Get Inspired for a Fresh Start

Sunday, April 30, 2006

A young woman seated in front of an altar prepares to begin her day. The altar’s focal point is an unfinished wooden cabinet-like structure called a butsudan.

Inside the butsudan hangs a scroll inscribed in Chinese and medieval Sanskrit called “The Gohonzon.” She opens the doors of the butsudan, lights two candles, a stick of incense and then loops a strand of sandalwood beads over both her middle fingers. She strikes a brass bell three times, presses her beaded palms together and rhythmically chants “nam-myoho-renge-kyo.”

She is one among 12 million people in 190 countries who practice Nichiren Buddhism with a lay organization called the Soka Gakkai International (SGI). Nichiren Buddhism, founded by Nichiren Daishonin, a young priest in 13th century Japan, is based on the Buddhist teaching called the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra, the last teaching of Buddhism’s founder, Siddharta Guatama, or Shakyamuni (born in 566 B.C., his birthday is celebrated this Friday), teaches that all people possess the inner vitality, compassion and wisdom needed to live a life of contribution regardless of race, gender, social standing or education. The Lotus Sutra also teaches that the universe is governed by a single principle or law.

THE LOTUS

Nichiren Daishonin, born in 1260 A.D., crystallized the Lotus Sutra by chanting its title, “Myoho-Renge-Kyo” and inscribing the “Gohonzon.” Nichiren Daishonin taught that by understanding this universal law, human beings can unlock their hidden potential, harmonize with and influence their environment, and transform suffering. In a letter to one of his disciples entitled, “On Attaining Buddhahood,” Nichiren wrote, “If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death … you must perceive the mystic truth inherent in all living beings. This truth is myoho-renge-kyo. Chanting myoho-renge-kyo will enable you to grasp the mystic truth innate in all life.”

Practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism say they chant “nam-myoho-renge-kyo” to surmount difficulties and achieve self-transformation, peace, prosperity, health, and happiness. The SGI, as a global community, strives to achieve the same goals.

Although Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI are gaining global popularity, little is known about Nichiren Buddhism and its appeal to young people.

“Practicing Nichiren Buddhism pushes me beyond my own limitations. It teaches me the art of happiness and how to stay happy,” said Anita Artzner, 29, a pilates and dance instructor.

Artzner was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism by one of her female clients. The woman invited Artzner to a meeting in Canton and gave her a copy of The World Tribune, an SGI-USA weekly newspaper. Artzner attended several meetings and started chanting in 2003.

“I’ve never been around such a diverse group of people,” Artzner said. “It’s awesome to be in a room with four to five different cultures and we all get to say something. I think this practice gives young people a voice”

Nathan Kopan, a 24-year- old construction worker who grew up practicing Nichiren Buddhism, said the religion appeals to young people because it “holds answers.”

SEARCHING

“Young people are searching for answers. One answer I’ve found in Nichiren Buddhism is that a person and his or her environment are one, not separate. This means that I don’t have to be a victim of my environment. If I change myself, then my environment will change. This practice can answer pretty much any question.” Kopan explained.

“Nichiren Buddhism gives me a better understanding of life. It helps me have more confidence on my job, better interaction with people and has improved my finances. Two years ago I wanted to buy a house. I found one and even signed the contract then discovered that the house was no good.” Kopan said. “Shortly afterwards, I found a much better house for the same price. Chanting and studying about the practice kept me consistent and on track with my goals and in the crucial moment I felt protected.”

Many older members of SGI-USA also began practicing as young people. Raymond Olivera, a manager with the Stark County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and his brother, Pascual, now deceased, started Nichiren Buddhism in Canton when they were 19 and 23. Pascual, a famed flamenco dancer, shared the practice with Raymond.

“It appealed to my brother because he was told he could get whatever he wanted. It appealed to me because SGI members said Nichiren Buddhism could benefit anyone, no matter where you came from and that you could chant for anything. There were no judgments.” Olivera said.

Olivera has practiced Nichiren Buddhism for 38 years and says the foremost benefits have been graduating college, landing his job of 31 years, and maintaining a happy marriage and family.

EMPOWERING

“I think it empowers you to create your own kind of happiness. It can also give you direction to work and help others become happy. Practicing Nichiren Buddhism is a discipline that young people can attach to and use to focus on what they need.” Olivera said.

Throughout the United States, young practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism participate in activities to share the philosophy and practice with others. In 2004, Nichiren Buddhist college students hosted more than 600 introductory meetings and college lectures on such topics as life and death. Young practitioners have also created more than 100 college organizations to host discussions and activities about Nichiren Buddhism. Six students at Kent State University recently started such an organization called the Nichiren Buddhist Peace Alliance.

IMPORTANT ROLE

Young people have played a vital role in Buddhism’s historical lineage, beginning with Shakyamuni. He was 19 when he left his life as an Indian prince in search of a solution to humanity’s suffering. Nichiren Daishonin was 12 when he started studying all Buddhism in search of the single teaching to help people become happy.

The SGI’s honorary president and spiritual mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, now 78, began practicing in Japan when he was 19. Ikeda stresses the importance of supporting young people in speeches, books, SGI activities and publications. Ikeda also founded Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, Calif. to support developing young people as global citizens and leaders.

“When youth are awakened to a sense of mission, their power is limitless. Ultimately, we have to entrust our hopes and visions for the future to the youth.” Ikeda said in a book titled, “Today and Tomorrow- Daily Encouragement.”

“Youth will rise up to fulfill their ideals without calculation or self-interest.”

This article was published in times of india dated 14th August 2006 written by Dr Daisaku ikeda

The past year saw a series of devastating natural disasters, continuing terror attacks and conflict, and the threat of virulent new diseases. These issues affect every one of us with no respect for political or geographical borders; they are perhaps an integral aspect of globalisation.

But the most effective search for solutions to these global problems starts with a focus on our immediate, individual realities.

The need today is for individuals of robust character who can confront the changes in our society without becoming ensnared in greed and selfishness.

The robust individual is rooted in society, in relationships with others and in shared and mutual concerns.

Humanity is found and developed within the context of our relations and it is within this framework of our own interactions that we must each begin to address the global issues that confront us.

Peace is not simply the absence of war. A peaceful society is one in which everyone can maximise their potential and build fulfilling lives free from threats to their dignity.

Rallying public opinion to the cause of peace and disarmament requires — besides experts and those already involved — people from all walks of life.

There needs to be a revolutionary transformation in the way people think about peace, so that it is felt as an immediate and personal reality.

Disarmament education with this deeper goal can play an important role in moving us from a culture of war — of conflict and confrontation — to a culture of peace based on cooperation and creative coexistence.

We must fully integrate disarmament education in every way possible and develop activities to this end throughout civil society. The basis for these initiatives must be a shift in our frame of reference from national to human sovereignty.

Disarmament education needs to be disseminated grass roots up. Our greatest priority should be changing people’s mindset and behaviour so that they are grounded in a culture of peace.

A transformation in the inner life of a single individual can spur similar changes in others. As this extends into society, it generates a powerful vortex for peace that can steadily shape the direction of events.

The collective impact of “ordinary citizens”, awakened and empowered, can propel humankind towards the twin goals of genuine disarmament and a flourishing culture of peace.

I will always remember what Joseph Rotblat, emeritus president of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, said to me on ridding the world of nuclear weapons and war: “When a small stone is thrown into a pond, the ripples travel widely out from the centre.

Though the ripples may become less powerful, they still do not completely disappear. Every person has the power to create ripples that can change society.

If these efforts are concentrated and channelled through NGOs, inevitably the power to influence society will grow… If we unite, we can change the world.

It might take some time, but viewed from a long-term perspective, the people will be victorious in the end”. If one likens political and economic relations to ships, connections between ordinary people are like the ocean itself.

So long as the ocean of mutual understanding and friendship continues to link peoples, amicable interactions will be maintained even through crises in which the ships risk running aground.

This faith in the importance of people-to-people connections is the basis for all my actions. The writer is president, Soka Gakkai International.

For full text of the 2006 Peace Proposal, see http://www.sgi.org/english/President/peaceproposal/peace2006.htm.

Dear Microcosm of the world hi to you all, This blog is created with the interest of encouraging each and individual human life with various guidance around the globe for winning our daily life.the purpose of seeking guidance is like adding fuel to human engine to reach our destiny.kindly share your valuable guidance with me and lets merge together with the macrocosm for the eternity of life.your valuable suggestion and feedbacks are welcome to make this blog more valuable.“This lifetime will never come again; it is precious and irreplaceable. To live without regret, we must have a concrete purpose, continually setting goals and challenges for ourselves. And we need to keep moving toward those specific targets steadily and tenaciously, one step at a time.”
-Dr.Daisaku ikeda