choosehope

Life Span of the Thus Come One

2006-09-07T12:50:51Z

Sho kyo sho kosshu.
Muryo hyaku sen man.
Oku sai asogi.
Jo seppo kyoke.
Mushu oku shujo.
Ryo nyu o butsu-do.
Nirai muryo ko.
I do shujo ko.
Hoben gen nehan.
Ni jitsu fu metsu-do.
Jo ju shi seppo.

[Since I attained Buddhahood,]
the number of kalpas that have passed
is an immeasurable hundreds, thousands, ten thousands,
millions, trillions, asamkhyas.
Constantly I have preached the Law, teaching, converting,
countless millions of living beings,
causing them to enter on the Buddha way,
all this for immeasurable kalpas.
In order to save living beings,
As an expedient means I appear to enter nirvana
But in truth I do not pass into extinction.
I am always here, preaching the Law.
I am always here......(Lotus Sutra, 229)

SSA & SGIA

2006-09-05T19:54:48Z

Today I stumbled across the following website with photos of youth division from the Singapore Soka Association and SGI Australia. I'm always so inspired to see what youth division in other parts of the world are doing.

Thanks Andy!

Study Review

2006-09-01T17:29:51Z

The materials for the SGI-USA 2006 study review are really quite good. I feel like the triad of gosho material, essentials of Nichiren Buddhism, and Soka Spirit are right on.

The material for the study review comes in a handy booklet that is being sold at culture centers as well as downloadable directly from the SGI-USA website.

Gosho
The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life—LB Jan/Feb 2006
Reply to Onichi-nyo—LB Mar/Apr 2006
On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime—LB May/Jun 2006

The Essentials Of Nichiren Buddhism
Part 6 - The Lotus Sutra And Shakyamuni Buddha(LB 7/03)
Part 7 - An Overview Of The Lotus Sutra(LB 8/03)
Part 9 - The Important Principles Of The Lotus Sutra(LB10/03)

Soka Spirit
Refuting the Erroneous Teachings of Nichiren Shoshu—LB May/Jun 2006

The YMD in my region just started having a monthly study meeting to have an indepth study of the essentials material. It's been an incredible review as well as eye opening to see where different YMD are with study. (self included)

Happy Student Division Day!

2006-08-31T15:39:23Z

THURSDAY, August 31st, 2006
-- TO MY FRIENDS --
Hurrah to the Student Division!
Intellect and character
become the strength to quash
corruption and injustice.
Young people of justice and truth,
challenge yourselves to develop into
balanced and wholesome
human beings.

*Above is an unofficial translation of "To My Friends" based on President
Ikeda's guidance published in the Seikyo Shimbun.

On August 31st, 1962, President Ikeda began his first lecture on the "Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings" to some forty student division representatives.

choosehope @ 2006-08-30T14:31:00

2006-08-30T18:32:34Z

The Daishonin states, "The voice does the Buddha's work" (Gosho Zenshu, p. 708). To chant the Mystic Law is to praise the Gohonzon. Hearing the sound of our daimoku, the heavenly deities will be set into motion and work to protect us. A weak and unclear voice will not move the heavenly deities. That is why it is important for us to chant daimoku with voices that are clear, strong and brimming with joy.

From For Today and Tomorrow: SGI President Ikeda's Daily Encouragement

August 30