Myosetsuji News ISSUE 212 FEBRUARY 1, 2019

NICHIREN SHOSHU TEMPLE FOR THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, EAST CANADA AND TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin On the Occasion of the achieve at any cost with the concert- the Earth, and earnestly devote our- November Kōsen-rufu ed efforts of all of the Nichiren selves to do shakubuku. Shōdai Ceremony Shoshu priesthood and laity. This is the month when Third On this occasion of the November In order to achieve this goal, each High Priest Nichimoku Shonin Kōsen-rufu Shōdai Ceremony, con- of us must first have the awareness passed away. ducted here today at the Head Tem- ple, I would like to express my Nichimoku Shonin was born in the heartfelt appreciation to the large first year of Bunnō (1260) in Hatake number of participants in attend- Village, Ni’ita County of Izu Prov- ance. ince (currently, Hatake of Kannami Town in Shizuoka Prefecture). He As you know, today, Nichiren was born as the fifth child of Ni’ida Shoshu is moving forward, and de- Gorō Shigetsuna. His mother was voting ourselves entirely to practice Ren’a-ni, an elder sister of Nanjō with unity between the priesthood Tokimitsu who offered the land of and laity, based on the spirit of itai Head Temple Taisekiji. dōshin, aiming toward our goal—to achieve a membership of 800,000 According to the Draft of the Hokkeko believers by 2021, when Biographies of Three Masters we will be commemorating the (Goden dodai), Fourth High Priest 800th Anniversary of the advent of Nichido Shonin describes our Founder, Nichiren Daishonin. Nichimoku Shonin as follows: He was in his mother’s womb The establishment of a member- for 12 months. This is like Prince ship of 800,000 Hokkeko believers Shotoku. (Seiten, p. 603) is the vow we pledged in front of the three treasures. This is an extremely and firm determination as a follower It is said that Nichimoku Shonin important goal, which we must and disciple of the Bodhisattvas of (Continued on page 2)

Gosho Quote for February 2019

Attaining Enlightenment at the Initial Stage of Faith Through the Lotus Sutra (Hokke shoshin jōbutsu-shō)

One should strongly teach and make people listen to the teachings of the Lo- tus Sutra. Those who follow and take faith in it will be able to attain enlightenment, and even those who slander it will likewise attain Buddhahood in the end through the poison-drum relationship. The seed of Buddhahood does not exist outside the Lotus Sutra. (Gosho, p. 1316)

PAGE 2 MYOSETSUJI NEWS

Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin (continued)

(Continued from page 1) ed himself to study Buddhism. It also is stated: was in the womb of his mother for He developed as a practitioner 12 months, about a year, and the who was skilled in difficult debate. same was true for Prince Shōtoku (a (ibid.) crown prince in ancient Japan). He also excelled in debate. At the Nichimoku Shonin’s childhood Ikegami debate in the fifth year of name was Toraō-maru. In the ninth Kō’an (1282), on behalf of the year of Bunnei (1272), at the age of Daishonin, Nichimoku Shonin de- 13, he entered Enzōbō Temple at bated with Nikaidō Ise Hōin, a Mount Sōtō in Izu to pursue his aca- learned priest of the Tendai sect. demic studies. In the eleventh year Nichimoku Shonin defeated Ise of Bunnei (1274), when Toraō-maru Hōin in all ten questions and an- was 15 years old, he watched a reli- swers. In July in the first year of gious debate between Shikibu Sōzu, Shō’an (1299), Nichimoku Shonin a learned priest of that temple, and debated with Jisshū-bō and refuted Nikko Shonin. Witnessing the firm his argument completely. and resolute attitude of Nikko Nichimoku Shonin thus is called the Shonin, Toraō-maru resolved to be- “supreme debater.” come Nikko Shonin’s disciple. In east side. He took the role as the the second year of Kenji (1276), at After the Daishonin’s passing, he leader of Nikko Shonin’s six main the age of 17, Toraō-maru entered devoted himself to propagation ac- disciples who served the Gohonzon the priesthood as a disciple of Nikko tivity in the Izu area. He also dedi- and protected Head Temple Taiseki- Shonin. cated himself to propagate Myoho- ji. Renge-Kyo in Rikuzen Province of Afterward, he went to Mount Mi- the Ōshu area (currently, Miyagi Afterward, Nichimoku Shonin was nobu. There, for the next six years Prefecture), the Ni’ida family’s terri- transmitted the Heritage of the Law until the passing of Nichiren tory, where he had connections. entrusted to a single person from Daishonin, he faithfully and con- There, he converted many people Nikko Shonin, and he became the stantly served the Daishonin. It is and built a number of temples in- Third High Priest. Inheriting the will said that he was so diligent in mak- cluding Hongenji Temple, Jogyoji of Nichiren Daishonin and Nikko ing his several trips daily to fetch Temple, Myokyoji Temple and My- Shonin, Nichimoku Shonin remon- water from the mountain stream that oenji Temple. strated with the Kamakura govern- his head developed a slight depres- ment and the Imperial Court at Kyo- sion from carrying the water bucket. In the spring in the second year of to, on dozens of occasions. It is said Shō’ō (1289), when Nikko Shonin Whenever Nichiren Daishonin that the number of remonstrations left Mount Minobu where the other gave lectures, he was invariably amounted to 42 times. disciples had committed slanderous there. (Seiten, p. 653) acts against the Daishonin, Thus, on December 29th in the As this states, Nichimoku Shonin Nichimoku Shonin accompanied fourth year of Genkyō (1324), never failed to listen to the Nikko Shonin and moved to the Nichimoku Shonin received the Daishonin’s sermons, and he devot- Ueno district. Nichimoku Shonin Gohonzon with the following in- supported the es- scription on the side: tablishment of the Ni’ida-kyō Ajari Nichimoku, for Head Temple his benevolence on his first remon- Taisekiji. In the stration with the Imperial Court. third year of Shō’ō (1290), Additionally, Nikko Shonin wrote when the Daibo the following inscription on the side (the main building of the Gohonzon that he transcribed of the Head Tem- on November 3rd in the first year of ple) was complet- Shōkyō (1332): ed, he built the Renzobo on the (Continued on page 3)

ISSUE 212 PAGE 3

Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin (continued)

(Continued from page 2) In The History of the Fuji School (Kechū-shō), it I bestow this on Ni’ida-kyō Ajari states as follows: Nichimoku for his benevolence on the occasion of his first remonstra- After performing his final tion with the Imperial Court. He is prayers, his eyes closed as the first among my primary disci- if falling asleep, and his ples. lips moved as if chanting [Daimoku], and he then Nichimoku Shonin also received took his last breath. the Gohonzon with this inscription (Seiten, p.662) on the side. As this passage describes, In the third year of Genkō (1333), Nichimoku Shonin’s life, when the Kamakura government fell which was dedicated to and the imperial regime was back in propagate Myoho-Renge- power, Nichimoku Shonin resolved Kyo, following the will of Nichiren Nichiren Daishonin, Nikko Shonin, to accomplish the great aspiration of Daishonin and Nikko Shonin, was and Nichimoku Shonin without fail. kōsen-rufu of the nation. Despite his truly a noble life, and his life indeed Now, it is most essential that the advanced age, sometime in early reached the world of Buddhahood. members of each chapter unite, November, Nichimoku Shonin start- based on the spirit of itai dōshin, and ed his journey from Taisekiji to Nichizon and Nichigō cremated their master’s remains. They went further devote themselves to propa- Kyoto to remonstrate with the impe- gate the mystic Law. rial court. He was accompanied by on to Kyoto, reverently carrying his disciples Nichizon and Nichigō. their master’s ashes, to remonstrate The Daishonin teaches the follow- in his stead. Later, they erected a ing in the Gosho, Many in Body, Prior to this journey, Nichimoku tomb on Mount Toribe at Kyoto. One in Mind (Itai dōshin ji): Shonin transferred the Heritage of Nichigō returned to Taisekiji with the Law to Fourth High Priest Nichi- his ashes. Although there are many people do Shonin, in case of his death. in Japan, they will find it difficult I have briefly talked about to accomplish anything because of En route, Nichimoku Shonin be- Nichimoku Shonin, in order to com- disunity. In contrast, I believe that came ill and took to bed at a tempo- memorate his passing in the month despite their small numbers, if rary lodging in Tarui of Mino Prov- of November. I strongly feel that Nichiren and his followers have ince (currently, Tarui Town in Gifu now is the time for us to revere the spirit of many in body, one in Prefecture). On November 15th in Nichimoku Shonin’s spirit of mind, they certainly will accom- the third year of Genkō (1333), he “willing to give one’s life to propa- plish their great purpose and the passed away as if falling asleep, at gate the Law,” and single-mindedly Lotus Sutra will spread. No mat- the age of 74. devote ourselves to propagate My- ter how numerous evils may be, oho-Renge-Kyo. Based on these ef- they will never defeat the single forts, we must do our best in our truth. (Gosho, p. 1389) practice, aiming toward the establishment of a membership of As these golden words teach, the 800,000 Hokkeko believers by 2021. key to achieve our goal and kōsen- rufu of the entire world is our unity We must carry through our prac- based on the spirit of itai dōshin. tice, even at the risk of our lives, in order to achieve the following: save I sincerely wish that you will en- many people who suffer in agony grave these golden words into your due to the poison of heretical teach- heart, and revere the great achieve- ings; purify this intensively chaotic ment of Nichimoku Shonin. Then, world in the Latter Day of the Law, you powerfully will move forward defiled by the five impurities; and with unity in each chapter, based on build true world peace and realize the spirit of itai dōshin, aiming to- the true Buddha Land. I am con- ward the achievement of our goal vinced that by so doing, we will be and kōsen-rufu throughout the entire witnessed by the True Buddha world. PAGE 4 MYOSETSUJI NEWS

Faith Experiences

Helaine Schonfeld the right direction in my life. And of Good morning everyone. My name course, there are still times I don't is Helaine. I've been chanting a little know what to do, or start going over 10 years now. And when reflect- down a path that doesn't feel right. ing on who I was before I started But now, the difference is that I chanting there are a few important have the most important tool to fig- things that come to mind. I can re- ure that out. member many times feeling lost and The biggest change since starting unsure of myself -- always wondering this practice is that I feel a true if I was making the right choices in sense of self, and purpose in this life my life, and often feeling paralyzed -- which really is to share this Bud- when having to make any decisions. I dhism with others so that everyone went along with what others wanted can experience the light, joy, and me to do. And, at times I felt I had to confidence that I feel when I prac- change myself to fit in and please tice this Buddhism. others. I never really stopped to think Tyrone Jackson for myself and what I really wanted, Good afternoon. They said two and what was right for me. This defi- minutes. I started practicing at the nitely caused me to make bad deci- age of 29 and I've been practicing sions and ultimately led me down a for 50 years -- so if you do the math, dark path in my life. next year I'm 80. So the first minute night and all of those things. So I In this Buddhism, we are taught that is before I started practicing. Life for decided: let me go up there and see. I when we chant it is like polishing a me I thought was good. But for eve- went, and they accepted me. The very tarnished mirror, so that we can see ryone around me, all my family, they first month I was there I met this ourselves and our lives more clearly. thought it was bad -- really, really teaching. I was in the right place at I think this is the best way to describe bad. I was very, very selfish and I the right time. However, at that time what happened once I started to prac- was very determined to have what I there was no priest in New York. tice this Buddhism. Although I defi- wanted. I had older brothers, and eve- The sponsor, Larry Thomas, told me nitely had a lot of polishing to do, the rything they got -- I took it. My oldest "he'll be back in New York in 6 mirror started to become much more brother never really chastised me se- weeks. So, get together 'seven-fifty' clear and I was able to start seeing verely, never hit me. But he'd look at and I'll call you when he comes." I myself and my life for what it really me with a condescending look -- like, thought he meant $750. I wasn't was. "you reprobate." It got worse, and afraid of that. I didn't have it but I Chanting has help me build true self worse, and worse. Monies were dis- thought it was very reasonable. Be- confidence and inner strength that I appearing from the house. Finally, cause that was a time when the Beat- never felt before starting this practice. my father came to jail and he said: les were going to India and spending I often get a sense of "knowing" that "this is the last time I'm coming to get $50,000 to get mantras, so I thought helps me make decisions to move in you, and I wouldn't be here today if it $750 was very reasonable. I told Lar- wasn't for your mammy" -- that's ry, it'll take some time to pull that an old expression for mother. together. And he said "no, I mean And I knew he was telling me the $7.50." I thought whoever these peo- truth. I could really hear my ple are and whatever these people are mother in his ear: "you're not go- doing, they aren't chasing money. So ing to go get my baby?!" So after six weeks later, the priest came to that I determined I better do New York and gave me the Gojukai something. I didn't know what I ceremony and things began to was going to do. change, really change. Once again, Momma came to I heard my mother saying to my the rescue. She said, "why don't father one night in the bedroom (they you go to school?" I jumped were married 57 years), "well at least back, saying "school?!" Yes, she he's stopped that stealing!" said "why don't you go to City Susanna Kunkel College?" I didn't think I wanted When I was asked to talk about to be educated any further than what it was like before, and what it's what I was doing, parties late at (Continued on page 5)

ISSUE 212 PAGE 5 Faith Experiences (continued)

(Continued from page 4) course my faith and un- like now, I broke out laughing, be- derstanding cause I flashed back to the 80s -- big have grown. hair, big earrings, but also big chaos. I grew up as I was a young single mother living in a "minister's San Francisco, struggling so hard to daughter" try to make a life for my beautiful and had be- daughter that would be better than come very what I experienced. jaded to or- ganized reli- It was a financial, emotional, psy- gion -- not chological and spiritual battle that I trusting reli- faced. No matter what I did, it gion or reli- seemed I stayed in chaos. Like run- gious leaders ning in quick sand. The only emo- because of tions I knew at that time were fear my childhood experiences. After vis- Daishonin, taught there is an even and anger -- fight or flight. iting our Head Temple in Japan -- more profound law called the When I was introduced to this Bud- where I could see the history person- "Mystic Law of Cause and Effect," dhism, I was skeptical and actually ally, and understand our priests' dedi- or, the Supreme Invocation that we thought the guy was just using it as a cation to protect this teaching, pass it chant: Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. pick-up line. I didn't really know any- on to us, and help us with our prac- Now, one of the many and most thing about Buddhism. Fortunately, tice -- then any doubts I may have wonderful benefits that I have per- he didn't give up on me. We lived in had about this True Buddhism van- sonally received from this practice is the same neighborhood and I kept ished. that I am a little more conscious of running into him. It was perhaps a every "cause" that I make daily, be So what is it like now? Well, life year later, after having spiritual expe- that with my thoughts, my words or happens to all of us. But for me, it's riences on other paths (but realizing my behavior. Yes, they may be posi- like weathering life's storms on the they weren't really open to me) that I tive or negative causes. most luxurious cruise ship versus had a thought: "maybe I should check Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo trying to paddle my little life raft in out that Buddhist thing" -- I had no helps me to stay focused on all my the middle of an ocean, holding my idea what it was. interactions and, to be certain that no daughter in one hand and paddling matter the challenge or obstacle I with one paddle in the other. At my first meeting, our priest led may be facing, I will always make Gongyo, just as Rev. Takikawa has I've experienced many many life the right choice (the "cause") so that today, and I still didn't understand transforming benefits, but the deepest the outcome (the "effect") is a posi- anything intellectually about Bud- benefit for me is to be truly happy tive one for me, and hopefully, for dhism, but I could not deny the truth and peaceful -- no matter what I face. everyone involved. The joy this cer- I felt in my heart. I trusted that and It comes from within, and is nour- tainty brings is truly indestructible. began my Buddhist practice that day. ished by the Gohonzon as I chant When I was in prison serving a life- As I've continued to practice, of daily. without-parole sentence (but that's another story and I'm here speaking Jose Antonio Carmona Jr. to you now because it's one of my Good morning. My name is many prayers that have been fulfilled Jose Antonio Carmona, Jr., since I began my practice of true and I want to share with you Buddhism!), I learned that the bene- how practicing True Bud- fits spoken of by the true Buddha dhism has affected my life. Nichiren Daishonin -- those conspic- Everyone is familiar with the uous and the inconspicuous benefits - universal law of "cause and - are NOT mere "words." effect." You've heard of it I've learned that, even when I don't described in different forms: "see" anything happening, I can be "for every action there is an certain that something is, and that it equal and opposite reaction," will manifest in my life in due time. or, "you reap what you sow." The True Buddha, Nichiren (Continued on page 6) PAGE 6 MYOSETSUJI NEWS

Faith Experiences (continued)

Knowing this brings me even greater don't exercise them daily, they joy. will become atrophied. Your For my entire life, I was told and very life will become atro- indoctrinated into believing that I was phied. powerless. I want to tell you that that So, the choice is yours and is only partially true. My being here yours alone. Will you choose today at Myosetsuji Temple is one of to exercise that power in order the many prayers that have been ful- to live a life that brings a gen- filled in my life. And my freedom uine smile to your face and a from that life sentence is proof that I, life that is both vibrant and and you too, do have a power that is always exhilarating? Or, will and remains virtually untapped by you choose to remain stuck in most of us. However, it is your choice the same-old/same-old routine to exercise that power, because you that has failed to bring you any do have it and it's yours to use. true lasting joy and happiness? In our practice, you will hear many The choice is yours. experiences from fellow members Thank you for your time and whose life conditions have been lifted welcome to the family. due to chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge- Nely Santos Pezzino have come to make me see through Kyo. These experiences are shared in Hello. This is my first time being in better and to be able to make better order to encourage us in our own front of everybody here. I'm not too decisions. So, what was bad, is actual- practices. old like Tyrone, I don't have yet my ly very good. However, unless and until you exer- year. But I'm very proud that I came Thank you so much for having me cise your own practice, your own here with Teresa. As everybody here. I have brought a lot of people power, your benefits will not be forth- knows, my name is Nely. I came here here and I tell my friends, "don't hesi- coming. a year ago, and I received Gojukai on tate." Just make a move, receive The Daishonin also teaches us about January 1st. It's going to be a year this Gojukai, receive the blessing because the four powers: the power of the New Year's. it's a blessing. I brought today two Law, the power of The Buddha, the I do have meetings at my house, and friends of mine who didn't really power of faith and the power of prac- I want to say thank you to Rev. Tak- know what was coming. I told them, tice. Two of those are yours: the ikawa and Rev. Mitani and everyone and keep telling them, just go there power of faith and the power of prac- who comes to the meetings at my and just jump with your heart like I tice. However, as a very good fellow house. It's really a blessing and it has did the first time when I didn't know a Buddhist friend once told me, your changed my whole life. thing about it. powers are like a muscle and if you Going back to this practice -- what But Teresa said to me, "just open it was like before, and what it is like your mind and chant." And I did it. now -- I feel like my life has become, I'm not going to lie, because I left and how can I say, powerful. I have mean- in my mind I said "I'm not coming ing, I feel I belong to this earth, I feel back." Still a lot of things got crazy, I am not alone and I'm happier and a and when I called Teresa and said "I stronger person. got scared!" She said, "don't get When I pray, when I chant, for the scared, just keep chanting." And I first time, I really do it with my heart. came back Sunday. Every Sunday I I really express myself. I'm not an come here and I chant. And I chant afraid person, but I was always hesi- and every day I see my life getting tating in making decisions or taking a back together: my family, my friends, challenge. my business -- everything. In this practice, when I take a chal- So, everything I can tell to anybody lenge now, it's real. It's like I'm not who is here, who is new, who has not afraid of what it is, because I know received Gojukai, is: please get up that "it's ok." And when I'm facing and get it! bad things, right now, I'm not so upset with them. Before when bad things came, I was very mad about them. Now, when I face them, I know they

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