April-June 2012, Volume 39(PDF)
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REFLECTIONS The True Way to Liberation by Nichiko Niwano Nichiko Niwano is president of When we are aware of the happiness we enjoy, and give Rissho Kosei-kai and a president of thanks for it, our awareness of the bounty of blessings the World Conference of Religions we receive is itself a true path to liberation. for Peace. He also serves as special advisor to Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations Generally speaking, when we encoun- nothing other than what directs us to of Japan). ter some diffi culty and feel worried or the basis of faith. Also, “a true way of anxious, we ask the gods and the bud- liberation” is an important part of our dhas for some kind of help, as refl ected members’ vow, demonstrating a distin- in the saying, “Any port in a storm.” guishing feature of Rissho Kosei-kai and still living beings.” Becoming awakened Regarding this matter, in chapter 16 the very spirit of the Lotus Sutra. and delusion are like two sides of the of the Lotus Sutra, “Th e Eternal Life of same coin. In other words, the Buddha the Tathagata,” Shakyamuni says: “Ever Toward Living and a living being are also opposite sides making this my thought: ‘How can I with Gratitude of the same coin, existing as one in a make living beings / Obtain entry into single individual, and once we open our the unsurpassable Way / And quickly When we hear the phrase “recognize in eyes to this fact, then and there we fi nd accomplish embodiment as buddhas?’” Buddhism a true way of liberation,” it a way to liberation. Here, the meaning of the scripture is may seem to describe something very When we are fully aware of this fact, that the Buddha always wants to some- diffi cult, but actually the meaning can a lifestyle of wanting things—“I want how lead everyone to the Way of the be understood by anyone. this,” “I wish I had that”—changes to a Buddha, have everyone quickly reach When we are aware of the happi- lifestyle of being grateful for all things— the realm of the Buddha, and thereby ness we are already receiving, accept “Th ank you,” “It’s all thanks to you.” attain true happiness. it gratefully and give thanks for it, our Shakyamuni teaches us that “In Simply put, the Buddha always wishes awareness of the bounty of blessings the world, everything does not hap- to liberate us. being bestowed upon us is itself a true pen according to our wishes.” Yet he Th ose seeking liberation may think means to liberation. also teaches us that we can exercise that when their load of suff ering is light- We learn the teaching and in the control over ourselves. Th erefore, even ened, they are being given encourage- course of practicing it, when the words though we change ourselves, we cannot ment to live. But when we look at things “thank you” and “it’s all thanks to you” make others change according to our from the perspective of the Buddha, come naturally from our lips, then we wishes. Buddhism is, aft er all, based who wishes that we all “quickly accom- are being liberated. Nevertheless, since on the realization that every one of us plish embodiment as buddhas,” sim- we human beings are apt to complain must make ourselves the light by mak- ply seeking relief from suff ering is the or grumble at something the very next ing the Dharma our light. wrong direction. day, I think it is important that we make Happiness and liberation are not far Th e reason that the Rissho Kosei- a habit of repeating our study of the away. We are already receiving so much kai Members’ Vow includes the phrase, teaching. happiness, we are already being show- “We recognize in Buddhism a true way A Zen monk once said, “Our own ered with blessings and, when we real- of liberation,” is to lead us to understand hearts are, by nature, the Buddha, and ize this in our daily lives, we see that the meaning as the liberation of oth- when we realize this, we become bud- these gift s exist in our own hearts and ers as well as ourselves, and that this is dhas; but when we are deluded, we are minds. ≥ Dharma World April–June 2012 1 apr.–June 2012 Vol. 39 Buddhist Teachings on Spiritual Liberation 1 by Nichiko Niwano Dharma World presents Buddhism 3 Our Buddha-Nature as a practical living religion and s promotes interreligious dialogue by Norio Sakai for world peace. It espouses views that emphasize the dignity of life, 4 How Buddhist Practice seeks to rediscover our inner nature Grounds Social Action and bring our lives more in accord in a Secular World with it, and investigates causes of by John Makransky how religious principles help solve 8 problems in daily life and how the the Great Liberation: least application of such principles e Long and Short of Karmic R/Evolution around us. It seeks to demonstrate truths that are fundamental to all by Mark Unno religions, truths on which all people 12 What’s Wrong with Me? can act. Resolving the Lack of Self by David R. Loy Publisher: Moriyasu Okabe Executive Director: 16 Jun’ichi Nakazawa and Lotus Sutra Faith in Two Stories by Kenji Miyazawa Director: Kazumasa Murase by Sarah M. Strong Editor: Kazumasa Osaka Editorial Advisors: 21 An Answer to “What Can I Do Right Now?” Miriam Levering, Gene Reeves, by Hitoshi Jin Yoshiaki Sanada, 24 Spiritual Liberation in Contemporary Society by Yifa Michio T. Shinozaki Copy Editors: 27 Japanese Buddhist Responses to the Earthquake and Tsunami William Feuillan, Gary Hoiby, by Miriam Levering DeAnna Satre, Catherine Szolga 32 Learning the Truth through Repetition Katsuyuki Kikuchi, Ryuichi Kaneko, by Ryojun Shionuma Satoe Izawa 34 Natural Disasters and Religion: In Search of an Alternative Kazuyo Okazaki Way of Life by Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne Layout and Design: Abinitio Design 38 Telling the Rest of My Story by Nikkyo Niwano (Satori no Mado) at the temple 40 Social Reform Based on Buddhist Insight—Examining Western Values Genkoan in Kyoto. Photo: PIXTA. Photoshop work by THE THREEFOLD LOTUS SUTRA: A MODERN COMMENTARY Abinitio Design. 44 w Dharma World is published quarterly by Kosei Publishing Company, 2-7-1 Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-8535. E-mail: [email protected]. Copyright © 2012 by Kosei Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Printed in Japan by Komiyama Printing Company. Change of Address: Please provide both old and new addresses. Six weeks’ advance notice is requested. Requests for permission to reprint all or part of any article in this issue must be made in writing to the editor of Dharma World. BUDDHIST TEACHINGS ON SPIRITUAL LIBERATION Our Buddha-Nature Is a Seed That Grows by Norio Sakai “Wonderful! Wonderful! All living beings the gods and the buddhas was the origi- Norio Sakai, former chair of the Board possess the wisdom and the virtuous nal Buddhist attitude. of Trustees of Rissho Kosei-kai in sign of the Tathagata, but they do not My understanding is that true spir- Tokyo, is a consultant to Rissho realize this because of their attachment itual liberation through Buddhism comes Kosei-kai and an international trustee to desires and illusions.” This, it is said, first by thoroughly learning the teach- of the World Conference of Religions was Shakyamuni’s first utterance after ings of the Buddha, and then by prac- for Peace. attaining enlightenment. ticing them in thought, word, and deed. Although it is possible for all liv- More specifically, one must adjust one’s happily practiced giving. He was admired ing beings to attain the same enlight- lifestyle to the Four Noble Truths and and beloved by many people. enment as did the Buddha, their minds the Eightfold Path, among other teach- When people devote themselves to are clouded by delusions, they live wrong- ings. Furthermore, so that not only you, their faith, their nature changes. They ful lives, and they suffer. Shakyamuni, but others, experience happiness, you acquire a cheerful, fully self-confident, realizing this, began a long journey of must also devote yourself to the altru- positive, and devoted nature. This shines more than forty years to liberate all liv- istic practices benefiting others centered through in their facial expressions, their ing beings. Human suffering varies in on the practice of giving, which is one words, and their actions, and their days many ways, as do individuals’ capaci- of the Six Perfections. It is through this change to a life of completeness. Relied ties to understand the teachings. If one that you will first sense the liberation that upon by people, they may be blessed tries to explain the depth of enlighten- Buddhism can bring. All the teachings with good health and income. Yet such ment without any preparation, it will not of Buddhism, including the Four Noble benefits of this world should not be the be easily understood. On the contrary, it Truths and the Six Perfections, teach us objective, since they will appear natu- might even bring on delusions and suffer- to rise above profit and loss, to be like rally as one seriously walks the path of ing. With this in mind, through instruc- the Buddha. the Dharma. tion in suitable, appropriate steps (skillful Buddhism is not just about unre- When we are blessed with material means) to liberate each and every person, warded effort, and the exact opposite things or when we have our selfish desires Shakyamuni expounded many teachings is true. Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of satisfied, we do not feel true happiness.