 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
2. What to Do? |
|
|
|
Shin Yatomi
SGI-USA
Vice Study Department Leader
The Soka Spirit is for Everyone
The Soka Spirit informs the three basics aspects of Nichiren
Buddhism—faith, practice and study—with the
humanistic essence of Buddhism. The same religious teaching
eventually may be interpreted and practiced differently
by different people or groups. In this regard, the perspective
from which we view religion and the approach with which
to practice it are as important as the teaching itself.
For instance, whether one believes that a religion exists
to serve people, or that people exist to serve religion,
will make a great difference in how one views that religion’s
doctrines or scriptures. The question of whether the ultimate
truth or reality is intrinsic to human life or something
external to and above human life is also a key. The importance
of our perspective on and approach to religion becomes
most evident when we see in today’s world the same
religions being practiced by both violent fundamentalists
and peace-loving ordinary citizens.
The Soka Spirit may be described as the authentically
Buddhist perspective on belief, practice and learning.
It reflects the conviction that all living beings, all
people, equally share the potential for supreme enlightenment.
It views Buddhism as existing to empower all people equally,
regardless of race, nationality, sex, social class, or
position, to develop the highest form of wisdom and genuine
happiness in their lives. The following are four ways
in which the Soka Spirit informs how we believe, practice
and learn about Nichiren Buddhism.
1) Prayer: “Praising
and Reflecting Upon Our True Self”
Prayer is an expression of faith. The content of prayer,
therefore, is the substance of faith. The prayer of authoritarian
faith is the prayer of self-disparagement whereas the
prayer of humanistic faith is the prayer of self-affirmation.
Prayer based on the Soka Spirit is the total affirmation
of our true self that is originally endowed with fundamental
enlightenment and delusion; it is the expression of our
resolve to nurture our enlightenment and challenge our
delusion. In this regard, we may say that through prayer,
we praise our lives for our innate Buddhahood and self-reflect
upon our delusive tendency to disrespect life.
Our acknowledgement of both our innate enlightenment and
innate delusion is a cause for great joy. From steadfast
faith in our innate Buddhahood, we can create hope in
any circumstance; we can tap the life force and wisdom
that can contribute to the improvement of ourselves and
our circumstances. A courageous and honest recognition
of our innate potential for delusion can inspire us to
continually improve our lives. Through praising our innate
enlightenment and reflecting upon our innate delusion,
we can live today with confidence and appreciation and
look with hope toward tomorrow. Practicing Buddhism with
this spirit, we can really come to know our true selves.
2) Learning: “Knowing
Good and Evil Within”
The Soka Spirit means learning the Buddhist view of human
life—of both its good and evil sides. From the viewpoint
of Buddhism, good is the affirmation of life, particularly
its supreme potential of Buddhahood, and evil is its negation.
The innate good of life expresses itself as humanism,
that is, a respectful orientation toward life that regards
fulfilling life’s highest potential as most important.
Life’s innate evil, however, manifests itself as
a disrespectful outlook that views life as a means to
an end.
The vast literature of Buddhism, particularly the Lotus
Sutra and Nichiren’s writings, sheds light on the
workings of life and explains how to nurture our innate
good while challenging our innate evil. Reading about
and discussing the priesthood issue, as a concrete example
of these workings of life, will give us important insight
into the causes of authoritarianism and the importance
of the Soka Spirit. Learning about the humanistic essence
of Buddhism is to have intimate knowledge of our true
self. Please check out our reading materials on this Website
and start learning about the Soka Spirit today!
3) Dialogue: “Talking
the Soka Spirit”
The Soka Spirit deepens and spreads through dialogue.
When we share our thoughts and feelings about it with
others, we not only help them expand their perspective
on life but also deepen our own understanding. When imbued
with the compassion to care for others and the courage
to challenge disrespect toward life, dialogue is a concrete
and powerful expression of the Soka Spirit, whether or
not we specifically mention the SGI or Buddhism.
The possibilities of the practical application of the
Soka Spirit are limitless and as diverse as our human
activities. The Soka Spirit could permeate every dialogue—from
peace talks among world leaders to dinner table conversations.
We can make the Soka Spirit the foundation of our everyday
communication and share the message of compassion and
courage with our families and friends.
4) Action: “Walking
the Soka Spirit”
An idea becomes reality when put into action. If we wish
to appreciate the meaning and value of the Soka Spirit,
we need to practice it every day as in the form of respectful
actions toward others and ourselves. When we praise our
lives through strong Buddhist prayer and treat others
with respect, when we reflect upon our disrespect of others
and ourselves, and when we encourage others to challenge
their delusion, we are on the path of the Soka Spirit.
It is a path that becomes more distinct as we keep walking.
Respect for life is the fundamental teaching of Buddhism,
and the Lotus Sutra explains its importance through example
of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. If we take an honest
look at how we treat ourselves and others, and if we try
to be a little more respectful and a little less disrespectful,
we become practitioners of the Soka Spirit.
It takes mindfulness and perseverance to practice the
Soka Spirit, since all people may not reciprocate our
respect. As an example of this attitude in the Lotus Sutra,
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, though reviled and disparaged,
continued to show respect for all people while praising
their potential for Buddhahood. As the Lotus Sutra teaches,
each step we take along the path of the Soka Spirit will
be richly rewarding, enabling us to deepen our character
and sense of fulfillment. The Lotus Sutra explains that
Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, as a result of his respect
for others, purified his mind and senses, that is, his
thoughts and feelings. When we start embracing those around
us with the Soka Spirit, we will purify our mind and senses,
just as Bodhisattva Never Disparaging did, experiencing
our lives anew each day.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
