GLOBALLY
«[Nichiren Daishonin declared]:
“In the compound kambotsu, the element kan [or kam], or ‘encouragement,’ refers to the conversion of others, while the element botsu (or hotsu), or ‘initiate,’ refers to one’s own practice.”
In other words, ‘encouragement’ (kambotsu) means rousing faith ourselves and, with the joyous life state we attain through doing so, urging others to practice as well. This is truly a process of life-to-life inspiration. […]
When our lives abound with exuberant joy, we can awaken and draw forth the Buddha nature in others. Our compassionate concern for their well-being gives rise to infinite wisdom.
Sincere, heartfelt encouragement is also important. The first step toward realizing kosen-rufu is encouraging those around us.»[1]
LOCALLY
Who said that it would not be possible to celebrate a bright General Meeting during the lockdown period? The SGEs discussion groups have proved throughout the month of May that this was possible, exceeding all expectations. This group from Valencia worked together to additionally make a banner that turned out to be a magnificent example of unity in diversity, as the Buddhist expression “many in body, one in mind” (itai-doshin) encapsulates, as well as that of the spirit of “protagonists of joy”, which gave name to these revolutionary commemorative meetings.
(Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com)
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
I pursued my studies because I wanted to […] save the people to whom I am indebted. It seems to me that on the path to attain Buddhahood it may invariably be when one has done something like lay down one’s life that one becomes a Buddha.
(Passage from WND-1, 202; “Banishment to Sado”).
«By opening the way for his own enlightenment, the Daishonin wished to open the path to enlightenment for all people of the Latter Day of the Law. For that, he says, is the way to repay his gratitude to those to whom he is indebted. The persecutions he endured were also none other than the result of his efforts to open the great path to universal enlightenment. There can be no doubt about this.
Kosen-rufu is an eternal spiritual struggle with the devil king of the sixth heaven, who tries to control, dominate, and oppress people’s lives. That’s why the Daishonin says that on the path to attaining Buddhahood, one becomes a Buddha when one strives with the spirit to “lay down one’s life”. When we bravely face the difficulties we encounter, we are able to display lionlike courage, immeasurable wisdom, and boundless compassion. In other words, we reveal the life state of Buddhahood. […]
The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955) deplored how in modern times people had lost their way in life:
On the one hand, to live is something which each one does of himself and for himself. On the other hand, if that life of mine, which only concerns myself, is not directed by me towards something, it will be disjointed, lacking in tension and in “form.” In these years we are witnessing the gigantic spectacle of innumerable human lives wandering about lost in their own labyrinths, through not having anything to which to give themselves.
Even today, many are trapped in what Ortega describes as a labyrinth of egoism. […] We of the Soka Gakkai, however, have a lofty goal to which we devote our lives—kosen-rufu.»[2]
PERSPECTIVE
How to live fully? According to Nichiren Buddhism, this goal –of unfolding our limitless potential– does not mean undertaking obligations: in contrast, a persona can lead a fulfilling life when recognizing one’s unique mission (in Japanese, shimei, which literally means “to use one’s life”) and living committed to it until the end, based on the conviction that each moment can be the last one. In this context, such expressions as “dept for gratitude” or “give one’s life” might sound narrow or alienating in the first place, but, in fact, they aim to a life full of riches, personality, and freedom specific to those who cultivate “the treasures of the heart.”[3]
KEYWORDS
The path to attain Buddhahood · Gratitude · Lofty goal · Devote one’s life |
[1] ↑ See this issue, «The Student Division (2/3)».
[2] ↑ See this issue, «The Student Division (3/3)».
[3] ↑ See The Three Kinds of Treasure, WND I, p. 892.