of USAWKF
Happiness in this World
My darling Jennifer,
Your current state of suffering deeply troubles me. Your perception has
been so affected by the emotions running wild in you that you seem unable
to see clearly my efforts to recognize, stabilize and make sensible plans
in the current situation. So I will not try any further for the moment.
It is far more important that you relax and concentrate on your immediate
concerns. I hope the following brief quotations will be of use to you.
In one of Nichiren's letters, he explains the immense power of people
working together with a common goal;
"If itai doshin (many in body, one in mind) prevails among the people,
they will achieve all their goals, whereas in dotai ishin (one in body,
different in mind), they can achieve nothing remarkable. The more than
three thousand volumes of Confucianism and Taoist literature are filled
with examples. King Chou of Yin led 700,000 soldiers into battle against
King Wu of Chou and his 800 men. Yet King Chou's army lost because of
disunity while King Wu's men defeated him because of perfect unity. Even
an individual at cross purposes with himself is certain to end in failure.
Yet a hundred or even a thousand people can definitely attain their goal
if they are of one mind. Though numerous, the Japanese will find it difficult
to accomplish anything, because they are divided in spirit. On the contrary,
I believe that although Nichiren and his followers are few in number,
because they act in itai doshin, they will accomplish their great mission
of propagating the Lotus Sutra. Many raging fires are quenched by a single
shower of rain, and many evil forces are vanquished by a single great
truth. Nichiren and his followers are proving this."
And in this following letter, Nichiren gives direct guidance for happiness;
Happiness In This World
There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
The sutra says, "The people there [in my land] are happy and at ease."1
"Happy and at ease" here means the joy derived from the Law.
You are obviously included among the "people," and "there"
indicates the entire world, which includes Japan. "Happy and at ease"
means to know that our lives--both our bodies and minds, ourselves and
our surroundings--are the entities of ichinen sanzen and the Buddha of
absolute freedom. There is no greater happiness than having faith in the
Lotus Sutra. It promises us "peace and security in this life and
good circumstances in the next."2 Never let life's hardships disturb
you. After all, no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.
Just chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and when you drink sake, stay at home
with your wife. Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to
enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. Then you will experience
boundless joy from the Law. Strengthen your faith more than ever.
With my deep respect,
Nichiren
The twenty-seventh day of the sixth month in the second year of Kenji
(1276)
Reverend Sylvain Nyudo
Sifu, Nichiren Buddhist Monk
Threefold Lotus Kwoon
Clergy of Church of Spiritual Humanism
