Richard Causton

from dust jacket

'The basic practice of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism consists of chanting the phrase Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the Gohonzon, a scroll inscribed with many Chinese and two Sanskrit characters. This is supported by the daily practice of morning and evening gongyo, the recitation of two key chapters of the Lotus Sutra, followed by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 'to our heart's content'. If you do this, study and teach others the Buddhist vieww of life to the best of your ability, you will develop a state of life in which your desires are completely fulfilled, which creates the maximum value for yourself and your society, and which is powered by unshakeable happiness and confidence, no matter what problems you may be facing.'-from the Introduction

On a spring day in the year 1253, a Buddhist priest, Nichiren Daishonin, began to chant and teach Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In these words was the universal truth through which he had attained enlightenment. He taught that, by chanting this phrase, all people-regardless of ability or understanding-coulld actually activate their potential for enlightenment and happiness.

Rooted in the beliefs of this thirteenth-century Japanese priest, Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism teaches that spiritual and material blessings can become available in this life. Richard Causton explains the teachings and their history and provides examples of how followers have found their full potential within this daily practice. He shows how personal goals can be combined with a commitment to world peace, ecology, and the easing of suffering through the daily recitation of the Lotus Sutra-a central teaching of Buddhism-and chanting.

'It may seem esoteric in the extreme to look to Buddhism as the answer to pressing and practical human difficulties,' writes the author. 'This would, however, be to misunderstand the true nature of Buddhist teacing for, as more and more people around the world are discovering, and as the experiences related in this book testify, the practice of Nichiren Shoshu buddhism has a profound and revolutionalry impact on ordinary, daily life; an impact which enables one to fully realize one's own unique potential and to develop the ability to create the greatest possible value in any situation. It is probably the down-to-earth nature of these teachings and their practical value in overcoming human problems in daily life that has caused this Buddhism to grow so steadily and strongly in more than a hundred countries in recent times.'

The practice of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism involves the detemination to transform one's own character and to see the transformation through to the very end, for one's own sake as well as for that of family, society, and ultimately the world.

Richard Causton is the chairman and general director of Nichiren Shoshu of the United Kingdom, vice president of the Nichiren Shoshu European Institute, and vice president of the international lay society known as Soka Gakkai International.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
Part One
1 The ten words
2 The meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo
Myoho
Renge
Kyo
Nam
Part Two
3 The Gohonzon
4 The essentials of practice
5 Soka Gakkai International
6 A lasting peace
Appendix
Chronological history of the life of Nichiren Daishonin
Index… (más)