CategoryBuddhist Study

“Shakyamuni Buddha refused to entrust the mission of propagation to any of these people and gave it instead to the Bodhisattvas of the Earth. Thus these bodhisattvas are the ones who had thoroughly forged their resolve.” (“General Stone Tiger,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 953) The passage above from Nichiren Daishonin’s writing

The following excerpt, adapted from The Human Revolution, takes place on March 30, 1958, just a few days before second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda’s passing. Shin’ichi Yamamoto (SGI President Ikeda’s character in the novel) reports to his mentor about having to call out the Nichiren Shoshu’s chief instructor of acolytes (young boys training to

Every aspect of our Buddhist practice—faith, practice and study—creates causes that give rise to happiness, benefit and fortune in our lives. In Nichiren Buddhism, any positive outcome or gain that results from our practice is called a benefit (kudoku in Japanese), which can also be translated as “blessing,” “merit” or “virtue.” Fundamentally, benefits in Buddhism

Great evil portends the arrival of great good. If all of Jambudvipa [the entire world] were to be thrown into chaos, there could be no doubt that [this sutra would] “be widely propagated throughout Jambudvipa.” (“The Kalpa of Decrease,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1122) People’s ideals and philosophies determine a society’s

The following article is based on a lecture given at the recent North America and Oceania Study Conference (see pp. 6–8). Since the Soka Gakkai’s beginnings in 1930, its members have continued spreading the practice and ideals of Nichiren Buddhism in order to help people overcome misery and suffering, and become happy. The Nichiren Shoshu

This article is adapted from the booklet An Introduction to Buddhism, which serves as the study material for the SGI-USA Introductory Exam being administered throughout the nation on Sept. 29. A famous passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin states, “I, Nichiren, have inscribed my life in sumi ink, so believe in the Gohonzon with

When we revere Myoho-renge-kyo inherent in our own life as the object of devotion, the Buddha nature within us is summoned forth and manifested by our chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This is what is meant by “Buddha.” To illustrate, when a caged bird sings, birds who are flying in the sky are thereby summoned and gather

In the following excerpt from volume 24 of The New Human Revolution, at a Jan. 15, 1977, Soka Gakkai Study Department meeting, Shin’ichi Yamamoto (depicting SGI President Ikeda) talks about the original role of priests in Buddhism and how the Soka Gakkai today is fulfilling both the role of priests and laity. Buddhism began originally

The following is an excerpt from SGI President Ikeda’s lecture on Nichiren Daishonin’s writing “The Supremacy of the Law,” addressing the concept of “true cause” and the importance of always strengthening our faith. So long as one maintains firm faith, one is certain to receive the great protection of the gods. I say this for

“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’?” (“The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 385) Kosen-rufu—the spread and establishment

The very essence of Nichiren Buddhism is the way of mentor and disciple. In Buddhism, mentors convey to their disciples their goal of leading all people to absolute happiness in order to create a society of harmony and peace. And they teach their disciples how to accomplish this goal. Everything in this mentor-disciple relationship hinges

When obstacles and hardships arise in our lives, how do we respond? Some people may try to avoid struggles. Others get stopped in their tracks, not knowing how to proceed. There are various responses, of course. As Buddhists, we strive to courageously face hardships head-on. Nichiren Daishonin teaches that in the course of revealing our

“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like the roar of a lion. What sickness can therefore be an obstacle? (“Reply to Kyo’o,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 412) Sometimes in life, we fall ill or something else happens that interferes with our happiness. These are the times when we need to recall Nichiren Daishonin’s declaration: “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

An essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra is that anyone at any time can become a Buddha. Buddhas are not deities who dwell in faraway places or special people who have dedicated a certain number of years to Buddhist practice. Rather, a Buddha is an ordinary individual who has awakened to the reality that they

What is the ultimate purpose of practicing Nichiren Buddhism? It is for each practitioner to reveal our highest potential, our Buddhahood, throughout our lives, and to become happy. And the way to do this is to consistently carry out correct Buddhist practice, spread the joys and benefits of this practice, and to swiftly and boldly

As discussed in last month’s study article “The Dynamic Practice of Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” (see May 10, 2019, World Tribune, p. 9), there are many ways to explain the meaning and significance of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. And although we may not fully understand its meaning, we can still accumulate great benefit and fortune from establishing a daily practice

“If you care anything about your personal security, you should first of all pray for order and tranquillity throughout the four quarters of the land, should you not?” (“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 24). In the above passage, Nichiren Daishonin clarifies

The Soka Gakkai has diligently spread throughout the world the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. This practice aims to tear down barriers of discrimination, hatred, self-centeredness and suffering, and enable people to develop genuine happiness based on the Lotus Sutra’s teaching of equality and respect for the dignity of all life. Soka Gakkai members have endured

In the following excerpts, which are from The New Human Revolution, vol. 4, pp. 115–19, Shin’ichi Yamamoto (the character depicting SGI President Ikeda in the novel) turns to passages from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings to reflect on the meaning of making offerings in Buddhism. Shin’ichi [Yamamoto] opened his copy of Nichiren [Daishonin’s] writings. He wanted to

The following is an excerpt from SGI President Ikeda’s “Life Is Wonderful” essay series, which originally appeared in the May 29, 2004, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper. The excerpted version appears in the book The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace: Part 2, pp. 198–200. “Thank you” is a miraculous