“Showing profound compassion for those unable to comprehend the gem of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, the Buddha wrapped it within the five characters [of Myoho-renge-kyo], with which he then adorned the necks of the ignorant people of the latter age.” (“The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 376)
Background
The Buddhist principle of “three thousand realms in a single moment of life” teaches that all phenomena exist in our lives, at each moment, and that everything can be transformed into goodness. In other words, life has infinite possibilities.
Before Nichiren, there was a complex meditation practice to attain Buddhahood. Considerable ability was required to perform that practice, however, and it wasn’t for everyone. Thus, ordinary people couldn’t grasp the concept of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.
Nichiren taught that the Buddha had wrapped “the gem of the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life” in the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo, which Nichiren inscribed on the Gohonzon. He thus gave us a practical tool for bringing out our Buddhahood.
“Adorned the necks of the ignorant people of the latter age” means that he established a practice that made it possible for ordinary people to manifest their Buddha nature, just as they are. This practice is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon for oneself and others.
In the SGI, we strive to follow Nichiren’s spirit of willingly devoting our lives to enabling all people to attain Buddhahood. By fulfilling this mission we can gain unlimited power from our practice.
Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance
Now more than ever I wish that people throughout the world today might savor to their hearts’ content the compassionate light of Buddhism and bring great benefit to bloom in their lives. There is no need to hold back; there is nothing to stand in our way.
The Gohonzon exists to enable us to become happy; it exists to enable all people to become happy.
It is our mission as Soka Gakkai members to make it possible for people throughout the world to savor fully the benefit of the Buddhism of the Sun that Nichiren Daishonin left for us. (A Foundation for Your Life, pp. 40–41)
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