NICHIREN SHOSHU TEMPLE FOR THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, EAST CANADA AND TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Myosetsuji News ISSUE 165 MARCH 1, 2015 Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin On the Occasion of the January Kōsen-rufu Shōdai Ceremony Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji In this early spring of the 763rd anniversary of the establishment of true Buddhism, The Year of Kickoff toward 2021 through the Achievement of the 2015 Objective, I wish you a Happy New Year! I believe that the Nichiren Shoshu priesthood and laity both have welcomed The Year of Kick-off toward 2021 through the Achievement of the 2015 Objective feeling refreshed, and have renewed their pledge to make further efforts in their practice. At the Head Temple, we will conduct a daily Shōdai Ceremony throughout the month of January, just as we do each year. I hope that many people will participate. Last year, in Nichiren Shoshu, momentum toward the achievement of the goal has increased further. If we tally up the achievement of all Hokkeko chapters across the nation, then as of the end of last October, we achieved our goal to increase the membership of all Hokkeko chapters by 50 percent to commemorate the 770th anniversary of the birth of the Second High Priest Nikko Shonin. This is solely due to the efforts that the members of all Hokkeko chapters have made in their practice of earnestly conducting shakubuku based on unity between the priesthood and laity in the spirit of itai dōshin. I would like to express my gratitude and respect for your dedication. However, there are still a few chapters that have not yet achieved their goals. I sincerely hope that these chapters too, no matter what, will accomplish their goals by March 8 of this year. With these achievements, I hope that they will repay their debts of gratitude to the Second High Priest Nikko Shonin. This year is The Year of Kick-off toward 2021 through the Achievement of the 2015 Objective. Achievement indicates that all Hokkeko chapters will achieve their goal to increase the membership of all Hokkeko chapters by 50 percent before the Grand Ceremony Celebrating the 770th Anniversary of the Birth of the Second High Priest Nikko Shonin in March of this year. As I have just mentioned, the grand total of the results of (Continued on page 2) Gosho Quote for March 2015 The Twenty-six Admonitions of Nikko (Nikko yuikai omimon) Until kōsen-rufu is achieved, propagate the Law to the full extent of your ability, without begrudging your life. (Gosho, p. 1884)
PAGE 2 MYOSETSUJI NEWS GUIDANCE FROM SIXTY-EIGHTH HIGH PRIEST NICHINYO SHONIN (CONTINUED) (Continued from page 1) shakubuku throughout the country has already reached our goal at the end of October last year. However, we have not reached the achievement by all chapters. Therefore, the chapters that have not yet achieved their shakubuku objectives, by all means, must accomplish their goals by March 8 of this year. This is a matter of the greatest importance. We can be praised by both the Daishonin and Nikko Shonin, the founder of True Buddhism and the founder of the Head Temple Taisekiji, only after this achievement by all chapters. Thus, the members of the chapters that have not yet achieved their shakubuku goals should take to heart the golden words: One s life is insignificant while the Law is supreme. You should be willing to give your life to propagate the Law. I earnestly wish that they will overcome their difficulties and obstacles by taking all measures to definitely achieve their goals by March 8, based on unity between the priesthood and laity in the spirit of itai dōshin. Next, kick-off indicates that all priests and lay believers should organize and make a plan for the next challenge and kick off in high spirits, with the goal of establishing a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers by the auspicious occasion of the 800th anniversary of the advent of our founder Nichiren Daishonin in 2021. Since we have kicked off toward the challenge of achieving kōsenrufu of the entire world, this must be accomplished without fail. The Daishonin teaches the following in the Gosho, On Practicing According to the Buddha s Teachings (Nyosetsu shugyō-shō): The Lotus Sutra is the teaching of shakubuku, the refutation of the provisional doctrines. Since these are the golden words [of the Buddha], eventually every person who clings to the provisional teachings will surrender [to the true Law] and become a follower of the Buddha. Then, all the people throughout this world will discard the provisional teachings and take faith in the one vehicle of Buddhahood. When the mystic Law (Myōhō) alone prevails in the land and the entire nation chants Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, the wind will blow gently without causing the branches to rustle, and the rain will fall softly without breaking a clod. The world will become like the times of Fu xi and Shennong. The people will be able to drive away disasters and misfortune and gain the ability to live long lives. The principle of the eternity and immortality of both the person and the Law will be revealed. Be assured that all of these events will occur. There is no doubt about the written evidence [in the sutra] of, peace and security in this lifetime. Gosho, p. 671) This Gosho passage I have just read is from a letter the Daishonin wrote to all his disciples and followers in the fifth month of the tenth year of Bun nei (1273), while he was living in exile on Sado Island. The Daishonin underwent a severe persecution at the Tatsunokuchi execution site on the twelfth day of the ninth month in the eighth year of Bunnei (1271), and then he was banished to Sado Island. After these incidents, the Daishonin wrote this letter from Sado to all his followers who were standing up in their faith. They were enduring difficulties and persecutions by the Kamakura authorities and the followers of heretical teachings, including Nembutsu. In this letter, he explains that those who practice the Lotus Sutra exactly according to the Buddha s teachings are bound to face hardships. In this Gosho, the Daishonin first reveals that those who practice the Lotus Sutra according to the Buddha s teachings inevitably will confront the three powerful enemies. (Continued on page 3)
ISSUE 165 PAGE 3 GUIDANCE FROM SIXTY-EIGHTH HIGH PRIEST NICHINYO SHONIN (CONTINUED) (Continued from page 2) He declares that one must continue to strive in one s practice of Buddhism and prepare oneself for the emergence of the three powerful enemies, who may attack him. The Daishonin cites the great persecutions that the votaries of the Lotus Sutra, including Shakyamuni and Bodhisattva Never Disparaging (Fukyō), underwent in the past. With the examples, Nichiren Daishonin, who endured lifethreatening persecutions, such as the Tatsunokuchi Persecution and Sado Exile, reveals that he is the one who practices the Lotus Sutra according to the Buddha s teachings in the Latter Day of the Law. In the same Gosho, the Daishonin then expounds the importance of doing shakubuku refuting those who follow the various other sects. He also emphasizes that when conducting shakubuku, one must embrace the Lotus Sutra exactly as the Buddha s golden words teach, with an understanding of the difference between the two methods of shōju and shakubuku. He states: It is nonsense to seclude yourself in the mountains without refuting the enemies of the Lotus Sutra and carry out the practice of shōju at a time when the Lotus Sutra and pre-lotus Sutra teachings are confused. You only will lose the opportunity to practice the Lotus Sutra. Now, in the Latter Day of the Law, who is correctly carrying out the practice of shakubuku exactly as taught in the Lotus Sutra? Whomever you may meet, conduct shakubuku to the people and refute the teachings of the other sects. Proclaim repeatedly with all your might that the Lotus Sutra is the only teaching that will lead the people to Buddhahood, and that the various other teachings obstruct them from attaining enlightenment and are the root cause for leading them to fall into hell. This will certainly provoke the appearance of the three powerful enemies. (ibid. p. 673) The Daishonin demonstrates that now, in the Latter Day of the Law, among the two methods of shōju and shakubuku, it is the method of shakubuku that must be used. Through conducting shakubuku and encountering the three powerful enemies, Nichiren Daishonin, as well as all of his followers, are able to become those who practice the Lotus Sutra according to the Buddha s teachings. Furthermore, the Daishonin encourages us that despite the appearance of any powerful enemy, those who persistently strive in their practice for oneself and others and carry through their faith surely will be protected by the guardian deities. Engraving these golden words into our hearts, we must be convinced of the vast and boundless benefits of the Dai- Gohonzon and make further efforts in our practice for oneself and others. I sincerely wish that all members of each chapter will unite as one, based on the spirit of itai dōshin, and overcome every difficulty. Then, each individual must move forward with the courageous behavior that befits The Year of Kick-off toward 2021 through the Achievement of the 2015 Objective. On the contrary, the Soka Gakkai has made the following insane announcement, as if their heads were broken into seven pieces: We will not consider the Gohonzon of the second year of Kō an to be the object of worship for us to uphold. (Seikyō shimbun, November 8, 2014) The Gakkai has committed the grave slander of renouncing faith in the Dai-Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teaching. They are deceiving many Gakkai members, leading them to misfortune. We must refute the errors of the Soka Gakkai and save as many Gakkai members as possible by awakening their faith. I sincerely pray that, whatever difficulties you may encounter along the way, you will uphold the will of our founder Nichiren Daishonin and make further efforts (Continued on page 4)
PAGE 4 MYOSETSUJI NEWS GUIDANCE FROM SIXTY-EIGHTH HIGH PRIEST NICHINYO SHONIN (CONTINUED) (Continued from page 3) in your practice of propagating the mystic Law, with the noble mission of saving all mankind. Then, I hope you will strive for the achievement of our goal to increase the membership of all Hokkeko chapters by 50 percent by the 770th anniversary of the birth of the Second High Priest Nikko Shonin, as well as our next goal to achieve a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers by 2021, the 800th anniversary of the advent of our founder Nichiren Daishonin. Faith Experience by Minersville, PA Member José Antonio Carmona, Jr. LETTERS FROM KARMA Introducing True Buddhism to Those Individuals We Don t Like I've been asking my fellow group members here to chant and pray for the prison staff at this facility; even you, John, have suggested this to me. I do and I choose to pray for them because every one of those officers, who for their own reasons and karma, sometimes may treat us (many believe) as if we're "less than human." However I am "human" and this is why I do chant for them. And, there's a mutual benefit in doing so. Whenever I have an encounter with an officer or staff member here, I'm not "caught-up" in my emotions about how they are feeling or behaving on any particular day. And, instead of dwelling on any negativity that has occurred, and because I have spent time chanting for them, our meetings are then that much more pleasant. My brothers reactions are a reluctant "Yeah, okay, I'll try" or "It's hard"; however, they are coming around to the idea of praying for our jailers. I do understand their hesitation because before I came back to the practice I didn t care about anybody, especially the "cops." I was selfish. But as I began to "rewire" my brain through performing Gongyo and chanting Daimoku (Shodai), aligning my entire life (thoughts, words, and deeds) with the Mystic Law of Cause and Effect, I realized that it was my negative behavior that was self-destructive in so many ways. Some of the destructive ways were even unseen until it was too late! Actually, I only recently discovered my own resolve and determination in doing what I've been asking my brothers in here to do. Here s what happened: I had taken a "vacation" (several days off) from my job at the factory as a computer clerk, and while on vacation I was informed by one of my fellow coworkers that I had been fired! This was a shock to me to say the least. I had done nothing wrong before going on vacation, but the ultimate reason used for my dismissal is irrelevant. Although, I do believe that the sanction was a bit severe, I also know that it is a result of my own actions, inactions and karma. My living wage went from $235.00 a month, which I was grateful for because it helped me a lot, to $1.00 a month. And, the person who fired me was a staff member that I had shakubukued! But that's not what's important here. Everyone was expecting me to be "mad" or "upset" because they believed that I shouldn't have been fired for the minor infraction. I can agree with part of their reasoning, however, instead of "getting mad," I went to my cell and chanted Daimoku (Shodai) for an hour. I chanted and prayed for my boss at the factory, for my shakubuku who fired me, and I expressed my gratitude for the factory manager who gave me the opportunity to learn about computers, which should help me get a job when I'm freed! A couple nights later, as I was returning to my cell from the showers, a cell-block officer made it to my cell door first and said that he was going to "shake-down" the cell. I said, "No problem," and waited outside as he conducted his search. A couple minutes later he called me into the cell. I knew that neither Omay nor I possessed anything that could get us in trouble, and wondered about what he could want from me. I walked in the cell and he asked me what my celly (Omay Ford) and I are doing when he and his partner are conducting the "4:00 pm Cell Block Count." He was looking at a photo of our High Priest Nichinyo Shonin that I have posted on the corkboard as he asked this question and I told him that we're "Nichiren Shoshu True Buddhists," and we're performing our "Evening Gongyo Prayers." He said that he only asked because he was curious and wants to learn about every religion practiced (Continued on page 5)
ISSUE 165 PAGE 5 Faith Experience by Minersville, PA Member José Antonio Carmona, Jr. in the prison. I offered him an "Introduction to Nichiren Shoshu" pamphlet but he refused to take it, saying that he'd "look it up on the internet". I then held it out in front of him, informing him that this particular Buddhism wouldn't be found unless he was specifically looking for it, and he took the pamphlet. I asked him to read it, and pointed out the website addresses for his research. As he walked out of the cell he asked "Can I have this pamphlet?", and I said "Of course!" Mission accomplished. The Seed of True Buddhism planted. In prison the correctional officers and staff are considered to be the "enemy." I do not consider them that. They are undisclosed Buddhas whom I must respect no matter their positions, even when they do something that I believe is wrong. Granted, sometimes it's "easier said than done." However, I get it done because I AM an Envoy of the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin. I could have been resentful because of the loss of my job, and "taken it out" against this particular officer. I could have refused to introduce this "cop" (my so-called "enemy") to Nichiren Daishonin's True Buddhism. But, had I done that; would my behavior have reflected what true Buddhism is really about? I want my behavior to reflect my practice of the True Law of "Nam-Myoho -Renge-Kyo." For me, to do otherwise, would be slander. I want you guys out there to know that while I may be going through what I must in here, it's no different than what you're experiencing out there. Sure, there's a lot missing from my life, at this time, because of my incarceration, but what's missing is not as important as practicing Nichiren Daishonin's True Buddhism on a daily basis. I'm committed to this wonderful practice as I'm sure you are, and I know that you can relate to what I'm saying. Thank you for taking time from your busy lives out there to listen to this, and please, stay in touch! Your brother in the faith, José New Special Silent Prayer High Priest Nichinyo Shonin gave instructions on January 5th to all priests and lay believers of Nichiren Shoshu to offer the following silent prayer during daily Gongyo and I sincerely pray for the actual achievement of increasing the membership of all Hokkeko chapters by 50 percent by the occasion of the 770th anniversary of the birth of Second High Priest Nikko Shonin, and the concrete accomplishment of achieving a membership of 800,000 Hokkeko believers by 2021, the year of the 800th anniversary of the advent of the Founder Nichiren Daishonin. Shodai in order to achieve the objectives for 2015 and 2021. Instructions for offering this silent prayer: During morning Gongyo: During the fourth silent prayer, after you offer the silent prayer for kosen-rufu as usual, you chant Daimoku three times silently and offer the special silent prayer, followed by chanting Daimoku three times aloud and offering the silent prayer for the eradication of one's negative karma and the fulfillment of one's personal prayers as usual. During evening Gongyo: During the third silent prayer, after you offer the prayer to repay our debt of gratitude to Nichimoku Shonin and the successive High Priests as usual, you chant Daimoku three times silently and offer the special silent prayer. At the end of Shodai practice: During the third silent prayer, after you offer the prayer to repay our debt of gratitude to Nichimoku Shonin and the successive High Priests as usual, you chant Daimoku three times silently and offer the special silent prayer, followed by chanting Daimoku three times aloud and offer the last part of the fifth silent prayer for the enlightenment of all existence. We will be offering this prayer each day for our assiduous efforts to perform shakubuku and to achieve our objectives, following the guidance of the High Priest and based on the spirit of itai doshin.
Higan-e Ceremony March 29, 2015 The Higan-e Ceremony is held on the days of the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. On these two days, the length of daylight and darkness in a day is exactly the same, and the sun rises due east and sets directly in the west. As the sutra expounds, "The Buddha desires the Middle Way." For this reason the benefits of performing positive deeds on these days are superior to those practiced at other times. The word "higan" is a translation of the Sanskrit word "paramita, and it means, "arriving on the other shore." In his writings, Nichiren Daishonin states: In the great sea of sufferings of life and death, the pre-lotus Sutra teachings are but a raft or, at best, a small boat. Even if the pre-lotus Sutra teachings can transport us from this shore of life and death to another shore of life and death, it cannot take us across the great sea of life and death to the shore of great happiness. Thus, the fundamental significance of arriving at the "other shore," or higan, is that it is extremely important for us, as living beings, to attain enlightenment in our present form through the Daishonin's Buddhism, and in a sprit of appreciation, to present memorial offerings for our ancestors. All Toba requests must be received by March 15th Please Print Clearly Name of Applicant Name of Deceased General Gokuyo (if any) $ Toba Gokuyo ($10.00 ea.) $
Monday - Friday Re-opens on Mon/Tues/Thurs & alternate Fridays Saturday Sunday & Holidays Open Close 7:20 AM 9:00 AM Manhattan 6:00 PM 8:30 PM Intro Meeting 9:30 AM 3:30 PM 215 W. 98th St. #3B 9:00 AM 3:30 PM (Amsterdam & Broadway) Myosetsuji Temple March 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Uptown & Qns Cleanup 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kosen-rufu Chanting 10 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 10 AM Support Staff Mtg 12 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Temple Closed Gongyo 2:30 PM Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM in the Evening Bronx & LI Cleanup 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 Oko Ceremony 10 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 10 AM Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Intro Mtg 7:00 PM Gongyo 2:30 PM Daylight Savings Time Begins (Manhattan) Bklyn & West Cleanup 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Gongyo 10 AM Gongyo 10:00 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 10 AM Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM Gongyo 2:30 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Intro Mtg 7:00 PM Gongyo 2:30 PM Higan-e Toba Requests Cut-off (Myosetsuji) MDS/New Jersey 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 New Member's Study Mtg 10 AM Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 10 AM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Intro Mtg 7:00 PM Gongyo 2:30 PM (Manhattan) Uptown & Qns Cleanup 29 30 31 Higan-e Ceremony 10 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM March 8th - Daylight Savings Time Begins (We turn our clocks one hour forward) 4
MYOSETSUJI TEMPLE 143-63 Beech Ave. (Entrance on Parsons Blvd.) Flushing, NY 11355 V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT O U R N E W W E B S I T E: W W W. N S T N Y. O RG Please send subscriptions to: NICHIREN SHOSHU MONTHLY Subscription Form Nichiren Shoshu Temple 143-63 Beech Avenue Flushing, NY 11355 Please make checks or money orders payable to: Nichiren Shoshu Temple Name Address City State Zip Email Please check one: United States: 3 mos. ($9.00) 6 mos. ($18.00) 12 mos. ($36.00) Canada: 3 mos. ($18.25) 6 mos. ($36.50) 12 mos. ($73.00) International: 3 mos. ($27.00) 6 mos. ($54.00) 12 mos. ($108.00) S U B S C R I B E TO T H E N I C H I R E N S H O S H U M O N T H LY M AG A Z I N E TO DAY! MYOSETSUJI TEMPLE 143-63 Beech Ave. Flushing, NY 11355 Rev. Shinga Takikawa, Chief Priest Rev. Joryo Nomura, Assistant Priest