District Discussion Meeting Material

The following presentation is adapted from The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2, Installment 11.4 (on sokaglobal.org). The numbered boxes correspond to the PowerPoint slides for the April 2022 discussion meeting. The complete PowerPoint and script can be found at sgi-usa.org/monthly-downloads.

1) KEY POINTS

1) The principle of “cherry, plum, peach and damson” teaches that through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sharing Buddhism we can joyfully discover how to live true to ourselves and fulfill our unique mission.

2) Our efforts to engage in our human revolution are vital in this process.

3) Nichiren Buddhism teaches the importance of respecting diversity while working together to create a harmonious society; it can serve as a guiding philosophy to create genuine peace.

2) SEVEN INDICATORS OF HUMAN REVOLUTION

1)  Health
2) Youthfulness
3) Good Fortune
4) Wisdom
5) Passion
6) Conviction
7) Victory

3) HEALTH AND YOUTHFULNESS

“We should always chant earnestly for health and strive to profoundly align our lives with the fundamental rhythm of the universe.”

•   •   •

“Striving energetically in our Buddhist practice and continuing tirelessly to polish and develop ourselves will keep us from losing our spiritual youthfulness.”

—Ikeda Sensei, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2, p. 12 (11.4)

4) GOOD FORTUNE AND WISDOM

“By continuing to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, dedicating ourselves to kosen-rufu, and triumphing as Buddhists in our daily lives, we adorn ourselves and our families with good fortune.”

•   •   •

“To strive to perfect ourselves as human beings and grow into effective leaders of society, we must polish our wisdom and intellect.”

—Ikeda Sensei, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2, pp. 12–13 (11.4)

5) PASSION AND CONVICTION

“Genuine practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism burn with a passionate commitment for kosen-rufu that invigorates their lives.”

•   •   •

“Human revolution is a brilliant reflection of our firm belief (conviction). Without a philosophy for living and firm convictions, we are like a ship without a compass.”

—Ikeda Sensei, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2, p. 13 (11.4)

6) VICTORY AND COMPASSION, THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION UNDERLYING ALL SEVEN QUALITIES

“Buddhism is a struggle to be victorious. Human revolution is achieved by accomplishing one victory after another.”

—Ikeda Sensei, The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 2, p. 13 (11.4)

•   •   •

Sensei explains that underlying all seven indicators of human revolution is the essential element of compassion. Because it can be hard to bring forth compassion, acting with courage is the best way to manifest compassion.

Suggested Questions:
1) How can we continue working on our human revolution throughout our lives?
2) Can you share a time when you transformed a conflict that developed into a deeper Among the seven indicators of human revolution, is there a particular one that you have experienced?

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OPTION #2: Faith for a Harmonious Family

“Faith for a harmonious family” is one of the eternal guidelines of the Soka Gakkai. Naturally, some members may be the only ones in their families practicing Nichiren Buddhism. I am well aware of how difficult that can be.

In my youth, wishing for the happiness of my family, I chanted earnestly for my father to follow my mother’s lead and become a Soka Gakkai member as well. Sensing my ardent wish to share Buddhism with my father, my mentor, Josei Toda, said to me at that time:

The important thing is that you stand up with strong faith. A big, magnificent umbrella can shelter many people all at once. In the same way, if one family member starts striving in faith, that person can protect the entire family. The benefit and good fortune you obtain through the wholehearted efforts you are making in your Buddhist practice will also be transmitted to your father. In his heart, he is already a Soka Gakkai member. I’m sure he’s quietly supporting you and also very proud of you.

Indeed, my father always took a warm interest in the efforts I was making for kosen-rufu alongside Mr. Toda. (June 2015 Living Buddhism, p. 31)

•   •   •

Mr. Toda’s guideline of “faith for a harmonious family” articulates one of our crucial goals as practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism.

Mr. Toda also said that we mustn’t allow our Buddhist practice to become a source of conflict in our family. Sincerity is of prime importance. We must always be sincere and respectful in our dealings with others. We must take the lead by being positive, cheerful and optimistic ourselves, and have the wisdom and compassion to warmly support and embrace those around us. Our continued efforts to cultivate such harmonious relations in our environment are the key to victory in faith, and they shine with the wisdom of Buddhism.

When our individual human and family revolutions give fresh prominence to the Lotus Sutra’s teaching that all of us are Buddhas deserving of the highest respect, it will be possible to realize a fundamental change in the karma of our strife-ridden times. Eventually, this hope-filled philosophy will envelop the evil latter age in a warm current of compassion, and a great light of humanism will spread throughout society and the world. (The Teachings for Victory, vol. 3, p. 25)

—Adapted from the August 2018 Daibyakurenge, pp. 92–95

Suggested Questions:
1) What aspects of your family relationships would you like to improve?
2) What does “faith for a harmonious family” look like to you?

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OPTION #3: Prosperity Comes to Those Who Make Good Causes

“Just as flowers open up and bear fruit, just as the moon appears and invariably grows full, just as a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added, and just as plants and trees flourish with rain, so will human beings never fail to prosper when they make good causes.” —“The Third Day of the New Year,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1013

Background

In January 1280, Nichiren Daishonin sent a letter of appre-ciation to his young disciple Nanjo Tokimitsu for his gifts of rice cakes, sake and fruit. He assures Tokimitsu that his good causes will bring about good effects, just as naturally as “a lamp becomes brighter when oil is added.”

Tokimitsu was in his early 20s, striving tirelessly to spread Nichiren’s teachings and protect his fellow believers amid intense persecution by local authorities. Tokimitsu repeatedly sent Nichiren money, food and clothing to support him despite his own difficulties. The longer Nichiren lived, the more he could teach people about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Sharing Buddhism with others is the best cause and the ultimate manifestation of courage and compassion. Sometimes, it is not the easiest action to take, but in challenging ourselves to make such causes, we will never fail to prosper.

Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance

Those who make the best possible causes in their lives through working for kosen-rufu will never fail to enjoy immeasurable good fortune and benefit. Such are the workings of the law of cause and effect in life.

How admirable are the efforts of those who strive tirelessly day after day for the happiness of others and the peace and prosperity of society! They are certain to achieve lives of brilliant victory. (August 9, 2013, World Tribune, p. 3)

•   •   •

Just as softly falling snow steadily accumulates, our sincere faith will not fail to produce good causes that impart benefit to our lives. People of strong faith are certain to triumph and flourish in the end. Nichiren Buddhism teaches that they will enjoy boundless good fortune throughout the three existences of past, present and future, and lead lives of both spiritual and material happiness. This is all determined by our faith. That’s why it’s important to be serious and steadfast in faith.

The Buddha is described as “One Who Can Endure.” It is by enduring and overcoming the challenges of kosen-rufu and the misconceptions of those around us that we become eternal victors.

Another name for the Buddha is “Hero of the World.” Those who bravely fight and win as heroic individuals in society committed to freeing people from suffering are Buddhas. (February 8, 2019, World Tribune, p. 2)

Suggested Questions:
1) What kinds of good causes have you been making recently?
2) How has your life developed since starting your Buddhist practice?