Gongyo—which includes reciting portions of the “Expedient Means” and “Life Span of the Thus Come One” chapters of the Lotus Sutra morning and evening—is part of daily practice for Nichiren Buddhists. This series carries Ikeda Sensei’s explanations of gongyo, section by section. The full text can be found in The Heart of the Lotus Sutra, pp. 43–44.
Sho-i sha ga. Butsu zo shingon. Hyaku sen man noku. Mushu sho butsu. Jin gyo sho-butsu. Muryo doho. Yumyo shojin. Myosho fu mon. Joju jinjin. Mi-zo-u ho. Zui gi sho setsu. Ishu nange.
Literal translation: What is the reason for this? The Buddhas have personally attended a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, a million, a countless number of Buddhas and have fully carried out an immeasurable number of Buddhas’ ways and doctrines. They have exerted themselves bravely and vigorously, and their names are universally known. They have realized the Law that is profound and never known before, and preach it in accordance with what is appropriate, yet their intentions are difficult to understand. (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, p. 56)
Ikeda Sensei
“They have exerted themselves bravely and vigorously, and their names are universally known” refers to the practices of the Buddhas of the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings and the Lotus Sutra’s theoretical teaching. At the same time, it provides an important guideline in faith.
First, “bravely and vigorously” means “with faith.” The Six-Volume Writings by Nichikan cites the interpretation that “‘bravely’ means to act with courage and ‘vigorously’ means to use every ounce of one’s wisdom.” Nichikan explains that “bravely and vigorously” means to courageously exercise one’s powers of faith to the fullest.
Buddhist practice has to be carried out with determination and courage. When we challenge ourselves bravely with the spirit to accomplish more today than yesterday and more tomorrow than today, we are truly practicing. Without such a brave and vigorous spirit, we cannot break the iron shackles of destiny, nor can we defeat obstacles and devils. Our daily prayers are dramas of challenging and creating something new in our lives. When we bravely stand up with faith, the darkness of despair and anxiety vanishes from our hearts and in pours the light of hope and growth. This spirit to stand up courageously is the spirit of faith.
From the standpoint of Nichiren Buddhism, “exert” means to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo diligently for the happiness of oneself and others. We can exert ourselves in this fashion only if we possess a brave and vigorous spirit.
Nichikan, citing Miao-lo’s interpretation of the term “exert” as meaning “pure” and “continuous,” teaches the proper attitude to have in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. He explains that “pure” means unalloyed and that “continuous” means to practice continuously and unceasingly. In other words, the important thing is that we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo each day with sincerity and consistency. Only then does it become the practice for polishing our lives and attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime.
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