Resources for the introduction of SGI-Spain’s discussion meetings
If you happen to meet someone, even though you may feel reluctant to do so, you should acknowledge them. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, greet them with a smile.
↳ Tentative translation of a passage from “Reply to Kawai” in GZ, new edition, page 1952. It is thought that this text, unpublished until now, was written on April 19, 1280. It is either the concluding part of a longer letter, the rest of which has been lost, or a very short letter on its own right.
Most of us have people we get along with well and others we find it hard to deal with. Here, the Daishonin recognises that fact, but says that even when you happen to encounter someone you find challenging, you should have the courage to acknowledge them. (…)
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We don’t know what sort of situation Kawai [the recipient of the letter mentioned above] was in at the time, but we can surmise that the Daishonin is urging him to create a more positive environment, whatever his circumstances, and to overcome his predicament by changing his attitude toward others.
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Whether we change our situation for better or worse depends on our actions, which arise from our attitude and determination. Especially when we treasure and appreciate our relationships with those around us, they in turn will function to support and protect us. The Daishonin teaches that we should interact with others, even those we find difficult, with wisdom and broad-mindedness.
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This accords with reason and is the key to good human relations. (…) Through our steady efforts to enable one person after another to connect to the teaching of the Mystic Law, we can transform our environment into a Buddha land. We are the agents of change—the ones responsible for this transformation—in line with the Buddhist principle of the oneness of life and its environment.[2]
In the lecture from which the above quote and commentary have been extracted from, Daisaku Ikeda deepens even more in our condition as “agents of change” by stating:
Nichiren Buddhism is not a religion of magic or miracles, requiring no effort on our part. It teaches the strict law of cause and effect that governs all life. Each of our experiences of benefit in faith is the product of our daily efforts.
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Always doing our best based on our Buddhist practice is the only way to bring about great change. That’s why it is so important to live in accord with the ultimate law of life and act with wisdom.
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The Lotus Sutra teaches that all living beings possess the Buddha nature. It is a philosophy of respect for the worth and dignity of all. The supreme practice of a Buddhist, therefore, is to respect others’ Buddha nature, just as Bodhisattva Never Disparaging did in showing reverence to everyone he encountered.
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In ‘The Three Kinds of Treasure,’ addressed to Shijo Kingo, the Daishonin writes: “The purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in his behaviour as a human being.”[3]
One of the metaphors found in The Lotus Sutra, and that Daisaku Ikeda mentions in various recent writings is that of the “human flowers.”[4] This image from the discussion group from the centre of Málaga is a good portrait of it: people who appear in it, together with the other six who joined the February discussion meeting from another house, as we have been told, form the most beautiful and fragrant jasmine bouquet. Congratulations!
Mailbox: prensa@ediciones-civilizacionglobal.com
[1] ↑ On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land, WND-1, page 23.
[2] ↑ Extract from the lecture published in this issue in section “Estudio.”
[3] ↑ Ib.
[4] ↑ See for example ib.