‘The True Aspect of All Phenomena’

“There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku.” (WND-1, 385)

COMMENTARY

In a statement quite ahead of its time, Nichiren decries any discrimination among the men and women who propagate Buddhism. Regardless of gender or social status, everyone is worthy of supreme respect.

It’s not easy to spread the Mystic Law in the Latter Day in which we live, an age of confusion and quarrels. Yet the Bodhisattvas of the Earth take on this task on their own initiative, ready to do what it takes despite the adversity. When he writes, “Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku,” he points to the deep karmic relationship we have with Buddhism.

All members who continually take part in SGI activities are fulfilling the vow of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. When we become truly awakened to that mission, we can bring forth the great power inherent in our lives. As we continue to chant and share Buddhism with our friends, we open a path to happiness for ourselves and usher in an age of hope and respect for the world.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

PASSAGE 2

“At first only Nichiren chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, but then two, three, and a hundred followed, chanting and teaching others. Propagation will unfold this way in the future as well. Does this not signify ‘emerging from the earth’? At the time when the Law has spread far and wide, the entire Japanese nation will chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target.

But now you must build your reputation on the Lotus Sutra and give yourself up to it.” (WND-1, 385)

COMMENTARY

It all started with one person. But after Nichiren started to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, others soon joined in. They not only chanted and received benefit themselves, but they also began to share this practice with others. One person awakening to their mission will awaken another and another, on into the future. This principle will never change. Kosen-rufu is achieved by expanding the ranks of those who feel a sense of mission for peace and the happiness of others. As Nichiren writes, “Does this not signify ‘emerging from the earth’?”

He then shares his conviction that the Law will spread far and wide “as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target.” Just as he wrote, a network of good has spread throughout the world, thanks to SGI members everywhere who share Nichiren’s conviction. There is no nobler life than fulfilling the great vow of kosen-rufu. Following the footsteps of our mentor, let’s awaken to and fulfill our noble mission as Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

PASSAGE 3

“I cannot hold back my tears when I think of the great persecution confronting me now, or when I think of the joy of attaining Buddhahood in the future. Birds and crickets cry, but never shed tears. I, Nichiren, do not cry, but my tears flow ceaselessly. I shed my tears not for worldly affairs but solely for the sake of the Lotus Sutra. So, indeed, they must be tears of amrita.” (WND-1, 386)

COMMENTARY

We’ve all cried tears of happiness or sadness. Nichiren writes, “My tears flow ceaselessly.” For Nichiren, these tears symbolize his overwhelming sense of joy to have “read” the Lotus Sutra with his life, to have practiced exactly as it teaches. Meeting “great persecution” proves to Nichiren that he is a Bodhisattva of the Earth living as the sutra taught and that he will doubtless attain enlightenment.

His are not tears for worldly affairs but tears of compassion for the people in the Latter Day. He describes them as “tears of amrita.” Amrita is a legendary, ambrosia-like liquid that was thought to rain down from heaven when the world became peaceful. In a sense, he’s saying that his compassion “rains down” on all people.

Just prior to this passage, he writes, “I feel immeasurable delight even though I am now an exile,” an extraordinary statement that reveals an extraordinary life condition, a state of life in which he’s willing to face any obstacle for the sake of others. For us, we demonstrate our own extraordinary life condition when we share Buddhism with our friends for the sake of their happiness. This is the SGI spirit and the essence of faith.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department

PASSAGE 4

“Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.” (WND-1, 386)

COMMENTARY

The key to bringing out our Buddha nature and becoming truly happy is to strengthen our faith. And to strengthen our faith, Nichiren urges us to strive in the two ways of practice and study. Practice entails practice for oneself and others. This includes chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, reciting the sutra, sharing Buddhism with others and taking part in SGI activities. Study means deepening our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism by reading Nichiren’s writings and our many SGI publications. Through practice and study—without which “there can be no Buddhism”—we can develop deep conviction in our own Buddhahood and thus make it shine.

Nichiren urges us to not only chant ourselves but also teach others. And he encourages us to summon forth courage to share Buddhism “to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase.” We can build a foundation of happiness when we continually challenge ourselves to chant, engage in dialogue and study Nichiren’s writings.

—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department