Challenging day today .. still finding it difficult getting going again after the HQ course and definitely got a few money challenges but they'll work out I'm sure .. just need to keep chipping away at them.
I've typed up notes from the course .. edited down here really to make sense for none Buddhists too hopefully .. so here goes.
Yas Hiriyama
The purpose of Study in this Buddhism is not an intellectual pursuit but to enable us to feel the life and spirit of Nichiren Daishonin and our own Buddhahood.
Everything depends on how we view life – as suffering or as a rhythm of life lived with joy.
This is a powerful yet simple practise and is ideally suited to these negative times.
Nichiren Lived as the Lotus Sutra described which is why he was able to establish Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for us.
The important thing in Nichiren Buddhism is ACTION – we must USE the practise in our lives.
The concept of the universe is ourselves and ourselves are the universe.
There is no separation between ourselves and others but we keep our own uniqueness
We cultivate and create our own Buddhahood
The Mystic Law is both within and outside us. Important to chant for both.
Nichiren revealed the powers of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo in his life by victories over his fundamental darkness
Not seeing Buddhahood in others is fundamental darkness and is a continuous battle
The ultimate purpose of this practise is happiness
“Before seeking happiness outside yourself, determine to establish a life state like the Ocean, then you can enjoy life. It’s all about life state”
Fundamental darkness means not believing in yourself, limiting yourself. Win by establishing a strong life state by chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Continue this battle every day.
The Master Disciple relationship is the way to find our greater self.
Chant to have the same spirit as Nichiren Daishonin.
Susanne Pritchard
We are involved in a huge change for mankind. It is easy to become focussed on a small way of seeing things (ie ourselves .. Dick Causton always encouraged people to have an expansive (golden) vision. When people struggle, it’s usually because they have lost their sense of a larger vision.
Use current difficulties as a stepping stone towards our ‘golden vision’
When people struggle, it’s usually because they have lost their sense of the larger vision and have become wrapped up in their own difficulties. The closer we look at our difficulties, the more out of focus our larger vision becomes.
Honin Myo – Starting from now .. if we fail, we start again.
Ikeda said (paraphrased)
“What is the key to victory ?
- Make a great determination
- Determination Wavers
- Re determine
- Determination wavers
- Re Determine
The secret is always to finish on an odd number “
We should elevate our life state so that we can draw out the same heart and spirit as Nichiren.
The Gohonzon is a certificate of guarantee, signed by Nichiren, that we will reach the same state if we chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Kosen Rufu is the elevation of the life condition of all humanity. Nichiren left the Gohonzon as a tool to draw out this life condition.
We should focus on the big vision ..if we focus on our ‘failures’ we close our lives in.
Chant to see our Buddhahood every day and not our weaknesses
Shakabuku is to encourage others to see the greatness in their own lives.
We should attempt to raise our life state each day and not drag others down to ours when we are in lower state.
Daisaku Ikedas ability as a mentor is that he has never stopped being a disciple of Josei Toda
Summary:
- Establish a brilliant vision which encompasses your own life and that of the rest of humanity
- Establish a practise of shakabuku spirit for yourself and others
- Remind yourself as many times as you need to to achieve your goals this year and in thefuture.
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