k祈求 Prayer

槟城新文化会馆祈求目标 New Penang Culture Centre Prayer Objective
1. 槟城新文化会馆所有向政府申请的文件和手续,都顺利早日得到批准。Smooth and early approval of the application of all government documents and procedures for the establishment of the new Penang Culture Centre.
2. 全部各项建筑工程都得到诸天的协助和守护,绝对无事故落成。To receive the protection and help of the Buddhist gods in every aspect of the construction process and its completion without any untoward incidents.
3. 建筑过程中,天气晴朗。Fine weather throughout the construction process.
4. 各人自发向每一期各自御供养目标挑战,达成御供养目标,以期自身宿命转换而得到更大功德。Every member to take initiative and challenge towards own individual target for every contribution campaign – to affect change in our individual karma and to receive greater benefits.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

無論任何苦難也絕對不會敗北 Never be defeated

妙法信心的究極,就是在自己的生命中顯現日蓮大聖人的生命,能擁有跟日蓮大聖人同樣的力量奮鬥。只要如此,無論有任何苦難也絕對不會敗北,不會變成不幸,不會取不到勝利,不會得不到幸福。這是信心的秘訣,要懷著這確信,明朗地奮鬥到底。

The ultimate essence of faith in the Mystic Law is that the life of Nichiren Daishonin manifests itself in our lives. We can strive with the same strength as Nichiren Daishonin. When we do, we will never be defeated, no matter what hardships we encounter. We will not be unhappy. We will not fail to win. We will not fail to become happy. This is the quintessence of faith. I hope you will all be completely convinced of this and live your lives filled with optimism and hope.

Significance & Objective of Mentor Disciple Hall

What is the significance of the Mentor Disciple Hall?

  • "It’s because of presidents Makiguchi and Toda that we have been able to encounter this Buddhism and the Gohonzon and learn from the Gosho. We have thereby come to know of our noble mission in this world as Bodhisattvas of the Earth and have walked the great path to absolute happiness." (BS 13)
  • Therefore the Mentor-Disciple Hall is: "to venerate the memory of our first two presidents and to renew our vows as disciples." (BS 13)
  • "We need to honour not only President Makiguchi but President Toda as well." (BS 7)10.

What is its objective?

  • To forever preserve, perpetuate & communicate the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple.
  • "The passage of time can dilute the original spirit. In the Soka Gakkai, that would mean the destruction of kosen-rufu. Shin’ichi had worries and concerns that Toda’s spirit would diminish or fade." (BS 11).
  • "Toda came to the conclusion that constructing facilities that could forever preserve the spirit of his mentor was also necessary in order to ensure the eternal survival of the Soka Gakkai." (BS 6)
  • "From its very beginnings, then, the Soka Gakkai originated in the mentor and disciple relationship. That’s why to keep the Soka spirit vibrantly alive, the path of mentor and disciple must be communicated and perpetuated forever." (BS 10)
  • "The existence of the Soka Gakkai depended on keeping that spirit of mentor and disciple alive forever among its members." (BS 12)
  • "The Soka Gakkai exists solely by the unity of mentor and disciple and the preservation of their lineage. That’s what makes the eternal flow of kosen-rufu possible." (BS 7)
Read more at http://keiltan.blogspot.com/2010/09/kl-lecturers-study-meeting-pangs-notes.html

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

不進則退 Not advancing is regressing

"不進則退". 希望各位度過"勇猛精進"、"獅子奮迅"的每一天, 無悔地前進! 讓我們以新的光輝, 新的人才來進一步增強自己陣營的威光勢力, 一起構築21世紀廣宣流布的勝利金字塔吧!

Not advancing is regressing. Let us advance and strive day after day, so that we have no regrets. Let us make each day one of brave and vigorous advance, of dynamic progress. Let us accomplish a towering victory for kosen-rufu in the 21st century, causing our movemnet to shine even more brilliantly with new light and new capable people.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

聲為佛事 our voice doing the Buddha’s work

我們認真祈求廣宣流布的聲音,竟是菩薩的聲音,進而更會成為佛的聲音。這就是“聲為佛事”的原理,即是“以聲音從事佛的工作”。
Our voice praying earnestly for the sake of kosen-rufu – that in itself is the voice of the bodhisattva and the voice of the Buddha. It is indeed a case of “our voice doing the Buddha’s work”.

Monday, September 27, 2010

祈求和行動是和平與廣宣流布的波動 Prayers & Grassroots Activities create the momentum for the achievement of peace and kosen-rufu

認真祈求和草根行動,即"從地域延伸到世界"、"從一人延伸到全人類" -- 這就是和平與廣宣流布的波動。
Our earnest prayers and grassroots activities -- starting from the local community and rippling out to the entire world, starting from the individual and rippling out to all humanity -- create the momentum for the achievement of peace and kosen-rufu.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Chant Daimoku with Strong Ichinen

ON the surface, one may appear to be suffering from the effects of heavy karma. However, when we view things from the standpoint of strong faith and the eternal perspective of past, present and future, one will realize that he is presently receiving the effects of his past karma in a much lightened form, in accord with the principle of “lessening one’s karmic retribution” (tenju kyoju). One who embraces the law of Myoho, and joyfully promotes activities for kosen-rufu, will absolutely never be unhappy.

IN our Buddhist practice, the activities that we carry out for ourselves simultaneously contribute to the prosperity of society; and actions that we take for the sake of kosen-rufu in them result in the betterment of our own lives. This is the merit of faith.

THE important thing is faith. It is to chant daimoku and take action with the ichinen, or determination, to raise capable people and help tens, hundreds, even thousands of others become happy and enable them to receive benefit – not just oneself. If one exerts such power of faith and power of practice, then the great power of the Buddha and of the Law cannot fail to manifest in one’s life.

YOU cannot hope to write a magnificent personal history if you content yourself with a life of ease and comfort. What is life for, after all? You have a voice, you have ears, you have a mouth, and you have a brain. You can only reveal your potential as a human being when you put all of your capacities to the fullest and best possible use.

PRESIDENT TODA declared: “It is not good to lead a life bound by the chain of suffering. Daimoku and the practice to propagate the Law constitute the sharp sword that can cut through those chains. The mission and spirit of the organization is to enable all our fellow citizens to attain a state of life unfettered by the chains of suffering.”Source:

http://nichirendaishoningosho.blogspot.com/ White Horses and White Swans.

南无妙法莲华经是欢喜中的欢喜 Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys

御书中提及:“南无妙法莲华经是欢喜中的欢喜”。我们都向往一个充满大欢喜的人生。大圣人的佛法使我们能创造令我们过这种喜悦人生的因。信心产生智慧与喜悦,而怀疑与谤法则是一阐提,即或那些无法成佛的人的特性。

The gosho states, “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the greatest of all joys.” We aspire for a life filled with the greatest kind of joy. The Daishonin’s Buddhism enables us to create causes which will lead to such a joyful existence. Faith gives rise to wisdom and joy, while diubt and slander are the characteristics of ihcintika, or those who are incapable of attaining Buddhahood.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

唱題的力量能通達整個宇宙

日寬上人針對勤行的功德,有教示:「我等信受此本尊,唱奉南無妙法蓮華經,我身即一念三千之本尊蓮祖聖人。」(意即,只要信奉御本尊,持續唱唸南無妙法蓮華經,在我們自身的生命中即會顯現一念三千之御本尊,展現出與末法本佛日蓮大聖人相同的智慧與力量)。

本佛日蓮大聖人將其體悟宇宙根源妙法「南無妙法蓮華經」的生命圖顯為御本尊。透過信奉御本尊、讀誦經文及唱唸題目等活動,與御本尊產生共鳴,在自身生命中顯現「南無妙法蓮華經」的作用,我們生命中所擁有的最高佛界生命就會不斷地湧現。

  譬如,透過聆聽音樂、觀賞繪畫等活動引起共鳴,拓展自身心中豐裕世界的情形一般,透過接觸外界的緣,能將自身生命中的感動顯現出來。同樣的,勤行就是深深以御本尊為緣,開顯自身胸中之佛性生命與作用的修行。

The Passion and Energy of Youth


Josei Toda (1900-58), the second president of the Soka Gakkai, declared toward the end of his life that the 21st century would be created by the power and passion of youth. Having witnessed the tragic rise of Japanese militarism and the devastation of World War II, Toda saw in the qualities of youth--conviction, courage, hope, revolt against injustice, the inherent energy of change--the possibility of redirecting the current of history toward a universal ideal of peace. He knew that this could only happen if young people were given the chance to exercise responsibility and the opportunity to display and develop their potential; if they were inspired by humane ideals and life-to-life encouragement. This hope and trust in the capabilities of youth continues to underlie the SGI's global movement for peace, culture and education.

"Youth" does not signify simply a particular age range. As the poet Samuel Ullman wrote, "Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind . . . Nobody grows old by merely a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals." To believe in youth is to believe in human potential--that it is never too early, or too late, to begin to live an engaged life, and never time to cease doing so.

It is in the belief that now, more than ever, the world requires of each of us the energetic, youthful pursuit of creative and constructive ideals, that this issue of the SGI Quarterly looks at how young people around the world today are discovering and giving expression to a spirit of activism and social contribution.

Friday, September 24, 2010

The treasures of the heart

As the Buddhist teacher Nichiren states: "More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all." "Treasures of the storehouse" refer to money and other forms of material wealth. "Treasures of the body" are skills and abilities, as well as physical health. "Treasures of the heart" are the riches that we build within our lives. This indicates the kind of inner strength that cannot be defeated by any tribulation. It refers to the power to live out our lives in a creative way, with constant joy, fulfillment and vitality.

Source:
http://www.ikedaquotes.org/

為廣宣流布奮鬥,必功德無量. Benefits that are obtained through struggling for kosen-rufu are enormous.

為廣宣流布奮鬥的諸位必定功德無量。世間的幸福短暫無常,但為佛法而行動的福運是永遠的。希望諸位務必秉持無比的榮耀和自信邁進。

The benefits that are obtained through struggling for kosen-rufu are enormous. Worldly happiness is fleeting. However, the good fortune one acquires by taking action for the sake of Buddhism is eternal. I hope you will advance with deep pride and confidence.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

日積月累才會成為力量

能夠持續認真地勤行、唱題,是多麼了不起的事啊!這全都是為了自己,不是義務,而是自己的權利。御本尊絕不會強逼你來信仰,發自內心的信仰,才是真正的信心。自己努力奮鬥,終將成為自己的收穫。 
總之不必覺得受到束縛。佛法是要讓人們自由,而不是要束縛人。從少到多,重要的是每天做。每天吃飯,會形成體力;讀書也是,日積月累才會成為力量。「每日的生活即人生」,因此,非得「每日的生活即成長」不可,而其推動力就是勤行。 
勤勵於勤行這項修行,就是每天作心的鍛鍊,會清淨自身生命,發動引擎,步上正軌。促進身心的正常運轉,調整規律。

《青春對話》

I can do more!

When we limit ourselves with low expectations, the growth of the tree of happiness ceases. The power of growth, of improvement, the power to overcome all stagnation and break through every obstacle and transform a barren wasteland into a verdant field -- that unstoppable power of hope resides right within your own heart. It wells up from the rich earth of your innermost being when you face the future without doubt or fear: "I can do more. I can grow. I can become a bigger and better human being." Life is a never-ending struggle to grow.

Source:
http://www.ikedaquotes.org/

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Prayers

Prayers are invisible, but if we pray steadfastly they will definitely effect clear results in our lives and surroundings over time. This is the principle of the true entity of all phenomena. Faith means having confidence in this invisible realm.

Source:
http://www.ikedaquotes.org/

題目是『前進』的力量. 題目是『勝利』的力量

我們唱誦的題目,有「生存的力量」,有「幸福的源泉」。題目的音律,吻合大宇宙的旋律,有著能從根柢變革生命的偉大力量。以強盛的祈求,就能衝破慘淡愁雲、跨越艱難險境,爽朗地攀登榮耀滿載的人生山峰。

池田先生說:「題目是『前進』的力量,題目是『勝利』的力量。一切的奮戰,都要從祈求開始。誰也無法戰勝唱題不懈的人。」三代會長皆以勇猛精進的題目為根本,展開每天的奮戰,開創出勝利無悔的人生。就讓我們以勇猛精進的唱題,鍛鍊自己的生命,創造勝利、再勝利的人生吧!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

HISTORY OF SOKA GAKKAI

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Soka Gakkai. This issue of the SGI Quarterly features the first of a four-part series examining the history of the Soka Gakkai and its efforts to revitalize Buddhism by creating a global humanistic movement which can contribute to the happiness and empowerment of all people.

Read the details at SGIQuartely

“使人們幸福”的題目 Chanting with the spirit to help people become happy

唱唸自行化他的題目,引導人類走向“和平”“幸福”至末法萬年無盡之永遠,是日蓮大聖人佛法的真髓。亦即,是為“使人們幸福”的題目,為“在現實社會推動廣宣流布”的信心。

The essence of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is to chant daimoku encompassing practice both for oneself and others, and lead all humanity to peace and happiness in the Latter Day of the law and for all eternity. This means chanting with the spirit to help people become happy and advancing with faith that is directed towards realizing kosen-rufu in actual society.