This series highlights how Buddhism can enhance daily living. As Nichiren Daishonin says: “When the skies are clear, the ground is illuminated. Similarly, when one knows the Lotus Sutra, one understands the meaning of all worldly affairs.”[1]
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiered in Vienna two centuries ago, on May 7, 1824. It is said that the 53-year-old Beethoven, having lost most of his hearing by then, was facing the orchestra and had to be turned around to notice the audience’s explosive applause.[2]
The famed choral section, “Ode to Joy,” is based on Friedrich von Schiller’s poem, which Beethoven had determined to set to music when in his early 20s.
It wasn’t until 30 years later, just three years before his death, that he accomplished this goal. This symphony expresses the theme of Beethoven’s life—“through suffering to joy.”[3]
As a child, his father forced him to practice piano all day, hoping his son would become a great musician. His father’s lessons were harsh. Comforted by his mother’s warm encouragement, he made significant progress. But she died from illness when he was 16. Despite his grief, Beethoven pushed through, working as an organist and music teacher to support his poverty-stricken family.
At 21, he moved to Vienna, where he began gaining recognition for his musical talents. But in his 30s, his hearing began to decline. He sought treatment to no avail. By his mid-40s, he communicated with others by having them write on a notepad.
Yet he remained resolute, channeling his struggles and frustrations into the force for lifelong growth in his art. In a letter to a friend, he wrote, “I am far from satisfied with my past works: from today onwards I will turn over a new leaf.”[4]
Beethoven always strove to improve as a musician. All told, he composed more than 700 musical pieces.
Always From This Moment Onward
Buddhism teaches the spirit of living from this moment onward. Nichiren Daishonin wrote:
Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. How could this be anything other than the boundless joy of the Law?[5]
This passage reminds us to both acknowledge the challenges in front of us and revel in the joys of life. It teaches the importance of being in the moment and consistently chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo through everything. Chanting helps us elevate our life condition and perceive our sufferings as opportunities for growth, enabling us to experience limitless joy rising from within. Ikeda Sensei elaborates:
Those who want to grow face storms of difficulties. They struggle because they are growing. It may be painful at such times, but having problems and struggles is proof of one’s growth.
As long as we win over our sufferings, rouse our courage and keep pressing ahead, we can grow to no end. We can even change our destiny. Both we and our families will be filled with great hope and joy.[6]
Grounded in our Buddhist practice, we can bring forth the powerful life force to not only survive but to thrive, composing beautiful masterpieces of triumph that can empower and inspire hope in those around us and in many generations to come.
—Prepared by the SGI-USA Study Department
July 19, 2024, World Tribune, p. 10
References
- “The Object of Devotion for Observing the Mind,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 376. ↩︎
- Rainbow of Hope, pp. 73–79. ↩︎
- Translated from German, “Durch Leiden Freude” (From a letter to Countess Erdödy), dated October 1815. ↩︎
- Ludwig van Beethoven, Beethoven: Letters, Journals and Conversations, ed. and trans. Michael Hamburger (London: Thames and Hudson, 1951), p. 54. ↩︎
- “Happiness in This World,” WND-1, 681. ↩︎
- Rainbow of Hope, pp. 78–79. ↩︎
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