Nichiren’s philosophy brings peace to the self and the world
After the introduction of Buddhism to China around the 1st century BC, various schools of thought had cropped up. In the 13th century AD, Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist sage and philosopher of Japan, having studied all the existing Buddhist texts and sutras for over 14 years, upheld the Lotus Sutra as the highest teaching of Buddhism propagated by Gautama Buddha.
Even to this day, Nichiren’s teachings, concepts and guidance hold good in their applicability for resolving problems of daily life from the mundane to the most complex.
Nichiren’s philosophy of Buddhism is based on interpretation of the teachings of Gautama Buddha that lead to empowerment of the self rather than reliance on supernatural or external forces to alleviate life’s problems through appeasement and rituals.
With the Law of Causality (Cause and Effect) and emphasis on humanism with genuine compassion from ones heart as the basis, Buddhism is a vibrant philosophy of what life is all about. It is a philosophy of how every moment of our life ‘ticks’ and what is expected of our behavior as human beings. It teaches equality, respect for life and upholding its dignity for others and self.
Nichiren Daishonin evolved simple means to make people understand the various concepts of Buddhism:
• The Lotus Sutra constitutes the heart of all Buddhism.
• Buddha-hood is an enlightened state of mind, which all persons are capable of achieving. He spoke about the vast potential of the human mind, realisation of which empowers one to challenge and alleviate ones problems without reliance on any supernatural or external source.
• The workings of the universe are all subject to a single principle or Law. By understanding that Law, one can unlock the hidden potential in ones life and achieve perfect harmony with the self and the environment around oneself.
• The universal Law is defined as “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.”
• All phenomena are subject to a strict principle of cause and effect and the present state of one’s life is a summation of all the causes one has himself made.
• By chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” with a strong conviction and faith in the universal Law, one creates the most fundamental cause to offset negative effects from the past and lead to absolute happiness.
On negative aspects Nichiren taught, that a life ruled by greed, anger, ignorance, envy, arrogance and ingratitude can never lead to a happy fulfilling life, no matter how much material and social status one may acquire. Surprisingly, Nichiren did not espouse renouncing material gains and worldly possessions provided their acquisition was not a source of unhappiness for others.
THE WORKING OF THE LAW
When, one chants ‘Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” in rhythm with the cosmic Law; fusion of the Law latent deep within one’s self with the ultimate Law of all phenomena results. Such fusion enables one to draw forth ones innate enlightenment or wisdom and empowers one to face the challenges of life head on, rather than be subdued by adversities. Deep faith is the key.
It is pertinent to point out that chanting the mantra is no magical panacea for one’s problems. Nichiren’s philosophy is based on reason and rationale rather than on blind faith. In Nichiren’s philosophy, happiness does not mean absence of problems; as per him “Never let life’s hardship disturb you. After all no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.”
Compassion for Nicheren’s followers connotes rising beyond the self, to reach out to offer support and encouragement to those suffering till the end of their travails and earnestly praying for them.
The beauty of this practice lies in the fact that, one is neither required to undergo any change of name or religion, nor restricted from performing any other religious social obligations. One is not put through any ritualistic initiation ceremony either.
Over 12 million people across 190 countries practise Nichiren’s Buddhist philosophy today. This has been brought about mainly through unrelenting efforts of Dr. Daisaku Ikeda the third president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a non profit organisation of lay believers with its headquarters in Japan committed to promoting peace, culture, and education in the world, through the practice of the Buddhist philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin.
It will be of interest to know that many leading world celebrities are practicing members of the SGI.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda has been honoured with over 250 doctorates and fellowships awarded by leading universities across the world. He is recipient of the UN Peace Prize awarded in recognition of his efforts towards abolishment of nuclear weapons.
It is a philosophy for all as human beings to practice and lead a life of true humanism, true compassion, lasting joy and empowerment through value creation in one’s life and of others thereby enhancing society.
After the introduction of Buddhism to China around the 1st century BC, various schools of thought had cropped up. In the 13th century AD, Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist sage and philosopher of Japan, having studied all the existing Buddhist texts and sutras for over 14 years, upheld the Lotus...
After the introduction of Buddhism to China around the 1st century BC, various schools of thought had cropped up. In the 13th century AD, Nichiren Daishonin, a Buddhist sage and philosopher of Japan, having studied all the existing Buddhist texts and sutras for over 14 years, upheld the Lotus Sutra as the highest teaching of Buddhism propagated by Gautama Buddha.
Even to this day, Nichiren’s teachings, concepts and guidance hold good in their applicability for resolving problems of daily life from the mundane to the most complex.
Nichiren’s philosophy of Buddhism is based on interpretation of the teachings of Gautama Buddha that lead to empowerment of the self rather than reliance on supernatural or external forces to alleviate life’s problems through appeasement and rituals.
With the Law of Causality (Cause and Effect) and emphasis on humanism with genuine compassion from ones heart as the basis, Buddhism is a vibrant philosophy of what life is all about. It is a philosophy of how every moment of our life ‘ticks’ and what is expected of our behavior as human beings. It teaches equality, respect for life and upholding its dignity for others and self.
Nichiren Daishonin evolved simple means to make people understand the various concepts of Buddhism:
• The Lotus Sutra constitutes the heart of all Buddhism.
• Buddha-hood is an enlightened state of mind, which all persons are capable of achieving. He spoke about the vast potential of the human mind, realisation of which empowers one to challenge and alleviate ones problems without reliance on any supernatural or external source.
• The workings of the universe are all subject to a single principle or Law. By understanding that Law, one can unlock the hidden potential in ones life and achieve perfect harmony with the self and the environment around oneself.
• The universal Law is defined as “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.”
• All phenomena are subject to a strict principle of cause and effect and the present state of one’s life is a summation of all the causes one has himself made.
• By chanting “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” with a strong conviction and faith in the universal Law, one creates the most fundamental cause to offset negative effects from the past and lead to absolute happiness.
On negative aspects Nichiren taught, that a life ruled by greed, anger, ignorance, envy, arrogance and ingratitude can never lead to a happy fulfilling life, no matter how much material and social status one may acquire. Surprisingly, Nichiren did not espouse renouncing material gains and worldly possessions provided their acquisition was not a source of unhappiness for others.
THE WORKING OF THE LAW
When, one chants ‘Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” in rhythm with the cosmic Law; fusion of the Law latent deep within one’s self with the ultimate Law of all phenomena results. Such fusion enables one to draw forth ones innate enlightenment or wisdom and empowers one to face the challenges of life head on, rather than be subdued by adversities. Deep faith is the key.
It is pertinent to point out that chanting the mantra is no magical panacea for one’s problems. Nichiren’s philosophy is based on reason and rationale rather than on blind faith. In Nichiren’s philosophy, happiness does not mean absence of problems; as per him “Never let life’s hardship disturb you. After all no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.”
Compassion for Nicheren’s followers connotes rising beyond the self, to reach out to offer support and encouragement to those suffering till the end of their travails and earnestly praying for them.
The beauty of this practice lies in the fact that, one is neither required to undergo any change of name or religion, nor restricted from performing any other religious social obligations. One is not put through any ritualistic initiation ceremony either.
Over 12 million people across 190 countries practise Nichiren’s Buddhist philosophy today. This has been brought about mainly through unrelenting efforts of Dr. Daisaku Ikeda the third president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a non profit organisation of lay believers with its headquarters in Japan committed to promoting peace, culture, and education in the world, through the practice of the Buddhist philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin.
It will be of interest to know that many leading world celebrities are practicing members of the SGI.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda has been honoured with over 250 doctorates and fellowships awarded by leading universities across the world. He is recipient of the UN Peace Prize awarded in recognition of his efforts towards abolishment of nuclear weapons.
It is a philosophy for all as human beings to practice and lead a life of true humanism, true compassion, lasting joy and empowerment through value creation in one’s life and of others thereby enhancing society.
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