Cleaning out some of my old film closets, I came across this testimonial by a 1960's politician describing the "humanistic" qualities of President John F. Kennedy. I couldn't help but notice the similarities between JFK and Daisaku Ikeda, the 3rd President of the Soka Gakkai. Watch and I think you'll agree.
~~ Eso Terry
I always wanted to have an English translation during my chanting Gongyo twice a day. I hope you find this useful. We don't need to know what the words mean to get benefit, but it's nice to know what they mean. Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the answer, no matter the question.
This is the chant we do for the Soka Gakkai, Nichiren Buddhist practice. The power is in the words, mixed with faith, and a little thing we call "The Mystic" Law. Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and find out for yourself. Put down those magic sticks boys and girls, this is the real elevated divine shit. Go for it. Change your karma today, this lifetime, not the next.
~~ Eso Terry Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the answer, no matter the question
This morning I posted my live thoughts on "Morning Buddhist Thoughts" on being a global citizen. The definition of a global citizen is:
Global citizenship is a form of transnationality, specifically the idea that one's identity transcends geography or political borders and that responsibilities or rights are derived from membership in a broader global class of "humanity". This does not mean that such a person denounces or waives their nationality or other, more local identities, but that such identities are given "second place" to their membership in a global community. Extended, the idea leads to questions about the state of global society in the age of globalization.
There you have it in a nutshell what I believe being a Nichiren Buddhist stands for, epesecially the line "a broader global class of 'humanity'". No national politics can justify the starvation of one human being for power. We see this everywhere today. Let's fix this brothers and sisters. Let's chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo together and fight for a better world where the value of life is the number one goal of the world.
Here is the Nichiren Writing I quoted this morning:
People have varied tastes. Some prefer good and some prefer evil.
There are many kinds of people. But thought they differ from one another in such ways, once they enter into the Lotus Sutra, they all become like a single person in body and a single person in mind. This is just like the myriad different rivers that, when they flow into the ocean, all take on a uniformly salty flavor, or like the many kinds of birds that, whey they approach Mount Sumeru, all assume the same (golden) hue.
(WND 1042)
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Based on the philosophy and practice of Nichiren’s teachings, the Soka Gakkai advocates an individual inner reformation it calls “human revolution,” the ultimate goal of which is a peaceful world and the happiness of humanity. It upholds the Lotus Sutra philosophy that all people inherently possess within them the Buddha nature, the potential for enlightenment, and can bring it forth through Buddhist practice. Based on this teaching, the Soka Gakkai has been endeavoring to establish the sanctity of life and the dignity of humanity as fundamental universal ideals.
The Soka Gakkai does not view
Buddhism as an exclusively spiritual or metaphysical pursuit, but as an
applied philosophy of life. It encourages Buddhist practice as a means
for people to develop the character, wisdom, and strength to improve
themselves and their circumstances, to contribute to society, and to
help bring about happiness and peace in the world.
In 2013 the Soka Gakkai opened the Hall of the Great Vow for Kōsen-rufu
in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, as the central feature of its Headquarters
complex. The central Gohonzon of the Soka Gakkai is enshrined there and
members from around the world visit to pray for and renew their
resolution to achieve world peace. It houses a conference room
commemorating the achievements of the Soka Gakkai's founding presidents,
Makiguchi, Toda, and Ikeda.
Key points to include:
Dr TV Boogie talks about the Gohonzon, the supreme object of devotion.
Protection from Buddhas of the ten directions. *President Toda guidance.
Josei Toda (1900-58) was an educator, publisher and entrepreneur who, as second president of the Soka Gakkai, revived the lay Buddhist organization after the Second World War, building it into a dynamic, popular movement.
Arriving in Tokyo from the northern island of Hokkaido in his early 20s, Toda found a teaching post at the school where Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
was principal. Impressed by Makiguchi's educational ideals, he soon
became his protégé. In 1928 he followed Makiguchi in his decision to
practice Nichiren Buddhism. The two later cofounded the Soka Kyoiku
Gakkai, forerunner of the Soka Gakkai.
As Japan's militarist authorities tightened control over society and suppressed dissent, Toda and Makiguchi were arrested and imprisoned in 1943 for opposing the government's policies. In prison, Toda devoted himself to the practice and study of Nichiren Buddhism, gaining a profound grasp of its principles. His efforts brought him to a clear realization that Buddhahood is a potential inherent in all life, and deepened his confidence that all people could manifest this enlightened life condition through practicing Nichiren's teachings.
On
his release from prison at the end of the Second World War, Toda began
to reconstruct the collapsed Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, renaming it the Soka
Gakkai (Society for the Creation of Value). Toda taught that through
Buddhist practice and inner-motivated change, or "human revolution,"
all people can change their destiny for the better. This message
resonated powerfully among the many people suffering from poverty,
illness and other challenges in the chaos of postwar Japan. Moreover,
Toda's unshakable confidence in the power of Nichiren's philosophy and
his ability to translate the profound concepts of Buddhism into
practical guidance for daily life re-ignited people's hope and courage.
By the time of his death in 1958 Toda had built an organization of
nearly one million members and laid the foundation for the dramatic
spread of Nichiren Buddhism in Japan and abroad.
Toda is also remembered for his uncompromising stance against nuclear weapons,
which he termed an absolute evil that threatens people's inalienable
right to life. He urged the youth members of the Soka Gakkai to work for
the abolition of nuclear weapons. This stance, which he declared in
1957, is considered the inspiration for the SGI's peace activities. In
honour of Toda's ideals, his successor, SGI President Ikeda, founded the
Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research. The institute
brings peace researchers, policy-makers and community activists together
on projects related to peace-building and dialogue among civilizations.
This is a film from 1963 I had some fun with. First of all it tells the story of Taro, a boy in the fifth grade. It shows his life in 196...
