Wherever practitioners of the Lotus Sutra chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, just as an echo answers a sound and a shadow follows a form, their prayers will unfailingly produce positive results there. The Daishonin teaches that our lives are transformed—both spiritually and physically—by prayer, which in turn exerts a positive influence on our environment. From The Wisdom for … …
Teaching people the power of Nichiren Buddhism today is just as challenging as it would have been trying to teach people a thousand years ago about atomic energy or explain to them the wonders of radio and television. You can do your best to explain the teachings of Buddhism, but people still may not understand. … …
Nothing provides greater reassurance and hope than words of encouragement brimming with conviction based on personal experience. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 275
Those who spread the Mystic Law are true disciples of the Daishonin who carry on his spirit. Nikko Shonin [the Daishonin’s direct disciple and successor] praised all who courageously propagated the Daishonin’s teachings, declaring to the effect that we should revere as respected seniors in faith those teachers of the Law who engage in propagation, … …
We must not spare our voices in sharing with many others the supreme teaching [of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo]. Through such efforts, we help connect them to the Mystic Law, a cause for their eternal happiness. And we create a personal chronicle that brims with everlasting good fortune. As the Daishonin says, “Single-mindedly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and urge others … …
Establishing the state of Buddhahood as our basic life tendency is what it means to “attain Buddhahooad.” Of course, even with Buddhahood as our basic life tendency, we won’t be free of problems or suffering because we will still possess the other nine worlds. But the foundation of our lives will become one of hope, … …
The fundamental aim of Nichiren Buddhism is the development of kosen-rufu. Time and time again in his writings, Nichiren Daishonin stresses the importance of kosen-rufu, or “widespread propagation” of the Mystic Law. As such, the true measure of the success of our movement is the degree to which we have been able to expand the … …
Spreading the teachings encompasses all forms of practice in Buddhism. There is no better way to forge character. If we neglect this basic practice of sharing the teachings, we cannot cultivate ourselves as human beings. From The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 216
An individual’s life span is limited. But when the fundamental spirit of striving for kosen-rufu is passed on from mentor to disciples through successive generations in an organized body of practitioners, that organization will exhibit the eternal life force of a Buddha working continuously to guide all living beings to enlightenment. From The Wisdom for … …
I still remember what my mentor, Mr. Toda, said to me one day as he looked out at the sunset sea in his hometown of Atsuta Village in Hokkaido: “It’s a big, wide world. There are still people who weep in anguish and children who cower in the crossfire of war. You must illuminate Asia … …