Myosetsuji News Nov_13

NICHIREN SHOSHU TEMPLE
FOR
THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, EAST CANADA AND TRINIDAD/TOBAGO
MYOSETSUJI NEWS
I SSUE 149
N OVEMBER 1, 2013
Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shonin
On the Occasion of the August Kosen-rufu Shodai Ceremony
Reception Hall, Head Temple Taisekiji
Good morning, everyone!
On this occasion of the August Kosen-rufu Shodai Ceremony, conducted here today at the Head
Temple, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the large number of participants in attendance, including the Teen Group members.
(Continued on page 2)
M YOSETSUJI ’ S
N EWEST
M EMBERS
Paul Robertson
Allison Mitchell
Andrew Messina
Heathcliff J. Kryszczuk
Ryan Kozlowski
Carlos Paulino
Shane LaForme
Hansome Kim
Alan Hewitt
Aaron Cantor
Amelia Munning
Johnny Zhou
Marguerite Warncke
Effie Tjortjoglou
Denia Paradis
Tsz Wah Ho
Gosho Quote for November 2013
“Articles to be Observed after the Passing of Nikko” (“Nikko ato jojo no koto”)
Nichimoku encountered Nikko for the first time when he was 15 years old. From the time he took faith in
the Lotus Sutra until the age of 73 years; he has not deviated [from the Daishonin’s Buddhism] in the least.
At the age of 17, Nichimoku had an audience with Nichiren Daishonin at Mount Minobu in Koshu Province. Nichimoku faithfully and constantly served his master for the last seven years of Nichiren Daishonin’s
life. After his master’s passing, Nichimoku devoted himself to remonstrating with the Imperial Court for
fifty long years, from the eighth year of Ko’an (1285) until the second year of Gentoku (1330). Such
achievements are superior to those of the other priests. I leave this as documentary proof for the ages to
come. (Gosho, p. 1883)
M YOSETSUJI N EWS
P AGE 2
G UIDANCE FROM S IXTY - EIGHTH H IGH P RIEST N ICHINYO S HONIN ( CONTINUED )
(Continued from page 1)
The month of August already has begun. I imagine that you are striving forth
toward the achievement of your shakubuku goals, day and night, based on the
unity between priesthood and laity, in
the spirit of itai-doshin.
As I often mention, this year, the longawaited Grand Ceremony Commemorating the Completion of the Major Renovation of the Image Hall (Mieido) is
planned to be conducted in November.
Therefore, by the end of October, I truly hope that all the chapters will have
achieved this year’s shakubuku goals, so
that we can formally report our achievement to the three treasures on this occasion.
Presently, the conditions are more
difficult than usual concerning the attainment of our goals. However, because
the situation is tough, I believe that the
joy and fulfillment you will feel after
exerting yourself to the utmost and
overcoming the difficulties will be immeasurable. Moreover, I feel that striving to practice toward the achievement
of your goals while overcoming various
obstacles and devils will bring forth tre-
mendous benefits. This is because each
individual, as a disciple of the True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin, is devoting oneself to the practice for kosen-rufu, in
order to fulfill the Buddha’s will.
Thus, I hope you will further strive in
your practice, aiming toward the
achievement of your goals.
The Daishonin teaches in “Letter to
Hyoe sakan”(“Hyoe sakan dono gosho”):
It is the normal way of
things that, when the Latter Day of
the Law begins, all sages and wise
men will disappear. The sutra illustrates that the country will be
filled only with slanderers
(zanjin), flatterers (neijin), smiling
conspirators, (wazan) and those
with distorted principles (kyokuri).
Figuratively speaking, when the
water runs low, [fish in] the pond
will become
restless.
When the
wind
blows,
the ocean
will be
choppy,
not
smooth.
In the age
of the
Latter
Day of
the Law, there will be an outbreak
of droughts and epidemics, and
heavy rains and big winds will
come, one after another. Because
of this, even broad-minded people
will become narrow-minded. Even
those who desire to seek the truth
will lapse into erroneous views.
Moreover, immediate family members such as father and mother,
husband and wife, and brothers
and sisters will come into conflict,
just like a battle between a hunter
and a deer, a cat and a mouse, or a
hawk and a pheasant. And this will
be all the more so among
strangers. (Gosho, p. 1270)
The Daishonin realistically shows the
conditions of today’s chaotic world in
this defiled evil age of the Latter Day of
the Law. How can we realize world
peace and true happiness of the people in
such an evil age? And what teaching and
method can we follow in order to
achieve this?
The Daishonin states in “Reply to
Lord Ueno” (“Ueno dono-gohenji”):
(Continued on page 3)
I SSUE 149
P AGE 3
G UIDANCE FROM S IXTY - EIGHTH H IGH P RIEST N ICHINYO S HONIN ( CONTINUED )
(Continued from page 2)
Now, in this age of the Latter Day
of the Law, neither the Lotus Sutra
nor the other sutras have the power to save the people. Only NamMyoho-Renge-Kyo can lead all
people to Buddhahood. (Gosho, p.
1219)
Those without the seed of Buddhahood
will not be saved by the surface meaning
of the words of the Lotus Sutra, let alone
by the pre-Lotus Sutra teachings. Only
the mystic Law (Myoho) of the sowing,
hidden in the depths of the Lotus Sutra,
established by Nichiren Daishonin, who
made his advent as the True Buddha in
the Latter Day of the Law, can lead us
to the attainment of Buddhahood.
In particular, now in this age of the
Latter Day of
the Law, both
types of people—those
with positive
and reverse
relationships
with the Buddha—are pervasive throughout the country. This is the
time when the
slander of the
true Law will
increase more
than ever. Therefore, between the two
methods of shoju and shakubuku, in this
age we must use shakubuku as the primary practice, in order to refute slander
and save those who suffer from the poison of slander.
The Daishonin teaches in his Gosho,
“The Opening of the
Eyes” (“Kaimoku-sho”):
The relationship between the
methods of shoju and shakubuku
are like water and fire. Fire abhors water, while water detests
fire. The practitioner of shoju
despises the method of shakubuku, while those who conduct
shakubuku grieve over the method of shoju. When unenlightened
and evil men are rampant
throughout the nation, shoju
comes first, as described in the
Peaceful Practices (Anrakugyo;
fourteenth) chapter of the Lotus
Sutra. When cunning men and
slanderers of the Law thrive,
shakubuku should take prece-
dence, as taught in the Bodhisattva
Never Disparaging (Fukyo; twentieth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
(Gosho, p. 575)
The Latter Day of the Law is the time
“when cunning men and slanderers of the Law thrive.” In this age,
we must practice shakubuku before anything else, refute slander, and sow the
seeds of Myoho-Renge-Kyo into the
lives of the people, who are struggling
and suffering. We must save as many
people as possible.
Thus, now is the time for both priesthood and laity to be united, based on the
spirit of many in body, one in mind (itai
doshin), and devote ourselves to the
propagation of the true Law. I pray from
the bottom of my heart that each of us
will chant abundant Daimoku and practice shakubuku, in order to achieve this
year’s shakubuku goal—and consequently, walk on the path to the attainment of
Buddhahood in this lifetime.
M YOSETSUJI N EWS
P AGE 4
Reply to Priest Takahashi — Oeshiki Sermon by Rev. Shinga Takikawa
Instead he summoned forth
a venerable old figure called
Bodhisattva Jogyo (Superior
Practice) from the depths of
the earth, and then, in the
presence of the Taho Buddha
and the other Buddhas of the
ten directions, the Tathagata
Shakyamuni, seated in the
tower adorned with seven
kinds of treasure, entrusted
the five characters of MyoHo-Ren-Ge-Kyo to him.
(Gosho, p. 886)
It is truly worthy of respect that
you have made a pilgrimage to our
Myosetsuji temple with your profound faith to participate in the
Oeshiki Ceremony this year, the
most important ceremony in
Nichiren Shoshu. We have recited
the Lotus Sutra and chanted the
Daimoku together in order to express our deepest gratitude to
Nichiren Daishonin and renew our
determination in front of the
Gohonzon for the further advancement of Kosen-rufu in the
Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada and Trinidad & Tobago.
Oeshiki is a joyous ceremony
during which we
celebrate the immortality of
Nichiren
Daishonin as the
True Buddha and
his eternal presence throughout
the three existences in this Saha world. The
Daishonin showed his demise on
October 13th in 1282. It indicated
that though his mortal body perished, his life as the True Buddha
eternally exists and he continues
to save all living beings by illuminating the darkness of the ten
thousand years and more of the
Latter Day of the Law. We should
understand that the Oeshiki ceremony holds deeper significance
than just a memorial for Nichiren
Daishonin.
Now I would like to discuss the
Gosho quote from the “Reply to
Priest Takahashi” that we read together just now. Though it might
be a little difficult to understand, I
would appreciate your attention
to my lecture as it contains an important doctrine that
forms the basis of
Nichiren Shoshu
Buddhism.
We understand
that Nichiren
Daishonin, who
made his advent into
this world in the Latter Day of the Law,
is a reincarnation of Bodhisattva
Jogyo, the foremost leader of the
Bodhisattvas of the Earth. This is
one perspective in terms of his
provisional identity. But in
Nichiren Shoshu, from another
deeper perspective, we reverently
believe that his true identity is that
of the True Buddha with the property of perfect wisdom from the
infinite past of kuon-ganjo.
This is the core and orthodox
doctrine of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. And it was transmitted
from Nichiren Daishonin to the
second High Priest Nikko Shonin
and has been passed down to the
present sixty-eighth High Priest
Nichinyo Shonin.
However, people generally
think that it is Shakyamuni who
established Buddhism in India
about three thousand years ago
and therefore he must be considered to be the Buddha. People
who have this view may have difficulty accepting that Nichiren
Daishonin is the True Buddha.
This month’s Gosho quote also
states that Shakyamuni summoned
(Continued on page 5)
I SSUE 149
P AGE 5
Oeshiki Sermon by Rev. Shinga Takikawa (continued)
(Continued from page 4)
forth Bodhisattva Jogyo. If we only read the surface of the Lotus
Sutra, it naturally leads us to an
understanding that Shakyamuni is
a master and Bodhisattva Jogyo is
Shakyamuni’s disciple.
To understand their relationship
better, I would like to bring a
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist concept
to your attention. It is called the
“Six Kinds of Shakyamuni.” They
are:
(1) Shakyamuni, who expounded the Tripitaka teaching. This refers to the Hinayana teachings and was
preached for people of learning and realization (shomon
and engaku).
(2) Shakyamuni, who expounded the connecting
teaching. This refers to the
provisional Mahayana teachings and was preached for
people of learning, realization and bodhisattvas.
(3) Shakyamuni, who expounded the specific teach-
ing. This is also provisional
Mahayana teachings and was
preached for only bodhisattvas.
(4) Shakyamuni, who expounded the theoretical
teaching (shakumon) of the
Lotus Sutra (chapters 1-14).
(5) Shakyamuni, who expounded the essential teaching (honmon) of the Lotus Sutra (chapters 15-28), and
(6) Shakyamuni, who expounded the Juryo chapter
hidden in the depths of the
Lotus Sutra.
This concept reveals that though
all the six types share the same
name of “Shakyamuni,” his status
varies depending on the relative
profundity of the teaching that he
expounded. Therefore, the
Shakyamuni Buddha who expounded the connecting teaching
is higher than the Shakyamuni who
expounded the Tripitaka teaching.
And the Shakyamuni Buddha who
preached the essential teaching of
the Lotus Sutra is nobler than the
one who preached the theoretical
teaching of the
Lotus Sutra. This
principle is called
“same in name but
different in body.”
The Shakyamuni
Buddha who expounded from the
Tripitaka teaching
to the theoretical
teaching of the
Lotus Sutra (from 1 to 4 in the
above list) remains the same as the
Shakyamuni who was born and
first attained enlightenment during his lifetime in India (shijo shogaku), even though there are various differences in profundity and
superiority of his respective Buddha’s bodies. These 4 types of
Shakyamuni are called “the Lord
Shakyamuni of the Buddhism of
Maturing.”
The fifth Shakyamuni Buddha
who expounded the essential
teaching of the Lotus Sutra is the
“Lord Shakyamuni of the Buddhism of the Harvest” who finally
revealed the time of his original
enlightenment in the inconceivably infinite past of kuon or gohyaku
jintengo which literally means five
hundred dust particle kalpas. This
is the Shakyamuni Buddha who
(Continued on page 6)
M YOSETSUJI N EWS
P AGE 6
Oeshiki Sermon by Rev. Shinga Takikawa (continued)
(Continued from page 5)
discarded his transient status of
having first attained enlightenment
during his lifetime in India.
And finally, the sixth Shakyamuni Buddha who revealed the Juryo
chapter hidden in the depths of the
Lotus Sutra is the “Lord Shakyamuni of kuon- ganjo” or is also referred to as “Lord Shakyamuni of
the Buddhism of the True Cause.”
The Juryo chapter hidden in the
depths of the Lotus Sutra means
the fundamental law that produced the Lotus Sutra consisting
of 69,384 characters. It is Myohorenge-kyo that existed in the infinite past of kuon-ganjo, time without beginning. It infinitely predates gohyaku jintengo, the time of
the original enlightenment of
Shakyamuni Buddha who preached
the essential teaching of the Lotus
Sutra. This Myoho-renge-kyo is
the true entity of the law that is to
be spread during the period of the
Latter Day of the Law.
The Buddha who perceived Myoho-renge-kyo of kuon-ganjo is the
Lord Shakyamuni of kuon ganjo.
And the Lord Shakyamuni of kuonganjo is none other than our
founder Nichiren Daishonin. This
principle is called “Different in
name but same in body.”
Nichiren Daishonin reveals in
the Gosho, “One Hundred and
Six Articles,” given to the Second High Priest Nikko Shonin, the
following:
“Nichiren, the Great Teacher
of the Essential Teaching
who is a reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo and Bodhisattva Jogyo is a temporary
form of the Buddha with the
Property of Intrinsically Perfect Wisdom.” (Gosho, p.
1685)
This indicates that the Shakyamuni Buddha of kuon-ganjo, Bodhisattva Jogyo who appeared during the ceremony in the air of the
Lotus Sutra and Nichiren
Daishonin who made his advent in
the Latter Day of the Law are
identical though their names are
different.
I have explained why we revere
Nichiren Daishonin, the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Jogyo in the
Latter Day of the Law as the True
Buddha from the infinite past of
kuon-ganjo. However, I think there
are still people who do not under-
stand why we worship Nichiren
Daishonin as the true object of
worship and not a statue of
Shakyamuni Buddha.
Let’s take an example from the
Gosho “Repaying Debts of
Gratitude” (“Ho’on-sho”).
Nichiren Daishonin states:
“In Japan and all the other
countries throughout the
world, the object of worship
should be the Shakyamuni
Buddha of the essential
teaching. In other words,
the Shakyamuni Buddha and
Taho Buddha who appear in
the Treasure Tower, as well
as all other Buddhas, along
with the four bodhisattvas
including Jogyo (Superior
Practice), shall act as attendants to this Buddha.” (Gosho,
(Continued on page 7)
I SSUE 149
P AGE 7
Oeshiki Sermon by Rev. Shinga Takikawa (continued)
(Continued from page 6)
p. 1036)
The Daishonin clearly teaches us
here in this quote,
“The object of worship
should be the Shakyamuni
Buddha of the essential
teaching.”
Those who don’t believe in the
Lifeblood Heritage of the Law of
Nichiren Shoshu do not understand
the Daishonin’s true intent pertaining to the correct object of worship
contained in this quote. Based on
this quote, they insist erroneously
that the historical Shakyamuni who
appeared in India must be revered
as the object of worship.
Then, how should we interpret
this guidance? Let’s take a closer
look at the same Gosho quote.
Have you noticed that Shakyamuni’s name appears twice?
The first sentence reads:
“…the object of worship
should be the Shakyamuni
Buddha of the essential teaching.”
And the following sentence states:
“…the Shakyamuni Buddha
in the Treasure Tower (omit)
shall act as attendants to this
Buddha.”
We can find that Shakyamuni’s
name is depicted two times. These
sentences would not make any
sense at all if we interpreted these
two Shakyamunis as the same
Shakyamuni Buddha. We would be
confused whether Shakyamuni
should be the object of worship or “True Object of Worbe just an attendant to the Buddha. ship” (“Kanjin no honzon-sho”), the
Daishonin reveals the appearance of
Please recall my explanation of
the Gohonzon as described in the
the six types of Shakyamuni. The
following:
first sentence, “…the object of
“The appearance of the true
worship should be the
object of worship is described
Shakyamuni Buddha of the
essential teaching.” refers to the as the treasure tower soaring
in the air over the saha world,
sixth Shakyamuni, the “Lord
Shakyamuni of kuon-ganjo,” the true where the master of the essential teaching resides. ShakyaBuddha in the Latter Day of the
Law, Nichiren Daishonin. And the muni Buddha and Taho Bud“Shakyamuni Buddha” appear- dha take their place on either
side of Myoho-Renge-Kyo
ing in the next sentence, “the
within the treasure tower, acShakyamuni Buddha in the
companied by the four leadTreasure Tower (omit) shall
act as attendants to this Bud- ers of the Bodhisattvas of the
dha.” means the fifth Shakyamuni, Earth, including Bodhisattva
the “Lord Shakyamuni of the Bud- Jogyo (Superior Practice).” (Gosho, p. 654)
dhism of the Harvest” who expounded the essential teaching of Here in this quote, too, the
the Lotus Sutra.
Also in another Gosho, the
(Continued on page 8)
M YOSETSUJI N EWS
P AGE 8
Oeshiki Sermon by Rev. Shinga Takikawa (continued)
Daishonin indicates that the Shakyamuni Buddha seated to the left of
Myoho-renge-kyo at the center of
the Treasure Tower is acting as an
attendant to the True Buddha.
Furthermore, I would like to
highlight the relationship between
the sentence, “Myoho-RengeKyo within the treasure tower” in the Gosho, the “True Object
of Worship” and the phrase “Lord
Shakyamuni of the essential
teaching” in the Gosho,
“Repaying the Debts of Gratitude.”
The former signifies Myoho-RengeKyo, the great law of sowing the
seed of the true cause and the latter
indicates the True Buddha with the
property of perfect wisdom from
the infinite past of kuon-ganjo, none
other than Nichiren Daishonin who
possesses that law within him.
When these two are combined, we
understand that the great law of
Myoho-renge-kyo and Nichiren
Daishonin are the same and identical.
of kuon ganjo” and
“Shakyamuni Buddha
who expounded the
surface meaning of
the essential teaching of the Lotus Sutra.” Without understanding the difference between
them, we would be
puzzled by why
Nichiren Daishonin is the True
Buddha and why Shakyamuni Buddha who appeared in India was a
provisional Buddha.
successfully introduced 206 people
to the true Buddhism of Nichiren
Daishonin this year. Congratulations! Let’s continue to share with
many people the great benefits of
the Gohonzon and the joy of this
practice next year, 2014!
On the contrary, if people can
believe and understand the difference between them, they can accept why we worship the great
Many members, not only from
mandala inscribed by the Daishonin New York City, but also from variand why we do not enshrine statues ous other counties, states and even
of Shakyamuni Buddha.
from Canada have come by planes,
I am aware that it is hard to grasp trains, buses, vans and cars to gather here today for the single purpose
my lecture today as it contains a
of repaying their gratitude to the
matter of great importance in
True Buddha Nichiren Daishonin.
Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.
Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is It is my great joy to have harmoniWe must understand the differ- extremely profound and my ability ously recited the Lotus Sutra and
ence between “Shakyamuni Buddha to explain it is limited. However, chanted Daimoku with all of you in
there exist many doc- unity.
trinal aspects in
Nichiren Shoshu that
prove the reasons why
Nichiren Daishonin is
the True Buddha of the
Latter Day of the Law
and Shakyamuni Buddha who was born in
India was the provisional Buddha.
Now I am happy to
announce that we have
I earnestly hope from the bottom
of my heart that you can develop
your confidence in and propagate
Nichiren Daishonin’s great Buddhism without hesitation for the
sake of the advancement of Kosenrufu, people’s happiness and longlasting world peace.
With this, I end my Oeshiki lecture. Thank you so much for your
attention.
I SSUE 149
P AGE 9
Long Island Area Report By Sandy McIntosh
During the last two years, Long Island’s
membership has increased rapidly, with
new members joining not only
from Long Island, but also
from surrounding metropolitan
and suburban areas. We now
have five meeting places available—Long Beach, Valley
Stream, Oceanside, Dix Hills
and even far-away Pt. Jefferson. Our senior members have
determined that the key to
uniting everyone, new or experienced, is to make each of
these meeting places a welcoming home
for members and guests. The way to ac-
complish this is to focus on our own
abundant joy in chanting together, uniting
people we may have just met
with members and guests
we’ve known for some time.
The outcome we aim for is
the sharing of a lively meeting
following Shodai, and everyone’s desire to return the
next time--as well as the
knowledge that at the heart of
our Buddhist practice is profound joy.
The experiences below were given in both English and Spanish at the most recent Long Island Local Meeting
Faith Experience by Long Island Member Teresa Malihan Haggerty
My name is Teresa. I was born in the
Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 1972. I am the youngest of
eight children. I received Gojukai (my
initiation into this practice) and became a
member of this Buddhism on March 4,
2003 and since then my life has never
been the same.
As a new member in the beginning, the
benefits I received from this practice are
too numerous to mention. When I received Gojukai, I accepted the three
oaths of acceptance:
Do you swear to practice the true
teachings of Nichiren Daishonin throughout your life?
Do you swear to protect the Gohonzon
of the 3 great secret laws throughout
your life?
Do you swear to keep the precept of
Nichiren Shoshu throughout your life?
I had no idea that when answered, "I do"
to each of them that all my problems,
hang-ups, insecurities, etc., ... were
going to be resolved so quickly and efficiently, ...and that I would bask in glorious benefits as I stand here today.
Granted, I did chant my head off, always striving to improve my practice
every day since. Our Priest has told us,
“when we embrace this practice, there is
no prayer that will remain unanswered".
It’s soooooo true.
As I chanted to the Gohonzon sincerely, I developed a new-found confidence
in the Gohonzon, our object of worship,
and a very clear understanding of this
powerful mandala. Before I started
chanting, I had no confidence. You
could see it in my posture, in my face, in
my work. And as a new member, I had
no Idea how powerful this practice was
when you do your best to practice correctly.
Morning and Evening Gongyo is the
foundation of our daily practice. It
sounds simple, but this is how I gained
confidence. Because of the wisdom we
gain from our daily practice, we naturally say the right words that may help others overcome their sufferings. We attract the right people in our lives, we
land the perfect job, we fix our financial
situation and just plain change our NEGATIVE KARMA. Yeah. I definitely want
to do that! My husband Dennis always
tells me two things: first, listen to the
Priest, and second, our good fortune
comes from the Gohonzon, so DON’T
WORRY!
So since then, I make it my business to
share this practice with everyone in my
life especially at work. I do this with no
fear of persecution from losing my job. I
have introduced all my clients to this
practice, including all my students.
They are my Shakubukus (that is, those
with whom I share the practice). I truly
believe this behavior of sharing this practice is the key to our happiness.
As I share this practice with my friends
and family, my life gets better and bet(Continued on page 10)
M YOSETSUJI N EWS
P AGE 10
Faith Experience by Long Island Member Teresa Malihan Haggerty (continued)
ter, and my problems are no longer problems. I am able to change my life and
take control of it. The more time I spend
understanding this practice, the better my
life condition becomes. I accomplish
more now than if I did it my old way. So
for those of you that have recently received Gojukai, our hope is for you to
sincerely embrace this practice.
Now, I fully understand that when I
said, "I do" in answer to the three oaths of
acceptance at my Gojukai Ceremony, I
was actually saying “YES, I do want to
experience the wonderful benefits of embracing this Practice of Nichiren Shoshu
Buddhism.”
Thanks for listening.
¿Jura usted mantener los preceptos de Nichiren Shoshu durante toda su vida?
Cuando respondí: "sí, juro" a
cada uno de ellos, no tenía ni
idea que todos mis problemas,
obsesiones, inseguridades, etc.,
iban a ser resueltas tan rápidamente y eficientemente, y que
yo ya estaría disfrutando gloriosos beneficios al presentarme
frente a ustedes aquí hoy.
Por cierto, invoqué muchísimo y desde
entonces siempre trato de mejorar mi
práctica todos los días. Nuestro reverendo nos ha dicho que "cuando abrazamos
esta práctica, no hay oración que quede
Me llamo Teresa. Nací en las Filipinas y sin respuesta". Eso sí es la verdad.
emigré a los Estados Unidos en 1972. Soy En la medida que invocaba sinceramente
la más joven de 8 hijos. Recibí Gojukai
al Gohonzon, estuve desarrollando una
(mi iniciación a esta práctica) y me con- nueva confianza en el Gohonzon, nuestro
vertí en miembra de este Budismo, el 4 de objeto de veneración, y a la vez un entenmarzo de 2003, y desde ese entonces mi dimiento muy claro de este poderoso
vida nunca ha continuado ser la misma.
mandala. Antes que empezé a invocar, no
a nuestro reverendo y en segundo lugar,
nuestra buena fortuna proviene del
Gohonzon, así que ¡NO TE PREOCUPES!
Pues, desde ahí en adelante, me ocupo
de compartir esta práctica con todo el
mundo en mi vida, y especialmente en el
trabajo. Y lo hago sin temor a la persecución de perder mi trabajo. He introducido a todos mis clientes a esta práctica,
incluyendo a todos mis estudiantes. Ellos
son mis Shakubuku (es decir, aquellos con
quien comparto la práctica). Realmente
creo que esta conducta de compartir esta
práctica es la llave a nuestra felicidad.
tenía confianza. Y se podía observar en
mi postura, en mi cara, y en mi trabajo.
Y como nueva miembra, no tenía idea de
Al compartir esta práctica con mis amilo poderosa que es esta práctica cuando
gos y familia, mi vida mejora cada vez
uno hace lo mejor para practicar correctamás, y mis problemas no siguen siendo
mente.
problemas. Puedo cambiar mi vida y maEl Gongyo de la mañana y él de la tarde nejarla. Cuanto más tiempo paso com¿Jura usted practicar las verdaderas enseñanzas de Nichiren Daishonin durante son el fundamento de nuestra práctica
prendiendo esta práctica, cuanto más se
diaria.
Suena
muy
simple
decirlo
pero
así
toda su vida?
mejora mi condición de vida. Yo logro
es como gané mi confianza. Debido a la cumplir más ahora que de lo que hubiera
¿Jura usted proteger el Gohonzon de las
sabiduría que obtenemos a través de nues- cumplido con mi manera de ser de antes.
3 grandes leyes secretas durante toda su
tra práctica diaria, naturalmente enconAsí que para aquellos de ustedes que havida?
tramos las palabras precisas que puedan
yan recibido su Gojukai recientemente,
ayudar a los demás a superar
nuestra esperanza es que puedan abrazar
sus sufrimientos. Atraemos a sinceramente esta práctica.
nuestra vida las personas más
A estas alturas, entiendo perfectamente
apropiadas, logramos conseque cuando dije "sí, juro" en respuesta a
guir el mejor trabajo, soluciolos tres juramentos de aceptación en mi
namos nuestra situación financeremonia de Gojukai, en realidad yo
ciera y, simplemente, cambiaestaba diciendo que “SÍ, yo quiero experimos nuestro karma negativo.
mentar los maravillosos beneficios de
Y, ¡sí, definitivamente, quiero
abrazar esta Práctica del Budismo de Nihacer eso! Dennis, mi marido,
chiren Shoshu.”
siempre me dice dos cosas. En
primer lugar, préstale atención Muchas gracias por su amable atención.
Al principio, como nueva miembra, los
beneficios que recibí de esta práctica fueron demasiado numerosos para mencionar
aquí. Cuando recibí Gojukai, acepté los
tres juramentos de aceptación, los cuales
son:
I SSUE 149
P AGE 11
Faith Experience by Long Island Member Sebastián Gómez
I'm Sebastián Gómez, I am 38 years and
I was born in Argentina. My Gojukai
ceremony took place in Buenos Aires over
15 years ago, in April 1998, thanks to the
benevolence of my mother, who introduced me to Buddhism. My father and
my sister are Buddhists too. In January of
this year, I immigrated to the United
States, where I live with my wife Julie.
I would like to share part of one of my
experiences of Tozan. Since I started to
practice Buddhism, I’ve had the good
fortune of participating in five Tozans.
Tozan is a pilgrimage to the Head Temple
Taisekiji, seated at the foot of Mount Fuji
in Japan. There you can participate in the
ceremony called Gokaihi, an audience
with the Dai-Gohonzon-Sama. Also during our stay, we can learn more about
correct faith, practice, study and the history of the Buddhism of Nichiren
Daishonin.
Using Japan as a geographical reference
point, Argentina is exactly on the other
side of the world. The effort to go on
Tozan is extraordinary, both physically,
for the long trip is between 35 to 40
hours (and at least 24 hours are
in the air), and economically, due
to the financial condition of the
country.
Tozan is not a simple journey
that is bought and you're ready to
go. Although I’m always thinking about working and saving
monthly Gokuyo (an offering of
support) to go on Tozan, the
most important thing is the preparation to overcome any obstacle
with a strong determination.
This can be achieved by frequently visiting our local temple, attending ceremonies, practicing
along with our Reverend and fellow believers, doing Gongyo without fail day
and night, and chanting a lot of Daimoku.
And yet the manifestation of our karma
can surprise us.
In April 2006, I made my third Tozan
on the Occasion of The Transfer of the
Heritage of the Law from 67th High Priest
Nikken Shonin to the 68th High Priest
Nichinyo Shonin, a unique occasion. This
is what we see in the third silent prayer
when we read about the transfer of
the Law (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo)
from Nichiren Daishonin to Nikko
Shonin and the successive High
Priests.
ing the Temple. The Reverend Shudo
Ijiri and Ryokyu Nakayama inspired us to
have courage, temperance and patience.
And they guided us with the Gosho:
"On Itai Doshin" which says:
“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.” (Gosho, p.1389;
MW-1, p. 153)
The 2006 Tozan began for me on April
3. That day I traveled to the U.S. to have
a civil wedding with Julie on April 7. I
was waiting for my flight at the airport
and by phone, between tears and smiles,
my mother informed me that the Temple
in Argentina was reopened.
The preparation for this Tozan
came with a lot of extras for me.
The Temple in Argentina had been
closed by order of the Office of ReliAfter getting married, having
gious Affairs. In addition, Julie and I
celebrations and making arrangewere getting married in the United
ments with Julie, we headed to the
States.
airport to fly to Japan. But someWe suffered a lot because of this
thing happened that I never imagtemporary closure, as we did during ined could in my wildest dreams.
the prohibition of all Buddhist activi- Although we left with enough time
in advance, a great traffic congesties following the opening of the
tion due to road work caused us to
Temple in Argentina in 1998. But
that, again, strengthened the believ- miss the plane. We ran, but we
ers and united us even more. It be- didn’t make it.
came a great incentive for those who
Julie, with more experience dealing
were going on Tozan. A chanting
with airports, made arrangements with
chain was organized for the reopenthe airline and we received the benefit of
M YOSETSUJI N EWS
P AGE 12
Faith Experience by Long Island Member Sebastián Gómez (continued)
traveling the next day, without having to
pay penalties and surcharges. Being able
to fly the next day allowed us not to miss
the ceremonies at Taisekiji. It was a
tough situation that appeared in our lives
for us to face and solve together as husband and wife.
lightenment. Without faith, practice
and study, Buddhism
could not exist.
The next day, we
arrived at Chicago,
then went from ChiUntil that moment, I was so worried
cago to Narita, and
and angry about the situation that I got
from Narita to Tosick. I felt dizzy, I was sweating and I
kyo . . . and from
spent all day and night in bed with a mi- there to the bullet
graine. Although my legs were shaking as train and then to a
I sat in front of the Gohonzon with Julie taxi . . . We arrived
Gokaihi – la audiencia con el Daiand her mom, we did our evening
at the head temple late at night, we
Gongyo. At that time, I determined that looked each other and together Julie and I Gohonzon Sama. También durante nuestra estadía podemos aprender más sobre
nothing would stop us on our way to
said "we did it!”
la fe, práctica y estudio correctos y la
meet the Dai-Gohonzon-Sama.
Then I went to the Temple, where the historia del Budismo de Nichiren
I always keep in my heart the words of Argentine group was staying, and there I Daishonin.
the Lotus Sutra that say: “isshin yokken found my fellow believers, most of them
butsu fuji shaku shinmyo” (singlesleeping, and then the next day's activities Tomando como referencia geográfica a
Japón, Argentina está exactamente al
mindedly yearning to see the Bud- began . . .
otro lado del mundo. EI esfuerzo para
dha, we do not begrudge our lives).
Me llamo Sebastián Gómez, tengo 38
hacer Tozan es extraordinario, tanto en
Chanting Daimoku, I felt energized, the años y nací en Argentina. Mi ceremonia lo físico (por el largo viaje de entre 35 y
heat went down my spine and the pain
de Gojukai tuvo lugar en Buenos Aires
40 horas, y al menos 24 horas en el aire)
left me. Undoubtedly, through my prac- hace más de 15 años, en abril de 1998,
como en lo económico (por la situación
tice, I could raise my life condition
gracias a la benevolencia de mi madre
propia del país).
through the power of the Gohonzon.
quien me introdujo al Budismo. Mi paTozan no es un simple viaje que se comdre y mi hermana también son Budistas.
There are times when we feel strong
pra y listo. Aunque siempre trabajo penEn enero de este año inmiqré a Estados
and at other times not, but we should
sando
en el Gokuyo (ofrenda) mensual y
Unidos donde vivo can mi esposa Julie.
always aim to do the practice, whatever
en
ahorrar
para hacer Tozan, lo más imour situation is. Thus, undoubtedly, we Hoy, lamentablemente por motivos laportante
es
la preparación para superar
borales, no puedo estar presente pero me
can acquire the supreme benefit of Encualquier obstáculo con una firme
gustaría compartir parte de una de mis
determinación. Esto se puede lograr
experiencias de
visitando
frecuentemente el Templo loTozan.
cal, asistiendo a las ceremonias, practiDesde que practi- cando junto con nuestro reverendo y
co Budismo he tecompañeros, haciendo Gongyo sin fallar
nido la buena fortu- día y noche, e invocando mucho Daina de haber partici- moku. Y aún así la manifestación de
pado en cinco Tonuestro karma nos puede sorprender.
zanes, así se llama la
En abril de 2006, hice mi tercer Tozan
peregrinación al
con
motivo del traspaso del Legado de la
Templo Principal
Ley desde el 67° Soberano de la Ley,
Taisekiji al pie del
Nikken Shonin, al 68° Soberano de la
Monte Fuji en
Ley, Nichinyo Shonin. Una ocasión úniJapón. Allí uno
puede participar en ca. Es lo que podemos observar en la
Tercera oración silenciosa cuando leemos
la ceremonia de
I SSUE 149
P AGE 13
Faith Experience by Long Island Member Sebastián Gómez (continued)
sobre el traspaso de la Ley de Nichiren
teléfono, entre lágrimas y sonrisas,
Daishonin a Nikko Shonin y así a los suce- cuando mi madre me informó que se
sivos Soberanos de la Ley.
reabría el Templo de Argentina.
La preparación de este Tozan tuvo elementos extra para mí. EI Templo de
Argentina había sido cerrado por una
disposición del Ministerio de Asuntos
Religiosos. Además, Julie y yo, nos
íbamos a casar en Estados Unidos.
Luego de casarnos, de las celebraciones y arreglos con Julie, partimos
rumbo al aeropuerto para volar a
Japón. Pero pasó algo que nunca
hubiera imaginado ni en mis peores
sueños ... aunque salimos con suficiente tiempo de anticipación, una
Sufrimos mucho por la clausura tempogran congestión vehicular debido a
raria, igual que durante la prohibición de
obras de construcción provocó que
las actividades tras la apertura del Templo
perdiéramos el avión. Corrimos, pero
de Argentina en 1998, pero eso una vez
no lIegamos.
más, a los creyentes, nos fortaleció y nos
unió. Se transformó en un gran incentivo Julie, con más experiencia en aeropara aquellos que íbamos a hacer Tozan. puertos, hizo los arreglos con la compañía aérea y recibimos el beneficio de
Se organizó una cadena de Shodai para
viajar al día siguiente y no pagar recarla reapertura del Templo. Los
gos. Así no nos perderíamos las cereReverendos Shudo Ijiri y Ryokyu Nakayamonias en Taisekiji. Fue una situación
ma nos inspiraban coraje, templanza y
dura que apareció en nuestras vidas
paciencia.
para que la enfrentemos y resolvamos
Y nos orientaban como dice el Gosho
juntos, como marido y mujer.
"Sobre Itai Doshi": “Si Itai Doshin
Hasta ese momento estuve tan pre(distintos cuerpos con un mismo
ocupado y enojado por la situación,
corazón) prevalece entre las perque me enfermé.
sonas, lograrán todos sus objetivos,
Me sentía mareado, transpiraba, y pasé
mientras que en Dotai Ishin (un
mismo cuerpo pero distintos en
todo el día y noche en cama enfermo con
corazón) no podrán alcanzar nada migraña.
notable.”
Las piernas me temblaban, y como pude
EI Tozan 2006 comenzó para mí el 3 de me senté frente al Gohonzon con Julie y
abril. Ese día viajaba a Estados Unidos
su mamá e hicimos Gongyo. En ese mopara casarme por civil con Julie el 7 de
mento me dije que nada iba a detener
nuestro camino al encuentro con el Daiabril. Yo estaba en el aeropuerto y por
Gohonzon Sama.
Siempre guardo en
mi corazon la frase del
Sutra del Loto que
dice:
"ISSHIN YOKKEN
BUTSU, FUJI
SHAKU
SHINMYO" (con
una sola mente
queriendo ver al
Buda sin escatimar
la propia vida)
AI invocar Daimoku, me sentí energizado, un calor me recorrió la columna espinal y el dolor me abandonó. Sin dudas, a
través de la práctica pude elevar mi estado de vida gracias al poder del
Gohonzon. Hay veces que nos sentimos
fuertes y otras no, pero siempre debemos
proponernos hacer la práctica cualquiera
sea nuestra situación. De este modo sin
dudas obtendremos el supremo beneficio
de la iluminación. Sin fe, práctica y estudio no hay Budismo.
AI día siguiente lIegamos a Chicago, y
de Chicago fuimos a Narita, y de Narita a
Tokio . . . y desde allí al tren bala y luego
a un taxi . . .
Llegamos de noche. Con Julie nos
miramos y dijimos “lo hicimos"!!
Llegué al Templo donde estaba el
Grupo argentino y allí me encontré con
mis compañeros . . . la mayoría dormía .
. . al otro día comenzaban las actividades . . .
7:20 AM
6:00 PM
9:00 AM
Monday
1
Saturday
Gongyo 7:00 PM Closed
Gongyo 7:30 AM Flushing Temple
Friday
2
Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM
Korean Oko 12:00 PM
Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM
Long Island Cleanup
Group Memorial 10 AM
Chinese Oko 12:00 PM
Evening Gongyo 2:30 PM
Westchester Cleanup
Introductory Mtg 10 AM
24
17
Japanese Oko 12:00 PM (Main Hall)
Youth Mtg 12:00 PM (Residence)
19
20
21
22
26
27
28
29
Gongyo 7:00 PM Closed
Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM
Gongyo 2:30 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM Closed
Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 10:00 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Flushing Temple
25
Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM
Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Flushing Temple
18
30
23
16
Thursday
New Jersey Cleanup
10
11
12
13
14
15
Oko Ceremony 10 AM
Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Flushing Temple
Nichimoku Shonin Memorial
Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM
Gongyo 7:00 PM Closed
Children's Day Ceremony
Wednesday
November 2013
Myosetsuji Temple
9
9:00 AM
8:30 PM
3:30 PM
Tuesday
Close
Queens Cleanup
3
4
5
6
7
8
Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Gongyo 7:30 AM Flushing Temple
Kosen-rufu Chanting 10 AM *
Support Staff Mtg 12 PM
Gongyo 7:00 PM Gongyo 7:00 PM
Gongyo 7:00 PM Closed
*On November 3rd Daylight Saving Time Ends.
Clocks should be set back 1 hour.
Monday - Friday
Re-opens on Mon/Tues/Fri
Sunday & Holidays
Sunday
Open
9:00 AM
Monday
Closed
4:00 PM
Manhattan
Temple Closed
Manhattan
Temple Closed
Manhattan
Temple Closed
Manhattan
Temple Closed
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
21
14
16
15 Brooklyn Cleanup
Gongyo
10:00
AM
Chanting Mtg
7:00 PM
Evening Gongyo 2:00 PM
25
18
26
27
20
28
30
29 Uptown Cleanup
Gongyo 10:00 AM
Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan
Temple Closed Temple Closed Temple Closed Temple Closed Temple Closed Evening Gongyo 2:00 PM
Manhattan
Intro Mtg
Temple Closed 7:00 PM
13
9
8 Bronx Cleanup
Chanting Mtg Oko Ceremony 10:00 AM
7:00 PM
Spanish Oko 12:30 PM
Evening Gongyo 2:00 PM
24
19
12
7
Saturday
2
1 Uptown Cleanup
Chanting Mtg Kosen-rufu Chanting
7:00 PM
10:00 AM
Evening Gongyo 2:00 PM
Friday
November 2013
Manhattan Branch
23
22 Midtown Cleanup
Koto
Group Memorial 10:00 AM
Hokkeko
Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan
Chanting Mtg Chanting Mtg Temple Closed Temple Closed Temple Closed Evening Gongyo 2:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Study Mtg*
Chanting Mtg 7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Hokkeko
11
Koto
Hokkeko
Manhattan
Intro Mtg
Chanting Mtg Chanting Mtg Temple Closed 7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
4
3:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 PM
Close
17
10
3
*Guidance from Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo
Shonin on the Occasion of the August Kōsen-rufu
Shodai Ceremony
Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri
Wednesday/Sunday
Saturday
Sunday
Open
N ICHIREN S HOSHU
T EMPLE
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Flushing, NY 11355
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B RANCH
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Rev. Shinga Takikawa, Chief Priest
Rev. Joryo Nomura, Assistant Priest
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