Patience and Perseverance

 There may be times when we are faced with a setback in our career, but everything in our lives has meaning from the eyes of faith. In his writing “The Reconstruction of Hachiman Shrine,” the Daishonin encourages the Ikegami brothers, who had lost an important work contract due to the scheming of colleagues. Far from letting the brothers wallow in self-pity, Nichiren assures them that their setback was “the design of the heavens.”^[13] He further advises them to “avoid any appearance of ill will or resentment [because of not obtaining the construction job]. … Be sure to carry your saw and hammer in your hands or hook them at your waist, and always wear a smile.”^[14]

When things don’t go as we hoped, it is important not to give in to despair. Sensei says, in these circumstances, here is the best thing to do:

Be patient and persevere, putting down solid roots and creating the cause for more fortunate circumstances to present themselves in the future. Faith is about putting down solid roots of happiness in the soil of our present reality. Eventually sprouts will appear and flowers will begin to bloom in beautiful profusion signaling the arrival of a spring of victory and success.^[15]

Our Buddhist practice allows us to make progress in our lives regardless of how bleak the circumstances look. In fact, the tougher the situation, the greater actual proof we can show through the power of faith that can encourage many others.

GUIDANCE ON WORK AND CAREER

“Mr. Toda said that the most important thing is to first become an indispensable person wherever you are. Instead of moaning over the fact that a job is different from what you'd like to be doing, he said, become a first-class individual at that job.

This will open the path leading to the next phase in your life, during which you should also continue doing your best. Such continuous efforts will absolutely land you a job that you like, one that supports your life, and allows you to also contribute to society. “ (Faith into Action, 37)

“Faith and daily life, faith and work — these are not separate things. They are one and the same. To think of them as separate — that faith is faith, and work is work — is theoretical faith. Based on the recognition that work and faith are one and the same, we should put one hundred per cent of our energy into our jobs and one hundred per cent into our faith, too. When we resolve to do this, we enter the path of victory in life “ (Faith into Action, 26-27) -

ATTITUDE TOWARDS WORK

"Of course it's important to chant daimoku and do your best in Gakkai activities. But if you only focus on your Buddhist practice without making an honest effort at your workplace, you're just escaping from reality. So long as you have that attitude, the results will be the same, no matter where you work."

"Mr. Toda used to say: 'In faith, do the work of one; in your job, do the work of three.' That's the way of life for Gakkai members. And Nichiren Daishonin writes: 'Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra' (WND-1, 905). In other words, regard your work as your practice of the Lotus Sutra and throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. When you strive to become the best person in your workplace and win the trust of your employer and fellow employees, while at the same time making an earnest effort to practice Buddhism, you'll grow as a person. That's what I did. I worked until midnight day after day in order to keep Mr. Toda's businesses running."

President Ikeda

The New Human Revolution--Vol. 22: Chap. 2, Currents 8

Toda Sensei offers to young people like me: “The most important thing is to first become indispensable wherever you are.... Such continuous efforts will absolutely land you a job that you like, that supports your life and allows you to also contribute to society” (Faith into Action, 37)

From that moment she made a commitment to chant for 20 years for her son to be normal.

Sharing with you such Amazing Testmonial - Post by Miss Angela Kainth

Even one daimoku can permeate the entire universe. How much greater then is daimoku’s capacity to move anything when it is chanted with sincerity and determination….
~ Daisaku Ikeda ~

(The following is an experience that was shared by a friend )
This is a testimony of unconditional love - a devoted mother with great faith. I actually heard this testimony some years back. Today I heard it for the second time. Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to her agonizing struggles. It was a detailed two hours testimony but I try to keep it short here.

Oh Ya Mei is a woman division leader. She has a loving husband and two wonderful children. Her struggles started when she had her 3rd child – a baby boy.

While in the hospital, she noticed her baby boy was not drinking much milk, the other babies had all finished their milk but her baby’s bottle was still full. On the 2nd day she asked the nurse and the nurse casually replied, “ Ah Soh, your baby tongue is too short!” She said that remark instantly prick her heart, it was as if someone has said that her son was mute.

When she finally brought the baby home and for the first time unwrapped the cloth and towel around him, she was stunned! He had severe disability! His hands and feet were badly twisted and his fingers/toes were ‘glued’ tightly together, he was not able to spread his fingers/toes. His backbone was collapsing all over him and half of his body was twisted. His upper arms were sealed/attached to his body, he could not lift his arms over his head. His head was constantly bent over the right side of his shoulders.

Besides, he had some serious nerve, muscle and bone disease. The doctor said that this particular disease is very rare, at that point of time there were only two in Singapore and the other one had died. The doctor did not have much hope that this baby would survived.

She said she felt ashamed to have such a baby. Why her? What had she done to deserve such a fate? What would others say … that she chanted and yet had such a baby! How could she face people whom she had so enthusiastically asked to chant for a better life?

She said she started chanting for her son to have a quick and painless death. In the meantime she did not tell anyone about it, when members and friends came over, the baby was well- wrapped up. No one suspected anything.

Then one day she wrote to Ikeda sensei to ask sensei to choose a name for her son. However she did not mention a thing about the disability of her baby. Within 2 weeks she received a letter from Ikeda sensei. She had expected a more wordy letter but there were only three Chinese characters:

Zhen ( real/absolute)
Guang ( light)
Ming (radiant/brillante)

So the meaning of the name means an ‘absolute radiant light.’ She said the moment she read these three words, she felt as if a surge of a glowing beam of light has emerged out of her! From that moment she made a commitment to chant for 20 years for her son to be normal.

“When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fibre in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success.”
~ Daisaku Ikeda ~

She started chanting 8 hours daily. She had to sacrifice her TV time, her favourite dramas and chant till 2 to 3 am daily. Her prayers are very focused:

1. I want his tongue to be longer/extended,for him to speak properly and the first few words that he will speak
are not mummy or daddy but Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo (after a few millions of chant he did, Starting with Nam to Nam Myo to Nam Myoho and eventually the whole phrase!)

2. I want him to be able to spread his fingers and that his wrist will not be twisted so that he could write Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

3. I want him to be able to spread his toes and his ankle will not be twisted so that he could walk for kosen-rufu.

4. I want him to be able to walk straight and his body will not be twisted, because his body is like the Butsudan

– the embodiment of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
5. I want his head to be lifted up so he could be a proof of the vow/power of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

There are many more such focused and determined prayers like these. All prayers are answered. Much later on, she wanted to find a specialist for him to work on other areas that needed some specific medical expertise so she chanted for a specialist to have Buddha’s wisdom to conduct a successful (highly complicated) surgery for her son. One day someone just walked up to her and introduced a specialist to her!

Now he has grown into a charming young man with no sign of previous disability. He is a handsome boy ( 24 year-old) and he looks like a Korean movie actor! He is an active member of SGI young men division and presently he is doing his university studies.
I try to be as accurate as I can but more significantly here is her enduring determination and persevering faith.

Though I cannot depict the intensity of her agony, her emotions, the strength of her spirit and the tears in her eyes, I believe we can take a piece of this inspiring story of faith to continue with staunch determination to overcome any obstacles we have.

“Invisible radio waves travel vast distances through space, reaching Mars and Venus. In the same way, our inner determination… activates the forces in the universe- the heavenly deities and the Buddhas throughout the directions-appears as solid actual proof with the principle of 3000 realms in a single moment of life."
Daisaku Ikeda
----
Even one daimoku can permeate the entire universe. How much greater then is daimoku’s capacity to move anything when it is chanted with sincerity and determination….
~ Daisaku Ikeda ~

_*What is karma?*_ _*Why do we chant to the Gohonzon?*_ _*Where is karma created?*_

_*What is karma?*_
_*Why do we chant to the Gohonzon?*_
_*Where is karma created?*_

Karma is in the subconscious, specifically in the unconscious part of the subconscious. The subconscious is all our dormant potential. Happiness and unhappiness arise from there. All our images of life are collected there. It is a broad and expansive place. All our past is packed in there, everything. All the images from our previous lives are stored there; all our experiences, feelings, and sounds, everything. They are in our life and in our brain cells.

Everything from the moment you were born; from when you were in the womb even, all the sounds such as your mother singing, and experiences around you are images stored in the unconscious part of your subconscious. This also includes the images stored by your ancestors 1000s of years ago, these images and experiences are carried into yourself. It is your inheritance. It continues on into your offspring, etc. These images become your life and they are what you are now experiencing. For example if you tend to get into car accidents you can naturally assume that your ancestors were prone to accidents as well. Likewise if you experience longevity, many of your ancestors also experienced longevity or if illness runs in your family, this will probably occur in your life. This is family karma and it is stored in your subconscious. Because of the connectedness of you and your family, you share this karma with them. When you chant to the Gohonzon you are changing not just your karma, but your whole family's karma at the same time. When one person changes, their whole family can change.

Because you carry these images, you carry the same problems; illness, the way you die, poor finances, bad relationships etc. Unless you change these images, they persist in your life and in that of your offspring.

These images come out even if you aren't conscious of them. You are not deciding, but the unconscious image is in control; who you meet, what you do, when you die, if you get sick, etc. These are all results of the images you carry. All these unconscious images have led you to where you are right now. The scientific community is just starting to recognize this. Your unconscious images are your karma.

The right side of the brain has a huge impact on how we alter these images. Appreciation has a huge impact on how we alter that image. Using the words "Thank You" has an enormous impact on changing karma. The right side of the brain is happy to hear the words "Thank You" and responds accordingly. The words Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo in Indian Sanskrit are Namu-Saddharma-pundarika-sutra (this is the phonetic spelling) and are translated as "Thank You So Much!"

_*So then what is the correct way to pray?*_

It is not "Please let this happen to me". It is not begging and not asking for anything. But because we are saying "thank you so much" whenever we recite Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, we should always be chanting with appreciation. Our minds/emotions need to match our words. The most basic human feeling or emotion is gratitude. It is first emotion we learn as an infant. Beyond the subconscious and unconscious is a very joyful life condition or world.

When we use the right side of our brain it is much easier to chant. We find that we can chant longer using the imagination side of our brain. Never say "please" when chanting. So many other religious practices teach asking for help, etc, not Nichiren Buddhism.

You have to appreciate everything in your life, including everything from your past. You need to make a conscious effort to recall as much as you can from your past and appreciate it. Even the things that you don't think you can appreciate you have to find gratitude for them. Then you have to appreciate your current circumstances as well, even if you are in the midst of a huge obstacle, such as cancer, financial ruin, a divorce, whatever the situation; you still have to appreciate it. You have to thank the Gohonzon (your life) for giving you this problem, because this is your chance to change negative karma to good fortune.

_*What is the correct way to chant when you have a problem?*_

You have to chant with the spirit of "Thank you so much for giving me this problem. Because of this I can change my negative karma and that of my family's." Pray sincerely from the bottom of your heart to appreciate your present circumstances. Because of this you can disconnect or alter your family karma; you break it and begin to project a new image. You should also set a specific date that you will no longer have this problem.

Dr. Kawada treated fourteen people with stage four cancer. Some were not even SGI members. Their doctors had given up on all of them. One even had to be brought in on a stretcher. All fourteen people joined the SGI. They all learned to chant following this guidance of using the right side of their brain to project an image of no cancer in their bodies. In the US last stage cancer patients are encouraged to draw a white cell eating a cancer cell. Though this has shown to help, practicing Buddhism has an even bigger impact. In two months the person on the stretcher overcame their cancer. Then his doctor joined. Eventually all fourteen overcame their cancer.

You can change any illness, even allergies and skin rashes, etc. If you are in an abusive relationship, you can create a new and positive image and it will change the relationship, because you are connected to that person even on a subconscious level. Your unconsciousness is linked to another's unconsciousness. It doesn't matter if they chant or not, they will change. Who ever you have a problem with; you need to chant for them to help them change their unconscious image. You have to work on it over and over and eventually your image will be projected by them as well. This is really the truth. You can impact the images for your entire family. You have to use the right side of your brain to do this. That is the purpose and the function of the right side of the brain, so use it.

You should write a diary. Not a diary of what happened to you today, but how you want your life to unfold for the next 10, 20, 30 years etc. If you do, your life will change. You can literally write your own destiny!

There are 3 kinds of directions to drive our practice

Guidance on prayers answered based on our Goals
By SGI Vice President Kawai

We practice this faith not for mere exertion, that is, not for the sake of practice, but for change and progress and as quickly as possible. Members may say, I'm doing many SGI activities, but so what? The real question is how much have I changed my life, my environment, and my livelihood? How much benefit have I received? There are many members who are doing lots of daimoku, but there is no change in their lives.

Something is wrong. Buddhism is not the Law of Cause and Effect in Action.It is the Law of cause and effect in ichinen (determined prayer). For example, faith is not "feeling refreshed" after prayers and activities. Faith exists for us to change our lives. When we wish to travel somewhere, first we decide on the destination, then we plan on the action (route/ mode of transport) and then we travel and reach that destination. Faith is the same.  In faith, we must first have clear targets, prayer and action. It is important to pray strongly and then take action and we will see the results without fail. It is important to determine to change. That is to pray "I want to change", and then take necessary action. It is absolutely no use to ask the Gohonzon, "What should I do?" There will be no answer.

YOU must decide what you want to accomplish, not the Gohonzon. Once we decide / determine on some goal, there may seem no solution. But that is precisely why we pray. If it were possible, we would not need the Gohonzon. If there is a way out, then there really is no need to chant. But we pray to change the impossible to possible. Do not engage in "what shall I do..." daimoku, that is, while chanting to think of strategies / look for options in your mind. There is absolutely no need to think of methodology, because there is no way out! We should simply pray like this "I want to accomplish this. I will accomplish this."

If, while chanting, we think that our desires are unattainable / impossible, then that is the prayer that will be reflected onto the universe. And that is exactly the answer we will get back from the gohonzon... impossible/no solution. We must pray with 100% confidence in the Gohonzon. I believe in the Gohonzon, my prayer will definitely be answered, just as the Gosho states "no prayer to the Gohonzon will go unanswered". This is the Buddhist formula, which is 100% correct. It is our doubts that get in the way. While chanting, we always try to find ways out of our problem. Therefore, our ichinen is not directed towards the Gohonzon, but directed elsewhere. Thus it follows, that there is no real joy in daimoku and activities. We just keep doing what we were told to do.

There was a young lady (student division) who wanted to go to USA from Japan to study. It was impossible, as she had no money etc. So she prayed, not chanted, but deeply prayed "I want to go to USA to study - I will go" One year later, she reported positive results. There had seemed no solution, but a "bridge" was formed through her sincere daimoku. This is the Mystic Law. It is beyond our understanding, which is why it is called Mystic. So there is no need to think, just trust and pray...

There was a WD who came for guidance. Her husband had terminal cancer and doctors said he would not live longer than 3 months. Her question was "can he be cured?" The answer was "I don't know". The leader went on to say that President Toda's guidance was that when we determine that the only one thing we can trust is the gohonzon, then the body begins to recover from sickness. This means to cure ones own illness by oneself, through faith. The human body is capable of producing 700 types of medicines. But when our life force is weak, then nothing is produced. When our life philosophy is polluted by slander, and impurities then our life cannot produce its healing power. Buddhism is great. Our life is great! It is supreme. It is Divine. It is the life of the Buddha. So through faith we can always manifest this supreme state of the Buddha, this power of the Gohonzon.

People call Buddhism great, but actually it teaches us that our own lives are great. With determination, great life force and wisdom can be manifested from our lives and bodies to overcome sickness which is one's negative karma-the source of which is slander. So the real question is not whether the illness is curable, rather, the question is whether I can determine it is curable. The woman told her husband about this guidance and together both corrected their ichinen and prayed and he was cured.

A Woman's Division leader in Japan could not walk due to pain in her legs caused by rheumatism. She was asked "do you think that your disease can be cured?" She replied "No!" "So then that is your desire. Your state of mind and that is why the answer from the Gohonzon is - - no cure!" replied the senior leader. The leader continued by saying that if the medical doctor has given up, if he says there is no cure for your condition, then that is the time to summon up your determination to change the impossible to possible. The very next day, the woman called the leader to report that when she determined, the pain disappeared from her legs and 2 weeks later she was completely cured. Her suffering had been caused by her thinking that it was impossible to be cured, that she would have to live with this life condition. But the moment she determined (ichinen) to overcome through faith in the gohonzon, the power of the mystic law was manifested through her life.

There are 3 kinds of directions to drive our practice:

Forward "Gear"
Forward Gear practice consists of having a clear and specified target and determination to accomplish it through prayer and action, for example: I want a white cat. She must be of Persian species, 3 yrs old, with blue eyes, female. And I want her in 2 weeks. I will get it. In other words, doing a lot of activities and daimoku with no targets and clear goals is no use, as it will not produce any changes in your life.

Neutral "Gear"
Neutral Gear Practice is chanting out of duty, with no joy. A habitual practice. E.g.
I am a leader, I have responsibilities, so I'm doing activities. But there is no effect. Its like the car analogy... the engine is full and ready to go... but nothing happens.

Reverse "Gear"
Reverse Gear Practice is when the more activities and daimoku one is doing, one is still going backwards, rather than forward in one's life. In other words, one may be making a lot of seemingly good causes, but one is also complaining. There is slander and grudges against others. Or one might be Complaining about ones' own situation on not seeing immediate results. This is dangerous practice.

Just like in automatic transmission car, there is very little difference between Forward and Reverse Gears, from outward appearance it is difficult to tell where one's ichinen is. But one's life will ultimately clearly manifest it.

Slander
Even if you commit slander without realizing it, it is still slander. One should never criticize leaders. Right or wrong, one should not complain at all. Instead, one can chant for them to grow and one will benefit from that too. Similarly, never do "onshitsu" in your family. That is do not complain, criticize or carry a negative feeling towards husband /wife, children or parents. This is your karma. You chose your spouse/partner  children.„1¤7Chant for their growth. Further, do not depend / rely on others. Do not complain that they don't do this or that. Criticism will bring no benefit. But it will certainly bring negative effects.

In conclusion
We must eradicate the following types of prayer:

0‰1 Out of habit or ritual (that is without any target or determination)
0‰1 Out of delusion (that is while chanting, trying to find solutions to your problems)
0‰1 Out of disbelief (that is thinking that this is impossible and will not happen / change)

Instead, pray with your entire heart, your entire being that I am going to build a bridge towards my happiness and those of others by myself, by using the Supreme wisdom of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. One needs to have the experience of benefits / breakthroughs, so as to encourage others. "I have so many benefits through this practice... what about you?" Especially, senior members must receive many benefits. Buddhism is reason. Otherwise what is the use of practicing this faith? If they don't witness changes/ benefits then their faith has become habitual.

We need to experience benefits through faith and prayer to show power of Gohonzon and encourage others.
President Toda and President Ikeda said there are 10 reasons why no change or benefits occur in senior leaders' lives, even though they have been practicing for a long time.
0‰1 Unclear Determination
0‰1 No concrete targets in faith
0‰1 Doing regular Gongyo but no Concrete Prayer
0‰1 Passive Gongyo and activities from a sense of obligation
0‰1 A complaining and begrudging Attitude about Faith
0‰1 Seeking spirit for senior leaders/ guidance has become weaker
0‰1 Not working hard in office or home
0‰1 Depressed because of various sufferings in life
0‰1 Weak sense of mission for Kosen Rufu
0‰1 Sense of responsibility as leader is weaker

Even if one of the above is missing, then faith has become habitual and there is no benefit. We must have dreams, which lead to hope and finally become reality when we chant! Therefore, we must have big dreams!

Experience
The President of a Fisheries Co was very concerned about the drop in catch of fish as it was affecting his sales, so he went for guidance. The leader asked him "You say that you can't get lots of salmon fish. Does this mean that there is no salmon or are you unable to catch them?" "I can't get any," he replied. "Why can't you call them to your net? Did you pray like that?" The leader encouraged. "No I didn't"."There is no natural boundary in the ocean. So why don't you pray like that?" The leader encouraged. So he did. His catch went up from 20 fish to 300 in one day. His company went from deficit to surplus. This is no miracle. This is the Law. This is reason.

What is amazing is when you don't get benefits even though you do chant.

Mr. Kawai's guidance in faith, conveyed by Mr. Noro, based on President Ikeda's guidance

few teaching move my life

The flame of a fierce fighting spirit burned brightly in the hearts of mentor and disciple. A tremendous struggle thus began, to which Shin’ichi devoted his entire being day after day. His passionate determination eventually spread to the hearts of all members, inspiring people across the entire Japanese archipelago.

Victory starts with conquering one’s own weaknesses. A powerful wave of outstanding victory arises from a person of earnest, determined effort.

“When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fibre in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success.”

~ Daisaku Ikeda ~

Q1: I have a high responsibility at my workplace. I reach home by 9pm. I am a chapter chief. How to take full responsibility of zadenkai and Soka activities?

MD Q&A with Mr Tanegawa


Ans: Balancing our time is an eternal problem. It¡¯s definitely difficult to draw a balance. However, when we look at Ikeda sensei¡¯s struggle, it becomes clear how we should fight in such a situation.
Ikeda sensei for the first 5 years of his life as a Gakkai member had to support Toda sensei so that the latter could repay huge loans and establish his business. Because of this he could not attend Gakkai meetings regularly. To the extent that some members started spreading rumour that Ikeda has discarded faith. However, he struggled to attend zadenkai in the nearby areas and did his best to encourage others.
Around 1953, he was appointed as a YMD chapter chief in Kamata but he still had difficulty in attending meetings. However, he wrote postcards or sent telegrams of encouragement to members, who were overjoyed and surprised to receive such messages.
Everyone knew he was so busy with many things but his struggle to still encourage others through any means possible encouraged the members thoroughly. Members understood sensei¡¯s urgency and responded by fighting hard in KR activities.
Taking responsibility in Gakkai is not dependent on the availability of time; it boils down to the0„2ichinen0„2of leaders.
Experience of a YMD who had a key responsibility of managing wires at a TV station. Because of the criticality of his job, he could not attend any meetings at all. One day he thought of taking guidance on this issue from Ikeda sensei¡­he met him at the kansai HQ. He explained to sensei in great detail his complete situation and his frustration. After listening to his entire, long story very patiently, sensei just told him: ¡°you have no choice but to give your 100% to both, work and faith.¡± Just one sentence guidance. The YMD was very disappointed with this very short guidance because he felt that he already knew it. However, on his way back, he mulled over it¡­he gradually realised that he was0„2actually giving up on his activities citing his busy work schedule as an excuse. He then and there made a determination to actually start giving his 100% to both (work and KR activities). When he started praying like this, he gradually started to find time to attend meetings.
There¡¯s no comparison of the benefits we receive when we CONTINUE to practice in the midst of unfavourable conditions.
Through such a struggle, you are actually forging your life and polishing your ability to give deeper guidance to others.