FOR DISCUSSION
ADVANCING WITH THE GOSHO
In this section we offer some resources for the preparation of the discussion
meeting, as well as for a brief, inspiring introduction to the experiential dialogues that
the discussion meetings themselves are; namely: a quote that sheds light on the relevance
of all of these efforts («Globally»), a presentation of one of the groups or districts that sustain
them («Locally»), a passage from the writings of Nichiren Daishonin commented by Daisaku Ikeda
(«Advancing with the Gosho»), a «Perspective» and some «Key Topics».
I placed the written petition, dated the eighth day of the
eleventh month in the third year of Koan (1280), in which
you [the lay nun Nichigon] expressed your prayer, along with
your offerings of one thousand coins and an unlined robe
made of thread spun from bark fiber, before the Lotus Sutra
[the Gohonzon], and I spoke to the gods of the sun and moon
about it. Now there is no need to attempt to surmise yourself
how things will go. Whether or not your prayer is answered will
depend on your faith; [if it is not] I will in no way be to blame.
GLOBALLY
What kind of social anchoring is available to resist both the
forces of xenophobia that deepen the divisions within society
and the pursuit of economic rationality that is indifferent
to the sacrifices of the vulnerable? I believe the answer is
to be found in strong connections between people, the kind
of friendship that brings into view the concrete image of
another in our hearts.
Passage from The Global Solidarity of Youth: Ushering In a New Era of Hope, SGI President
Ikeda’s 2017 Peace Proposal.
LOCALLY
Torre de Esperanza
group:
Teresa Arilla
Among the attendees
of this participative
group’s March discussion
meeting were people
of five nationalities.
This diversity—which
is common in the SGI’s
discussion groups—wasn’t
an obstacle to a heartto-heart communication
that not only transcended
differences, but assumed
them as a value.
M
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Mailbox:
From “Reply to the Lay Nun Nichigon” (WND-1, page 1079).
«
The lay nun Nichigon was a follower of the Daishonin
who had strong and steady faith. She had sent him, along
with a number of offerings, a written petition expressing a
prayer. She must have had some earnest wish she hoped
to realize, so she set it down in writing and sent it to the
Daishonin.
The Daishonin tells her that he placed her request before
the Gohonzon and he prayed for its fulfillment, adding:
“Whether or not your prayer is answered will depend on
your faith; [if it is not] I will in no way be to blame”.
This is a very important teaching on the attitude we
should have in our faith and our prayers.
The Gohonzon possesses the immeasurable and
boundless powers of the Buddha and of the Law. But it is
our own faith—our power of faith and power of practice—
that matters. That is what enables us to actually manifest
the limitless power of the Mystic Law, the fundamental law
permeating the entire universe; to show actual proof of its
benefit; and to embody it in our own lives.
»
Translated from the July 2016 issue of the Daibyakurenge.
PERSPECTIVE Faith in Nichiren
Buddhism is not passive nor
dependent, simply seeking happiness
through the good graces of some
external power. Faith based on the
Mystic Law is aimed at bringing forth
the Buddha nature inherent within
us, not calling on an outside power
or being to do things for us. As the
Daishonin asserts: «If you think the Law
is outside yourself, you are embracing
not the Mystic Law but an inferior
teaching».1 Strictly speaking, it is not
«heavenly deities» that protect us: we
protect ourselves. We do so through
the power that tradition used to
associate to entities like the gods of the
Sun and the Moon—an association that
Buddhism embraced creatively based
on its respect to local cultures. That
power exists, though, in our own lives.
KEY TOPICS Attitude in faith and in prayer · Four powers · Power of the Mystic Law · Benefit
1. WND-1, page 3.