The Four Virtues and the Four Debts of Gratitude
When the Buddhas of the three existences of past, present, and future appear in the world, they all, all preach the importance of repaying the four debts of gratitude. And the worthy men of antiquity, the Three Sovereigns, the Five Emperors, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Yen Hui,1 and the…
Recognizing Negative Influences
Those who attempt to obstruct one’s Buddhist practice are known as “negative influences.” Since this is so, believers in the Lotus Sutra should fear those who attempt to obstruct their practice more than they fear bandits, burglars, night raiders, tigers,…
Reply to Kyo’o
Just when I was longing to hear from you once again, the messenger whom you took the trouble to send arrived. In my present circumstances, your gift of money is far more valuable than any treasure to be found on land or…
Gratitude Is A Source of Fundamental Strength
When we face difficulties, thinking of all those who have helped us in some way can rouse in our hearts a renewed fighting spirit. Gratitude is the source of fundamental human strength. (The Teachings for Victory, vol. 3, p. 100).…
True Freedom
To be sure, true freedom in Buddhism means having a free and unrestrained state of life that no obstacle can destroy. Nichiren Daishonin spread his teaching of universal enlightenment amid relentless persecutions by the ruling authorities of feudal Japan. Yet he…
The Three Kinds of Treasure
The Three Kinds of Treasure It is rare to be born a human being. The number of those endowed with human life is as small as the amount of earth one can place on a fingernail. Life as a human being is hard to…
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Vol 1 p.3 If you wish to free yourself from the sufferings of birth and death you have endured since time without beginning and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime, you must…
On the Buddha’s Prophecy
Becoming People of True Wealth
World Tribune Feature “Becoming People of True Wealth” Perhaps we’ve even daydreamed a time or two about what we’d do if we received an unexpected inheritance or won the lottery. For those of us not living in sprawling mansions—and even for…
Each of Us Is a Protagonist
