I had a very pleasant evening last night at my monthly SGI-USA discussion meeting. There were no guests, and our Chapter has recently "split" into two chapters, so there was some discussion of who our new leaders are, etc., and then an open discussion of what our goals are for 2008.
The senior leader who led our gongyo and discussion read aloud from a recent "Daily Gosho":
And yet, though one might point at the earth and miss it, though one might bind up the sky, though the tides might cease to ebb and flow and the sun rise in the west, it could never come about that the prayers of the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra would go unanswered.
So, this raised a question with the group - just exactly who is a "practitioner of the Lotus Sutra"? The leader pointed out to us that if our prayers were not being answered, maybe it was because we were not "really" practitioners of the sutra. We need to examine ourselves and our practice, need to make sure we are really "practitioners", if we want our prayers to be answered.
This leader defined a practitioner as someone who never gives up (surprise!), and who always keeps moving forward, who doesn't "get comfortable". Interestingly, in her definition, she mentioned nothing about any feature of the Sutra itself (such as the enlightenment of evil people like Devadatta, the universality of Buddhahood as demonstrated by the Dragon King's Daughter, or the eternity of the Buddha's life, as revealed in the "Lifespan" chapter which we recite twice daily). We also discussed the new-again women's division theme of "today again, never be defeated".
How do you define a "practitioner of the Lotus Sutra'? How do you think Nichiren meant to define it? What do you think Nichiren meant when he talked about having one's prayer answered? Does the answer always have to be "yes"? Who or what is doing the anwering?
Just curious. I hope you all have a fabulous MLK weekend. Keep on practicing, Byrd in LA
P.S. The gosho in question is entitled "On Prayer", and can be read in its entirety at the SGI or the SGI-USA webpage. They have a search engine, and you can put in the title of the gosho and read the whole thing. I'm genuinely interested in your perspectives.
Posted by wahzoh at January 19, 2008 10:59 AMInteresting question. But unfortunate answer.
Before, let me present myself. I am a SGIRD member from 1975 -former NSA-NSD- (Dominican Republic) although for many reasons I am institutionally inactive right now. I usually come here to enjoy your writings, I like this site, but this is the first time I feel I need to say something here. Please forgive my bad english if so.
People like Budo pracitioners, extremists, roman warriors, kamikazes, suicide bombcarriers, Masada defenders, red armies, all colour armies, 3rd. reich armies, including SS and Nazi indoctrinment...All these are examples of "never give up, never surrender, move forward!, move ahead! be like spartans (be uncomfortable),never be defeated!...
Would it be called "practitioner of the Lotus Sutra"?
I don't think so. Buddhism is more than so standarized words. I am tired of listen exortations like these from politicians, militaries, salesmen, and fanatic religious. I think the answer is in the Lotus Sutra itself, first, then in our True Master, Great Sage Nichiren's writings (Really, the order does not matter).
Who is a true Practitioner of the Lotus Sutra?
I think that question is like a koan, the vital question and its answer each one has to find by him(her)self. Perhaps I have an answer, maybe you have yours, but I believe each answer must have a profound meaning for each one of us.
As a guide about it please remember the Kongo Hoki Kai, (The Precept Of Diamond Chalice). In Mappo, there is no precept for us to accept other than MyoHoRenGueKyo. That implies,
-To practice the Nichiren's teachings (that is, tha Dharma) through our whole life.
-To protect to Sandai Hiho's Gohonzon through our whole life.
-To practice the Odaimoku (Or The Lotus Sutra) through our whole life.
So, at last, what means to be a "Practitioner of the Lotus Sutra":
For me: To be one with the Sacred Life of Great Sage Nichiren, to practice his teachings, to live according to the Middle Way (ChuDo).(And all that implies, of course!)
Remember, Nichiren embodied the unscrutable Mystic Law, while living was a transient manifestation of Eternal Dharmakaya; right now the Eternal Sakyamuni and himself are the same; the universal wisdom, Prajña, and all Buddhas of the universe, are one and same thing with Nichiren. We must have to be awake to that true, and become as the same, Buddhas.
That is to be a Practitioner of the Lotus Sutra.
What a wonderful, profound, wondrous!
Thank you very much for your precious time.
With respect,
NaMuMyoHoRenGueKyo
Gnomegang.-
Posted by: Gnomegang at January 19, 2008 08:22 PMByrd:
"...just exactly who is a "practitioner of the Lotus Sutra"?"
I really enjoyed most of Gnomegang's comments, especially his words, " I am tired of listen exortations like these from politicians, militaries, salesmen, and fanatic religious..." He's not only a good writer, but has some very deep ideas.
However, at the end of his comment, that unmistakable priestly science fiction - taught as fact - creeps in to make the simple and elegant message of the Lotus Sutra a Japanese clerical conscription. Good lord! Can't those people let the sutra speak for itself without one of their mythological golden showers?!
A practitioner of the Lotus Sutra is simply one who reveres and embraces the Lotus Sutra as the supreme sutra. That does not mean that they look down on other sutras or other sects or faiths. It's true that Nichiren Buddhism is based on the reciting the title of the Lotus Sutra, which is believed to be the heart of the sutra and the practice for attaining enlightenment or Buddhahood. That's certainly what believe and nothing has changed there.
Other than believing and embracing the Lotus Sutra, either by agreeing with its excellence, chanting its title, reciting the verses, or studying it with respect, all other supportive endeavors are just tinsel on the tree. In short, a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra is one whom alligns with it in either thought, word or deed - no lay master, priests, or lay society required.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at January 20, 2008 09:07 AMHello Charles,
(and Hello Byrd),
I am very glad you may have enjoyed some of my words, thank you very much.
In my case I do agree with you about "no lay master, priests, or lay society required", because it is a fact. I know some people to have practiced the Lotus Sutra for long years, adquiring many realizations and actual proofs, but no lay master, priests, or lay society required.
What I said before, I said as a guide to think about, not as a rule or forced precept to take. I know to wholeheart chant of LS title is itself to embrace the Buddha's Will, the Buddha's Life, the whole Lotus Sutra. To accept Kongo Hoki Kai really is an inner experience, with particular meanings for each one, not an external and empty ceremony. Not all people saying "Yes" to priest's request really knows what are they doing. At GoJukai, priest talk me in Japanese! No leader did to explain me with accuracy the meaning of the KHK. I did to learn about it armed with a strong searching spirit.
Of course, I respect the priesthood. I do respect it as a religious Way of life, and as a institution founded by Buddha himself and continued by our Master Nichiren for serve and help to practice the lay believers. And I admit the priesthood and lay societies are still necessaries for a great mass of people because people's capacity, cultural idiosincracies and personal vocations or "karmic religious calling" ...But not for some people.
Maybe I am totally wrong, that's the reason I do to come here, looking for knowledge, but I have many things to say about it, all simple thoughts, but this is a too long comment and I am feeling as I am abusing of this space. Please excuseme.
With respect,
NaMuMyoHoRenGueKyo !
Gnomegang.-
Byrd,
You ask "who is a practitioner ?"
Nichiren answers it is one that embraces the teaching of the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren declares his "Gohonzon" is the Lotus Sutra for the Latter Day.
Nichiren also says, "to teach others" and to chant "nam myoho renge kyo" as the direct source of enlightenment.
Regarding, having one's prayers answered, Nichiren again notes the importance of this concept.
Nichiren says, "Of the 'Three Proofs,' actual proof is the most important!"
One's prayers being answered does not mean to become wealthy and influential, unless that is the actual proof you need to prove the power of 'faith in nam myoho renge kyo.'
One's prayers being answered can be seen more in a reflection of Joy and Appreciation for life, and one's own life, than in material wealth or social position; as well in the actions we take based on this understanding of our own life, and the lives of others.
Patrick
Posted by: Patrick at January 21, 2008 09:46 AMByrd:
Shakyamuni pointed out in the Lotus Sutra that one who "accept, uphold, read, and recite" this sutra create incalcuable merit.
Also, all prayer IS answered: "yes, no, and maybe."
Charles
Posted by: Charles at January 21, 2008 11:26 AMBeing an engaged member of society. :)
Posted by: Aussie_Bob at January 22, 2008 05:45 AMIf the qualification for being a pratitioner of the Lotus Sutra is that all one's prayers are answered, then no one not even Nichiren is a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra. Otherwise all who read, study, memorize, or recite the sutra would all be practitioners and the best of those would try to live by it's ideals.
ch
Re: Clown. He's right. Based on micro-specific expectations answered by our targeted prayer, none of us would qualify as practitioners of the Lotus Sutra.
Might I also add that prayer with intention, must be tempered by prayer without attachment. Otherwise, the results emerging from the constructf our minds will lead us to profound disappointment. Objectively, we will find that the desire driven prayer approach produced far more misses than hits.
There is an arbritating force in the life/consciousness matrix of Indra's Net that reveals the most appropriate outcome in a manner that does not necessarily acccord with our "time constraints" or "mission objectives." The results of our prayers are frequently not what we intended.
A practitoner of the Lotus Sutra is one who treasures its words and spirit and shares it with others in the way best suited to them. Those that hijack the Lotus Sutra to glorify exclusivity violate the spirit of the sutra and negate the beuty and potential offered up by the Buddha. Shame on them.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at January 22, 2008 01:06 PM