Learning from Nichiren Daishonin's Writings Flashcards
41) In “The Wealthy Man Sudatta,” Nichiren Daishonin says: “The way to become a Buddha easily is nothing special. It is the same as giving water to a thirsty person in a time of drought, or as providing fire for a person freezing in the cold. Or again, it is the same as giving another something that is one of a kind, or as offering something as alms to another even at the risk of one’s life” (WND-1, 1086). In our practice of Buddhism today, offering something precious or important to us means ______________________________________________ in the course of our daily lives while living life to the fullest. Please fill in the blank. (See The Basics, pp. 107–08)
… pledging to carry out kosen-rufu …
42) The practice of “almsgiving” is one of the six paramitas, or bodhisattva practices. Among the various types of almsgiving in Buddhism, the two most commonly known are _______________ _________ and _______________________. Please fill in the blanks. (See The Basics, pp. 107–08)
… the offering of goods, providing food and other goods to the Buddha and Buddhist Order; and the offering of the Law, sharing or explaining the Buddha’s teachings.
43) In “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” the Daishonin states: “Exert yourself in the two ways of practice and study. Without practice and study. there can be no Buddhism. You must not only persevere yourself; you must also teach others. Both practice and study arise from faith. Teach others to the best of your ability, even if it is only a single sentence or phrase” (WND-1, 386). What does it mean to share Buddhism “to the best of your ability”? (See The Basics, p. 110)
“To the best of your ability” means exerting yourself to the fullest. There is no need to feel hesitant about talking to others about Buddhism because you’re not good at Buddhist study. For instance, you could just share some of Nichiren’s words that you find movLearning From Nichiren Daishonin’s Writings 111 ing or something you learned through your Buddhist practice. Or you can tell someone, even with just a few words, that practicing Nichiren Buddhism is enjoyable, that it will enable them to make their wishes come true.
44) In “Happiness in This World,” Nichiren says: “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” (WND-1, 681). In likening life to the ocean, what does Ikeda Sensei say about the meaning of this passage? (See The Basics, p. 113)
T he ocean, even when waves are crashing on its surface, is calm and unchanging in its depths. There is both suffering and joy in life—the point is to develop a profound, indomitable self not influenced by these waves. A person who does so receives the joy derived from the Law.
