Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism

How to Practice it Independently

2007, Gerald T. Aitken.
Nichiren Daishonin, 1222-1282 A.D.
Introduction
This document is designed to give those interested in Nichiren Buddhism everything
they need to practice, all in one place. Both theory and actual practice are described
thoroughly and concisely. The document is only 106 pages long. With what is in this
document, you can practice Nichiren aishonin!s Buddhism independently, without
belonging to any o" the sectarian organi#ations. $ere is a summary o" the in"ormation
"ound in this document, in order o" appearance%
1. The author!s personal testimonial.
2. & discussion o" the bene"its o" practicing Nichiren aishonin!s Buddhism.
3. $ow Nichiren Buddhism is practiced in the 'nited (tates.
4. Twelve advantages o" practicing independently.
5. )y opinion o" the (o*a +a**ai ,the biggest Nichiren laymen!s organi#ation-.
6. Ichinen (an#en ,.000 /ealms in a (ingle )oment o" 0i"e-.
7. /eincarnation and 1arma.
8. 2 0evels o" 3onsciousness.
9. Bonno (o*u Bodai ,4arthly esires Trans"orming into 4nlightenment-.
10. $endo*u Iya*u ,5oison Trans"orming into )edicine-.
11. (hi*ishin 6uni ,7neness o" Body and )ind-.
12. 4sho 6uni ,7neness o" (el" and 4nvironment-.
13. The aimo*u ,which means the mantra or repeated phrase we chant% Nam
)yoho /enge 1yo. Includes a lin* to a site where you can play a sound "ile o"
the daimo*u-.
14. The mandala ,sacred ob8ect- 9 the +ohon#on.
15. 4ye:7pening 3eremony "or new +ohon#ons.
16. & download lin* "or the Nichi*an +ohon#on distributed by the (+I.
1
17. & lin* to a web site where you can download other +ohon#ons, inscribed by
Nichiren himsel".
18. The 0otus (utra 9 including an 4nglish translation o" the $oben and ;uryo
3hapter e<cerpts chanted by believers.
19. The (ilent 5rayers.
20. The practice "or onesel" ,+ongyo- 9 including an illustration o" a butsudan and
an altar.
21. Is it 71 to chant "or material bene"its=
22. The practice "or others.
23. Tough 0ove 9 the /eal )eaning o" Buddhist 3ompassion
24. Study 9 including a lin* to the writings o" Nichiren aishonin ,+osho-.
25. & download lin* "or a small selection o" +osho!s that 7 N7T attac* other
religions : +osho!s which a modern, tolerant Nichiren Buddhist can believe in.
26. 6aith.
27. Buddhist &pology ,>ange-
28. The 6our Noble Truths and the 4ight"old 5ath.
29. & comparison o" Nichiren Buddhism with other religions ,and magic-.
30. Is Nichiren Buddhism paci"istic=
31. Nichiren Buddhism and (e<uality
32. Nichiren Buddhism and &bortion
33. (ummary o" the tra""ic to my website.
34. & lin* to downloadable sound "iles o" people chanting the sutra slowly.
35. & complete 0iturgy "or doing +ongyo ,morning and evening chanting-.
36. & +lossary.
37. & download lin* "or a .56 version o" this document, so you can easily print it.
38. (ome good reasons why you should print this document.
39. & special &"terward.
2
The Authors Personal Testimonial
+erry ,right- and (weetie eating ,le"t-, ;anuary ?01.
Hello. My name is Gerry Aitken. I was born in 1954. I grew up in a suburb of New York
ity. !"roug"out grammar s#"ool$ mi%%le s#"ool an% t"e first two years of "ig" s#"ool$
I was fre&uently bullie%$ in#lu%ing being p"ysi#ally man"an%le%. !"is %i% not stop until I
took up karate in my 'unior year "ig" s#"ool (19)*+. I also took up tai #"i #"uan in 19,-.
I remain a martial artist to%ay$ still pra#ti#ing .igorously.
My su##ess in %efen%ing myself in t"e latter years of "ig" s#"ool ga.e me an animalisti#
worl% .iew. I felt t"at for#e was t"e prime moti.ator of life$ t"at t"e strong sur.i.e$ t"e
weak peris"$ an% t"at t"ere is no room in life for #ompassion. I was now /strong0$ an% I
was ne.er going to be /weak0 again.
1ortunately for me$ in my first few years of #ollege in t"e early se.enties$ t"e !2 s"ow
/3ung 1u0 wit" 4a.i% arra%ine was popular (t"e original .ersion of t"e s"ow+. 1rom
wat#"ing t"is I learne% t"at martial arts an% 5u%%"ism "a% a #onne#tion. !"en I starte%
rea%ing$ an% I foun% out t"at 5o%"i%"arma (4aruma+ is t"e foun%er not only of 3ung 1u
but also of "6an (7en+ 5u%%"ism. 8"ile rea%ing up on all t"is$ I was isolate% in t"e
suburbs of New York$ at "ome wit" my parents. 5ut I ma%e up my min% t"at in
9eptember$ w"en I returne% to 5altimore to %o my senior year at :o"ns Hopkins$ I was
going to fin% a 7en 5u%%"ist #enter an% learn to me%itate.
Howe.er$ in 9eptember$ my karate instru#tor$ Mark 9pen#er$ tol% me t"at he was
pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ an% "e re#ommen%e% I %o t"at rat"er t"an 7en. 5ase%
on t"e trust I "a% for Mark personally$ I took "is a%.i#e an% ma%e t"e first mo.es in my
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
;ra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism #"ange% my #ompassionless .iew of life. My fellow
5u%%"ists #onsistently s"owe% #on#ern for my "appiness an% took goo% #are of me$
tea#"ing me t"e basi#s of 5u%%"ism. !"is inspire% me to start "a.ing #ompassion an%
kin%ness myself. <.entually$ I was transforme% = from a wors"ipper of for#e to a
"umanisti# person.
3
I learne% to #ope wit" my past (being bullie%+ by #"anting a lot$ stu%ying 5u%%"ism$ an%
s"aring 5u%%"ism wit" ot"ers (I intro%u#e% se.eral people+. I also taug"t karate in t"e
19,*s. !ea#"ing it = "elping ot"ers learn to %efen% t"emsel.es = was .ery t"erapeuti#
for me. I also %i% work in t"e se#urity fiel%$ an% it was likewise .ery t"erapeuti# for me
to work prote#ting people$ property$ an% information. In t"e 199*s I %e.elope% a large
#olle#tion of plasti# toy sol%iers an% museum &uality military miniatures. I stage rubber
ban% gun battles wit" t"e plasti# toy sol%iers$ a "armless way to sublimate anger.
!o%ay t"e years w"en I was bullie% are 'ust a %im$ %istant memory. !"at e>perien#e no
longer "ol%s ba#k my "appiness.
Manifesting my 5u%%"a Nature by pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism "as gi.en me an
un#anny affinity wit" animals. I "a.e two "appy$ "ealt"y in%oor #ats = 3itty an%
9weetie. !"ey bot" a##ept being in%oors in my one be%room apartment? t"ey are #ute$
affe#tionate an% playful? t"ey %o not pester me$ %eman% attention$ or get in my way?
t"ey are non@%estru#ti.e? an% t"ey bot" use t"e litter bo> effe#ti.ely.
3itty is a brown stripe% !abby. 3itty was formerly li.ing in e>tremely #rampe% #on%itions
on boar% a long "aul tru#k tra#tor$ wit" two a%ult "umans an% two me%ium siAe %ogs
also #ramme% insi%e. My two el%erly 1) year ol% #ats$ !ippy an% 7ippy$ "a% bot" %ie%
wit"in a few mont"s of ea#" ot"er in early -*1*. I began #"anting e.ery %ay for t"e
perfe#t repla#ement #at. !"e tru#k %ri.er ga.e me 3itty on 4e#ember -5$ -*1* as I was
at work guar%ing t"e tru#k stop. 9u#" a fantasti# "ristmas present from t"e 5u%%"aB
3itty was only a year ol% w"en I got "im.
In :une of -*1-$ 3itty an% I a%%e% 9weetie to our little in%oor family. 9weetie is a s"ort
limbe% gray female #at w"om I fe% an% tame% for se.eral years before s"e felt rea%y to
#ome insi%e. 4uring t"e latter part of t"e taming perio%$ 9weetie slept in a #at igloo on
my patio$ an%$ t"roug" %aily intera#tions at my patio s#reen %oor$ be#ame #lose frien%s
wit" 3itty. Now 9weetie lo.es being insi%e an% safe 'ust as mu#" as 3itty %oes.
9weetie gets along beautifully wit" 3itty. Now 3itty "as a #ompanion to keep "im
#ompany w"en I6m at work. Cf #ourse before bringing 9weetie insi%e I "a% "er teste%$
an% s"e is free of AI49 an% leukemia$ so s"e #annot si#ken 3itty. At t"is testing (early
:une -*1-+$ t"e 2et sai% 9weetie was about fi.e years ol%.
3itty an% 9weetie #ome to t"e win%ow an% greet me w"en I #ome "ome from work.
!"ey sleep wit" me$ #u%%le% up rig"t besi%e me. !"ey play /#"ase t"e ball0$ /#"ase t"e
string0$ an% /#"ase t"e plasti# mouse0 wit" me. !"ey purr lou% w"en I "ol% t"em$ pet
t"em an% kiss t"em. !"ey li#k my nose an% my fingers e.ery now an% t"en. !"ey lo.e
me an% I lo.e t"em. If a #at is aloof$ t"at is usually t"e owner6s fault not t"e #at6s fault. I
s"ower my #ats wit" lo.e an% affe#tion$ an% #onse&uently t"ey lo.e me ba#k$ e.ery bit
as mu#". 3itty an% 9weetie make me .ery "appy. Alt"oug" I am single I am ne.er
lonely$ an% t"is is be#ause of 3itty an% 9weetie.
4
!"ere6s a lesson in all of t"is. I #"ante% almost nine mont"s to get my #at benefit.
!"ose nine mont"s were lonely at "ome wit"out a #at. 5ut w"en 3itty finally #ame into
my life$ "e was t"e ;<D1<! #at in e.ery way. An% now I also "a.e 9weetie to a%% to
my 'oy$ anot"er ;<D1<! apartment #atB I6.e now re#o.ere% my loss from w"en !ippy
an% 7ippy %ie% in early -*1*. 9o %on6t e.er gi.e up "alf@way w"en you6re #"anting for
somet"ingB Gi.e it time$ be patient$ perse.ere$ an% trust t"e 5u%%"a. Your benefit will
#ome$ in t"e rig"t way$ an% at t"e rig"t time. 9ometimes$ t"e greater t"e benefit$ t"e
longer it takes = be#ause w"en it finally "appens$ it will unfol% in t"e ;<D1<! 8AY.
I "a.e also sa.e% ele.en ot"er stray #ats an% one stray %og = by fee%ing t"em$ getting
to know t"em$ an% t"en taking t"em to a no@kill s"elter$ w"ere e.ery one was e.entually
a%opte% (t"ese were #ats w"o wante% to be outsi%e? t"at is w"y I %i% not keep t"em.
!"ey were a%opte% by people wit" fi.e be%room "ouses an% two a#re yar%s? one #at
e.en woun% up li.ing on a small farm+. I almost always win t"e trust of animals$ e.en
semi@wil% ones$ be#ause animals "a.e t"e same 5u%%"a Nature t"at I #ulti.ate in
myself t"roug" 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
I fee% 3itty an% 9weetie bot" %ry #at foo% an% #anne% #at foo%. C##asionally$ 9assy or
9"amus$ two opportunisti# neig"bor"oo% #ats$ #ome to my patio to get some #anne%
#at foo% as well. !"ey bot" "a.e "omes$ but e.i%ently t"eir owners only fee% t"em %ry
foo%.
My lo.e for li.ing #reatures is so strong t"at w"en I am at "ome in my apartment$ I e.en
go out of my way to a.oi% killing t"e inse#ts an% spi%ers w"o li.e wit" me.
In fa#t$ %uring t"e summer of -*11 at my weeken% guar% 'ob$ I was sitting in t"e guar%
s"a#k an% a "ornet flew in an% lan%e% on t"e %esk rig"t besi%e me. I tol% t"e "ornet
se.eral times t"at I like% "im. Cb.iously "ornets %on6t un%erstan% <nglis"$ but "e got
my basi# meaning from my frien%ly tone of .oi#e. !"en I e>ten%e% my "an% to "im an%
"e #limbe% on my "an% an% staye% t"ere a w"ile. 1inally "e #limbe% off an% went to
sleep on t"e %esk less t"an a foot away from me as I %i% somet"ing on my notebook
#omputer. !"e "ornet slept for a few "ours. At sun%own I gently blew my breat" on
"im to wake "im so "e #oul% return to t"e safety of "is nest before %ark.
I "a% t"at "ornet6s #omplete an% total trust$ an% t"is is be#ause "ornets an% ot"er
#reatures re#ogniAe my 5u%%"a nature w"i#" I manifest t"roug" my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
It really annoys me w"en I see someone #rus"ing a nearby "ornet for no reason. I wis"
people woul% realiAe t"at t"e "ornet6s attitu%e stems from t"eir attitu%e$ so if t"ey are
frien%ly to t"e "ornet$ t"e "ornet will be pea#eful. 8"en a "ornet gets angry at a
"uman$ it is be#ause t"at "uman s"owe% intoleran#e an% arrogan#e towar% t"e "ornet
first.
;ra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism will "elp you be#ome a big su##ess at work. I work as an
elite$ "ig"ly traine%$ "ig"er@pai% se#urity guar%. I "a.e %one elite se#urity for %e#a%es.
My #urrent post is guar%ing a tru#k stop at nig"t (I prefer nig"ts+ t"at "as o.er a "un%re%
5
trailers$ ea#" loa%e% wit" about E1**$*** wort" of foo% or furniture$ waiting to be pi#ke%
up by tru#k tra#tors in t"e morning.
At t"e tru#k stop t"ereFs 'ust me an% anot"er guar% @ only two of us. !"at is w"y t"ey
pay me mu#" more t"an most guar%s make. 9ome guar%s at my #ompany make mu#"
less money t"an me be#ause t"ey work at non@premium sites? t"e fa#t t"at I work at a
premium "ig" paying site is a benefit of my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
In early -**9 my boss tol% me t"at I am one of t"e best employees in t"e #ompany$ an%
t"at "e wis"e% "e "a% more employees like me.
I work 54 "ours a week as a guar%. !"e work is engaging but not %raining$ so I am
ne.er fatigue%. At work I #an listen to my ra%io$ rea% books$ use my notebook
#omputer$ or talk wit" t"e ot"er guar% an% wit" t"e tru#k %ri.ers$ mu#" of t"e time. I am
goo% frien%s wit" many of t"e tru#k %ri.ers$ some of w"om I6.e known for years$ so I am
not isolate%.
I bring my notebook #omputer to work wit" me an% use my #omputer$ between roun%s$
to in%ulge my anti&ue software "obby. I also rea% books on !ai "i at work. At t"e
same time$ I perform a #ons#ientious t"oroug" se#urity #"e#k of t"e entire premises
on#e an "our as t"e 'ob re&uires.
5e#ause my "ourly guar% salary is "ig"er t"an w"at most guar%s make$ an% I "a.e 14
"ours of o.ertime$ I "a.e a %e#ent mi%%le #lass in#ome$ w"ereas most guar%s are low
in#ome. I t"ank t"e Go"onAon for t"e goo% finan#ial fortune I "a.e been able to
generate t"roug" my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e. In%ee%$ in t"e ot"er t"ree apartments in my
apartment buil%ing are a mortgage un%erwriter an% "is girlfrien%$ w"o is a "ig" pai%
barten%er? an engineering %raftsman an% "is s#"ooltea#"er girlfrien%? an% two young
brot"ers w"o %ri.e a Mer#e%es an% a 5M8 respe#ti.ely (t"ey manage t"eir fat"er6s
#onstru#tion #ompany+. I #an affor% to li.e si%e by si%e wit" su#" people$ an% most
se#urity guar%s #annot. At t"e same time$ I am able to %o w"at I GI3< to %o for a li.ing$
w"i#" is to be a nig"t wat#"man. I "a.e my #ake an% eat it tooB !"is is a %ire#t benefit
from my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
I t"ink 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e "elps you at work be#ause it unleas"es your 5u%%"a wis%om
an% life for#e. More 5u%%"a wis%om means you "a.e an instin#t for t"e rig"t a#tions to
take at work$ espe#ially in unre"earse% situations. More life for#e means you #an apply
more energy to t"e 'ob wit"out be#oming %eplete% o.er time. 8"en you pra#ti#e
5u%%"ism you also re#ei.e prote#tion from t"e 5u%%"ist go%s (natural for#es in t"e
uni.erse+? t"is is ob.iously important for me$ #onsi%ering my 'ob$ an% I "a.e$ in%ee%$
been #onsistently prote#te%. I "a.e been working at t"e tru#k stop sin#e -**,.
My 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e "as always gi.en me money$ 'ob benefits$ #ars$ insuran#e$
"ousing$ me%i#al #are$ an% ot"er material t"ings. I "a% to work for all t"ese t"ings$ but
by pra#ti#ing 5u%%"ism my efforts bore fruit #onsistently. 9ome fairly re#ent e>amples
of my material$ finan#ial$ an% "ealt" benefits in#lu%eH
6
I praye% for a laptop or notebook #omputer at no #ost to me an% got one. It "as
pro.en to be reliable an% %epen%able wit" no problems in its operation. An% it is
#urrent enoug" t"at I was able to fin% software t"at woul% run on it$ an% I #an use
t"e internet.
In a%%ition to my main weeknig"t 'ob at t"e "ig" se#urity tru#k stop$ I also work at
anot"er tru#k stop on 9atur%ay an% 9un%ay nig"ts (I6m off 1ri%ay nig"ts+. !"e
weeken% tru#k stop "a% no guar% s"a#k$ so t"at autumn I #"ante% t"at t"ey
woul% install one$ so I woul%n6t "a.e to use my own automobile gas to stay warm.
!"e guar% s"a#k was installe% 'ust as winter set in.
I began #"anting %aimoku for a use% 2ol.o in goo% #on%ition at little or no #ost to
me$ to repla#e my aging e#onomy #ar. I got my 199I 2ol.o se.eral mont"s after
I began #"anting for it$ an% it #ost me EI**. I6.e "a% to in.est a #ouple of
t"ousan% %ollars repla#ing ol% parts$ but for roug"ly E-I** total$ it was still a
great %eal. As you know$ 2ol.o6s last fore.er if you maintain t"em. An% t"ey6re a
.ery safe #ar to %ri.e.
I "a.e e>tensi.e an% affor%able me%i#al an% %ental insuran#e. It %oes not #ome
from my 'ob. I6.e "a% it for many years$ so w"en Cbama@are #ame along I
alrea%y "a% #o.erage an% I %i%n6t nee% to make any #"anges. I guess you #oul%
say I6m enrolle% in /5u%%"ist@Go%s@are0$ be#ause t"e 5u%%"ist Go%s prote#te%
me an% saw to it$ long ago$ t"at I "a% goo% me%i#al #o.erage.
Alt"oug" o.ertime is generally frowne% upon at my guar% agen#y$ I work 54
"ours a week.
At my 9atur%ay tru#k stop$ one autumn t"ey installe% wat#"@#lo#k keys an%
e>pe#te% us to %ri.e aroun% t"e yar%$ getting out of our #ar -- times to walk to
ea#" of t"e -- keys$ situate% aroun% t"e tru#k yar%$ an% #li#k t"em in t"e wat#"@
#lo#k. (!"e key w"en being turne% in t"e #lo#k makes a mark on a paper tape.+
!"is was to pro.e t"at we %i% our roun%s. It was alrea%y autumn w"en t"is
system was installe%$ an% I knew it woul% be "ell to get out of my #ar -- times in
winter@time$ an% repeating t"e entire or%eal several times %uring my s"ift. A sure
formula for pneumoniaB 9o I #"ante% t"at t"ey woul% wai.e t"e key tours an%
'ust trust us to %o our roun%s. I got w"at I wante% 'ust as winter set in$ an% we
"a.en6t been re&uire% to "it t"e #lo#k keys sin#e. !"e amaAing t"ing is$ t"e #lient
"a% 'ust spent o.er E,** on t"e wat#"@#lo#k system$ an% soon after installing it
t"ey wai.e% t"e #lo#k roun%s. Now we 'ust %ri.e slow aroun% t"e yar% an% look
out our #ar win%ows to #"e#k on t"ings.
In early -**, my former #at 7ippy$ w"o was t"en 15$ #ame %own wit" %iabetes$
w"i#" is often a##ompanie% by urinary tra#t infe#tions. !"is #auses a #at to
#ome to asso#iate t"e litter bo> wit" pain an% for t"at reason pee on t"e #arpets.
I was (an% still am+ li.ing in an apartment #omple> wit" neig"bors rig"t nearby$
an% a .ery .igilant apartment manager. I kept 7ippy ali.e for an a%%itional two
7
years wit" insulin an% spe#ial foo% until "e %ie% at age 1) in -*1*. I s#rubbe%
fres" baking so%a into t"e #arpets on#e a mont"$ .a#uuming it up at t"e en% of
t"e mont"? t"is re%u#e%$ but %i% not eliminate$ t"e o%or. 4uring t"e final two
years of 7ippy6s life$ %espite t"e o%or in my apartment$ my neig"bors ne.er
#omplaine%$ an% my apartment manager was un%erstan%ing an% #ompassionate.
8it"out t"e magnanimity of t"ese ot"er people I woul% "a.e "a% to put 7ippy
%own at age 15$ two years prematurely. I belie.e t"ese people respon%e% to t"e
o%or problem wit" #ompassion be#ause of my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e. 8"en 7ippy
%ie% my apartment manager aske% me to pull up t"e smelly #arpets an% %is#ar%
t"em in t"e %umpster$ an% I #omplie%. I was not #"arge% any money for t"e loss
of t"e #arpets.
I6m into retro #omputing$ an% I boug"t a new mass pro%u#e% 19)*6s style 4@bit
#omputer. It is not unlike t"e ol% MI!9 Altair #omputer of 19)5. 9in#e t"is
#omputer was newly manufa#ture%$ #ompare% to an a#tual anti&ue Altair$ it was
.ery ine>pensi.e. !"e only problem was$ it was manufa#ture% in :apan$ an% t"e
manual was in :apanese$ w"i#" I %o not rea%. I #"ante% t"at someone woul%
write an offi#ial or unoffi#ial manual for t"e #omputer in <nglis". 8it"in se.eral
mont"s an <nglis" language manual appeare% on t"e internet$ w"i#" logi#ally
means work was starte% almost rig"t after I began #"anting about it. Gooking at
t"e situation reasonably$ it is unlikely t"at my daimo*u alone broug"t about t"e
<nglis" manual. It is mu#" more likely t"at t"e <nglis" manual "appene% as t"e
result of t"e prayers$ lobbying an% #ampaigning of se.eral "un%re% <nglis"
speaking owners of t"e #omputer. 5ut I belie.e my %aimoku #ontribute%. After
all$ I may "a.e been t"e only one w"o was #"anting Nam@Myo"o@Denge@3yo.
<.er sin#e I starte% pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism in 19)5$ I "a.e been
#onsistently prote#te%$ often in a %ramati# fas"ion$ e.ery single time I "a.e e.er
been in a money #run#". !"is prote#tion is so reliable t"at I "a.e #ome to take it
for grante%$ an% I no longer worry e.en w"en t"e prote#tion %oesn6t appear
imme%iately.
Now "or a health bene"it% In May of -*1-$ my rig"t knee su%%enly began to bot"er
me$ se.erely$ an% my %o#tor %iagnose% it as art"ritis. 8ell$ t"anks to #"anting
an% "on%roitin@Glu#osamine@M9M$ by t"e en% of :uly -*1-$ I was no longer
limping an% t"e pains in my knee were 95J gone. 5y C#tober -*1- I was
#ompletely re#o.ere% = t"e art"ritis was #ompletely gone.
!"en in 1ebruary -*1K I starte% "a.ing pains in my rig"t knee an% s"in@bone
only when driving my car. My %o#tor sai% it was ten%onitis t"is time. I began
taking ginger for its anti@inflammatory benefits$ massaging t"e area %aily$ an%
#"anting to "eal t"e %amage as &ui#kly as possible. 8ell$ by April of -*1K my
ten%onitis was #ompletely goneB
5ut meanw"ile my %o#tor "a% or%ere% me to &uit pra#ti#ing karate an% pra#ti#e
tai#"i only. At first I felt a #onsi%erable sense of loss. 5ut t"en$ in t"e summer of
8
-*1K I #reate% an interme%iate regimen w"i#" I #alle% Tai:Te. !"at6s !ai from
!ai#"i an% !e from 3ara@!e. It was a blen% of bot" martial arts. I pra#ti#e% t"is
e>perimentally for a few mont"s an% t"e art"ritis an% ten%onitis %i% not return.
9o in 9eptember of -*1K I went ba#k to pra#ti#ing bot" !ai#"i an% 3arate an% =
guess w"atL No art"ritis$ no ten%onitisB !"en in No.ember I spoke wit" my
%o#tor$ "e aske% me a bun#" of &uestions$ "e like% my answers$ an% so "e ga.e
me "is blessing to #ontinue pra#ti#ing bot" karate an% tai#"i.
"anting "elps t"e bo%y "eal faster an% better t"an it woul% ot"erwise$ be#ause
t"e 5u%%"a Nature e>presses itself not only spiritually but also p"ysi#ally. I6m
sure t"e "on%roitin@Glu#osamine@M9M$ t"e ginger$ an% t"e massages also
"elpe%. !"is s"ows t"at w"en we are fa#e% wit" a "ealt" problem$ or any kin% of
problem$ bot" prayer an% a#tion are re&uire%. In t"e #ase of a "ealt" problem$
we must not only pray but also see our %o#tor an% apply t"e rig"t kin% of
me%i#ine an% t"erapy.
I "a.e also been prote#te% %ramati#ally in two #ar a##i%ents (t"e ot"er party6s fault+ an%
two self %efense situations (w"i#" I was able to resol.e wit"out serious in'ury to eit"er
party$ an% wit" "umane %ialogue being t"e final out#ome+.
My p"ysi#al "ealt" is .ery goo%$ an% always "as been. I "a.e ne.er "a% any %iseases$
an% I .ery sel%om #at#" a #ol%. I attribute t"is to my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e$ as well as to a
#ommon sense lifestyle (goo% %iet$ enoug" sleep$ e>er#ise$ annual #"e#kups+.
8"en I am #"anting sin#erely about some problem or goal$ I fin% I be#ome more
#reati.e. 9ome years ago I #o%e% 1** 8in%ows software programs$ an% for a time I
%istribute% t"em on anot"er web site. Most of t"e 1** programs are small = ea#" one
was #o%e% in my spare time in two or t"ree e.enings. All 1** of t"ese programs are
new an% uni&ue = t"ey6.e ne.er been %one before as appli#ation software. I a#tually
"a% K** inno.ati.e i%eas? I #o%e% t"e best 1** of t"em. !"ere were really only )1 #ore
i%eas = t"e ot"er --9 i%eas were .ariations on t"e #ore i%eas. 9till$ )1 new software
i%eas is &uite a feat of #reati.ity. I got t"e )1 i%eas gra%ually$ a few at a time$ at times
w"en I was #"anting seriously about somet"ing unrelate%. Cne nig"t I got 1** i%eas in
one e.ening$ a few "ours after #"anting an "our for my #at 7ippy6s %iabetes to stabiliAe.
Also$ someone I met t"roug" t"is web site #o@aut"ore% an% publis"e% a book wit" me. I
am not going to be spe#ifi#$ be#ause I %o not want to use t"is web site for a%.ertising.
5ut t"e book is about a ni#"e sub'e#t of interest to bot" of us (not 5u%%"ism+. 9"e lent
me "er #re%entials an% e>perien#e an% a#te% as my e%itor an% #o@promoter. 8it"out
putting up t"is web site I woul% ne.er "a.e met "er. 8"en you make a goo% #ause$
you e.entually re#ei.e a goo% effe#t$ as we all know. 8 e publis"e% t"e book using
reate9pa#e$ w"i#" means we %i%nFt "a.e to in.est any money (t"ere is no o.er"ea%+
an% t"e book is automati#ally sol% on AmaAon. 9o far$ %espite t"e lingering re#ession
an% t"e fa#t t"at our book is about a ni#"e sub'e#t$ we "a.e ne.ert"eless en'oye%
mo%est sales. Most of all we "a% t"e fun of preparing t"e book$ an% I ma%e a new
9
frien%$ w"o will no %oubt be a frien% for life. An% IFm now a publis"e% aut"orB 8it" a
real I(BN number and everything@@@
In t"e 19,*s w"en I was in my K*s I went stea%y wit" a beautiful woman name% Gin%a$
w"o worke% as a nurse. !"ings were great for a long time$ but t"en$ after years wit"
me$ s"e took up wit" a "ristian man w"o "a% a tree farm$ an% ma%e more money t"an
me$ an% s"e wit"%rew from 5u%%"ism$ an% s"e wit"%rew from me as well. 9in#e t"en
(19,9+ I "a.e %ate% intermittently but "a.e ne.er foun% anot"er #ommitte% lo.e. 5ut
"ere6s my benefit from pra#ti#ing 5u%%"ismH I am ne.er lonely (not as long as t"ere are
#ats li.ing wit" me+. I "a.en6t misse% Gin%a sin#e 1991. My #ats$ my 'ob$ my freelan#e
work$ my "obbies$ an% my own "ig" inner life #on%ition$ totally fulfill me emotionally. I
am #omplete wit"in myself. !"ere are so many people w"ose li.es are an emotional
roller #oaster be#ause t"eir "appiness %epen%s on a .olatile relations"ip. 8"ereas I
am single$ fulfille%$ an% "appy$ absorbe% an% o##upie% wit" my #ats an% my a#ti.ities.
8"i#" way woul% you rat"er beL !"is is a tremen%ous benefit from my 5u%%"ist
pra#ti#e.
Also$ &uite frankly$ t"ese %ays I am not nearly as "ot bloo%e% as I was w"en I was -5.
!"e fa#t is$ I6m not really looking for a relations"ip now? I en'oy my life 'ust t"e way it is.
At t"is point in my life I en'oy "a.ing my time to myself an% "a.ing t"ings my own way?
it6s kin% of ni#e. 5ut it6s goo% t"at I "a% t"e relations"ip wit" Gin%a for a w"ile$ w"ile I
was young$ be#ause$ life is about learning lessons$ an% t"ere are lessons w"i#" only
relations"ips #an tea#" us$ an% ways of %e.eloping oursel.es w"i#" #an only o##ur in a
relations"ip. 9o I6m gla% I "a% t"e e>perien#e? I "a.e no regrets.
Cne goo% t"ing I "a.e now$ t"at I %i%n6t "a.e w"en I was young$ is t"e ability to 'ust
en'oy young women as frien%s$ wit"out wanting or nee%ing anyt"ing from t"em. In t"e
apartment upstairs from me is a gorgeous young woman w"o li.es t"ere wit" "er young
boyfrien%. If t"is situation "a% "appene% in my twenties I woul% "a.e been #onsume%
wit" 'ealousy. 5ut to%ay$ in #ontrast$ I #an en'oy bot" of t"em as frien%s$ an% t"ey in
turn sense my rela>e% attitu%e an% t"ey respon% to me positi.ely in return. In part t"is
is 'ust a p"ysi#al pro#ess of #alming %own an% be#oming more mellow wit" age$ but it6s
also a spiritual %e.elopment @ a long term in#onspi#uous benefit from my %e#a%es of
5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
My #"ara#ter re.olution o.er t"e %e#a%es resulting from my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e "as
impro.e% my relations"ip wit" my brot"er 5ru#e. Years ago we "a% a %iffi#ult
relations"ip$ but now we are #lose frien%s.
My many tangible (material+ benefits pro.e t"at t"ere is not"ing wrong wit" pra#ti#ing
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism in%epen%ently. You #an #ertainly #reate fortune pra#ti#ing
5u%%"ism in an organiAation$ su#" as 9oka Gakkai$ Ni#"iren 9"u$ et#. 5ut you #an also
#reate fortune pra#ti#ing in%epen%ently. ;ra#ti#ing in%epen%ently is 'ust as goo% as
ot"er mo%es of pra#ti#e. Cne t"ing6s for #ertainH I most #ertainly "a.e not been
/punis"e%0 as some people mig"t e>pe#t.
10
I "a.e also re#ei.e% in#onspi#uous (spiritual+ benefits. Here are some of t"oseH
I6.e alrea%y %es#ribe% "ow I6.e morp"e% from being a "elpless bullying .i#tim$ to
a .i#ious martial artist$ to a kin% generous #ompassionate person. !"e latter
transformation was entirely %ue to my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e. An% I %i%n6t "a.e to
gi.e up martial arts to make t"e #"angeB
Cne of t"e biggest benefits I get from being a Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist is "a.ing an
internal lo#us of #ontrol. 1or e>ample$ if I "a.e a %iffi#ult boss$ I know from
stu%ying 5u%%"ism t"at I must #"ange first$ rat"er t"an waiting for my boss to
#"ange. 5y #"anging myself$ I #an e.entually win o.er my boss or get a better
boss.
Anot"er benefit I get from pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is a##ountability. I am
taug"t t"at e.eryt"ing I %o #omes ba#k to me$ so it is in my own interest to make
goo% #auses an% a.oi% %oing ba% t"ings. !"us$ I "a.e a pra#ti#al reason to try
to be a goo% person.
All my life I "a.e gone my own way = I "a.e mar#"e% to t"e beat of a %ifferent
%rummer. In kin%ergarten I playe% wit" t"e ot"er ki%s part of t"e time$ but I also
en'oye% solitary play. After gra%uating from :o"ns Hopkins$ I s"unne% tra%itional
#areer life$ an% opte% instea% to be a martial arts instru#tor an% elite se#urity
guar%. Alt"oug" I like women$ I ne.er %esire% to marry an% "a.e #"il%ren$ an%
instea% I li.e% a solitary life sprinkle% wit" girlfrien%s. At my tru#k stop nig"t
wat#"man 'ob to%ay$ I en'oy t"e fre&uent so#ial #onta#t$ but I also en'oy t"e
solitary time. 5u%%"ism %i% not make me %ifferent? I6.e always been %ifferent. In
my twenties I was self #ons#ious about my pronoun#e% in%i.i%uality$ an% I
worrie% about fitting in an% about "ow I was per#ei.e% by ot"ers. 5ut gra%ually
t"roug" my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e$ as I gaine% an in#reasing gut le.el awareness of
my 5u%%"a Nature$ I #ame to see t"e "ig" .alue of my life$ 'ust as I am$ an% I
#ame to a##ept myself. !o%ay$ be#ause I a##ept myself #ompletely$ ot"er people
a##ept me tooM5y t"e way$ 5u%%"ism also works for #onformists$ not only for
non@#onformists. It works for e.eryone.
My long %e#a%es of 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e "a.e transforme% me from a pessimist an%
#omplainer into a person fille% wit" optimism an% appre#iation. 1or e>ample$ on
one parti#ularly #ol% nig"t at t"e tru#k stop in t"e winter of -*1-@-*1K$ I walke%
up to one of my tru#k %ri.er frien%s an% laun#"e% into a spontaneous re#itation of
all t"e GCC4 t"ings about my 'ob = no offi#e politi#s$ no annoying #o@workers$
no boss breat"ing %own my ne#k e.ery minute$ I6.e ma%e myself in%ispensable
be#ause a lot of younger guys 'ust won6t %o it$ t"ere6s goo% "eat in t"e guar%
s"a#k at least$ an% w"en I am outsi%e t"e #ol% nig"t air is "ealt"y an% bra#ing$ I
#an listen to talk ra%io$ rea% books$ an% use my #omputer between roun%s$ I get
to talk to t"e tru#k %ri.ers$ an% on an% on. !"at tru#k %ri.er listening to me "a%
HI9 C8N moo% lifte% by my positi.e attitu%e (I know$ be#ause "e !CG4 me soB+.
Cur ob'e#ti.e situation is only -* per#ent of our "appiness$ an% t"e ot"er ,*
11
per#ent is "ow we take it. "anting %efinitely gi.es me a /#up "alf full attitu%e0
rat"er t"an a /#up "alf empty attitu%e0 an% as a result I "a.e e.ol.e% into a
brig"t$ "appy person. I am "appy not be#ause I "a.e perfe#t #ir#umstan#es$ but
be#ause I "a.e an upbeat attitu%e. (My positi.e attitu%e %oesn6t stop me from
wearing long 'o"ns an% two #oats in t"e winter timeB+
!"roug" my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e I "a.e a#&uire% a MI99ICN w"i#" gi.es meaning
an% purpose to my life = to "elp ot"er people w"o wis" to pra#ti#e Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism in%epen%ently. I "a.e realiAe% t"at all my personal #"ara#teristi#s =
in#lu%ing my non@#onformity = are t"ere for a purpose$ so t"at I #oul% fulfill my
mission in t"is lifetime. My mission$ an% t"e affe#tion I e>#"ange wit" my #ats$
are t"e two great sour#es of "appiness in my life. An% I 4C #onsi%er myself to
be a "appy person.
Anot"er benefit is t"at t"e fear of %eat" is eliminate%. I firmly belie.e in
rein#arnation$ so w"en %eat" #omes ("opefully in a%.an#e% ol% age+$ I #an fa#e it
wit" serenity. I belie.e in rein#arnation so firmly$ t"at I spen% a few minutes ea#"
week playing simple tunes on /2irtual ;iano0 on my #omputer$ so t"at$ in my ne>t
lifetime$ I will "a.e e>tensi.e musi#al opportunities. I %o not li.e only in t"is
lifetime? I li.e an% plan on an eternal plane.
In%ee%$ serenity is my biggest benefit rig"t now$ %ay to %ay. I know t"at I #an
ta#kle any obsta#le an% turn it aroun% into an impetus for my growt"$ #"anging
poison into me%i#ine.
I 'ust mentione% t"at 5u%%"ism gi.es me a reason to be goo%$ an% eliminates my fear of
%eat". !"is 'ust goes to s"ow t"at t"e most important t"ing about a religious belief is
t"e impa#t it "as on t"e belie.er$ not w"et"er it is intrinsi#ally or absolutely true. At t"e
same time$ I do belie.e t"at 5u%%"ism is true.
3hallenges I &m 3urrently 6acing
I am %efinitely not a fully enlig"tene% /guru0 in t"e remotest sense of t"e wor%. I6m 'ust
a regular :oe$ 'ust like you$ w"o is still working on "is life #on%ition an% "is fortune$ an%
w"o "as many miles a"ea% of "im in life6s 'ourney of self impro.ement.
I am always trying to impro.e my life #on%ition still furt"er$ be#ause t"e "ig"er my life
#on%ition be#omes$ t"e "appier I will be an% t"e more I #an make ot"er people (an%
animals+ "appy. I "a.e t"e a%%e% in#enti.e t"at t"e more I raise my life #on%ition$ t"e
more I will be able to in#rease my HI (internal energy+ for use in self %efense an%
"ealing.
Anot"er #"allengeH I nee% to #ome up wit" an i%ea for a small "ome base% business I
#an run w"en I retire from being a nig"t wat#"man. I plan to retire w"en I6m II$
be#ause at t"at age I #an #olle#t 9o#ial 9e#urity wit" no earnings limits. !"at will be in
-*-*. I am #onfi%ent t"at t"roug" my 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e$ I #an %efinitely make my %ream
12
materialiAe. !"e "uman min% is like a mo.ie pro'e#tor$ an% t"e en.ironment is 'ust a
s#reen. !"is is parti#ularly true for people w"o #"ant Nam Myo"o Denge 3yo.
8"et"er at 19$ 59 or ,9$ we must ne.er sink into #ompla#en#y an% stop a%.an#ing$
t"inking /now I6.e arri.e%0. Gi.ing in a "ealt"y manner means always a%.an#ing$ always
stri.ing to grow an% impro.e furt"er. 5e#ause I "a.e t"is spirit$ alt"oug" I will be I* in
Mar#" -*14$ people often take me for someone in t"eir early fifties.
Why practice Nichiren Daishonins Buddhism?
;ra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 4ais"onin6s 5u%%"ism will make you "appy$ se#ure an% prosperous.
It will make you more enlig"tene%. It will let you be#ome one wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw.
In pra#ti#al terms$ w"at %oes it mean to be /one wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw0L !"e answer
is not"ing remarkable. Here is a list of "ints an% #luesH
<n'oying life6s #"allenges$ not only t"e smoot" times. !urning e.ery obsta#le into an
impetus for personal growt". !urning one6s sufferings into one6s mission = t"e mission
to o.er#ome t"e suffering in or%er to be en#ouraging to ot"ers fa#e% wit" similar
#ir#umstan#es.
A#"ie.ing a balan#e in %aily life. More appre#iation. More %etermination. More
optimism. More energy. 5etter relations"ips. aring more about ot"ers. Despe#ting
ot"er people more. Despe#ting ot"er life@affirming religions an% t"eir pra#titioners.
5eing law abi%ing. Not nee%ing to be a substan#e abuser. 5eing et"i#al @ but$ from
ent"usiasm to %o t"e rig"t t"ing$ not from guilt. 9tan%ing up wit" integrity e.en in t"e
fa#e of workpla#e politi#s an% %is#repan#ies. At t"e same time$ e>perien#ing un#anny
prote#tion in one6s work en.ironment @ as well as one6s so#ial an% natural en.ironment.
Despe#ting t"e natural en.ironment. Despe#ting animals @ being kin% to t"em$ an%
wit"out #on%es#ension. DealiAing t"at 'ust be#ause it6s a bug$ it %oesn6t t"ereby
automati#ally %eser.e to %ie (people s"oul% ne.ert"eless prote#t t"eir "omes from
infestations+.
9ome people may e>press more enlig"tenment by be#oming .egetarians. Ct"ers by
eating less meat t"an before$ an% by a.oi%ing meats w"ere t"e animals are raise%
in"umanely.
9ome people may e>press more enlig"tenment by refraining from "unting. Ct"ers may
e>press more enlig"tenment by "unting more #arefully @ taking pains to be#ome a goo%
woo%sman an% marksman$ so as to make t"e kill swiftly an% surely. 1eeling genuine
gratitu%e for t"e sa#rifi#e ma%e by t"e &uarry. Hunting primarily for meat to be eaten$
not e>pli#itly for trop"ies. 1eeling sin#erely goo% about t"e #onser.ation role of "unting
@ t"inning "er%s to pre.ent mass star.ation.
13
(In t"is se#t we "a.e no e>pli#it Precepts or spe#ifi# rules of #on%u#t. 5e"a.ioral
impro.ements %o "appen$ but t"ey arise from one6s growing inner enlig"tenment$ an%
are un%ertaken .oluntarily. !"at6s be#ause we belie.e e>ternal #o%es of #on%u#t
#annot lea% to lasting #"anges? in t"e long run$ people must be#ome internally
persua%e% to %o better$ of t"eir own .olition.+
"eris"ing life is a sign of in#reasing oneness wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw. An% being less
afrai% of %eat" is an in%i#ation of in#reasing enlig"tenment. "eris"ing life more an%
fearing %eat" less$ are two impro.ements t"at ten% to %e.elop toget"er.
Cneness wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw also means li.ing a natural lifestyle @ li.ing as nature
inten%e% us to. 9u#" as rising in t"e morning$ working all %ay$ an% sleeping at nig"t (of
#ourse$ some people "a.e to work t"e nig"t s"ift+.
8"en a young #ouple is su%%enly fa#e% wit" an une>pe#te% pregnan#y an% t"ey are
barely able finan#ially to support a #"il%$ being one wit" t"e uni.ersal law means
a##epting t"e #"allenge to struggle to upgra%e t"eir finan#es$ an% "a.ing t"e #"il%
%espite all %iffi#ulties. !"is s"ows respe#t for t"e san#tity of "uman life$ w"i#" is part of
being one wit" t"e uni.ersal law. Cn t"e ot"er "an%$ if t"e #ouple takes t"e easy way
out an% "as an abortion$ t"at is slan%ering t"e uni.ersal law$ be#ause it is s"owing
#ontempt for "uman life. ,6or more on this sub8ect, read ANichiren Buddhism and
&bortionB, later on in the website-.
Ct"er signs of being one wit" t"e Nni.ersal GawH 5eing self restraine% w"en ne#essary.
Ha.ing e>uberan#e$ being 'oyful$ being playful @ in measure$ an% w"en appropriate.
5eing tolerant w"en appropriate? being relentlessly %is#erning w"en ne#essary.
ontrolling one6s anger$ refraining from unne#essary .iolen#e$ yet #ourageously
%efen%ing t"e inno#ent an% t"e "elpless w"en re&uire%. <>er#ising. Ouitting smoking.
!aking better #are of one6s "ealt".
5eing stri#t yet #ompassionate wit" oneself. Always looking for self impro.ement$ w"ile
always forgi.ing oneself (an% ot"ers+ for being less t"an perfe#t.
14
How Nichiren Buddhism is practiced in the United States
!"ere are a large number of %ifferent s#"ools of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. Many of t"ese are
a#ti.e in t"e Nnite% 9tates. !"ey agree on most of t"e fun%amentals. Yet t"ey %iffer on
some parti#ulars. Here is an e>planation of w"o t"ey are an% w"at t"ey ea#" belie.e.
;lease bear in min% t"at all t"e statisti#s liste% below are appro>imate. !"e aut"or
up%ates t"ese statisti#s e.ery 1ebruary.
!"e first t"ing you s"oul% know is t"at 5u%%"ists of all stripes in t"e Nnite% 9tates
#omprise about *.) per#ent of t"e a%ult population. 5u%%"ism #ompetes wit" Islam for
t"e position of fourt" largest religion in Ameri#a = after "ristianity$ :u%aism$ an% no
affiliation.

!"ere are about -15$K,4 Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists in t"e Nnite% 9tates. !"ere are about -1
million a#ross t"e worl%. In t"e N.9.H
Ni#"iren 9"u "as )J$ or 15$*)).
Ni#"iren 9"os"u "as ,J$ or 1)$-K1.
9oka Gakkai International = N9A "as almost -*J$ or about 4K$*)I a#ti.e #urrent
members.
1ormer 9oka Gakkai members w"o "a.e &uit an% are no longer pra#ti#ing at all
#omprise 45J of all N.9. Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists$ or about 9I$9--. 9u#" people may
"a.e 5u%%"ist beliefs$ but t"ey no longer #"ant or #arry out any sort of pra#ti#e.
In%epen%ents w"o a#ti.ely pra#ti#e #omprise 15J$ or K-$K*,.
Ct"er Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists #omprise 1J$ or -$154.
4J mi> Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist met"o%s wit" pra#ti#es from ot"er 5u%%"ist se#ts.
!"ese people number about ,$I1I.
Ni#"iren 9"u$ 9oka Gakkai$ an% 3empon Hokke belie.e t"at 9"akyamuni is t"e most
fun%amental 5u%%"a$ /t"e Criginal 5u%%"a0. 8"ereas Ni#"iren 9"os"u re.eres
Ni#"iren as t"e Criginal 5u%%"a$ an% regar%s 9"akyamuni as a pro.isional 5u%%"a.
!"e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist Asso#iation of Ameri#a (N5AA+ a%.o#ates "ars" #onfrontation
wit" t"e %ominant religions of Ameri#a$ espe#ially "ristianity. 8"ereas t"e 9oka
Gakkai is less #onfrontational an% prefers to "a.e %ialogue wit" people of ot"er beliefs
an% to #ooperate wit" t"em on se#ular goo% works.
Also$ Ni#"iren 9"u re.eres all si> senior priests w"o in"erite% Ni#"iren6s tea#"ings.
8"ereas 9oka Gakkai an% Ni#"iren 9"os"u belie.e t"at only Nikko 9"onin$ one of t"e
si> senior priests$ a##urately preser.e% Ni#"iren6s tea#"ings.
Ni#"iren 9"os"u an% 9oka Gakkai use% to be one se#t$ but t"ey split apart in 1991 an%
"a.e "a% an ugly$ often .i#ious ri.alry e.er sin#e. Ni#"iren 9"os"u is a group of priests
an% temples an% t"ey tea#" blin% obe%ien#e to t"e Hig" ;riest. 9oka Gakkai$ on t"e
ot"er "an%$ is a laymen6s organiAation t"at tea#"es t"at lay people #an manifest
enlig"tenment on t"eir own. At t"e same time$ 9oka Gakkai members re.ere 4aisaku
15
Ike%a$ t"eir ;resi%ent$ as t"eir mentor$ an% t"ey regar% t"emsel.es as Ike%a6s %is#iples$
so t"ey are not #ompletely in%epen%ent eit"er.
(!"is se#tion was written in -**)$ w"en Ike%a was ),. 9oka Gakkai plans to maintain
Ike%a as t"e mentor after "is %eat" by referring to t"e .oluminous bo%y of writings an%
spee#"es "e "as left be"in%+.
1or t"ose new to Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ a spe#ial note is ne#essary "ere. !"e
/Go"onAon0 is t"e ob'e#t of wors"ip in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. It is a s#roll or tablet wit"
#alligrap"y on it. It represents t"e state of enlig"tenment or 5u%%"a"oo%.
Ni#"iren 9"os"u re.eres t"e 4ai@Go"onAon$ w"i#" is in t"e possession of Ni#"iren
9"os"u at !aiseki'i$ :apan$ as t"e /foremost0 or /main0 Go"onAon$ t"e one an% only
spe#ial ob'e#t of wors"ip for all mankin%. Howe.er t"e ot"er Ni#"iren s#"ools point out
t"at now"ere in t"e Gos"o (t"e writings of Ni#"iren+ is t"e 4ai@Go"onAon mentione%.
!"e ot"er Ni#"iren s#"ools belie.e t"at Ni#"iren 9"os"u #laims t"e suprema#y of t"e
4ai@Go"onAon in or%er to put t"emsel.es in a superior position to t"e ot"er Ni#"iren
s#"ools$ w"i#" "a.e no a##ess to t"e 4ai@Go"onAon.
!"e !"ree Great 9e#ret Gaws of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism are t"e Cb'e#t of 8ors"ip (t"e
Go"onAon+$ t"e 4aimoku (Nam@Myo"o@Denge@3yo$ t"e mantra we #"ant+$ an% t"e Hig"
9an#tuary (t"e pla#e w"ere t"e Go"onAon is ens"rine%+. 9in#e Ni#"iren 9"os"u "ol%s
t"at t"e 4ai@Go"onAon is t"e foremost Go"onAon$ t"ey naturally "ol% t"at t"e Hig"
9an#tuary is spe#ifi#ally !aiseki'i$ w"ere t"e 4ai@Go"onAon is ens"rine%. 5ut ot"er
s#"ools of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism %o not agree t"at t"e Hig" 9an#tuary is !aiseki'i.
Also$ in t"is web site t"ere is a %ownloa% link for t"e Go"onAon trans#ribe% by Ni#"ikan$
#urrently t"e Go"onAon t"e 9GI gi.es to its members. Anyone #an %ownloa% t"is
image from my web site$ print it an% trim it$ t"en frame it an% mount it abo.e t"eir altar.
Also in my web site t"ere is a link to a %ownloa% site w"ere t"e rea%er #an obtain ot"er
Go"onAons ins#ribe% by Ni#"iren "imself. Now$ t"e 9oka Gakkai .e"emently opposes
t"e transmission of t"e Go"onAon .ia t"e internet. !"e aut"or belie.es t"e reason for
t"e 9oka Gakkai6s opposition is t"at t"e 9oka Gakkai woul% like to be t"e sole sour#e of
Go"onAons for its members$ to in#rease its #ontrol o.er its members"ip. 8"en people
#an obtain t"e Go"onAon in%epen%ently$ t"at re%u#es t"e 9oka Gakkai6s power.
Gikewise Ni#"iren 9"os"u$ Ni#"iren 9"u$ et#$ state t"at a priest must perform an /<ye
Cpening eremony0 o.er a Go"onAon before it #an be empowere%. !"is is a#tually
%esigne% to preser.e an% en"an#e t"e power of priests o.er t"eir lay paris"ioners$ a
ploy similar to t"e 9GI6s. !"e aut"or belie.es t"at all "uman beings e&ually possess t"e
5u%%"a nature$ an% so$ anyone w"o li.es wit" integrity #an perform t"e eye opening
#eremony. An <ye Cpening eremony for lay belie.ers$ a%apte% from Ni#"iren 9"u$ is
a.ailable on t"is web page.
Ni#"iren 9"u belie.es t"at t"e .ali% ob'e#t of wors"ip is not only t"e Go"onAon$ but
also$ an ins#ription of Nam@Myo"o@Denge@3yo alone$ or$ a statue of 9"akyamuni$ or a
16
statue of 9"akyamuni flanke% by t"e 1our 5o%"isatt.as$ or$ a statue of !a"o 5u%%"a (a
myt"ologi#al 5u%%"a w"o appeare% in t"e Gotus 9utra to attest to its .era#ity+.
8"ereas Ni#"iren 9"os"u an% 9GI belie.e t"at t"e Go"onAon alone is t"e ob'e#t of
wors"ip.
9GI an% ot"er Ni#"iren organiAations tea#" t"at it is wrong to %isplay a p"otograp" of
t"e Go"onAon in print or online. 5ut many in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists belie.e
t"ere is not"ing wrong wit" %oing t"is. Many in%epen%ents belie.e t"at t"e tra%itional
taboo against %isplaying t"e Go"onAon is a me%ie.al superstition. It is not unlike
superstitious Nati.e Ameri#ans in t"e west in t"e late 1,**6s$ w"o were afrai% to "a.e
t"eir p"otograp" taken$ be#ause t"ey t"oug"t t"eir souls woul% be stolen from t"em. Cf
#ourse$ t"e Go"onAon must be %isplaye% in a %ignifie% setting. 1or e>ample$ in#lu%ing
an image of t"e Go"onAon in a web site about Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is appropriate? putting
t"e Go"onAon alongsi%e pornograp"y woul% ob.iously be a slan%er. (!"ere are t"ree
Go"onAon images on t"is web page$ an% t"ere is a link to an online library of many
%ownloa%able ;41 Go"onAon images+.
1inally$ alt"oug" Ni#"iren #reate% an unsurpasse% met"o% for #ulti.ating fortune an%
enlig"tenment$ "e abrasi.ely asserte% t"at all t"e ot"er forms of 5u%%"ism$ an% all t"e
non 5u%%"ist religions$ were no goo%$ an% t"at "is tea#"ing alone was .ali%. Howe.er$
to%ay$ many in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists belie.e t"at many ot"er religions are also
wort"w"ile$ not only Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. Alt"oug" Ni#"iren is a great bo%"isatt.a an%
e.en a 5u%%"a$ "e is not infallible? t"is is be#ause t"e life of 5u%%"a an% t"e life of t"e
#ommon mortal #oe>ist in e.eryone$ in#lu%ing Ni#"iren.
Here is w"at Geral% Aitken$ t"e aut"or of t"is web site$ belie.es. His beliefs are impli#it
an% e>pli#it t"roug"out t"is web siteH
9"akyamuni is t"e Criginal$ <ternal 5u%%"a. Ni#"iren is a Great 5o%"isatt.a an%
a ;ro.isional 5u%%"a. )y reasons "or believing this% (1+ !"e .ast ma'ority of
5u%%"ists a#ross Asia belie.e 9"akyamuni is t"e foremost 5u%%"a? only a
relati.ely small "an%ful of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists belie.e Ni#"iren is t"e Criginal
5u%%"a$ an% at t"at not all Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists. (-+ I "a.e long been a%.o#ating
on my web site t"at Ni#"iren was wrong to %ismiss ot"er religions. I re#ently got
to t"inking$ "ow #oul% t"e Criginal 5u%%"a be so blatantly wrong about
somet"ing so ma'orL 8"ereas 9"akyamuni spoke out in t"e sutras against
se#tarian %ogmatism. !"erefore it is more likely t"at 9"akyamuni is t"e Criginal
5u%%"a. (K+ In t"e :uryo "apter of t"e Gotus 9utra 9"akyamuni states PCn#e I
also pra#ti#e% t"e bo%"isatt.a austeritiesP an% some s#"ools of Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism "a.e put a spin on t"is to #laim t"at 9"akyamuni "imself must "a.e
learne% from a tea#"er aeons ago. 5ut I "a.e #ome to belie.e t"at t"is is an
arbitrary an% tenuous misinterpretation of t"e passage. It %oes not mean
9"akyamuni "a% a tea#"er. It means 9"akyamuni attaine% enlig"tenment for
"imself by "is own efforts. An% more profoun%ly$ it means t"at 9"akyamuni "as
always possesse% t"e lower nine worl%s of t"e #ommon mortal #oe>tant wit" "is
5u%%"a"oo%$ %ue to t"e Mutual ;ossession of t"e !en 8orl%s$ t"ereby #losing
17
t"e gap between 5u%%"as an% #ommon mortals. (4+ <.en if we interpret t"e
pre.ious passage as meaning 9"akyamuni on#e "a% a tea#"er$ t"e only
'ustifi#ation for belie.ing t"at tea#"er was Ni#"iren is Ni#"irenFs self@%esignation
(in "is self@gi.en name+ as He 8"o Attains <nlig"tenment for Himself. Ni#"irenFs
a#tual first name was Den#"o. Ni#"iren arrogate% "imself t"e name Ni#"iren
possibly be#ause "e was suffering from messiani# mania. (5+ !"ere are
"un%re%s of t"ousan%s of Ni#"iren 9"u 5u%%"ists$ some of w"om I "a.e
#ommuni#ate% wit"$ w"o belie.e 9"akyamuni is t"e Criginal 5u%%"a$ an% w"o
#"ant to statues of 9"akyamuni on t"eir altars in a%%ition to t"e Go"onAon. If
t"ey were all being punis"e%$ t"e Ni#"iren 9"u religion woul% "a.e #ease% to
e>ist #enturies ago. !"eir la#k of punis"ment s"ows t"ere is not"ing wrong wit"
i%entifying 9"akyamuni as t"e Criginal 5u%%"a an% Ni#"iren as a ;ro.isional
5u%%"a.

It is better to #ooperate wit" people of ot"er fait"s on se#ular goo% works t"an to
#onfront t"em about religious %o#trine.
All t"e 9enior ;riests %eser.e re#ognition for in"eriting$ preser.ing an%
transmitting Ni#"iren6s tea#"ings. Ni#"iren 9"os"u an% 9oka Gakkai belie.e t"at
only Nikko was true to Ni#"iren6s tea#"ings. I %isagree$ be#ause I belie.e t"e
ot"er 9enior ;riests #an only be a##use% of sprea%ing Ni#"iren6s tea#"ings more
fle>ibly$ an% I t"ink t"at is a goo% t"ing$ not a ba% t"ing.
!"e 4ai@Go"onAon is not t"e foremost ob'e#t of wors"ip for all mankin%. It is not
spe#ial. All Go"onAons are e&ually t"e ob'e#t of wors"ip. I belie.e t"is be#ause
t"e 4ai@Go"onAon woul% "a.e been mentione% in Ni#"iren6s writings if Ni#"iren
inten%e% it to be foremost$ yet in fa#t Ni#"iren6s writings %o not mention it.
Ni#"iren 9"u is rig"t t"at t"ere are se.eral possible ob'e#ts of wors"ip$ not only
t"e Go"onAon. I belie.e t"at pla#ing t"e Go"onAon in t"e lea%ing position on t"e
altar$ an% a%%ing 9"akyamuni statues a little lower$ on t"e flanks$ is a##eptable.
After all$ t"e use of statues is #onsistent wit" my belief t"at 9"akyamuni is t"e
Criginal 5u%%"a.
!"e Hig" 9an#tuary is not !aiseki'i. !"e Hig" 9an#tuary is w"ere.er an or%inary
Go"onAon is ens"rine%$ in a bo> or frame$ wit" a 5u%%"ist altar$ an% w"ere one
or more belie.ers #"ant to it on a regular basis. I belie.e t"is be#ause it is
impli#it in my belief t"at t"e 4ai@Go"onAon is not spe#ial or foremost.
It is C3 to use a %ownloa%e% Go"onAon. More on t"is later in t"e web site.
A lay belie.er #an perform an eye opening #eremony on a Go"onAon 'ust as well
as a priest #an. More on t"is later in t"e web site.
It is C3 to %isplay an image of t"e Go"onAon$ as long as t"e setting is %ignifie%.
More on t"is later in t"e web site.
18
Many ot"er religions are also wort"w"ile? Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is not t"e only
wort"w"ile religion. More on t"is momentarily.
!"ose w"o %isagree wit" some of t"e aut"or6s beliefs (for e>ample$ t"ose w"o belie.e
Ni#"iren is t"e Criginal 5u%%"a+ may ne.ert"eless fin% some of t"e ot"er information in
my web site useful an% informati.e. <.eryone is wel#ome to use my web site. You %o
not "a.e to agree wit" me about e.eryt"ing.
I belie.e t"e main t"ing t"at #reates goo% or ba% karma is intention$ an%$ for e>ample$
w"en "ristians wors"ip "rist or Go%$ t"roug" t"eir intention t"ey are metap"ori#ally
wors"ipping t"e Nni.ersal Gaw$ e.en t"oug" t"ey %o not realiAe it$ an% so t"ey are
#reating goo% karma in%ire#tly.
<a#" of t"e worl%6s ma'or religions gi.es people a reason to be goo% an%
#ompassionate$ by making t"em a##ountable t"roug" some me#"anism of #ause an%
effe#t? an% alle.iates t"e fear of %eat"$ by promising some form of positi.e afterlife for
t"ose w"o "a.e been goo%. Gooking at it t"is way$ all t"e worl%6s ma'or religions are
e&ual.
!"e point is$ as t"e aut"or$ I "a.e %efinite beliefs$ yet I belie.e /my way0 is not /t"e only
way0.

19
Twelve Advantaes o! Practicin "ndependently
Here are twel.e a%.antages of pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism in%epen%ently$ wit"out
'oining any of t"e se#tarian organiAationsH

1. <.eryt"ing you nee% to pra#ti#e is rig"t "ere in t"is web site$ in#lu%ing links to
%ownloa%able soun% files of people #"anting slowly$ so you #an learn to #"ant.
2. As an in%epen%ent$ you %o not "a.e to get #aug"t up in t"e ugly feu% between
9oka Gakkai an% Ni#"iren 9"os"u.
3. As an in%epen%ent$ you are free. You %o not "a.e to be#ome someone6s
%is#iple$ w"et"er ;resi%ent Ike%a6s or t"e Hig" ;riest of Ni#"iren 9"os"u6s.
8"en you pra#ti#e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism in%epen%ently$ you are your own master.
4. 8"en you 'oin a se#tarian organiAation$ a lot of your spare time #omes to be
%e%i#ate% to organiAational a#ti.ities$ in#lu%ing your tra.el time to far@away
meetings. 8"ereas by being in%epen%ent$ you #an pra#ti#e w"en you #"oose
to$ at your own #on.enien#e$ at "ome. If you intro%u#e a few of your neig"bors
or #o@workers$ you #an atten% small meetings rig"t in your own neig"bor"oo%$
instea% of tra.eling long %istan#es.
5. 8"en you 'oin a se#tarian organiAation su#" as 9oka Gakkai$ Ni#"iren 9"os"u$
Ni#"iren 9"u$ et#. you are for#e% to a##ept a pa#kage of beliefs$ some of w"i#"
you may not agree wit". 8"ereas by being in%epen%ent$ you #an profess
e<actly w"at you belie.e$ on every point of #ontro.ersy wit"in Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism.
6. 8"en you pra#ti#e in%epen%ently$ your 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e is self moti.ate%.
8"ereas w"en you belong to a se#tarian organiAation$ your pra#ti#e is largely
e>ternally %ri.en. ;eople w"o belong to one of t"e large organiAations feel lost if
t"ey "a.e to mo.e to an outlying neig"bor"oo% wit" few members. 8"ereas an
in%epen%ent 5u%%"ist #an a%apt to t"at situation "an%ily. Also bear in min% t"at
at t"e moment of %eat"$ you #annot take all your #ompanions wit" you to t"e
ot"er si%e. 5y being self reliant in life$ %eat" won6t seem so s#ary or isolating.
7. 8"en you 'oin a se#tarian organiAation$ you "a.e to a##ept t"e organiAational
#ulture along wit" t"e religion. 1or e>ample$ if you 'oin 9oka Gakkai you "a.e to
i%oliAe ;resi%ent Ike%a. 8"ereas by being in%epen%ent$ you %o not "a.e to
a##ept any e>traneous$ pe#uliar$ or #ultis" organiAational #ulture$ 'ust Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism itself.
8. Almost all of t"e e>isting Ni#"iren organiAations are top %own an% "ierar#"i#al.
8"ereas by pra#ti#ing in%epen%ently$ wit" a small number of #ompanions$ you
#an establis" an intimate %emo#ra#y$ making %e#isions by #onsensus or from t"e
bottom up.
20
9. 5y pra#ti#ing in%epen%ently$ you are "elping to buil% a safeguar% against
religious #orruption. 8"at I mean is$ if t"e only Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists were
members of large organiAations$ t"en$ if t"e lea%ers"ip of t"e large organiAations
grows self ser.ing an% #orrupt$ t"en Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism will be %espoile%. 5ut by
"a.ing large numbers of in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists in so#iety si%e by si%e
wit" t"e organiAations$ t"ere is a built in safeguar% against #orruption$ be#ause
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism t"en belongs to the people$ not to a few #li&ues of lea%ers. If
you pra#ti#e in%epen%ently$ you are "elping to make t"is possible.
10. In most Ni#"iren organiAations$ %issenters are passe% o.er for promotion to
lea%ers"ip positions$ an% t"eir potential is ignore%. 8"ereas if you are
in%epen%ent$ you #an "ol% a #ontrary opinion about somet"ing$ an% still e>ert
lea%ers"ip of your small neig"bor"oo% group t"at you #reate% yourself.
11. 8"en you pra#ti#e in%epen%ently$ no one is going to pressure you to make
finan#ial #ontributions. You #an "ol% on to your "ar% earne% money. 8"ereas$
for e>ample$ in one ma'or Ni#"iren organiAation$ members are pressure% to
%onate money @ an% t"e organiAation offers no finan#ial transparen#y.
12. In most of t"e Ni#"iren organiAations$ bot" laymanFs organiAations an%
priest"oo%@base% organiAations$ you are for#e% to go along wit" Ni#"irenFs
e>#lusi.ity an% intoleran#e towar% ot"er religions. !"is #an make it all but
impossible for you to tell ot"er people about Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism wit"out offen%ing
t"em. 5ut if you pra#ti#e in%epen%ently$ you #an be e#umeni#al. You #an
inwar%ly re#ogniAe$ an% publi#ally %e#lare$ t"at ot"er religions are also
wort"w"ile$ not only Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. You will still fin% #on.erts. In fa#t$ you
will probably fin% more.
I belonge% to t"e 9oka Gakkai from 19)5 (age -1+ to -*** (age 4I+. Howe.er sin#e
-*** I "a.e been in%epen%ent. I felt t"at it was time to gra%uate from being ;resi%ent
Ike%a6s %is#iple. I felt #ompetent enoug" to be#ome my own man$ entirely.
8"en I was a ki% I "a% bra#es on my teet" for se.eral years$ be#ause my teet" were
#rooke%. 5ut w"en my teet" took t"e %esire% s"ape$ my bra#es were no longer
ne#essary$ an% t"ey #ame off. It woul% "a.e been strange to keep t"em on
permanently.
Gikewise$ a #ast is appropriate for a broken leg$ but on#e t"e leg "eals$ it woul% be
strange to keep t"e #ast on t"e leg t"roug"out life$ impe%ing one6s ability to walk$ an%
ne#essitating #rut#"es.
As anot"er e>ample$ before t"e In%ustrial De.olution$ a young man woul% learn a #raft
by be#oming an Apprenti#e to an e>isting Master$ an% t"en a :ourneyman to t"e same
Master. Howe.er t"e goal was for t"e young man to be#ome a Master "imself$ not to
21
remain an Apprenti#e or a :ourneyman for life. Nnfortunately in t"e 9oka Gakkai t"ere
is only one Master$ an% t"at is Ike%a. !"at means t"at t"e .ast ma'ority of 9GI
members are permanent Apprenti#es$ or t"e senior lea%ers$ :ourneymen. 5y t"eir
relian#e on Ike%a$ t"e 9GI members in time be#ome #ases of arreste% %e.elopment.
4uring t"e latter part of my -5 years in t"e 9oka Gakkai$ se.eral times I ob'e#te% to t"e
Ike%a wors"ip an% state% t"at I was t"inking of going in%epen%ent. My senior lea%ers
tol% me t"at if I left t"e 9oka Gakkai$ my personal karma (life #ir#umstan#es+ woul%
%eteriorate stea%ily from t"e moment I left$ lea%ing me to un"appiness. I was also tol%
t"at if I pra#ti#e% alone I woul% lose my power of #ompassion.
8ell$ I6.e been pra#ti#ing in%epen%ently sin#e t"e year -***. My life was goo% w"en I
was a 9oka Gakkai member. 5ut I #an "onestly say t"at sin#e I went in%epen%ent$ my
life "as be#ome e.en better.
1urt"ermore$ I "a.e not lost my power of #ompassion. I #ontinue to tame an% sa.e
stray #ats. I "a.e a way wit" animals. !"ey instin#ti.ely trust me. !"is #oul% not
"appen if I %i% not "a.e a lot of #ompassion in my life. 4oes t"is not in%i#ate
#ompassionL
I #reate% t"is web site to enable anyone wit" a #omputer to learn Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism
from s#rat#"$ wit"out "elp from anyone$ an% wit"out "a.ing to 'oin any of t"e se#tarian
organiAations. My -5 years of e>perien#e in a se#tarian organiAation are all #ontaine%
in t"e 1*I pages of t"is web site$ an% after using an% stu%ying t"is web site t"oroug"ly$
you will be as #ompetent as if you yourself "a% "a% -5 years of se#tarian e>perien#e.
#y $pinion o! the So%a &a%%ai
!"e 9oka Gakkai is t"e worl%6s largest Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist laymen6s organiAation. !"ey
"a.e millions of members in o.er 19* #ountries aroun% t"e worl% (in#lu%ing many
t"ousan%s in t"e Nnite% 9tates+. !"e biggest #on#entration of members is in :apan$
an% t"at is w"ere t"e 9oka Gakkai originate% in t"e 19K*s. Demember t"at I pra#ti#e%
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism in t"e N.9. 9oka Gakkai from 19)5 (w"en I was -1+ until -***
(w"en I was 4I+$ a total of -5 years. I was a .ery a#ti.e member t"e entire time.
!"e 9oka Gakkai was a bona fi%e anti war organiAation in :apan %uring 8orl% 8ar II at
a time w"en &uestioning t"e Generals6 war poli#y #oul% get you t"rown in 'ail (t"e first
;resi%ent$ Mr. Makigu#"i$ %ie% in prison$ an% t"e se#on% ;resi%ent$ Mr. !o%a$ barely
sur.i.e% an% took years to re#o.er "is "ealt"+. !"is s"ows t"at t"e foun%ers were
willing to fa#e e.en martyr%om to up"ol% t"eir prin#iples.
!"e 9oka Gakkai is responsible for sprea%ing t"is 5u%%"ism to millions of people
aroun% t"e worl% = all kin%s of people$ wit" all ra#es$ nationalities an% ba#kgroun%s.
!"is t"e 9GI "as %one in a manner t"at "as #onsistently wel#ome% all$ wit"out any "int
of %is#rimination towar%s anyone.
22
9in#e !o%a6s %eat" t"e t"ir% ;resi%ent "as been 4aisaku Ike%a. He "as a great
personal #"arisma$ great empat"y an% ability to en#ourage ot"ers$ an% a great
#omman% of 5u%%"ist i%eas w"i#" "e "as in#orporate% into "is books an% spee#"es.
At t"e same time$ Ike%a "as be#ome a .ery wealt"y man t"roug" "is religious a#ti.ities$
an% many e> 9oka Gakkai members "a.e tol% me t"ey &uit be#ause t"ey felt Ike%a was
e>#essi.ely i%oliAe% by t"e members$ as if "e was a 5u%%"ist <l.is ;resley.
Many people "a.e also &uit t"e 9oka Gakkai be#ause t"ey felt pressure to %e.ote AGG
t"eir spare time to %oing organiAational a#ti.ities$ so t"at t"ey "a% no time left for
t"emsel.es. 9ome people w"o "a.e &uit "a.e also tol% me t"ey felt t"e organiAation
was too #ontrolling.
Here are some of t"e positi.e t"ings I e>perien#e% %uring t"e -5 years w"en I was an
9GI@N9A memberH
!"e meetings pro.i%e% a .ery goo% so#ial outlet.
I #oul% always get gui%an#e an% en#ouragement from lea%ers w"o genuinely
#are% about me as a person.
I was part of somet"ing greater t"an myself.
9ome of my fellow members be#ame #lose long@term frien%s. Cne young
woman e.en be#ame a romanti# interest.
It was always a pleasure to be treate% as an e&ual by members w"o "a% a lot
more money t"an I "a%.
4oing 9GI a#ti.ities prepare% me for en#ountering %i.ersity in t"e workpla#e.
8"en I was young I li.e% wit" ot"er Young Men6s 4i.ision members an% toget"er
we #oul% affor% better "ousing t"an if we were "ouse% in%i.i%ually (after se.eral
years t"is fa%e% away$ "owe.er$ as all t"e guys$ one by one$ got marrie%. 5ut it
was ni#e w"ile it laste%+.
In 1991 w"en t"e 9GI an% t"e Ni#"iren 9"os"u priest"oo% split$ I easily si%e%
wit" t"e 9GI be#ause 9GI members "a% treate% me more warmly an%
#ompassionately t"an t"e priests "a% (in t"e early years of my pra#ti#e w"en I
was in ba% s"ape$ our lo#al 'unior Ni#"iren 9"os"u priest an% "is wife use% to
laug" at me+.
An% "ere are some of t"e negati.e t"ings I e>perien#e% as an 9GI memberH
I was pressure% to %onate money.
!"e organiAation wante% all my spare time? t"ey e.en pressure% me to stop
taking karate lessons an% use t"e time for 9GI a#ti.ities instea%.
I was not allowe% free spee#" if I wante% to &uestion ;resi%ent Ike%a6s a#tions or
status in any way.
8"en I was a young alumnus of :o"ns Hopkins$ li.ing in 5altimore$ in t"e late
19)*s$ my 9GI lea%ers trie% to stop me from going ba#k an% .isiting my ol%
professors. !"en w"en I saw a professor anyway$ my 9GI lea%ers %eman%e% a
%etaile% a##ounting of t"e #on.ersation.
I was #onsi%ere% a se#on%@#lass member an% a suspi#ious #"ara#ter$ be#ause I
&uestione% t"ings an% %i% not %e.ote all my spare time to 9GI a#ti.ities.
23
Many members were 'ust annoying = an% e.en after I #"ante% many "ours of
%aimoku for t"eir "appiness$ t"ey were still annoying. It seeme% like t"e 9GI was
a magnet for people w"o "a% somet"ing wrong wit" t"em.
I was taug"t t"at all ot"er religions were inferior. !"is was o.ert an% blatant until$
in a ;D mo.e$ t"e organiAation put on a more benign fa#e in 199*. 5ut t"ereafter
t"e #on%es#en%ing attitu%e towar% ot"er religions was still t"ere$ t"is time as an
impli#it un%er#urrent.
Cne reason w"y I staye% so long in t"e 9GI (-5 years+ is be#ause "ealing from
#"il%"oo% bullying takes a long time$ so I nee%e% to be #are% for. Anot"er reason is
be#ause t"e 9GI "a% me programme% to belie.e t"at if I left t"e organiAation I woul% be
punis"e% wit" tons of ba% karma an% ill fortune$ &ui#kly #ausing my ruin. It took me until
I was 4I years ol% (in -***+ to %e@program myself from t"is brainwas"ing. As it turns
out$ my going in%epen%ent "as ma%e my life e.en better t"an it was w"en I was an 9GI
member. An% I was ne.er punis"e% at all.
My opinion of t"e 9oka Gakkai is t"isH it6s a fun%amentally goo% organiAation$ wit"
basi#ally goo% intentions$ but it "as some imperfe#tions. I guess anyt"ing t"at6s ma%e
up of "uman beings is boun% to "a.e a few imperfe#tions$ rig"tL 1or e>ample$ #an
anyone say t"at t"e 2ati#an "as ne.er e>"ibite% imperfe#tionL
I t"ink t"e 9GI #oul% "elp itself by moti.ating people to parti#ipate be#ause t"e a#ti.ities
are so attra#ti.e$ rat"er t"an t"roug" pressure. Make t"e organiAation so won%erful t"at
people want to %onate money of t"eir own .olition$ again$ not be#ause t"ey are
pressure%.
9ome transparent finan#ial a##ountability woul% also reassure t"e members an% make
t"em more willing to %onate money. My e>perien#e of -5 years as an 9GI member
lea%s me to belie.e t"at t"e 9GI "as ne.er misuse% money %onate% by members.
Howe.er$ I feel t"at rank an% file members s"oul% "a.e more of a .oi#e o.er "ow t"eir
money is spent spe#ifi#ally. !"e pro#ess of %e#i%ing "ow to spen% t"e a.ailable money
s"oul% be more open an% %emo#rati#. If it was$ I belie.e t"e members woul% %onate
mu#" more.
I also t"ink t"e lea%ers #oul% ease up on t"e #ontrolling be"a.ior an% 'ust trust t"e
members a little more. 1inally$ I t"ink t"e 9GI nee%s to #larify a %istin#tion between
following a lea%er$ an% blin%ly a%oring a lea%er or "is memory.
If t"e 9GI implements t"ese positi.e #"anges$ e.en t"e &uality of t"e members t"ey
re#ruit will impro.e (more of t"e new re#ruits will be well a%'uste% people rat"er t"an
trouble% people+. Also$ fewer members will &uit o.er time.
I belie.e t"e 9GI is A;A5G< of making AGG t"ese #"anges. !"at is be#ause
fun%amentally$ t"e 9GI is a goo% organiAation wit" sin#ere intentions. 9o t"e future of
t"e 9GI mig"t be .ery brig"t in%ee%. Cnly time will tell.
24
I owe a %ebt of gratitu%e to t"e 9oka Gakkai be#ause t"ey nurse% me ba#k to "ealt"
w"en I was in a tailspin from "a.ing been bullie% an% man"an%le% all t"roug" my yout".
9o t"en w"y %i% I start a website e>tolling t"e benefits of pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism
in%epen%entlyL
5e#ause people must know t"at t"ere is MCD< !HAN CN< 8AY !C ;DA!I<
NIHID<N 5N44HI9M. Members"ip in t"e 9oka Gakkai is NC! !H< CNGY 8AY.
;ra#ti#ing in%epen%ently is :N9! A9 GCC4$ as are Ni#"iren 9"u$ 3empon Hokke$ an%
ot"er Ni#"iren groups.
Maybe for people w"o feel t"ey absolutely "a.e to pra#ti#e in a group setting$ t"e 9oka
Gakkai is one of se.eral satisfa#tory alternati.es. 5ut people w"o "a.e a lot of
in%epen%en#e in t"eir nature$ like me$ are probably better off pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism in%epen%ently. 8"en I was in kin%ergarten in 1959 t"e tea#"er tol% my
Mot"er I preferre% to play by myself alt"oug" I was surroun%e% wit" ot"er #"il%ren? I
was not unfrien%ly$ 'ust solitary by nature (my Mot"er tol% me t"is story %e#a%es later+.
;ro.i%ing people wit" C;!ICN9 is my one an% only goal in maintaining t"is website. I
am #ertainly not out to try to tras" anyone else w"o is sin#erely pra#ti#ing @ I am not
trying to atta#k t"e 9oka Gakkai$ nor anyone else. 5ut at t"e same time$ as far as I6m
#on#erne%$ no one %eser.es to be pla#e% on a pe%estal abo.e all #riti#ism$ eit"er.
5y t"e way$ I am not trying to start my own organiAation. !"e <99<N< of pra#ti#ing
in%epen%ently is t"at !H<D< I9 NC CDGANI7A!ICN.
I wis" e.eryone in t"e 9oka Gakkai great su##ess an% "appiness. !"e 9oka Gakkai
%espite its flaws is a goo% fit for some .ery group@min%e% people w"o "a.e #onformist
personalities. !"is type of person also a%apts well to being in t"e military. :ust as some
people "a.e in%epen%en#e in t"eir nature$ ot"er people "a.e affiliation$ #ollaboration$
an% #onformity in t"eir nature.
I am a#tually a frien% of t"e 9GI$ not an enemy. Here is w"y I say t"isH
1. Any football team pra#ti#es "ar%er an% be#omes better be#ause it fa#es
#ompetition from ot"er teams. Gikewise$ in t"is website I "a.e gi.en people an
alternati.e to t"e 9GI$ pra#ti#ing in%epen%ently. !"at means I am pro.i%ing one
more small sour#e of #ompetition w"i#" is a%%e% to t"e many$ many sour#es of
#ompetition$ small an% large$ t"at t"e 9GI fa#es. ompetition is goo%. It makes
a football team stronger$ an% likewise it will make t"e 9GI stronger.
2. My suggestions for "ow t"e 9GI #oul% impro.e itself are also potentially "elpful to
t"e 9GI$ if t"e 9GI pays attention. I "a.e t"e free%om to say t"ings t"at enliste%
9GI members are unable to say$ but w"i#" t"ey may be t"inking.
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'i!e has in!inite potential( so there is reason !or optimism) *"chinen San+en,
Gife is %ynami#$ #onstantly #"anging$ an% infinitely malleable. 9o we "a.e infinite
potential. 1or t"is reason$ we s"oul% always be "opeful an% %etermine%$ no matter
w"at our momentary feelings or #ir#umstan#es.
Gife "as K*** #on%itions in a single moment. !"e point of t"is analysis is to s"ow t"at
we are ne.er stu#k in a parti#ular life state$ but t"at life is #onstantly #"anging an%
infinitely malleable t"roug" self impro.ement. !"us t"e #on#lusion of t"e theory o!
-... /onditions in a Sinle 'i!e #oment is t"at we s"oul% be "opeful an%
%etermine% at all times$ be#ause we always possess infinite potential to impro.e
oursel.es an% our surroun%ings.
As for t"e %etails of t"is t"eory$ we will first briefly summariAe t"e t"eory. It mig"t seem
a little abstra#t. 5ut t"en we will go o.er it a se#on% time in more %etail wit" analogies
to make it #lear. 8e are trying to pro.e t"at /Gife is %ynami#$ #onstantly #"anging$ an%
infinitely malleable. 9o we "a.e infinite potential. 1or t"is reason$ we s"oul% always be
"opeful an% %etermine%$ no matter w"at our momentary feelings or #ir#umstan#es.0
!"ere areH 1* life states$ times t"eir mutual possession$ making 1** states$ times t"e 1*
fa#tors$ making 1*** states$ times t"e K realms$ making K*** #on%itions in a single
moment of life.
!"e 1* life states areH Hell ("elpless suffering+$ Huner (e>treme want$ or gree%+$
Animality (fawn on t"e powerful$ bully t"e weak+$ Aner (arrogan#e$ retribution+$
Humanity (transient #almness$ %epen%ent on goo% #ir#umstan#es+$ 0apture (transient
'oy$ %epen%ent on goo% #ir#umstan#es+$ 'earnin (from books$ tea#"ers$ e>perien#e$
in%epen%ent of #ir#umstan#es+$ 0eali+ation (from e>perien#e$ intuition$ nature$
me%itation$ in%epen%ent of #ir#umstan#es+$ Altruism (#aring for ot"ers+$ an%
1nlihtenment (some %egree of oneness wit" one6s innermost nature an% t"e
ma#ro#osm+.
!"ese 1* states are mutually inclusive$ making 1** states? t"us someone w"o is
enlig"tene% may feel anger for so#ial 'usti#e.
!"e 2. 3actors e>plain "ow we #"ange from one life state to anot"er. !"ey areH
Appearance ("ow you look+$ Nature (w"at you6re like insi%e+$ 1ntity (t"e essential
i%entity t"at gi.es rise to bot" Appearan#e an% Nature+$ 3orce (your life for#e+$
"n!luence ("ow your life for#e affe#ts your surroun%ings+$ 'atent /ause (:o"n was
#ompassionate+$ #ani!est /ause (:o"n fe% a stray #at+$ 'atent 1!!ect (:o"n #arrie%
t"e %estiny for two years t"at someone some%ay woul% %o "im a kin%ness+$ #ani!est
1!!ect (two years later someone returne% :o"n6s lost wallet wit" all t"e money+$ an%
/onsistency !rom Beinnin to 1nd (:o"n is unlikely to ki#k a %og+.
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!"e fa#toring of t"ese 1* 1a#tors now makes 1*** states. !"en t"ere are t"e Three
0ealmsH !"e first one is The 0ealm o! the "ndividual /onsciousness @ your
awareness on all le.els$ in#lu%ing sub#ons#ious an% psy#"osomati#? it in#lu%es t"e
elements of form$ per#eption$ #on#eption$ .olition$ an% #ons#iousness. !"e se#on%
realm is The 0ealm o! 'ivin Beins @ plants$ animals$ all sentient beings. !"e t"ir%
realm is The 0ealm o! the 1nvironment @ your neig"bor"oo%$ your region$ t"e eart"$
t"e solar system$ our gala>y$ t"e uni.erse.
!"us t"e gran% total is K*** #on%itions in a single life moment.
Now let6s go t"roug" t"e !"eory of K*** 9tates in a 9ingle Gife Moment in more %etail.
8e will use analogies to make it more #lear. Again$ we are trying to pro.e t"at /Gife is
%ynami#$ #onstantly #"anging$ an% infinitely malleable. 9o we "a.e infinite potential.
1or t"is reason$ we s"oul% always be "opeful an% %etermine%$ no matter w"at our
momentary feelings or #ir#umstan#es.0
A "uman life is like a nine story buil%ing. !"e buil%ing "as an ele.ator. Get6s analyAe
t"e way t"e ele.ator works to %is#o.er t"e fa#tors t"at figure into it. Get6s %o t"is
analysis not as me#"ani#al engineers$ but as /life engineers0 w"o obser.e an% stu%y
t"e %ynami#s we fin% in life itself.
!"e w"ole ele.ator looks a #ertain way. You6.e use% t"e ele.ator 5 %ays a week for K
years. Ne>t mont" you6re going abroa% on business for 4 weeks. 8"en you return you
noti#e a few minor #"anges to t"e ele.ator. 9ome bits of paint "a.e fle#ke% off t"at
were still t"ere 4 weeks ago w"en you last use% t"e ele.ator. An% of #ourse t"e floor
in%i#ator lig"t is #"anging a##or%ing to a %ifferent pattern t"an t"e last time you use% t"e
ele.ator 4 weeks ago.
Alt"oug" some aspe#ts of t"e ele.ator .isibly #"ange$ an% at .arying rates$ somet"ing
about t"e ele.ator is still t"e same$ uni&uely i%entifying it$ .isibly %esignating it as an
ele.ator an% %istinguis"ing it from ot"er ele.ators. It6s "ar% to put your finger on e>a#tly
w"at is #"angeless$ w"at is uni&uely i%entifying$ about t"is ele.ator. If you say it6s t"e
paint 'ob$ t"en w"en a fle#k of paint falls off$ is it not t"e same ele.atorL
!"e /su#"ness0 t"at makes t"e ele.ator an ele.ator$ an% a parti#ular ele.ator$ is its
Nature. Its #"angeable p"ysi#al #"ara#teristi#s = t"e floor in%i#ator$ fle#king paint$ a
fres" paint 'ob = is its Appearan#e.
5ut w"i#" is t"e ele.ator = its Nature or its Appearan#eL If an ele.ator is its Nature not
its Appearan#e$ t"en you s"oul% be able to use t"e ele.ator wit"out stan%ing insi%e it$
pus"ing any buttons$ seeing it$ or being anyw"ere near it.
Cn t"e ot"er "an%$ if an ele.ator is its Appearan#e not its Nature$ t"en an i%enti#al
#lone (wit" t"e same age paint an% t"e same paint fle#ks$ same %irt$ et#.+ woul% be t"e
same ele.ator as t"e original ele.ator? yet t"e original an% #lone ele.ators in fa#t make
two %istin#t ele.ators.
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9o sin#e an ele.ator is not solely its Nature an% not solely its Appearan#e$ yet t"e
ele.ator possesses bot" its Nature an% its Appearan#e$ t"e ele.ator must be a union of
Nature an% Appearan#e = somet"ing more fun%amental t"at gi.es rise to bot" outwar%
aspe#ts. !"at union of Nature an% Appearan#e is t"e ele.ator6s su#"ness$ its i%entity$
w"i#" is #alle% its <ntity.
!"e ele.ator6s <ntity is w"at allows it to e>ist (appear on your floor$ or surroun% you as
you ri%e it+$ not e>ist (not surroun% you$ an% lea.e your floor for anot"er floor+$ an%
#"ange state$ bot" w"ile e>isting an% w"ile not e>isting (floor in%i#ator lig"t #"anges?
ele.ator #"anges mo%e to up$ %own or stop? ele.ator #"anges floors? paint fle#ks off? t"e
floor gets %irty? t"e floor gets #leane%? new paint 'ob+. An% all t"ese #"anges are
"appening w"et"er you #an see t"e ele.ator or not$ w"et"er it e>ists or not@e>ists from
your perspe#ti.e.
9in#e t"e ele.ator is an <ntity t"at possesses an inner Nature an% an outwar%
Appearan#e$ it must follow t"at t"e ele.ator6s Nature an% Appearan#e are interrelate%
#o@aspe#ts t"at bot" arise from$ or manifest$ t"e ele.ator6s <ntity.
!"e <ntity$ Nature an% Appearan#e of t"e ele.ator are its fun%amental #"ara#teristi#s.
If an ele.ator #oul% e>ist in isolation in a #omplete .a#uum$ t"en$ "ypot"eti#ally$ t"e
ele.ator #oul% #onsist of not"ing but its own intrinsi# #"ara#teristi#s (<ntity$ Nature$
Appearan#e+ wit"out any perip"eral #"ara#teristi#s or fa#tors t"at allow it to relate to
ot"er <ntities as part of a larger en.ironment.
5ut alt"oug" t"is seems possible as a "ypot"eti#al abstra#tion$ t"e #on#ept pro.es
nonsensi#al$ so it #oul% ne.er "appen in a#tual reality.
An ele.ator6s Nature is$ in part$ to follow an% oppose gra.ity in a %ire#te% way. If t"e
ele.ator e>iste% in a spe#ial plane all by itself$ in a total .a#uum$ t"en gra.ity woul%
"a.e no be neit"er e>istent nor none>istent nor simulate% nor en"an#e% nor oppose%.
!"is woul% mean t"e ele.ator "as no Nature. An% sin#e its Appearan#e is relate% to its
Nature$ t"en it "as no Appearan#e eit"er. 9in#e e.ery <ntity manifests a Nature an% an
Appearan#e$ t"ere is no <ntity eit"er = w"i#" means t"ere is no ele.ator. Not in a
manifest state$ latent state$ or e.en an abstra#t state (sin#e t"e abstra#tion is
nonsensi#al an% so #an#els itself away+.
Demember t"at we are using an ele.ator as a simplifie% analogy for "uman life. All t"is
t"erefore pro.es t"at life #annot e>ist in a .a#uum$ relating only to itself. !"is is true of
ele.ators (insentient life+$ as well as turtles$ #ats$ an% "umans (sentient life forms+.
Deturning to t"e ele.ator metap"orH !"e ele.ator #annot e>ist alone$ but must "a.e
.arious means of relating or #onne#ting its Nature an% Appearan#e to ot"er <ntities$ as
part of a larger en.ironment. !"at is w"y t"e ele.ator "as 1* 1a#tors$ not only K. !"e
first K are of #ourse <ntity$ Nature an% Appearan#e. !"e Gast ) are 1or#e$ Influen#e$
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In"erent ause$ Manifest ause$ In"erent <ffe#t$ Manifest <ffe#t$ an% onsisten#y
1rom 5eginning !o <n%.
!"e ele.ator "as t"e 1or#e to go up$ go %own$ stop$ #lose %oors$ open %oors$ #"ange
t"e floor in%i#ator lig"t$ an% soun% an emergen#y alarm.
8"ene.er t"e ele.ator e>presses its 1or#e$ it "as an Influen#e. 1or e>ample$ w"en it
opens its %oors$ people arri.e at t"e offi#e or lea.e. 9o at 9H*5 a.m.$ a ringing
telep"one will be answere% by a li.e person$ be#ause an employee steppe% off t"e
ele.ator to report to work. 5ut if t"e p"one rings at 9H*5 p.m.$ t"e #aller will get .oi#e
mail$ sin#e t"e employee "as alrea%y steppe% onto t"e ele.ator to go "ome.
!"e ele.ator6s 1or#e of opening its %oors "as an Influen#e t"at = wit" ot"er Influen#es$
e>erte% by ot"er <ntities = "elps %etermine w"et"er a #aller at a parti#ular time is
answere% by a li.e person or by .oi#e mail.
You work on 1loor K. In t"e morning you enter t"e ele.ator an% press t"e /K0 button.
!"e ele.ator now "as an In"erent ause$ your button pus". !"e In"erent <ffe#t o##urs
simultaneously = it is now .irtually ine.itable t"at t"e ele.ator will soon go to 1loor K.
Howe.er$ ot"er people presse% 4 an% ) before you presse% K. After stopping at 4 an%
)$ t"e ele.ator makes a Manifest ause by mo.ing from 1loor ) to 1loor K. !"e
Manifest <ffe#t is t"at you are now rig"t in front of t"e entran#e to your offi#e suite.
/onsisten#y 1rom 5eginning !o <n%0 means t"at t"e pre.ious 9 1a#tors =
Appearan#e$ Nature$ <ntity$ 1or#e$ Influen#e$ In"erent ause$ Manifest ause$ In"erent
<ffe#t$ an% Manifest <ffe#t = all fun#tione% #onsistently. !"ey all belonge% to t"e same
ele.ator. !"ey all be"a.e% like an ele.ator$ not like a #onstru#tion #rane or a #on.eyor
stair#ase. An% all t"e 1a#tors were #onsistently fo#use% on bringing you from 1loor ) to
1loor K.
29
!"e ele.ator6s !en 1a#tors enable it to #"ange state$ t"at is to say$ to #"ange floors.
5e#ause all <ntities$ sentient or insentient = an ele.ator$ a tree$ a #at$ a ro#k$ a "uman =
"a.e t"e !en 1a#tors$ t"at is w"y /Gife is %ynami#$ #onstantly #"anging$ an% infinitely
malleable.0
5ut t"at in itself %oes not pro.e t"at life possesses /infinite potential to impro.e oneself
an% one6s surroun%ings.0 !"e keywor% t"at "as not yet been substantiate% is /impro.e0.
If an ele.ator #an impro.e its life@state$ or t"at of a passenger$ by mo.ing from one floor
to anot"er$ t"en t"ere must be important sub'e#ti.e %ifferen#es w"en e>perien#ing work
on t"e buil%ing6s .arious floors$ or all t"e floors must be e>perien#e% in an enlig"tene%
way.
At t"is moment$ ea#" of t"e 9 floors in t"e offi#e buil%ing w"ere you work "as a %ifferent
life@state. Get6s list t"e floors in as#en%ing or%er by life@#on%ition$ not by floor numberH
Hell 5
t"
1loor
Hunger -
n%
1loor
Animality 9
t"
1loor
Anger )
t"
1loor
Humanity 4
t"
1loor
Dapture 1
st
1loor
Gearning I
t"
1loor
DealiAation ,
t"
1loor
Altruism K
r%
1loor
30
<a#" floor in your buil%ing "ouses a %ifferent #ompany? your employer is on 1loor K.
Cn t"e 5
t"
1loor$ Hell pre%ominates be#ause t"e employees of Dun Doun% In#.$ an
a##ounting an% #onsulting firm$ 'ust foun% out t"e 9< will %ismantle t"em for
a##ounting irregularities an% insi%er tra%ing.
Cn 1loor -$ t"e employees at Gobble Group are in a Hunger life state$ fe.eris"ly trying
to finaliAe t"eir unfrien%ly takeo.er of 1res"Meat orporation.
Cn 1loor 9$ Animality pre%ominates as 1res"Meat employees %esperately try to fen% off
Gobble Group6s unfrien%ly takeo.er$ knowing most of t"e 'obs eliminate% in t"e
restru#turing will #ome from 1res"Meat.
Cn 1loor )$ t"e partners an% staff at t"e law firm of 3oop$ A##onte$ Deese$ 9ie.es$ Able$
Q urran are in an Anger life #on%ition$ be#ause 1res"Meat owes t"em a lot of money
an% 'ust informe% t"em payment will be %elaye% in%efinitely.
!"e 4
t"
1loor "ouses no offi#es$ but is fille% wit" #on#essions su#" as a #afeteria$ news
stan%$ gift s"op$ gym$ et#. !"e people w"o work on t"is floor #almly go about t"eir %aily
routine$ neit"er worrie% nor o.er'oye% about t"eir li.eli"oo%s. 9o on t"e 4
t"
1loor a state
of Humanity is pre.alent.
Dapture pre%ominates on 1loor 1$ w"ere t"e employees at Apple!ree In#. = makers of a
lea%ing firewall program = 'ust went into publi# tra%ing$ an% all be#ame instant
millionaires.
!"e 1loors t"at are in a #on%ition of Hell$ Hunger$ Animality$ Anger$ Humanity or
Dapture all "a.e somet"ing in #ommonH t"eir life state is %etermine% entirely by t"eir
flu#tuating en.ironment. !"e remaining 1loors are in #on%itions of Gearning$ DealiAation
an% Altruism$ an% t"ey "a.e somet"ing in #ommon tooH t"e inner %is#ipline to influen#e
t"eir own %estiny by proa#ti.ely impro.ing t"eir own feelings an% #ir#umstan#es.
1loor I "ouses :ones Q 3lein ;"arma#euti#als$ Desear#" 4i.ision. !"e employees
"ere are in.ol.e% in me%i#al resear#" an% "a.e no role in t"e finan#ial si%e of t"e
business. Cn t"e I
t"
1loor$ a #on%ition of Gearning is pre.alent.
DealiAation pre%ominates on 1loor ,$ w"ere t"e 4etroit Motors !"ink !ank "as been
sub'e#ting t"e 4etroit Motors ompany to self s#rutiny = analyAing past mistakes an%
#on#ei.ing new strategies to keep foreign #ompetition at bay.
Your fellow employees on 1loor K are in a #on%ition of Altruism$ w"ere t"ey are
atten%ing a "alf@%ay seminar entitle% /orporate Desponsibility$ <mployee
2olunteerism$ an% t"e Deal 5ook 2alue of Goo%will.0
5ut you personally "a.e been e>#use% from t"is seminar$ as you alrea%y atten%e% it at
anot"er #ompany lo#ation. You "a.e t"e rest of to%ay off. Your spe#ial frien% is out of
31
town? your relati.es are out of town? your frien%s are still at work? your apartment is
being fumigate%? you "a.e a slig"t #ol%$ so you %on6t feel like going to t"e gym.
5ut you feel a little lig"t e>er#ise mig"t %o you goo%. You6.e always been #urious about
t"e ot"er #ompanies in your buil%ing$ so you %e#i%e to wan%er aroun% an% "a.e a look
at t"e ot"er floors.
It is t"e ele.ator$ your 1* 1a#tors = Appearan#e$ Nature$ <ntity$ 1or#e$ Influen#e$
In"erent ause$ Manifest ause$ In"erent <ffe#t$ Manifest <ffe#t$ an% onsisten#y
1rom 5eginning !o <n% = t"at enables you to freely flu#tuate among t"e life@states of
Hell$ Hunger$ Animality$ Anger$ Humanity$ Dapture$ Gearning$ DealiAation$ an% Altruism.
5ut are t"ese mo.ements 'ust #"anges$ or really impro.ementsL
Gogi#ally$ t"ere #an be only two ways t"e ele.ator6s mo.ements #an bring any gain. (a+
!"e ele.ator must fre&uent t"e floors wit" "ig" life #on%itions an% a.oi% t"e floors wit"
low life #on%itions$ or$ (b+ t"e ele.ator must learn to e>perien#e e.ery life #on%ition it
en#ounters = w"et"er "ig" or low = in a more enlig"tene% way.
!"e problem wit" solution (a+ is t"at it is impra#ti#al. ;eople "a.e to report to work on
all 9 floors. An% t"e ele.ator may nee% to #ross a /low #on%ition0 floor to get from one
/"ig" #on%ition0 floor to anot"er. Gikewise$ "uman beings #annot entirely a.oi% t"e
lower life #on%itions$ nor woul% it be %esirable to %o so? wit"out anger$ "ow #oul% you
seiAe a broom an% %efen% a small #"il% from a .i#ious %ogL
9o$ for t"e ele.ator6s mo.ements to be impro.ements$ an% not merely #"anges$ t"e
solution is not for t"e ele.ator to try to .isit only t"e floors wit" "ig" life #on%itions. 9o
sin#e life #annot a.oi% e>perien#ing all of its #on%itions$ t"e key is to e>perien#e t"em in
a more enlig"tene% way. !"is points to t"e importan#e of tapping t"e 1*
t"
$ "ig"est life
state = enlig"tenment.
32
In t"e abo.e illustration$ a "uman being is tapping "is or "er 9
t"
ons#iousness$ an%
in.igorating "is <ntity. !"is signifies a gra%ually in#reasing %egree of <nlig"tenment.
!"us t"e lower 9 states #an be e>perien#e% in a more enlig"tene% way = e.en t"e
lowest onesB
;i#ture% below is t"e life of a person w"o %oes not manifest "is or "er 5u%%"a nature.
His or "er enlig"tenment is only a %ormant potential? it is not #urrently being manifeste%.
33
Now we "a.e substantiate% t"at w"en "uman beings manifest t"eir 5u%%"a nature
t"roug" 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e$ "uman life #an be #"ara#teriAe% as /possessing infinite
potential to impro.e oneself.0 5ut t"e full opening statement of t"is se#tion was /we
always possess infinite potential to impro.e oursel.es an% our surroun%ings.0
If self@impro.ement arising from enlig"tenment is mostly sub'e#ti.e$ mostly internal$ t"en
it #annot #onsistently or reliably impro.e our ob'e#ti.e #ir#umstan#es. In t"at #ase$
t"ere is no basis for saying /we s"oul% always be "opeful an% %etermine%$ no matter
w"at our momentary feelings or #ir#umstan#es.0
!"e ele.ator in your offi#e buil%ing "as 9 floors$ Hell t"roug" Altruism$ wit" t"e buil%ing
as a w"ole being #onsi%ere% a R1*
t"
floor6 #alle% <nlig"tenment. !"e ele.ator #an go
from any floor (1@9+ to any floor (1@9+$ w"i#" makes t"e first 9 floors Mutually
;ossessi.e. An% no matter w"i#" of t"e 9 (Hell t"roug" Altruism+ floors you6re on$
potentially$ <nlig"tenment #an be manifeste% t"ere. 9o all 1* 1loors$ or states$ "a.e a
Mutual ;ossession = ea#" of t"e 1* states #ontains t"e ot"er 9.
9o far$ our analysis of "uman life$ using an ele.ator metap"or$ "as state% t"at t"ere are
1* 1a#tors > 1* 9tates > t"eir Mutual ;ossession. 1* > 1* > 1* S 1*** 1a#tors. !o
impro.e our surroun%ings$ "owe.er$ we nee% to be #onne#te% to our en.ironment.
1ortunately$ life "as not 'ust 1*** 1a#tors but K***. !"at6s be#ause t"e first 1***
1a#tors must be multiplie% by t"e K Dealms.
34
8e6.e %etermine% t"at e.ery life "as 1* 1a#tors$ 1* 9tates$ an% Mutual ;ossession of
t"e 1* 9tates$ making 1*** 1a#tors. !"is is an analysis of t"e 9elf$ w"i#" we will #all
/!"e Dealm of t"e 5 omponents0. 1rom anot"er stan%point$ t"is Dealm #onsists of
1orm$ ;er#eption$ on#eption$ 2olition$ an% ons#iousness.
!"e ne>t - Dealms are t"e larger setting in w"i#" t"e 9elf e>ists an% plays a role. /!"e
Dealm of Gi.ing 5eings0 in#lu%es all ot"er life forms$ w"et"er insentient (a ro#k+$ semi@
sentient (a .irus+$ or sentient (a ba#terium$ a fis"$ a tree$ a %og$ a "uman+.
/!"e Dealm of t"e <n.ironment0 is t"e eart"$ solar system$ gala>y$ an% t"e entire
uni.erse t"roug"out spa#e an% time.
9in#e e.ery life "as K Dealms$ e.ery life is %ire#tly #onne#te% wit" its en.ironment$ an%
#an %ire#tly influen#e its en.ironment = bot" its so#ial en.ironment an% its natural
en.ironment? bot" spatially an% temporally? bot" p"ysi#ally an% spiritually.
!"roug" 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e we #an empower our <ntity$ making it #apable of positi.ely
influen#ing t"e 9elf$ t"e so#ial en.ironment an% t"e natural en.ironment. !"at is w"y
/Gife is %ynami#$ #onstantly #"anging$ an% infinitely malleable. 9o we "a.e infinite
potential. 1or t"is reason$ we s"oul% always be "opeful an% %etermine%$ no matter
w"at our momentary feelings or #ir#umstan#es.0
<.ery life "as 1* 1a#tors > 1* 9tates > Mutual ;ossession (of t"e 1* 9tates+ > K Dealms
S K*** 1a#tors in a 9ingle Moment of Gife.
35
We are accounta4le !or everythin we say( do( and thin%) So we should( !rom
now on( try our 4est to ma%e ood causes and re!rain !rom ma%in 4ad causes)
And 4eyond that( we neednt !eel overwhelmed 4y our prior accumulation o! 4ad
e!!ects( no matter how reat it may 4e( 4ecause there is a way to supercede this
accumulation rapidly)
Gife is eternal. Cur li.es eternally go t"roug" a #y#le of Birth( #aturity( Decline( and
Death) 4eat" /re#"arges our batteries0 an% nets us a fres" new bo%y for our ne>t
incarnation. 9imply state%$ t"at is t"e Theory o! 0eincarnation.
<.ery t"oug"t$ wor% an% %ee% we perform$ w"et"er positi.e or negati.e$ forms a Gatent
ause an% simultaneously$ a Gatent <ffe#t. At some point (eit"er rig"t away$ or in t"e
future+$ we will meet up wit" an appropriate Manifest ause w"i#" triggers t"e Gatent
<ffe#t into be#oming a Manifest <ffe#t. !"is pro#ess #oul% "appen wit"in one lifetime or
a#ross lifetimes. 9o it6s ob.iously in our own interest$ as well as .irtuous$ t"at we$ from
now on$ try our best to make goo% #auses an% refrain from making ba% #auses. !"at is
t"e Theory o! 5arma.
If our pre.ious a##umulation of negati.e effe#ts is great$ we #an feel o.erw"elme% an%
"opeless$ like someone too %eeply in finan#ial %ebt to get out from un%er it (w"i#" itself
is one form of negati.e karmaB+. Yet t"e trut" is$ we nee%n6t e.er feel /%oome%0 by our
prior a##umulation of ba% effe#ts$ no matter "ow great it may be$ be#ause t"ere is a
way to super#e%e t"is a##umulation rapi%ly$ in an a##elerate% mo%e. !"is Rmega
met"o%6 is faster an%$ in t"e long run$ easier t"an t"e slow$ e>#ru#iating$ R#on.entional
met"o%6 of e>piating our negati.e karma$ w"ile #reating furt"er in#remental goo% karma$
an% refraining from #reating any furt"er ba% karma. !"e ne>t se#tion e>plains w"at t"is
Rmega met"o%6 is all about.
$ur previously accumulated neative %arma e6ists on a super!icial level o! our
psyche) So when we ma%e ood causes on the most pro!ound level o! our
psyche( we are a4le to supercede our neative %arma( e6piatin a small portion o!
it( while 7uic%ly eliminatin the ma8or portion) *9 'evels o! /onsciousness,
36
!"ere are 9 'evels o! /onsciousness. Ge.els 1 t"roug" 5 are t"e #ons#iousness
possesse% by our fi.e p"ysi#al senses @ sig"t$ "earing$ taste$ tou#" an% smell. !"e It"
le.el of #ons#iousness is our ability to integrate t"ese into a #o"erent impression @ as
w"en we are repulse% by a beautiful looking but ba% smelling ob'e#t. !"e )t" le.el of
#ons#iousness is t"e Intelle#t$ t"e 9uper@<go an% <go$ t"e le.el on w"i#" t"e rea%er is
primarily e>perien#ing "is or "er rea%ing of t"is web site. !"e ,t" le.el of
#ons#iousness is karma storage (in#lu%ing karma from pre.ious lifetimes+$ an% also
#orrespon%s to t"e I%$ t"e 9ub#ons#ious$ an% t"e olle#ti.e Nn#ons#ious.
!"e 9t" le.el of #ons#iousness is our pure$ eternal$ imma#ulate #ons#iousness t"at is
untainte% by karmi# a##retions. It is our 5u%%"a Nature. 8"en we are tapping our 9t"
#ons#iousness we are 5u%%"as @ "uman beings manifesting t"eir in"erent oneness wit"
t"e Nni.ersal Gaw.
8"en we tap t"is pure #ons#iousness by fusing our li.es wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw @ wit"
w"i#" our 9t" #ons#iousness is in"erently linke% from wit"in oursel.es @ we are able to
Rflus" out6 most of our negati.e karma relati.ely &ui#kly$ like a .ol#ano e>pelling la.a.
!"e karma is Rpus"e% out from un%erneat"6. In #ontrast$ an in#remental approa#" to
impro.ing our karma takes eons @ an% may not su##ee% at all$ %ue to t"e karmi# inertia
we alrea%y possess$ w"i#" #an make us #onfuse ba% #auses for goo% #auses$ or e.en
gi.e up along t"e way.
8e6.e seen t"at e.en t"e Rmega met"o%6 of #leansing karma lea.es a small resi%ue of
our karmi# a##umulation for us to e>piate now. !"at is so we #an train oursel.es
t"roug" o.er#oming it$ in or%er to ele.ate our life #on%ition. 8it" an ele.ate% life
#on%ition$ we are less likely to repeat t"e same mistakes as before an% e.entually win%
up ba#k in t"e same impasse. Cur training perio% is like an airplane6s struggle to get off
t"e runway? t"at6s t"e time of ma>imum aero%ynami# tension. Cn#e t"e plane is in t"e
37
sky$ t"ings are mu#" easier an% more assure%$ be#ause t"e plane en'oys bot" up%raft
(prote#ti.e response from t"e uni.erse+ an% momentum (people in "ig" life states ten%
to a##umulate more goo% karma t"an ba%+. !"e training perio% in.ol.es at least one
w"ole in#arnation$ in t"e #ase of immutable karma$ an% may in.ol.e a mu#" s"orter
perio% in t"e #ase of mutable karma. !"e time it takes %epen%s upon t"e %ept" an%
intensity of a##umulate% karma$ upon t"e in%i.i%ual6s efforts an% sin#erity$ an% upon t"e
.ali%ity$ effi#a#y$ an% profun%ity of t"e in%i.i%ual6s spiritual beliefs. An% beyon% merely
e>piating ba% karma$ a pro#ess of buil%ing up furt"er "appiness an% goo% fortune
likewise %epen%s on t"e in%i.i%ual6s efforts an% sin#erity$ an% upon t"e .ali%ity$ effi#a#y$
an% profun%ity of t"e in%i.i%ual6s spiritual beliefs.
!o furt"er #larify t"e %ifferen#e between mutable an% immutable karma wit" some
e>amplesH Ha.ing a broken arm is mutable karma? being born wit"out legs is
immutable karma. 5eing neuroti# is mutable karma? being psy#"oti# is immutable
karma. Growing up poor in t"e 9out" 5ron> in t"e late -*t" #entury is mutable karma?
being a member of t"e untou#"able #aste in In%ia is usually immutable karma @ t"e
%is#rimination is more intra#table$ an% may take more t"an one e>isten#e to o.er#ome
fully.
38
$ur desires and attachments cause us to su!!er( 4ecause they are sometimes
4ased on 4elie!s at variance with the true nature o! li!e( or 4ecause( since li!e is
constantly chanin( we cannot clin to the desired o48ect or circumstance
!orever) :et desires and attachments are intrinsic to li!e and( indeed( the
motivatin power o! li!e) To totally neate desire and attachment is to deny the
value o! li!e itsel!) So the solution is to elevate desire( trans!ormin earthly
desires into enlihtenment) *Bonno So%u Bodai,
!"ere are ten worl%sH Hell$ Hunger$ Animality$ Anger$ Humanity$ Dapture$ Gearning$
DealiAation$ Altruism$ an% <nlig"tenment. !"e %esire for <nlig"tenment stems from t"e
worl% of <nlig"tenment. All our ot"er %esires stem from t"e lower nine worl%s. 8"en
we want somet"ing$ as Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists$ we #"ant for it. Cur #"anting gra%ually
ele.ates our %esires$ transforming e.en negati.e %esires into "ig"er$ positi.e %esires.
!"roug" t"is pro#ess$ we #an re.eal t"e enlig"tene% aspe#t of t"e lower nine worl%s.
9omeone w"ose %efault life #on%ition is Hell #an$ t"roug" inner reformation$ manifest
t"is #on%ition in an enlig"tene% way @ empat"iAing wit" ot"ers w"o are suffering$ an%
taking a#tion to relie.e t"eir sufferings. !"is #an bring great satisfa#tion to t"e #aregi.er
an% great relief to t"e re#ipients. !"us be#ause of t"e #utual Possession o! the Ten
Worlds$ Hell #an manifest Humanity$ Dapture an% Altruism from wit"in itself. !"e key is
basing one6s e>isten#e on t"e 1*t" life state$ <nlig"tenment$ w"i#" allows all nine lower
life states$ su#" as Hell$ to e>press t"eir enlig"tene% aspe#t.
9imilarlyH Hunger #an be transforme% from gree% to a "unger to benefit ot"ers t"roug"
resear#" or ser.i#e. Animality #an be transforme% into a relentless struggle against e.il
in so#iety @ win or lose$ t"em or us. Anger #an be transforme% from arrogan#e or
retribution to anger for so#ial 'usti#e. Humanity #an be transforme% from a Ryawning6
life@state into a .igorous$ imperturbable$ in#orruptible sense of fair play an% e&uity.
Dapture #an be transforme% from foolis" aban%on to enli.ening an% refres"ing ot"ers$
on a %eeper le.el an% towar% a more .aluable ob'e#ti.e. Gearning (for e>ample$ insig"t
attaine% t"roug" a#a%emi# e%u#ation+ #an be transforme% from knowle%ge for its own
sake$ elitism$ or %iaboli#al appli#ations of knowle%ge$ to t"e pursuit of knowle%ge to
benefit ot"ers. DealiAation (for e>ample$ insig"t attaine% t"roug" e>perien#e or
me%itation+ #an be transforme% from myopi# preo##upation wit" one6s own sole
sal.ation$ to using one6s realiAation empat"eti#ally to benefit e.eryone. Altruism$ w"en
base% on enlig"tenment$ fun#tions more %eeply an% powerfully an% is less likely to go
tragi#ally wrong.
!"ese #"anges benefit not only ot"ers but also oneself. 1irst of all$ it feels goo% to be
empat"eti#$ to feel linke% wit" t"e greater uni.erse$ an% to take a#tion for ot"ers.
9e#on%$ one6s life attra#ts prote#tion an% fortune from t"e en.ironment @ bot"
%is#ernible an% in#onspi#uous @ in %ire#t proportion to "ow mu#" we manifest
empat"eti# &ualities an% be"a.iors. !"at6s be#ause e.eryt"ing is in"erently #onne#te%?
our "appiness an% well being %epen%s on "ow mu#" we realiAe an% refle#t t"at reality.
(9o t"en$ w"y sometimes %o ba% t"ings "appen to /goo%0 people$ or goo% t"ings
39
"appen to /ba%0 peopleL Again$ be#ause karma is a pro#ess t"at #an transpire a#ross
lifetimes.+
40
By thus elevatin our li!e condition( we can trans!orm any circumstance !rom
poison into medicine) *Hendo%u "ya%u,
1or e>ample$ w"en we are full of life for#e$ %esire for self impro.ement$ an% empat"y @
all aspe#ts of enlig"tenment @ we #an transform a %iffi#ult boss from a sour#e of anguis"
into an impetus for personal growt". 8e may t"us win our boss o.er$ by #"anging
oursel.es$ or e.en be promote% @ by our boss6s boss @ to a "ig"er le.el in a %ifferent
%epartment. An%$ more importantly$ in so %oing$ we "a.e %eepene%$ e>pan%e%$ an%
purifie% our state of life.
"anging poison into me%i#ine #an e>press itself in transient e.ery%ay situations like
t"e e>ample abo.e. 5ut most fun%amentally$ #"anging poison into me%i#ine means t"at
as intelligent beings w"o t"ink in%epen%ently$ we are prone to get oursel.es misaligne%
wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw? but by re%ire#ting our intelligen#e un%er t"e gui%an#e of our
5u%%"a Nature$ we #an use our intelligen#e to regain a new oneness wit" t"e Nni.ersal
Gaw. All of t"e little problems of life$ su#" as a %iffi#ult boss$ are t"e fuel t"at makes t"e
more profoun% pro#ess possible.
41
The 4ody and mind are essentially one( thouh super!icially distinct) *Shi%ishin
3uni,
1or instan#e$ on#e we transform a %iffi#ult boss from poison into me%i#ine$ our bloo%
pressure may lower$ our ease of sleep in#rease$ an% our general "ealt" impro.e. !"is
is an e>ample of t"e min% influen#ing t"e bo%y. Cf #ourse$ t"e bo%y #an also influen#e
t"e min%. A motor#y#le "ig"way patrolman wit" "emorr"oi%s may be irritable at "is 'obB
!"is un%ers#ores t"e importan#e of taking #are of our "ealt"? it affe#ts not only our bo%y
but also our min%$ life state an% en.ironment.
!"e entity of life is t"e 9t" le.el of #ons#iousness @ enlig"tenment or 5u%%"a"oo%.
<a#" in%i.i%ual "as its own uni&ue entity$ yet all entities are linke%$ uniting t"e entire
uni.erse an% e.eryt"ing in it t"roug"out spa#e an% time. <a#" entity "as two fun#tionsH
potential an% manifestation. !"e reason our mental state is linke% wit" our p"ysi#al
"ealt" is not merely be#ause t"e min% an% bo%y are relate%$ but more profoun%ly$
be#ause bot" bo%y an% min% arise from entity$ an% t"e entity is always in a life@state
somew"ere from Hell to 5u%%"a"oo%.
In t"e Gotus 9utra$ t"e ten fa#tors of life represent t"e oneness of min% an% bo%y. !"e
ten fa#tors are liste% in t"e 9e#on% (/<>pe%ient Means0+ #"apter of t"e sutra$ w"ere it
states t"at t"e true aspe#t of all p"enomena #onsists of appearan#e$ nature$ entity$
power$ influen#e$ internal #ause$ internal effe#t$ e>ternal #ause$ e>ternal effe#t$ an% t"eir
#onsisten#y from beginning to en%. !"e Gos"o (letter+ /Cn t"e ;rofoun% Meaning0
statesH /Appearan#e e>ists only in w"at is material? nature e>ists only in w"at is spiritual.
<ntity$ power$ influen#e$ an% relation in prin#iple #ombine bot" t"e material an% t"e
spiritual. Internal #ause an% latent effe#t are purely spiritual? manifest effe#t e>ists only
in w"at is material.0
42
The Sel! and 1nvironment are essentially one( thouh super!icially distinct) *1sho
3uni,
Cne nee%n6t be a 5u%%"ist to agree t"at w"en we put our Rbest foot forwar%6 wit" a
positi.e attitu%e$ ot"ers will respon% to us more fa.orably$ all ot"er fa#tors e&ual. !"is
%enotes a superfi#ial$ obser.able aspe#t of t"e relations"ip between self an%
en.ironment. 5u%%"ism illuminates t"is #onne#tion on a more profoun% le.el as well.
!"e uni.erse is$ in a sense$ like a personal #omputer6s mot"erboar%. Cn top$ t"e
#omponents appear separate? but flip it o.er$ an% it6s #lear t"ey6re all inter#onne#te%.
!"e !"eory of K*** on%itions e>poun%s t"at ea#" entity of life "as ten life #on%itions
an% t"eir mutual possession$ ten fa#tors$ an% t"ree realms$ making K*** life states in a
single moment. !"e !"ree Dealms are t"e Dealm of In%i.i%ual ons#iousness$ an%
Dealm of Gi.ing 5eings$ an% t"e Dealm of <n.ironment. !"e Dealm of Gi.ing 5eings
in#lu%es ot"er sentient beings bot" "uman an% non@"uman. !"e Dealm of <n.ironment
is t"e <art"$ solar system$ gala>y$ an% uni.erse t"roug"out spa#e an% time.
9in#e e.ery life "as !"ree Dealms$ e.ery entity is %ire#tly #onne#te% wit" its
en.ironment. !"at is w"y by li.ing #orre#tly$ we in.ariably %raw prote#tion an% goo%
fortune from our en.ironment @ all ot"er fa#tors e&ual @ e.en in situations w"ere t"ere is
no %is#ernible link between our goo% #auses an% our goo% effe#ts. Cur goo% effe#ts %o
not always #ome t"roug" "uman interme%iaries w"o #ons#iously %e#i%e to "elp us
be#ause t"ey like our way of li.ing? sometimes our goo% effe#ts appear to be ran%om
unrelate% o##urren#es$ separate% by time an% #onte>t from t"e goo% #auses we ma%e.
on.ersely$ if we #arry ba% #auses an% effe#ts wit"in our life$ our en.ironment an%
#ir#umstan#es will e.entually #ome to refle#t t"at also$ 'ust like a bo%y an% its s"a%ow.
!"en w"y sometimes %o goo% t"ings "appen to /ba%0 people$ an% ba% t"ings "appen to
/goo%0 peopleL !"at is be#ause karma is a pro#ess t"at #an #ome to fruition a#ross
more t"an one lifetime.
All of t"e abo.e illuminates our pre.ious e>ample of #"anging our relations"ip wit" a
%iffi#ult boss by #"anging oursel.es$ rat"er t"an waiting for our boss to #"ange$ w"i#" is
somet"ing o.er w"i#" we "a.e no #ontrol.
43
How we !use our lives with the Universal 'aw to tap our 9th /onsciousness ;
#antra 0ecitation)
A #antra is a s"ort syllabi#ate% p"rase #"ante% o.er an% o.er r"yt"mi#ally$ to "elp
attain some ob'e#ti.e t"roug" spiritual means. A mantra is a symboli# %e.i#e$ but t"at
%oes not mean it is Rnot real6. 9ymbolism belongs to t"e realm of mental fun#tions$
potential$ an% non@substantiality. 9in#e potential an% manifestation are bot" fun#tions of
t"e same life@entity$ symboli# p"enomena an% a#tual p"enomena are in"erently
#onne#te%. !"at is w"y t"e entity #an e>press its power an% influen#e in t"e realm of
obser.able p"enomena t"roug" bot" tangible an% symboli# a#tions$ espe#ially w"en
t"ese two are #ombine% an% #oor%inate%.
!"e i%ea of using a mantra will seem less foreign if we #onsi%er t"at many of us alrea%y
use t"e mantra6s #ousins @ t"e pro.erb$ t"e slogan$ t"e refrain$ t"e poem$ an% song.
/All6s well t"at en%s well.0 /A penny sa.e% is a penny earne%.0 ;ro.erbs usually "a.e a
positi.e message.
9logans #an be positi.e or negati.e. /;ower to t"e people0$ a #ommon slogan of t"e
late 19I*s$ e>presse% populist an% %emo#rati# yearnings. 8"ereas /Heil Hitler0 was
ob.iously a negati.e slogan.
Defrains #an also be positi.e or negati.e. /I lo.e you0 is a positi.e refrain? /let6s get to
work0 is anot"er one. 8"ereas /Here we go againB0 uttere% w"ile rolling one6s eyeballs
to t"e #eiling$ e>presses e>asperation an% resignation? it "elps #reate an e>ternal lo#us
of #ontrol$ remo.ing bot" one6s responsibility for$ an% one6s #ontrol o.er$ t"e annoying
situation. If someone at work uses /Yes boss0 as a refrain$ "e may get a reputation as
/t"e boss6s yes@man0. An% /Not nowB0 use% too often may ero%e relations"ips wit"in a
family.
;oems are obli&uely similar to mantras$ espe#ially w"en t"ey are put to musi# as songs.
In fa#t$ #"anting in 5u%%"ist #eremonies is really no more strange or alien t"an singing
in "ristian "ur#" wors"ip. An% e.en "ristianity "as t"e famous$ beautiful spiritual
an% musi#al tra%ition of t"e Gregorian "ant.
1rom our e>perien#e wit" pro.erbs$ slogans an% refrains$ poems an% songs$ we #an
intuiti.ely see t"at mantras are more t"an 'ust r"yt"mi# gibberis" t"at e.ens out our
brain wa.es. !"e #ontent matters.
!"e lyri#s of two %ifferent rap songs may be inno#uous$ in one #ase$ an% .iolent$ in t"e
ot"er$ e.en t"oug" t"e r"yt"m may be t"e same in bot" songs. 9in#e t"e #ontent of a
song is important$ not only t"e r"yt"m$ w"y s"oul% t"e same not be true for mantrasL
"anting /5ingo 5ango 5ongo0 to a oke bottle may soot" us$ but it woul% also make
us seem rat"er silly to anyone w"o "ear% us an% saw us. !ruly benefi#ial mantras are
not merely r"yt"mi#al %e.i#es. !"ey also "a.e a %eep an% positi.e #ontent @ a "opeful$
44
empat"eti#$ an% empowering message. 9u#" as mantra is t"e one employe% in
Ni#"iren 4ais"onin6s 5u%%"ism.
Mantra (an% 9utra+ re#itation s"oul% be syllabi#$ r"yt"mi# an% seamless$ an% at a
mo%erate pa#e$ not rus"e%. In t"e beginning$ slow is C3.
Nam #yoho 0ene 5yo (#"ante% as /Nam myo "o ren ge kyo0+
Nam ,rhymes with A)omB-

Nam is a #ontra#tion of Namu. 8it"in Namu$ Nam means %e.otion to somet"ing$ an% N
means getting ba#k effe#ts appropriate to w"at you %e.ote% yourself to$ an% "ow
intensely. 1or e>ample$ some businessmen are %e.ote% to making profit. !"at6s t"eir
NAM. !"eir N is bot" goo% an% ba% = wealt"$ an% ul#ers per"aps. 5u%%"ists #"oose
t"e Nni.ersal Gaw$ or t"e 5u%%"a Nature$ as t"eir NAM. !"is NAM in#lu%es an%
embra#es all lesser NAMs$ su#" as making money. In%ee%$ a businessman w"o
wors"ips t"e Nni.ersal Gaw will su##ee% at business more t"an "e e.er %i% pre.iously.
Myoho ,each syllable rhymes with AgoB-
MYC means t"e Mysti# Gaw. !"e Mysti# Gaw #annot be sense% %ire#tly. It is t"e #ause
an% maintainer of all t"at e>ists. It is eternal. It e>ists wit"in ea#" one of us an% wit"in
all t"ings. It is t"e ultimate sour#e of goo%ness$ #apability$ wis%om$ fortune an%
#ompassion. HC are t"e p"enomenal manifestations of MYC. !"ese e>pressions are
bot" p"ysi#al an% spiritual. HC is t"e part t"at #an be graspe% t"roug" t"e senses.

Renge ,pronounced AWren:+ayB-

D<NG< stan%s for t"e Gotus 1lower$ w"i#" flowers an% see%s at t"e same time. !"us
t"e Gotus 1lower is a symbol for t"e simultaneity of #ause an% effe#t. 8"en we #"ant$
our 5u%%"a Nature emerges simultaneously. Cn t"e ot"er "an%$ it takes years of
repeate% %aily #"anting to make 5u%%"a"oo% t"e #entral ten%en#y in our li.es. !"e
Gotus 1lower blooms from a mu%%y swamp yet is untainte% by t"e mu%$ remaining
imma#ulate. !"is symboliAes "ow 5u%%"a"oo% #an emerge from t"e life of an or%inary
person$ an% real$ a#tual so#iety #an be transforme% for t"e better w"en enoug" people
are #"anting.
Kyo ,rhymes with AgoB-
3YC stan%s for !ea#"ing (or 9utra+. 9pe#ifi#ally it stan%s for t"e Gotus 9utra$ t"e
tea#"ing w"i#" uni&uely bri%ges t"e gap between t"e 5u%%"a an% t"e #ommon mortal.
3yo also means .oi#e? e.eryt"ing we utter is some kin% of #ause$ positi.e or negati.e$
an% t"e "ig"est #ause we #an make is to use our .oi#es to #"ant an% to %is#uss
5u%%"ism wit" ot"er people. 3YC also means t"e warp of #lot"$ w"i#" symboliAes
#ontinuity = Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is o.er se.en #enturies ol%$ an% it #omes from a long
45
lineage of earlier 5u%%"ist tea#"ings going all t"e way ba#k to 9"akyamuni -5** years
ago in In%ia.
As a w"ole$ NAM MYCHC D<NG< 3YC #an be translate% as /4e.otion to t"e Mysti#
Gaw of #ause an% effe#t t"roug" soun%.0 5ut t"at is only one possible translation.
MYCHC D<NG< 3YC "appens to be t"e title of t"e Gotus 9utra. 5y a%%ing NAM$
Ni#"iren %is#o.ere% t"e mantra t"at a#tually taps t"e 5u%%"a Nature$ or t"e Gaw of t"e
Nni.erse.

Near t"e en% of t"is website$ I supply a link to an outsi%e website$ w"ere you #an listen
to t"e soun% of %aimoku$ an% also gongyo.
46
How we !use our lives with the Universal 'aw to tap our 9th /onsciousness<
Usin a #andala
A mandala is an e>ternal ob'e#t use% as a fo#us of #on#entration for me%itation or
#"anting. 9in#e we wors"ip a Gaw w"i#" we belie.e to be wit"in us$ our man%ala is not
an i%ol$ w"i#" entails wors"iping somet"ing outsi%e oneself.
Cur Man%ala is #alle% t"e /Go"onAon0$ w"i#" means t"e supreme ob'e#t of wors"ip. It
is a paper ins#ription wit" #alligrap"i# #"ara#ters. It is a te>tual an% grap"i# synopsis of
our #ore tea#"ing.
5ut it is more t"an 'ust a listing of %o#trines$ like t"e table of #ontents of a book on
5u%%"ism. As a man%ala$ it is a p"ysi#al embo%iment (manifestation+ of a bo%y of
spiritual tea#"ings (potential+. Demember t"at manifestation an% potential are t"e two
fun#tions of t"e entity$ an% t"at all t"ree always o##ur toget"er. 9o our man%ala is not
'ust a list of tea#"ings$ but t"e entity of our tea#"ing in p"ysi#al form.
;"ysi#al ob'e#ts in our en.ironment "a.e t"e power to influen#e us. A goo% looking
member of t"e opposite se> may arouse our Hunger nature. A goo% book may arouse
our Gearning nature. An entity of 5u%%"ism "elps make our 5u%%"a nature leap from
potential into manifestation. Cur man%ala is an entity of t"e #ore 5u%%"ist tea#"ings.
Cur man%ala is also a mirror. !"ere is more t"an one kin% of mirror in e>isten#e. A
glass mirror s"ows our p"ysi#al sel.es. ompetiti.e sports put t"e at"lete into a
pressure #ooker$ re.ealing "is or "er psy#"ologi#al strengt"s an% weaknesses$
essentially fun#tioning as a spiritual mirror. 5ut bot" p"ysi#al an% mental fun#tions arise
from entity. Cur man%ala is a mirror of your life entity. It pro.i%es t"e %eepest possible
way to see yourself.
1or instan#e$ if someone #"ants to t"e Go"onAon about t"eir %iffi#ult boss$ t"e situation
at work may seem to get worse before it gets better. !"at6s be#ause$ wit" "is life@eyes
open$ "e #an no longer ki% "imself. As "e %imly begins to get an inkling t"at t"e bu#k
stops wit" "im$ no matter "ow unfair it may seem$ t"is "eig"tens "is pain in t"e s"ort
run. Yet t"is painful pro#ess enables "im to make a fun%amental #"ange for t"e better$
bot" in "is e>ternal situation an% in "is internal life #on%ition. No pain no gain? t"is is
true e.en for s"allow a#"ie.ements$ an% t"at mu#" more so for fun%amental ones.
Not all Go"onAons are i%enti#al$ but t"ey are #losely similar. 8e will now analyAe t"e
Ni#"ikan Go"onAon wit" a brief o.er.iew. !"e Ni#"ikan Go"onAon is t"e one grante%
to belie.ers by t"e 9GI. After t"e analysis$ an% t"e eye opening #eremony$ t"ere are
links wit" w"i#" you #an %ownloa% t"e Ni#"ikan Go"onAon or ot"er Go"onAons
ins#ribe% by Ni#"iren "imself.
47
1. Nam Myo"o Denge 3yo$ Ni#"iren. !"is symboliAes t"e Cneness of ;erson an%
Gaw. 8"en you #"ant to t"e Go"onAon$ w"at emerges is t"e oneness of your
life wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw.
-. !"e 1our Hea.enly 3ings. Myt"ologi#al beings sai% to li.e on t"e four slopes of
Mount 9umeru$ nort"$ sout"$ east an% west. !"ese beings stan% for prote#ti.e
fun#tions innate wit"in life t"at prote#t t"ose w"o #"ant.
K. Depresentati.es of t"e nine lower worl%s. !"ese worl%s$ su#" as learning an%
anger$ are satellites of t"e worl% of 5u%%"a"oo% on t"e Go"onAon. !"us t"e
Go"onAon represents t"e i%eal life #on%ition$ w"ere 5u%%"a"oo% illuminates t"e
lower nine worl%s an% enables t"em all to re.eal t"eir enlig"tene% aspe#t. !"ere
are also ot"er prote#ti.e fun#tions$ aspe#ts of enlig"tenment$ "istori#al figures in
t"e %e.elopment of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ an% mis#ellaneous ins#riptions su#" as
t"e Hig" ;riest Ni#"ikan6s statement t"at "e trans#ribe% one of Ni#"iren6s
Go"onAons to make t"is one. !"ere are ins#riptions %es#ribing t"e goo% fortune
wors"ippers will a##rue an% t"e negati.e karma t"at will #ome to t"ose w"o
slan%er t"e Go"onAon. !"e fun%amental %arkness in"erent wit"in life is also on
t"e Go"onAon$ be#ause t"is too fun#tions for goo% w"en 5u%%"a"oo% is firmly
establis"e% as one6s #entral life ten%en#y.
Is a %ownloa%e% Go"onAon as goo% as one offi#ially grante% to a belie.er by a
se#tarian organiAation$ su#" as for e>ample$ t"e 9oka GakkaiL Yes it is. 3eep in min%
t"at Go"onAons grante% by 9oka Gakkai$ Ni#"iren 9"u$ Ni#"iren 9"os"u$ et#. are
.irtually not"ing more t"an %igital p"oto#opies? t"ey are manufa#ture% as a s#roll$ but
t"ey are still %igital #opies. A %ownloa%e% Go"onAon is trimme%$ frame%$ an% mounte%
abo.e an% be"in% your altar. It is t"e same t"ing as an offi#ial Go"onAon = a %igital
#opyB
You %o not nee% to worry t"at no priest "as performe% an eye@opening #eremony on
your Go"onAon. As t"e 9oka Gakkai points out$ it is your own #"anting wit" fait" t"at
48
opens t"e eyes of your Go"onAon. A priestly eye@opening #eremony is 'ust a formality
from esoteri# 5u%%"ism.
Ne.ert"eless$ for t"ose w"o want an eye@opening #eremony$ one is pro.i%e% below.
!"is is an eye@opening #eremony you #an perform yourself. You are 'ust as &ualifie% to
%o it as a priest is$ be#ause t"e Gotus 9utra an% Ni#"iren 4ais"onin6s tea#"ings state
t"at AGG people = in#lu%ing laymen = e&ually possess t"e 5u%%"a nature.
Here is a Gos"o &uote to #onfirm t"at a #ommon mortal #an #onse#rate a Go"onAonH
/A #ommon mortal is an entity of t"e t"ree bo%ies$ an% a true 5u%%"a. A 5u%%"a is a
fun#tion of t"e t"ree bo%ies$ an% a pro.isional 5u%%"a. In t"at #ase$ t"oug" it is t"oug"t
t"at 9"akyamuni 5u%%"a possesses t"e t"ree .irtues of so.ereign$ tea#"er$ an% parent
for t"e sake of all of us li.ing beings$ t"at is not so. Cn t"e #ontrary$ it is #ommon
mortals w"o en%ow "im wit" t"e t"ree .irtues.0
@ @ !"e !rue <ntity of Gife
/9"akyamuni 5u%%"a0 abo.e #an refer to any 5u%%"a$ in#lu%ing t"e Go"onAon.
Alt"oug" t"e &uotation talks about bestowing t"e !"ree 2irtues on t"e Go"onAon$ on#e
t"e Go"onAon possesses t"e !"ree 2irtues t"at Go"onAon is a 5u%%"a. 5y %efinition$
a 5u%%"a possesses all K- ;roperties of t"e 5u%%"a$ in#lu%ing t"e K-
n%
property$ t"e
/#lear an% far rea#"ing .oi#e0. 9o$ if a #ommon mortal bestows t"e !"ree 2irtues on a
Go"onAon$ t"at #ommon mortal is by %efinition also bestowing t"e K-
n%
property of t"e
5u%%"a on t"e Go"onAon.!"erefore$ t"e abo.e &uotation #an mean t"at #ommon
mortals #an bestow t"e K-
n%
property of t"e 5u%%"a on t"e Go"onAon. !"e K-
n%

property of t"e 5u%%"a is spiritual. !"e ot"er K1 properties of t"e 5u%%"a are p"ysi#al
properties alrea%y #ontaine% wit"in t"e s#roll or paper before #onse#ration.
49
&ohon+on 1ye $penin /eremony
6or new +ohon#ons
,This 4ye:7pening 3eremony is based on a previously e<isting ceremony that e<ists in
Nichiren (hu, a school o" Nichiren Buddhism. The original can be "ound online at
http://nichirenscoffeehouse.net/Gohonzon/Eyepenin!"ere#ony.ht#$
The original provider o" this lin* has passed away, and now, when you clic* the lin*, the
eye opening ceremony page only appears "or a split second, and then another Buddhist
web:ring o" some *ind appears with a ponderous array o" choices. To ma*e the eye
opening ceremony page reappear, use the C$istoryC "eature in your web browser.
,onDt push the Bac* button. That wonDt wor*-.
I made some modi"ications to the Nichiren (hu 4ye 7pening 3eremony to con"orm to
my own belie"s. Eou too can modi"y it to con"orm to your own belie"s, perhaps
comparing my version and the original then coming up with your own.
This special eye:opening ceremony may be per"ormed, once the downloaded
+ohon#on is trimmed, "ramed, and mounted on the wall above and behind your altar.
Eou per"orm the eye opening ceremony by reading the entire te<t out loud, as you are
seated at your altar.
This is an example. It is intended for someone who is consecrating both a
Gohonzon and three Buddha statues. Modify it to suit your situation.
Eye Opening eremony
!o"oge #$erse% &lace of Enlightenment'
This place of enlightenment is as luminous as the gems of the net of (ing
)a*ra.
+ll the Three Treasures of the worlds of the ten directions manifest
themsel,es here. -ow I am before them. I bow to the Buddhas and worship their
feet with my head.
)amborai #Bow to the Three Treasures'
.ith my whole heart%
I bow to the Eternal Buddha emanating the Buddhas of the worlds of the ten
directions. #bow'
.ith my whole heart%
I bow to the Eternal !harma establishing the teachings of the Buddhas of the
worlds of the ten directions. #bow'
.ith my whole heart%
I bow to the Eternal )amgha comprising the de,otees of the Buddhas of the
worlds of the ten directions. #bow'
(an"o #In,itation'
.ith re,erence I adore this Great Mandala and these three Great Buddha
)tatues. .ith re,erence I ,enerate the Original Eternal Buddha )ha*yamuni.
.ith re,erence I ,enerate the Great pro,isional Buddha -ichiren.
50
.ith re,erence I ,enerate &rabhutaratna Tathagata% who appeared in this world
to bear witness to the truthfulness of the )utra of the /otus 0lower of the
.onderful !harma.
.ith re,erence I ,enerate the Buddhas of the worlds of the ten directions in
the past% present and future% the emanations of the Original Buddha
)ha*yamuni.
.ith re,erence I ,enerate Bishamonten% +nryugyo% 1yogyo% 1ogyo Bosatsu%
Muhengyo% the Eight !ragon (ings% !engyo !aishi% the 1urasetsunyo% (ishimo"in%
Tendai !aishi% 2ochoten% 3achiman% Tensho4dai"in% (omo*uten% 1i*o*uten% +izen%
Myo"oten% Gattenno% and Taisha*u.
.ith re,erence I ,enerate the four *inds of de,otees who "oined the
congregations of the /otus )utra.

.ith re,erence I ,enerate the )enior &riests% who inherited and transmitted
-ichiren !aishonin5s teachings.
May all $enerable Ones come to this place of enlightenment% see me with their
eyes of wisdom% and recei,e the sa,or of the !harma out of their compassion
towards me.
(ai*yoge #)utra Opening $erse'
This sutra of the )upreme% Most &rofound and .onderful !harma is difficult to
meet in thousands of millions of *alpas. -ow I ha,e been able to see% hear%
recei,e and *eep it. May I understand the ultimate import of the teachings of
the Tathagata. The 6ltimate Truth of the Great $ehicle is% howe,er% ,ery
difficult for me to understand. +ll who see% hear or touch this sutra shall
come closer to Bodhi. The expounder of this sutra is the )ambhoga*aya aspect
of the Buddha. .hat is expounded in this sutra is the !harma*aya aspect of the
Buddha. The characters of this sutra are the -irmana*aya aspect of the Buddha.
)ince innumerable merits are contained in this sutra% all li,ing beings are
benefited by this sutra without hindrance as implicitly as incense is
percei,ed by a thing put nearby. By merits of this sutra% anyone will be able
to expiate his sin% do good deeds% and attain the enlightenment of the Buddha%
whether he is wise or not% whether he belie,es or slanders this sutra. The
!harma attained by the past% present and future Buddhas is expounded in this
most profound and wonderful sutra. May my posterity% generation after
generation% meet and recei,e this sutra with re,erence.
!o*yo #)utra hanting. hant the 3oben and 1uryo hapter excerpts normally
done during Gongyo. )ee next section% 7/otus )utra8'
)hodai #!aimo*u hanting' #-am4Myoho49enge4(yo' : minutes
(aigen #onsecration'
I am a benighted common mortal in which both enlightenment and defilement
coexist. Therefore% I beseech the soul of )ha*yamuni% the Original Eternal
Buddha% and the soul of the Great pro,isional Buddha -ichiren% to descend to
this place of onsecration for a few moments% to support me by lending me a
portion of their enlightened life conditions. -am Myo ho 9en ge (yo% -am Myo
ho 9en ge (yo% -am Myo ho 9en ge (yo. -ow% through my faith alone% and not
due to my abilities% I ha,e been spiritually reinforced by )ha*yamuni and
-ichiren. Therefore% I can now use my Buddha -ature to endow an insentient
ob"ect with the ;<nd property of the Buddha% the 7clear and far reaching
,oice8. I hereby consecrate this Gohonzon and my three Buddha )tatues as
ob"ects of worship% as insentient beings in the state of Buddhahood% which
possess the internal cause to ma*e Buddhahood leap forth from the life of
anyone who chants the sutra and the daimo*u to them or near them. I hereby
endow this Gohonzon and my three Buddha )tatues with the ;<nd property of the
51
Buddha% the 7clear and far reaching ,oice8. -am Myo ho 9en ge (yo% -am Myo ho
9en ge (yo% -am Myo ho 9en ge (yo.
E*o #!edication'
The present Buddhas as well as the past Buddhas ha,e appeared in the worlds
for the purpose of expounding the .onderful !harma. )o will the future
Buddhas. /ord Teacher )a*yamuni Buddha% the .orld43onored One% the Original
Eternal Buddha% and the Great pro,isional Buddha -ichiren% the 0ounder of my
religion% are nothing without the .onderful !harma. .hen I chant the )utra of
the /otus 0lower of the .onderful !harma% all the Buddhas will immediately
manifest themsel,es before me. .hen I chant the sutra before the Great Mandala
inscribed on paper% the paper will instantly bear mind of its innate Buddha4
nature% and the Great Mandala will re,eal the &ure .orld of the Original
Eternal Buddha )ha*yamuni and the Great pro,isional Buddha -ichiren.
-ow as I chant the )utra of the /otus 0lower of the .onderful !harma and the
!aimo*u before this Great Mandala% and my Three Buddha )tatues% they are
consecrated. They will benefit me boundlessly. May the Great Mandala and my
Three Buddha )tatues do the wor* of the Buddha by releasing their brillant
light so that I may be able to *eep my faith firm and strong% ser,e the Three
Treasures with sincerity% and fulfill my goals for my present and future
li,es.
)hisei #The 0our $ows'
I ,ow to sa,e all li,ing beings howe,er countless they may be.
I ,ow to eliminate all illusions howe,er numberless they may be. I ,ow to
study all teachings howe,er limitless they may be. I ,ow to attain the supreme
enlightenment of the Buddha.
)an*i #The Three 9efuges'
.ith most re,erence% I ta*e refuge in the Buddha.
May all li,ing beings understand the Great .ay and aspire to supreme
enlightenment.
I ta*e refuge in the !harma.
May all li,ing beings enter deep into the storehouse of the /otus )utra and
their wisdom be as ,ast as the sea.
I ta*e refuge in the )amgha.
May all li,ing beings forge one great congregation without hindrance.
Buso #0arewell'
$enerable Ones= 9emember me% be where you li*e% and come again out of your
great compassion toward me=
52
Downloadin a &ohon+on
;lease remember t"at t"e Go"onAon is t"e p"ysi#al embo%iment of your i%eal
enlig"tene% life #on%ition$ an% as su#"$ it must be treate% wit" great #are an% respe#t.
Here are some rules to follow w"en %ownloa%ing a Go"onAonH
1. ;rint t"e Go"onAon on "ig" &uality 1** weig"t matte paper. (4o not use p"oto
glossy paper$ as t"is #an #reate glare+. Cr%inary paper is not suffi#ient to mat#"
t"e %ignity of t"e Go"onAon. 4o not use a smeare% printout of t"e Go"onAon. If
ne#essary$ try printing it two or t"ree times until it #omes out perfe#t. 1ile away
t"e imperfe#t #opies$ %o not t"row t"em away or %estroy t"em.
2. After you print t"e Go"onAon file on your printer$ %o not %elete t"e original file.
3eep it in /My ;i#tures0 or /My 4o#uments0 or on a 4$ some pla#e safe.
3. 4o not fol%$ ben%$ wrinkle$ or stain your printe% Go"onAon. You may trim t"e
e%ges care"ully wit" s#issors$ to fit t"e frame. Nse a #lean ruler an% %raw lines
lig"tly in pen#il to mat#" t"e frame$ t"en #ut along t"e lines.
4. 4o not print your %ownloa%e% Go"onAon until you "a.e alrea%y boug"t a suitable
frame (1* by ,+ an% "a.e alrea%y arrange% a pla#e on t"e wall to frame it$ wit" a
proper 5u%%"ist altar in front of it. !"en w"en you finally %o print t"e Go"onAon$
frame it an% mount it imme%iately. !"en perform t"e <ye Cpening eremony
rig"t away.
5. If in t"e future you repla#e your first printe% Go"onAon wit" a s#roll Go"onAon$ or
wit" a %ifferent printe% Go"onAon$ %o not t"row out t"e original. 3eep it in a
manila fol%er in your "ar% #opy files un%er a topi# su#" as /keepsakes0.
You #an %ownloa% t"e Ni#"ikan Go"onAon %istribute% by t"e 9GI (formatte% as a one
page Mi#rosoft 8or% %o#ument. I .irus teste% t"e file before uploa%ing it an% it was
fine.+ You #an %ownloa% t"is from my websiteH
"ttpHTTni#"iren%ais"oninsbu%%"ism.weebly.#omT
%ote: &ou shou$' put this fi$e on ( ") (n' *rin! it to ( profession($ co##erci($ printin! shop.
+t ,i$$ not print ,ith sufficient reso$ution on your or'in(ry in-.et printer or $(ser printer.
4ownloa% a Go"onAon ins#ribe% by Ni#"iren "imself (t"ere are many to #"oose from+.
http://!roups.y(hoo.co#/!roup/Gohonzon+nfo/
%ote: /hese 0)1 i#(!es ,i$$ print ('e2u(te$y on your in-.et printer or $(ser printer.
The Basis o! $ur #antra and #andala = The 'otus Sutra
1irst a brief timelineH
9"akyamuni 5u%%"aH 5
t"
or I
t"
entury 5..$ starte% 5u%%"ism.
3umara'i.aH K4K or K44 = 41K A.4.$ "ina. Goo% translation of Gotus 9utra from
9anskrit into "inese. apture% "uman@potential@affirming spirit of Gotus 9utra.
53
!6ien@tiaiH surnames "i"@i$ "i"@k6ai$ 5K1@59) A.4.$ "ina. 9ystematiAe% t"e
tea#"ings impli#it in t"e Gotus 9utra. reate% a %iffi#ult$ time@#onsuming$ #umbersome$
yet effe#ti.e system of me%itation for t"eir realiAation.
4engyo 4ais"i (surname 9ai#"o+$ )I) = ,-- A.4.$ :apan. 5roug"t !6ien@t6ai 5u%%"ism
to :apan (!en%ai se#t+. Nnfortunately$ t"e !en%ai se#t e.entually allowe% itself to be
mi>e% wit" ;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism (see Hui@Yuan an% Honen$ ne>t+.
Hui@Yuan (KK4 = 41I A.4.+ an% Honen (11)K@1-1- A.4.+H foun%ers of ;ure Gan%
5u%%"ism in "ina an% :apan$ respe#ti.ely. ;ure Gan% #apsulate% 5u%%"ism$ making
it a##essible to or%inary working people. 5ut it taug"t t"at "appiness in t"is worl% was
impossible an% #oul% be foun% only in %eat"$ t"us sapping peoples6 %etermination$
.itality an% potential.
Ni#"iren 4ais"onin (1--- = 1-,- A.4.$ :apan+H apsulate% t"e !en%ai pra#ti#e$ making
it a##essible to or%inary working people$ foun%ing t"e Ni#"iren 9#"ool of 5u%%"ism. He
was .ery #ourageous in "is #on.i#tions$ stan%ing up to religious perse#utions. He #are%
%eeply about "is followers an% all "umanity$ an% "e %i% not seek personal gain.
Ni#"iren relentlessly refute% w"at "e #onsi%ere% to be t"e errors of ot"er 5u%%"ist
se#ts. He wrote t"e Gos"o = letters to "is followers = w"i#" are now t"e primary stu%y
material for belie.ers. Ni#"iren fulfille% t"e purpose of "is a%.ent by lea.ing us wit"
many Go"onAons (t"e ob'e#t of wors"ip = a pie#e of paper or woo% wit" #alligrap"y on
it$ representing enlig"tenment+. Ni#"iren was %efinitely not a religious pluralist. He
belie.e% "is tea#"ing alone was benefi#ial an% all ot"er tea#"ings s"oul% be %is#ar%e%.
His publi#ally pro#laiming t"is broug"t on "is many se.ere perse#utions. !o%ay many
in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists are religiously mu#" more pluralisti# an% tolerant t"an
Ni#"iren "imself was.
(en% of timeline+
!"e Gotus 9utra is 9"akyamuni 5u%%"a6s %e#laration of "uman %ignity an% e&uality. Its
essential message is t"at 5u%%"a"oo% is in"erent in t"e li.es of or%inary #ommon
mortals (Hoben "apter+$ t"at t"e li.es of or%inary #ommon mortals are in"erent in
5u%%"a"oo% (:uryo "apter+$ an% t"at e.eryone wit"out e>#eption "as t"e potential for
5u%%"a"oo%. !"is bri%ges t"e gap between t"e 5u%%"a an% t"e or%inary person.
5u%%"as are or%inary people w"o realiAe t"ey "a.e 5u%%"a"oo% at t"e #ore of t"eir
li.es. ommon mortals are essentially 5u%%"as$ but t"ey %o not yet realiAe t"is fa#t.
5u%%"as "a.e t"e lower nine #on%itions (Hell to Altruism+ of #ommon mortals$ an%
#ommon mortals "a.e in"erent 5u%%"a"oo%$ w"et"er t"ey are #urrently manifesting it
or not.
Gong after 9"akyamuni$ anot"er 5u%%"ist name% 3umara'i.a ma%e a parti#ularly goo%
translation of t"e Gotus 9utra from 9anskrit into "inese. An% still later$ a "inese
5u%%"ist name% !6ien@t6ai %eri.e% t"e !"eory of K*** on%itions in a 9ingle Moment of
Gife from t"e Gotus 9utra. He also %e.ise% a #omple>$ subtle$ ar%uous regimen of min%@
54
obser.ing me%itation$ w"i#" is #ompile% in "is /Great on#entration an% Insig"t0 (Maka
9"ikan+. It was pra#ti#al only for in%i.i%uals of e>traor%inary ability w"o also "a% lots of
free time = mostly monks$ #lergy$ nobility$ an% wealt"y retirees.
In t"e 1K
t"
#entury A.4. in :apan$ 5u%%"ist sages su#" as Ni#"iren an% Honen #ame up
wit" abbre.iate% forms of 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e more pra#ti#al for or%inary working men an%
women. 9ome mo%ern s#"olars look %own on t"ese systems$ #"ara#teriAing t"em as
/#oarse 5u%%"ism0 = as if /fine 5u%%"ism0 is i%entifie% by its abstruseness an% %iffi#ulty.
5ut many real@worl% e>amples s"ow us t"at t"e more wisely #on#ei.e% somet"ing is$
t"e more a##essible it is to t"e en% user$ all ot"er fa#tors e&ual.
!"is prin#iple was t"e basis for %e.eloping t"e Grap"i#al Nser Interfa#e for personal
#omputers. 9uppose Uero>$ Apple an% Mi#rosoft$ an% all ot"er software %e.elopers$
"a% trie% to make t"e mi#ro#omputer as di""icult to use as possibleL
on.ersely$ t"e more superfi#ial or #onfuse% somet"ing is$ t"e more %iffi#ult it is to use.
A goo% metap"or for t"is is a #at tangle% up in a ball of yarn.
ompare% to$ say$ 19)I$ people in t"e N.9. an% elsew"ere now work longer "ours$ are
#onne#te% by more real@time #ommuni#ations %e.i#es$ "a.e more single@parent "omes$
an% @ for t"ese an% ot"er reasons = now "a.e less free time. A##or%ing to t"e
Ma"ayana i%eal$ s"aring 5u%%"ism wit" ot"ers is of paramount importan#e. Cne
in%ispensable aspe#t of s"aring it is making it a##essible.
!"e Gotus 9utra uses parables$ %ramati# imagery$ metap"or$ .erses of praise$
affirmations$ "yperbole$ an% ot"er literary %e.i#es to #on.ey key prin#iples. !"is was in
a##or% wit" t"e stylisti# #on.entions of an#ient In%ian so#iety. ;eople in t"at so#iety
%i%n6t "a.e "un%re%s of emails e.ery %ay. In to%ay6s so#iety we must get rig"t to t"e
point$ or t"e point will be misse% in our "aste.
The point of the Lotus Sutra is, again, that: Buddhahood is inherent in the lives of
common mortals, the lives of common mortals are inherent in Buddhahood, and
everyone without eception has the potential for Buddhahood!
!wo se#tions of t"e Gotus 9utra$ t"e Hoben an% :uryo #"apters$ are #"ante% by
belie.ers.
Here are t"e two Gotus 9utra e>#erpts$ wit" an <nglis" translation.
Ho4en /hapter
#yo ho ren e %yo) Ho 4en pon) Dai ni)
I%entifies t"e e>#erpt to #ome as t"e Hoben "apter of t"e Gotus 9utra.
55
Ni8i seson) >u sanmai) An8o ni %i) &o shari;hotsu) Sho;4ut?chi;e) >in8in muryo) &o
chi;e mon) Nane nannyu) "ssai shomon) Hya%u;shi;4utsu) Sho !u no chi)
At t"is time t"e 8orl%@Honore% Cne serenely arose from me%itation an% a%%resse%
9"ariputraH P!"e wis%om of all 5u%%"as is infinitely profoun% an% immeasurable. !"e
portal to t"is wis%om is %iffi#ult to un%erstan% an% %iffi#ult to enter. Neit"er men of
Gearning (s"omon+ nor men of DealiAation (engaku+ are able to #ompre"en% it.P
Sho;i sha a) Butsu +o shinon) Hya%u sen man no%u) #ushu sho 4utsu) >in yo
sho;4utsu) #uryo doho) :umyo sho8in) #yosho !u mon) >o8u 8in8in) #i;+o;u ho)
@ui i sho setsu) "shu nane)
P!"e reason is t"is. A 5u%%"a "as #arrie% out #ountless austerities un%er many "un%re%
t"ousan% myria%s of kotis of 5u%%"as. He %e.ote% "imself to t"ese pra#ti#es so
.aliantly an% untiringly t"at "is name is uni.ersally known. He realiAe% t"e profoun%$
unparallele% Gaw an% prea#"es it a##or%ing to t"e peopleFs #apa#ity$ yet "is intention is
.ery %iffi#ult to un%erstan%.P
Shari;hotsu) &o 8u 8o;4utsu irai) Shu8u innen) Shu8u hiyu) 5o en on%yo) #u shu
ho4en) "ndo shu8o) 0yo ri sho 8a%u)
P9"ariputra$ e.er sin#e I attaine% 5u%%"a"oo%$ I "a.e wi%ely e>poun%e% my tea#"ings
t"roug" many stories of past relations"ips an% many parables$ an% by #ountless means
"a.e le% t"e people to renoun#e all t"eir atta#"ments.
Sho;i sha a) Nyorai ho4en) /hi%en hara;mitsu) 5ai i u;so%u)
!"e reason for t"is is t"at t"e !at"Vgata is possesse% of bot" means an% perfe#t
wis%om.P
Shari;hotsu) Nyorai chi%en) 5odai 8innon) #uryo mue) 0i%i) #u;sho;i) @en8o)
&edas)?Sanmai) >in nyu musai) >o8u issai) #i;+o;u ho)
P9"ariputra$ t"e wis%om of t"e !at"Vgata is all@en#ompassing an% profoun%. His mer#y
is infinite$ an% "is tea#"ing knows no boun%s. <n%owe% wit" power$ fearlessness$
#on#entration$ eman#ipation Wfrom sufferings an% %esiresX an% t"e #apa#ity to me%itate$
"e %wells in t"e boun%less an% awakens to t"e ne.er before@realiAe% Gaw.P
Shari;hotsu) Nyorai no) Shu8u !un;4etsu) &yo ses?sho ho) &on8i nyunan) 1%%a
shushin) Shari;hotsu) Shu yo on shi) #uryo muhen) #i;+o;u ho) Bus?shitsu 8o8u)
P9"ariputra$ t"e !at"Vgata "as t"e power to per#ei.e w"i#" among t"e .arious
tea#"ings Wis suite% to "is au%ien#eX$ to prea#" t"e tea#"ings in a skillful way$ an% to
gla%%en t"e "earts of t"e people wit" warm an% ten%er wor%s. !"at is to say$
9"ariputra$ t"e 5u%%"a "as realiAe% t"e infinite$ boun%less an% unparallele% Gaw.P
56
Shi shari;hotsu) 3u shu 4u setsu)?Sho;i sha a) Bus?sho 8o8u) Dai ichi %e;u)
Nane shi ho)
P9"ariputra$ I will say no more$ be#ause t"at w"i#" t"e 5u%%"a "as a#"ie.e% is t"e
rarest an% most %iffi#ult Gaw to #ompre"en%.P
:ui 4utsu yo 4utsu) Nai no %u8in) Shoho 8isso) Sho;i shoho) Nyo +e so) Nyo +e
sho) Nyo +e tai) Nyo +e ri%i) Nyo +e sa) Nyo +e in) Nyo +e en) Nyo +e %a) Nyo +e ho)
Nyo +e honma%?%u%yo to)
P!"e true entity of all p"enomena #an only be un%erstoo% an% s"are% between
5u%%"as. !"is reality #onsists of appearan#e$ nature$ entity$ power$ influen#e$ internal
#ause$ relation$ latent effe#t$ manifest effe#t$ an% t"eir #onsisten#y from beginning to
en%.P

>uryo /hapter
#yo ho ren e %yo) Nyo rai 8u ryo hon) Dai 8u ro%u)
I%entifies t"e e>#erpt to #ome as t"e :uryo "apter of t"e Gotus 9utra.
This part may be omitted.
Ni8i 4utsu o) Sho 4o;satsu yo) "ssai daishu) Sho +en;nanshi) Nyoto to shine)
Nyorai 8otai shi o) Bu o daishu) Nyoto to shine) Nyorai 8otai shi o) U 4u o)
Sho daishu( Nyoto to shine) Nyorai 8otai shi o) @e8i 4o;satsu daishu) #i;ro%u i
shu) &assho 4ya%u 4utsu on) Seson) :ui an ses?shi) &ato to shin8u 4utsu;o)
Nyo +e san 4ya%u i) Bu on) :ui an ses?shi) &ato to shin8u 4utsu;o
At t"is time t"e 5u%%"a a%%resse% t"e bo%"isatt.as an% all t"e multitu%eH PMen of
%e.out fait"$ belie.e an% un%erstan% t"e true wor%s of t"e !at"VgataP Again t"e 5u%%"a
a%%resse% t"e peopleH P5elie.e an% un%erstan% t"e true wor%s of !at"Vgata.P
PAt t"is time t"e bo%"isatt.as an% t"e multitu%e beginning wit" Miroku$ presse% t"eir
palms toget"er an% sai%H P8orl%@Honore% Cne$ our only wis" is t"at you tea#" us.
ertainly we will belie.e t"e 5u%%"as wor%s. !"us t"ey spoke t"ree times$ repeating t"e
wor%s. P Cur only wis" is t"at you tea#" us. ertainly we will belie.e t"e 5u%%"aFs
wor%s.
Ni8i seson) /hi sho 4o;satsu) San sho !u shi) Ni o shi on) Nyoto tai cho) Nyorai
hi;mitsu) >in+u shi ri%i)
57
8"en t"e 8orl% Honore% Cne says t"at t"e bo%"isatt.as repeate% t"eir petition t"ree
times an% more wit"out #easing "e a%%resse% t"em PGisten well an% "ear t"e
!at"Vgata6s se#ret an% "is mysti# power.P
"ssai se%en) Tennin yu) Ashura) 5ai i %on sha%a;muni;4utsu) Shus?sha%u;shi u)
5o aya8o) !u on) @a o do8o) To%u a;no%u;ta;ra san;mya%u san4odai) Nen +en;
nanshi) &a 8itsu 8o;4utsu irai) #uryo muhen) Hya%u sen man no%u) Nayuta %o)
PAll go%s$ men an% asutras of t"is worl% belie.e t"at after lea.ing t"e pala#e of t"e
9"akyas$ 9"akyamuni 5u%%"a seate% "imself at t"e pla#e of me%itation not far from t"e
#ity of Gaya an% attaine% t"e supreme enlig"tenment. Howe.er$ men of %e.out fait"$ t"e
time is limitless an% boun%less @@ a "un%re%$ t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$ "un%re%
t"ousan%$ nayuta aeons @@ sin#e I in fa#t attaine% 5u%%"a"oo%.P
Hi nyo o hya%u sen man no%u) Nayuta) Asoi) San+en dai sen se%ai) 5e shi u
nin) #atchi mi8in) 5a o to4o) &o hya%u sen man no%u) Nayuta) Asoi %o%u) Nai e
ichi;8in) Nyo +e to yo) >in +e mi8in) Sho +en;nanshi) $ i una) @e sho se%ai) 5a
to%u shiyui) 5yo%ei chi o) Shu !u)
P9uppose t"ere is one w"o re%u#es fi.e "un%re%$ t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$ "un%re%
t"ousan%$ nayuta (1*
11
+ asogi (1*
59
+ ma'or worl% systems to parti#les of %ust$ an% t"en
takes t"em all towar% t"e east$ %ropping one parti#le ea#" time "e tra.erses fi.e
"un%re%$ t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$ "un%re% t"ousan%$ nayuta$ asogi worl%s. 9uppose
t"at "e #ontinues tra.eling eastwar% in t"is way$ until "e "as finis"e% %ropping all t"e
parti#les. Men of %e.out fait"$ w"at is your opinionL an t"e total number of all t"ose
worl%s be imagine% or #al#ulate% LP
#i;ro%u 4o;sat?to) 5u 4ya%u 4utsu on) Seson) @e sho se%ai) #uryo muhen) Hi
san8u sho chi) :a%u hi shin;ri%i sho yu) "ssai shomon) Hya%u;shi;4utsu) "
murochi) 3u no shiyui) /hi o enshu) &ato 8u) A;yui;ot;chi;8i) $ +e 8i chu) :a%u
sho !u das?seson) Nyo +e sho se%ai) #uryo muhen) Ni8i 4utsu o) Dai 4osas?shu)
Sho +en;nanshi) 5onto !unmyo) Seno nyoto) @e sho se%ai) Nya%u 8a%u mi8in) &yu
!u 8a%u?sha) >in ni i 8in) "chi;8in i%%o) &a 8o;4utsu irai) Bu %a o shi) Hya%u sen man
no%u) Nayuta) Asoi %o)
5o%"isatt.a Miroku an% t"e ot"ers sai% to t"e 5u%%"a P 8orl% Honore% Cne$ t"ese
worl%s are infinite an% boun%less. !"ey are beyon% #al#ulation. !"ey e>#ee% t"e power
of t"e imagination. Neit"er men of Gearning nor men of DealiAation e.en wit" t"eir
illusion@free wis%om #oul% imagine or #al#ulate t"e number. Alt"oug" we are now at t"e
stage w"ere we will ne.er ba#ksli%e in fait" we are totally in#apable of #ompre"en%ing
t"is$ 8orl%@Honore% Cne$ t"ese worl%s are infinite an% boun%less.P !"en t"e 5u%%"a
a%%resse% t"e great bo%"isatt.asH PNow$ men of %e.out fait" I #learly pro#laim to you.
9uppose all t"ese worl%s$ w"et"er t"ey re#ei.e% a parti#le or not are on#e more
re%u#e% to %ust. Get one parti#le represent one aeon. !"en t"e time w"i#" "as passe%
sin#e I attaine% 5u%%"a"oo% suppose t"is by one "un%re%$ t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$
"un%re% t"ousan%$ nayuta$ asogi aeons.P
58
>i 8u +e rai) &a 8o +ai shi) Sha4a se%ai) Seppo %yo%e) :a%u o yosho) Hya%u sen
man no%u) Nayuta) Asoi %o%u) Dori shu8o)
P<.er sin#e t"en I "a.e been #onstantly in t"is worl% e>poun%ing t"e Gaw an%
instru#ting Wt"e peopleX. Also I "a.e le% an% benefite% t"e people in one "un%re%
t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan% "un%re% t"ousan% nayuta asogi ot"er worl%s.P
Sho +en;nanshi) $ +e chuen) &a setsu nen;do;4ut?to) U 4u on o) Nyu o nehan)
Nyo +e %ai i Ho4en !un;4etsu)
PMen of %e.out fait" %uring t"is time I taug"t people about Nento 5u%%"a an% ot"ers
saying t"at I woul% en% all sufferings an% pass away. All t"is I %i% t"roug" %ifferent
met"o%s of tea#"ing t"at were suite% to t"e #apa#ity of t"e people.P
Sho +en;nanshi) Nya%u u shu8o) 0aishi a sho) &a i 4utsu;en) 5an o shin to)
Sho %on ridon) @ui sho o do) Shosho 8i setsu) #yo8i !udo) Nen%i daisho) :a%u;4u
en on) To nyu nehan) U i shu8u ho4en) Setsu mimyo ho) No ryo shu8o)
Ho%?%ani shin)
PMen of %e.out fait"$ w"en t"e people #ame to me$ I per#ei.e% wit" t"e eyes of a
5u%%"a t"e %egree of t"eir fait" an% ot"er &ualities %epen%ing upon w"et"er t"eir
#apa#ities were keen or %ull. I ma%e my appearan#e tea#"ing in many %ifferent worl%s
using %ifferent names$ an% e>plaining "ow long a perio% my tea#"ing woul% be
effi#a#ious. Cn ot"er o##asions w"en I ma%e my a%.ent I tol% t"e people t"at I woul%
soon enter nir.ana$ an% employe% many met"o%s to e>poun% t"e won%erful tea#"ings
an% #ause% t"e people to be gla%%ene% t"eir "earts.P
Sho +en;nanshi) Nyorai %en sho shu8o) &yo o sho4o) To%u ha%?%u 8u sha) " +e nin
setsu) &a sho shu%%e) To%u a;no%u;ta;ra) San;mya%u san4odai) Nen a 8itsu) >o;
4utsu irai) 5u;on nya%u shi) Tan ni ho4en) 5yo%e shu8o) 0yo nyu 4utsu;do) Sa
nyo +e setsu)
PMen of %e.out fait"$ I t"e !at"Vgata$ obser.e% t"at t"e people %elig"te% in inferior
tea#"ings an% were meager in .irtue an% weig"te% %own by %efilement. !"erefore I
taug"t t"em t"at I "a% renoun#e% t"e worl% in my yout" an% later attaine%
enlig"tenment. 5ut in trut" t"e time sin#e I attaine% 5u%%"a"oo% is t"e tremen%ously
long perio% I "a.e alrea%y re.eale%. !"is was only an e>pe%ient I use% to tea#" t"e
people an% #ause t"em to enter on t"e pat" to 5u%%"a"oo%.P
Sho +en;nanshi) Nyorai sho en %yoden 5ai i dodas?shu8o) Wa%u se%?%oshin)
Wa%u set?tashin) Wa%u 8i %oshin) Wa%u 8i tashin) Wa%u 8i %o8i) Wa%u 8i ta8i) Sho
sho on;setsu) 5ai 8itsu !u %o)
PMen of %e.out fait" t"e sutras w"i#" t"e !at"Vgata e>poun%e% are all for t"e purpose
of sa.ing people from t"eir sufferings. 9ometimes I spoke of myself sometimes of
59
ot"ers? sometimes I presente% myself$ sometimes ot"ers? sometimes I s"owe% my own
a#tions sometimes t"ose of ot"ers. All my %o#trines are true an% none are false.P
Sho;i sha a) Nyorai nyo8it?chi%en) Sanai shi so) #u u sho8i) Nya%u tai nya%u
shutsu) :a%u mu +ai;se) &yu metsu;do sha) Hi 8itsu hi %o) Hi nyo hi i) 3u nyo
sanai) 5en no sanai) Nyo shi shi 8i) Nyorai myo %en) #u u sha%u;myo)
P!"e reason is t"at t"e !at"Vgata per#ei.es t"e true aspe#t of t"e t"reefol% wor%
e>a#tly as it is. !"ere is no ebb an% flow of birt" an% %eat" nor life in t"is worl% an% later
e>tin#tion. It is neit"er substantial nor empty neit"er #onsistent nor %i.erse. Nor is it
w"at t"ose w"o %well in t"e t"reefol% worl% per#ei.e it to be. All su#" t"ings t"e
!at"Vgata sees #lear an% wit"out error.P
" sho shu8o) U shu8u sho) Shu8u yo%u) Shu8u yo) Shu8u o%u;so) 3un;4e%?%o) :o%u
ryo sho sho +enon) " nya%%an innen) Hiyu on8i) Shu8u seppo) Shosa 4utsu;8i ) #i
+o +an pai )
P;eople "a.e %iffering natures$ %iffering %esires$ %iffering mo%es of be"a.ior$ an%
%iffering i%eas an% outlooks. !"erefore out of my %esire to plant t"e see%s of
enlig"tenment in t"eir "earts I "a.e taug"t t"e .arious tea#"ings t"roug" stories of past
relations"ips parables an% ot"er sayings. !"is pra#ti#e proper to a 5u%%"a I "a.e
#ontinue% un#easingly.P
Nyo +e) &a 8o;4utsu irai) >indai %u;on) >umyo muryo) Asoi %o) >o8u !u;metsu)
Sho +en;nanshi) &a hon yo 4o;satsu do) Sho 8o 8umyo) 5on yu mi 8in) Bu 4ai 8o
shu) Nen %on hi 8itsu metsu;do) Ni 4en sho on) To shu metsu;do) Nyorai i +e
ho4en) 5yo%e shu8o)
P9in#e I attaine% 5u%%"a"oo% an unimaginably long perio% "as passe%. !"e lengt" of
my life is infinite aeons. My life "as always e>iste% an% s"all ne.er en%. Men of %e.out
fait"$ on#e I also pra#ti#e% t"e bo%"isatt.a austerities$ an% t"e life$ w"i#" I t"en
a#&uire%$ "as yet to be e>"auste%. My life will last yet twi#e as many aeons from now.
Alt"oug" I ne.er really pass away I pre%i#t my own %eat". 8it" t"is means$ t"e
!at"Vgata tea#"es t"e people.P
Sho;i sha a Nya%u 4u%;%u;8u o se) Ha%u;to%u shi nin) 3u shu +enon) Binu
esen) Ton;8a%u o;yo%u Nyu o o%u;so) #o%en mo chu) Nya%%en nyorai) >o +ai !u;
metsu) Ben %i %yoshi) Ni e endai) 3u no sho o) Nan+o shi so) 5uyo shi shin)
P!"e reason is t"is If t"e 5u%%"a remains in t"e worl% too long t"ose people wit"
s"allow .irtue will not be able to a##umulate t"e goo% fortune ne#essary to attain
enlig"tenment. !"ey will fall into po.erty an% %ebasement. Gree%y wit" t"e fi.e %esires
t"ey will be #aug"t in t"e snares of %elu%e% t"oug"ts an% i%eas. 5y seeing t"e
!at"Vgata #onstantly present an% un%ying in t"is worl%$ t"ey will be#ome arrogant an%
selfis" an% will negle#t t"eir pra#ti#e of 5u%%"ism. !"ey will fail to realiAe "ow %iffi#ult it
is to meet t"e !at"Vgata an% will feel no re.eren#e for "im.P
60
@e %o nyorai) " ho4en setsu) Bi;%u to chi) Sho4us?shus;se) Nan %a chiu) Sho;i
sha a) Sho ha%u;to%u nin) 5a muryo) Hya%u sen man no%;%o) Wa%u u %en 4utsu)
Wa%u !u %en sha) " shi8i %o) &a sa +e on) Sho 4i;%u) Nyorai nan %a to%%en) Shi
shu8o to) #on nyo +e o) Hit?to sho o) Nan+o shi so) Shin ne ren4o) 5atsu;o o
4utsu) Ben shu +enon) @e %o nyorai) Sui !u 8itsu metsu) Ni on metsu;do)
PAs an e>pe%ient$ t"erefore$ t"e !at"Vgata speaks to t"e monks$ saying$ PYou s"oul%
know it is a rare t"ing to li.e at a time w"en a 5u%%"a appears in t"e worl%. P!"e reason
is t"at e.en after t"e lapse of infinite "un%re% t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$ "un%re%
t"ousan% aeons$ some of t"e men of little .irtue may #"an#e to see a 5u%%"a$ but
ot"ers still may not.P !"erefore I tell t"em$ PMonks$ it is rare t"at may see t"e !at"VgataP
8"en t"e people "ear t"ese wor%s$ t"ey are sure to realiAe "ow rare it is to see a
5u%%"a$ an% t"en t"ey will yearn an% t"irst for "im. In t"is way t"ey will plant t"e #ause
of enlig"tenment in t"eir "earts. !"erefore t"e !at"Vgata announ#es "is own %eat"
e.en t"oug" "e %oes not really be#ome e>tin#t.P
U +en;nanshi) Sho;4utsu nyorai) Ho %ai nyo +e) " do shu8o) 5ai 8itsu !u %o)
PYou men of %e.out fait"$ any tea#"ing of any 5u%%"a is always like t"is. 9in#e
5u%%"as re.eal t"eir tea#"ings in or%er to sa.e people all of t"em are true an% none are
false.P
Hi nyo ro;i) /hi;e so;datsu) #yo ren ho;ya%u) @en 8i shu4yo) &o nin ta) sho shi;
so%u) Nya%u 8u ni8u) Nai;shi hya%u;shu) " u 8i;en) $n shi yo;%o%u)
PImagine a wise an% skille% p"ysi#ian w"o #an #ompoun% me%i#ines to #ure any
%isease. He "as many sons$ per"aps ten$ twenty$ ore e.en a "un%re%. He goes off to a
%istant lan% to see some matter.P
Sho shi o o) $n ta do%u;ya%u) :a%u hotsu monran) 1nden u 8i)
PGater t"e #"il%ren %rink some kin% of poison t"at makes t"em wil% wit" pain$ an% t"ey
fall writ"ing to t"e groun%.P
@e8i o 4u) &en rai %i %e) Sho shi on do%u Wa%u shitsu honshin) Wa%u !u
shis?sha) :o %en o 4u) 5ai dai %ani) Hai%i mon8in) @en nan non %i) &ato uchi)
&o 4u%u do%u;ya%u) &an %en %uryo) 5yo shi 8umyo)
PAt t"is time t"e fat"er #omes ba#k to "is "ome an% fin%s t"at "is #"il%ren "a.e %runk
poison. 9ome are out of t"eir min%s w"ile ot"ers are not. 9eeing t"eir fat"er from afar
all are fille% wit" 'oy an% kneel %own to entreat "im saying$ PHow won%erful t"at you
"a.e returne% safelyB 8e were stupi% an% by mistake %rank some poison. 8e beg you
to #ure us an% let us li.e longer.P P
61
Bu %en shi to) 5uno nyo +e) 1 sho %yo4o) &u %o ya%u;so) Shi%i %o mimi) 5ai
shitsu u;so%u) Toshi wao) :o shi ryo 4u%u) Ni sa +e on) Shi dai ro;ya%u) Shi%i
%o mimi) 5ai shitsu u;so%u) Nyoto %a 4u%u) So%u 8o %uno) #u 4u shuen)
P!"e fat"er seeing "is #"il%ren suffering like t"is follows .arious pres#riptions. Gat"ering
fine me%i#inal "erbs t"at are perfe#t in #olor fragran#e an% fla.or "e grin%s sifts an%
mi>es t"em toget"er. Gi.ing a %ose of t"ese to "is #"il%ren "e tells t"em$ P!"is "ig"ly
benefi#ial me%i#ine is perfe#t in #olor fragran#e an% fla.or. !ake it an% you will &ui#kly
be relie.e% of your sufferings an% will be free of all %istress.P P
&o sho shi chu) 3u shis?shin 8a) 5en shi ro;ya%u) Shi%i %o u %o) So%u;4en 4u%u
shi) Byo 8in 8o yu) :o shis shin 8a) 5en o 4u rai) Sui ya%;%ani) #on8in u;sha%u 8i
4yo) Nen yo o ya%u) Ni !u %o 4u%u)
P!"ose #"il%ren w"o "a.e not lost t"eir senses #an see t"at t"e benefi#ial me%i#ine is
goo% in bot" #olor an% fragran#e$ so t"ey take it imme%iately an% are #ompletely #ure%
of t"eir si#kness. !"ose w"o are out of t"eir min%s are e&ually %elig"te% to see t"eir
fat"er return an% beg "im to #ure t"eir si#kness but w"en t"ey are gi.en t"e me%i#ine
t"ey refuse to take it.P
Sho;i sha a) Do%%e 8innyu) Ship?ponshin %o) $ shi %o) Shi%i %o ya%u) Ni i !u mi)
Bu sa +e nen) Shi shi %a min) " do%u sho chu) Shin %ai tendo) Sui %en a %i)
&usha%?%uryo) Nyo +e %o ya%u) Ni !u %o 4u%u) &a %on to setsu ho4en) 0yo 4u%u
shi ya%u) So%u sa +e on) Nyoto to chi) &a %on sui ro) Shi 8i i shi) @e %o ro;ya%u)
5on ru +ai shi) Nyo %a shu 4u%u) #ot?tsu !u sai) Sa +e %yo i) Bu shi ta;%o%u) 5en
shi en o) Nyo 4u i shi)
P!"is is be#ause t"e poison "as penetrate% %eeply$ #ausing t"em to lose t"eir min%s.
!"erefore t"ey t"ink t"at t"e me%i#ine will not taste goo% in spit of its fine #olor an%
fragran#e. !"en t"e fat"er t"inks$ PMy poor #"il%renB !"e poison "as atta#ke% t"em an%
#ompletely %erange% t"eir min%s. Alt"oug" t"ey are "appy to see me an% ask me to
#ure t"em$ t"ey refuse to take t"is fine me%i#ine I offer t"em. Now I must use some
means to get t"em to take it.P 9o "e tells t"em t"isH P"il%ren$ listen$ I am now ol% an%
weak. My life is nearing its en%. I lea.e t"is goo% me%i#ine "ere for you now. You
s"oul% take it an% not worry t"at it will not #ure you.P 9o instru#ting t"em$ "e again goes
off to anot"er lan%$ w"ere "e sen%s a messenger "ome to announ#eH PYour fat"er is
%ea%.P P
@e8i sho shi) #on 4u haiso) Shin dai uno) Ni sa +e nen) Nya%u 4u +ai sha) >imin
ato) No %en %uo) 5on8a sha a) $n so ta;%o%u) >i yui %oro) #u 4u 8i%o) >o e
hi%an) Shin +ui shoo) Nai chi shi ya%u) Shi%i %o mimi) So%u shu 4u%u shi) Do%u
4yo %ai yu) &o 4u mon shi) Shichi to%u sai) >in 4en rai %i) &en shi %en shi)
PHearing t"at t"eir fat"er "as %eserte% t"em an% %ie%$ t"e sons are o.er#ome by
anguis" an% refle#t PIf our fat"er were ali.e$ "e woul% "a.e pity on us an% prote#t us$
but now "e "as forsaken us an% %ie% in some faraway lan%. 8e are now mere orp"ans
62
wit" no one to rely on.P In t"eir in#essant grief$ t"ey finally awaken. !"ey realiAe t"at t"e
me%i#ine a#tually %oes possess e>#ellent #olor$ fragran#e an% fa.or$ an% so t"ey take it
an% are "eale% of all t"e effe#ts of t"e poison.P
Sho +en;nanshi) $ i una) Ha u nin no) Sesshi ro;i) 5omo +ai !u) Hot?cha) Seson)
Butsu on) &a ya%u nyo +e) >o;4utsu irai) #uryo muhen) Hya%u sen man no%u)
Nayuta) Asoi %o) " shu8o %o) " ho4en;ri%i) &on to metsu;do) :a%u mu u no) Nyo ho
setsu a) 5omo %a sha)
PNow$ men of %e.out fait"$ w"at %o you t"ink about t"isL an anyone say t"at t"is
e>#ellent p"ysi#ian is guilty of lyingLP
PNo$ 8orl%@Honore% CneP
!"en t"e 5u%%"a spoke$ sayingH PIt is t"e same wit" me. !"e time is limitlessL A
"un%re%$ t"ousan% ten t"ousan%$ "un%re% t"ousan%$ nayuta$ asogi aeons Lsin#e I
attaine% 5u%%"a"oo%. 1or t"e sake of t"e people I "a.e use% t"ese e>pe%ient means
telling of my own passing. 5ut no one #an reasonably a##use me of lying.P
Ni8i seson) :o%u 8u sen shii) Ni setsu e on)
,4nd o" part which may be omitted-
>i a to%u 4ur?rai) Sho %yo sho %osshu) #uryo hya%u sen man) $%u sai asoi) >o
seppo %yo%e #ushu o%u shu8o) 0yo nyu o 4utsu;do) Nirai muryo %o)
At t"at time t"e 8orl%@Honore% Cne$ %esiring to emp"asiAe t"is tea#"ing on#e more$
spoke in .erse.
P9in#e I attaine% 5u%%"a"oo%$
#ountless aeons "a.e passe%$
a "un%re%$ t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$
"un%re% t"ousan%$ asogi aeons.
I "a.e taug"t t"e Gaw #ontinuously
%uring t"ese #ountless aeons
an% #ause% infinite millions
to enter on t"e roa% to 5u%%"a"oo%.P
" do shu8o %o) Ho4en en nehan) Ni 8itsu !u metsu;do) >o 8u shi seppo)
PI let t"e people witness my nir.ana
as a means to sa.e t"em$
but in trut" I %o not %ie?
I am "ere always$ tea#"ing t"e Gaw.P
&a 8o 8u o shi) " sho 8in;+u;ri%i) 0yo tendo shu8o) Sui on ni !u %en)
63
PI am "ere always$
yet be#ause of my mysti# powers
t"e %elu%e% people #annot see me
e.en w"en I am #lose by.P
Shu %en a metsu;do) 5o %uyo shari) &en %ai e ren4o) Ni sho %atsu;o shin)
P8"en t"e people witness my passing$
t"ey pay wi%esprea% re.eren#e to my reli#s
All of t"em "arbor t"oug"ts of yearning$
an% in t"eir "earts a t"irst for me is born.P
Shu8o %i shin;4u%u) Shichi;8i%i i nyunan) "sshin yo%?%en 4utsu) 3u 8i sha%u
shinmyo) >i a yu shuso) 5u shutsu ryo8usen)
P8"en t"ey "a.e be#ome truly fait"ful$ "onest an% uprig"t$ gentle in min%$ single@
min%e%ly yearning to see t"e 5u%%"a$ not begru%ging t"eir li.es to %o so$ t"en I an% t"e
assembly of monks appear toget"er on <agle ;eak.P
&a 8i o shu8o) >o +ai shi !u;metsu) " ho4en;ri%?%o) &en u metsu !u;metsu) :o;
%o%u u shu8o) 5uyo shinyo sha) &a 4u o hi chu) " setsu mu8o ho)
P!"en I tell t"e people
t"at I am always "ere ne.er %ying$
t"at l seem at times to li.e$ at times to %ie$
merely as all e>pe%ient means.
If t"ere are t"ose in ot"er worl%s w"o are re.erent an% sin#ere in fait"$
among t"em also I tea#" t"e "ig"est Gaw of all.P
Nyoto !u mon shi) Tan ni a metsu;do) &a %en sho shu8o) #otsu;+ai o %u%ai) 5o !u
i en shin) 0yo o sho %atsu;o) "n o shin ren4o) Nai shutsu i seppo)
P5ut you refuse to "ee% my wor%s
an% insist upon t"inking t"at I %ie.
I see t"e mass of people
%rowne% in a sea of woe$
an% for t"at reason I %o not s"ow myself$
#ausing t"em to t"irst for me
8"en t"eir "earts #ommen#e to yearn$
I appear to on#e to tea#" t"e Gaw.P
>in;+u ri%i nyo +e) $ asoi %o) >o +ai ryo 8usen) &yu yo sho 8usho) Shu8o %en %o
8in) Dai %a sho sho 8i) &a shi do annon) Tennin 8o 8uman) $nrin sho do;%a%u) Shu8u
ho Shoon) Ho8u ta %e%a) Shu8o sho yu;ra%u) Soten ya%u ten%u) >o sas?shu i;
a%u) U mandara %e) San 4utsu yu daishu) &a 8odo 4u %i) Ni shu %en sho 8in) U!u
sho %uno) Nyo +e shitsu 8uman)
64
P9u#" are my mysti# powers.
1or innumerable kotis of aeons
I "a.e always been on <agle ;eak
an% "a.e li.e% in .arious ot"er lan%s
8"en men witness t"e en% of an aeon
an% all is #onsume% in a great fire$
t"is$ my lan%$ remains safe an% un"arme%$
#onstantly fille% wit" go%s an% men.
!"e "alls an% pala#es in its gar%ens an% gro.es
are a%orne% wit" all kin%s of gems.
;re#ious trees bear plentiful flowers an% fruit$
an% t"e people t"ere are "appy an% at ease.
!"e go%s strike "ea.enly %rums
making a #easeless symp"ony of soun%.
A rain of w"ite mandara blossoms
s#atters o.er t"e 5u%%"a an% t"e people.
My pure lan% is in%estru#tible yet men see it as #onsume% in fire$
fille% wit" sorrow fear an% woe$
a pla#e of #ountless troubles.P
@e sho +ai shu8o) " a%u;o innen) 5a asoi %o) 3u mon san4o myo)
P!"ese people wit" t"eir .arious #rimes$
be#ause of t"e effe#ts of t"eir e.il %ee%s$
will ne.er e.en "ear t"e name of t"e t"ree treasures$
t"oug" #ountless aeons go by.P
Sho u shu %u;do%u) Nyuwa shichi;8i%i sha) So%%ai %en ashin) @ai shi ni seppo)
Wa%u;8i i shi shu) Setsu 4utsu;8u muryo) 5u nai %en 4ussha) " setsu 4utsu nan chi)
P5ut t"ose w"o follow meritorious ways$
w"o are gentle$ pea#eful an% uprig"t$
all of t"em will see me
"ere in person$ tea#"ing t"e Gaw.
At times I will tea#" t"ese people t"e immeasurable lengt" of t"e 5u%%"aFs life$
an% to t"ose w"o see me only after a long w"ile
I will e>plain "ow %iffi#ult it is to meet t"e 5u%%"a.P
&a chi;ri%i nyo +e) 1%o sho muryo) >umyo mushu %o) 5u shuo sho to%u)
P9u#" is t"e power of my wis%om
t"at it illuminates infinitely far.
!"is life t"at en%ures for #ountless aeons
I gaine% as t"e result of lengt"y pra#ti#e.P
65
Nyoto u chi sha) #ot?to shi sho i) To dan ryo yo 8in) Butsu;o 8ip?pu%o) Nyo i
+en ho4en) " 8i o shi %o) >itsu +ai ni on shi) #u no se%?%omo) &a ya%u i se 4u) 5u
sho %uen sha)
PYou men of wis%om$
ri% yoursel.es of all %oubts about t"isB
ut t"em off on#e an% for all.
!"e 5u%%"as wor%s are true not false$
He is like t"e skille% p"ysi#ian
suing some %e.i#es to #ure "is %elu%e% #"il%ren.
He li.es but tells t"em "e "as %ie%.
No one #an #all "is tea#"ing false.
I am t"e fat"er of t"is worl%$
sa.ing t"ose w"o are suffering an% affli#te%.P
" 4on4u tendo) >itsu +ai ni on metsu) " 8o%en a %o) Ni sho %yoshi shin) Ho;itsu
8a%u o;yo%u) Da o a%u;do chu) &a 8o chi shu8o) &yo do !u yo do) @ui o sho %a
do) " ses?shu8u ho)
P5e#ause of t"e %elusions of or%inary people$
I say I "a.e %eparte% t"oug" in fa#t I li.e$
for if t"ey see me #onstantly$
arrogan#e an% selfis"ness arise in t"eir "earts$
Aban%oning t"emsel.es to t"e fi.e %esires$
t"ey fall into t"e pat"s of e.il.
I am e.er aware of w"i#" people pra#ti#e t"e 8ay$ an% w"i#" %o not.P
#ai 8i sa +e nen) " a ryo shu8o) To%u nyu mu;8o do) So%u 8o8u 4usshin)
P!"is is my #onstant t"oug"tH
"ow I #an #ause all li.ing beings
to gain entry to t"e "ig"est 8ay
an% &ui#kly attain 5u%%"a"oo%.P
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0ecitation o! the Sutra
De#ite t"e P<>pe%ient MeansP (Hoben+ #"apter e>#erpt. 8"en #omplete%$ soun% t"e
bell. De#ite t"e :uryo #"apter. 8"en #omplete%$ soun% t"e bell as you begin #"anting
Nam@myo"o@renge@kyo. ontinue #"anting for as long as you wis". 5ut you s"oul%
#"ant for a minimum of fi.e minutes.
8"en #omplete%$ soun% t"e bell an% #"ant Nam@myo"o@renge@kyo t"ree times. !"en
offer t"e first$ se#on%$ t"ir%$ fourt"$ fift" an% si>t" silent prayers below. Ding t"e bell
t"ree times before t"e first silent prayer$ in between ea#" silent prayer an% after t"e last
silent prayer$ #"anting t"ree %aimoku elongate% an% solemnly to wit" ea#" bell ringing.
1irst 9ilent ;rayer
I offer appre#iation to t"e 9"oten 7en'in$ t"e fun#tions in life an% t"e en.ironment t"at ser.e to
prote#t us$ an% pray t"at t"ese prote#ti.e powers be furt"er strengt"ene% an% en"an#e%
t"roug" my pra#ti#e of t"e Gaw.
9e#on% 9ilent ;rayer
I offer profoun% appre#iation an% pray to repay my %ebt of gratitu%e to t"e Criginal <ternal
5u%%"a 9"akyamuni$ to t"e Go"onAon of t"e !"ree Great 9e#ret Gaws$ to t"e Great ;ro.isional
5u%%"a Ni#"iren 4ais"onin$ to t"e 9enior ;riests w"o in"erite% an% transmitte% Ni#"iren6s
tea#"ings$ to !ientai$ w"o systematiAe% t"e Gotus 9utra$ an% to 3umara'i.a$ w"o translate% t"e
Gotus 9utra.
!"ir% 9ilent ;rayer
I pray t"at t"e great "umanisti# religions will permeate an% transform so#iety. I pray t"at I will
personally #ontribute to t"is pro#ess %uring my lifetime. I offer appre#iation an% pray to repay
my %ebt of gratitu%e to all t"ose w"o "a.e taug"t me Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism.
1ourt" 9ilent ;rayer
I pray to bring fort" 5u%%"a"oo% from wit"in my life$ #"ange my karma$ an% fulfill my wis"es in
t"e present an% t"e future.
,7""er additional prayers here.-
1ift" 9ilent ;rayer
I pray for my %e#ease% relati.es an% for all t"ose w"o "a.e passe% away$ parti#ularly for t"ese
in%i.i%ualsH
,(ound the bell continuously while o""ering prayers.-
9i>t" 9ilent ;rayer
67
I pray for pea#e t"roug"out t"e worl% an% t"e "appiness of all li.ing beings.
68
How to Per!orm this 0eliion
!"ere are t"ree aspe#ts to t"e religion of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ismH ;ra#ti#e$ 9tu%y$ an% 1ait".
;ra#ti#e #an be %i.i%e% into t"e ;ra#ti#e for Cneself an% t"e ;ra#ti#e for Ct"ers.
The Practice !or $nesel! *&onyo,
!"e ;ra#ti#e for Cneself #onsists of a twi#e@%aily ritual$ best performe% at t"e start of
t"e %ay$ an% t"e early e.ening. !"e ritual is #alle% /Gongyo0 w"i#" literally means
/assi%uous pra#ti#e0.
Your altar #onsists of a small table$ against a wall$ wit" optional offerings of foo%$ water$
e.ergreens$ in#ense$ #an%les$ an% a small bell an% gong (tra%itional 5u%%"ist type is
preferable+. !"e foo% may be #onsume% sometime after t"e #eremony. !"e water
s"oul% be emptie% after t"e #eremony. !"e altar s"oul%$ ob.iously$ be kept #lean$
#"anging t"e e.ergreens as nee%e% (artifi#ial e.ergreens may be use% in urban or
tropi#al areas+. Gikewise t"e altar s"oul% be kept free of kni#k@kna#ks$ personal
memorabilia$ e>traneous esoteri#a$ i#ons from ot"er religions or se#ts$ notes$ #lo#ks$
wis" lists$ et#.
If you "a.e a s#roll style Go"onAon$ t"e Go"onAon is ens"rine% in a 5utsu%an
(tra%itional 5u%%"ist prote#ti.e bo> wit" %oors t"at open an% #lose+ w"i#" #an be
pur#"ase%$ built or impro.ise% = as from an ol%$ but #lean an% polis"e%$ woo%en
#abinet. You #an fin% 5utsu%ans you #an buy on t"e Internet by simply %oing a Google
sear#" for /5utus%ans0 or /5utsu%an0.

!"e 5utsu%an is se#urely atop t"e altar an% snug against t"e wall. 9in#e I "a.e #ats$
my altar table an% 5utsu%an are an#"ore% to t"e wall in#onspi#uously wit" small s#rew@
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eye "ooks an% t"in metal wire. 5e sure t"at t"e top one@t"ir% of t"e Go"onAon is 'ust
abo.e eye le.el as you sit.
If you "a.e t"is book6s Go"onAon in a frame$ mount t"e frame on t"e wall abo.e an%
be"in% your altar.
9it %own (in a #"air+ in front of your Go"onAon$ w"i#" is ens"rine% be"in% your altar.
Cpen t"e %oors of t"e 5utsu%an. Ding t"e (optional+ bell t"ree times. "ant t"e mantra
or %aimoku (Nam Myo "o Den ge 3yo+ t"ree times$ elongate% an% solemnly. !"e left
"an% "ol%s t"e liturgy (if ne#essary+? t"e rig"t "an% (an% optionally t"e left "an%+ is in a
prayer position. !"en re#ite t"e Hoben e>#erpt$ t"en t"e :uryo e>#erpt$ t"en #"ant
%aimoku (Nam@Myo"o@Denge@3yo+ for at least fi.e minutes$ ring t"e (optional+ bell$ t"en
%o t"e first$ se#on%$ t"ir%$ fourt"$ fift"$ an% si>t" silent prayers$ #"anting %aimoku t"ree
times an% ringing t"e (optional+ bell between prayers.
!"en #"ant t"e mantra (%aimoku+ t"ree times$ elongate% an% solemnly$ wit" t"e "an%s
in a prayer position. 5low out t"e (optional+ #an%le(s+. lose t"e 5utsu%an. <>tinguis"
t"e (optional+ in#ense. Demo.e water an% foo%$ %ump e>#ess (optional+ as"es$ #"ange
t"e e.ergreens (on#e a week+$ an% %ust t"e altar area.
Cn#e you get use% to it$ t"e w"ole ritual takes about 15 minutes = 1* minutes to
perform t"e a#tual #eremony$ plus 5 minutes to #lean up. !"is is t"e ;ra#ti#e for
Cneself.
9ome belie.ers use a ;u#u = prayer bea%s. You #an buy :uAu wit" a leat"er :uAu
#ase. !"ese$ as well as ot"er Butsugu (altar a##essories+ #an be pur#"ase% from t"e
Internet = 'ust %o a Google sear#" for /5utsugu0. 5utsugu in#lu%es an in#ense burner$ a
water #up wit" li%$ #an%le "ol%ers$ a ri#e #up$ a bell wit" a #us"ion$ an% a #ontainer for
e.ergreens. You #an buy #an%les an% in#ense usually at t"e same web site w"ere you
fin% 5utsugu. 9ome 5utsugu sites also sell artifi#ial e.ergreens.
5elow is an illustration of an altar wit" a %ownloa%e%$ printe%$ trimme% an% frame%
Go"onAon flanke% by mat#"ing statues of 9"akyamuni.
70
!"e 5utsugu s"own on t"e altar (e>#lu%ing t"e statues+ are = from left to rig"t = a water
#up$ a #an%le$ an e.ergreens "ol%er$ a bell wit" #us"ion an% gong$ an in#ense burner$ a
'uAu #ase wit" 'uAu bea%s insi%e it$ anot"er #an%le$ an% a ri#e #up. !"e %rawer
beneat" t"e table@top #ontains a supply of in#ense sti#ks$ #an%les$ an% mat#"es. If t"e
belie.er is new to Gongyo$ t"ere is also an ,@1T- by 11 #opy of t"e Giturgy in t"e %rawer$
w"i#" t"e belie.er p"oto#opie% from t"is %o#ument (t"e Giturgy is near t"e en% of t"is
web page+.
8"en using 5u%%"a statues$ 'ust be sure to keep t"e Go"onAon in t"e #enter an%
"ig"est$ wit" t"e 5u%%"a statues on t"e perip"ery an% lower. Also$ t"e 5u%%"a statues
s"oul% be a little smaller t"an t"e Go"onAon. You mig"t be surprise%$ be#ause earlier I
state% t"at 9"akyamuni is t"e Criginal 5u%%"a an% Ni#"iren is a ;ro.isional 5u%%"a.
9o w"y "a.e Ni#"iren6s work "ig"er an% largerL !"e reason is be#ause t"e Go"onAon
e>presses t"e Cneness of ;erson an% Gaw e>pli#itly$ w"ereas 5u%%"a statues e>press
t"e Cneness of ;erson an% Gaw only impli#itly.
!"e rea%er mig"t won%er w"y t"e aut"or re#ommen%s a minimum of merely fi.e
minutes6 %aimoku (#"anting Nam Myo"o Denge 3yo+ wit" ea#" Gongyo. !"at6s only
ten minutes a %ay.
1irst of all$ w"ene.er I$ t"e aut"or$ "a.e a serious problem$ su#" as illness or
unemployment$ I #"ant an "our or more of %aimoku ea#" %ay$ plus taking lots of
#on.entional a#tion. Normally I #"ant %aimoku K* minutes a %ay @ 5 minutes in front of
Go"onAon wit" morning an% e.ening gongyo$ an% -* minutes at work in t"e guar%
s"a#k (w"en I6m alone+.
5ear in min% t"at pres#ription me%i#ines #ome in tiny tablets. !"is is be#ause su#"
substan#es are .ery potent$ so a little is all t"at is nee%e%. Gikewise one tiny "ere%itary
gene #an fun%amentally alter t"e entire future %estiny of a fetus. !"e same is true of
%aimoku. 5recisely because %aimoku #onne#ts us wit" t"e #ore of our own li.es$ an%
t"e essen#e of all uni.ersal life$ a small amount of %aimoku e>erts a tremen%ous
benefi#ial influen#e.
Cn#e a female in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist in "er si>ties repriman%e% me for
re#ommen%ing on t"is web page t"at people #"ant as little as ten minutes of %aimoku a
%ay. 9"e is always #"anting an% rea%ing t"e Gos"o$ se.eral "ours ea#" %ay (s"e also
works full time+. 9"e e.en #"ants %aimoku un%er "er breat" w"ile s"e is using publi#
transportation$ #ommuting to an% from work.
An% at e.ery moment s"e is self@#ons#iously e>amining an% %isse#ting "er moti.es an%
%e#isions to see if t"ey are in "armony wit" t"e Nni.ersal Gaw. 9"e ne.er rela>es. 9"e
%oes not "a.e any "obbies or interests outsi%e of "er 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e. 9"e is afrai%
t"at if s"e lets up e.en a little$ s"e will fail to attain enlig"tenment in t"is lifetime.
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I "a.e a few rea#tions to "er. 1irst of all$ s"e remin%s me of #ertain guilt@ri%%en
fun%amentalist "ristians w"o are always beating up on t"emsel.es an% always
preo##upie% wit" %amnation an% sin.
9e#on%$ s"e is anti#ipating some kin% of magnifi#ent trans#en%ent enlig"tenment in t"e
future t"at s"e will miss out on if s"e rela>es e.en a little. 8"ereas I say$ if you %o a
brief gongyo to t"e Go"onAon wit" fait"$ twi#e a %ay$ an% stu%y t"e Gos"o ten or fifteen
minutes a %ay$ an% li.e wit" basi# #ompassion$ generosity an% integrity$ t"en you are
enlightened$ &uite naturally$ 'ust as you are. You %o not "a.e to self #ons#iously pi#k
apart your e.ery t"oug"t$ wor% an% %ee% at e.ery moment$ li.ing in a straig"t 'a#ket.
"anting to t"e Go"onAon automatically ele.ates your t"oug"ts$ wor%s an% a#tions @ as
long as you %o not a#t in obvious and blatant #ontra%i#tion to t"e prin#iples of #ommon
sense an% bene.olen#e.
!"e kin% of self #ons#iousness t"is woman pra#ti#es is only ne#essary w"en we are
about to get angry at someone$ or w"en we are tempte% to %o somet"ing wrong$ su#"
as an opportunity for petty t"eft or #"eating on one6s spouse. At t"ose times we nee% to
s#rutiniAe oursel.es painstakingly. 5ut to li.e like t"at twenty four "ours a %ay is
unnatural an% unne#essary$ an% turns life into a tragi# austerity$ robbing us of
spontaneity an% 'oy. Dela>B !rust t"e Go"onAonB You %o not nee% to o.erwork your
9uper<go.
"s "t $5 to /hant !or #aterial Bene!its?
Yes it6s C3$ as long as you #"ant wit" a #orre#t un%erstan%ing.
I personally #"ant "alf an "our of %aimoku ea#" %ay. 1ifteen minutes of t"at is %aimoku
for ot"ers = t"e people (an% animals+ I know an% #are about. !en minutes is to impro.e
my life #on%ition. An% only fi.e minutes is for material an% finan#ial benefits.
9ome people woul% #laim t"at e.en my #"anting only 5 minutes for material an%
finan#ial benefits is wrong. !"ese people = in#lu%ing many !"era.a%a 5u%%"ists =
belie.e t"at 5u%%"ism is only #on#erne% wit" spiritual matters.
Cne su#" !"era.a%a 5u%%"ist #urrently "as a You@!ube .i%eo w"i#" appears
prominently in t"e Google results for Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. He is an a#a%emi#$ an% "e
#laims t"at 9GI members an% ot"er Ni#"iren pra#titioners are not e.en 5u%%"ists at all$
be#ause t"ey #"ant for material an% finan#ial benefits. !"is a#a%emi# in "is .i%eo
#laims t"at Ni#"iren6s tea#"ing /"as not"ing at all to %o wit" 5u%%"ism0.
!"e trut" is$ Ni#"iren6s tea#"ing "as little to %o wit" !"era.a%a 5u%%"ism$ t"e type of
5u%%"ism t"is e>tremely arrogant a#a%emi# pra#ti#es. !"era.a%a 5u%%"ism = w"i#" is
pre.alent in 9out"east Asia = tea#"es people to renoun#e %esires an% seek a state of
not"ingness after %eat". !"e problem is$ %esires are instrinsi# to life$ so t"is a#a%emi#$
w"et"er "e realiAes it or not$ impli#itly belie.es t"at "uman life on eart" "as no .alue.
72
9"akyamuni taug"t !"era.a%a 5u%%"ism in "is early prea#"ing #areer as a temporary
e>pe%ient to lea% "is followers away from a life of seeking only temporary pleasures.
5ut later in "is prea#"ing #areer 9"akyamuni tol% "is %is#iples to %is#ar% !"era.a%a.
!"e 5u%%"a t"en taug"t t"e Gotus 9utra$ an% in t"e Gotus 9utra "e impli#itly taug"t t"at
t"e 5u%%"a Nature pro'e#ts itself bot" spiritually an% materially. enturies later$ !ientai$
a me%ie.al "inese 5u%%"ist s#"olar$ e>tra#te% t"is impli#it tea#"ing wit"in t"e Gotus
9utra$ an% ma%e it e>pli#it$ in "is t"eory of I#"inen 9anAen (K*** on%itions in a 9ingle
Moment of Gife+.
!"erefore$ it is important t"at our 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e s"oul% benefit us not only spiritually
or emotionally but also bo%ily$ materially an% finan#ially. A 5u%%"ist s"oul% s"ow a#tual
proof in e.ery aspe#t of "is life$ bot" spiritually an% materially.
8"en we #"ant %aimoku to t"e Go"onAon e.en moti.ate% by a 5A9< %esire$ t"e
Go"onAon ele.ates our life #on%ition so t"at as we #ontinue praying o.er many mont"s
an% years$ gra%ually our prayer will be#ome a more enlig"tene% prayer. !"at is
be#ause t"e #"ara#ters on t"e Go"onAon s"ow t"e lower nine worl%s all arrange%
aroun% t"e worl% of 5u%%"a"oo%. !"is #auses our own lower worl%s to re.eal t"e
enlig"tene% potential t"ey in"erently possess$ as we #"ant %aimoku to t"e Go"onAon.
9o go a"ea% an% #"ant for t"at 5M8. I personally #"ante% for a use% 2ol.o an% got
one. Your %esire for a 5M8 is firewoo%$ an%$ t"roug" %aimoku to t"e Go"onAon$ it
#reates t"e flame of your 5u%%"a Nature being awakene%.
5ut bear in min%H
Half your %aimoku ea#" %ay s"oul% be for t"e "appiness of ot"ers$ not
yourself.
8"en you #"ant for somet"ing material$ pray t"at t"e Go"onAon will grant
your wis" so t"at you #an %emonstrate t"e power of 5u%%"ism to ot"ers.
"ant more about your life #on%ition t"an spe#ifi#ally for material benefits.
After all$ as you raise your life #on%ition$ your material benefits will #ome
of t"emsel.es wit"out your seeking t"em.
Demember t"at e.en if you #"ant for a 5M8$ your %aimoku to t"e
Go"onAon is ele.ating your life #on%ition$ be#ause t"at6s "ow t"e
Go"onAon works$ an% it6s t"e impro.ement in your life #on%ition t"at really
matters$ not t"e 5M8. !"e 5M8 is useful only be#ause it pro.i%es a
moti.ation for you to #"ant to t"e Go"onAon.
Demember t"at your %aimoku to t"e Go"onAon for a 5M8 is working to
gi.e you wis%om an% life for#e$ an% to strengt"en your #"ara#ter attributes
su#" as being "ar% working an% responsible. !"is way you will be able to
sa.e your money faster$ an% earn more money. Your %aimoku is also
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rea#"ing your en.ironment so t"at you #an form e>ternal #onne#tions t"at
will gi.e you more opportunities to make money.
The Practice !or $thers
!"e ;ra#ti#e for Ct"ers #onsists of s"aring t"is religion wit" ot"er people. If you "a.e
somet"ing effi#a#ious an% benefi#ial your natural in#lination is to s"are it wit" ot"ers. It
feels goo% to s"are$ it benefits t"e people you s"are wit"$ an% it "elps to make t"e worl%
a better pla#e.
At t"e same time$ we %o not pressure ot"ers to a##ept t"is religion. 8e simply make it
a.ailable to t"ose w"o step forwar% an% e>press an interest in it. Hig" pressure
proselytiAing is #ounterpro%u#ti.e an% %isrespe#tful of ot"ers6 autonomy.
If you are pra#ti#ing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism alone$ an% using t"is %o#ument as your gui%e$
you nee% not pra#ti#e alone fore.er. As soon as you intro%u#e one ot"er person in your
neig"bor"oo% to t"is pra#ti#e$ your neig"bor"oo% t"ereby "as a 5u%%"ist 9ang"a
(#ommunity of belie.ers+. !"en if you an% your frien% ea#" intro%u#e two more people$
you "a.e a #ommunity of si> belie.ers. You #an use t"is web site as t"e basis for your
pra#ti#e. You #an meet in ea#" ot"er6s "omes to #"ant an% stu%y an% s"are your
e>perien#es. !"en if ea#" of you si> intro%u#es one more person$ you "a.e a 9ang"a
of twel.e people = an% so on an% so on.
;ra#ti#e for ot"ers$ on a more general le.el$ also optionally in.ol.es working wit"
bene.olent people of .arie% beliefs on se#ular goo% works.
;ra#ti#e for ot"ers #an e.en in.ol.e pro.i%ing se#ular "elp to in%i.i%uals in nee%. 5ut it
is unmer#iful bot" to yourself an% to t"e re#ipient of your "elp to allow yourself to be
e>ploite%$ or to ren%er too much "elp$ keeping t"e %isa%.antage% person %epen%ent
longer t"an "e or s"e nee%s to be. It6s best in t"e long run to "elp people "elp
t"emsel.es$ e>#ept in #ases of emergen#ies an% permanent in#apa#ities.
!"ere are t"ree main gra%es of #ompassion. 9mall #ompassion is gi.ing someone a
fis" a %ay. Me%ium #ompassion is tea#"ing "im "ow to fis"$ t"en insisting "e fis" for
"imself. Great #ompassion is gi.ing "im a means to re.eal "is enlig"tenment. !"en "e
will learn to fis" on "is own$ an% a#&uire by "imself t"e %is#ipline to fis" for "is own
supper.
Tough Love: The Real Meaning of Buddhist Compassion
5u%%"ist #ompassion is sometimes like t"at of a mot"erFs #ompassion. An e>ample
woul% be t"e e>#ellent lo.ing treatment I gi.e to t"e two #ats w"o li.e in my apartment
wit" me.
5u%%"ist #ompassion towar% "uman beings s"oul% also be mot"erly at times. An
e>ample woul% be pri.ate an% go.ernment foo% pantries$ soup kit#"ens$ e>ten%e%
unemployment benefits$ an% low in#ome "ousing for people w"o are out of work %ue to
a re#ession$ or people w"o "a.e permanent %isabilities or w"o are ol% an% too infirm to
work.
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5ut w"en 5u%%"ist #ompassion is applie% to able bo%ie%$ "ealt"y people$ w"o are
p"ysi#ally able to work an% fen% for t"emsel.es$ an% mentally able to know t"e
%ifferen#e between rig"t an% wrong$ t"en in t"at #ase 5u%%"ist #ompassion s"oul% be
fat"erly$ not mot"erly$ stri#t not in%ulgent. An e>ample of fat"erly 5u%%"ist #ompassion
is t"e #op an% 'u%ge w"o remo.e a #ra.en #riminal from t"e street an% pre.ent "im from
"arming anyone furt"er. !"is not only prote#ts t"e inno#ent$ but it also pre.ents t"e
#riminal from furt"er #ompoun%ing "is own negati.e karma. Anot"er e>ample of
fat"erly 5u%%"ist #ompassion is t"e parent (w"et"er fat"er or mot"er+ w"o gi.es t"eir
teenager a money allowan#e an% free%oms only to t"e e>tent t"at t"ey perform well in
s#"ool$ an% wit" san#tions w"en t"ey perform poorly. Anot"er e>ample of fat"erly
5u%%"ist #ompassion is #onfronting a frien%Fs self %estru#ti.e be"a.ior (su#" as %rug
use+ in blunt for#eful language$ rat"er t"an gi.ing in to t"em an% t"us allowing t"em to
take t"emsel.es o.er a pre#ipi#e.
!"e rest of t"is se#tion is an a#tual appli#ation of fat"erly 5u%%"ist #ompassion.
Instea% of 'ust talking about it$ I am going to a#tually %o it.
Many low@in#ome people in t"e Nnite% 9tates feel t"ey are entitle% to #ommit #rimes
against ea#" ot"er an% against so#iety$ an% "ate t"e poli#e for attempting to stop t"em
an% prose#ute t"em. !"ese same low in#ome people often feel t"at t"ey are P.i#timsP
an% t"at so#iety owes t"em a "an%out as reparation. Not"ing #oul% be furt"er from a
5u%%"ist .iewpoint$ an% it re.eals a fun%amental misun%erstan%ing of t"e true nature of
#ompassion. If su#" people #oul% be#ome familiar wit" t"e 5u%%"ist #on#ept of
Pfat"erly #ompassionP$ t"ey woul% realiAe t"at t"e #op remo.ing t"e #riminal is not out to
perse#ute t"eir #ommunity but to prote#t t"eir #ommunity. !"ey woul% also realiAe t"at
someone gi.ing t"em in#enti.es to work an% be self supporting is also #ompassion$
be#ause t"is #an en%ow t"em wit" greater %ignity as "uman beings.
5u%%"ism tea#"es t"at e.eryt"ing about one6s present life is an effe#t from #auses t"at
"e "imself ma%e earlier in t"is life an% in "is pre.ious li.es. !"us e.ery "uman being is
solely an% totally responsible for "is or "er own %estiny. 5ut g"etto people e>pen% so
mu#" emotional energy blaming w"ite people an% a p"antom /establis"ment0 for t"eir
pre%i#ament t"at t"ey #annot e.en begin to take responsibility for t"eir own li.es.
<.ery Ameri#an et"ni# group w"i#" "as an un%er#lass li.ing in g"ettoes also "as a
large t"ri.ing mi%%le #lass full of su##essful professional people$ an% an e.en larger
working #lass w"ose members are also su##essful on a more mo%est le.el. !"is
%is#re%its any attempt by w"ite ra#ists to argue t"at et"ni# groups "a.e in"erent geneti#
s"ort#omings. !"e reason you "a.e et"ni# g"ettoes in Ameri#a @ w"ere %rug gangs$
s"ooting at ea#" ot"er$ kill two year ol% #"il%ren sitting on t"eir patios at "ome @ is
be#ause of beliefs. It is not genes$ it is beliefs. !"e problems of g"etto people are
mostly self infli#te%$ an% it is be#ause of t"eir belief t"at t"ey are .i#tims$ w"i#"
paralyAes t"em an% pre.ents t"em from "elping t"emsel.es$ or %oing anyt"ing
#onstru#ti.e$ lea.ing t"em only t"e option of las"ing out in anger (against t"eir own
neig"bors an% against w"ite people+.
Mislea%ing beliefs le% t"e Germans in t"e 19K*s to go stark ra.ing ma%$ to go insane.
No one &uestions t"e &uality of German genes$ yet t"e Germans not t"at long ago went
75
on an insane rampage against t"e rest of t"e worl%. It is t"e same wit" g"etto people in
Ameri#a to%ay. !"ere is not"ing wrong wit" t"eir genes. !"ey are twiste% an%
poisone% by t"eir own mislea%ing beliefs. Gike t"e Germans in t"e 19K*s$ g"etto
people in Ameri#a to%ay are suffering from a mass psy#"osis.
;sy#"osis$ w"et"er in%i.i%ual or #olle#ti.e$ begins wit" a grain of trut"$ but t"is trut"
gets e>aggerate% an% %istorte% until it be#omes a giganti# false"oo%.
!"e Germans in t"e 19K*s were rea#ting to t"eir %efeat in t"e 1irst 8orl% 8ar$ t"e
"ars" terms of t"e 2ersailles pea#e treaty$ an% t"e Great 4epression. 9o t"eir
psy#"osis 9!AD!<4 wit" a grain of !DN!H = yes$ Germany "a% been treate% unfairly.
5ut t"ey <UAGG<DA!<4 AN4 4I9!CD!<4 t"is trut" until$ wit" Hitler6s "elp$ t"ey
#on.in#e% t"emsel.es t"at t"e :ews an%$ in general$ t"e go.ernments of ot"er
#ountries$ were intra#table$ eternal enemies w"o s"oul% be atta#ke% militarily.
!"e mass psy#"osis of Ameri#ans li.ing in g"etto neig"bor"oo%s to%ay is .ery similar.
!"eir psy#"osis 5<GAN wit" a grain of !DN!H = t"e "istori#al fa#t of sla.ery. 5ut
generation after generation$ t"ese et"ni# Ameri#ans %welle% on it$ an% %welle% on it$
an% obsesse% on it$ an% obsesse% on it$ e.en after it was long o.er$ until t"ey be#ame
so fille% wit" negati.ity t"at t"ey were no longer able to take t"e initiati.e to %o anyt"ing
to "elp t"emsel.es.
8"en you are putting all your energy into pointing t"e finger at someone else$ you "a.e
only one "an% left to work to make t"ings better = an% most #"ores re&uire two "an%sB
5eing .ery angry all t"e time is a#tually .ery emotionally %raining. It saps a person6s
energy$ so t"at t"e person is no longer #apable of a##omplis"ing mu#" of anyt"ing else.
!"at is w"y t"ese bla#k Ameri#ans still li.e in g"ettoes to%ay$ 15* years after sla.ery
was abolis"e%. Instea% of "elping t"emsel.es for 15* years$ t"ey spent 15* years
"ating an% resenting w"ite people. C.er t"e generations t"is "ate an% resentment
be#ame self@#ompoun%ing until it was all@#onsuming an% paralyAing.
9in#e -*1* t"e worsening mass psy#"osis of g"etto people in Ameri#a to%ay "as
resulte% in a ras" of bla#k mob .iolen#e against w"ite persons in our #ities. Mu#" of t"e
liberal mainstream me%ia refuses to report it. 1or e>ample$ #urrently in 5altimore a
ma'or employer is #onsi%ering a relo#ation be#ause of #"roni# .iolen#e in %owntown
5altimore by bla#k mobs. As anot"er e>ample$ a few years ago a large state fair was
o.errun by "un%re%s of bla#k young men an% women w"o assaulte% w"ite people an%
s"oute% /It6s beat w"itey nig"tB0
5elow is a link to P8"ite Girl 5lee% A GotP. It %etails t"e re#ent surge of bla#k mob
.iolen#e against w"ites$ Asians$ gays an% :ews a#ross our #ountry$ an% "ow t"e me%ia
fails to report it. !"e e@book .ersion of t"e book "as links to .i%eos pro.ing e.eryt"ing.
!"e bookFs aut"or$ olin 1la"erty$ is an awar% winning .eteran 'ournalist w"ose
in.estigati.e reporting on#e free% a bla#k man w"o "a% been wrongly imprisone% for
attempting to kill "is w"ite girlfrien%. 1la"erty %oes not .enture to spe#ulate w"y t"e
bla#k on non@bla#k #rime is "appening? "e 'ust reports t"e fa#ts about t"e .iolen#e itself.
Assigning fault for t"e .iolen#e is t"en up to you.
Here is 1la"erty6s website.
"ttpHTTw"itegirlblee%alot.#omT
76
Cr you #an skip 1la"erty6s promotional website an% 'ust buy t"e book from AmaAonH
5uy %ire#t from AmaAon
In#i%entally$ I "a.e not monetiAe% t"ese links. As I alrea%y state% in my testimonial at
t"e beginning of t"is website$ I %o not profit monetarily from my website at all.
I rea% 1la"erty6s book an% wat#"e% some of "is .i%eos %o#umenting t"e .iolen#e in
9eptember -*1K. As a former bullying .i#tim$ I am offen%e% w"en I see .i%eos of a
"un%re% bla#k people atta#king an% "ospitaliAing a small number of lu#kless .i#tims 'ust
be#ause t"ey are w"ite.
At t"e same time$ I %o not look %own on anyone$ not t"e Germans of t"e 19K*s$ nor t"e
people li.ing in Ameri#a6s g"ettoes to%ay$ nor anyone else. G"etto people are
in"erently pre#ious be#ause t"ey possess t"e 5u%%"a Nature innately. !"ey are
in"erently 'ust as pre#ious as well@a%'uste% or finan#ially su##essful people. 9till$ to
really "elp t"em$ t"ey must be #onfronte% by t"e fat"erly type of 5u%%"ist #ompassion.
!"at is t"e real meaning of 5u%%"ist #ompassion = #onfronting t"e e.il t"at is "ol%ing
people ba#k @ an% t"at is w"y t"is se#tion is entitle% /!oug" Go.eH !"e Deal Meaning of
5u%%"ist ompassion0.
G"etto people in Ameri#a to%ay nee% to stop blaming w"ite people for t"eir problems
an% look at t"eir own be"a.ior$ re#ogniAe "ow negati.e t"ey are$ an% t"en start
be"a.ing better. !"ey nee% to stop s"ooting ea#" ot"er$ stop using an% selling %rugs$
stop "a.ing unprote#te% se>$ stop running away w"en t"ey make t"eir girlfrien%
pregnant$ an% stop assaulting w"ite people on t"e streets. !"en t"ey will be able to
work t"eir way up from t"e g"etto t"roug" t"eir own efforts$ wit"out relying on
go.ernment "an%@outs$ t"e same way t"e Iris" Ameri#ans %i% in t"e 19
t"
#entury.
!"e Iris" Ameri#ans in t"e 19
t"
an% early -*
t"
#entury (in#lu%ing my Mot"er6s an#estors+
were t"e .i#tims of monumental Anglo Ameri#an pre'u%i#e an% e>#lusion$ but be#ause
t"ey took a self responsible attitu%e an% %i% w"ate.er was ne#essary$ all on t"eir own$
to make t"eir situation better$ t"ey triump"e%. !"ey %i% t"is wit"out welfare or foo%
stamps or Me%i#ai%$ all on t"eir own$ t"roug" t"eir own "ar% work an% fait". !"eir fait"
was in "ristianity.
I %o not #are w"et"er g"etto people #"ange t"eir attitu%e be#ause of 5u%%"ist beliefs or
"ristian beliefs. If g"etto people woul% take responsibility for t"eir own li.es$ an% stop
blaming ot"ers$ base% on a resurgent belief in "ristianity$ I woul% absolutely re'oi#e. I
%o not #are w"et"er t"ey %o it wit" 5u%%"ism or somet"ing else$ as long as t"ey #"ange
for t"e better.
5ut if g"etto people in Ameri#a %o #"ange for t"e better$ some of t"em$ anyway$ will %o
it wit" Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. After all$ 5u%%"ism naturally len%s itself to a feeling of self
responsibility$ %ue to its tea#"ing on karma an% rein#arnation. !"is un%ers#ores t"e
importan#e of s"aring our religion wit" ot"ers. Alt"oug" we are in%epen%ent 5u%%"ists$
we s"oul%n6t 'ust pra#ti#e alone. 8e nee% to make #on.erts an% sprea% t"e religion$ in
a rela>e% positi.e manner wit"out arm@twisting.
An% let6s not forget t"at w"ite people nee% to "ear about 5u%%"ist i%eas too. Many
w"ite people likewise see t"emsel.es as .i#tims to%ay. Cr t"ey are apat"eti#. Cr t"ey
%o %rugs. Cr t"ey are pre'u%i#e%. It is not only et"ni# groups to%ay w"o #an benefit
77
from Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism = t"is religion #an be benefi#ial to e.eryone$ an% t"ere is no
one w"o #annot benefit from #"anting Nam Myo"o Denge 3yo.
Again$ I %o not look %own on anyone. All people are innately pre#ious$ be#ause t"ey all
possess t"e 5u%%"a Nature. 5ut t"e true meaning of 5u%%"ist #ompassion is more
often a fat"erly type of t"ing$ not as often mot"erly. It #onsists of #onfronting t"e e.il
t"at "ol%s people ba#k$ out of mer#y for t"eir li.es$ in an effort to "elp t"em.
1inally$ it is wort" mentioning t"at wit"in t"e Ameri#an bla#k #ommunity$ t"ere is a
siAable #"ur#" base% #onser.ati.e fa#tion$ w"i#" belie.es t"at bla#ks nee% to take
responsibility for t"eir own li.es an% stop blaming ot"ers$ an% w"i#" woul% basi#ally
agree wit" e.eryt"ing$ or nearly e.eryt"ing$ I "a.e sai% in t"is essay.
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
!"us t"ere are t"ree aspe#ts to t"e religion of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ismH ;ra#ti#e$ 9tu%y an%
1ait". 8e "a.e e>amine% ;ra#ti#e for Cneself an% ;ra#ti#e for Ct"ers.
Study
3eep in min% t"e preeminen#e of t"e Gotus 9utra in asserting an% 'ustifying "uman
%ignity$ e&uality$ an% potential. 9"akyamuni taug"t t"at it was preeminent among t"e
9utras in t"is respe#t. An% t"is is %emonstrable w"en one e>amines t"e 9utras = by
looking for %isparity$ an% t"e #losure of %isparity$ between t"e 5u%%"a an% t"e #ommon
mortal.
In t"e :uryo "apter 9"akyamuni statesH /All go%s$ men an% as"ura of t"is worl%
belie.e t"at after lea.ing t"e pala#e of t"e 9"akyas$ 9"akyamuni 5u%%"a seate%
"imself at t"e pla#e of re.elation not far from t"e #ity of Gaya an% attaine% t"e supreme
enlig"tenment. Howe.er$ men of %e.out fait"$ t"e time is limitless an% boun%less = a
"un%re%$ t"ousan%$ ten t"ousan%$ "un%re% t"ousan% nayuta eons = sin#e I in fa#t
attaine% 5u%%"a"oo%.0
Here 9"akyamuni is telling "is %is#iples t"at all "uman beings appear$ on t"e surfa#e$ to
be unenlig"tene% #ommon mortals$ but are essentially 5u%%"as = "a.e been so sin#e
t"e infinite past$ an% will be so eternally. A 5u%%"a is simply a #ommon mortal$ an
or%inary person$ w"o realiAes "e or s"e "as in"erent enlig"tenment.
Yet in t"is same :uryo "apter 9"akyamuni statesH /Cn#e I also pra#ti#e% t"e
5o%"isatt.a austerities.0
9uperfi#ially$ "e means t"at "e "imself was on#e a pre@enlig"tene% seeker of t"e Gaw$
not yet a 5u%%"a. Yet 9"akyamuni "a% to "a.e t"e #ause for 5u%%"a"oo% in "is life in
or%er to attain 5u%%"a"oo%$ %ue to t"e Mutual ;ossession of t"e !en 8orl%s.
!"erefore 9"akyamuni was always essentially a 5u%%"a$ going ba#k into t"e eternal
past. Also$ t"at 9"akyamuni was on#e a pre@enlig"tene% seeker of t"e Gaw is only t"e
trut" on a superfi#ial le.el. Cn a more profoun% le.el$ it is not t"e trut" at all. More
profoun%ly$ 9"akyamuni means t"at e.en a 5u%%"a possesses t"e lower nine states
78
(Hell t"roug" Altruism+ an% appears in t"e worl% as a #ommon mortal. 5y e>tension t"is
means a 5u%%"a is an or%inary person w"o "as goals$ "opes$ relations"ips$ worries$
problems$ an% so on. 9"akyamuni is really saying t"at alt"oug" "e "as been a 5u%%"a
eternally$ "e "as been a #ommon mortal also$ at t"e same time$ wit" all t"e lower nine
worl%s in "is life also.
9"akyamuni6s %is#iples naturally re.ere% t"eir !ea#"er an% saw t"emsel.es as
in#apable of attaining anyt"ing t"at approa#"e% "is state of life. 9o for 9"akyamuni to
su%%enly tell t"em t"at t"ere is no fun%amental %ifferen#e between a 5u%%"a an% an
or%inary person = t"at or%inary persons #an an% s"oul% be#ome 5u%%"as = woul% "a.e
been too mu#" for t"em to belie.e an% un%erstan%$ wit"out preparation.
9o 9"akyamuni first prea#"e% t"e Hoben "apter to prepare "is %is#iples to belie.e
an% un%erstan% t"e :uryo "apter. !"e Hoben "apter lays t"e t"eoreti#al groun%work
for t"e :uryo "apter by re.ealing t"e !en 1a#tors = Appearan#e$ Nature$ <ntity$ 1or#e$
Influen#e$ In"erent ause$ Manifest ause$ In"erent <ffe#t$ Manifest <ffe#t$ an%
onsisten#y 1rom 5eginning !o <n%.
Cur 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e in t"is lifetime is a Manifest ause$ w"i#" wakes up t"e In"erent
ause of our intrinsi# 5u%%"a"oo%. !"e In"erent <ffe#t is t"e a#ti.ation of t"is
5u%%"a"oo% in t"e %ept"s of our li.es. !"e Manifest <ffe#t is t"at w"ile outwar%ly$ we
still appear in t"e worl% as #ommon mortals (Appearan#e+$ we go t"roug" life6s ups an%
%owns wit" new life for#e$ #onfi%en#e an% #ompassion resulting from our realiAation of
our in"erent 5u%%"a"oo% (Nature+. !"ere is no essential %ifferen#e between our
outwar% appearan#e as #ommon mortals struggling to make a#"ie.ements an%
o.er#ome problems (1or#e+ in t"e real worl% (Influen#e+$ an% our inner life as 5u%%"as
resi%ing in a pla#e of perfe#t serenity (<ntity? onsisten#y 1rom 5eginning !o <n%+.
!"e ot"er 5u%%"ist 9utras an% t"eir atten%ant !reatises an% ommentaries make
sense only in t"e #onte>t of t"e Gotus 9utra6s essential message. 8it"out t"is prime
point$ e>ploring t"e 9utras is like getting lost in a .ast$ remote$ untra#ke% rain forest.
The point of the Lotus Sutra is, again, that: Buddhahood is inherent in the lives of
common mortals, the lives of common mortals are inherent in Buddhahood, and
everyone without eception has the potential for Buddhahood!
!"erefore$ it is re#ommen%e% t"at furt"er stu%y be fo#use% onH
!"e Gotus 9utra from !6ien@t6ai6s perspe#ti.e$ espe#ially t"e :uryo an% Hoben
"apters. ;referably$ use a Gotus 9utra <nglis" translation taken from t"e
3umara'i.a .ersion.
Ni#"iren 4ais"onin6s Gos"o (letters to followers+.
You #an fin% t"e Gos"o online atH
http://,,,.s!i$i*r(ry.or!/,ritin!s.php
Also$ "ere is a %ownloa% link for a small sele#tion of Gos"o6s t"at for t"e most part %o
not atta#k ot"er religions. !"ese are Gos"o6s t"at a mo%ern$ tolerant Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist
79
#an belie.e in. It is a 7I; file #ontaining 8or% files. I .irus teste% t"e file before I
uploa%e% it an% it was fine.
"ttpHTTwww.ni#"iren%ais"oninsbu%%"ism.#omTgos"o.Aip
4oing t"e lengt"y$ #umbersome$ %iffi#ult regimen of me%itation pres#ribe% in !6ien@t6ai6s
Maka 9"ikan (Great on#entration an% Insig"t+ is not part of t"e pra#ti#e of Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism. Instea% we use t"e #on%ense% pra#ti#e you 'ust rea% about = 9utra$ Mantra$
Man%ala. /!ime0 (#osmi# time+ is .ery important in 5u%%"ism$ an% t"is is a time w"en
5u%%"ism must be a##essible to masses of busy working people$ to make any
%ifferen#e for t"e better in so#iety. !"at is be#ause for so#iety to impro.e$ t"e
9o.ereign must "a.e a life affirming p"ilosop"y$ an% to%ay$ t"e 9o.ereign is t"e
#ommon people.
!"ose w"o get lost in a maAe of #omple> pra#ti#es may ten% to negle#t t"eir %aily
responsibilities$ t"ereby negating t"eir personal benefits$ an% be#oming poor refle#tions
of 5u%%"ism in t"e eyes of ot"ers.
9tu%y is not 'ust Rrea%ing more6. !"e important t"ing is "ow mu#" you #an a#tualiAe
w"at you6.e alrea%y rea%$ not "ow mu#" a%%e% t"eoreti#al %etail you #an a#&uire. !"e
foremost type of stu%y is e>periential = #arefully noting your e>perien#es as you try to
apply w"at you6.e rea% in %aily life.
A%%e% rea%ing is se#on%ary an% optional$ an% its main fun#tion is to "elp %eepen fait"$
not knowle%ge for its own sake.
9o mu#" for ;ra#ti#e an% 9tu%y. !"e t"ir% aspe#t of t"is religion is 1ait".
3aith
1ait" is "a.ing a positi.e e>pe#tation t"at your efforts in ;ra#ti#e an% 9tu%y will yiel% a
positi.e result. At first t"is means merely being open to t"e possibility t"at t"is will
"appen. As you e>perien#e benefit$ your fait" will %eepen$ an% your %eepene% fait" will
attra#t still more benefit$ starting a self fulfilling positi.e momentum.
As one6s pra#ti#e an% stu%y a##umulate an% mature$ fait" %eepens to be#ome a
#ommitment to support t"e well being of ot"ers an% to li.e wit" integrity. 5ut t"ese fine
attributes are not absolutely ne#essary in t"e beginning. !"at6s be#ause t"is pra#ti#e
transforms eart"ly %esires into enlig"tenment$ so you %on6t nee% to be fully enlig"tene%
alrea%y 'ust to start pra#ti#ing.
Buddhist Apoloy *@ane,
80
In t"e 9GI@N9A in 19))$ 7ANG< (5u%%"ist Apology+ was a big fa%. It was #arrie% a
little too far. ;eople were apologiAing to t"e Go"onAon all t"e time$ e.en for minor
t"ings. 9o t"en 7ange fell out of fa.or an% t"e organiAation a.oi%e% mentioning it or
tea#"ing it.
5ut if we re@e>amine 7ange wit" a mo%erate perspe#ti.e$ an% a.oi% taking it to
e>tremes$ we see t"at$ at times$ it is a .ery useful 5u%%"ist te#"ni&ue w"i#" #an "elp us
break t"roug" a problem an% #"ange our karma.
You %o not want to apologiAe to t"e Go"onAon be#ause you "a% a traffi# ti#ket$ or
be#ause you an% your spouse "a% a minor &uarrel. 5ut if you "a.e ma'or$ ma'or$ "ea.y
karma t"at "as %efie% all your efforts to o.er#ome it$ or if you "a.e an imme%iate #risis
t"at t"reatens your sur.i.al$ t"at is w"en you want to apply 7ange.
&ppreciation, &pology, etermination, &ltruism, and then Eour /eFuest
You #an %o a goo% 7ange wit" about "alf an "our of %aimoku. 1irst #"ant %aimoku of
Appre#iation = for "a.ing t"e Go"onAon an% for all your past benefits. !"en ApologiAe
for w"ate.er #auses you ma%e$ earlier in t"is lifetime or in your past lifetimes$ to #reate
t"e pre%i#ament you are fa#e% wit" now.
Ne>t offer your 4eterminations to t"e Go"onAon. 4etermine t"at you are going to keep
up your 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e for t"e rest of your life$ no matter w"at. 4etermine t"at you
are going to o.er#ome your #urrent problem$ so you #an s"ow a#tual proof of t"e power
of 5u%%"ism to ot"ers$ so t"ey will #"ant. 4etermine t"at you will li.e "umanisti#ally$
#ompassionately$ an% generously for t"e rest of your life.
!"en offer %aimoku of Altruism = #"ant for t"e "appiness of t"e people (an% animals+
you know$ espe#ially t"e people you "ope will pra#ti#e 5u%%"ism on#e t"ey see you
s"ow proof by o.er#oming t"is problem. You must espe#ially #"ant for t"e "appiness of
anyone w"o seems to be your /antagonist0 in t"e problem you are fa#ing$ realiAing it is
you$ not "im or "er$ w"o must #"ange (w"en you #"ange$ t"en t"ey will #"ange+.
!"en$ finally$ make your re&uest to t"e Go"onAonH /;lease "elp me #ure my #an#er0$
/;lease "elp me fin% a 'ob &ui#kly before I am e.i#te%0$ or any re&uest t"at if answere%
woul% sol.e t"e e>tremely serious obsta#le you are fa#e% wit". Demember t"at after
you pray$ you must take a#tion = seek t"e best %o#tor you #an fin%$ look "ar% for a 'ob$
or w"ate.er a#tion it takes to sol.e t"e problem.
9in#e 19)) w"en I first "ear% about 7ange$ I "a.e employe% t"e te#"ni&ue se.eral
times w"en I was fa#e% wit" an e>tremely serious situation. An% it worke% e.ery time. I
was able to #"ange t"e karma I fa#e%. 8it" 7ange$ you #an #"ange any karma$ no
matter "ow serious$ as long as you are e>tremely sin#ere.
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The 3our No4le Truths and the 1iht!old Path
!ra%itional 5u%%"ism "as a #on#ept #alle% !"e 1our Noble !rut"s an% !"e <ig"tfol%
;at". In%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism interprets t"is #on#ept in a uni&ue way.
!"e 1our Noble !rut"s areH
1. Gife is fun%amentally suffering.
2. !"e #ause of suffering is egoisti# %esire.
3. !"e way out of suffering lies in ele.ating an% re%ire#ting egoisti# %esire$ #"anging
eart"ly %esires into enlig"tenment.
4. !"e met"o% for %oing t"is is t"e <ig"tfol% ;at".
!"e <ig"tfol% ;at" #onsists ofH
1. Dig"t 3nowle%ge = "a.ing #on.i#tion in t"e 1our Noble !rut"s.
2. Dig"t Aspiration = Cne6s fun%amental %esire s"oul% be to o.er#ome life6s basi#
%islo#ation.
3. Dig"t 9pee#" = !rut"fulness$ #larity. 9pee#" first as an in%i#ator of our
#"ara#ter$ t"en as a le.er for impro.ing it.
4. Dig"t 5e"a.ior = 4o not kill$ %o not steal$ %o not lie$ %o not be un#"aste$ %o not
%rink into>i#ants. AnalyAe your be"a.ior$ un%erstan% your moti.es$ t"en make
impro.ements.
5. Dig"t Gi.eli"oo% = Monasti#ism$ or for laymen$ engaging in o##upations t"at
promote life rat"er t"an %estroy it.
6. Dig"t <ffort = 9trong will. ;erse.eran#e. <ffort like a flowing ri.er$ not like a
raging fire.
7. Dig"t Min%fulness = ounter basi# "uman ignoran#e wit" #ontinuous alertness
an% self e>amination.
8. Dig"t Absorption = !ap an awareness of your innermost layer of #ons#iousness.
In In%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ t"e <ig"tfol% ;at" #onsists of #"anting t"e mantra
an% sutra to t"e man%ala$ stu%y$ an% "elping ot"er people. All of t"e , points of t"e
<ig"tfol% ;at" are impli#it in t"e t"ree pra#ti#es of 1ait"$ ;ra#ti#e (for oneself an%
ot"ers+ an% 9tu%y.
Dig"t spee#"$ be"a.ior$ an% li.eli"oo% are %e#i%e% by situation et"i#s on t"e basis of
our 5u%%"a wis%om w"i#" we bring fort" t"roug" ;ra#ti#e$ 9tu%y an% 1ait". !"ere are
no absolute rules for spee#"$ be"a.ior an% li.eli"oo%. As long as %e#isions about
spee#"$ be"a.ior an% li.eli"oo% are ma%e on t"e basis of sin#ere #"anting$ t"en t"ose
%e#isions will refle#t Dig"t 3nowle%ge$ Dig"t Aspiration$ Dig"t <ffort$ Dig"t Min%fulness$
an% Dig"t Absorption$ be#ause t"ose properties are alrea%y embe%%e% in t"e man%ala
we #"ant to.
82
!"en Dig"t 9pee#"$ Dig"t 5e"a.ior an% Dig"t Gi.eli"oo% will #ome of t"emsel.es$
a%apte% to t"e spe#ifi# #ir#umstan#es of t"e belie.er6s life$ %ue to onsisten#y 1rom
5eginning !o <n%$ one of t"e 1* 1a#tors.
83
A comparison o! Nichiren Buddhism with other reliions
1irst let6s #ompare Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism wit" ot"er forms of 5u%%"ism. !"en we will
#ompare Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism wit" t"e ma'or non 5u%%"ist religions.
Nichiren Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism
!"ere are two main streams wit"in 5u%%"ism$ !"era.a%a an% Ma"ayana. !"era.a%a is
t"e original stream of 5u%%"ism. Ma"ayana #ame later. Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is a bran#"
of Maya"ana 5u%%"ism.
!"era.a%a 5u%%"ism "as "un%re%s of rules or pre#epts for #on%u#t$ in or%er to
maintain monasti# %is#ipline. <nlig"tenment is only open to priests an% monks$ w"o
"a.e renoun#e% so#iety. !"e only way lay people #an a%.an#e towar% enlig"tenment is
to finan#ially support t"e monastery$ w"i#" gi.es t"e lay belie.er karmi# merit w"i#"$
w"en suffi#iently a##umulate%$ will enable t"e lay belie.er to be reborn "imself or
"erself as a monk$ w"en#e "e #an pro#ee% to %e.elop "is enlig"tenment.
!"era.a%a 5u%%"ist monasteries ten% to be aloof from so#iety. !"e goal is personal
perfe#tion for t"e pra#titioner. !"e ultimate rewar% for 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e is to attain$
after %eat"$ a state of nirvana @ a blissful oneness wit" t"e uni.erse from w"i#" rebirt"
onto eart" or eart" like planets is no longer ne#essary.
!"era.a%a 5u%%"ism is wi%ely pra#ti#e% to%ay in sout"east Asia.
Ma"ayana 5u%%"ism split from !"era.a%a in t"e first few #enturies after t"e 5u%%"a6s
%eat". !"e Ma"ayanists #laime% t"at !"era.a%a was too oriente% towar% in%i.i%ual self
perfe#tion an% t"at t"e !"era.a%ins were ignoring t"e welfare of t"e mass of #ommon
people. Ma"ayana 5u%%"ism re%u#e% t"e number of monasti# pre#epts an% instea%
emp"a#iAe% t"e essential 5u%%"ist spirit of #ompassion. A Ma"ayana bodhisattva
(seeker$ altruist+ takes a .ow to postpone "is or "er entry into nir.ana until all ot"er
sentient beings #an likewise be sa.e%. !"us t"e Ma"ayana pra#titioner #ontinues to be
reborn onto eart" or eart" like planets in or%er to sa.e "is fellow sentient beings by
sprea%ing 5u%%"ism.
In Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ t"e bo%"isatt.a is ;<D;<!NAGGY reborn on eart" or eart" like
planets to work #ompassionately for "is fellow sentient beings. !"us nir.ana in Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism o##urs w"ile ali.e on eart" = an% it #onsists of a serene realiAation t"at any
obsta#le or problem #an be turne% aroun% into an impetus for growt" an% a sour#e of
benefit.
Nichiren Buddhism and 5ure 0and Buddhism
;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism be#ame popular in :apan 'ust before Ni#"iren appeare% on t"e
s#ene. Gike Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ ;ure Gan% a#knowle%ges t"at people in t"is age "a.e
%iminis"e% #apa#ity$ an% are more benig"te% by gree%$ anger an% stupi%ity$ an% so$
people to%ay nee% a simpler religious pra#ti#e. !"at is w"y Ni#"iren in.ente% a simple
regimen of re#iting a mantra an% portions of t"e Gotus 9utra to a man%ala.
Howe.er ;ure Gan% takes t"is i%ea to an e>treme. ;ure Gan% tea#"es t"at people
to%ay are utterly in#apable of attaining enlig"tenment on eart". ;ure Gan% tea#"es
84
people to pray to be reborn in t"e ;ure Gan%$ w"i#"$ being a para%ise$ is more
#on%u#i.e to attaining enlig"tenment t"an eart". 5y tea#"ing t"is$ ;ure Gan% %rains
people of t"eir %etermination$ .itality an% initiati.e. ;er"aps 3arl Mar> was t"inking of
;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism w"en "e wrote t"at religion is t"e opiate of t"e people.
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is %efinitely NC! an opiate. Ni#"iren taug"t t"at e.en in t"is age$
"uman beings AN attain enlig"tenment t"roug" t"eir own efforts "ere on eart". !"ey
'ust nee% a simple pra#ti#e. !"us Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ instea% of tea#"ing people to
/gi.e up0$ instea% gi.es people t"e means to #"allenge t"eir %estiny rig"t "ere$ rig"t
now$ bot" in%i.i%ually an% as a so#iety.
In#i%entally$ alt"oug" t"e ultimate rewar% in "ristianity$ :u%aism an% Islam is to attain
a para%ise after %eat"$ t"ese t"ree religions also tea#" t"at t"e "uman #on%ition #an
an% s"oul% be impro.e% "ere on eart"$ rig"t now. 9o t"e western %eisti# religions are a
far #ry from ;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism.
Nichiren Buddhism and >en Buddhism
It is well known t"at 7en 5u%%"ism uses primarily me%itation as its means to %e.elop
enlig"tenment. !"ere are two main s#"ools of 7en 5u%%"ism. 9oto 7en belie.es
me%itation s"oul% be not only %one seate%$ but also a##omplis"e% in e.ery%ay a#tions.
9o in 9oto 7en monasteries$ t"e way e.ery%ay a#tions are performe% is "ig"ly
pres#ribe%. 9oto belie.es enlig"tenment is a gra%ual pro#ess. 8"ereas DinAai 7en
belie.es in su%%en enlig"tenment t"roug" #ontemplating *oans (para%o>i#al ri%%les$
su#" as$ /8"at is t"e soun% of one "an% #lappingL0+. In a#tual pra#ti#e in t"e Nnite%
9tates$ t"e %istin#tion between t"ese two s#"ools of 7en is sometimes blurre%.
9ome 7en a%"erents "a.e a .ery "ig" opinion of t"e Gotus 9utra$ an% so 7en 5u%%"ists
are %efinitely not t"e P%e.ilsP an% Pslan%erersP Ni#"iren ma%e t"em out to be.
!"e ob.ious %ifferen#e between 7en 5u%%"ism an% Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is t"at Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism primarily relies on mantra an% sutra re#itation to a man%ala$ w"ereas 7en
5u%%"ism relies primarily on min%ful me%itation.
8"at te#"ni&ue a person uses to manifest "is 5u%%"a@nature is a matter of personal
#"oi#e. 9ome te#"ni&ues are suite% to #ertain people$ w"ereas ot"er te#"ni&ues are
better suite% to ot"er people. It is .ery %angerous to pres#ribe a single te#"ni&ue to t"e
entire "uman ra#e$ to t"e e>#lusion of all ot"er met"o%s$ as if one siAe fits all.
Nichiren Buddhism and Tibetan ,Tantric- Buddhism
!antri# 5u%%"ism uses me%itation$ mu%ras ("an% gestures+$ esoteri# rituals$ many kin%s
of mantras$ sutra re#itation$ an%$ in some s#"ools$ t"e "arnessing an% ele.ation of
se>ual energy. !antri# 5u%%"ism is pra#ti#e% in !ibet an% in areas #ulturally influen#e%
by !ibet. Gike 7en an% Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ !ibetan 5u%%"ism "as gaine% a foot"ol% in
t"e west.
!ibetan 5u%%"ists belie.e t"at w"en t"eir !ea#"er %ies$ "e will be &ui#kly rein#arnate%
among t"em to lea% t"em again. !"ey belie.e "e #an be i%entifie% in #"il%"oo% by
auspi#ious signs t"at "a% a##ompanie% "is birt"$ "is e>#eptional abilities an% "is past
life re#olle#tions.
85
!"e lea%er of one !ibetan s#"ool is t"e 4alai Gama$ w"o until re#ently was also t"e
politi#al lea%er of t"e !ibetan go.ernment in e>ile in In%ia.
In #ontrast to !ibetan 5u%%"ism$ Ni#"iren 5u%%"ismH
4oes not use me%itation.
4oes not use mu%ras (e>#ept for "ol%ing t"e "an%s in an or%inary prayer position
w"en #"anting+.
4oes not employ esoteri# rituals (e>#ept possibly t"e Go"onAon <ye Cpening
eremony+.
Nses only one mantra$ not many kin%s.
4oes not seek to employ se>ual energy.
4oes not belie.e t"at Ni#"iren is reborn among "is followers.
8e "a.e finis"e% #omparing Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism wit" t"e ot"er forms of 5u%%"ism
familiar in t"e west. Now let6s #ompare Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism wit" t"e ma'or non 5u%%"ist
religions.
Nichiren Buddhism and $induism
5u%%"ism #ame from Hin%uism. Gike 5u%%"ists$ Hin%us belie.e in karmi# #ausality an%
rein#arnation. Hin%us try to %e.elop enlig"tenment by pra#ti#ing .arious types of Yoga.
8"ereas t"e met"o% in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism is mantra an% sutra re#itation to a man%ala.
;ra#titioners of Hin%uism ea#" "a.e a personal guru to w"om t"ey are %e.ote%.
8"ereas in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists re.ere 9"akyamuni 5u%%"a an% Ni#"iren
4ais"onin$ e.en in t"e absen#e of being able to see t"em personally. In%epen%ent
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists %e.elop a #onne#tion wit" 9"akyamuni6s life by stu%ying t"e Gotus
9utra an% per"aps "a.ing statues of 9"akyamuni on t"e perip"ery of t"e altar.
In%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists %e.elop a #onne#tion wit" t"e 4ais"onin6s life by
stu%ying t"e Gos"o (letters written by Ni#"iren to followers+ an% by #"anting to t"e
Go"onAon (w"i#" Ni#"iren ins#ribe%$ or w"i#" is a trans#ription of a Go"onAon by
Ni#"iren$ ren%ere% by a subse&uent "ig" priest+.
Hin%us belie.e in multiple go%s$ w"i#" t"ey belie.e a#tually e>ist. 5ut t"ese multiple
go%s are a#tually /aspe#ts0 or /manifestations0 of a single supreme Go%. Go% is not
#onsi%ere% an entity$ but an eternal #ons#iousness t"at e>ists in t"e uni.erse. 9o
essentially Hin%uism is a monot"eisti# religion. Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists likewise belie.e in a
single Nni.ersal Gaw. Multiple go%s e>ist in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ but t"ey are
metap"ori#al. !"ey symboliAe t"e .arious prote#ti.e for#es in nature an% so#iety t"at
are a#ti.ate% by #"anting.
It is well known t"at Hin%uism "as been "istori#ally asso#iate% wit" t"e #aste system in
In%ia. 8"ereas in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ all belie.ers (an% e.en non belie.ers+ are
#onsi%ere% fun%amentally e&ual$ regar%less of so#ial status$ be#ause all people e&ually
possess t"e 5u%%"a nature.
Nichiren Buddhism and Taoism
86
!aoists belie.e in a ;at" or !ao w"i#" is imminent wit"in e.eryt"ing. !"is is akin to t"e
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist belief in a Nni.ersal Gaw.
!aoists try to get #lose to t"e !ao by me%itating$ sometimes pra#ti#ing !ai "i "uan$
an% by li.ing simply$ naturally$ &uietly an% spontaneously. 8"ereas Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists
use a met"o% of mantra an% sutra #"anting to a man%ala$ an% Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists try to
master t"e #omple>ity of t"eir li.es rat"er t"an seeking to a.oi% it.
!aoists belie.e t"e !ao #onsists of a female prin#iple (yin+ an% a male prin#iple (yang+.
Yin an% Yang are a##epte% in Ni#"iren6s tea#"ings$ but t"ey are #onsi%ere%
p"enomenal attributes of t"e Nni.ersal Gaw$ not t"e Nni.ersal Gaw itself.
8"en !aoists are #onfronte% by misfortune$ t"ey %o not struggle to o.er#ome t"e
a%.ersity. Instea% t"ey go wit" t"e flow$ passi.ely a##epting t"eir %estiny. !"ey belie.e
%oing t"is will bring t"em better %estiny in t"e long run. 8"ereas Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists
a#ti.ely struggle to turn e.ery obsta#le or problem into an impetus for growt" an% a
sour#e of benefit$ #"anging poison into me%i#ine.
Nichiren Buddhism and the western deistic religions
1irst letFs %is#uss generalities t"at apply to "ristianity$ :u%aism an% Islam e&ually.
!"en we will %is#uss ea#" spe#ifi# religion.
"ristianity$ :u%aism an% Islam all belie.e in a Go% or 9upreme 5eing w"o "as a
"uman like personality. 8"ereas Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists belie.e in a Nni.ersal Gaw w"i#"
is not a personality$ but more like a for#e or like a law of p"ysi#s.
A##ountability in t"e western %eisti# religions is obtaine% by telling people t"at if t"ey
are goo%$ t"ey will go to "ea.en after t"ey %ie$ w"ereas if t"ey are ba%$ t"ey will go to
"ell. In Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ a##ountability is a#"ie.e% by telling people t"at all t"eir
a#tions$ goo% an% ba%$ will e.entually #ome ba#k to t"em as effe#ts$ w"et"er later in
t"is lifetime or in a future lifetime.
!"e !en omman%ments of t"e western %eisti# religions are not unlike some Hinayana
5u%%"ist pre#epts$ espe#ially t"e famous P1i.e ;re#eptsP of 5u%%"ism @ %o not lie$ %o
not steal$ %o not kill$ %o not be un#"aste$ an% %o not %rink into>i#ants. In Ni#"iren
5u%%"ism t"ere is only one pre#ept @ to wors"ip t"e Go"onAon an% remain fait"ful
t"roug"out your life. !"en any errors in your be"a.ior will #orre#t t"emsel.es naturally.
9o mu#" for t"e broa% generalities. Now to ea#" spe#ifi# religion.
Nichiren Buddhism and 3hristianity
"ristianity tea#"es t"at Go% is a !rinity #onsisting of Go% t"e 1at"er$ Go% t"e 9on
(:esus+$ an% Go% t"e Holy 9pirit. !"is is not unlike t"e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist %o#trine of 3u
3e "u no 9antai$ w"i#" e>plains t"at t"e entity ("u+$ p"ysi#al aspe#t (3e+$ an%
spiritual aspe#t (3u+ are inseparable an% are all part of one w"ole being. In t"is #ase$
"u (entity+ is parallel to Go% t"e 1at"er$ 3e (p"ysi#al aspe#t+ is parallel to Go% t"e 9on
or :esus$ an% 3u (t"e spiritual aspe#t+ is parallel to Go% t"e Holy 9pirit. !"e %ifferen#e
is$ t"e "ristian %o#trine of t"e Holy !rinity is referring only to Go%$ w"ereas t"e
87
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist %o#trine of 3u 3e "u no 9antai refers to ea#" an% e.ery "uman
being.
In at"oli#ism an% in some ;rotestant "ur#"es$ t"e transubstantiate% sa#rifi#ial brea%
an% wine are t"oug"t to be tantamount to t"e bo%y an% bloo% of "rist. !"is is .aguely
reminis#ent of "ow$ after a Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist <ye@Cpening eremony$ t"e Go"onAon or
5u%%"a statue being so treate% "as been en%owe% wit" a spiritual aspe#t$ an% is$ in a
sense$ li.ing.
In most forms of "ristianity Go% is t"oug"t to "a.e manifeste% Himself in "uman form
as "rist. In Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$ t"e Criginal 5u%%"a$ t"oug" not a Go%$ always
manifests "imself in "umanoi% form$ on e.ery eart"@like planet t"roug"out t"e uni.erse$
to tea#" 5u%%"ism to t"e people t"ere.
Nichiren Buddhism and Islam
Islam$ unlike "ristianity$ tea#"es t"at Go% (Alla"+ is not a !rinity but a single being$
in%i.isible$ wit"out "elpers or partners. Islam regar%s :esus as a legitimate prop"et$ but
not as t"e 9on of Go%.
IslamFs monot"eism is akin to t"e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist belief in a single Nni.ersal Gaw.
!"e %ifferen#e is$ in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism t"e #entral for#e is like a law of p"ysi#s$ not a
"uman@like personality.
Also$ IslamFs relian#e on t"e prop"et Mo"amma% is reminis#ent of t"e relian#e by
#onser.ati.e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists on t"e prop"et Ni#"iren (of #ourse$ t"at is w"ere t"e
similarity en%s. Mo"amma% an% Ni#"iren are ra%i#ally %ifferent from ea#" ot"er+.
!"e militan#y we see in some Muslims is not unlike t"e militan#y of some of Ni#"irenFs
followers %uring Ni#"irenFs lifetime an% beyon%. At t"e same time$ many mo%erate
Muslims seek brot"erly outrea#" wit" people of ot"er fait"s$ an% t"is is more akin to t"e
mo%ern in%epen%ent Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist$ w"o respe#ts ot"er religions.
Nichiren Buddhism and ;udaism
:u%aism emp"asiAes t"e family an% family life$ an% #ommunity$ an% t"is is not unlike t"e
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist belief t"at Pfait" e&uals %aily lifeP. In Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism in :apan$ t"e
Hokkeko in parti#ular is a family oriente% bran#" of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
:u%aism is monot"eisti#$ an% t"is is not unlike t"e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist belief in a single
Nni.ersal Gaw. 5ut again$ in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism t"e #entral for#e is not a "uman@like
personality.
<.eryone knows t"at :u%aism is a mostly et"no#entri# religion. Ne.ert"eless$ my
personal e>perien#e tells me t"at many :ews are worl% #itiAens w"o embra#e all of t"eir
fellow men$ bot" :ewis" an% Gentile. 1or e>ample$ in early -*14 I obtaine% a %iploma
in A##ounting from t"e New9tart Institute$ a free online s#"ool t"at offers si> business
an% te#"nology ma'ors. !"is s#"ool was starte% in -**9 by Issie DabinowitA$ of Cttawa$
ana%a$ w"o was t"en %ying of AG9 (Gou Ge"rig6s 4isease+. His final wis" was to
establis" a free online s#"ool to "elp ot"er people w"o #oul% not affor% tuition to get
88
a"ea%. You %o not "a.e to be :ewis" to utiliAe t"e New9tart Institute? it is open to
e.eryone$ an% t"eir list of gra%uates in#lu%es a number of people wit" Muslim names.
& note about practitioners o" other religions
8"en someone makes a #ause$ by far t"e greatest #omponent of t"at #ause is its
IN!<N!. 1or t"is reason$ sin#e followers of ot"er religions M<AN to make goo% #auses
t"roug" t"eir religious pra#ti#es$ t"ey 4C make goo% #auses. !"us Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism
is not t"e only way.
!"e only to>i# religion is ;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism. It tea#"es people to gi.e up on e.er
be#oming "appy w"ile ali.e "ere on eart"$ an% so its message is fun%amentally
pessimisti# an% negati.e.
!"e pre#e%ing paragrap"s seem to imply t"at most ot"er religions are 'ust as goo% or
nearly as goo% as Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism. !"e rea%er surely noti#es t"at t"is #ontra%i#ts
Ni#"iren "imself$ w"o taug"t t"at only "is tea#"ing was .ali% an% t"at all t"e ot"er forms
of 5u%%"ism$ as well as all t"e non@5u%%"ist religions$ s"oul% be utterly %is#ar%e%.
5ear in min% t"at Ni#"iren li.e% in a feu%al so#iety$ in a time of rigi% absolutes. 5ut
to%ay we li.e in a mo%ern$ pluralisti# so#iety. Demember t"at me%ie.al "ristians went
on bloo%y #rusa%es against t"e Muslim /infi%els0$ w"ereas to%ay many "ristian lea%ers
seek %ialogue an% brot"erly outrea#" wit" Muslims. Gikewise$ t"e mo%ern Ni#"iren
5u%%"ist #an take a more tolerant an% open min%e% attitu%e towar% ot"er religions t"an
Ni#"iren "imself %i%.
!"e rea%er mig"t be #onfuse%$ be#ause earlier in t"is web site I asserte% t"at Ni#"iren
is a Great 5o%"isatt.a an% a ;ro.isional 5u%%"a$ w"ereas now I am saying t"at
Ni#"iren was 8DCNG about somet"ing. 5ut in reality t"ere is no #ontra%i#tion. !"e
4alai Gama is un%oubte%ly a 5u%%"a? yet w"en "e instigate% a !ibetan uprising before
t"e -**, Clympi#s$ "e only got t"ousan%s of monks mur%ere% by "inese sol%iers$
most by "a.ing t"eir "ea%s smas"e% against t"e walls of t"eir own temples. !"us
alt"oug" t"e 4alai Gama is un%oubte%ly a 5u%%"a$ "e is still #apable of making a
mistake? "e is not infallible. !"at is be#ause t"e life of 5u%%"a an% t"e life of #ommon
mortals #oe>ist wit"in e.eryone. !"e same applies to Ni#"iren. Alt"oug" Ni#"iren is
great$ "e is not infallible. He was wrong to say t"at all ot"er religions besi%es "is own
are no goo%$ an% t"e mo%ern Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist #an be more tolerant of ot"er religions
t"an Ni#"iren "imself was.
In t"e Gos"o$ w"en Ni#"iren talks about %is#ar%ing ;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism$ we s"oul%
take it literally. 5ut w"en Ni#"iren talks about %is#ar%ing ot"er forms of 5u%%"ism or
non 5u%%"ist religions an% p"ilosop"ies$ we s"oul% take it as a metaphor for our
pro#ess of /%is#ar%ing0 any lingering non@5u%%"ist attitu%es w"i#" still may #rop up
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o##asionally wit"in our li.es @ su#" asH being irresponsible? blaming our en.ironment?
skipping gongyo? being pessimisti#$ %oubting t"e Go"onAon? being %is"onest? being
unkin%? being laAy? being intolerant? being selfis"? et#. et#.
Nichiren Buddhism and )agic G (hamanism
Magi# is .ery familiar. 9"amanism is #losely relate% to magi#$ employing some of t"e
same pra#ti#es$ e>#ept t"at 9"amanism tries to form allian#es wit" allege%ly e>isting
spirit entities in or%er to fulfill one6s %esires. 1rom t"e stan%point of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism$
t"e %anger of using magi# is t"at t"ere is no gui%e. !"erefore$ a person #an get "imself
into a lot of trouble by using magi#. 1or instan#e$ if one #asts a magi# spell to attra#t a
million %ollars$ "e may be in.ol.e% in a traffi# a##i%ent t"at turns "im into a paraplegi#$
an% t"en t"e lawsuit may in%ee% yiel% a net sum of one million %ollars. In t"e #ase of
9"amanism$ e.en assuming t"at t"e spirit entity being entreate% is real$ t"e spirit entity
may "a.e e.il ulterior moti.es for answering t"e prayer. Also$ 5u%%"ism tea#"es t"at
no one #an #reate fortune for us$ or #"ange our negati.e karma$ e>#ept we oursel.es.
Not"ing ba% #an "appen w"en we #"ant to t"e Go"onAon for t"e fulfillment of our
%esires$ no matter "ow base our %esires mig"t be. !"at is be#ause$ w"en we #"ant for
somet"ing unwise$ it will not "appen. Instea%$ our #"anting will ele.ate t"e %esire until
t"e %esire be#omes wiser$ an% t"en$ w"en we are #"anting for a wise %esire$ our wis"
will finally be fulfille%.
If a Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist #"ants to t"e Go"onAon for a million %ollars (an% it is perfe#tly
alrig"t to %o so+$ t"e Go"onAon guides t"e prayer. !"e belie.er may not get a full
million$ but "e will get t"e money "e truly #urrently nee%s$ an% in a way t"at is fully
#ompatible wit" <2<DY aspe#t of "is "appiness. !"e belie.er6s #"anting will also
#ause "im to mature$ so t"at "e be#omes more in%ustrious$ more #reati.e$ more "ar%
working$ an% better #onne#te%$ so t"at "e #an earn more money by "is own efforts in a
/#on.entional0 manner. An% "is #"anting mig"t #ause "im to a%opt wiser spen%ing
"abits$ li.ing wit"in "is means$ so t"at "e #an save more money.
1or t"ese reasons$ 'ust as magi# an% 9"amanism are pro"ibite% in "ristianity$ likewise$
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists ne.er pra#ti#e magi# or 9"amanisti# te#"ni&ues.
Also$ it is wrong to regar% t"e Go"onAon as a /magi# #"arm0 t"at literally makes e.ery
%esire materialiAe. !"e Go"onAon %oesn6t work t"at way. "anting to t"e Go"onAon
puts us into t"e orbit of true "appiness$ long term$ an% t"is %oes not always mean
fulfilling e.ery s"ort term %esire$ sin#e some of our %esires are mistaken.
Nichiren Buddhism and NumerologyG&strology
90
It is well known t"at numerology postulates t"at karmi# ten%en#ies an% likely future
out#omes #an be %e#ip"ere% t"roug" t"e patterns of numbers surroun%ing a
#ir#umstan#e. Gikewise$ astrology tea#"es t"at one6s birt" %ate$ astrologi#al sign$ an%
t"e positions of t"e stars #an illuminate karmi# ten%en#ies an% likely future out#omes.
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism %oes not e>#lu%e t"ese possibilities per se. ;er"aps numbers an%
t"e stars #an in%ee% tell us somet"ing about our momentum an% ten%en#ies. 5ut
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism woul% a%% t"at we are not boun% by t"ese #orrelations$ be#ause any
negati.e ten%en#y or probability #an be altere% for t"e better t"roug" Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist
pra#ti#e$ sin#e #"anting Nam Myo"o Denge 3yo allows us to transform an% superse%e
our negati.e karma. Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism %oes not e>pli#itly %eny numerology or
astrology$ but Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism states t"at ultimately we "a.e free will$ an% t"at we
#an a#ti.ely %etermine our own %estiny$ %espite any numerologi#al or astrologi#al
#onte>t. It is alrig"t for a Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist to #onsult a "oros#ope$ use numerology or
e.en rea% tea lea.es$ as long as it %oes not be#ome a %istra#tion. !"e primary
emp"asis s"oul% be pla#e% on 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e. !"en$ t"ese ot"er pre%i#ti.e pseu%o@
s#ien#es #an play a useful limite% role in alerting us to t"ings w"i#" we #an t"en #"ange
t"roug" our 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
"s Nichiren Buddhism paci!istic?
In 1-)9 Ni#"iren wrote PDeply to 9"i'o 3ingoP to 9"i'o 3ingo$ a samurai p"ysi#ian w"o
was one of Ni#"irenFs most loyal followers. 3ingo "a% reporte% to Ni#"iren t"at "e "a%
been ambus"e% by ot"er samurai$ w"o were 'ealous of "is su##ess$ an% t"at "e "a%
foug"t "is way out of t"e ambus" an% "a% es#ape% un"arme%. !"is is an e>#erpt from
Ni#"irenFs reply letter to 3ingoH
PI "a.e #arefully rea% your letter$ in w"i#" you %es#ribe% t"e re#ent skirmis" wit" power@
ful enemies. 9o t"ey "a.e finally atta#ke% you. It is a matter of re'oi#ing t"at your usual
pru%en#e an% #ourage$ as well as your firm fait" in t"e Gotus 9utra$ enable% you to sur@
.i.e un"arme%... You must "a.e es#ape% %eat" be#ause of t"is %eity6s WMaris"itenFsX
prote#tion. Maris"iten ga.e you skill in swor%smans"ip$ w"ile I$ Ni#"iren$ "a.e be@
stowe% upon you t"e fi.e #"ara#ters of Myo"o Denge 3yo. !"ere #an be no %oubt t"at
Maris"iten prote#ts t"ose w"o embra#e t"e Gotus 9utra. Maris"iten also up"ol%s t"e Go@
tus 9utra an% t"us "elps all li.ing beings. <.en t"e wor%s /!"ose w"o 'oin t"e battle are
all on t"e front line0 Wfrom a !aoist workX %eri.e from t"e Gotus 9utra. <mploy t"e strat @
egy of t"e Gotus 9utra before any ot"er. !"en$ /All enemies are #rus"e%.0 !"ese gol%en
wor%s will ne.er pro.e false. !"e "eart of strategy an% swor%smans"ip %eri.es from t"e
Mysti# Gaw. Ha.e profoun% fait". A #owar% #annot "a.e any of "is prayers answere%.P
Here is an imaginary reply letter w"i#" Ni#"iren 4I4 NC! sen% to 3ingoH
P9"i'o 3ingo$ I un%erstan% from your messenger t"at se.eral of your fellow samurai$
'ealous of your su##ess$ ambus"e% you an% trie% to kill you. Your messenger furt"er in@
%i#ate% t"at you foug"t wit" your swor% to sa.e your life an% t"at you es#ape% t"e
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melee un"arme%. 9"i'o$ you s"oul% be as"ame% of yourselfB You s"oul% "a.e #"ante%
%aimoku un%er your breat"$ gotten %own from your "orse$ gi.en up your swor%$ knelt
%own on your knees$ an% begge% for your life.P
Again$ Ni#"iren %i% not sen% t"is kin% of letter. It s"oul% be ob.ious from t"e reply
Ni#"iren %i% sen% t"at Ni#"iren ne.er e&uate% 5u%%"ism wit" pa#ifism.
5y t"e way$ 9"akyamuni "imself$ w"ile a royal prin#e$ was traine% in an an#ient In%ian
martial art #alle% 2a'ramus"ti. In 5-* a.%.$ an In%ian 5u%%"ist monk name% 5o%"i%@
"arma broug"t 2a'ramus"ti to t"e 9"aolin temple in Hunan pro.in#e$ "ina$ an% in t"e
following #enturies$ t"e 9"aolin monks e>pan%e% 2a'ramus"ti to #reate 9"aolin 3ung
1u.
It is #ommon sense t"at Ni#"iren 5u%%"ists s"oul% ne.er atta#k anyone first$ unless to
%efen% a "elpless woman w"o is about to be rape%$ for e>ample. 5ut w"en you are at@
ta#ke%$ an% t"e atta#ker is morally wrong to atta#k you$ an% your safety is in 'eopar%y$
you may a#t to %efen% yourself an% your lo.e% ones. An% wit" all t"e #rime in to%ayFs
worl%$ parti#ularly if you li.e near a #ity$ you are morally 'ustifie% if you %e#i%e to stu%y
karate or bo>ing or somet"ing similar to prepare yourself. 5esi%es$ itFs also goo% e>er @
#ise.
It is important not to o.er@rea#t$ an% it is important to limit oursel.es to proportionate
for#e. An% stop atta#king on#e t"ere is no more %anger @ %o not keep on atta#king 'ust
to punis" t"e offen%er. Instea% of punis"ing t"e offen%er yourself$ #all t"e #ops. Get t"e
'u%ge %e#i%e on t"e punis"ment.
Nichiren Buddhism and Se6uality
8e #an all #ome up wit" our own set of moral rules for se>uality$ base% on #ommon
sense an% t"e wis%om we get from #"anting$ but "ere6s my stab at itH
1. ;ra#ti#e safe se>.
-. Goyal monogamy is preferable to wil% promis#uity.
K. In a relations"ip$ %on6t ba#k out t"e minute t"ere6s a problem. Gearn from !"e
Greatest Generation (t"e 194*s generation+ an% emulate t"em by s"owing #om@
mitment in your relations"ip an% %e.eloping relations"ip problem sol.ing skills.
4. Ne.er knowingly sprea% so#ial %isease.
5. Always be "onest wit" your partner. 1or e>ample$ if a man is merely attra#te% to
a woman p"ysi#ally$ "e s"oul% not %e#ei.e "er into t"inking "e lo.es "er.
I. Marry for lo.e not for money (t"is espe#ially applies to women+.
). If you6re in a "eterose>ual partners"ip an% you %on6t want #"il%ren rig"t now$ use
#ontra#eption. 4on6t put yourself into a position w"ere you are tempte% to get an
abortion.
92
Nichiren Buddhism and A4ortion
<arlier in t"is website$ in t"e se#tion entitle% /8"y ;ra#ti#e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ismL0$ I
state% t"at a finan#ially presse% #ouple$ wit" t"e female being pregnant$ w"o struggles
to upgra%e t"eir finan#es an% #on#ei.es t"eir #"il% %espite all %iffi#ulties$ is a#ting in a#@
#or%an#e wit" t"e uni.ersal law$ be#ause t"ey are s"owing respe#t for "uman life$
w"ereas a #ouple w"o take t"e easy way out an% "as an abortion is slan%ering t"e uni @
.ersal law$ be#ause t"ey are s"owing #ontempt for "uman life.
!"e Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist %o#trine of 3u 3e "u no 9antai makes it ines#apably #lear t"at
at t"e moment of #on#eption$ t"e moment t"e sperm penetrates t"e egg an% a two #ell
organism e>ists$ you "a.e a full fle%ge% "uman being$ wit" "uman importan#e an% "u@
man rig"ts$ in#lu%ing t"e rig"t to life.
/3u 3e "u no 9antai0 means /!"e entity$ bo%y an% spirit are t"ree on t"e surfa#e but
one in essen#e0. Cn t"e le.el of p"ysi#al an% spiritual p"enomena (obser.able p"e@
nomena+ t"e bo%y an% spirit seem separate an% temporary. 5ut %eep %own$ in t"e in@
nermost %ept"s of life$ t"ere is an eternal entity wit"in ea#" life = w"et"er a "uman be@
ing or e.en an ant. !"is eternal entity goes into slumber %uring t"e %eat" p"ase$ #arry@
ing wit" it only karmi# momentums from pre.ious li.es. !"en w"en t"e being is rein#ar@
nate%$ it a#&uires a bo%y an% spirit instantly at t"e moment of #on#eption$ wit" all of t"e
goo% an% ba% karma t"at t"e being "a% in "is or "er pre.ious lifetime.
!"e %o#trine of 3u 3e "u no 9antai tea#"es t"at all t"ree p"ases of life = entity$ spirit
an% bo%y = always o##ur toget"er w"ene.er t"e being is ali.e.
9o t"at means w"en a "uman sperm penetrates a "uman egg an% a two #ell li.ing or@
ganism emerges$ it6s a full "uman being @ be#ause it "as a spirit$ in%istinguis"able from
t"e spirit of a 4, year ol% Har.ar% professorB
Abortion is only 'ustifie% w"en t"ere "as been a rape$ in#est$ or w"en t"e pregnan#y if
#ontinue% #oul% kill t"e mot"er. Nn%er any ot"er #ir#umstan#es$ abortion is mur%er.
!o #ontinue wit" my e>ample from earlier in t"is web site$ suppose we "a.e a #ouple
wit" t"e female pregnant an% t"eir finan#es will not allow t"em to support a #"il% (or an
a%%itional #"il%+. 1irst t"ey s"oul% struggle to impro.e t"eir finan#es. If t"at %oesn6t
work$ t"ey still "a.e no rig"t to abort t"e #"il%. !"ere are &ualifie% infertile parents an%
ot"er #ouples w"o want to a%opt. <.en if no one is a.ailable to a%opt t"e baby$ t"e
state #an pla#e t"e baby in an orp"anage. Alt"oug" an orp"anage is not an i%eal situa@
tion for a #"il% to grow up in$ still$ t"e #"il% "as 9CM< HAN< of be#oming "appy.
8"ereas if t"e #"il% is aborte%$ "e or s"e "as NC HAN< of be#oming "appy (in t"is
lifetime+.
9in#e e.en a finan#ially presse% #ouple "as no rig"t to abort t"eir #"il%$ most %efinitely$
no young woman "as t"e rig"t to abort "er #"il% 'ust be#ause s"e wants to go to #ol @
lege. An% it is e.en more #ertain t"at no young la%y "as a moral rig"t to abort "er fetus
93
'ust be#ause s"e wants to go out an% party wit" "er frien%s$ go to nig"t #lubs$ an% get
lai% all t"e time.
A young woman w"o aborts "er #"il% for t"at reason is no %ifferent t"an some ot"er
young woman w"o suffo#ates "er two year ol%. De#ently a young woman in a mu#"
publi#iAe% #ase in t"e Nnite% 9tates was a#&uitte% of su#" a mur%er. !"is young
woman pla#e% a great .alue on spen%ing time wit" "er boyfrien% an% going to parties
an% nig"t@#lubs wit" "er frien%s. Many people still feel s"e6s guilty be#ause of t"e e.i @
%en#e$ su#" as a lingering smell of %e#omposing fles" in t"e trunk of "er #ar$ an% t"e
fa#t t"at s"e lie% to t"e poli#e an% "er parents an% waite% mont"s before reporting "er
%aug"ter missing.
8e must all realiAe t"at abortion for #on.enien#e is :N9! A9 5A4 as %eliberately suffo@
#ating a - year ol%$ be#ause$ w"et"er t"e mur%er .i#tim is insi%e or outsi%e t"e womb$
t"e .i#tim is still a "uman being.
Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist lea%ers w"o fail to take a strong publi# stan% for t"e rig"ts of t"e un@
born an% against abortion are %eparting from Ni#"iren 5u%%"ist p"ilosop"y$ an% t"ey
are guilty of gross negligen#e.

Summary o! the tra!!ic to my we4 site
I get about 15** "its a week. Howe.er sin#e my website is e&ui.alent to 1**
typewritten pages$ it is likely t"at ea#" .isitor rea% my site in two or t"ree .isits. 9o I
probably "a.e anyw"ere from 5** to )5* %istin#t .isitors. !"e greatest per#entage of
my .isitors #ome from t"e #ontinental N.9. an% Alaska$ followe% by t"e 5ritis" Isles$
t"en by In%ia. !"ere are lesser numbers of .isitors from #ontinental western <urope$
5raAil$ Australia$ 9out" Afri#a$ G"ana$ an% :apan.
Sound !iles o! people recitin the Sutra
Here is a link to %ownloa%able soun% files of people slowly #"anting t"e Hoben an%
:uryo "apters of t"e Gotus 9utra. You #an follow along wit" your printe% Giturgy in
"an% an% t"us learn "ow to #"ant. Cnly t"e man%atory parts are re#or%e%? t"e long
optional part in t"e mi%%le is not re#or%e%. Howe.er by following along an% learning
;art A an% ;art $ you will later be able to %o ;art 5 spontaneously.
!"ere are two .ersions of Gongyo (t"e sutra #"anting+$ Ni#"iren 9"u6s .ersion an% t"e
9GI .ersion. !"e aut"or re#ommen%s t"e 9GI .ersion$ w"i#" #orrespon%s to w"at is
printe% below. Also I re#ommen% /9GI 4aimoku0 w"i#" is a re#or%ing of Nam Myo"o
Denge 3yo being #"ante% #ontinuously an% rapi%ly by a group of people.
http://!roups.y(hoo.co#/!roup/nichirenpi3/
94
!"e Giturgy of Ni#"iren 4ais"onin6s 5u%%"ism
Ho4en /hapter
#yo ho ren e %yo) Ho 4en pon) Dai ni)
Ni8i seson) >u sanmai) An8o ni %i) &o shari;hotsu) Sho;4ut?chi;e) >in8in muryo) &o
chi;e mon) Nane nannyu) "ssai shomon) Hya%u;shi;4utsu) Sho !u no chi)
Sho;i sha a) Butsu +o shinon) Hya%u sen man no%u) #ushu sho 4utsu) >in yo
sho;4utsu) #uryo doho) :umyo sho8in) #yosho !u mon) >o8u 8in8in) #i;+o;u ho)
@ui i sho setsu) "shu nane)
Shari;hotsu) &o 8u 8o;4utsu irai) Shu8u innen) Shu8u hiyu) 5o en on%yo) #u shu
ho4en) "ndo shu8o) 0yo ri sho 8a%u)
Sho;i sha a) Nyorai ho4en) /hi%en hara;mitsu) 5ai i u;so%u)
Shari;hotsu) Nyorai chi%en) 5odai 8innon) #uryo mue) 0i%i) #u;sho;i) @en8o)
&edas)?Sanmai) >in nyu musai) >o8u issai) #i;+o;u ho)
Shari;hotsu) Nyorai no) Shu8u !un;4etsu) &yo ses?sho ho) &on8i nyunan) 1%%a
shushin) Shari;hotsu) Shu yo on shi) #uryo muhen) #i;+o;u ho) Bus?shitsu 8o8u)
Shi shari;hotsu) 3u shu 4u setsu)?Sho;i sha a) Bus?sho 8o8u) Dai ichi %e;u)
Nane shi ho)
:ui 4utsu yo 4utsu) Nai no %u8in) Shoho 8isso) Sho;i shoho) Nyo +e so) Nyo +e
sho) Nyo +e tai) Nyo +e ri%i) Nyo +e sa) Nyo +e in) Nyo +e en) Nyo +e %a) Nyo +e ho)
Nyo +e honma%?%u%yo to)
>uryo /hapter
#yo ho ren e %yo) Nyo rai 8u ryo hon) Dai 8u ro%u)
,This part may be omitted-
Ni8i 4utsu o) Sho 4o;satsu yo) "ssai daishu) Sho +en;nanshi) Nyoto to shine)
Nyorai 8otai shi o) Bu o daishu) Nyoto to shine) Nyorai 8otai shi o) U 4u o)
Sho daishu( Nyoto to shine) Nyorai 8otai shi o) @e8i 4o;satsu daishu) #i;ro%u i
shu) &assho 4ya%u 4utsu on) Seson) :ui an ses?shi) &ato to shin8u 4utsu;o)
Nyo +e san 4ya%u i) Bu on) :ui an ses?shi) &ato to shin8u 4utsu;o
95
Ni8i seson) /hi sho 4o;satsu) San sho !u shi) Ni o shi on) Nyoto tai cho) Nyorai
hi;mitsu) >in+u shi ri%i)
"ssai se%en) Tennin yu) Ashura) 5ai i %on sha%a;muni;4utsu) Shus?sha%u;shi u)
5o aya8o) !u on) @a o do8o) To%u a;no%u;ta;ra san;mya%u san4odai) Nen +en;
nanshi) &a 8itsu 8o;4utsu irai) #uryo muhen) Hya%u sen man no%u) Nayuta %o)
Hi nyo o hya%u sen man no%u) Nayuta) Asoi) San+en dai sen se%ai) 5e shi u
nin) #atchi mi8in) 5a o to4o) &o hya%u sen man no%u) Nayuta) Asoi %o%u) Nai e
ichi;8in) Nyo +e to yo) >in +e mi8in) Sho +en;nanshi) $ i una) @e sho se%ai) 5a
to%u shiyui) 5yo%ei chi o) Shu !u)
#i;ro%u 4o;sat?to) 5u 4ya%u 4utsu on) Seson) @e sho se%ai) #uryo muhen) Hi
san8u sho chi) :a%u hi shin;ri%i sho yu) "ssai shomon) Hya%u;shi;4utsu) "
murochi) 3u no shiyui) /hi o enshu) &ato 8u) A;yui;ot;chi;8i) $ +e 8i chu) :a%u
sho !u das?seson) Nyo +e sho se%ai) #uryo muhen) Ni8i 4utsu o) Dai 4osas?shu)
Sho +en;nanshi) 5onto !unmyo) Seno nyoto) @e sho se%ai) Nya%u 8a%u mi8in) &yu
!u 8a%u?sha) >in ni i 8in) "chi;8in i%%o) &a 8o;4utsu irai) Bu %a o shi) Hya%u sen man
no%u) Nayuta) Asoi %o)
>i 8u +e rai) &a 8o +ai shi) Sha4a se%ai) Seppo %yo%e) :a%u o yosho) Hya%u sen
man no%u) Nayuta) Asoi %o%u) Dori shu8o)
Sho +en;nanshi) $ +e chuen) &a setsu nen;do;4ut?to) U 4u on o) Nyu o nehan)
Nyo +e %ai i Ho4en !un;4etsu)
Sho +en;nanshi) Nya%u u shu8o) 0aishi a sho) &a i 4utsu;en) 5an o shin to)
Sho %on ridon) @ui sho o do) Shosho 8i setsu) #yo8i !udo) Nen%i daisho) :a%u;4u
en on) To nyu nehan) U i shu8u ho4en) Setsu mimyo ho) No ryo shu8o)
Ho%?%ani shin)
Sho +en;nanshi) Nyorai %en sho shu8o) &yo o sho4o) To%u ha%?%u 8u sha) " +e nin
setsu) &a sho shu%%e) To%u a;no%u;ta;ra) San;mya%u san4odai) Nen a 8itsu) >o;
4utsu irai) 5u;on nya%u shi) Tan ni ho4en) 5yo%e shu8o) 0yo nyu 4utsu;do) Sa
nyo +e setsu)
Sho +en;nanshi) Nyorai sho en %yoden 5ai i dodas?shu8o) Wa%u se%?%oshin)
Wa%u set?tashin) Wa%u 8i %oshin) Wa%u 8i tashin) Wa%u 8i %o8i) Wa%u 8i ta8i) Sho
sho on;setsu) 5ai 8itsu !u %o)
Sho;i sha a) Nyorai nyo8it?chi%en) Sanai shi so) #u u sho8i) Nya%u tai nya%u
shutsu) :a%u mu +ai;se) &yu metsu;do sha) Hi 8itsu hi %o) Hi nyo hi i) 3u nyo
sanai) 5en no sanai) Nyo shi shi 8i) Nyorai myo %en) #u u sha%u;myo)
96
" sho shu8o) U shu8u sho) Shu8u yo%u) Shu8u yo) Shu8u o%u;so) 3un;4e%?%o) :o%u
ryo sho sho +enon) " nya%%an innen) Hiyu on8i) Shu8u seppo) Shosa 4utsu;8i ) #i
+o +an pai )
Nyo +e) &a 8o;4utsu irai) >indai %u;on) >umyo muryo) Asoi %o) >o8u !u;metsu)
Sho +en;nanshi) &a hon yo 4o;satsu do) Sho 8o 8umyo) 5on yu mi 8in) Bu 4ai 8o
shu) Nen %on hi 8itsu metsu;do) Ni 4en sho on) To shu metsu;do) Nyorai i +e
ho4en) 5yo%e shu8o)
Sho;i sha a Nya%u 4u%;%u;8u o se) Ha%u;to%u shi nin) 3u shu +enon) Binu
esen) Ton;8a%u o;yo%u Nyu o o%u;so) #o%en mo chu) Nya%%en nyorai) >o +ai !u;
metsu) Ben %i %yoshi) Ni e endai) 3u no sho o) Nan+o shi so) 5uyo shi shin)
@e %o nyorai) " ho4en setsu) Bi;%u to chi) Sho4us?shus;se) Nan %a chiu) Sho;i
sha a) Sho ha%u;to%u nin) 5a muryo) Hya%u sen man no%;%o) Wa%u u %en 4utsu)
Wa%u !u %en sha) " shi8i %o) &a sa +e on) Sho 4i;%u) Nyorai nan %a to%%en) Shi
shu8o to) #on nyo +e o) Hit?to sho o) Nan+o shi so) Shin ne ren4o) 5atsu;o o
4utsu) Ben shu +enon) @e %o nyorai) Sui !u 8itsu metsu) Ni on metsu;do)
U +en;nanshi) Sho;4utsu nyorai) Ho %ai nyo +e) " do shu8o) 5ai 8itsu !u %o)
Hi nyo ro;i) /hi;e so;datsu) #yo ren ho;ya%u) @en 8i shu4yo) &o nin ta) sho shi;
so%u) Nya%u 8u ni8u) Nai;shi hya%u;shu) " u 8i;en) $n shi yo;%o%u)
Sho shi o o) $n ta do%u;ya%u) :a%u hotsu monran) 1nden u 8i)
@e8i o 4u) &en rai %i %e) Sho shi on do%u Wa%u shitsu honshin) Wa%u !u
shis?sha) :o %en o 4u) 5ai dai %ani) Hai%i mon8in) @en nan non %i) &ato uchi)
&o 4u%u do%u;ya%u) &an %en %uryo) 5yo shi 8umyo)
Bu %en shi to) 5uno nyo +e) 1 sho %yo4o) &u %o ya%u;so) Shi%i %o mimi) 5ai
shitsu u;so%u) Toshi wao) :o shi ryo 4u%u) Ni sa +e on) Shi dai ro;ya%u) Shi%i
%o mimi) 5ai shitsu u;so%u) Nyoto %a 4u%u) So%u 8o %uno) #u 4u shuen)
&o sho shi chu) 3u shis?shin 8a) 5en shi ro;ya%u) Shi%i %o u %o) So%u;4en 4u%u
shi) Byo 8in 8o yu) :o shis shin 8a) 5en o 4u rai) Sui ya%;%ani) #on8in u;sha%u 8i
4yo) Nen yo o ya%u) Ni !u %o 4u%u)
Sho;i sha a) Do%%e 8innyu) Ship?ponshin %o) $ shi %o) Shi%i %o ya%u) Ni i !u mi)
Bu sa +e nen) Shi shi %a min) " do%u sho chu) Shin %ai tendo) Sui %en a %i)
&usha%?%uryo) Nyo +e %o ya%u) Ni !u %o 4u%u) &a %on to setsu ho4en) 0yo 4u%u
shi ya%u) So%u sa +e on) Nyoto to chi) &a %on sui ro) Shi 8i i shi) @e %o ro;ya%u)
5on ru +ai shi) Nyo %a shu 4u%u) #ot?tsu !u sai) Sa +e %yo i) Bu shi ta;%o%u) 5en
shi en o) Nyo 4u i shi)
97
@e8i sho shi) #on 4u haiso) Shin dai uno) Ni sa +e nen) Nya%u 4u +ai sha) >imin
ato) No %en %uo) 5on8a s4a a) $n so ta;%o%u) >i yui %oro) #u 4u 8i%o) >o e
hi%an) Shin +ui shoo) Nai chi shi ya%u) Shi%i %o mimi) So%u shu 4u%u shi) Do%u
4yo %ai yu) &o 4u mon shi) Shichi to%u sai) >in 4en rai %i) &en shi %en shi)
Sho +en;nanshi) $ i una) Ha u nin no) Sesshi ro;i) 5omo +ai !u) Hot?cha) Seson)
Butsu on) &a ya%u nyo +e) >o;4utsu irai) #uryo muhen) Hya%u sen man no%u)
Nayuta) Asoi %o) " shu8o %o) " ho4en;ri%i) &on to metsu;do) :a%u mu u no) Nyo ho
setsu a) 5omo %a sha)
Ni8i seson) :o%u 8u sen shii) Ni setsu e on)
,end o" part which may be omitted-
>i a to%u 4ur?rai) Sho %yo sho %osshu) #uryo hya%u sen man) $%u sai asoi) >o
seppo %yo%e #ushu o%u shu8o) 0yo nyu o 4utsu;do) Nirai muryo %o)
" do shu8o %o) Ho4en en nehan) Ni 8itsu !u metsu;do) >o 8u shi seppo)
&a 8o 8u o shi) " sho 8in;+u;ri%i) 0yo tendo shu8o) Sui on ni !u %en)
Shu %en a metsu;do) 5o %uyo shari) &en %ai e ren4o) Ni sho %atsu;o shin)
Shu8o %i shin;4u%u) Shichi;8i%i i nyunan) "sshin yo%?%en 4utsu) 3u 8i sha%u
shinmyo) >i a yu shuso) 5u shutsu ryo8usen)
&a 8i o shu8o) >o +ai shi !u;metsu) " ho4en;ri%?%o) &en u metsu !u;metsu) :o;
%o%u u shu8o) 5uyo shinyo sha) &a 4u o hi chu) " setsu mu8o ho)
Nyoto !u mon shi) Tan ni a metsu;do) &a %en sho shu8o) #otsu;+ai o %u%ai) 5o
!u i en shin) 0yo o sho %atsu;o) "n o shin ren4o) Nai shutsu i seppo)
>in;+u ri%i nyo +e) $ asoi %o) >o +ai ryo 8usen) &yu yo sho 8usho) Shu8o %en %o
8in) Dai %a sho sho 8i) &a shi do annon) Tennin 8o 8uman) $nrin sho do;%a%u) Shu8u
ho Shoon) Ho8u ta %e%a) Shu8o sho yu;ra%u) Soten ya%u ten%u) >o sas?shu i;
a%u) U mandara %e) San 4utsu yu daishu) &a 8odo 4u %i) Ni shu %en sho 8in) U!u
sho %uno) Nyo +e shitsu 8uman)
@e sho +ai shu8o) " a%u;o innen) 5a asoi %o) 3u mon san4o myo)
Sho u shu %u;do%u) Nyuwa shichi;8i%i sha) So%%ai %en ashin) @ai shi ni seppo)
Wa%u;8i i shi shu) Setsu 4utsu;8u muryo) 5u nai %en 4ussha) " setsu 4utsu nan chi)
&a chi;ri%i nyo +e) 1%o sho muryo) >umyo mushu %o) 5u shuo sho to%u)
98
Nyoto u chi sha) #ot?to shi sho i) To dan ryo yo 8in) Butsu;o 8ip?pu%o) Nyo i
+en ho4en) " 8i o shi %o) >itsu +ai ni on shi) #u no se%?%omo) &a ya%u i se 4u) 5u
sho %uen sha)
" 4on4u tendo) >itsu +ai ni on metsu) " 8o%en a %o) Ni sho %yoshi shin) Ho;itsu
8a%u o;yo%u) Da o a%u;do chu) &a 8o chi shu8o) &yo do !u yo do) @ui o sho %a
do) " ses?shu8u ho)
#ai 8i sa +e nen) " a ryo shu8o) To%u nyu mu;8o do) So%u 8o8u 4usshin)
Silent Prayers
/ing the bell three times be"ore the "irst silent prayer, in between each silent prayer and
a"ter the last silent prayer, chanting three daimo*u elongated and solemnly to with each
bell ringing.
1irst 9ilent ;rayer
I offer appre#iation to t"e 9"oten 7en'in$ t"e fun#tions in life an% t"e en.ironment t"at ser.e to
prote#t us$ an% pray t"at t"ese prote#ti.e powers be furt"er strengt"ene% an% en"an#e%
t"roug" my pra#ti#e of t"e Gaw.
9e#on% 9ilent ;rayer
I offer profoun% appre#iation an% pray to repay my %ebt of gratitu%e to t"e Criginal <ternal
5u%%"a 9"akyamuni$ to t"e Go"onAon of t"e !"ree Great 9e#ret Gaws$ to t"e Great ;ro.isional
5u%%"a Ni#"iren 4ais"onin$ to t"e 9enior ;riests w"o in"erite% an% transmitte% Ni#"iren6s
tea#"ings$ to !ientai$ w"o systematiAe% t"e Gotus 9utra$ an% to 3umara'i.a$ w"o translate% t"e
Gotus 9utra.
!"ir% 9ilent ;rayer
I pray t"at t"e great "umanisti# religions will permeate an% transform so#iety. I pray t"at I will
personally #ontribute to t"is pro#ess %uring my lifetime. I offer appre#iation an% pray to repay
my %ebt of gratitu%e to all t"ose w"o "a.e taug"t me Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism.
1ourt" 9ilent ;rayer
I pray to bring fort" 5u%%"a"oo% from wit"in my life$ #"ange my karma$ an% fulfill my wis"es in
t"e present an% t"e future.
,7""er additional prayers here.-
1ift" 9ilent ;rayer
I pray for my %e#ease% relati.es an% for all t"ose w"o "a.e passe% away$ parti#ularly for t"ese
in%i.i%ualsH
,(ound the bell continuously while o""ering prayers.-
9i>t" 9ilent ;rayer
99
I pray for pea#e t"roug"out t"e worl% an% t"e "appiness of all li.ing beings.
(ound the bell and chant Nam:myoho:renge:*yo three times to conclude ,group chants
in unison-.
100
&lossary
As"uraH Allegori#al /%emons0 t"at %emonstrate% a reorientation of e.il towar% goo%.
AusteritiesH 9"akyamuni re'e#te% se.ere religious "ar%s"ips in fa.or of t"e Mi%%le ;at".
5o%"isatt.aH 9eeker of t"e 8ay? one w"o #ares for ot"ers.
5u%%"aH Cne w"o is aware of 5u%%"a"oo% wit"in "is or "er life.
5u%%"a"oo%H A state of life in w"i#" one manifests "is or "er 5u%%"a@nature.
5u%%"a@natureH !"e innermost pure self? e>ists wit"in w"et"er one is aware of it or not.
5u%%"ismH !"e religion starte% by 9"akyamuni in In%ia (5
t"
@I
t"
#entury 5..+.
ommentaryH 8ritten #omments on a 5u%%"ist !reatise.
4aimokuH !"e in.o#ation of Nam@Myo@"o@Den@ge@3yo (a mantra+.
4engyo 4ais"iH 5roug"t !6ien@t6ai 5u%%"ism to :apan$ foun%ing t"e !en%ai se#t.
<nlig"tenmentH An awareness t"at one6s life "as t"e 5u%%"a@nature wit"in.
GayaH A #ity in an#ient In%ia near w"ere 9"akyamuni attaine% enlig"tenment.
/go%s0H Allegori#al beings w"o s"owe% "ow important 5u%%"ism is by "umbly seeking it.
Go"onAonH A man%ala w"i#" most Ni#"iren belie.ers #onsi%er to be t"e supreme ob'e#t
of wors"ip.
GongyoH /Assi%uous pra#ti#e0 = t"e #eremony performe% morning an% e.ening by
belie.ers.
101
Gos"oH Getters Ni#"iren 4ais"onin wrote to "is belie.ers. !"ey #ontain "is tea#"ings.
/Great on#entration an% Insig"t0H !6ien@t6ai6s systematiAation of t"e Gotus 9utra.
Hoben "apter (Gotus 9utra+H ;reparatory tea#"ing for oneness of 5u%%"a an%
#ommon mortal.
HonenH 5roug"t ;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism from "ina to :apan.
Hui@YuanH Criginate% ;ure Gan% 5u%%"ism$ in "ina.
In#arnationH 9ee Dein#arnation.
:uryo "apter (Gotus 9utra+H 1ull tea#"ing of oneness of 5u%%"a an% #ommon mortal.
3armaH 9elf #reate% goo% an% ba% %estiny. an #arry o.er between in#arnations.
3umara'i.aH !ranslate% Gotus 9utra from 9anskrit into "inese.
GotusH 1lower t"at pro.i%es metap"or for simultaneous #ause an% effe#t in
enlig"tenment.
Gotus 9utraH Nni&uely bri%ges t"e imagine% gap between 5u%%"as an% #ommon
mortals. Also states t"at all people wit"out e>#eption "a.e t"e potential for
5u%%"a"oo%. !"e pre@Gotus@9utra tea#"ings la#k t"ese two &ualities.
Ma"ayana (stream of 5u%%"ism+H <mp"asiAes un%erlying wis%om$ ai%ing so#iety. 9ee
!"era.a%a.
Maka 9"ikanH 9ee /Great on#entration an% Insig"t0.
Man%alaH Cb'e#t to fo#us on w"en #"anting or me%itating? often #rystalliAes %o#trine.
102
MantraH 9"ort repetiti.e p"rase #"ante% r"yt"mi#ally to a#"ie.e some spiritual ob'e#ti.e.
Mi%%le ;at"H Cne bases "imself on t"e Nni.ersal Gaw$ li.ing wisely an% a.oi%ing
e>tremes.
Mi%%le 8ayH 9ee /Mi%%le ;at"0.
NayutaH In pre@#omputer$ early 5u%%"ist times$ meant to signify an in#al#ulably large
number.
Ni#"ikanH (1II5@1)-I+ A great restorer of t"e ort"o%o>y of Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism.
!rans#ribe% t"e Go"onAon w"i#" t"e 9GI gi.es to members$ an% w"i#" is also a.ailable
from t"is web page.
Ni#"iren 4ais"oninH A Great 5o"%isatt.a an% a ;ro.isional 5u%%"a? starte% t"e Ni#"iren
9#"ool of 5u%%"ism. He passe% on "is tea#"ings to t"e 9i> 9enior ;riests.
Nir.anaH In pro.isional (pre@Gotus@9utra+ 5u%%"ism$ Nir.ana was a blissful state of
laten#y to w"i#" enlig"tene% people #oul% retire$ t"ereby remo.ing t"e nee% to be
reborn on eart" or an eart"@like planet. 5ut w"en 9"akyamuni prea#"e% t"e mature
tea#"ing of 5u%%"ism (t"e Gotus 9utra+$ "e re.eale% t"at 5o%"isatt.as an% 5u%%"as are
fore.er reborn onto eart"@like planets$ in or%er to sa.e ot"er li.ing beings. Nir.ana t"en
be#omes a state of absolute #onfi%en#e t"at any problem or suffering #an be
transforme% into a positi.e e>perien#e t"roug" 5u%%"ist pra#ti#e.
Cneness of ;erson an% GawH !"e Nni.ersal Gaw is at t"e #ore of t"e in%i.i%ual6s life$
an% "e or s"e realiAes t"is.
;re#eptsH 9pe#ifi# rules of #on%u#t? use% in !"era.a%a$ but not in Ni#"iren 5u%%"ism.
;ure Gan% 9#"oolH !rie% to streamline 5u%%"ism$ but pro%u#e% a pessimisti#
p"ilosop"y.
Dein#arnationH Cur entity is eternal? our surfa#e aspe#ts are reborn$ wit" #"anges$
perpetually.
103
9"akyamuniH !"e <ternal$ Criginal 5u%%"a? foun%e% 5u%%"ism in In%ia 5
t"
@I
t"
#entury
5...
9"akyasH 5loo% relati.es of 9"akyamuni? were t"e royalty in a small king%om.
9utraH In t"eory (but not always+$ a written #ompilation of a se#tion of 9"akyamuni6s
%ire#t oral prea#"ings.
!en 1a#torsH !"ey s"ow "ow our life #on%ition #"anges from one state to anot"er.
!en 9tatesH !en main life@#on%itions among w"i#" we flu#tuate$ like a 1*@story ele.ator.
!"eory of K*** on%itions in a 9ingle Gife@MomentH 9ystematiAe% t"e Gotus 9utra.
!"era.a%a (stream of 5u%%"ism+H <mp"asiAes pre#epts$ isolation from so#iety. 9ee
Ma"ayana.
!"ree Great 9e#ret GawsH !"e Go"onAon (your ob'e#t of wors"ip+$ t"e 4aimoku (your
re#itation of t"e mantra Nam@Myo"o@Denge@3yo+$ an% t"e Hig" 9an#tuary (w"i#" is
w"ere.er you "a.e your Go"onAon ens"rine% wit" an altar$ t"e pla#e w"ere you #"ant
%aimoku an% re#ite t"e 9utra+.
!"ree DealmsH How ea#" in%i.i%ual life is inseparable from its en.ironment.
!6ien@t6aiH reate% !"eory of K*** on%itions in a 9ingle Gife Moment? foun%e% a se#t.
!ransmigrationH Gife #an #"ange form (spe#ies+ %uring t"e pro#ess of Dein#arnation.
!reatiseH A ma'or written analysis of t"e tea#"ings impli#it in a 9utra.
Nni.ersal GawH ause an% maintainer of all t"at e>ists? unites person wit" ma#ro#osm
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Below the lin* are some good reasons why you should print this document.
104
4ownloa% ;41 2ersion of t"is 4o#ument
Some &ood 0easons Why :ou Should Print This Document
I was born in 1954. I plan to li.e into my 9*s in goo% "ealt" an% wit" .im an% .igor$ an% I #"ant
%aimoku an% take #are of myself wit" e>a#tly t"at in min%. I am still an at"lete w"o works out
.igorously on a regular basis. My "ealt" is e>#ellent$ an% I "a.e ne.er "a% any %iseases.
5ut youF.e "ear% on t"e news of "ig" s#"ool an% #ollege at"letes in t"eir twenties w"o su%%enly
#ollapse an% %ie$ an% t"e autopsy re.eals a pre.iously un%iagnose% "eart %efe#t. An% of
#ourse people %ie untimely %eat"s by be#oming in.ol.e% in a traffi# a##i%ent$ or by be#oming a
#rime statisti#.
I %oubt 2<DY MNH t"at anyt"ing like t"is will e.er "appen to me. 9till$ we ne.er know t"e
time of our %eat". <.en Ni#"iren "imself only li.e% for I* years.
8"ene.er I %ie$ e.en if itFs w"en IFm 11*$ wit"in - years after t"at$ Go4a%%y will stop "osting my
web site$ be#ause no one will pay t"em for a "osting renewal. !"is alone @ t"e un#ertainty of
t"e "uman lifespan @ is reason enoug" for you to print out your own "ar% #opy of t"e ;41
.ersion of t"is site. You s"oul% put t"e pages in s"eet prote#tors an% bin% t"em in a t"ree ring
bin%er.
An% t"ereFs anot"er reason. A##or%ing to many s#ientists$ at any time we #oul% e>perien#e a
giganti# solar storm w"i#" woul% %estroy t"e ele#tri#al gri% all o.er t"e worl%. Alt"oug" t"e solar
ma>imum is e>pe#te% in t"e fall of -*1K$ s#ientists say t"ere #oul% still be a giant solar storm
e.en as we mo.e towar% t"e solar minimum. 9o t"e %anger ne.er really goes away.
!"e last giganti# solar storm was in 1,59$ an% s#ientists say t"roug" "istory we "a.e
e>perien#e% one su#" storm e.ery 15* years or so. 9o we are o.er%ue.
!"e National A#a%emy of 9#ien#es estimates it woul% take 4 to 1* years to bring t"e ele#tri#ity
ba#k. Cb.iously if t"is "appens millions of people will %ie an% we will be t"rown ba#k into t"e
19t" #entury. Cf #ourse t"ere woul% be no Internet. 9o t"e only way t"is %o#ument #oul% be
passe% on for posterity is if many of my rea%ers printe% t"eir own "ar% #opies of t"e ;41 file.
(An% again$ put t"e pages in s"eet prote#tors an% bin% it in a t"ree ring bin%er.+
Natural %isasters are always followe% by rampant lawlessness. If we lost t"e ele#tri#al gri% %ue
to a giganti# solar storm$ wit"in %ays t"ere woul% be ro.ing gangs of yout"s trying to break into
peoplesF "omes to steal foo% an% water$ an% 'ust generally looting an% .enting t"eir long pent up
"atre%s. !"ese gangs #oul% take o.er entire %owntown areas of our #ities.
<.en if t"ere is no giganti# solar storm in our lifetimes$ t"e ele#tri#al gri% in Nort" Ameri#a #oul%
at any time be %estroye% by an ele#tromagneti# pulse atta#k (an enemy e>plo%ing a nu#lear
%e.i#e in our atmosp"ere$ kno#king out all ele#tri# power an% ele#troni#s all o.er Nort"
Ameri#a+. !"is #oul% "appen any time$ an% t"e results woul% be similar to a giganti# solar
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storm$ in#lu%ing$ no more internet. In Ameri#a we "a.e not s"iel%e% our power plant
transformers an% ele#troni#s an% so we "a.e left oursel.es .ulnerable to an <M; atta#k.
9o please print out a #opy of t"is %o#umentB Demember$ if an% w"en t"e 8eb is gone$ t"is
%o#ument will only e>ist into t"e future if my rea%ers printe% "ar% #opiesB
Also$ to prepare for your own sur.i.al in t"e e.ent of %isaster$ rea% 8"en !e#"nology 1ails by
Matt"ew 9tein (to learn w"at sur.i.al preparations you s"oul% make+$ an% Cne 9e#on% After by
8illiam D. 1orst#"en (a realisti# fi#tion no.el about one small #ommunityFs struggle to sur.i.e
after an ele#tromagneti# pulse atta#k+.
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
"fterward
If you are t"e parent of a #"il% w"o is being bullie% in s#"ool$ in a%%ition to #"anting for
your #"il%6s welfare$ please = please = enroll your #"il% in some kin% of self %efense
#lasses. If my parents "a% starte% me wit" karate at age ) or , rat"er t"an 15$ I #oul%
"a.e a.oi%e% a life of turmoil all t"roug" my twenties. It took me until my early t"irties to
re#o.er from t"e emotional "it I took from being bullie% until t"e age of 15.
!"ank you.
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