1. Preface:
HBS's Regulation on Welfare stipulates that its aim is to:
- Spread the teachings of Great Master Nichiren.
- Practice its traditional ceremonial functions.
- Have the priests and parishioners convert others to the
true faith of HBS.
- Have the priests educate, influence, put at ease, resolve
doubts, etc., of parishioners.
- Expand HBS
- Contribute to the welfare and eternal happiness of the
human race. (Chapter 1, Article 2)
|
HBS's “Welfare" described in the regulation is to provide
happiness to the human race and not to exist as just an ordinary business
venture (Page 25). HBS's concept of “happiness “ is learning
from Great Master Nichiren's and Nissen Shonin's instructions.
2. What is Happiness?
Dictionaries, generally, define happiness as, “Being perfectly
satisfied with a life of 'fullness' and 'feeling fortunate'".
What is the condition of “fullness" or “feeling fortunate?"
Answers will vary depending on one's individual mental condition.
For example, to a poor person, a condition of “fullness and
happiness" is being able to eat a daily meal and have a place
to sleep. But, to a large number of Japanese people or people of other
developed contries of today, having a place to sleep and be able to
eat are a matter of course and are not conditions of being happy.
Most people will, undoubtedly, place their desires on a higher priority
of the “Five Greed's" — Desire for property, sexual
love, eating and drinking, fame, and sleep — but their thirsty
soul of greed further expands. The more one has, the more one wants.
They cease to be satisfied with what they have. Thus, they will not
be able to achieve “happiness". The conclusion is that
“fullness" is not equivalent to “happiness".
When Shakyamuni Buddha was a prince, he gave up his livelihood for
the priesthood in an attempt to discover what happiness is.
3. Through Change of Values:
HBS's teachings are based on the Lotus Sutra, the teachings of
Great Master Nichiren, Nichiryu Shonin and Nissen Shonin. Thus, our
livelihood to achieve “happiness" should: be based on the
teachings of the Lotus Sutra and practices of the three teachers,
Great Master Nichiren, Nichiryu Shonin and Nissen Shonin. How we view
values and the outlook of people living in this world changes greatly.
HBS's path to “happiness" is providing the true teachings
of the Lotus Sutra and the way of life learned from the practices
of the three teachers.
To define the three teachers' consistent views on world outlook and
mankind stemmed from the broad sense of the three time frames-past,
present and future worlds. From a spatial viewpoint, we are not living
a separate life, but that all existences are intertwined. It is based
on the philosophical principle that all phenomena in this world are
included in one instant or in one thought (Ichinen Sanzen). This is
the spirit of the Eternal Buddha that wraps his great compassion and
mercy for this world. We, human beings, are being kept alive by the
Eternal Buddha's spirit. This is the value placed on by HBS.
To define it simply, our soul is not born upon birth and terminates
when our breathing stops. Our spirit, spatial wise, has been in existence
from the past world in a chain reaction of cause and effect. If we
can expand our field of vision, one can realize that we are living
in an environment of sufferings and hardships due to our past bad
karmas. By realizing it, one can sincerely create a feeling to eradicate
their sins. Furthermore, if one can realize that their devotion and
effort to spread the Fine Dharma by body and mind are a path to build
virtues and merits, one will be able to entertain the joy of it.
Our spirit is immortal. When the spirit is purified and instilled
with virtues and merits, one is promised to go to the Land of the
Tranquil Light-Buddha Land. Thus, one can entertain hope of being
reborn in the future world and not become afraid of death. Through
the salvation of the Three Worlds, one can eradicate their sins from
the past life, and be able to live a daily life of happiness in this
world and entertain an aspiration for the future world. If one can
realize that the salvation brought about from the Three Worlds was
due to upholding the Primordial Sacred Object of the Lotus Sutra,
a sense of gratitude to repay it debts to the three treasures (The
Buddha, the Dharma, and Buddhist priesthood) will occur by practicing
its religion.
In addition, when one realizes that all phenomenal existences are
the outcome of various combinations of cause and condition, and that
one cannot live alone, they will harbor the sense of joy by benefiting
others and engaging in the way of Bodhisattva path.
HBS's religion can change individuals' way of thinking and values.
The soul of joy born from the foundation of HBS's true religion is
the soul of satisfaction. It is the happiness that the Buddha, Great
Master Nichiren, Nichiryu Shonin and Nissen Shonin had experienced.
HBS's view on happiness is sharing the happiness that the three teachers
had undergone.
Let us learn from the Great Master Nichiren's and Nissen Shonin's
instructions about their experiences regarding happiness.
4. “Happiness" of Great Master Nichiren and Nissen Shonin:
a). Happiness derived from eradicating
sins:
 |
"What fortune is mine to
expiate in one lifetime the offences of slandering the Law
I have accumulated from the infinite past. "
(Great Master Nichiren's Kenbutsu Miraiki. ST 742)
|
|
"Eliminating slanders and
sins of the past fill my body with happiness"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 6. Pg 425)
|
|
"How much more likely is
one to meet persecutions in the Latter Day! For the sake of
the Lotus Sutra, I have already met with the wrath of the
authorities, but I count that as the greatest good fortune.
It is like exchanging tiles and rubble for gold and silver.
This is the happiness of practicing the Law"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol.8, pg 14)
|
b). Suffering and Hardship Encountered
by Practicing the Law:
|
"In the past, when I was
exiled to the Province of Izu on account of the Lotus Sutra,
I rejoiced at heart even though people thought I was speaking
immodestly. I, since the beginning-less past, had ever incurred
blame for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, whether I was sincerely
devoted to it or not, would I then have been born in the lifetime
as a mere ordinary mortal?"
(Nichiren Shonin Excruciation Sin Eradication Document. ST.
779)
|
|
"Question. What is it like
to encounter hardships frequently? Answer. That is my desire.
I, Nichiren Shonin, for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, have
in his lifetime been attacked with swords and staves, and
have twice been banished to distant places. Can there be any
doubt, therefore, that in the future I will attain the wonderful
fruit of Buddhahood?"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 3. Pg. 166)
|
|
"Repenting and encountering
hardship and rejoicing was a joy for Great Master Nichiren.
To share in Buddha's delight as a human is to become a Buddha
instantly with one's present body. It is elucidated in the
Lotus Sutra: It is difficult to keep this Sutra. I shall be
glad to see anyone who keeps it even for a while. So will
other Buddhas."
(Nissen Shonin. HBS Seiten 673)
|
|
"Encountering difficulties
and accepting hardships with joy result in merits that will
help one to become a Bodhisattva"
(Nissen Shonin's Instructive Poem)
|
c). Joy in Chanting and in Practices:
|
"To be born as a human
being is rare. I was born as a human being. To come across
the Fine Dharma is difficult. Now, I have been blessed with
it. Especially, the Odaimoku of the Lotus Sutra. And, I was
able to become a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra and conduct
merit transferences to the many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Engaging in such practices gives me joy."
(Great Master Nichiren. Letter to Jyakunichibo. ST. 1669)
|
|
"There is no joy other
than to practice the religion. It cannot be lost to fire or
theft. Observing and listening to the conversation of the
parishioners' engagement in its practices give me joy. Truly,
they have become believers and disciples of Great Master Nichiren"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 13. Pg. 46)
|
|
"Turning the joy of sex,
alcohol and money into the joy of chanting and practices,
one can increase merits where their wishes for this present
and future world will be granted. Is there any other way in
the present world to possess a substantive life?"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 16. Pg. 208)
|
|
"A person who knows of
no other way to enjoy life but to accumulate money does not
know that there is enjoyment in building merits in their soul
by chanting the Odaimoku."
(Nissen Shonin's Instructive Poem)
|
d). Joy in Receiving Merits for the Present
and Future Worlds:
|
"Everywhere other than
the Capital of Tranquil Light is a realm of suffering. Once
you leave the heaven of inherent enlightenment, what is there
to bring you joy? I pray that you will embrace the Mystic
Law, which guarantees that people 'will enjoy peace and security
in their present existence and good circumstances in future
existence'. This is the only glory that you need to seek in
your present lifetime, and is the action that will draw you
toward Buddhahood in your next existence"
(Great Master Nichiren. Q & A. Ji Myo Hokke Mondo Sho.
ST. 285)
|
|
"Happiness to a parishioner
of HBS is attaining joy in practicing and spreading the teachings
of the Fine Dharma to others, and is different from that of
non—believers, who find joy in obtaining personal satisfaction
and gains. Great Master Nichiren stated that happiness in
this present life is a momentary night dream, and is a part
of the soul illusion of this world. Practice the religion
with joy to prepare oneself to attain Buddhahood and live
a life of enjoyment in the Pure Land of Tranquil Light."
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 13, Pg. 103)
|
e). Joy in Bodhisattva Practices and Repayment
of What One Owes:
|
"To single-mindedly chant
Namumyohorengekyo and urge others to do the same; that will
remain as the only memory of your present life in this human
world."
(Great Master Nichiren's Q and A. Ji Myo Hokke Mondo Sho.
ST. 285)
|
|
"How delighted I am to
serve Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, whom I have
never seen! I pray that before anything else, I can guide
and lead the ruler and those others who persecuted me. I will
tell the Buddha about all the disciples who have aided me,
and before I die, I will transfer the great blessings deriving
from my practices to my parents who gave me life"
(Great Master Nichiren. ST. 742)
|
|
"Chant the Odaimoku by
oneself. Persuade others to chant the daimoku also. Convert
others to the religion. There is no other supreme enjoyment
then in doing so"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 13, Pg. 231)
|
|
"To be alive in this world
is worthy. Live by providing your body for the benefit of
the Fine Dharma."
(Instructive Poem of Nissen Shonin)
|
|
"Coming in contact with
the Fine Dharma, there is no enjoyment other than to spread
its teachings."
(Instructive Poem of Nissen Shonin)
|
|
"Whether I am rich or poor
does not matter. My enjoyment is derived from being a medium
to spread the teachings of the Lotus Sutra."
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 14, Pg.39)
|
f). Enjoyment
Derived from Coming in Contact with the Fine Dharma and the Great
Teachers:
|
"I rejoice at whatever
good fortune enabled me to be born in the last five—hundred-year
period and to read these true words of the Lotus Sutra."
(Great Master Nichiren's Kenbutsu Mira Ki. ST. 742)
|
|
"Enjoyment from being able
to practice the teachings of Great Master Nichiren"
(Complete works of Nissen Shonin Vol. 25, Pg.142)
|
5. Conclusion:
It can be concluded that the “happiness" enjoyed by the
Great Master Nichiren and Nissen Shonin can be summarized in the “Gratitude
for Buddha's Teachings" in the “One Session of the Fine
Congregation".
Shakyamuni Buddha elucidated in the “Theory of the Fine Dharma"
that all existence is engaged in the bitterness of life. Above all,
the common fundamental sufferings of mankind are described as “withering
in agonies". Mankind flows through various sufferings and agony,
but will finally end up in death. Thus, all of the accumulated assets
were borrowed possessions. The only remains are the heap of misdeeds
and sins conducted by one's body, mouth, and mind. These three bad
karmas will once again lead one into the transmigration path of the
six lower states of existences — hell, and the realms of hungry
spirits, animal, asuras, men and heavenly beings.
The method for mankind to live a life of happiness in this Saha World,
ascribed by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, Great Master Nichiren,
Nichiryu Shonin and Nissen Shonin, is not to escape from hardships.
Based on the Lotus Sutra's teachings, there are ten kinds of world
or spheres. They are called “Jippokai"; hell, the realm
of animals, asuras, men, heaven. disciples (Shomon), Pratyekabuddha
(Engaku), Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas. Hell and the realms of hungry
spirits and animals are referred to as the three lowest states of
existence. The three lowest states of existences and the realm of
asura are called the four bad realms. The six states of existence
from hell to heaven are called the six worlds in which souls transmigrate
from one to another. The four realms from Shomon to Buddhas are called
the four holy realms (Shisho). Each of the ten realms includes the
other nine in itself.
Accordingly, the realm of men includes the realm of Buddhas where
the theory of attainment of Buddhahood is established. A doctrinal
principle of the “Three Thousand Realms in a Moment's Thought"
is developed on the basis of this theory that “each of the ten
realms mutually contains the other nine". These worlds are contained
in our soul.
Shakyamuni Buddha, Great Master Nichiren, Nichiryu Shonin and Nissen
Shonin taught us that the people who merely want to satisfy their
desires of the six realms of happiness should realize that there are
the realms of Shonin to Buddha. They should especially change their
thinking and base their practices to the world of Bodhisattvas to
acquire happiness. This is HBS's sense of happiness. Being born in
the Saha World is full of ups and downs. We are thus living in a world
of hardship. Therefore, the Eternal Buddha by his great compassion
and mercy delegated the Odaimoku of the Fine Dharma to Jyogyo Bodhisattva,
who was born in this Saha World as Great Master Nichiren, to change
the people's way of living by greed. We, who have had the opportunity
to come in contact with the Odaimoku, are the result of being born
in this present world as a human being. By being born in the realm
of human beings, we were provided with an opportunity to practice
the teachings of the Fine Dharma, to chant the Odaimoku, and to accumulate
merits through Bodhisattva practices. By doing so, one can attain
enlightenment in this world and this Saha World can be changed into
the Land of the Tranquil Light. The “Gratitude for the Buddha's
Teaching in the One Session of the Fine Dharma" (Myoko Ichiza)
elucidated:
“How fortunate I am, having obtained this precious
human body and having come into contact with the Buddha's teaching.
Were it not for this, I would be locked for life in the prison of
concerns over food and clothing and trapped in the net of cares for
fame and wealth. How could I ever escape from the crossroads of the
six destinies? If it were not for the embrace of the Tahagata's great
compassion, there would be no value in being a human. What then to
make for the memories of this life?".
A person who has come in contact with the religion and shown joy through
body, mouth, and mind is one who had secured the happiness ascribed
by HBS.
|
Those who have an aspiration
for enlightenment should be glad to see and hear these comments.
Those who care for future lives should prefer to be born as
common people today in the Latter Age than great kings during
the 2,000-year period after the death of Shakyamuni Buddha,
the Age of the True Dharma and that of the Imitative Dharma.
How could they not believe in this? They would rather suffer
from leprosy in the Latter Age reciting Namumyohorengekyo
(Homage to the Lotus Sutra) than to be the revered as a chief
abbot of the Enryakuji Temple, grand temple of the Tendai
School of Buddhism, during the Age of the Imitative Dharma.
(Great Master Nichiren's Senji Sho. ST. 1009)
|
|
