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Nichiren 141’ 04.4.8 4:42 PM ページ1

Published by the Shu Headquarters & Kaigai Fukyo Koenkai

No. 141 April 1, 2004 (1) ‘HONMON JI ICHINEN-SANZEN’ (1) By Rev. Kanji Tamura ICHINEN-SANZEN as a theoretical principle (RI) means In other words, the Lecturer, Rissho University principle (RI)* based on the Theoreti- enlightenment, theory, whole meaning of cal Section [SHAKUMON*] of the the world of the tran- Nichiren’s life can be Preface Lotus . He defines the “princi- scendental Buddha. The found in the teaching “HONMON JI ICHINEN-SANZEN” ple” which he himself practices as the teaching of actuality of “HONMON JI ICHI- is the principal teaching of Nichiren ICHINEN-SANZEN of actuality (JI)* (JI), however, pertains NEN-SANZEN,” the Shonin. “ICHINEN-SANZEN*” revealed in the Essential Section to the concrete world “Actual” Three Thou- (three thousand existences contained [HONMON*] of the Lotus Sutra. where we discern things sand Existences Con- in one thought) basically means that by seeing and hearing tained in One Thought our every thought (ICHINEN) Two Sections and the activities of our of the Essential Sec- encompasses three thousand (SAN- The Theoretical Section refers to daily life. tion, and all who ) worlds which constitutes the the first 14 chapters of the Lotus Nichiren Shonin as believe in the Daimoku entire enistences and the whole uni- Sutra, and the Essential Section is the a messenger of Sakya- are putting this teach- verse. It is said to be the supreme latter 14 chapters. The Theoretical muni Buddha tried to ing into practice. doctrine of becoming a Buddha as Section is the realm of the historical spread the Daimoku as Rev. Kanji Tamura In this series, we shown in the Lotus Sutra. Buddha who passed away at the age the actual practice of will explore the mean- Although this teaching of ICHI- of 80, but the Essential Section is the ICHINEN-SANZEN so we could all ing of HONMON JI ICHINEN- NEN-SANZEN was taught by Chi-i, realm of the Eternal Sakyamuni Bud- realize the salvation of the Eternal SANZEN as the foundation of Grand Master T’ien-t’ai* in China, dha who is engaged in the activities of Sakyamuni Buddha in our daily Nichiren step by step in six Nichiren Shonin claims T’ien-t’ai’s saving living beings eternally. The lives. instullments.

ing the body (No.17), not to be rough or 25 Expedients soft in breathing (No.18), not to sleep too ‘ICHINEN-SANZEN’ First of all, the practices called the much or too little (No. 19), and not to eat as described in MAKA SHIKAN* (great concentration 25 Expedients* are required to begin too much or too little (No. 20). the practice of observing the mind by 5. To practice the five : Hope and insight) (1) (No. 21): to hope for the elimination of all ceasing its movement. The “Great illusions in the world and the attainment The basic idea of “ICHINEN- ment. Three books based on the tran- Concentration and Insight” describes of all kinds of meditation and wisdom; SANZEN,” which Nichiren Shonin scripts of his lectures are even called all the particulars of the 25 practices Endeavor (No. 22): to hold the precepts practiced, was described in the “Great ‘the Three Major Works about the of complicated precepts, hygienic firmly, throw away the five covers, and Concentration and Insight” (MAKA Lotus Sutra.’ One of them is the regulations and self-discipline. Final- make continual efforts; Contemplation SHIKAN) authored by the Grand “Great Concentration and Insight” ly, after mastering those preparations, (No.23): to contemplate the significance Master T’ien-t’ai. The “Great Con- (MAKA SHIKAN). Another is the one can start the practice of observing of meditation and wisdom while thinking centration and Insight” is a transcript “Profound Meaning of the Lotus the mind by ceasing its movement. about the vanity of the world; Skillful of lectures given by T’ien-t’ai on the Sutra” (HOKKE GENGI)*, which Then, while carefully upholding the Wisdom (No.24): to deliberate over the practice of spiritual contemplation explains the significance of the title of specified disciplines, one must devote pleasure in the world, which should be avoided, and cherish the joy of meditation (KANJIN)* based on the Lotus Sutra. the Lotus Sutra; Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge- one’s entire life to attaining the real- and wisdom of the other shore; Mindful- Spiritual contemplation (KANJIN) is Kyo, from the viewpoint of the entire- ization of ICHINEN-SANZEN. ness (No.25): to calm down the mind, the practice of observing one’s mind. ty of . The third (to be continued) clearly avoid the defiled world and know It is also called “SHIKAN.” The word, is the “Words and Phrases of the the greatness of the merits of meditation “SHI” means to stop or cease. To Lotus Sutra” (HOKKE MONGU)*, Translator’s Notes *All the italicized words are written and wisdom. cease the movement of the mind is which brings out the inner meaning of in Sino-Japanese pronunciation. After this preparation, the practice of the Tenth-power-of-ten Corrective Obser- “SHI.” The word, “KAN” means to the Lotus Sutra. *ICHINEN-SANZEN (一念三千)… vation is begun. observe this calmed mind. “MAKA,” In the “Profound Meaning of the ICHI (一): one. NEN (念): thought. SAN means ‘great.’ So T’ien-t’ai asserts Lotus Sutra,” (HOKKE GENGI), (三): three. ZEN (千): thousand. (translated by Rev. Kanshin Mochida) that through the great practice of T’ien-t’ai recognized that all the Bud- *JI-RI (事理)… JI (事): incident, issue, (related article on page 3) observing one’s mind, we can attain dhist are manifestations of the thing. RI (理): theory, reason . personality and spirit of Sakyamuni *SHAKUMON-HONMON… SHAKU- MON (迹門): trace gate. HONMON (本門): Rev. Obata Sakyamuni Buddha Buddha. He evaluated the role of each sutra objectively from that perspec- original gate Visits Taiwan While meditating under the Bodhi tive, and then, came to the conclusion *KANJIN (観心)… KAN (観): to observe. JIN (心): mind, heart. Tree at Buddhagaya, Sakyamuni that in the Lotus Sutra the ultimate Rev. Myosho Obata, resident *“Great Concentration and Insight” priest of Hokkezan Ichinen-ji, became a Buddha, defeating various purpose of the appearance of Sakya- MAKA SHIKAN (摩訶止観) devils. Those devils, according to muni Buddha and the final purpose of *“Profound Meaning of the Lotus Penang, Ang Tiang Soon, president of T’ien-t’ai, represent the evil within all the Buddhist sutras was definitive- Sutra” HOKKE GENGI (法華玄義) Penang Nichiren-shu Buddhist Asso- our minds. He maintains that Sakya- ly expressed. That purpose is to liber- *“Words and Phrases of the Lotus ciation and Ooi Lee Guat visited Tai- muni Buddha attained enlightenment ate all living beings from all anguish Sutra” HOKKE MONGU (法華文句) wan Nichiren Shu Buddhist Associa- by first piercing the roots of that evil and sufferings and enable them to *The 25 Expedients tion in Taipei from February 25 to 28. with a calm mind. T’ien-t’ai tried to attain enlightenment. In the “Words Preparatory practices before engaging The purpose of their visit was to follow the example of Sakyamuni and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra” in the ‘SHIKAN’: observing the mind by find out the ways of developing closer Buddha by practicing meditation in (HOKKE MONGU), the contents of ceasing its movement contacts with Nichiren followers in 1. To raise the five indirect causes: to Taiwan and help them spread their order to uproot evil within himself the Lotus Sutra are interpreted and hold precepts (the 10 advanced precepts and thereby accomplish the Way and divided into two parts: the Theoretical and so on) (No.1), to eliminate concern activities into other areas of Taiwan. attain enlightenment. That is the prac- Section and the Essential Section. for food and clothing (No.2), to live in a The Taiwan Nichiren Shu Buddist tice of SHIKAN: observing the mind There T’ien-t’ai states that the Essen- calm environment (No.3), to quit miscel- Association was organized in 1992. by ceasing its movement. tial Section is more profound than the laneous works (No.4), and to fraternize Some 50 people are registered as What exactly is the state of other; nevertheless, he devotes more with good and wise persons (No.5). members. enlightenment? In T’ien-t’ai’s opin- space to an explanation of the Theo- 2. To cut out the five desires of sight The members of the association ion, it was to perceive the unity of retical Section than he gives to an (No.6), hearing (No.7), smell (No.8), taste have visited Mt. Minobu several times one’s mind and body with all existing explanation of the Essential Section. (No.9), and sense of touch (No.10) and a signed by Archbishop In the meantime, the “Great Con- including art or music. Nichiko Fujii is enshrined in their worlds or the whole universe. In a 3. To throw away the five mental cov- word, it is ICHINEN-SANZEN. centration and Insight” (MAKA temple. ers of greed (No.11), anger (No.12), Before World War II, there existed Three Major Works SHIKAN) prescribes the practical desire to sleep (No.13), excitement and method for attaining enlightenment. regret (No.14), and incredulity (No.15). several Nichiren-shu temples in Tai- He also thought that the Lotus However, it would be very challeng- 4. To coordinate the five states of life; wan. Those temples separated from Sutra was the scripture that purely ing for us, ordinary people, to prac- not to make ups and downs of the mind the Nichiren Shu in Japan or vanished manifested the state of that enlighten- tice its whole procedure. (No.16), not to be quick or slow in mov- in the confusion of the war. Nichiren 141’ 04.4.8 4:42 PM ページ2

(2) Nichiren Shu News The Lotus Sutra and ‘Prediction of Future Buddhahood’ By Rev. Ryugen Taga, Ph. D these stories are the stories of His lost unification, they assert. Their which already existed. Professor Emeritus, Rissho University previous lives. view, however, is misleading, not “Prediction” was given not only to His previous forms of lives were grasping what is meant by the sutra. Sariputra, typical of the sravaka disci- In the sutras of Bud- . And stories of his pre- The Lotus Sutra is intended to ples, but also to Four Great Sravaka dhism, the word, vyakarana vious forms of lives are named Jataka save all living beings, overcoming the Disciples: Purna, Kundinya, Ananda, or prediction, in most cases, means stories. As many Jataka stories were antagonism which developed between and Rahula. Eventually in Chapter X, “prediction of the attainment of Bud- created stories of the previous lives Mahayana and Buddhisms, “The Teacher of the ,” “the dhahood in the future.” Specifically of His disciples were also born. by going back to the starting point of prediction” was given even to gods, in the Lotus Sutra, “vyakarana” is of And it became necessary to show Buddhism. The sutra shows the way dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, significant meaning and that only bodhisattvas to the salvation of all living beings by garudas, kimnaras, magoragas, men, great gravity. were assured of future clarifying the universality of the and nonhuman beings, monks, nuns, Before explaining the Budddahood even if bod- teaching, the universality of salvation laymen, and laywomen, as well as reason why this expression hisattvas and discipled in of living beings and the universality those who are seeking sravakahood, appears so often in the their previous lives con- and eternity of the Buddha (the true or pratyekabuddhahood, or the Lotus Sutra, let me examine ducted the same “causal attainment of enlightenment in the enlightenment of the Buddha. how the idea of the predic- practices.” remotest past by Sakyamuni Buddha). Here is accomplished the univer- tion of the future Budda- Thus, Dipankara Bud- The Lotus Sutra is often divided sality of the teaching and the univer- hood was born and what it dha (light-causer) was cre- into two parts. The universality of the sality of salvation of the living beings means. ated. He is a Buddha of the teaching and the universality of sal- which are one of the intentions of the In the lifetime of past who assures bod- vation of living beings are revealed in Lotus Sutra. The eternity and univer- Sakyamuni Buddha, it is hisattvas that they would the first 14 chapters. And in the latter sality of the Buddha who grants the believed that anyone who ultimately attain enlighten- half, the eternity and universality of “prediction” is shown in the latter practices in accordance Rev. Ryugen Taga ment. Here established was the Buddha is disclosed. “Prediction” half. Thus the sutra is completed. with the teachings of the form of “prediction of is adopted to show the universality of In the Lotus Sutra,“the predic- Sakyamuni Buddha will attain the the attainment of Buddahood” in the salvation of living beings. tion” is directly given only to srava- same enlightenment as that of the . It is preached in the sutras com- ka disciples even though the sutra Buddha. Then a story was created showing piled before the Lotus Sutra that those features the attainment of Buddha- Nobody doubted it in the presence the Dipankara Buddha was given the belonging to Two Vehicles (sravaka hood by the Two Vehicles (sravakas of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is because prepiction of future enlightenment and prateykabuddha) are not eligible and pratyekabuddhas). Sakyamuni Buddha was born into this when he was a . for enlightenment. It was then con- In Chapter XII, “Devadatta,” world like everybody else as a human Many stories of “the prediction of ceived that this discrimination was Devadatta is given “the prediction.” being and attained enlightenment as the attainment of Buddhahood” were against the intention of Sakyamuni By doing so, the authors of the sutra the result of practices. created in accordance with the number Buddha, leading to the birth of the accomplished the attainment of Bud- However, after the passing away of Buddhas who Sakyamuni Buddha Lotus Sutra. dhahood by the people belonging to of Sakyamuni Buddha, His grandness served as told in the Jataka stories. It is It is expounded in this sutra that the Two Vehicles (Hinayanists). became greater and greater as time because those Buddhas were bod- the teaching is one and it is divided In the earlier documents, “the pre- passed by, and in comparison, the hisattvas in their previous lives. into two in accordance with the diction of the attainment of pratyek- achievements attained by His follow- And in the end, “the prediction of capacity of living beings, as a tempo- abuddhahood” is given to Devadatta ers seemed smaller and smaller. Thus, the attainment of Buddhahood in the rary means. The two kinds of teach- to save the cousin of Sakyamuni Bud- Sakyamuni Buddha and His followers future” became one of the five things ings applicable to the Two Vehicles dha who is regarded as a villain. had become separated by far. Tathagatha or Buddha is required to are merged into One Vehicle teaching Assuming that Devadatta was a The followers came to believe the practice when He appears in this world. leading to Buddhahood, thus clarify- pratyekabuddha (hermit), the authors enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha The principle of “the prediction ing the universality of the teaching. of the Lotus Sutra by granting the was not attained in His lifetime, but of Buddhahood” had become popu- The problem now was how to show “prediction” to him accomplished as the result of practices He went lar even before the Lotus Sutra was the universality of salvation of living “the prediction of the attainment of through in many previous lives. Thus compiled. It is no wonder “the pre- beings who practice the teaching. It Buddhahood by the people belong- stories of the previous existences of diction” is expounded in the Lotus was a great problem for the authors of ing to the Two Vehicles. Sakyamuni Buddha were born. Sutra. However, “the prediction” the Lotus Sutra how to describe the “The prediction of the attainment In these stories of His previous occurs so often in this sutra. universality of the salvation of living of Buddhahood by women” is shown lives, He took various forms of man, Some scholars claim that “the beings in the time when it was firmly in Chapter XIII, “The Encourage- woman, and animals. In these previ- prediction” is not a principle indis- believed that the Two Vehicles were ment for Upholding This Sutra,” ous living forms, He is assured of pensable to the Lotus Sutra. Confu- not eligible for enlightenment. when “the prediction” was given to the attainment of Buddhahood. This sion was brought to the Lotus Sutra To solve this problem, they uti- Gautami, foster mother of Sakyamu- is natural because Sakyamuni Bud- as chapters which took up “predic- lized the idea of “the prediction of ni Buddha, and Yasodhara, His for- dha became the Enlightened One and tion” were added, and the sutra has the attainment of enlightenment” mer wife. (tr. sk)

ting from China, it is said, it (8) flew over the ocean and land- The Legend of Nichiren Shonin ed on Mt. Koya. Therefore, The accurate biography of Nichiren can be perceived through his Kukai decided to build a tem- essays and letters and the ancient documents. But there are many dra- ple on the mountain. His matic legends, too. So, let us think about various legends in this paper. mother was glad and she By Rev. Gyokai Sekido, Ph. D was founded by Çhien-chen, a Chinese wanted to climb the mountain high priest, who came to Japan in 749 with him, but women were From Nara to Koyasan at the invitation of Emperor Shomu, not allowed on Mt. Koya in Nichiren’s letter from Mt. Minobu after many failed attempts. Next, Ren- those days. “Why should I dated in 1278, tells us that Rencho cho went to the Yakushiji Temple, in not climb the mountain studied at temples in Kamakura, the library of which he read “All the where my son wants to build Kyoto, Mt. Hiei, the Onjo-ji Temple, scriptures of Buddhism.” He thus a temple?” said Kukai’s Mt. Koya, the Tennoji devoted himself to the study mother and she decided to Temple and so on. As no of the six schools, which climb it anyway. record is available of his were popular in the Nara The mountain began to activities at these temples, Period. At this time, Rencho rumble when she began to however, we do not know was 28 years old in 1249. climb. Then flames of fire the trend of his activities At long last, he decided attacked her. Kukai lifted a precisely. According to a to go to Mr. Koya, where rock to shield his mother. legend, it is said that he the Kongobuji Temple Mother took another rock, and went to Sakai after meeting which Kukai built was the mark of her hand was left with Mr. Egawa. Then, he located. Kukai (774-835), a on it by her intense anger at returned to Nara once more high priest of the Heian the injustice for women. Her before going to Mt. Koya. Rev. Gyokai Sekido Period, is the founder of the hair was disheveled, her eyes At Sakai Rencho met Shingon Sect. Mt. Hiei and were bloodshot and she people from his hometown, and was Mt. Koya were the centers of Bud- looked as fearful as a demon. (woodblock illustration reproduced from very happy to hear about his parents dhism in Japan in those days. It is said that along the “Nichiren Daishi Shinjitsu-den”) and a former teacher. Soon, he came Kukai decided to build the Kon- approach to the temple which wondered why a high priest like Kukai back to Nara, where he could study at gobuji Temple on Mt. Koya because Rencho took there were the rock couldn’t save his own mother, and the Toshodaiji Temple through the good of his strange experience in China. which Kukai lifted up and another one came to believe that only the Lotus office of his acquaintance. The temple When he threw a Buddhist altar fit- which Kukai’s mother twisted. Rencho Sutra can save women. Nichiren 141’ 04.4.8 4:42 PM ページ3

Nichiren Shu News (3) The Three Thousand Worlds in a Single Thought-Moment In Principle and in Actuality (1) By Rev. Ryuei McCormick wherein there are many different their lives. The latter half of the Lotus true meaning. San Francisco, Calif. kinds of stores and in order to find Sutra teaches that even a single It was Nichiren’s conviction that what we are looking for, say, the loca- moment of taking faith in and rejoic- the key insight of ichinen sanzen must Ji no ichinen sanzen, the actuality tion of the food court, we consult a ing in this teaching will enable us to be brought within the reach of all peo- of the three thousand worlds in a sin- map at the mall’s entrance which realize that the life of the Buddha is ple – monastic or lay, male or female, gle thought-moment, is the key princi- shows us where we are, the layout of always present in our lives empower- educated or uneducated, good or evil. ple of . Ji means the mall, and the location of the vari- ing us with all the merits and virtues of It was in order to share the reality of “actuality” and no is a grammatical ous stores. But if we are hungry we Buddhahood from within. Ichinen ichinen sanzen in an accessible and particle that means that the term or must leave the map and follow the sanzen, the presence in our every practical way that Nichiren taught it terms that follow belong to ji or con- directions to the food court. The actu- moment of conscious awareness of the could be experienced in its fullness by crete actuality. The word ichinen ality of ichinen sanzen, however, is totality of life including Buddhahood, taking faith in the Lotus Sutra and means a single moment of conscious what happens when we no longer are thus becomes a reality and not just a chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. awareness. Sanzen literally means just looking for the food court based theory when our hearts are filled with For this reason, Nichiren felt that he “three thousand,” in reference to the on the image from the map, it is to trust and joy in this teaching and is had surpassed the scholastic and eso- three thousand worlds. The three thou- actually sit down and eat lunch. In expressed through the recitation of the teric version of T’ien-t’ai Buddhism sand “worlds” do not literally refer to terms of Buddhist practice, ichinen great title (Odaimoku) of the Lotus by presenting a form of teaching and different worlds. These worlds are sanzen teaches us that in principle we Sutra: Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, practice that was not only accessible actually referring to various “modes of can attain Buddhahood, but ichinen “Devotion to the Wonderful Dharma but also potent enough to enable all existence” and they encompass all the sanzen in actuality is when Buddha- of the Lotus Flower Sutra.” people to realize the truth for them- different ways in which we subjective- hood actually manifests in our lives. The gosho “Conversation Between selves. As Nichiren wrote in a letter: ly experience our world, the objective Nichiren associated the teaching a Sage and an Unenlightened Man” There are two ways of observing components of life, and the workings of ichinen sanzen in principle with states: ichinen sanzen. One is in terms of of the law of cause and effect. All of the first 14 chapters of the Lotus Therefore, Myoho Renge Kyo principle, the second is in terms of the these will be enumerated and dis- Sutra, what the Grand Master Chih-i, enables us to obtain the present Bud- actual phenomena. At the time of cussed later in this series. Ji no ichi- the founder of the T’ien-t’ai school, dha’s gate of insight into a single T’ien-t’ai and Dengyo and so on, it nen sanzen is the teaching of the actu- had termed the “Theoretical Section.” thought-moment. [It is the realization was [observed in] principle. Now it is ality of all states or modes of exis- In the first 14 chapters of the Lotus of] the unity of mind, body, and envi- [observed in] actual phenomena. Since tence, including Buddhahood, co- Sutra, the historical Sakyamuni Bud- ronment throughout all the ten worlds [the latter form of] contemplation is existing in every moment of conscious dha teaches that all beings will be which is the three thousand worlds. superior, the great difficulties [accom- awareness. Ji no ichinen sanzen is a able to attain Buddhahood through (Shogu mondo sho, Showa Teihon p. panying it] are also superior. The for- phrase used by Nichiren Shonin in the One Vehicle. The One Vehicle is 370. Listed in the Rokuge.) mer is ichinen sanzen of the provision- order to differentiate his understanding the way in which all the various It should not be thought, however, al teaching [of the Lotus Sutra], and and practice of ichinen sanzen from methods and practices of Buddhism that Chih-i himself only viewed ichi- the latter is ichinen sanzen of the origi- what he saw as the more theoretical or actually have one goal – the attain- nen sanzen as a theory. Rather, ichinen nal teaching [of the Lotus Sutra]. They abstract approach of the T’ien-t’ai ment of Buddhahood. So in theory, or sanzen in his magnum opus, the Great are as different as Heaven and Earth, school. Nichiren called the earlier in principle, all beings will be able to Concentration and Insight (Jap. Maka and at the time of death, you should T’ien-t’ai teaching ri no ichinen attain Buddhahood by following the Shikan) is the view of reality attained keep this in mind. (Toki Nyudo dono sanzen. Ri means “principle.” So ri no teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha. In by someone who has undergone a rig- gohenji also known as Jibyo daisho ichinen sanzen is the teaching that in addition, all the categories that Chih-i orous practice of meditation. It was gonjitsu imoku, Showa Teihon p. theory all modes of existence, includ- used to construct the concept of ichi- intended to be a description of what 1522. Authenticated copy extant.) ing Buddhahood, can be discerned in nen sanzen can be found in the first can be discerned through meditative Setting aside the detailed meaning every moment of conscious awareness. half of the Lotus Sutra. This will be insight into the true essence of our own of ichinen sanzen, the important thing It is hard to discuss the difference seen later in this series. mind and heart. But nobody can satisfy to know is that it was the T’ien-t’ai between ichinen sanzen in principle The actuality of ichinen sanzen, their hunger by merely reading the concept based on the Lotus Sutra that and in actuality without first having a however, is associated with the latter menu, so the teaching of ichinen all modes of existence including Bud- clear understanding of what ichinen 14 chapters of the Lotus Sutra by sanzen was intended to motivate peo- dhahood are present in and theoreti- sanzen itself means. But one thing can Nichiren. Chih-i called this latter half ple to practice the form of meditation cally accessible to every moment of be pointed out from the very begin- of the Lotus Sutra the “Essential known as concentration and insight conscious awareness. Even more ning: a conceptual explanation of ichi- Teaching.” In this half of the Lotus meditation (Jap. Shikan, Skt. importantly, in the teaching and prac- nen sanzen is by its very nature ichi- Sutra the Buddha reveals that his life Vipashyana) so they could realize the tice of Nichiren Buddhism we can nen sanzen in principle. In other as a Buddha has no quantifiable begin- truth for themselves. Unfortunately, experience the actual presence of words, it is ichinen sanzen as a con- ning or end and that, though he very few people have the ability, incli- Buddhahood in our lives through tak- cept, an idea, an abstraction that appears to pass away, he will in fact nation, discipline, or freedom to prac- ing faith in the Lotus Sutra and the awaits its application to the concrete always be present as a guiding force tice tranquility and insight meditation practice of chanting Namu Myoho circumstances of our daily lives. Now leading people to their own attainment properly. In the end, ichinen sanzen Renge Kyo. In this way, the teaching this is very helpful in that such an of Buddhahood. This means that not remained a mere theory that did not of ichinen sanzen becomes a reality explanation can act as a kind of map only are people theoretically capable have any real impact on the lives of and no longer a mere theory of how showing us the highlights and land- of attaining Buddhahood, they are in either the ordinary people of Nichiren’s things are. In future articles in this marks that characterize our lives as fact in the process of becoming Bud- day, who needed a simple method of series we will explore the detailed interdependent transient beings. It is dhas and in fact Buddhahood is liberation, or even the majority of meaning of ichinen sanzen. like going into a huge shopping mall already a present reality at work in monks, who were unable to fathom its (to be continued)

Setsubun at Puunene The Setsubun service was held on February 7. At the sermon, I told the members that Oni or devil is in our mind. After the sermon, “women of the year,” actually two ladies and one girl, who were born in the year of the monkey threw beans outward, shouting “evils out,” three times then they threw beans inward, shouting “for- tunes in” three times. The members ate beans as many as their ages. “These beans taste good,” they said. (by Rev. Bungen Kaneko)

Rev. Gakugyo Rev. Bungen Matsumoto and Kaneko and members members Hilo, Puunene, Hawaii Hawaii Nichiren 141’ 04.4.8 4:42 PM ページ4

(4) Nichiren Shu News 平成16年 4月 1日 第 141号

assimilate new practices. LOS ANGELES Church Events This is a process that must be seriously started now. It is Sakyamuni Buddha’s By Sandra Seki necessary to start this move- Birthday Celebration ment before the last genera- The Los Angeles Beikoku tion that understands and Betsuin Temple will hold its INDIA seriously practices the tradi- annual celebration of the Rev. Nun Sasaki Receives Award tional ways of Buddhism birth of Siddhartha Gautama, passes on. Those who have who later became Sakyamuni Rev. Myojo Sasaki of the Horinji Temple the background are the Buddha. The celebration will was awarded the 20th Nichiren Shu Sogo bridges that are the only links take place on Sunday, April Zaidan Sho of 2003 for her long years of toil the mission have with the 11 from 10:00 a.m. and motivation to return the teachings of the many families who come to The congregation will Buddha to its homeland. the temple only for funeral recite the Lotus Sutra, chant Both Rev. Sasaki and her late husband and memorial services. How “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” (Rev. Hojo Sasaki who passed away in India members can help is very and pour sweet tea over the last January) worked hard to construct the simple. Just by coming to the statue of the infant Buddha. first Nichiren Shu Temple in , India. It Mission and giving a hand is The temple encourages par- took them more than two decades to actually all that we ask for. ents to bring their new born see the completion of Nichigatsuzan Horinji. babies to the service. During With the help of many temples in Japan and Rev. Nun Sasaki (right) receives the SAN JOSE 20th Nichiren Shu Sogo Zaidan Sho the service Rev. Shokai the Indo-Japan Society, they were able to Memorial Services Kanai will bless the babies complete the first phase of this project. What Award of 2003 by wetting their foreheads motivated them was an excerpt from Nichiren dhism to India. With the help of many people The temple observed the with the sweet tea, and each Shonin’s teachings which said that “Japanese I have been able to complete the first phase. 13th memorial service of the child will receive an amulet Buddhism will return to India and spread Now I would like to continue the second late Ven. Shingaku Oikawa, for good health and growth. throughout the world.” The Sasakis felt that it phase of this project, in which a , educa- the founder of the temple, on The Hanamatsuri Service was their duty to carry out this task. tional and vocational facility plus a clinic will March 21 from 10:00 a.m. of the Los Angeles Buddhist A party was held on March 5th by the be constructed for the people of Sarnath. Several were offered Church Federation will be Nichiren Shu Order to praise and congratu- After all Sarnath is the sacred place where to the late founder. held at the Nishi Hongwanji late Rev. Nun Sasaki’s work. Several minis- Sakyamuni Buddha first preached. I would Following the service the Temple in Little Tokyo at ters from throughout Japan attended this like to carry out His religious will and also Spring Higan-e for the ances- 1:00 p.m. on the same day. gathering to support the 81 year old Rev. our Founder Nichiren Shonin’s will. As long tors of the members was Other events to kick off the Sasaki. as I live I will strive to make this second held. This service is held bi- celebrations will include the “I have dedicated my life to return Bud- phase come true,” declared Rev. Nun Sasaki. annually to recall all the Children’s Picture Contest, wonderful memories of our Golf Tournament (April 2), LORD, 2) virtue of the digni- in honored only Sakyamuni, The Board feels that they need deceased loved ones. followed by the Little Tokyo fied MASTER and 3) virtue the Original Buddha. Because to further organize the files and Chicken Teriyaki Bento Cleanup (April 3). Rev. of the compassionate FATHER. a statue of the Buddha could documents and assure that the Joseph Jarman will give an Chapter 3 of the Lotus Sutra not express the three virtues original pictures, films, videos, The annual Chicken English sermon at 11:00 a.m. says, “This triple world is my of the LORD, the MASTER, and oral history are available Teriyaki Bento and Barazushi followed by taiko, gagaku property.” The triple world and the FATHER, Nichiren for future generations. This Fair will be held on Sunday, and other entertainment. signifies the place where we described them in the form of was encouraged for all the oth- April 18th. The tickets went There will also be a Bud- live: the world of human the Mandala Gohonzon. er branch missions. on sale on March 1 and are dhist Jazz Night by Joseph beings and animals who have All Nichiren Shu mem- The organization of the selling very well as usual. Jarman at the Nishi Hong- desires, the world of plants bers should have this Man- next Rainbow Conference is Besides these lunch boxes, wanji Hall starting at 7:00 and metal that have no desire, dala Gohonzon in their altars. very important. This should there will be curry rice, noo- p.m. on Saturday, April 10. and the world of no-forms become a regular event for the dles, and vegetarian dishes. Free admission tickets will such as gas, air and spirit. The HONOLULU missions, where meaningful They will also have booths for be given out at the Los Ange- Buddha who realizes the real- Spring Higan Services ideas can be exchanged with cut flowers and craft sales. les Betsuin. ity of all existences grasps not members of other missions. The Tachibana School will only this earth but also the Nichiren Mission of The deepest hope for the have a Manju Sale. There will ‘Three Virtues of the Origi- universe. Therefore, He is the Hawaii held the annual Spring future is to find a way to be a koto performance and nal Sakyamuni Buddha’ LORD. “All living beings are Higan-e Service on Sunday, make the Mission grow. It is flower arrangement displays By Rev. Shokai Kanai my children” because every- March 21, from 10:00 a.m. known that the immigrant in the Senshokan Hall. In Buddhism starts with the one has the Buddha nature, so Both the Spring Higan and Japanese cultural basis for order to build a better spiritual awakening thought of “Life is He is the FATHER. “There the Autumn Higan together the faith have almost disap- center in faith, the temple is full of suffering.” The four are many sufferings in this with the Obon are important peared in the community. We asking everyone to support major sufferings are birth, old world. Only I can save all annual Buddhist events. cannot forget or abandon the and help in the event. Any age, disease and death. beings.” The Buddha is the “Higan” means yonder promises to the earlier gener- monetary or material donation Besides these four, there are one who knows how to save shore. To leave this shore (this ations to preserve the is more than welcome. four more sufferings: 1) Sepa- all those who bear these suf- world) for the yonder shore Nichiren Sect Mission. The Odaimoku Chanting ration from a loved one, 2) ferings. He is the MASTER. (the Buddha’s land) means to traditions and ceremonies having to stay with one you Only Sakyamuni Buddha leave this world of suffering will continue at this Mission. There will be an Odai- dislike 3) not getting what one has these three virtues. He is for the world of Enlighten- But there is a need to moku chanting event on April wants, and 4) suffering com- the only Buddha who existed ment by practicing the teach- make new promises and 25, from 10:00 a.m. Everyone ing from the environment, on this earth historically. As a ings of the Buddha. These expand our cultural basis. is invited to get together and such as natural disasters and human just like all of us, He is two weeks during the vernal The Mission needs to find chant ‘Namu Myoho Renge attachments to certain types of the one who attained Enlight- and autumnal equinoxes are ways to keep the traditional Kyo’ in unison. Please attend weather conditions. enment. He is the one who especially important periods Buddhist practices and also this worthwhile event. The Buddha is the one preached the Lotus Sutra, the of practice for all Buddhists. who leads us to liberation teaching of equality among all This is the time for us to from these sufferings. He has living things. Other Buddhas reflect on our daily lives, vow three virtues. They are: 1) are merely His manifestations. to follow the Buddha’s path Buddha-Chp. VII Birth virtue of the warm-hearted Therefore Nichiren Shon- and observe memorial ser- (excerpt from Osamu Tezuka’s animated book) vices for our ancestors. ... April of that year in the midst of a drought, in the Sakya nation, city of Kapilavastu, NICHIREN SHU NEWS General Meeting a miracle occurred. c/o NICHIREN SHU Shumuin Editorial Board: A general meeting for the The river flowing along the border 1-32-15, Ikegami, Ota-ku, Nichiren Sect Mission was for that year in particular Tokyo 146-8544, Japan Editor…………Keiryu Shima Tel. 03-3751-7181～3 Supervisor-Editor held on Sunday, February 8. even with 104 degree dry weather Board of Trustees: Tansei ………………Kyotsu Hori The agenda included an the river flowed as usual Iwama, Chief Administrator, Foreign News Editor opening speech by the Presi- People were wondering if it might be a good sign Nichiren Shu; Bungyo Yoshi- dent, and a financial report ………………Sandra Seki King Suddhodana’s queen was preparing to visit her home in Korya nation for da, President, Kaigai Fukyo from the Treasurer. her childbirth. Staff Writers … Tesshu Saito Koenkai; Shoshin Kurihara, One of the issues discussed Before dawn of April 8, miraculous events occurred and it was felt within, Executive Director, General …………Gen-ichi Oikawa was “Preserving the Faith.” “Hark, the (awaited) one is born!” Affairs Bureau; Ichimyo (overseas) Ryuken Akahoshi … Through the ministers and the At dawn, Queen Maya gave birth Fujisaki, Executive Director, …………… Chishin Hirai Missionary Bureau; Giko 100th anniversary celebration, laying in a velvet bedding, wrapped in a silk baby wear Tabata, Director, Missionary Advisor…… Hoyu Maruyama the mission was able to chroni- the child seemed to be cradled on a white lotus blossom, and Department, Nichiren Shu cle the history of the Mission. held aloft like an angel...