Teachings for Victory, vol. 1

Teachings for Victory, vol. 1

by Daisaku Ikeda
Teachings for Victory, vol. 1

Teachings for Victory, vol. 1

by Daisaku Ikeda

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Overview

Nichiren Daishonin's writings provide a practical formula for enabling all people to achieve victory in every aspect of their lives and attain an unshakable state of happiness. This volume of Learning from Nichiren's Writings: The Teachings for Victory contains SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's lectures on seven of Nichiren's letters: "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings"; "The Proof of the Lotus Sutra"; "The Hero of the World"; "The Blessings of the Lotus Sutra"; "The Sutra of True Requital"; "King Rinda"; and "The Kalpa of Decrease."

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781938252433
Publisher: Middleway Press
Publication date: 11/01/2013
Series: Learning from Nichiren's Writings , #1
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 212
File size: 979 KB

About the Author

Daisaku Ikeda is a prolific writer, poet and peace activist, recognized as one of the leading interpreters of Buddhism, bringing its timeless wisdom to bear on the many contemporary issues confronting humanity. He is President of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a lay Buddhist association pursuing the values of peace, culture and education and committed to fostering within individuals a sense of responsibility for the shared global community. Today the SGI is one of the most dynamic and diverse Buddhist organizations in the world.

Read an Excerpt

The Teachings for Victory

Learning from Nicheren's Writings


By Daisaku Ikeda

World Tribune Press

Copyright © 2015 Soka Gakkai
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-938252-58-7



CHAPTER 1

"ON PRACTICING THE BUDDHA'S TEACHINGS" — PART 1 OF 3

STRIVING FOR KOSEN-RUFU IN THE SPIRIT OF THE ONENESS OF MENTOR AND DISCIPLE IS THE KEY TO TRUE "PEACE AND SECURITY IN THIS EXISTENCE"


The Passage for Study in This Lecture

On examination [of the Lotus Sutra], we find that those who are born in this land and believe in this sutra when it is propagated in the Latter Day of the Law will be subjected to hatred and jealousy even greater than that which arose in the lifetime of the Thus Come One.

* * *

What is more, once you become a disciple or lay supporter of the votary who practices the true Lotus Sutra in accord with the Buddha's teachings, you are bound to face the three types of enemies. Therefore, from the very day you listen to [and take faith in] this sutra, you should be fully prepared to face the great persecutions of the three types of enemies that are certain to be more horrible now after the Buddha's passing. Although my disciples had already heard this, when both great and small persecutions confronted us, some were so astounded and terrified that they even forsook their faith. Did I not warn you in advance? I have been teaching you day and night directly from the sutra, which says, "Since hatred and jealousy toward this sutra abound even when the Thus Come One is in the world, how much more will this be so after his passing?"

* * *

This is indeed an accursed time to live in this land! However, the Buddha has commanded me to be born in this age, and it is impossible for me to go against the decree of the Dharma King. And so, as the sutra dictates, I have launched the battle between the provisional and the true teachings. Donning the armor of endurance and girding myself with the sword of the wonderful teaching, I have raised the banner of the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, the heart of the entire eight volumes of the Lotus Sutra. Then, drawing the bow of the Buddha's declaration, "I have not yet revealed the truth," and notching the arrow of "honestly discarding the provisional teachings," I have mounted the carriage drawn by the great white ox and battered down the gates of the provisional teachings. Attacking first one and then another, I have refuted opponents from the eight and ten schools, such as the Nembutsu, True Word, Zen, and Precepts. Some have fled headlong while others have retreated, and still others have been captured to become my disciples. I continue to repulse their attacks and to defeat them, but legions of enemies exist who oppose the single Dharma King and the handful who follow him. So the battle goes on even today.

"The Lotus Sutra is the teaching of shakubuku, the refutation of the provisional doctrines." True to the letter of this golden saying, in the end, every last one of the believers of the provisional teachings and schools will be defeated and join the retinue of the Dharma King. The time will come when all people will abandon the various kinds of vehicles and take up the single vehicle of Buddhahood, and the Mystic Law alone will flourish throughout the land. When the people all chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the wind will no longer buffet the branches, and the rain will no longer break the clods of soil. The world will become as it was in the ages of Fu Hsi and Shen Nung. In their present existence the people will be freed from misfortune and disasters and learn the art of living long. Realize that the time will come when the truth will be revealed that both the person and the Law are unaging and eternal. There cannot be the slightest doubt about the sutra's promise of "peace and security in their present existence." (WND-1, 391–92)


LECTURE

The Chinese character myo of myoho, or Mystic Law, has the meaning of "to open."


Open the way with prayer based on the shared commitment of mentor and disciple!

Open the way with the courage to forge ahead bravely and vigorously!

Open the way with the wisdom to perceive the essential truth amid changing circumstances!

Open the way with self-assured and confident action!


Since the time of its first president, Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, the Soka Gakkai has grown and developed by pioneering new frontiers for kosen-rufu, always maintaining a direct connection to Nichiren Daishonin and basing everything on his writings. This will remain the Soka Gakkai's fundamental spirit for all time. This is also the key to faith for absolute victory, and it is highlighted in Nichiren's writing "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings."

The title of this letter literally translates as "On Practicing as the Buddha Teaches." Here, "as the Buddha teaches" can also be interpreted to mean "as the teacher expounds." Nichiren set an example for his disciples by reading the correct teaching of the Lotus Sutra with his life and practicing as the Buddha teaches. He waged a confrontation of words to "refute the erroneous and reveal the true," holding high the banner of universal enlightenment.

And he did so in the Latter Day of the Law, an age of conflict, when people lose sight of the Buddha's correct teaching and grow confused in their thinking and direction, which results in an environment of incessant strife. Nichiren's great struggle of refutation, or shakubuku, provoked attacks by the three powerful enemies, just as the sutra predicts. But by boldly confronting and triumphing over these devilish functions, he proved the veracity of the Lotus Sutra. For us of modern times, practicing as the Buddha teaches means practicing in accord with the teachings of Nichiren.

The final chapter of Mr. Makiguchi's Kachi ron (Theory of Value), which second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda revised, concludes with the following words, including some famous lines from "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings":

Only when the correct teaching of Buddhism that elucidates the very essence of human existence comes to be widely disseminated will it be possible to truly create a Land of Tranquil Light that brings unsurpassed happiness to all people.

As the Daishonin writes: "'The Lotus Sutra is the teaching of shakubuku, the refutation of the provisional doctrines.' ... There cannot be the slightest doubt about the sutra's promise of 'peace and security in their present existence.'"


Creating a Land of Tranquil Light that actualizes the sutra's promise of true peace and security in this existence was the ardent wish of the first and second presidents and the conclusion of Mr. Makiguchi's treatise on value. Mr. Makiguchi gave his life to the struggle to realize this ideal, refusing to submit to the unjust persecution of Japan's wartime militarist authorities. He practiced in exact accord with Nichiren's teachings.

Mr. Toda made a large double circle in red next to the title "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" in his copy of Nichiren's writings to indicate the special importance of this writing. As his loyal and devoted disciple, I also read this letter countless times, engraving in my heart Nichiren's spirit to refute error in the realm of Buddhism.

I fondly recall studying "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" with members who gathered at my apartment when I was the young men's division First Corps leader. Many years later, I lectured on this writing for high school division representatives. Nothing gives me greater joy than studying Nichiren's writings and putting them into practice together with the youth who will shoulder the future. I hope that today's youth division members will seriously study Nichiren's sublime philosophy and, in so doing, strengthen their conviction in faith and develop their ability to speak to others articulately about their Buddhist practice.

"On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" outlines how genuine disciples strive to realize Buddhism's lofty ideals, unafraid of hardships, just as their teacher instructs. It is an important writing that contains the essence of the oneness of mentor and disciple. Let us engrave it deeply in our lives for the continuing development of kosen-rufu and the SGI's enduring victory into the eternal future of the Latter Day of the Law.


The Challenges of Propagating the Mystic Law in the Latter Day

On examination [of the Lotus Sutra], we find that those who are born in this land and believe in this sutra when it is propagated in the Latter Day of the Law will be subjected to hatred and jealousy even greater than that which arose in the lifetime of the Thus Come One. (WND-1, 391)


Dated the fifth month of 1273, "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" was composed at Ichinosawa on Sado Island during Nichiren Daishonin's exile. As the postscript indicates, it is addressed "To all my followers," along with the instruction, "Keep this letter with you at all times and read it over and over" (WND-1, 396). In this writing, Nichiren encourages his disciples to emulate his example of practicing the Lotus Sutra as the Buddha teaches and to diligently uphold their faith.

In his day, exile to Sado was tantamount to a death sentence; most people condemned to this remote isle never returned alive. During his time there, Nichiren's life was in constant danger. In "On the Buddha's Prophecy," dated one month later, he writes, "The chances are one in ten thousand that I will survive the year or even the month" (WND-1, 402).

Undaunted by indescribable hardships and privations, Nichiren proclaimed his struggle as the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law to illuminate the darkness shrouding humankind with the light of universal enlightenment. The previous year, in the second month of 1272, he had composed "The Opening of the Eyes," which reveals the object of devotion in terms of the Person. This was followed in the fourth month of 1273, just one month prior to "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings," with "The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind," which reveals the object of devotion in terms of the Law. With the completion of these two important treatises, Nichiren had established the doctrinal framework for his teaching for the enlightenment of all people into the eternal future.

The rest was now up to his disciples. He knew that everything would hinge on individuals genuinely committed to the correct teaching. If such dedicated disciples rose to action, kosen-rufu could be achieved without fail. His conviction is vividly conveyed in "On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" and "On the Buddha's Prophecy." These two writings could be viewed as his enduring guidance for all his disciples.

"On Practicing the Buddha's Teachings" represents an impassioned call to his disciples who devote themselves selflessly to the Law. He urges them that now is the time to stand up and undertake the practice to refute the erroneous teachings rampant in the realm of Buddhism.

"On the Buddha's Prophecy," by contrast, is about actualizing the ideal of the westward transmission of the correct Buddhist teaching and its widespread propagation throughout the world in the distant future.

In other words, the grand vision of Nichiren's Buddhism of the people, a teaching for the enlightenment of all humanity, can only be realized when there are genuine disciples who strive for kosen-rufu "like Nichiren" or "with the same mind as Nichiren." That is why he calls on his disciples to take on the noble task of advancing kosen-rufu in the Latter Day without begrudging their lives.

At the beginning of this writing, Nichiren states, "Those who are born in this land and believe in this sutra when it is propagated in the Latter Day of the Law will be subjected to hatred and jealousy even greater than that which arose in the lifetime of the Thus Come One." This is based on the Lotus Sutra passage "Since hatred and jealousy toward this sutra abound even when the Thus Come One is in the world, how much more will this be so after his passing?" (LSOC, 203).

His purpose in making this statement is to deepen his followers' awareness of their mission to propagate the Mystic Law in this latter age and to prepare them for the opposition they are bound to incur along the way. Those fainthearted and afraid of hardship cannot realize the momentous undertaking of kosen-rufu. True disciples are those who stand up with the same ardent commitment as Nichiren to guide people to enlightenment and who have the dauntless strength to face obstacles head-on with selfless dedication. The joy of struggling together with one's mentor, sharing the same purpose, is also a source of boundless strength that helps one rise above all manner of hardships.

In the next passage, Nichiren explains why Lotus Sutra practitioners are destined to encounter far more intense opposition in the evil age of the Latter Day than during Shakyamuni's time. There are significant differences between the two ages. First, the person expounding the Law in Shakyamuni's day was the Buddha, whereas the person expounding the Law in the Latter Day is an ordinary practitioner. Also, the disciples in Shakyamuni's time were great bodhisattvas and arhats, while the disciples in the Latter Day "come from among evil people defiled by the three poisons" (WND-1, 391). Even during the time when the Buddha preached the Law and his teachings were practiced by outstanding disciples, many hated and were jealous of him and his community of believers. Nichiren notes that it is only natural, therefore, that even greater hostility and resentment should arise in the Latter Day when the Law is being expounded by a teacher who is ostensibly an ordinary practitioner and his disciples are people whose lives are steeped in the three poisons — greed, anger, and foolishness.

He therefore notes, "People shun the good teacher and associate with evil teachers" (WND-1, 391). Even though people may have the fortune to encounter the good teacher, Nichiren Daishonin, their inability to properly distinguish between good and evil, true and false, causes them to distance themselves from him in favor of erroneous teachers. That is the sad reality of the Latter Day.


"No Matter What Happens, Be Fearless!"

What is more, once you become a disciple or lay supporter of the votary who practices the true Lotus Sutra in accord with the Buddha's teachings, you are bound to face the three types of enemies. Therefore, from the very day you listen to [and take faith in] this sutra, you should be fully prepared to face the great persecutions of the three types of enemies that are certain to be more horrible now after the Buddha's passing. Although my disciples had already heard this, when both great and small persecutions confronted us, some were so astounded and terrified that they even forsook their faith. Did I not warn you in advance? I have been teaching you day and night directly from the sutra, which says, "Since hatred and jealousy toward this sutra abound even when the Thus Come One is in the world, how much more will this be so after his passing?" (WND-1, 391)


This passage has become an unforgettable point of reference for me. Shortly after having my fateful encounter with Mr. Toda and embarking on the path of faith as a Soka Gakkai member, I took these golden words to heart and engraved them in my life.

Nichiren clearly states that those who practice as the Buddha teaches are bound to be assailed by the three powerful enemies and meet with persecutions even more severe than those during Shakyamuni's lifetime. As a young man, I accepted this and resolved to dedicate myself to kosen-rufu with the spirit of a revolutionary ready to give his life for the cause if need be. I was the disciple of Mr. Toda, a great leader of kosen-rufu who had gone to prison for his beliefs and had waged a heroic spiritual struggle. I knew that casting my lot with such a mentor would most certainly mean facing great persecutions on the path ahead. And I fervently vowed that I would remain fearless at such times.

In this passage, Nichiren rebukes the inner weakness of those disciples who foolishly allow themselves to be defeated by fear and cowardice and abandon their faith when persecutions large and small appear.

Mr. Toda was incredibly strict when he lectured on this passage. I recall one such instance at a study session he led in a small room at his company offices in Tokyo's Ichigaya area. He spoke with great passion, determined to impress upon his truehearted disciples the rigorous path of practicing Nichiren Buddhism. "No matter what happens, be fearless! Never retreat even a single step!" he said. His guidance was so strict because he had faithfully inherited Nichiren's spirit.

I remember being intensely struck and inspired by his words, learning for the first time the rigor and commitment of genuine faith and how the true purpose of Soka Gakkai activities perfectly accords with Nichiren's teachings.


(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Teachings for Victory by Daisaku Ikeda. Copyright © 2015 Soka Gakkai. Excerpted by permission of World Tribune Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Table of Contents

Contents

Editor's Note,
"ON PRACTICING THE BUDDHA'S TEACHINGS",
1 Part 1 of 3 — Striving for Kosen-rufu in the Spirit of the Oneness of Mentor and Disciple Is the Key to True "Peace and Security in This Existence",
2 Part 2 of 3 — The Compassionate Practice of Shakubuku,
3 Part 3 of 3 — Encountering Great Obstacles Is Proof of Propagating the Correct Teaching for Attaining Buddhahood in the Latter Day of the Law,
"THE PROOF OF THE LOTUS SUTRA",
4 The Prayers of a Votary of the Lotus Sutra Triumph Over Illness,
"THE HERO OF THE WORLD",
5 The Victory of the Disciples Is the Victory of the Mentor and the Victory of Buddhism,
"THE BLESSINGS OF THE LOTUS SUTRA",
6 Personal Initiative Is the Soka Gakkai's Founding Spirit,
"THE SUTRA OF TRUE REQUITAL",
7 Nichiren Daishonin's Vow and Tireless Struggle for the Enlightenment of Women,
"KING RINDA",
8 Vibrant Chanting Opens the Great Path to Absolute Victory,
"THE KALPA OF DECREASE",
9 Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism: Wisdom for Realizing Happiness for All Humanity,

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