NICHIREN BUDDHISM

“If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must perceive the mystic truth that is originally inherent in all living beings.  The truth is Myoho-renge-kyo.  Chanting (Nam) Myoho-renge-kyo will therefore enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life.”

                                             Nichiren Daishonin

                           “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime”

                          “The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,” VOL 1

“Ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny.  It may seem to us that our fate is predetermined, whether by our genes or by our environment.  What really matters, however, is how we improve ourselves from this moment forward, how we change the circumstances that we find ourselves in.  This enormous transformative force is what Buddhism is all about.  In this struggle lies the source of never-ending youth and vitality.”

                            Soka Gakkai International President

                                           Daisaku Ikeda

"Our Nichiren Buddhism practice stems from the belief that each of us already processes the innate vitality, compassion and wisdom needed to live a fulfilling, contributive life.  True happiness is not found in our ever-changing circumstances but is cultivated from within, through forging and maintaining a vibrant state of life in which, undaunted by hardship, we can transform any circumstance into one of joy and benefit to ourselves and our loved ones.

All beings and their environments share a common thread - the essential Law of life and the universe.  The interrelation of all things means that the inner transformation of an individual through awakening to this Law can positively affect his or her environment – including people and circumstances both near and far.  This process reveals the inherent power and dignity of each human life as a building block for lasting peace.

The Law that permeates all life and the universe revealed by Nichiren is NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO, which translates literally as “devotion to the wonderful Law of the sutra of the lotus blossom.”  Nichiren identified NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO as both the ultimate reality and the life of a Buddha that is at one with this truth.  By chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO with confidence in our innate Buddhahood, we can dispel delusion about the limits of our happiness and reveal our inherent strength, wisdom and compassion.  Through chanting, studying Buddhist philosophy and taking action daily for the well being of others, we can establish the state of absolute happiness in which we can make each moment of our lives joyful and meaningful while creating peace in our families and communities.

People that practice Nichiren Buddhism in 190 countries around the world, all belong to an organization called SGI – “value creating society.”  SGI was started in 1930 and continues today under the guidance of President Daisaku Ikeda.

Based on the humanistic principals of Nichiren Buddhism, President Ikeda has founded the Soka School System, which includes universities in Japan and America.  He is also the founder of the Toda Peace institute, The Boston Research Century for the 21st Century, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum and much more.  He is the author of numerous books that have been translated into many languages and he has received worldwide recognition for his peace efforts.”

             Quoted directly from “The Winning Life” an SGI publication.

For additional information regarding SGI, and Nichiren Buddhism,
please see our fabulous website…www.sgi-usa.org.