What is kosen-rufu?

What is kosen-rufu?

As SGI President Ikeda explains it: "Kosen means 'to widely declare'. Widely implies speaking our to the world, to an ever-greater number and even-broader spectrum of people. Declare means 'to proclaim one's ideals, principles and philosophy.' The ru of rufu means 'a current like that of a great river.' And fu means 'to spread out like a roll of cloth.'

"The teaching of the Mystic Law has nothing to do with appearance, form or pride. It flows out freely to all humanity the world over. Like a cloth unfolding, it spreads out and covers all. So rufu means 'to flow freely, to reach all.'

"Just like a cloth, kosen-rufu is woven from vertical and horizontal threads. The vertical threads represent the passing of Nichiren Daishonin's teaching from mentor to disciple, parent to child, senior to junior. The horizontal threads represent the impartial spread of this teaching, transcending national borders, social classes and all other distinctions. Simply put, kosen-rufu is the movement to communicate the ultimate way to happiness - to communicate the highest principle of peace to people of all classes and nations through the correct philosophy and teaching of Nichiren" (June 5, 1998, World Tribune, p. 7).

A passage from the "Former Affairs of the Bodhisattva Medicine King," the 23rd chapter of the Lotus Sutra, reads, "After I [Shakyamuni Buddha] have passed into extinction, in the last five hundred year period you must spread it abrosad widely [kosen-rufu] throughout Jambudvipa [the world] and never allow it to be cut off" (The Lotus Sutra, p. 288). Nichiren Daishonin made it his lifelong mission to fulfill this injunction of the Buddha - kosen-rufu. He saw the fulfillment of that mission as widely propagating his teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which he identified as the essence of the Lotus Sutra. In his "The Selection of the Time," Nichiren wrote, "Can there be any doubt that, after this period described in the Great Collection Sutra when 'the pure Law will become obscured and lost,' the great pure Law of the Lotus Sutra will be spread far and wide [kosen-rufu] throughout Japan and all the other countries and Jambudvipa?" (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 550). And in "The True Aspect of All Phenomena," he wrote, "At the time when the Law has spread far and wide [kosen-rufu], the entire Japanese nation will chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as surely as an arrow aimed at the earth cannot miss the target" (WND-1, 385).



Reference
Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

What is a Bodhisattva of the Earth?

What is a Bodhisattva of the Earth?

In the Lotus Sutra, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth first appear in the "Emerging from the Earth" chapter. Their qualities include being firm in intent and thought, with the power of great perseverance; diligently pursuing unsurpassed wisdom; without fear; clever at difficult questions and answers; upright in dignity and virtue (see The Lotus Sutra, pp. 216-23).

Although these beings seem exalted and awe-inspiring, Nichiren reveals that we ordinary practitioners, in fact, manifest the very same life-state: "There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho-renge-kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku" ("The True Aspect of All Phenomena," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1,p. 385).

Without dwelling in this decidedly real world, there is no way anyone can develop the compassion needed to touch the hearts of people who are suffering. The world today can be frightening, insecure and disheartening. People need hope. Our experiences living each day, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and encouraging one another, growing through each challenge we overcome - these are the very things we can offer.

In his November 18, 2006, message, SGI President Ikeda says: "It is precisely all of you who chant the Mystic Law and take action for kosen-rufu - Nichiren's will and decree - who are these Bodhisattvas of the Earth.... The founding spirit of the Soka Gakkai lies in realizing the wonderful mission and power we posses as Bodhisattvas of the Earth. There is not the slightest need for us to feel unworthy or be envious of others. The noble life of a Bodhisattva of the Earth beats vibrantly in the very depths of our beings. We can tap and bring forth that pure and powerful life force by chanting with a deep vow and taking courageous action" (January 12, 2007, World Tribune, p. 3)

That vow is to save innumerable suffering beings through sharing the teaching of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Reference
Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

What is the best way to tell my friends about Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI?

What is the best way to tell my friends about Nichiren Buddhism and the SGI?

The most important point is that we be ourselves. As we chant to develop our lives and study to understand how the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism apply to and enhance our experience of daily life at each moment, we develop confidence in the value of our Buddhist practice. It is only natural, then, for us to want to share our expericences with those we care about. SGI President Ikeda has said: "Propagation does not mean trying to force something on someone, nor is it for the sake of the organization. Propagation is an act of venerating the Buddha nature in the lives of others. Therefore, our efforts in shakubuku [or propagation] should be motivated by a spirit of the greatest respect for the other person" (The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. II, p. 197).

It can be difficult, however, to talk about Buddhism and the SGI with others. We might worry about what others will think of us, that we might not be skullful enough in expressing Buddhist concepts or lack of confidence in our practice in other ways. But the very process of trying to reach out to others gives us opportunities to confront and transcend our insecurities. Simply inviting a friend to a discussion meeting is a great way to start. There will be other practitioners there who can share their experiences in faith and practice as well as their understanding of Buddhist teachings.

Ultimately, we practice for both ourselves and others based on the compassionate Buddhist view that we cannot be truly hapy when others are suffering. President Ikeda says, "Shakubuku [propagation] is a practice that is a concrete expression of our belief in the Buddha nature within ourselves and others; it is a humanistic act of the highest respect for others" (The World of Nichiren Daishonin's Writings, vol. 3,p. 114).

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.

Why do we study?

Why do we study?

Nichiren Daishonin says, "Without practice and study, there can be no Buddhism" ("The True Aspect of All Phenomena," The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 386). Practitioners study Nichiren Buddhism not only because it helps them deepen their understanding of the philosophy and life itself but it also empowers them to take on all of life's challenges and further develop their compassion to help others dispel their own suffering.

Without a solid understanding, practicing any philosophy correctly and consistently would be difficule. For Nichiren Buddhists in the SGI, great emphasis is placed on study - it is one of the three pillars of our faith, together with faith itself and practice (both for ourselves and for others).

Through our efforts to grasp the Buddhist teachings, we can build the confidence to continue our practice; and the actual proof we receive from practice in turn deepens our faith. As one example of how it bolsters our faith, the study of Nichiren Buddhism gives us great insight into the workings of life, which helps us understand why things happen to us individually, in our communities and in society. With this knowledge we can take action to transform our lives and the environment from which they are inseparable.

The SGI makes a great deal of study material available, including the English translation of more than 400 letters Nichiren wrote to his disciples in the 13th century. All of his extant letters are available for everyone to read in order that they might grasp, from the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, the true intent and purpose of our practice.

Reference

Living Buddhism "Without Practice and Study, There Can Be No Buddhism". May-Jun 2007 Special Reprint.