@wlink.com.np Rissho Kosei-kai of Singapore Rissho Kosei-kai of Phnom Penh #201E2, St 128, Sangkat Mittapheap, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Other Groups Rissho Kosei-kai Friends in Shanghai Rissho Kosei-kai of Bangladesh 85/A Chanmari Road, Lalkhan Bazar, Chittagong, Bangladesh Tel & Fax: Rissho Kosei-kai of Dhaka House No.467, Road No-8 (East), D.O.H.S Baridhara, Dhaka Cant.-1206, Bangladesh Tel: Rissho Kosei-kai of Mayani Maitree Sangha, Mayani Bazar, Mayani Barua Para, Mirsarai, Chittagong, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Patiya Patiya, sadar, Patiya, Chittagong, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Domdama Domdama, Mirsarai, Chittagong, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Cox s Bazar Ume Burmese Market, Main Road Teck Para, Cox sbazar, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Satbaria Satbaria, Hajirpara, Chandanish, Chittagong, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Laksham Dupchar (West Para), Bhora Jatgat pur, Laksham, Comilla, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Raozan West Raozan, Ramjan Ali Hat, Raozan, Chittagong, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Chendirpuni Chendirpuni, Adhunagor, Lohagara, Chittagong, Bangladesh Rissho Kosei-kai of Ramu